"Who are you people?" Jill's expression remained vigilant as she faced the well-dressed young man with a gentle smile and his armed entourage.
"We're from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. I'm Coulson, and we're here to help you." Hearing this introduction, Daniel Davis took a closer look at the man. If he hadn't introduced himself, Daniel wouldn't have recognized this as Agent Coulson from S.H.I.E.L.D.
"The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division?" Jill frowned. The name sounded impressive, encompassing defense, offense, and logistics, but it was the first time she'd heard of such an organization.
This wasn't due to Jill's ignorance. Before superheroes became publicly known, S.H.I.E.L.D. operated very discreetly. Most people, except for a select few, had no idea what the organization did.
Of course, S.H.I.E.L.D. was still officially known by its full name. Daniel hadn't paid much attention to it before.
"Can we discuss this somewhere safer?" Seeing Jill's skepticism, Coulson understood but didn't offer any explanation. Some things were simply not explainable at the moment.
"There are some children in the basement." Considering the current state of Raccoon City, Jill agreed to leave.
As for the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division, Jill assumed it was similar to the FBI or CIA.
Every country has numerous agencies, and unless one specializes in researching them, even insiders can't know them all, especially such a seemingly covert organization.
"Children, understood." Coulson ordered his team to assist immediately.
"Kid, these aren't toys for you to play with." Before boarding the plane, Coulson confiscated all of Daniel's weapons, including the military knives.
Coulson found it odd that the boy had so many bullets. Besides two pistols and two military knives, Daniel's leg pouches, waist pouches, and chest pockets were filled with magazines.
Seeing Coulson's surprised expression, Daniel turned away silently. He couldn't exactly explain that it was an aftereffect of playing Resident Evil—running out of bullets at a critical moment was the worst.
"Prepare for the children." Once everyone was on board, Coulson contacted the base via radio.
From the plane's window, Daniel saw the full extent of Raccoon City's devastation—a sea of fire and smoke.
Numerous helicopters and a few Quinjet fighters patrolled the skies, while S.H.I.E.L.D.'s special action teams advanced on the ground.
Compared to Umbrella's squads and military special forces struggling in battle, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s teams were unstoppable.
This was due to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s superior weaponry and equipment.
The zombie dinosaur that had caused heavy casualties was vaporized by a single energy beam.
Many S.H.I.E.L.D. agents on the ground wielded energy weapons.
This wasn't some movie or TV show where powerful equipment went unused. Nick Fury was a pragmatist.
During World War II, under Captain America's leadership, the Howling Commandos defeated HYDRA, and most of HYDRA's advanced weapons were confiscated by the Strategic Scientific Reserve, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s precursor.
HYDRA had energy weapons as far back as WWII, and their technology had only advanced since then.
The formation of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division was largely due to these energy weapons. After the war, these spoils of war became highly coveted.
Such dangerous weapons couldn't be distributed randomly. Thus, the big five powers decided to form a joint organization to guard these weapons.
Nick Fury was practical. Although S.H.I.E.L.D.'s regulations prohibited the casual use of these weapons, the situation in Raccoon City warranted their deployment.
"Die, monster." In Umbrella's underground lab beneath the Raccoon City Police Department, Barton coldly remarked as he watched the mutated William fall into a massive furnace due to an arrow explosion.
"Natasha, how's it going on your end?" Barton asked through his earpiece.
"I'm busy. Call back later." Hearing the sounds of fighting through the earpiece, Barton was surprised. He knew Natasha well—she was one of the top agents. He hadn't expected her to encounter such a tough opponent here.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. I thought you were dead, yet here you are, joining them. What a name." Ada Wong smirked as she forced Natasha back and shook her head.
"Ada Wong, I didn't expect to see you here. Hand over the virus. You know the consequences." Both being top figures in their circles, they had heard of each other despite never meeting.
"This? Sorry, but you don't get to decide." Ada Wong prepared to leave with the G-virus, but Black Widow wouldn't give her the chance. Seizing the moment Ada retreated, Natasha attacked again.
Ada didn't engage this time, instead speeding up her retreat. She drew her grappling gun, firing it at the upper stairs and swiftly ascending.
"Barton, it's Ada Wong. She escaped with the virus, heading to sector C3." Watching Ada, Natasha immediately reported.
"Got it."
"Don't shoot, I'm a cop reporting for duty." Leon and Claire, having just entered Raccoon City, were surrounded by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Seeing their weapons, Leon quickly dropped his handgun.
Leon and Claire had good timing, arriving after S.H.I.E.L.D. had intervened.
In a newly established base outside Raccoon City, Daniel, after a series of checks, was finally released.
As he exited, he saw Sherry being escorted by a stern-looking female agent. Daniel approached but was blocked by two agents.
"Sherry! Sherry!" Daniel called out loudly.
Hearing him, Sherry turned, recognized Daniel, and, after a nod from the agent, ran towards him.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, but my parents..." Mentioning her parents, Sherry burst into tears, clinging to Daniel. The lab experience had been a nightmare, and she had been holding it in. Seeing a familiar face, she couldn't suppress her emotions any longer.
"Time to go." Soon, the stern female agent approached and spoke coldly.
"May, let them stay a bit longer." Before Daniel could speak, Coulson appeared.
"The Director is waiting." The agent remained as cold as ever.
"Melinda May, huh? Is this what she's like now?" Daniel thought, "Where are you taking her?"
"That's not for you to know."
"No wonder they call her 'The Cavalry'." Daniel muttered under his breath.
"Don't worry, she's just going for a checkup. It's for her own good. You'll have plenty of chances to meet again." Coulson reassured with a gentle smile.
"Humph." May snorted, clearly disdainful of Coulson's attitude.
"Joining S.H.I.E.L.D.? That might be good for her." Watching Sherry leave with May, Daniel mused.
Joining S.H.I.E.L.D. was better than joining the FBI as in the original story. Under May's supervision, Sherry would likely undergo fewer experiments.
May was cold but had a warm heart. The current her was different from her future self because she hadn't yet experienced the events that would change her.
"Hey kid, interested in joining us? Then you could see her often." Just as Daniel was about to leave, Coulson called out.
"Huh?" Coulson's offer stunned Daniel.
"I asked around about you. We have a place where you can study." Coulson continued, possibly intrigued by the amount of ammo Daniel had carried, prompting him to inquire about him with Jill, Rebecca, and the orphanage staff.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy?" Daniel instantly thought of the academy, where agents like Fitz and Simmons came from.
"Consider it. You might want to talk to Rebecca. She agreed to join us." Coulson added.
"Rebecca joined S.H.I.E.L.D.? Well, this changes everything."
___________________
Read Ahead
P@treon.com/Mutter