…
As a senior field agent, reading people was one of Phil Coulson's most basic skills.
He caught the problem immediately from Ryan's expression.
"Ryan," Coulson said quickly, "if there's a better way, you need to tell me."
"There is a way," Ryan replied calmly. "But it involves too many sensitive pieces. I doubt S.H.I.E.L.D. would agree."
Seeing the fish bite, Ryan finally revealed the hook.
"What kind of method?" Coulson asked, frowning. "Why would it involve S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Knowing Coulson well enough to understand that even his idol wouldn't make him break protocol, Ryan shook his head.
"It's complicated. I can't explain it cleanly right now. All I can tell you is this—if you really want Agent Carter to recover safely, gene optimization alone won't cut it."
"You'll need two people. And one special object."
After a brief silence, Coulson asked, "Who? And what object?"
"Werner Reinhardt," Ryan said. "Former high-ranking HYDRA official. Also a scientist."
"Werner Reinhardt?" Coulson repeated. The name clearly didn't ring a bell.
"Yes. In 1989, Reinhardt was transferred out of the SSR's 'Rat' prison under the identity of a German researcher," Ryan continued.
"In 1999, Deputy Director Pierce approved his medical parole. After that—Werner Reinhardt vanished from the records entirely."
"One year later, after changing his name, accent, and appearance, he resurfaced as Daniel Whitehall."
Coulson caught the implication—but instead of immediately asking about Pierce's involvement, he focused on the obvious question.
"And what does he have to do with treating Peggy Carter?"
Some things were better experienced than explained.
"Trust me, Phil," Ryan said, deliberately holding back. "Once you dig into Reinhardt and Whitehall, you'll understand why I brought him up."
Coulson studied Ryan for a moment, then let it go.
"And the second person?"
"Skye," Ryan replied. "Young woman. Member of the Rising Tide. Elite hacker."
Ryan watched Coulson closely as he spoke.
As expected, Coulson's expression shifted the instant he heard the name.
That reaction alone confirmed it—Coulson knew her. Or at least knew of her.
Ryan pretended not to notice.
"And the object?" Coulson asked, regaining his composure.
"The first 084 artifact ever cataloged by the Strategic Scientific Reserve," Ryan said. "I call it the Obelisk."
"You're saying that with those two people—and the Obelisk—you can solve Agent Carter's problem?" Coulson asked.
"Yes," Ryan said firmly. "I don't joke when it comes to scientific research."
At that moment, Steve Rogers appeared in the corridor, pushing Peggy Carter in her wheelchair after another quiet reunion.
"Can we start?" Steve asked.
"Yes," Ryan replied with a nod. "But be prepared to wait."
Before long, Peggy Carter was transferred into the fully prepared medical chamber.
Steve Rogers and Phil Coulson were left outside.
Nearly thirty minutes later, Ryan emerged in a white research coat.
"How is she?" Steve asked immediately.
"She's stable," Ryan said reassuringly. "The preliminary treatment worked well. She's entered deep sleep, which is extremely beneficial for recovery."
"Can I see her?" Steve asked.
"Yes," Ryan said. "Just don't wake her."
He stepped aside, opening the medical room.
Through the observation window, they watched Steve gaze at the woman on the bed with unmistakable tenderness.
Ryan and Coulson stood in silence for a long time.
"Ryan," Coulson finally said, "what does Skye really have to do with Peggy's treatment?"
"Phil," Ryan replied calmly, "until you understand the relationship between the first 084 and Werner Reinhardt, you're better off not asking."
"I understand," Coulson said—whether he truly did or not was another matter.
With Peggy Carter now involved, the terms of the earlier deal shifted.
The blood samples taken from Steve Rogers were quickly delivered to Ryan.
Steve himself remained in the Umbrella Technologies Building, officially as Peggy's caregiver.
No one knew what Nick Fury was thinking—but not only did he approve it, he also assigned Ryan responsibility for Steve Rogers' psychological counseling and rehabilitation.
Ryan didn't refuse.
He didn't even mention compensation.
Each day, he monitored Peggy's treatment, reminisced with Steve about the past—and under the excuse of "data collection," pushed Steve relentlessly through every kind of training program imaginable.
Even though "divine blood" had long surpassed the Super Soldier Serum by miles, Ryan had to admit after testing that the original formula had its own brilliance.
At the very least, Steve Rogers' performance metrics represented the absolute upper limit of human capability.
For ordinary humans, anyway.
Using Steve's blood as a template, Ryan quickly synthesized a new generation of enhancement serum.
Not a Super Soldier Serum.
A new gene optimization formula.
Titan.
Infused with Asgardian genetic material, Titan was far easier to administer—no radiation exposure required. Just an injection.
Its effects were deliberately capped, ensuring it didn't surpass the original serum by much.
Ryan had no intention of mass-producing it.
At least not in the MCU.
After reserving the single dose meant for Peggy Carter, Ryan erased all remaining data—including the formula itself.
Originally, Ryan expected a quick response from S.H.I.E.L.D. after submitting his conditions involving Reinhardt, Skye, and the Obelisk.
Instead, until his next scheduled world-jump arrived, S.H.I.E.L.D. remained completely silent.
As if the matter didn't exist.
Ryan wasn't surprised.
But he was disappointed.
Since arriving in this world and gaining power, his attitude toward S.H.I.E.L.D. had been more than cooperative.
Gene optimization samples.
Placing Maria Hill beside him.
Trading intelligence.
Even locating Captain America.
Whether or not these acts involved transactions or private calculations, they more than proved his sincerity.
And yet, sincerity was met not with trust—but with suspicion.
That realization stung.
Of course, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s reaction was understandable.
They weren't a charity or a corporation.
They were a government-backed intelligence agency.
If they trusted a mysterious, overpowered unknown like Ryan too easily, they would've collapsed ages ago.
Understanding it logically didn't make it feel any better.
Like losing money in business—watching from the sidelines and being the one burned were two very different experiences.
So Ryan scrapped his original plan.
He abandoned the idea of spending one of his world-jumps to retrieve a material capable of near-immortality.
It wasn't urgently needed.
Better to invest that time—two full months—into something more immediately useful.
Like upgrading Stella's hardware.
After fully giving up on S.H.I.E.L.D., and after abandoning NZT-class enhancers—which, ironically, made him less sharp—Ryan's stance toward S.H.I.E.L.D. shifted completely.
So did all his plans.
If Nick Fury ever realized that his choices triggered this change—and truly understood the consequences—he probably wouldn't hesitate to offer Ryan a lot more sincerity in return.