Present day.
Hawk looked out at the New York lights through the floor-to-ceiling window, casually fiddling with an exquisite brass lighter. His fingers were nimble, making the lighter jump, flip, vanish, and reappear in his grip so fast it was a mere blur.
"King…" he murmured to himself, a slight curve lifting the corner of his mouth. He'd chosen that codename three years ago and had used the identity to fight crime on the streets of Brooklyn. This latest operation had simply continued the guise.
His phone screen lit up with an encrypted message from Andy:
[Everything is set. The list has been 'leaked' as planned. Bait is in the water.]
Hawk Lane offered a faint smile. He picked up the remote control on the desk and pressed a button. The huge glass curtain wall instantly transformed into a screen, displaying continuously scrolling global financial market data and several encrypted communication windows.
The city lights outside remained brilliant. A soft, light sound of footsteps, carrying a feline wariness, came from the doorway.
Goo Ja-yoon stood at the study door, wearing comfortable casual clothes sent by Andy. Her face, now washed clean of blood and grime, looked pale in the soft light. She held a tray with a steaming cup of coffee and a sandwich. Her movements were slightly stiff; clearly, "service" was a far more alien concept to her than killing.
"Put it on the desk," Hawk said without looking up, his fingers flying across the virtual keyboard, analyzing a report on Bates Capital's recent suspicious fund movements.
Goo Ja-yoon placed the tray down as instructed but didn't leave. Her eyes scanned the complex data streams and the "High Priority" document summaries on his screen. She didn't speak, but Hawk could feel the immense power contained within her in a low, dormant state, like an ember waiting to ignite.
"At the base, they only taught you how to destroy," Hawk finally stopped typing, picking up the mug for a sip. "No one taught you how to live, or how to think about 'why.'"
Goo Ja-yoon's eyes flickered, but she remained silent.
"Andy will arrange everything for both of you. Identities, residence, basic life skills training." Hawk gestured toward the window. "The rules of the outside world are different; power isn't the only currency. Observe, learn, and execute precisely when I need you."
His tone was level.
Goo Ja-yoon's lips twitched. She wanted to ask when she could try the city's 'fake alcohol' at a New York nightclub, but decided to keep quiet for now. She simply nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
A moment later, a much lighter set of footsteps approached. Shin Si-ah peered in like a curious little bird. She had changed into a pink hoodie with a cartoon cat print, her hair was simply tied back, and her face held the nervousness of a new environment mixed with a hint of irrepressible excitement.
"Mr. Ha-Hawk?" Her voice was soft, carrying a distinct Korean accent. "Sister Andy said… we can have our own rooms? Really? Are they big? Can we see the lights outside?"
Her eyes were shining, filled with the most basic ideas of "freedom"—a space that belonged to her and had no surveillance cameras.
A faint smile touched Hawk's expression. The girl's innocence was like an unblemished mirror, reflecting the darkness of the base.
"Yes, Si-ah. Very big rooms. Do you like bright lights? The whole city glows at night." He pointed to the massive window.
Shin Si-ah followed his finger and let out a small gasp of wonder. "Wow… just like on TV!" She turned back to Hawk and mustered the courage to ask, "Then… what am I supposed to do later? Sister Goo said we have to listen to you…" She cautiously glanced at Goo Ja-yoon beside her.
"Just be yourself, Si-ah," Hawk said gently. "First, go get familiar with your room. Andy will teach you the basics of living. Do you want to draw? Or read? You can do anything you like."
He emphasized "interesting" rather than "useful." The girl needed guidance and security, not to be immediately plunged into cold assignments.
Shin Si-ah's eyes grew even brighter. "Draw? I really can? I… I only used to draw secretly on scraps of paper…" She nodded vigorously, a pure smile blossoming on her face. "Thank you, Mr. King!" She had clearly remembered the codename Hawk had casually given himself and found it both mysterious and cool.
"I have one more question!" Shin Si-ah raised her arm like a good student.
"Yes?"
"What were you and that lady doing in the room just now? The sounds were a little embarrassing?"
Shin Si-ah's innocent question instantly killed the atmosphere. Goo Ja-yoon subtly backed up a few steps, awkwardly covering her eyes and turning her head away.
Hawk blinked. "I spent two hundred thousand dollars just on the soundproofing in this apartment…"
Goo Ja-yoon quietly interjected, "But for us, it was still pretty clear. But Mr. Hawk, you're really strong!" She even gave him a thumbs-up.
"Fu—... that was just an ordinary lady in leopard print…" Hawk swallowed the American swear word about to leave his mouth, forced a smile, pulled a stack of bills from a drawer, and tossed it to Goo Ja-yoon. "Both of you go stay outside for a night. We'll arrange new accommodation for you later."
After ushering them out, Hawk let out a sigh of relief. His apartment had great feng shui; he frequently had models and actresses coming and going for a "blessing." He couldn't have them overheard every time, could he?
His phone vibrated again. It was an encrypted message from Andy:
[The fish have taken the bait. Bates' vultures have smelled the blood from Busan and are trying to cover their tracks and move assets. The 'leaked' guest list has caused shockwaves among the target group. Preliminary assessment: S.H.I.E.L.D.'s attention has been successfully drawn.]