Ever since the Foundation’s containment operation ended, S.H.I.E.L.D.
had been compiling every piece of information gathered by Agent Coulson’s team.
And now, faced with the accumulated intelligence concerning the Foundation, Director Nick Fury was completely stunned.
Since this version of the Marvel universe was primarily based on the movies, the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
was naturally the familiar one-eyed Nick Fury.
Fury had always wanted to turn S.H.I.E.L.D.
into humanity’s shield—the most powerful organization on Earth capable of dealing with extraordinary threats.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
might have considered protecting human civilization its primary responsibility, but the United States was also one of its principal sponsors.
And with figures such as Fury himself being American, S.H.I.E.L.D.
had inevitably inherited some of the habits of a country accustomed to acting as the world’s police.
Its first instinct was simple: Anything powerful that existed outside its control was a potential threat.
Coulson had reached much the same conclusion.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
had always considered itself the strongest secret extraordinary organization in the United States, perhaps even the strongest in the world.
It was supposed to be Earth’s shield.
Most other unusual organizations were private groups that S.H.I.E.L.D.
regarded as unauthorized or potentially illegal.
But the Foundation was different.
It possessed another identity— The Strategic Security Administration.
When Nick Fury saw that name in the report, his brow furrowed.
Fury’s assistant, Alexander Pierce, was secretly a member of HYDRA.
At that moment, he was also reviewing the detailed intelligence summary Coulson had brought back.
Pretending not to know anything, Pierce asked, “Director, wasn’t the Strategic Security Administration supposedly a dormant agency that’s been inactive for years?” “How did it suddenly become this so-called Foundation?” Fury tossed the file onto his desk.
“Actually, the Strategic Security Administration can trace its roots all the way back to an intelligence organization founded in the nineteenth century.” “It wasn’t formally established in its current form until the 1960s, following an exercise known as Project Black Sun.” Pierce listened carefully.
Fury continued, “Supposedly, Black Sun was a nationwide exercise designed to simulate a catastrophic attack capable of completely destroying the federal government.” “All records concerning the operation were sealed afterward.” “Even S.H.I.E.L.D.
only possesses fragments of the original information.” Fury’s expression became serious.
“The agency has always operated with extreme secrecy.” “According to the information we do have, it only becomes fully activated if Washington issues a classified directive known as Order 51.” “Its purpose is to preserve the United States if the country ever faces complete collapse.” Pierce finally appeared to understand.
“So you’re saying the Foundation is an organization even older and more secretive than S.H.I.E.L.D.?” “Possibly something with roots comparable to HYDRA?” “And because it’s an officially sanctioned organization, we can’t simply treat it as a hostile force?” “Exactly.” Fury nodded.
“If the Foundation really is the Strategic Security Administration, then they’re technically on our side.” “We can’t remove them the way we would eliminate an unauthorized private threat.” He paused.
“If you want a comparison, think of it as something like the relationship between the Army and the Navy.” Pierce nodded thoughtfully.
“In that case, what about the anomalies?” “Does S.H.I.E.L.D.
still intend to get involved?” “Of course we do.” Fury answered without the slightest hesitation.
His tone immediately hardened.
“These anomalies are far too dangerous.” “The Foundation may technically be an allied organization, but they haven’t shared nearly enough intelligence with us.” “S.H.I.E.L.D.
needs its own Containment Department.” Pierce’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Fury continued, “The Foundation has already cataloged something designated SCP-939.” “That alone suggests there may have been hundreds—possibly even more—anomalous incidents inside the United States that S.H.I.E.L.D.
knew absolutely nothing about.” “For us, that’s a serious failure.” He brought up the recorded footage of SCP-939 attacking the Atala forces.
“Just look at this.” “The destructive potential of those creatures is extraordinary.” “In certain circumstances, the damage an anomaly can cause could be comparable to that of a nuclear weapon.” “We cannot simply ignore threats like these.” Pierce’s gaze sharpened.
As someone secretly serving both S.H.I.E.L.D.
and HYDRA, his interest in the suddenly revealed Foundation was enormous.
HYDRA had already embedded itself deep inside S.H.I.E.L.D.
If they could use S.H.I.E.L.D.’s resources to acquire anomalies…
Wouldn’t that give HYDRA the power it needed to dominate the world?
After studying the footage, Pierce had become particularly interested in SCP-939, “With Many Voices.” If HYDRA could somehow obtain a few specimens, domesticate them, and breed them as biological weapons…
The possibilities were terrifying.
If properly weaponized, a pack of SCP-939 specimens released at the right moment could inflict devastating losses on HYDRA’s enemies.
And now Fury wanted to establish an entire department dedicated to anomalies?
There was no way HYDRA could allow itself to be excluded.
This was the perfect opportunity to plant their own people inside.
“Director, who are you planning to put in charge of this new department?” Pierce asked casually.
“There are several agents in Operations who I think would be suitable for overseeing it.” Fury immediately waved the suggestion aside.
“I’m assigning Coulson.” Pierce’s expression didn’t change.
But inwardly, his thoughts turned cold.
Coulson?
Coulson isn’t one of ours.
Fury continued, “His team already experienced an actual containment incident.” “That makes him the most appropriate person for the job.” He paused.
“I’m also planning to have Agent Romanoff maintain further contact with the Foundation.” “If she can acquire more intelligence from them…” “That would benefit S.H.I.E.L.D.” A cold glint flashed briefly through Pierce’s eyes before disappearing.
Meanwhile, if Ethan had known that Nick Fury was planning to have Coulson establish an entire S.H.I.E.L.D.
department dedicated specifically to containment…
He probably would’ve laughed himself senseless.
He had only just finished squeezing every last Rumor Point he could out of the Atala organization.
And now S.H.I.E.L.D.
was voluntarily presenting him with an even better opportunity.
Ethan would really have to thank Nick Fury properly.
After all…
He had just found himself a brand-new source of rewards.