Chapter 47: S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters

S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, Washington

Arthur wore a black suit, a white shirt with a tie, and a pair of black-rimmed glasses, looking every bit the part of an office worker as he arrived at the main entrance of S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters. He surveyed the surroundings—security was exceptionally tight, with four watchtowers positioned at the gate and guards checking the credentials of everyone entering or leaving. Beyond the entrance lay a straight road flanked by lakes on both sides, reminiscent of the moats around ancient Chinese cities.

There was a steady stream of personnel coming in and out. Head bowed, Arthur blended into the crowd and walked through the main gate. As he passed the checkpoint, a guard stopped him. “Excuse me, sir, may I see your ID?”

Arthur glanced around, produced his agent credential, and handed it over. The nearby guard, seeing the badge, paid him little attention, giving Arthur the opportunity to subtly manipulate the guard’s mind.

“Sorry, sir. Please go ahead,” the guard said, returning the ID and letting Arthur through. Arthur smiled at him and continued with the flow of people into the building.

The lobby, with its bustling staff, receptionists, and front desk, looked no different from any other government institution. Arthur stepped into the elevator, pressed for the twentieth floor at random, and found himself in the archives when he arrived.

Slipping quietly into a file room, Arthur was daunted by the shelves packed tightly with documents—he knew there was no way he’d find the Mind Stone’s whereabouts here. Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching. Arthur hid behind the door, waiting.

A male clerical worker entered, files in hand, and spotted Arthur immediately. “Who are—”

Before he could finish, Arthur gripped his throat, stifling any cry for help.

“Look into my eyes,” Arthur commanded, locking gazes as his mental power invaded the man’s mind.

He discovered the man was a Hydra operative—one of Sitwell’s men, that bespectacled baldie within S.H.I.E.L.D. From his memories, Arthur saw that Captain Steve Rogers had been declared wanted by S.H.I.E.L.D., accused of involvement in Nick Fury’s death.

But this man knew little, a mere pawn. Arthur did, however, learn that Sitwell’s office was on the twenty-second floor. With a twist, Arthur snapped his neck.

Arthur took the elevator to the twenty-second floor, the operations division, and found Sitwell’s office. But upon pushing open the door, he found it empty.

He interrogated two more people, but none knew anything about the Mind Stone. Clearly, only S.H.I.E.L.D.’s top brass—Nick Fury and Alexander Pierce—were privy to such secrets.

Arthur headed for the top floor, to Pierce’s director’s office. At the door, a beautiful secretary asked, “May I help you, sir?”

“Oh, is the Director in? I have something to report,” Arthur replied.

“I’m sorry, the Director is out today and not in his office,” she answered.

“Alright, I’ll come back tomorrow.” Arthur turned and left.

It was clear he’d come here for nothing; finding the Mind Stone would not be so simple. He’d have to seek out Nick Fury.

The news of Nick Fury’s death was certainly false—Arthur clearly remembered he was still alive, though his current whereabouts were unknown.

Arthur left S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters without being detected. By the time S.H.I.E.L.D. discovered the bodies, Arthur was already long gone.

...

Tony Stark’s Villa, New York

Arthur returned from Washington to New York in just forty minutes—his speed in the water was steadily increasing. At Tony’s villa, he entered using the old password—Tony hadn’t changed it—and descended to the third basement level, where Tony’s workshop was located.

“Sir, Mr. Arthur is here,” Jarvis announced to Tony, who was busy working.

“Who did you say?” Tony thought he’d misheard.

“You really haven’t changed—still obsessed with the same things,” Arthur said, stepping through the glass doors into the workshop.

Tony was tinkering with a new suit; the floor was littered with parts, leaving Arthur speechless. How many Marks was Tony up to now?

“Arthur! You’re actually alive!” Tony thought exhaustion was making him hallucinate. He rubbed his eyes, but the figure before him remained. It truly was Arthur.

“What, disappointed I’m not dead?” Arthur joked.

“Yes, I’m absolutely devastated you survived,” Tony replied in kind.

“I heard you even put up a monument for me?” Arthur inquired.

“Ah, yes, and I made sure to inscribe all your embarrassing stories on it,” Tony grinned. The two men exchanged a look and embraced.

“Welcome back!” Tony said sincerely.

Arthur studied Tony’s haggard face. “How long has it been since you last rested?”

“Not long, just a week or so,” Tony shrugged.

“A week? And you call that not long? Aren’t you afraid of dropping dead?” Arthur admonished.

“I feel fine. So, how long have you been back?” Tony asked.

“Just got back yesterday—came to see you first thing today. Pretty good friend, right?” Arthur replied.

“You’re here for something. Out with it—what do you want?” Tony saw right through him.

“Alright. Did you know? Something happened to Nick Fury,” Arthur said.

“What? Something happened to Nick? Impossible—he’s always holed up in S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ. Who could possibly get to him?” Tony was more surprised than he’d been in months.

“S.H.I.E.L.D.? Hah. S.H.I.E.L.D. isn’t under Nick Fury’s control anymore.” Arthur explained what he’d learned at S.H.I.E.L.D.—that Alexander Pierce was Hydra, and all the rest.

“You’re saying Hydra has infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D., they’ve gone after Nick Fury, and now Steve’s wanted too?” Tony clarified.

“That’s right. I suspect they’re planning to target us Avengers as well. I can’t find Nick or Steve right now, but there’s one person who definitely knows where he is,” Arthur said.

“Who?”

“Maria Hill. She’s the one Nick trusts most. If anything happened to him, he’d go to her. Do you have her contact info?” Arthur asked.

Tony glanced at Arthur, then said to Jarvis, “Jarvis, call Hill for me.”

“Yes, sir. Dialing Maria Hill’s number now. Ring... ring... ring...”

“Hello? This is Hill. Is this Tony Stark?” Maria’s voice came through the speaker.

“Yes, this is Tony Stark,” Tony replied.

“What’s the matter?” Hill asked.

“Is Nick Fury in trouble? Is he with you?” Tony pressed.

“How did you know something happened to him?” Hill countered.

“Never mind that. Just answer me—is he with you?”

“Yes, he’s right here with me,” Hill admitted.

“Let me talk to him—I have something to ask,” Tony requested.

“Tony? It’s me,” came Nick Fury’s voice, sounding weak.

“Where are you? I need to see you,” Tony said.

“What’s this about?” Nick asked.

“It’s too complicated for the phone. I’ll come to you,” Tony insisted.

There was a brief hesitation before Nick told Tony where to find him.

“Alright, leave the rest to me. You need to rest—stay out of this for now,” Arthur said.

“I feel fine. Let me go with you,” Tony replied earnestly.

“You’re tired, Tony. I’ll call you when I need you,” Arthur said, gently closing Tony’s eyes. Tony slumped backward, and Arthur caught him.

He’d hypnotized Tony—he was too exhausted and needed a proper sleep.

Arthur carried Tony to his bed; this time the hypnosis would let Tony sleep for three days.

“Jarvis, Tony will probably sleep for about three days. Don’t let anyone disturb him, and have some food ready for when he wakes—he’ll likely be starving,” Arthur instructed.

“Understood, Mr. Arthur,” Jarvis responded.

...