The debriefing lasted six hours.
Agent Coulson was indeed thorough, working through a checklist that covered everything from Su Chen's background to his understanding of theoretical physics to his motivations for intervening at Project Pegasus. Su Chen answered with carefully crafted honesty—providing verifiable information that Babata had seeded into databases while deflecting questions that would reveal too much.
"So you're saying you learned about exotic energy manipulation through... private research?" Coulson asked, his tone carefully neutral as he made notes on his tablet.
"Correct," Su Chen confirmed. "There are phenomena that mainstream science dismisses or can't explain. I've made it my business to study them. When you encounter something that conventional physics says is impossible, you have two choices: dismiss it as impossible, or expand your understanding of what's possible."
"And the Tesseract?" Coulson pressed. "You said you'd encountered references to similar artifacts. Where?"
"Ancient texts, mostly," Su Chen replied, which was technically true—he'd studied countless cultivation manuals and magical grimoires across multiple universes. "Various cultures have legends about objects of immense power. The Norse called them the Gifts of Ymir. Eastern traditions spoke of Heaven-Defying Treasures. The principle is consistent across cultures—artifacts that embody fundamental forces of reality."
Coulson's expression suggested he was trying to determine if Su Chen was a genius, insane, or something else entirely. "And you just... happened to know how to interface with one?"
"I recognized the energy pattern and understood the principles," Su Chen said. "The rest was applied theory and calculated risk."
Before Coulson could continue, the briefing room door opened and Nick Fury entered, carrying a thick folder that he dropped on the table with a heavy thud.
"Mr. Su Chen," Fury greeted, settling into the chair across from him. "We've completed our background check. Born in Shanghai, immigrated to the United States at age fifteen, degrees in theoretical physics and Eastern philosophy from institutions I've never heard of, and a work history that's remarkably... sparse."
"I prefer contract work," Su Chen replied smoothly. "It allows me flexibility."
"Flexibility," Fury repeated, his single eye boring into Su Chen. "Let me tell you what I think. I think your background is real enough to pass a standard check, but it's missing something. There are gaps—periods where you appear in records but leave no actual footprint. Like someone carefully constructed an identity that looks legitimate on the surface but doesn't hold up under deep scrutiny."
Su Chen's expression didn't change. "Director Fury, I've done nothing illegal. If my lifestyle choices seem unusual, that's because I value my privacy. Surely S.H.I.E.L.D. can appreciate that."
A slight smile tugged at Fury's mouth. "Touché." He opened the folder, revealing photographs from the Project Pegasus incident. "Let's talk about what you did today. My scientists tell me you accomplished something that should be impossible—you physically touched an object radiating enough energy to vaporize a city block and not only survived but *controlled* it."
"The Tesseract's energy is intense but follows comprehensible rules," Su Chen explained. "Once you understand those rules, interaction becomes possible."
"And yet Dr. Selvig, one of the world's leading astrophysicists, couldn't manage what you did," Fury countered. "Which suggests either you're smarter than him, or you're something he's not."
"Both can be true, Director."
Fury leaned back, studying Su Chen with an intensity that would have been uncomfortable if Su Chen hadn't faced down entities far more intimidating. "I'm going to be straight with you, Mr. Su Chen. You demonstrated abilities today that put you in a very exclusive category. There are maybe a dozen individuals on this planet with power levels comparable to what you showed, and most of them are either working with S.H.I.E.L.D., being monitored by S.H.I.E.L.D., or locked up by S.H.I.E.L.D."
"And you're wondering which category I'll fall into," Su Chen finished.
"I'm wondering if you understand the position you've put yourself in," Fury corrected. "You saved lives today, and I'm grateful. But you also revealed yourself as a potential threat. The same power that contained the Tesseract could be used for less benevolent purposes."
"Director Fury," Su Chen said calmly, "if I wanted to be a threat, you wouldn't be having this conversation. I came to help because a dimensional breach threatened civilian lives. That should tell you everything you need to know about my intentions."
Fury was silent for a moment, then he pulled out another document—this one marked with high-level classification symbols. "What do you know about the Avengers Initiative?"
Su Chen allowed a flicker of calculated interest to cross his face. "I've heard rumors. S.H.I.E.L.D. is supposedly recruiting enhanced individuals for some kind of response team."
"It's more than rumors," Fury said. "The world is changing, Mr. Su Chen. Enhanced individuals are appearing with increasing frequency. Threats that conventional military forces can't handle. We need people who can respond to these situations—people with extraordinary abilities and, more importantly, the judgment to use them responsibly."
He slid a document across the table. "I'm offering you a position as a consultant to S.H.I.E.L.D. You'd be on call for situations that require your unique expertise. In exchange, you'd have access to our resources, legal protection, and compensation that reflects the value of your contributions."
Su Chen picked up the document, scanning it with his Dual Pupils while appearing to read normally. The contract was comprehensive—dozens of pages of legal language that essentially granted S.H.I.E.L.D. significant oversight of his activities in exchange for official sanction and resources.
"This is quite extensive," Su Chen observed. "You're essentially asking me to become an asset of S.H.I.E.L.D."
"I'm asking you to work with us rather than independently," Fury corrected. "The world doesn't need more vigilantes operating without oversight. It needs heroes who understand accountability."
"And what about my associates?" Su Chen asked, gesturing toward where Saeko and Esdeath waited in an adjacent room. "They're part of my team."
"We'd conduct similar assessments," Fury replied. "If they check out, they'd be included in the arrangement. S.H.I.E.L.D. values teamwork."
Su Chen set down the document, his expression thoughtful. This was the moment—the decision that would determine how deeply he could embed himself in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operations. Accept, and he'd have official access to their resources and intelligence. Refuse, and he'd remain an outside element, potentially monitored but not integrated.
"I have conditions," Su Chen said finally.
"I expected you would," Fury replied. "Let's hear them."
"First, I maintain operational independence. I'll respond to requests for assistance, but I won't take orders that conflict with my judgment. If I assess a situation differently than S.H.I.E.L.D., I reserve the right to act according to my assessment."
Fury's expression darkened slightly. "That's a non-starter. I can't have consultants going rogue—"
"Director, you're not hiring a soldier," Su Chen interrupted. "You're contracting a specialist. You don't want me because I follow orders—you want me because I can do things your regular personnel can't. That requires trust in my judgment."
After a long moment, Fury nodded grudgingly. "Fine. Operational discretion within reason. But if you go completely off the reservation, the contract is void and you become a person of interest."
"Acceptable," Su Chen agreed. "Second condition: information sharing goes both ways. If S.H.I.E.L.D. expects me to respond to threats, I need access to your intelligence on enhanced individuals, exotic technologies, and potential dangers."
"Classified intelligence stays classified," Fury countered. "You'll get briefings on situations we bring you into, but I'm not opening our entire database to a contractor."
"Then I'll need clearance appropriate to my role," Su Chen pressed. "You can't expect me to be effective while keeping me in the dark."
Fury considered this, then made a decision. "Level Six clearance. That gives you access to most operational intelligence and threat assessments, but keeps you out of the most sensitive programs."
"Level Seven," Su Chen countered. "The same clearance Agent Coulson holds. If you trust him with that information, you can trust me."
"Coulson has been with S.H.I.E.L.D. for fifteen years," Fury pointed out.
"And I just saved one of your most valuable assets from destruction," Su Chen replied. "Consider it hazard pay for what I did today."
A tense silence stretched between them. Finally, Fury nodded. "Level Seven, provisional. You prove yourself reliable, it becomes permanent. You prove to be a security risk, you're done."
"Fair enough," Su Chen agreed. "Third condition: my team stays together. Whatever operations you assign me to, Saeko and Esdeath are part of the package."
"Not a problem, assuming they pass their assessments," Fury said. "Anything else?"
"Just one more thing," Su Chen said, his tone carefully casual. "I'll need access to any information S.H.I.E.L.D. has on other artifacts similar to the Tesseract. If there are more objects like that in the world, I should know about them."
Fury's expression became unreadable. "Why the specific interest in artifacts?"
"Because the Tesseract's activation was triggered externally," Su Chen explained. "Someone out there has the knowledge and power to use these objects. If there are more of them, they're potential targets—or potential weapons. I'd rather know what we're dealing with before another crisis forces my hand."
It was a reasonable explanation that happened to align with Su Chen's actual goal of locating the other Infinity Stones. Fury seemed to accept the logic.
"I'll provide you with what we have," Fury said finally. "Though I'll warn you—our information on similar artifacts is limited and often contradictory. The Tesseract is the only one we've had sustained access to."
"Understood," Su Chen nodded. "Then I believe we have an agreement, Director Fury."
Fury extended his hand across the table. "Welcome to S.H.I.E.L.D., Mr. Su Chen. Try not to make me regret this."
Su Chen shook his hand, sealing the arrangement. "I'll do my best, Director."
Over the next two hours, Saeko and Esdeath underwent their own assessments. Both performed admirably, demonstrating enhanced capabilities while carefully concealing the true extent of their power. Saeko showcased her martial arts expertise and enhanced reflexes, attributing them to intensive training and what she vaguely described as "genetic advantages." Esdeath demonstrated minor temperature manipulation, presenting it as a mutation rather than the reality-warping power it actually was.
By the time they emerged from the briefing complex, all three had been officially registered as S.H.I.E.L.D. consultants with Level Seven clearance. They were issued secure communication devices, access credentials, and a substantial retainer payment that Babata immediately routed into accounts they controlled.
"Master," Babata's voice resonated in Su Chen's mind as they boarded their shuttle. "I've completed infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s primary databases. Your clearance credentials provide access to 73% of their systems. The remaining 27% requires either Level Eight clearance or specialized access codes."
"What about information on the other Infinity Stones?" Su Chen inquired mentally.
"Accessing... found. S.H.I.E.L.D. has fragmentary intelligence on five other artifacts matching the Tesseract's profile. They've designated them as 'Objects of Unknown Origin' and assigned them threat classifications. Would you like the detailed report?"
"Transmit it to my neural interface," Su Chen commanded.
Data flooded into his consciousness—S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intelligence on the other Infinity Stones, compiled from various sources over decades.
**The Aether (Reality Stone)**: Last known location—Asgard, sealed away after an ancient conflict with the Dark Elves. Status: secured but potentially accessible through Asgardian connections.
**The Orb (Power Stone)**: Location—Morag, an abandoned planet in the Andromeda Galaxy. Status: unguarded but difficult to access without spacecraft capable of interstellar travel.
**The Eye of Agamotto (Time Stone)**: Location—Kamar-Taj, Nepal. Possessed by the Ancient One. Status: heavily protected by mystical defenses and arguably the most difficult target.
**The Mind Stone**: Location—unknown. S.H.I.E.L.D. had tracked unusual energy signatures consistent with the Tesseract's output but originating from an unidentified source. Status: potentially in the possession of hostile entities.
**The Soul Stone**: Location—completely unknown. S.H.I.E.L.D. had only theoretical evidence of its existence based on ancient texts and legends. Status: no actionable intelligence.
Su Chen processed this information with satisfaction. S.H.I.E.L.D. had done much of the preliminary research for him, narrowing down locations and providing tactical assessments. Now he had official access to update this intelligence as he "discovered" new information.
"Excellent work, Babata," he praised. "Continue monitoring S.H.I.E.L.D.'s systems. I want real-time updates on any new intelligence regarding enhanced individuals, alien technology, or dimensional anomalies."
"Understood, Master. I'm also detecting increased chatter about something called 'Project Insight.' It appears to be a classified initiative involving next-generation surveillance and threat assessment."
"Flag it for deeper investigation," Su Chen instructed. "That sounds like something we should understand fully."
As their shuttle lifted off, heading back toward their Manhattan apartment, Saeko spoke aloud for the first time since leaving the briefing. "That went remarkably well. Fury suspects we're hiding something, but he's willing to overlook it because we're useful."
"Pragmatism is predictable," Su Chen agreed. "Fury is a strategist first and an idealist second. As long as we provide value, he'll work with us despite his suspicions."
"What's our next move?" Esdeath asked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Now that we're inside S.H.I.E.L.D., what's the primary objective?"
Su Chen gazed out at the New York skyline, his mind already calculating the next steps. "We consolidate our position and expand our intelligence network. With Level Seven clearance, we can access most of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operational data. We use that to identify opportunities—enhanced individuals to recruit, technologies to copy, and threats to neutralize before they become problems."
He pulled up a holographic display visible only to them, showing a timeline of major events he knew were coming. "The Chitauri Invasion is still months away, but other opportunities will present themselves. Stark is working on arc reactor miniaturization. Banner is hiding in India. Rogers is frozen in the Arctic. Each of them represents resources we can acquire or relationships we can cultivate."
"And the other Infinity Stones?" Saeko inquired.
"We'll approach them strategically," Su Chen replied. "The Time Stone is off-limits for now—the Ancient One is too dangerous to confront directly, and we don't need her as an enemy. The Reality Stone is sealed on Asgard, which we can't access until Thor arrives on Earth and we can establish contact. The Power Stone is on Morag, which requires spacecraft we don't yet have. The Soul Stone's location is completely unknown."
He smiled coldly. "But the Mind Stone... that's coming to us. When Loki finally opens his portal, he'll be carrying a scepter with the Mind Stone embedded in it. We'll let the Avengers handle Loki, and in the chaos of the invasion, we'll secure the scepter."
"You're planning that far ahead?" Esdeath asked with approval.
"I'm planning for every contingency," Su Chen corrected. "The Marvel Universe is filled with powerful entities and unpredictable variables. We can't simply smash our way through like we did in lower-tier worlds. Here, we need to be intelligent, adaptive, and patient."
The shuttle began its descent toward Manhattan. Below, the city sprawled in all its complexity—millions of people living their lives, completely unaware that beings of cosmic significance walked among them.
"Master," Babata's voice carried a note of interest. "I'm detecting something unusual. There's a energy signature in New York that doesn't match any known profile in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s database. It's magical in nature, but not consistent with the Ancient One's mystic arts."
"Location?" Su Chen demanded.
"Greenwich Village, approximately three blocks from the New York Sanctum. The signature is... unstable. It appears someone is attempting a summoning ritual and struggling to maintain control."
Su Chen's eyes narrowed. "An unauthorized magic user in New York, near the Sanctum? Either they're incredibly foolish or incredibly powerful."
"Should we investigate?" Saeko asked.
"We should," Su Chen decided. "If nothing else, it's an opportunity to demonstrate our value to S.H.I.E.L.D. by handling a magical threat before it becomes their problem. Babata, reroute the shuttle. And notify S.H.I.E.L.D. that we're responding to a potential enhanced threat—let them think we're being good consultants."
"Acknowledged, Master."
As the shuttle changed course, heading toward Greenwich Village, Su Chen felt a familiar thrill of anticipation. Every crisis was an opportunity. Every threat was a potential resource. The harvest continued, and the Marvel Universe was proving to be even more fertile ground than he'd anticipated.
Somewhere in the city below, an amateur sorcerer was about to learn that playing with forces beyond their understanding had consequences.
And Su Chen was about to add another piece to his growing collection of power, knowledge, and influence in this universe.
The game was just beginning.