Bab 13: S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Radar
The video played on the screen, casting a harsh glow across the room. The scenes were grim—teenagers strapped to cold metal tables, wires embedded in their bodies, and needles piercing their skin. Their faces contorted in agony, their silent screams haunting even without sound. Fury's fists clenched, his expression taut with controlled anger.
Maria Hill observed him briefly before speaking. "Director, the entire facility was burned to the ground, including the guards and the doctor. But no mutant bodies were found."
"Someone saved them?" Fury asked, his voice low but sharp. It felt more like answer rather than question.
"Yes," Maria confirmed. "The bodies of the staff were found in their usual places, as if they were killed or incapacitated before the fire. The mutants, however, were gone."
Fury's eye narrowed. "Who could be behind this rescue? It's not the X-Men—they don't operate this way. And Magneto's been confirmed in Utah." His mind raced through possibilities. Few had the capability to execute such a precise operation.
"What about local mutant groups in the area?" he asked, turning to Maria.
She shook her head. "None have the planning or resources for something like this. Even the facility's surveillance footage is missing. Whoever did this took over the control room first, rescued the mutants, and destroyed everything, leaving no trace. It's likely the work of an organized group, not a lone individual—unless that individual was highly trained, like an agent."
"What about the X-Men?" Fury asked, his tone measured but firm. "Since they went there, they must have found something."
"They landed outside the city," Maria continued, her voice steady but intrigued. "Stayed there for only a few minutes before returning. Jean Grey, Logan, Scott Summers, and Ororo Munroe were the ones present."
Fury's brow furrowed. "Just the four of them? That's not a full team deployment."
"Exactly," Maria confirmed. "What's even stranger is that they didn't go near the facility at all. Their movements were... odd."
Fury leaned forward, his sharp eye narrowing. "If they didn't approach the facility, then what were they doing there? Scouting? Meeting someone?"
"They didn't meet anyone, at least not that our agents could find," Maria clarified. "They stayed there for about ten minutes before returning. But based on their movements, it seemed like their telepath was trying to locate someone."
Fury's mind lingered on a red-haired woman he had already marked as one of the most dangerous people on his radar. "Trying to find someone, huh?" he muttered. "Either they failed, or they found more than they expected."
"Possibly," Maria replied. "Whatever it was, their actions were deliberate. They weren't just there by coincidence."
Fury nodded, tapping a finger on the desk. "Keep digging. If they were searching for someone, we need to know who—or what—it was." He will not take any take.
"Understood," Maria said, her fingers already working on the tablet.
"What else do we know about the facility?" Fury asked, shifting his focus. Even if this one wasn't as big as others, it doesn't make it invisible. Experiments on mutants are bad enough—but getting caught? That's worse.
He don't want world war three now . According to him no matter who wins between humans and mutants the one who will lose is earth. He couldn't help but remember various species he got to know from skrulls, the Interstellar politics.
"It wasn't in any known database, but the funding points to a private organization. The equipment wasn't cutting-edge but still advanced. Most of the evidence was destroyed, and what remains seems staged to mislead investigators," Maria explained.
She paused, pulling up a file. "The doctor in the video is Dr. Whitestone. He worked for AZI Pharmaceuticals before resigning a year ago."
"Azi Pharmaceuticals…" Fury repeated, his mind calculating. "If they're involved, we'll expose it. Keep tracking them and any connections to similar operations."
"Already on it," Maria replied, her tone serious.
Fury leaned forward, his hands clasped together on the desk. "Good. If they're playing in the shadows, we'll drag them into the light. And when we do, they'll pay—one way or another."
He continued, his voice firm. "Find out who's behind this. Since it's non-government, we can claim a piece of the pie once we uncover them. There's always a shortage of funds in the bureau, and negotiating with the WSC is a waste of time. They won't approve a budget increase unless the situation turns catastrophic."
Maria nodded, understanding the subtext. Fury had always been pragmatic when it came to resources, knowing the agency's survival often depended on unconventional methods.
"What about the mutants that were captured?" Fury asked, his voice cold. He wouldn't forget what this facility had been doing.
Maria glanced at her tablet. "Most of them were teenagers, the oldest only 19. Officially, they were all declared dead—victims of accidents . Many of their relatives are also deceased."
"Convenient," Fury muttered, his jaw tightening.
After a few more exchanges of details, Fury leaned back. "Keep me updated," he said decisively, signaling the end of their conversation.
Maria nodded, turned on her heel, and left the room, leaving Fury to his thoughts. Whoever orchestrated this rescue and whoever ran the facility—they were both now on his radar. And Fury never let things slip past him for long.
******************
Author's pov
What do you think/prefer mc should do now and in/for future?
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone