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Chapter 203 - Zod strikes

Authors Note-

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Nick Fury rubbed his throbbing bald head, trying to calm himself. "Mr. Shaw, due to our unfamiliarity with you, safety measures are necessary for our meeting. However, I assure you that if you comply with our instructions, there won't be any need for gunfire."

Clark smirked inwardly, thinking, "If it comes to a clash, let's see if you have what it takes to handle me."

"Alright, I'll agree to the meeting. If you'll make my way there."

Relieved that Clark acquiesced, Nick Fury wasted no time. "So, where are you currently located, Mr. Shaw? I'll arrange transportation to pick you up. Let's convene in New York."

"I'm vacationing on a beach in Hawaii right now. It'll take nearly ten hours by plane. Let's skip that. Could you send me the coordinates, and I'll go there? I should be able to arrive in three hours with my own means of travel."

Nick Fury was momentarily taken aback by Clark's revelation, realizing Clark possessed a swifter mode of transportation. Could it be an alien spaceship? His apprehension towards Clark heightened.

Soon, Nick Fury sent the meeting location to Clark's phone and initiated an investigation into him. Meanwhile, Clark prepared for his journey to New York.

At the appointed time, Clark changed into appropriate attire and retrieved his mode of transportation from behind his apartment.

Nick Fury assumed Clark's vehicle would be a towering alien spaceship, but to his surprise, it was a bicycle. While seemingly ordinary, in Clark's hands, it was anything but. With his superhuman abilities, Clark could propel the bike at speeds surpassing those of airplanes.

Ordinarily, Clark could fly to his destination, but this time, he opted for a bicycle for a specific reason. His bicycle, however, was no ordinary ride. He detached the watch and attached it to the bike's handlebars.

"Joe El, plot a path to New York swiftly," Clark commanded.

"Of course, Master Clark!" Joe El responded as a map materialized on the bike's display, charting the most efficient route.

With a mighty push of his legs, Clark accelerated, the bike tearing through the streets like a streak of lightning. Though moving faster than sound, the bike emitted no more than a faint hum, barely stirring the air around it.

Thanks to its specialized magnetic field, this bicycle possessed unique features, including a silent, invisible mode when traveling at high speeds.

Clark relished the rush of speed, effortlessly navigating the crowded streets. Pedestrians teased by his passing believed they'd encountered a ghost.

Crafted from vibranium, a sturdy yet flexible material infused with nano-robots, the bike served another vital purpose: housing Joe El.

Meanwhile, Nick Fury initiated an investigation into Clark. It led him to Shaw's farm, which surprisingly produced Fountain of Life wine. This coveted elixir, famed for its anti-aging and beauty-enhancing properties, fetched millions per bottle, with only a hundred available annually.

The allure of the Fountain of Life alone was enough to tempt high-profile figures. The fact that the farm stood untouched raised suspicions, especially considering S.H.I.E.L.D.'s oversight.

Further investigation into the farm's residents, notably Clark Shaw, yielded transparent information—too transparent. From his birth onward, everything was meticulously documented and unnervingly flawless. Such meticulousness bordered on the suspicious.

Clark's father and mother were definitely real, and the neighbors around the farm confirmed their existence. Yet, there were oddities. Despite the neighbors witnessing their presence, their names and appearances slipped from memory. Attempts to retrieve their information from a computer yielded nothing, as the relevant data had been wiped clean.

Similarly, the farm's housekeeper and maid faced a similar predicament. However, their files and computer records were tampered with mere hours ago. A meticulous investigation could uncover some clues.

After perusing the information, Nick Fury clenched his teeth and ordered an investigation into Shaw's farm. Unbeknownst to him, a formidable woman sat on the farm, ready to repel intruders with her magic, flinging them back to the farm's gates.

After a single defeat, Nick Fury understood the farm's formidable defenses. Though he still possessed trump cards, he preferred to save time. After all, Clark had thus far displayed immense goodwill. It wasn't worth the loss to engage in conflict.

A few hours passed in the blink of an eye. In an open space outside New York City, Nick Fury waited in a car, accompanied by a general from the US Department of Defense and an on-duty liaison, possibly for future negotiations. Additionally, a group of armed American soldiers stood ready to handle any potential crises.

As they waited quietly, Nick Fury and two others occasionally glanced at the sky, awaiting the arrival of a spaceship. Suddenly, a small black spot appeared in the distance, and someone riding a bicycle approached swiftly.

Soldiers nearby readied their weapons, but Nick Fury intervened. Despite being a one-eyed veteran, his vision was sharp, and he recognized Clark immediately. They had been waiting for him. Despite seeing photos before, seeing him arrive on a bicycle instead of the expected spaceship was astonishing.

As Clark approached, Nick Fury suppressed his surprise and greeted him warmly.

"Hello, Mr. Shaw, welcome. I hope our meeting will be pleasant."

"Of course, that's what I hope too," Clark responded, extending his hand for a handshake before joining them at the table.

"Mr. Shaw, could you shed some light on certain matters? Your origins are quite mysterious, and your farm is often called a stronghold. We let our agents dig, but they hit a dead end," Nick Fury inquired.

Clark maintained his smile. "It seems you've delved into my affairs and even attempted to breach the farm. I hope no harm was done; otherwise, consequences would follow."

"Mr. Shaw, please understand that our investigation was brief and non-intrusive. No harm was done," Fury reassured.

"Of course, you couldn't damage the farm. With the formidable defense and my formidable mother, it would take more than just a few people to cause any harm," Clark remarked, hinting at the farm's magical guardian.

Clark kept his thoughts to himself, maintaining a composed exterior. "Of course, I believe you, and I hold no blame. It's only natural from your perspective to investigate. Understanding each other is crucial, as long as it's done respectfully."

"Exactly, that's it!"

Nick Fury felt a wave of relief seeing Clark's understanding demeanor. He had feared damaging the friendly rapport they had built through clandestine investigations, risking irreparable consequences. "Now that we're all here, let's officially commence negotiations. I hope we can—"

Before Fury could finish, Clark's expression shifted. He gazed skyward, his demeanor tense.

"It appears our cover was blown during your earlier investigation. General Zod and his cohorts are already here. Prepare for combat."

"Ready your weapons, but hold fire until my command," Nick Fury ordered, grasping the gravity of the situation.

"Why would they expose you? Could they have intercepted your calls?" Fury questioned, anticipating the impending confrontation.

"My calls were encrypted. They couldn't have cracked them. Someone within your ranks must have betrayed us," Clark responded calmly.

Nick Fury fell silent momentarily, stepping aside to assess the situation.