"We're here."
The Quinjet landed steadily on the platform. As Noah and the others stepped out, the aircraft's thrusters flared, and it took off immediately, likely heading to another mission.
"Hey, buddy, how do I get to the Director's office?"
Noah casually stopped a passing agent, only to be met with a mix of confusion and bewilderment. He awkwardly let go of the agent's arm with a sheepish smile.
Fury, of all people—so eager to talk but couldn't even send someone to meet him. This helicarrier was enormous. How was anyone supposed to find their way to him?
He glanced around, taking in the bustling activity on the carrier's platform. At least twenty Quinjet landings and takeoffs were happening simultaneously.
The people moving about looked grim and rushed. Their expressions said it all—most of them likely knew their families had little to no chance of survival.
"Excuse me… you must be Mr. White, right? Director Fury has invited you to a meeting."
A breathless, chubby middle-aged man, holding a stack of papers, scurried over as Noah turned to face him.
Before Noah could respond, the man forced a strained smile and added, "Apologies for the delay. The situation on the ground is chaotic, and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s dispatch team is overwhelmed. I came as soon as I realized you'd arrived. Please, follow me."
"Let's go," Wanda said impassively.
"Uh, but… the Director requested a private meeting with Mr. White only," the chubby man stammered, blinking in surprise.
"I'm sure Fury's office is big enough to fit us all," Noah replied, casually running his fingers over the amulet around his neck.
"But—"
"No buts. I'm an Avenger. Are you saying I can't meet Fury?" Wanda snapped.
At that moment, the chubby man pressed his hand to his earpiece and mumbled, "Yes, sir… understood, sir. Right away, Director."
Noah noticed the small earpiece hooked onto the man's ear—he must've been using it for an encrypted conversation with Fury.
"The Director has agreed to let you all come. Oh, and the bald gentleman can join as well, if he wishes," the man said, glancing at Wong.
Wong looked at Noah, who nodded.
"You're wasting time. Take us there," Noah said.
The man's lips twitched slightly, but he quickly regained his courteous demeanor. "Of course. This way, please."
They followed him into an elevator. As it descended, the hum of activity gradually quieted. Soon, they arrived at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s command center in the middle section of the helicarrier. The doors slid open to reveal a cacophony of voices.
Dozens of coordinators frantically shouted in front of various holographic projections.
"Registered hero Hermes in New Jersey has been infected. He's heading toward Florida at triple the speed of sound! Missiles can't hit him, and the military units sent to intercept were… devoured!"
"Do we have anyone left? Can we borrow someone from the X-Men?"
"No luck. The X-Men just reported they're unable to assist. Wait! Signals for Sasquatch and Puck are heading toward Hermes's trajectory. Get them back immediately! They're walking into a deathtrap!"
"Colonel Rhodes, this is Command. Infection detected in eastern Maine. Proceed to assist immediately!"
"Daredevil's signal has vanished. That's the 93rd superhero to go missing in New York City. Mark him as missing for now. If we don't hear back in twenty minutes, reclassify as infected or deceased."
"Thor is battling over ten zombie heroes at the Empire State Building. The nearest reinforcements are Nova and Ares. Dispatch them and send a Quinjet for extraction."
"Begin retracting the defensive perimeter. The infection has spread to every state bordering New York. We need to regroup our forces."
Noah stood silently at the entrance, observing the chaotic scene. The blend of commands, reports, and conversations created a chaotic symphony that unsettled him. Still, he remained quiet, his face impassive.
Beside him, Wanda and Wong listened intently. Their faces turned pale as each report conveyed the gravity of the situation. Wanda's eyes filled with helplessness and sorrow, while Wong's expression grew more serious, his brows deeply furrowed.
"You've passed it. Turn right at the elevator, go straight, and then left at the second door," the chubby man said with a polite smile before rushing off to join the dispatchers.
Noah took a final glance at the hectic command center and sighed. "Let's go."
Their efforts were ultimately in vain. Beyond Quicksilver, there were other speedsters in New York City—at least five publicly known ones, not to mention those who had never registered.
While none were as fast as Quicksilver, traveling at several times the speed of sound was more than enough to evade pursuit in a city filled with skyscrapers and spread the virus globally.
Without Quicksilver, the global infection might be delayed slightly, but that moment would inevitably come.
Following the directions, the group arrived at a heavy metal door. Honestly, it looked more like the entrance to a prison than a meeting room.
Wanda frowned, noticing this detail.
Click.
The door opened on its own, and a deep voice called out from within, "Come in."
Wanda exchanged a glance with Noah before stepping inside with her unconscious brother, Pietro, in tow. Noah and Wong followed closely behind.
To Noah's relief, the interior didn't resemble an interrogation room. With its polished wooden floors, abstract art pieces that looked expensive, and a massive mahogany desk, it was clearly one of Fury's offices.
Three chairs were neatly arranged in front of the desk, and behind it sat a bronze-skinned, one-eyed man with short brown hair. He held a half-smoked cigar between his fingers, his sharp gaze fixed on Noah.
Taking a deep drag and flicking the ash off his cigar, Fury spoke. "Take a seat. All of you."
"Sure."
Noah casually adjusted the amulet around his neck as he walked to the desk. Wong and Wanda followed suit, taking the remaining seats.
The amulet gleamed under the overhead light, its four curved lines catching Fury's attention. He frowned slightly, though it wasn't clear whether it was the light or the symbol that irked him.
"You wanted to talk, Fury," Noah said, running his fingers over the amulet. "So let's talk."