CH 27: Information

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"Why did I have to go and destroy the Armor just to show off a little? I shouldn't have worn the gauntlets from the start."

Marcus could only sigh with regret as he repaired his Vampire Killer Armor.

And as he was doing that, his cell phone started ringing. Marcus picked it up and saw that it was from Jude.

"Hello, Jude."

"Hello, boss. It's been a long time since we talked. How are you doing?"

"I am doing alright, hope you guys are too. And when you return this time, I have some surprises waiting for you all."

"COOL! I am getting excited just by imagining the stuff you might have in store for us. Anyway…I called you because I have important information for you."

Marcus stopped his work and started to listen seriously, "Hmm, go ahead. What is it?"

"Recently, there's been a new group that has been making quite the stir in the upper echelons of the underworld. They have been making some high-profile deals, consisting of human and mutant trafficking and also many different weapons…They don't have a name or any known base, yet. But they have been operating in the New Jersey area, Wheaton, to be specific."

Marcus had a pretty good idea about the group Jude was talking about. And when he heard Wheaton, New Jersey, he pretty much knew who it was.

As for how a small-time mercenary group like Blackfire Mercenaries gets such high-profile information. Well, it was mainly due to Marcus.

Marcus had helped Jude's group with money and technology to boost their standing in the Underworld which had proved to be very helpful in providing him helpful information like the one now.

"Thanks, Jude. Keep at it and when you return…"

"Thanks, Boss, I understand."

After the conversation was over and the phone was cut, Marcus suddenly thought about another thing.

'Albeit the plan was successful, Shield might come and knock on my door any minute now.'

And Marcus' prediction came true a little bit faster than he imagined.

"Young Master, A man wants to meet you. He told me that someone named Nick Fury sent him."

"Oh! Yeah, tell him that I'll be down in a few minutes. And treat him like a guest, Albert."

"Very well, Young Master."

After the conversation was over, Marcus did the leftover fixes and got out of his lab to meet this envoy of Shield.

As Marcus walked into the room, he saw a man with a fading hairline, wearing a traditional black suit and sipping coffee. While Albert stood on the side with his hands behind his back.

By the time Marcus sat on the sofa opposing him, he was done with his coffee.

"Mr. Hunt, your butler makes some excellent coffee. Hand-brewed, I suppose?"

"Your guess is spot on, but that isn't why you came all the way here, right Mister? " Marcus feigned his ignorance about the identity of the person sitting in front of him.

The man put down the coffee cup and then spoke with a smile, "Yeah you're right. By the way, I am Agent Coulson, a Shield operative. And, before you make any assumptions, I would like to tell you that I'm only here to ask for your assistance. And if it is possible, can we talk in private?"

Marcus knew what Fury was trying to pull, but he didn't have a problem helping him, after all, the threat was a common one.

"Albert, why don't you go ahead and take a break?"

"As you say, young Master."

After Albert had left after picking up the coffee cup, Coulson spoke first, "Mr. Hunt, we know that was you. Although we don't know whether you are a mutant or you developed something to enhance yourself, it doesn't matter to us. Just so you know, Shield has never been a part of the "Mutant hate campaign" we have some mutant operatives ourselves-"

Marcus stopped Coulson before he could go on, "Agent Coulson, tell Mr. Fury to stop making wild assumptions…First things first, I am not a mutant and neither have I taken anything to enhance myself. But let's leave that aside, it's better if you don't waste my time telling me stories and tell me the real reason for your arrival here."

All the while Marcus was talking, Coulson was keeping an eye on his facial expression and body reactions, trying to gauge whether he was lying or not.

The truth was that Nick Fury wasn't sure whether it was Marcus who fought the Lizard or someone else. It was just his hunch, and even if he believed his hunch, it didn't give him the proof necessary to prove it.

Coulson was deliberately saying these things to gauge his reactions, and then came the next step.

"As you say, Mr. Hunt… My main objective for coming here is to meet you and ask for your assistance in collecting more information about HYDRA. And as you were the one who provided it last time, it would be quite helpful, if you are able to help us out once again …Because, at this point, we have reached a wall and can't make a breakthrough."

Marcus sighed hearing what Coulson said 'It seems even the world's mightiest intelligence network has its limitations when dealing with HYDRA.'

He knew why they were desperate. The biggest intelligence agency on earth got compromised. They have been helping the enemy for God knows how long. It was nothing but a big slap for Fury, who was crowned as the Spy king.

But Marcus knew he couldn't just hand the information out like candy on Halloween. Most of the info he had didn't have any proof. And with Fury's suspicious personality, he would pretty much be a glowing firefly in the dark, if he gave out everything he knew about the HYDRA.

He had to be extremely careful about what he should divulge to Coulson because everything he said would reach Fury, word for word.

And it would be tricky, if Fury decided to focus on how he, a 16-year-old kid, got so much information about something that was hidden, even from such a big Spy organization.

And everybody knew how much pain in the ass Fury could be. Even if Marcus was semi-immortal now, he would much rather have Fury as his ally than his enemy.

"Mr. Coulson, some of my informants in the underworld gave me a very interesting piece of info. Would you like to hear it?

Coulson was confused as to why in such an important discussion Marcus was bringing in other matters but he decided to hear him out first.

"There are rumors about a new group recently appearing in New Jersey. The thing is, they don't have a known name, an objective, or any known base. But they have been engaged in what seems to be some pretty big deals with the local lords.

"How is this information related to the HYDRA, Mr. Marcus?" asked Coulson, confused.

"Don't you know another group with this same pattern Mr. Coulson, a group which we have been discussing till now?'' Marcus said as he raised an eyebrow towards Coulson.

"How do you relate this to hydra, Mr. Marcus? They could just be another emerging gang" said Coulson, failing to make a connection between the given information and HYDRA.

"Deduction, Mr.coulson, and instincts, there are also other informants but mainly those two. Think about it, HYDRA just lost multiple bases and they are out in the open unlike before. They need new bases to do their work and gain their power. Now, suddenly, there is a new group with considerable financial support and backing. And these people come out of nowhere, they had no prior transactions before the recent ones, no prior names or reputation. It is a conclusion based on information and deduction." said Marcus as a matter of fact, confident in his deduction.

"Oh, and my close and trusted source shared another news. This one might be pretty shocking for you. So, better prepare your heart… Hydra has a hand in the world council" said Marcus, dropping an atomic bomb on Coulson and Fury who was listening through the hidden mic on Coulson.

"And who is that or what is his relationship with Hydra, that's for you guys to figure out."

Coulson was aware of the fact that Hydra was pretty deep inside Shield, but hearing that a member of the world council was related to HYDRA, shook him to the core. He was petrified for some time, thinking about the implications of such a thing.

"Agent Coulson, I know you guys will need help in destroying Hydra. But...I can't help until you guys know who is Hydra and who isn't…And the day you do so, you won't have to worry about the firepower, that's my promise."

Coulson didn't say anything, he just stood up, nodded, and left in a hurry.

******

The next day…

Marcus had decided to meet Dr. Connors to talk about his research. And after seeing what the serum was capable of, Marcus was a little bit excited at what it could accomplish when it was perfected.

After arriving at the company building, Marcus made his way directly to the floor on which Connors was conducting his research.

"Dr. Connors, How is the research going on?"

Hearing Marcus' voice so suddenly, Connors was a little flustered and he nearly dropped the test tube he held in his hand.

He turned around and saw Marcus standing a few feet away from him and smiling.

"Mr. Hunt, you didn't have to go through the trouble of coming here. Instead, you could have directly called me to your office."

Connors had a suspicion that he was in some kind of trouble because of the serum being imperfect, but his suspicions went away when Marcus spoke.

"Don't worry, Doctor. I was impressed by the effects of the serum. You saw the live test I conducted yesterday night?"

Connors agreed, "Yes, I did. Even when imperfect, the serum has so much potential and if it's perfected, I can only imagine…"

Marcus smiled and said, "Indeed, I agree. But, I don't wish to waste any more time. So, I will be joining in on the research as the Head Researcher, with my help, the research will go even faster and maybe in a few months, we can have a perfected serum. And then…you can even regrow your arm."

Instead of being sad that his position was being replaced, even temporarily, Connors was quite excited. He had heard of this Young man's genius but getting to work with him meant that he was going to see it for himself and maybe even learn some things. Also, there was the fact that the faster the serum was perfected, the faster he could regrow his hands.

"I am excited to work with you, Mr. Hunt."

"So am I, Doctor. Alright, you can go back and focus on your work. I will visit tomorrow. Today, I have a little too much work to take care of."

*****

A few days had passed since Marcus had started his work on the Lizard serum. And he concluded that, unlike the Extremis which was an artificially made nano-virus and could be controlled, this serum couldn't be, at least for now.

Once introduced in the body, the serum overpowered and rewrote the DNA of the subject completely, changing him into a humanoid Lizard.

The main obstacle in front of Marcus and the team of scientists was to make sure the serum only did targeted changes and not change everything at once.

Marcus knew that perfecting the serum was going to take some time. So, he left Killian to manage the company and the newly established Satellite manufacturing sector of his company.

Marcus had plans to launch at least 10 satellites by the end of this year and have a working space station by the next few.

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