Hearing Soren's indifferent words, everyone in the room felt a wave of frustration and helplessness surge through them.
The president of the United States, a superpower's leader, wasn't only kidnapped, he was now facing public execution… and the world's most powerful intelligence and military forces couldn't even touch the man responsible.
General Ross clenched his fists. Coulson's lips pressed into a tight line.
Fury's expression stayed cold, but his one good eye was sharper than ever, silently measuring Soren.
"Dr. Macaluso… this matter is critical. If you help us save the President, you won't only be doing us a favor."
His voice steadied, layered with the carefully chosen words.
"You'll be a hero of the United States."
Fury was still trying to guess what was going on in Soren's head, but it was like trying to read fog. The man was unreadable.
Fury hated that.
But Soren only gave a faint chuckle, a dismissive flick of his hand.
"A hero?" He leaned back lazily.
"I'm not Tony Stark, Fury. I don't have a hero complex. Never cared for statues or parades."
The atmosphere grew heavier. No one spoke for a few moments. Soren's rejection was casual…
Fury, for all his experience, was at a loss for a moment.
Then, seeing their tight faces, their barely hidden desperation, Soren let out a long breath, shaking his head in mock disappointment.
He reached out, and with a wave of his hand, the geography magazine on his desk flew to his grasp. He flipped it open, as if he'd just happened upon it, but it was clear this wasn't random.
The page landed on an article about a remote, uninhabited island in the Pacific.
"Alright." Soren said, tapping the page with a fingertip.
"I'll help you rescue your president. But in return… this island belongs to me."
Ross's eyebrows lifted, then, after a beat, he actually laughed, knowing sound.
Coulson glanced at the page and quickly masked his surprise.
"Isn't this the…?" Fury's voice trailed off as recognition hit him.
"Of course it is."
What Soren didn't realize was that this particular island had already caused no small amount of internal friction between S.H.I.E.L.D. and the military.
Hidden, isolated, and strategically positioned, the island had been left unclaimed for decades, only recently rediscovered during a joint operation.
Both S.H.I.E.L.D. and the military had quietly fought over it, S.H.I.E.L.D. hoping to turn it into a black-site operations hub, the military dreaming of a forward base for Pacific operations.
In the end, unable to agree, the U.S. government opted for a neutral decision... neither would get it. The island would be developed as a future tourist resort, kept under strict government oversight.
And now Soren was casually demanding it like it was a piece of candy in a shop window.
"How about it?"
"This island is outside U.S. borders. I want it as my private territory. I'll grow medicinal plants there. No one enters without my permission. That's my first condition."
Fury's face was a storm cloud.
To give up a strategic asset like this… for one man's private playground?
It would've been ridiculous if it weren't for the fact that right now, they desperately needed this man.
Ross, on the other hand, didn't hesitate.
"Doctor, do you have any other conditions?"
The military had already lost the island's bid, what did it matter now? If granting it to Soren secured the president's life, it was an easy trade.
Soren smiled, closing the magazine.
"Since you asked, yes. I intend to build some structures there. Private residences, labs, maybe a villa. I'll provide the designs, you'll handle the construction. No questions asked."
He leveled his gaze at them.
"Those are my two conditions. Simple, really."
Ross nodded immediately.
He was one of the few who truly understood the extent of Soren's abilities.
He knew that whatever this man wanted, it was better to have him as a friend than an enemy.
"Dr. Soren Macaluso," Ross said formally.
"On behalf of the U.S. government, I can agree to your terms. But we need your word, no weapons, no installations, no activities that would threaten national security on this island."
Soren's lips curved into an easy smile.
"Relax, General. I'm not trying to build an empire. I have no interest in guns or missiles. I really do plan to grow medicinal plants. It's peaceful work."
Ross offered his hand. "Then we have a deal."
Soren shook it, his grip firm.
"Good. Now, get me everything you have on this Mandarin. Time's wasting."
Fury let out a slow breath, still visibly displeased, but knowing full well they had no better option.
"You've got two hours, Macaluso."
Fury said grimly. "Let's see if you're worth the trouble."
"Oh, I'm worth it."
The hunt had begun.
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
Merry Christmas in advance Everyone. Your support for this was overwhelmingly shocking, Thank you.
I am currently preparing a Second story, hopeful it will be even Quirkier than this one. I will leave a hint.
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The protagonist is not a human...
It should be released on the 10th of January.
PhantomDream