Three days passed in careful orchestration.
Su Chen spent the time consolidating his position within S.H.I.E.L.D.'s infrastructure while maintaining the appearance of a diligent consultant. He responded to minor incidents—a potential enhanced individual in Brooklyn who turned out to be a mutant teenager with harmless abilities, a strange energy signature in Central Park that proved to be experimental technology from a college student's physics project—all while Babata systematically infiltrated deeper into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s classified systems.
The real prize came on the third night, when Babata's infiltration protocols finally breached Director Fury's personal files.
"Master," the AI's voice carried unmistakable satisfaction. "I've accessed Fury's private database. The Arctic expedition details are comprehensive. They've located a massive object frozen in ice approximately 800 miles south of the North Pole—preliminary analysis suggests artificial construction, possibly military origin from the 1940s era."
Su Chen sat in his apartment's secured room, holographic displays surrounding him showing data streams that S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't know were being copied. "The Valkyrie. Captain America's final flight."
"Confirmed," Babata replied. "But there's more. Fury has compiled extensive historical research on Captain Rogers—medical records, military service files, psychological assessments. He's not just planning to recover the plane. He's planning to recover Rogers himself and attempt revival."
"Timeline?" Su Chen demanded.
"Expedition launches tomorrow morning. They're using specialized equipment to extract the plane intact. Fury expects to have Rogers in a S.H.I.E.L.D. medical facility within seventy-two hours of successful extraction."
Su Chen's mind raced through calculations. Captain America represented a significant variable—a super soldier from a different era, enhanced with a serum that couldn't be replicated, possessing tactical genius and physical capabilities that exceeded normal humans. More importantly, he was a symbol. His return would galvanize S.H.I.E.L.D., provide them with a centerpiece for the Avengers Initiative, and potentially complicate Su Chen's own positioning.
"We need to be present when they revive him," Su Chen decided. "Rogers will wake up disoriented, displaced in time, and surrounded by strangers. The first people he trusts will have enormous influence over his decisions."
"Master, S.H.I.E.L.D. hasn't invited us to the expedition," Babata pointed out. "Inserting ourselves would be suspicious."
"We won't insert ourselves into the expedition," Su Chen clarified. "But we can position ourselves to be present for the revival. Babata, fabricate a medical emergency that requires my consultation at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s headquarters precisely when Rogers is scheduled to wake up. Make it look organic—something they'd naturally want my expertise on."
"Understood. What kind of emergency would require your specific capabilities?"
Su Chen considered. "An enhanced individual having an adverse reaction to their abilities—something medical but also requiring understanding of exotic energy systems. S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't have many people who bridge medicine and enhanced phenomena. They'll call me in."
"I'll prepare the scenario," Babata confirmed. "Though I should note—manipulating S.H.I.E.L.D. this directly carries risk. If they discover the emergency was fabricated—"
"They won't," Su Chen interrupted confidently. "Because it won't be entirely fabricated. Contact the enhanced individual we identified in Brooklyn—the mutant teenager. Offer him resources to help control his abilities, then arrange for a minor power surge that looks accidental. He gets help, S.H.I.E.L.D. gets a genuine emergency, and we get our access."
"Elegant," Babota acknowledged. "Initiating contact protocols."
The next morning, Su Chen received an encrypted message from Jessica Jones—her first response since their initial meeting. The message was characteristically blunt: "Got a case. Trafficking ring using enhanced individuals as enforcers. Needs handling. You in?"
Su Chen smiled. Jessica had done exactly what he'd hoped—found a situation that aligned with his stated objectives while testing whether he'd actually provide support. He composed a reply: "Send me the details. I'll provide tactical support and resources. This is your operation, but you won't face it alone."
The response came within minutes: "Good. Meet me tonight. I'll brief you on what I've found."
Su Chen forwarded the information to Saeko. "You'll accompany Jessica on this operation. Provide support, demonstrate our capabilities, but let her take the lead. This is about building trust and proving we deliver what we promise."
"Understood," Saeko replied. "What about you?"
"I'll be handling the Captain America situation," Su Chen explained. "If everything proceeds according to plan, by tomorrow evening I'll have made contact with one of this universe's most significant heroes."
That afternoon, Babata's manufactured crisis unfolded exactly as planned. The mutant teenager—a young man named David Chen who could generate electromagnetic pulses—experienced a power surge while walking through Times Square. The surge knocked out electronics in a three-block radius, caused minor injuries from traffic accidents, and created exactly the kind of situation that S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't ignore.
Agent Coulson's call came twenty minutes later. "Mr. Su Chen, we have a situation. An enhanced individual having an uncontrolled power manifestation in Times Square. He's young, scared, and his abilities are escalating. We need someone who can approach him without triggering a defensive reaction."
"I'm on my way," Su Chen confirmed, allowing appropriate urgency into his voice. "Is he hostile?"
"Not hostile, just panicked," Coulson replied. "We've evacuated the immediate area, but if his powers continue to escalate, we'll have to consider more aggressive containment measures. We'd prefer to avoid that if possible."
"Give me thirty minutes," Su Chen said.
He arrived at Times Square to find it cordoned off by S.H.I.E.L.D. tactical teams, their vehicles forming a perimeter around a young man who sat in the center of the street, electricity arcing from his hands in random patterns. David Chen looked terrified, tears streaming down his face as he struggled to control abilities that were clearly overwhelming him.
"Mr. Su Chen," Coulson greeted, emerging from a command vehicle. "The situation is deteriorating. His electromagnetic output is increasing exponentially. If it continues, he could cause a cascading failure across Manhattan's power grid."
"Has anyone tried talking to him?" Su Chen asked.
"Our negotiator attempted contact, but the enhanced individual's field disrupts electronic communication equipment. We can't get close enough for verbal communication without risking personnel."
"Then it's fortunate I don't rely on electronic equipment," Su Chen replied. He walked toward the perimeter, noting how the tactical teams tensed as he passed.
David's electromagnetic field hit Su Chen like a physical force—electricity crackling through the air, trying to find a path to ground. But Su Chen's Indestructible Diamond Body provided perfect insulation. The lightning danced across his skin harmlessly, unable to penetrate his conceptual defense.
He walked calmly through the field, approaching David with non-threatening body language. The young man's eyes widened in shock as Su Chen emerged from the electromagnetic storm unharmed.
"David," Su Chen called out, his voice cutting through the crackling energy. "My name is Su Chen. I'm enhanced like you. I'm here to help."
"Stay back!" David shouted, electricity intensifying around him. "I can't control it! I'll hurt you!"
"You can't hurt me," Su Chen assured him, coming closer. "Your abilities can't penetrate my defenses. Which means I can help you without risk. But you need to calm down and let me help."
"I don't know how to stop!" David's voice cracked with desperation. "It just keeps building and building and I can't—"
Su Chen reached David and placed a hand on his shoulder. Immediately, he channeled his Formation Arrangement cultivation, creating a stabilization formation that absorbed and redirected the excess electromagnetic energy David was generating. The lightning arcing from David's hands began to diminish, the wild pulses becoming controlled flow.
"There," Su Chen said calmly. "I'm acting as a grounding point. Let the energy flow through me instead of building up in you. Just breathe and let it go."
David sobbed with relief as the pressure finally released. The electromagnetic field collapsed, electricity draining into Su Chen's formation and dispersing harmlessly. Within two minutes, David was sitting exhausted but calm, the dangerous manifestation completely contained.
S.H.I.E.L.D. medics rushed forward immediately, checking David for injuries while agents secured the area. Coulson approached with evident relief.
"That was impressive work, Mr. Su Chen," he said. "You just prevented what could have been a catastrophic incident."
"Just doing my job," Su Chen replied, though he noted how every agent was now looking at him with increased respect. Walking through electromagnetic energy that could fry electronics and remaining completely unharmed sent a clear message about his capabilities.
"We'll need to take David into custody for evaluation," Coulson said carefully. "His abilities require training and possibly containment until—"
"He needs training, not containment," Su Chen interrupted. "He's not a criminal, Agent Coulson. He's a scared kid whose abilities manifested without warning. Putting him in a cell will only traumatize him further."
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has protocols for situations like this—"
"And I'm invoking my consultant authority to recommend alternative protocols," Su Chen stated firmly. "David needs mentorship, training, and support. I'm willing to take responsibility for his development. Give him into my custody, and I'll ensure his abilities are controlled and he's not a danger to himself or others."
Coulson hesitated, clearly weighing options. "That would require Director Fury's approval."
"Then get it," Su Chen said. "Because if your alternative is imprisonment, you're creating a future enemy instead of a potential ally."
Twenty minutes later, Fury's voice came through Coulson's communication device. "Put Su Chen on."
Su Chen took the device. "Director Fury."
"You want responsibility for an enhanced individual whose abilities nearly collapsed Manhattan's power grid," Fury said flatly. "Give me one reason why I should approve that."
"Because I'm the only person who successfully contained his manifestation without injury or property damage," Su Chen replied. "Because treating him like a prisoner will ensure he never trusts any authority again. And because you hired me to handle situations exactly like this—enhanced individuals who need guidance, not incarceration."
Fury was silent for a long moment. "Fine. But he's your responsibility. If he has another incident, it's on you. And I want regular reports on his progress."
"Understood," Su Chen agreed.
By evening, David was settled in a secured room at Su Chen's apartment building—Babata had arranged the space with appropriate containment measures disguised as safety features. The young man was exhausted but grateful, clearly relieved to be treated like a person rather than a threat.
"Why are you helping me?" David asked as Su Chen provided him with food and water.
"Because everyone with abilities deserves a chance to learn control before society decides they're dangerous," Su Chen replied. "You're not a criminal, David. You're just someone who needs training. I'm going to provide that training."
"What do I have to do in exchange?" David asked warily.
"Learn," Su Chen said simply. "Master your abilities. Become someone who can help others instead of accidentally hurting them. That's the only payment I require."
It was truthful enough while serving Su Chen's larger purposes. David would receive genuine training, develop loyalty to Su Chen rather than S.H.I.E.L.D., and eventually become another asset in the growing network.
Late that night, Coulson contacted Su Chen again. "Mr. Su Chen, Director Fury requests your presence at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters tomorrow morning. We've recovered something significant from the Arctic, and we may need your expertise during the medical evaluation process."
"Captain Rogers," Su Chen stated, deciding calculated honesty was better than feigned ignorance.
Coulson's pause was telling. "How did you—"
"I'm a consultant specializing in enhanced individuals," Su Chen interrupted. "When S.H.I.E.L.D. mounts a secret expedition to the Arctic to recover something from the 1940s, it doesn't take genius to deduce what you're looking for. The only person from that era worth such effort is Steve Rogers."
Another pause. "That information is highly classified."
"Then perhaps S.H.I.E.L.D. should improve its information security," Su Chen replied dryly. "I'll be there tomorrow morning. And Agent Coulson—when Rogers wakes up, he's going to be disoriented and possibly hostile. You'll want someone present who can contain him without causing injury if he panics."
"Understood," Coulson acknowledged. "0800 hours. Don't be late."
After disconnecting, Su Chen allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. Everything was proceeding perfectly. Jessica was conducting her operation with Saeko's support, David was now under his mentorship, and tomorrow he would meet Captain America.
"Master," Babota's voice carried anticipation. "The S.H.I.E.L.D. medical facility is preparing revival protocols. They estimate Rogers will regain consciousness approximately fourteen hours after transport. That gives you time to position yourself optimally."
"Good," Su Chen replied. "Prepare comprehensive files on Rogers—his history, his relationships, his psychological profile. When I speak with him, I need to demonstrate understanding without appearing threatening."
"Files prepared," Babota confirmed. "However, I should warn you—Rogers is not easily manipulated. His psychological assessments from the 1940s show remarkable resistance to coercion and strong adherence to personal principles."
"I'm not planning to manipulate him," Su Chen corrected. "I'm planning to offer him genuine alliance. Rogers spent his entire life fighting for what he believed was right. In this new era, he'll be searching for purpose and people he can trust. I intend to be one of those people."
He moved to the window, looking out over New York City's nighttime sprawl. Somewhere out there, a frozen hero was being transported to a facility where he'd wake to a world transformed beyond recognition. And Su Chen would be there, ready to help him navigate that transformation—while ensuring Rogers became an ally rather than an obstacle.
The harvest continued, and the pieces were falling into place exactly as planned.