Despite Hydra's notorious reputation, decades had passed, and their advanced technology and resources continued to attract secret allies. Publicly, no nation would dare associate with Hydra, but covertly, the situation was entirely different. Early in Coulson's tenure with his team, he was nearly ambushed by an old ally entangled in Hydra's schemes.
"Well, that solves a problem for me," Daniel thought as he observed the chaotic battlefield. This unexpected conflict worked in his favor, as he no longer needed to feign a Hydra identity to achieve his goal.
Before coming here, Daniel had considered impersonating Hydra to retrieve the black stone, which would help avoid future complications. While Coulson might not suspect him, the same couldn't be said for a certain one-eyed overseer lurking in the shadows.
"Better to make sure this stone disappears from public view."
To dispel any lingering curiosity from S.H.I.E.L.D., Hydra, or any other factions, Daniel set up a diversion, allowing Hydra agents to take the black stone only to be hit by a well-timed missile strike, sending the stone "lost" in the ocean. Even if someone attempted a recovery, they would only be frustrated by the futile effort.
Out of the three stones, the black stone concerned Daniel the least. The Kamar-Taj portals far outperformed it, but instead of destroying it, he stowed it safely on an alien planet. It might still have potential use down the line.
"These specific locations need monitoring." While Daniel had secured the main black stone, he knew Malick had distributed smaller pieces of it. He decided to keep a close eye to prevent another incident like when Simmons unexpectedly landed on the alien planet.
The planet was a desolate wasteland of deserts, but Daniel's base had transformed significantly with green canopies and clear streams.
"Perhaps it's time to open this up to the United Nations Security Council. With their resources, exploration of the surrounding space would progress much faster."
Even with his shadow clone jutsu, Daniel's strength couldn't match the influence of a nation, let alone an entire planet. Were nations to aid in the alien planet's development, Daniel's greened-out base would be only a starting point.
The alien world was resource-rich but received little sunlight, with its barren surroundings making it an unlikely place for Daniel to settle unless he had experiments or other work to complete.
But if nation-level resources were invested, the surrounding space would not go unexplored.
Daniel's previous caution about exposing the alien world had faded with his growing power. "Once Stark's Ultron problem is resolved, I'll invite him to help chart a course between this world and Earth. But first, I'll need to clean up the Iron Man suits around here."
With Stark's curious nature, the sight of Daniel's amassed army of Iron Man suits could give the wrong impression. Under Red Queen's direction, Daniel's suits had been mass-produced at a rate Stark couldn't match, albeit with a noticeable sacrifice in quality.
It was akin to Justin Hammer's mass-produced Iron Man suits under Anton Vanko's guidance, only for Stark to easily dismantle them during combat.
"A planet as admission might even promote the UN's V5 group into a V6." While the alien planet had its downsides, it was habitable and would surely interest the United Nations. Opening it up to the world could well earn Daniel a seat at their table.
As an old saying goes, "When poor, keep to oneself; when wealthy, share with the world." Daniel felt he'd reached that point.
Drake of the Life Foundation might have only been spouting empty slogans to inspire loyalty, but Daniel could truly deliver on the promise of a new world. A habitable planet would draw the attention of global powers, providing a distraction that could minimize Earth's other issues.
"And maybe it's time to approach S.W.O.R.D." While Daniel intended to open the planet selectively, it was only natural he'd favor certain parties.
"Perhaps this will be my chance to acquire vibranium and related technology from Wakanda." A new planet was sure to pique Wakanda's interest. As far as Daniel was concerned, vibranium was an asset that couldn't be gathered in excess.
Despite his existing vibranium cache, Daniel had barely scratched the surface of its technological applications. Vibranium wasn't only useful for crafting armor and weapons; its technological potential was immense. For example, Wakanda's advanced technology, like their energy shields, was derived from vibranium research. Daniel, however, had limited time to delve into such studies.
This venture would require patience, as Wakanda's king currently upheld an isolationist policy, which wouldn't shift until Black Panther ascended to the throne.
Black Panther's sister Shuri was rumored to be one of the brightest minds in Marvel, rivaling even Stark.
"This is a beautiful spot. I wouldn't have expected a place like this here." Daniel smiled at Rebecca as he took in the peaceful surroundings. The wooden architecture of the secluded restaurant on the outskirts of New York exuded a calm far removed from the city's clamor.
Rebecca had invited Daniel to dine here to thank him for helping with Spencer's mother's recovery.
"How's Sherry doing lately?"
Daniel had once hoped his presence would alter Sherry's path. Previously, she had joined S.H.I.E.L.D., even working with the Avengers under Natasha's guidance.
However, with Hydra's collapse and the increasing bio-terror incidents, Sherry eventually left the Avengers, choosing instead to join Chris and Jill's global anti-bio-terrorist organization.
Even Fury hadn't foreseen this outcome, having counted Sherry as one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top agents. Her departure was likely motivated by a sense of duty stemming from her parents' work with viruses.
"If you want to know, why not contact her yourself?" Rebecca teased.
"Maybe someday," Daniel replied.
He and Sherry rarely kept in touch. Initially, her association with S.H.I.E.L.D. and her status as a G-virus carrier made communication difficult. Later, Daniel's ventures in other worlds had consumed his attention.
"Virus attacks have been increasing lately. Chris and his team…" Rebecca trailed off with a sigh. As an expert in bioweapons, she despised those who used them for terrorism.
The situation was tolerable in major countries, but remote regions like the Middle East and Africa had become breeding grounds for bioweapon research. Local customs and corrupt officials ensured a steady stream of revenue from illicit activities, painting Chris and his allies as unwanted intruders.
Daniel held immense respect for Chris, Jill, and their relentless fight against bio-terrorism.
"The Abyss Virus has even appeared now. It's madness out there," Daniel commented. The T-Abyss Virus, a combination of the T-virus and a virus extracted from an ancient fish species in the Antarctic, was a marine-based bioweapon.
Its threat surpassed that of the T-virus, as the ocean had always been humanity's frontier of mystery. If vast amounts of the virus contaminated the seas, the consequences would be dire.
The Terrigen Mist incident had already polluted parts of the ocean, with the Terrigen crystals dispersing through fish populations worldwide.
In addition to the Abyss Virus, recent discoveries of ancient organisms, like humanoid forms and ocean-dwelling creatures, suggested a resurgence of primeval species.
Strictly speaking, the T-virus originator—the Progenitor Flower—was also an ancient organism.
Compared to the T-virus zombies, Abyss Virus creatures were far deadlier, being aquatic-based. Humanity's limitations underwater made the thought of fighting zombies in the ocean even more daunting.
"Leon." As they dined, a familiar figure with tousled hair and a weary face entered the restaurant. Recognizing him, Rebecca waved, and Leon forced a smile in response.
"Leon 'The Three-Light' Kennedy," Daniel joked. The infamous "Three-Light," vehicle destroyer, and lady charmer, Leon had yet another hidden trait: the "partner jinx," though it wasn't as potent as Chris's.
Despite this, neither Leon nor Chris seemed to endanger female partners, a strangely consistent pattern.
Even Chris's sister, Claire, had inherited the Redfield family "gift." Claire didn't endanger teammates or vehicles but had a knack for unlucky boyfriends.
"Now that you mention it, Leon's flirted with everyone but Claire."
Daniel was acquainted with Leon, a high-ranking American agent specializing in anti-bio-terrorism. His current disheveled state was likely due to a recent mission where, in true Chris fashion, his entire team had been wiped out, leaving him visibly shaken.
"What brings you here?" Rebecca asked. Her question revealed that she hadn't expected to meet Leon here, which piqued Daniel's curiosity. Anti-bio-terrorist agents were rarely idle.
"I'm here to meet someone," Leon replied vaguely, taking a seat and pulling a flask from his jacket.
"Guess we'll be going, then," Daniel said, excusing himself and Rebecca to respect Leon's official business.
"Strange… no one followed us. Have they given up?" Daniel remarked as they walked to the parking lot, noticing that their previous pursuers had vanished.
Earlier, he had sensed someone tailing Rebecca. The timing had been unfortunate for them; meeting her while she was with Daniel all but guaranteed their exposure.
"I'll drive you home." Rebecca was a friend, and anyone targeting her wouldn't go unpunished.
Just as they were about to get in the car, gunfire erupted from the restaurant, accompanied by the distinct roar of a machine gun—a sound Daniel instantly recognized as a Gatling gun.
"Something's happened at the restaurant."
"Leon!" Rebecca gasped, panicked.
"Let's go check it out," Daniel said, immediately rushing back toward the restaurant with Rebecca. He had thought the ass
ailants had backed off, but it seemed they'd merely shifted focus to Leon.
"Thank goodness this place is built solid." The restaurant's wooden structure had been reinforced with durable timber, which held up well against the Gatling gunfire. Leon had taken cover behind a pillar, shielding himself from the onslaught.
Leon was unharmed, but the man beside him had both legs shredded by the bullets. If not for Leon's quick intervention, he would've been a goner.
"Another bioweapon." The shooter was a hulking brute in an iron mask, as tall as a Tyrant but broader. With ammo belts draped over his frame, he stood next to a slender woman with long brown hair. Together, they resembled a twisted Beauty and the Beast.
They couldn't have wandered through the city in broad daylight unnoticed; the transport truck nearby explained their presence.
"Save him, quick!" Rebecca urged, knowing Daniel's capabilities.
"Stay hidden." Daniel wasn't about to let the attackers go free, swiftly pulling out his Desert Eagle and firing two shots that blew the brute's head apart. Against bioweapons, he held no reservations.
"Dad!" the woman shrieked, ignoring all caution as she opened fire at Daniel, bent on avenging her fallen father.
"Father and daughter… she allowed him to be turned into a bioweapon." Daniel was tempted to kill her as well but held back, hoping to use her to track down whoever was behind this.
"Not running, huh?" He'd initially planned to let one escape and trace them back to their base, but the woman seemed set on revenge.
"Guess I'll have to capture her alive." With that thought, Daniel swapped the enhanced magazine in his Desert Eagle for a standard one. The previous rounds had been technologically enhanced, allowing him to take down the brute in two shots.
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