Chapter 54: Nick Fury's Ace in the Hole
Ryan lifted a chair from the ruined laboratory and, with considerable effort, climbed onto it and sat down.
He could distinctly feel a surge of cosmic energy coursing through him. After several attempts, he found he couldn't control it—as if it possessed its own consciousness.
It was an unsettling sensation.
After resting and regaining his ability to walk steadily, he stood and approached the sealed storage unit. Aside from the two essential serum samples, he destroyed all remaining genetic material.
Since the experiment had succeeded, there was no need to preserve evidence. He also wiped all experimental data from the computer systems.
Opening the laboratory's sealed door, he addressed the research assistant waiting outside: "Send a cleanup crew and requisition new equipment."
"Of course, Dr. Ryan."
The lab was thick with dust and debris. Ryan needed fresh air while he contemplated how to harness cosmic energy.
The military training grounds weren't far from the research facility. He could hear drill sergeants' whistles as he exited the laboratory building.
The sky was crystal blue, clouds pristine white, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of cut grass. It was indeed a beautiful day for someone who had just unlocked godlike power.
Sitting on the lawn, Ryan raised his hand and clenched his fist. His physical strength remained unchanged, but he could distinctly sense energy pulsing in his palm.
After extensive attempts to manipulate it failed, Ryan concluded he needed instruction—someone who could teach him to wield cosmic energy properly.
Of the remaining Eternals, Phastos in Chicago would be easiest to locate, but Phastos had been deactivated during the Emergence crisis.
Their leader Ajak was more approachable and currently resided in the South Dakota wilderness, though finding her would require significant effort.
Thena and Gilgamesh, living in Australia, would be equally difficult to track down. Since they remained together, even locating them might prove futile if he couldn't defeat them both.
The three most accessible Eternals were Kingo in Mumbai's Bollywood district, and Sersi with Dane Whitman in London.
Ryan had no interest in traveling to Mumbai's chaotic film industry. Seeking out Sersi might lead him straight to Ikaris—that homicidal Superman wannabe.
After careful analysis, he determined Ajak was his safest option.
Ajak possessed virtually zero combat capability, and Ryan felt confident he could handle her even if she became hostile.
Having made his decision, Ryan immediately contacted Ross.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters
Nick Fury emerged from his office and intercepted Kate Bishop, the second-generation Hawkeye, as she headed toward the training facilities.
"Kate, have you seen Clint recently?"
Kate shook her head. "No, I haven't seen him in over a week."
"Has he contacted you at all?"
Kate shook her head again.
Nick Fury rubbed his bald scalp, feeling a headache building. Clint Barton had gone missing just as the New Avengers evaluations were scheduled to begin. It was a devastating blow to team morale.
Fury couldn't fathom what psychological trauma Hawkeye was enduring. Anyone else would have suffered a complete mental breakdown by now.
In Barton's mind, Natasha had sacrificed herself to save the universe, but Ryan had revealed that both he and Natasha had been manipulated by the Red Skull. How could anyone bear that burden of knowledge?
If he had known the truth sooner, could Natasha's death have been prevented?
Self-recrimination, regret, guilt, and heartbreak—every negative emotion consumed Barton's thoughts.
He couldn't bring himself to return to headquarters, and he dreaded the possibility of encountering Natasha's sister, Yelena Belova.
Just as Fury was strategizing how to locate Clint Barton, a brilliant golden streak suddenly appeared on the horizon, trailing flames as it approached the base at supersonic speed.
Fury felt immediate relief upon seeing the luminous approach.
"Thank God. Now we have a fighting chance."
When the golden light appeared, S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters suddenly erupted with activity as nearly everyone rushed outside to witness Captain Marvel's arrival.
Carol Danvers, radiating golden energy, slowly descended to the landing pad. Personnel immediately swarmed her, requesting autographs and selfies.
Clap clap clap!
Nick Fury applauded to get attention as he approached. "Alright, everyone back to work! This isn't a meet-and-greet. Move it!"
Fury had activated his modified pager, summoning Captain Marvel from the depths of space where she'd been mediating intergalactic conflicts.
Captain Marvel approached Nick Fury with a knowing smirk. "Please tell me you didn't call me back from the Kree-Skrull border dispute just so your people could get autographs."
"Let's discuss this privately."
Fury wasn't in the mood for banter. He escorted Carol to his office and immediately displayed the combat footage from Ryan's confrontation with the Avengers in Manhattan.
After reviewing the video, Captain Marvel asked grimly, "Where is this individual now?"
"Stationed at a military research facility in the suburbs. Carol, wait—don't go charging in there."
Carol had already turned toward the door when Fury's words stopped her.
"Listen carefully—he's officially a defense contractor consultant at a classified military laboratory. If you engage him on a military installation, both S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers will face congressional hearings and potentially criminal charges."
Carol, drawing on her Air Force experience, understood the political implications immediately.
After a brief pause, she said quietly, "I'll visit Steve and Sam's memorial first. Contact me when you have actionable intelligence."
Fury exhaled with relief and immediately arranged for Carol's transportation to Arlington National Cemetery, where Captain America and Falcon had been laid to rest with full military honors.
Standing at his office window, Fury watched Carol's escort vehicle disappear into traffic. He then immediately contacted both Phil Coulson and Maria Hill via secure channels.
He instructed them to accelerate their investigation into the immortality serum's origins and distribution network.
After returning from the cemetery, Carol visited her longtime friend Maria Rambeau, now director of S.A.B.E.R. They discussed strategy until after 9 PM, when Carol transformed into golden light and ascended into the night sky.
Shortly afterward, she streaked over the military installation outside New York. After conducting aerial reconnaissance, she descended toward the facility's only two-story residential building.
Ryan sat in a leather armchair, writing observations in a notebook with a fountain pen. Suddenly, brilliant light flooded through his windows—bright enough to suggest dawn had broken prematurely.
Ryan's expression grew cautious. He set down his notebook, stood, and walked outside in his slippers.
One figure stood on the front steps while another hovered two meters above the ground. They regarded each other with mutual wariness.
"You must be Ryan."
"Captain Marvel. Carol Danvers."
Carol slowly descended until she floated just a few meters from Ryan, looking down at him with barely contained hostility. "If you know what's good for you, you'll come with me peacefully."
Ryan smiled coldly. "Do you really want to fight here? On a military base?"
Her flight capability rendered all terrestrial opponents nearly helpless. She could simply retreat when faced with superior force, making her virtually untouchable. Ryan envied that tactical advantage immensely.
If Ryan could fly, he could reshape continents.
"Are you actually challenging me to combat?"
"You're welcome to try."
Ryan didn't believe Carol would risk engagement. Captain Marvel possessed overwhelming power, but she also carried tremendous responsibility. She wasn't someone who would create problems for innocent people or her allies.
Moreover, Ryan remained confident he wouldn't lose. The only force that could truly defeat him wasn't physical strength—it was magic.
They maintained their standoff for several tense moments.
Carol had studied Ryan's combat footage and understood his immense capabilities. She had come here primarily for reconnaissance.
If an opportunity for capture presented itself, she would take action, but after seeing Ryan face-to-face, Carol reconsidered her approach.
Without another word, she transformed into a streak of golden light and departed the military installation.
Ryan didn't return indoors until Carol's luminescence disappeared completely.
Captain Marvel had returned to Earth, and Ryan's window of opportunity was rapidly closing.
End of Chapter 54
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