Nick Fury thought for a moment before speaking.
"It looks like we can't directly shut this organization down in the open."
"Coulson, how many superheroes are they planning to recruit publicly?"
Coulson took out a folder, placed it in front of Fury, and said,
"The Red Ribbon Group is preparing to recruit three superheroes through a draft-style selection."
"In addition to that, they already have four lined up. Here's their information."
Fury picked up the files and flipped through them: Selene, Michael, Wesley, Alexei.
Selene: British. One of the second wave of extraordinary beings to join the League of Assassins. According to intel from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s British branch, she belongs to the vampire race. However, recent discoveries indicate that Selene and the other vampires no longer possess the weakness of fearing sunlight.
Fury frowned as he read. S.H.I.E.L.D. had long received intelligence about the League of Assassins recruiting two whole waves of extraordinary beings. Their undercover operatives had confirmed it. As for the vampire and werewolf clans within Britain, Fury was aware. Those had been handled mainly by the UK branch, which had struck a special agreement with the vampires: peaceful coexistence, sustained by their development of artificial plasma as a substitute for human blood.
Michael: Formerly a London doctor, later became leader of the werewolf clan for unknown reasons, leading them into the League of Assassins.
Alexei: Former Soviet super-soldier, the Red Guardian. After the collapse of the USSR, he disappeared without a trace, now resurfacing in the Red Ribbon Corps as one of the Seven Heroes.
Selene and Michael didn't bother Fury much. He already knew of those groups, even if Michael's sudden rise to clan leader was unusual.
But Alexei was another story. Fury had lived through the Cold War. Though the great red empire had collapsed, the shadow of those days remained vivid in his memory. First they had recovered Captain America, and now the Red Guardian had returned.
At least Alexei wasn't tied to modern Russia but to the Red Ribbon Group… which meant Smith Dole now commanded him.
How had they found the Red Guardian? With this question lingering, Fury opened the last file.
Wesley: Son of the League of Assassins elder known as Cross. Childhood friend of Smith Dole.
After reviewing the four, Fury spoke.
"They're recruiting three people through this draft. Doesn't that give us a chance to slip someone in?"
Coulson nodded and explained,
"They're doing it in the style of an idol competition, which does give us an opening to plant someone inside."
"But the candidate must be extraordinary, and their ability can't be too weak."
Fury agreed. The opportunity was there, but not easy to seize. They would have to send someone strong—not the strongest, but not a pushover either.
He thought about S.H.I.E.L.D.'s roster of extraordinary individuals and potential undercover agents, but found few suitable. Jessica Jones, the one he favored, was often sparring and training with Cap. He was planning to add her to the Avengers. She wasn't fit for deep cover.
Then he recalled two names. The first was a Hong Kong native with pyrokinetic powers, Chen Haoran.
On Agent Guan's suggestion, Chen had been sent to S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy for training. Using earlier research on Steve Rogers, the original Super Soldier Serum, and military variants, S.H.I.E.L.D. created a derivative, incomplete version.
After injection, Chen's fire abilities had been greatly enhanced. His flames were now capable of significant damage, and he continued to train at the Academy.
The second candidate was his opposite: an ice-user, Nigel, a prodigy from the Academy.
During an experiment involving a thunderstorm and sub-zero conditions, Nigel had awakened his power: the ability to freeze anything he touched. The larger the area, the longer it took.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was focusing on letting Nigel naturally strengthen his abilities. Compared to Chen, who had joined later, Nigel was considered Academy-bred—one of their own.
They wouldn't administer the serum to Nigel unless his progress plateaued and safety was assured. In truth, Chen had been the test subject for Nigel's sake. But so far, Chen's results looked promising.
"Coulson, go to the Academy and hand the infiltration mission to Chen Haoran and Nigel. Fire and ice—they're distinctive."
"Disguise their identities, and get them inserted into Eddie Brock's superhero team."
Coulson wasn't surprised by the director's plan, but he hadn't expected him to risk Nigel. The Academy prodigy wasn't just gifted in superpowers; his research work had earned him recognition as well. He was considered a bright seed for S.H.I.E.L.D.'s scientific future.
After awakening his freezing powers, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s evaluation of him had risen two levels higher. Coulson had even assumed Nigel would end up in the Avengers.
"Yes, Director. I'll make the arrangements. I'll do my best to get them both into Eddie Brock's team."
Fury was less optimistic.
"They might not both get in. But at least one must. I want full visibility into that team's movements."
"And this draft itself benefits us too. Record all applicants, evaluate their abilities, and once they fail, recruit them into S.H.I.E.L.D. immediately."
(End of Chapter)
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