President Ellis and Nick Fury exchanged glances.
Fury raised a hand and shrugged, signaling for Ellis to speak first.
Clearing his throat, Ellis looked at Lucas Reed and said:
"You should understand that we are capable of mobilizing more than a thousand top-tier laboratories across North America, including military research facilities."
"These laboratories house the world's foremost scientists in every major field."
"Our research equipment and hardware are the most advanced on this planet—without exception."
"Furthermore, once scientific results are obtained, we are among the very few in the world capable of rapidly moving them into large-scale experimental production through top-tier military-industrial facilities."
"In short, no nation on Earth can match us in research scale, hardware sophistication, development speed, or production capability."
"What do you think?"
In Ellis's eyes, Lucas was no longer on the same level as before.
Lucas had effectively pulled nearly every top military–industrial and technological giant in North America onto his side.
And those corporations represented the most powerful financial blocs in the country.
When combined, even the President of America had to treat them with caution.
Not to mention that the man standing before him possessed inhuman combat power.
Lucas, however, shook his head.
"I don't see any concrete benefit to me in what you've said."
Ellis frowned and leaned forward.
"Lucas, I'm talking about mobilizing all of America's resources to research the spacecraft currently hovering above us."
"Isn't that exactly what you want?"
"But I'm not the one who gains the most from that, am I?"
Lucas countered calmly.
Ellis leaned back in his chair.
He knew this negotiation would not be easy.
He needed that spacecraft.
Its technology.
Its scientific leap.
For Ellis, this was tangible political capital.
He would no longer need to promise unrealistic welfare policies to the public.
With this alone, he was confident that at least 60% of the electorate would support him—guaranteeing re-election.
If handled well, it could even open the door to amending the 22nd Amendment, which limited presidents to one re-election.
Compared to that, tens of billions of dollars meant nothing.
After a moment of contemplation, he asked:
"Then what conditions do you require?"
The essence of politics was compromise—negotiation in pursuit of mutually acceptable interests.
Even if that meant sacrificing broader national interests, Ellis was willing.
After all, he only had one year left in his term.
Lucas spoke without hesitation:
"While I am within America, all relevant departments must cooperate with my actions and requests."
"Remember—all departments."
Ellis reminded him:
"You know how power is divided between the federal government and the states. In some cases, state authorities can even ignore my directives."
Lucas tapped the table lightly.
"I know. But trust me, Mr. President—they'll give you this courtesy."
Ellis was no fool.
Governors and mayors were also backed by powerful financial groups.
And at this moment, Lucas Reed was precisely the kind of figure those groups wanted to curry favor with.
Green lights would not be hard to come by.
"Fine."
Ellis made the decision immediately.
"You may contact my Chief of Staff at any time. Any interstate or international issues—so long as I can resolve them—I will do so personally."
"Whether it's the NSA, FBI, NASA, CIA, or any other federal agency, I will notify them in advance to fully cooperate with your actions."
"You will have unrestricted access to all laboratories and may review research progress, though you will not have the authority to interfere directly."
"As for local authorities—frankly, your words may carry more weight than mine. I doubt you'll need my help there."
Lucas nodded in satisfaction.
"That works. One more thing— American airspace must be open to me."
Knowing Lucas could fly, Ellis nodded.
"No problem. I'll coordinate with the Department of Defense. We'll also help arrange international airspace permissions where possible."
Lucas then turned his attention to Nick Fury.
"You know how it is,"
Fury said with a wry smile.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has money—but not as much as they do."
"As for operational convenience, we have it—but the President has already given you that. Anything we add would be redundant."
Lucas shrugged.
"So S.H.I.E.L.D. plans to eat for free?"
"Even if I agreed—do you think they would?"
Fury immediately felt the collective gaze of the room lock onto him.
Everyone else had paid a steep price.
Why should S.H.I.E.L.D. get a free pass?
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has world-class scientists as well,"
Fury said firmly.
"And technologies that even they may not possess."
"Believe me—there are areas where even these corporations can't match us."
"You know that."
Ellis found this remark irritating, but Fury hadn't named names, so he held his tongue.
After all, Ellis knew full well that S.H.I.E.L.D. possessed a stockpile of black technologies—many born from Howard Stark and other scientists redirected into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s projects.
That was an undeniable fact.
"Fine,"
Lucas said.
"But I want access to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intelligence archives."
"And full laboratory access."
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s databases surpassed even those of America's three major intelligence agencies—especially in matters involving the supernatural.
Fury thought for a moment.
"At most, I can grant you Level 8 clearance. As for laboratories—you may observe and offer suggestions, nothing more."
Lucas replied flatly:
"At least Level 9. Otherwise, no deal."
After two minutes of silence, Fury relented.
"Fine. But anything you access must be reported to me first. You'll only review it after my confirmation."
"Agreed."
Level 9 clearance within S.H.I.E.L.D. was already extremely high.
Only Fury himself held Level 10.
Even Phil Coulson was currently only Level 6.
This was more than generous.
"One final condition,"
Lucas said, staring directly at Fury.
"From this moment on, S.H.I.E.L.D. is forbidden from recording any files on me."
"No surveillance. No monitoring. No tracking—of me or anyone connected to me."
"Can you do that?"
Fury answered without hesitation:
"No problem."