S.H.I.E.L.D., Trident Headquarters, Command Center.
The air was so thick it felt like Water could be wrung from it.
On the huge circular screen, various data streams, news clips, and the simple yet glaring interface of the "Hero Association APP" were displayed in split screens.
Nick Fury's single eye, like a hawk's, scanned back and forth between the screen and the thin technical analysis report in his hand, each second of silence making the low pressure in the Command Center heavier.
"Conclusion." Fury finally spoke, his voice deep and devoid of emotion, yet it made Maria Hill and Phil Coulson, standing before him, subtly tense their backs.
Hill stepped forward, her voice clear and calm, with her usual efficiency: "Officer, the technical department confirms that the data encryption and server architecture used by the Hero Association APP do not belong to any known technological system on Earth.
Its information transmission method… possesses certain quantum characteristics that we cannot analyze.
Simply put, we cannot crack it, cannot track it, and cannot even understand its underlying operating principles."
She paused, adding the most impactful point: "More critically, its integrated event monitoring and publishing system.
We compared all recorded extraordinary events that occurred in New York City over the past 72 hours, including those not publicly disclosed, and even those we had just received intelligence on and hadn't yet responded to… Over ninety percent of them appeared in the APP's task list almost simultaneously with the event's occurrence, with precise positioning, rapid threat level assessment, and… subsequently proven to be largely accurate."
Coulson interjected, with a hint of disbelief in his tone: "It's as if… there's an omnipresent eye, monitoring every corner of this city in real-time, and instantly able to determine which 'anomalies' require 'hero' intervention."
He pulled out his tablet, displaying several screenshots, "Look at these mission descriptions: 'Brooklyn Docks, abandoned warehouse district, suspected illegal gene splicing experiments (tiger-level)', 'Times Square subway ventilation shaft, discovery of aggressive giant mutated cockroach colony (Wolf-Class)'… Some locations were even overlooked by our regular monitoring network."
Fury's single eye narrowed slightly.
This was far more terrifying than Kingpin possessing some advanced weapons or recruiting a few super-powered individuals.
This meant that Kingpin, or rather the power behind him, controlled an intelligence screening and crisis early warning system with extremely wide coverage and high efficiency.
This system, to some extent, was even ahead of S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Kingpin's motive?" Fury's gaze turned to Coulson.
Coulson took a deep breath, his face showing confusion: "The stated motive, as he said at his press conference, is to establish order, regulate hero behavior, and provide security.
But… this does not align with Wilson Fisk's consistent behavior pattern.
All our psychological profiles and past records show him to be an ambitious individual with extreme control desires, pursuing absolute power and profit, not a philanthropist."
"He is investing such vast resources and technology not merely to 'maintain World peace'," Hill said emphatically, "We suspect this is just the first step of his grand plan.
Through this Association, he can legally recruit, train, and control an army of super-powered individuals; through that APP and task system, he can collect massive amounts of extraordinary event data, and possibly even monitor potential threats or talents; and the glamorous facade of 'hero' can whitewash his past and win him public support, paving the way for his ultimate goal."
"A private, legalized super-powered army, coupled with an efficient, global monitoring system…" Fury repeated in a low voice, each word sounding as if it were pulled from an ice cellar, "This is a greater threat than ten HYDRAs combined."
He abruptly stood up, the hem of his black leather jacket cutting a sharp arc.
"We cannot wait for him to fully mature, Coulson."
"Officer." Coulson immediately responded.
"Prepare for a 'friendly visit'." Fury's single eye gleamed, "In the name of S.H.I.E.L.D., express our… concern to this newly appointed 'Hero Association President'.
Probe his bottom line, see what secrets are hidden in his Association's headquarters.
The key is to figure out the source of the technology behind him, and his true intentions."
"Understood." Coulson nodded, "I will prepare the relevant materials and… contingency plans."
"Hill," Fury turned to his other capable subordinate, "Increase the monitoring level of Fisk Industries and all associated industries and personnel.
I want to know which scientists and unknown forces he has recently contacted.
At the same time, activate the 'Watchtower' protocol to attempt external intrusion and analysis of the Hero Association's network data flow, even if we can only capture a tiny fragment of information."
"Yes, Officer."
The orders were swiftly issued, and the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. machine began to operate efficiently around the "Hero Association."
A few hours later, a seemingly ordinary but specially modified black SUV pulled up in front of Fisk Tower.
This skyscraper currently serves as the temporary headquarters of the "Hero Association."
Agent Phil Coulson adjusted his immaculate tie, put on his signature gentle and professional smile, and, accompanied by two plainclothes Agents with sharp eyes, entered the building's lobby.
The front desk was staffed by a well-trained young woman, who had clearly been notified in advance.
"Good morning, Agent Coulson." She smiled, her tone neither obsequious nor arrogant, "Mr. Fisk is awaiting you in his penthouse office.
This way, please, there's a private elevator directly to him."
Coulson's heart slightly tensed.
The other party not only knew he was coming, but also had a clear grasp of his identity and arrival time.
This was less politeness and more a subtle show of force.
The elevator ascended silently and swiftly.
When the elevator doors opened again, it was not the expected office reception area, but directly into an extremely spacious office with a broad view.
Wilson Fisk's massive physique was turned away from them, standing before the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, looking down at New York.
Sunlight through the glass gave him a golden edge, but it did nothing to soften the mountain-like oppressive presence he exuded.
"Agent Coulson." Kingpin did not turn, his deep voice echoing in the vast office, "S.H.I.E.L.D.'s efficiency is a little slower than I imagined."
Coulson's smile remained unchanged, but his heart tightened.
He took a few steps forward, maintaining a safe distance: "Mr. Fisk, your recent actions have attracted widespread attention.
S.H.I.E.L.D., as an international organization responsible for addressing global extraordinary threats, naturally has a great interest in this."
Kingpin slowly turned around, his sharp eyes falling on Coulson, as if they could penetrate all disguises.
"Interest? Or… vigilance?" He walked to the huge desk, sat down, and made a "please sit" gesture.
Coulson sat in the guest chair, while the two Agents stood a short distance behind him, one on each side.
"We appreciate any force dedicated to maintaining World peace, Mr. Fisk." Coulson chose his words carefully, "But as you know, superpowers are a double-edged sword.
How to ensure this power is properly guided and used is one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s core responsibilities.
We find your concept of 'professionalization'… novel, but also have some reservations."
"Reservations?" Kingpin clasped his hands on the desk, his tone flat, "About what? Are you worried that I cannot manage these 'employees' well, or are you worried… that I manage them too well?"
Coulson felt a hint of pressure; the other party's directness surprised him.
"What we are more concerned about is the technical support behind this system, and its long-term… goals.
For example, your Association's event monitoring system, its coverage and accuracy are astonishing; I wonder in which field Fisk Industries has made such groundbreaking progress?"
He began to cut to the core, probing the source of the technology.
A barely perceptible curve played on Kingpin's lips; he leaned slightly forward, his gaze pressing on Coulson like a tangible force: "Agent Coulson, every enterprise has its core secrets.
Just as S.H.I.E.L.D. will not disclose all the research details of your alien technology, the technical source of the Hero Association falls within the scope of commercial secrets.
You only need to know that this system can effectively and timely detect and deal with threats, protecting innocent citizens; that is enough."
He paused, then added, with a hint of deeper meaning in his tone: "Perhaps S.H.I.E.L.D. should consider how to cooperate with a more efficient professional organization, rather than being fixated on investigating a partner's trade secrets.
After all, our goals, at least on the surface, are consistent—maintaining safety, responding to crises, aren't they?"
Cooperation?
A warning bell rang in Coulson's heart.
Kingpin not only showed no panic at being questioned, but instead tried to pull S.H.I.E.L.D. into his system, or at least, define an equal (or even dominant) cooperative relationship?
"Cooperation is built on mutual trust and transparency, Mr. Fisk." Coulson insisted.
"Trust takes time, transparency takes degree." Kingpin leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed, yet with an undeniable dominance, "The Hero Association welcomes any form of healthy competition and reasonable cooperation.
But if S.H.I.E.L.D. comes with the purpose of scrutiny and restriction… then, I'm afraid you will be disappointed."
His gaze swept over Coulson and the Agents behind him, finally settling on Coulson's face.
"Please tell Director Fury," Kingpin's voice was deep and clear, every word carrying weight, "The Hero Association will develop according to its own methods and pace.
We will not interfere with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operations, and we also hope… S.H.I.E.L.D. can respect our independence."
"This World is big enough for multiple organizations maintaining order."
At this point in the conversation, Coulson understood that no more substantive information could be gained from this encounter.
Kingpin's attitude was firm and clear; he held trump cards (that mysterious technology) and was unafraid to show his strength.
"I will convey your words." Coulson stood up, his smile still gentle, but his eyes had grown serious, "Thank you for your time, Mr. Fisk.
S.H.I.E.L.D. will… continue to monitor the development of the Hero Association."
"Always welcome." Kingpin responded indifferently, his gaze already returned to the city outside the window, as if the visit of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top Agent was merely an insignificant interlude.
Coulson and the Agents left the office and took the elevator down.
Only when he was back in the car did he let out a soft sigh and rub his temples.
"How was it, Officer?" the Agent in the driver's seat asked.
Coulson looked at the towering Fisk Tower outside the window and slowly said: "Report to Director Fury… the target's attitude is strong, he possesses an unknown technological source, his intentions are clear, and… he is extremely dangerous.
Recommend raising the threat level to 'Observe-Restrict' class."
He paused, then added, with a hint of complexity in his tone.
"Also, tell the Director… I feel like he (Kingpin) really enjoys this process.
It's as if he's playing a game of chess… that we've only just begun to understand."
The black SUV merged into traffic, driving away from Fisk Tower.
In the penthouse office, Kingpin still stood by the window, watching the direction where the car disappeared.
In his mind, the system prompt sounded:
Successfully responded to the initial contact and probing from the large local official organization "S.H.I.E.L.D." The Association's renown and deterrence have slightly increased.
Triggered follow-up mission — "Establish Boundaries." Mission requirement: Within three months, successfully resist or resolve at least one substantive infiltration or suppression action from S.H.I.E.L.D.
Mission reward: Points x800, [Intermediate Encrypted Communication Network Blueprint] x1.
There was no expression on Kingpin's face, only a flash of light deep in his eyes, indicating that everything was under control.
The game of chess had begun.