Chapter 34: Not Environmentally Friendly by the Sound of Its Name
"What price?"
Facing Oaks' question, Fury's lips curled slightly as he leaned back on the sofa with his arms crossed.
"You should know that although people with special abilities are not many, they are not few either, especially on a global scale. And the reason they are not known is because we are responsible for handling the things they stir up or dealing with them.
So, Dr. Woods, do you think you have the qualifications to negotiate conditions with me?"
He pointed to the potted plants on the shelf, "Them?"
Then he pointed to the three small ones, "Or them?"
He pointed to Tony, "Or him?"
"None of them."
Oaks chuckled and shook his head, "It's me."
"..."
Fury frowned.
He didn't mock Oaks for overestimating himself.
Because what the other person said was clear—he had the power to overturn the table.
It seemed that his repeated investigations and tough attitude towards Oaks had already provoked his dissatisfaction.
It was only natural for people with special abilities to have some arrogance, and precisely because of that, their attitude towards them had always been tough.
However...
"What do you want?"
Indeed, Oaks was initially very cooperative, even leaving a message saying he wanted to see Fury's attitude.
The unknown was the most difficult to handle, so it wouldn't hurt to listen and see what he wanted to do.
"I need the Benevolence Society to be affiliated with your Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division."
As soon as Oaks spoke, Nick Fury was taken aback, "What did you say?!"
Could this guy be drunk?
What is the Benevolence Society? It's a newly established low-profile environmental protection organization, and its members are all impoverished individuals with criminal records!
It would be good enough not to shut them down, and now you want them to be affiliated with our world protection organization? What are you up to?
Do you want our agents to help you plant trees?!
"Do you think I'm being wildly imaginative?" Oaks still had a smiling expression, but not only Fury, even Tony and Antonio looked at him with admiration.
Too awesome, cooooool~
"I've always liked win-win situations, whether it's research or making friends. If Director Fury has investigated my background, you should know that people who collaborate with me on research projects always reap great rewards."
When Oaks said this, Fury, Tony, and even Antonio silently nodded.
The first two had investigated Oaks' academic records, while the latter had already seen various media analyses of Oaks' academic achievements.
Otherwise, how could he, with his own abilities, elevate Cornell's biology department from being in the top ten in the United States to the top three?
And how could he, two years after leaving school and even fading out of the academic circle to some extent, be invited by six senior professors to participate in research projects one after another?
There was no other reason—his academic level was extremely high, and his character was excellent.
As friends of Oaks, Tony and Antonio also had a deep understanding of the idea of "making friends is also a win-win situation."
"So, your proposal, does it also result in a win-win situation?"
Fury showed his habitual mocking smile, "I don't think so. What can your charity organization win for us? Fruit baskets for holidays and vacations?"
"Director Fury, I have done some research on your organization as well."
Fury nodded. Their organization wasn't a secretive group, so of course, they could find a lot of information.
"Although your operational objective is to protect the world, many times you seem to go overboard."
Oaks, under Fury's strange gaze, began a long discourse, fiercely criticizing S.H.I.E.L.D.'s approach and style of operation:
"Look at the weapons and agents you have. Violence, violence, and more violence. After each of your grandiose operations, isn't there always a ruin left behind?
Yes, you usually protect people. I won't even mention the fact that you end up killing more people in order to protect some. Just the areas affected by your actions under the cover of firepower, no one can live there anymore.
You've been around for decades, although I can't find the data, Director Fury, you should know better than anyone how much destruction you've caused in these decades.
Sure, you have money, you're a world-class organization, can't have a budget shortfall, right? The problem is, how much of that budget goes towards repairing the environment that you've damaged?
Usually, it's the governments of various countries that have to clean up after you, isn't it? It doesn't take much to figure that out.
Various weapons destruction, lingering pollution—just one or a few high-level agents can destroy facilities and environments that took millions of dollars to build and maintain.
In short, it's no problem to call your various actions an exemplification of environmental destruction, right?"
Nick Fury's expression was somewhat blank.
Over the years, there have been people questioning him from the perspective of national security, questioning the reliability of intelligence, questioning his personal choices, and of course, questioning the excessive budget...
But never has anyone questioned him from the perspective of environmental sustainability in their actions!
Never!
For a few seconds, Nick Fury even wondered if this special-powered Dr. Woods had grass stuffed in his head.
"Do you consider our actions to protect world security less important than mere environmental damage?"
He downed the coffee in front of him in one gulp, and yes, the taste was indeed top-notch.
"Dr. Woods, do you understand the importance of our work?!
If it weren't for our work, this so-called 'environmental destruction,' who knows if you would have a safe and stable environment to conduct your research in right now!"
"Yes, that makes perfect sense."
Oaks applauded lightly.
"Director Fury, you should win the Nobel Peace Prize. But the issue I'm talking about is becoming increasingly serious in a world where environmental consciousness is gradually awakening.
Believe it or not, if the president were to say what you just said, he might even face impeachment proceedings."
"...Alright, but I'm not the president. I don't care about those things. What does it have to do with the issues we're discussing?"
"Ah, it's very much related!"
Fury's mouth twitched because it was Tony who spoke.
This guy blinked at Oaks with an expression of delight.
"Well done, buddy! I've already invested in environmental foundations. Looks like I need to invest in more environmental public service advertisements... How about a million dollars?"
Then he adjusted his collar with a relieved look and aimed his criticism at Fury:
"Your so-called agency..."
"The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division!"
"Alright, your so-called agency has a name that sounds very environmentally unfriendly!"
Tony raised an eyebrow proudly.
"Don't you know how annoying those environmental activists' protests can be? Give it three to five days, and they'll probably be blockading your office building!"
"...Motherf--ker!"
Nick Fury slapped his forehead.
This method was too shameless, but based on his understanding, he was 10,000% sure that this method would be very effective.
The extremists were just too disgusting, especially those extreme animal protection organizations.
With Tony throwing that million-dollar advertising fee at them, the extreme environmentalists would probably have their celebration.
"What weapon produced by Stark Industries is environmentally friendly!?"
"But I'm investing in the environment now!"
Tony picked up his coffee and sipped it, enjoying the moment.
"I'm an expert at spending money to increase reputation!"
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