Chapter 14: The Fallout
The sun had barely risen over the California coastline, but inside Tony Stark's private estate, the lights were already on. The air hummed with quiet tension as Tony stood in his lab, staring at the multiple holographic screens in front of him. Data feeds, encrypted transmissions, and satellite imagery all showed the aftermath of Aegis Protocol's first mission.
A Hydra black site, wiped off the map.
Their systems had been scrubbed clean, their research facilities reduced to little more than rubble. Dr. Emil Zoric was safely in Tony's custody, already being debriefed in a secured location. The mission had been, by all metrics, a success.
But now, the real game was beginning.
Pepper Potts entered the room, dressed in her usual business attire, though there was an edge of exhaustion in her eyes. "Tony, the board is asking about unusual financial activity. Some of our government contracts are suddenly getting flagged for additional scrutiny. Something's going on behind the scenes, and I need to know if I should be worried."
Tony smirked, not looking away from the data feed. "It's just the usual bureaucracy throwing a tantrum. Nothing to lose sleep over."
Pepper frowned. "This isn't just bureaucracy. Someone's trying to trace something back to you. I need to know if--"
"Pep, I promise, you don't need to worry about it." Tony finally turned to her, his expression unreadable but reassuring. "Just keep handling things on the business side. I'll deal with everything else."
She studied him for a moment before sighing. "Fine. But if things start spiraling, I want to know. No surprises, Tony."
"Don't worry, they're just blindly throwing accusations in the air hoping to hit something. In the end, they don't have anything. It's just one of their usual dirty tactic."
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SHIELD Headquarters – Washington, D.C.
Maria Hill strode into Director Nick Fury's office, a tablet in hand. "We've confirmed it, sir. A black site in Siberia is gone. No survivors. Every file, every bit of research, deleted or destroyed. Other than being a black site, we have no clue."
Fury leaned back in his chair, his one eye narrowing. "And you're also going to tell me we have no idea who did it?"
Hill shook her head. "Nothing yet but there could be two forces involve. We found a few unusual tracks."
Fury exhaled slowly. "An organization being targeted by multiple forces and one just arrived faster. Or the other one was the one who was hit and went there to cover up the incident or their traces. Either way, I don't like what is happening lately. We've been going blind for a while now. Visit the Research and Development Department, I want to know if we still need to pay their salaries."
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Hydra Safehouse – Unknown Location
The tension in the room was palpable as senior Hydra leaders convened in a hidden bunker. Baron Wolfgang von Strucker sat at the head of the table, his fingers steepled in front of him. Opposite him sat Alexander Pierce, his face grim.
"This wasn't SHIELD," Pierce muttered. "They're too slow, too bureaucratic. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing. And with all of our people inside, it would be impossible to find out if they already have suspicion about our existence."
Strucker nodded. "And if we don't find out who is behind this, we risk further exposure. This was precise. Surgical. An enemy with resources and intelligence."
A younger Hydra operative hesitated before speaking. "Could it be Stark?"
Pierce's expression darkened. "There's no evidence. Presumption could be dangerous. But if he is involved… then we need to reassess our position. We can't afford to underestimate him."
Strucker's gaze sharpened. "Then we proceed with caution but fast. We find out who did this. And we eliminate them. It was a good thing that the team we sent managed to clear our traces. The public cannot know about us before Project Insight is ready."
Everyone has agreed on this point.
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The underground facility, hidden beneath an unassuming warehouse far from Stark's known properties, was more than just a research lab—it was a fortress of secrecy. This was the true headquarters of Aegis Protocol, a place where the world's eyes couldn't reach, and where Tony Stark's most classified projects could thrive away from prying hands.
Dr. Emil Zoric, once a reluctant mind behind Hydra's darkest experiments, now stood before an array of monitors displaying streams of recovered research data. The decades of classified information salvaged from the Red Room's remnants had been decrypted, revealing untapped potential in human enhancement.
Tony walked in, his presence casual yet authoritative. "How's it coming along, Doc?"
Zoric barely looked up from his work, adjusting his glasses. "Your recovery teams did well. I have almost everything I need—though some vital components were lost when the facility was destroyed." His voice carried the weight of caution. "You understand the nature of what you're asking for. This research... it does not come without risk."
Tony smirked, arms crossed. "Yeah, I know. But let's be real—danger's never been a reason to back down. The way I see it, the world's already full of people trying to play god. We're just making sure the right hands hold the power this time."
Zoric studied Tony for a moment before giving a slow nod. "Very well. I will require absolute secrecy. No interference. No oversight."
Tony tilted his head slightly. "We both know that's not gonna happen, doc. I am still your employer0. Aside from that, no one knows you're here, and no one will. This isn't a government project, it's ours. We call the shots."
Zoric finally turned away from the monitors and faced Stark directly. "Sounds good to me. I was just afraid the government is holding your neck."
Tony smirked. "Nah, they have no idea what happened and whatever my plans are."
"So what is the plan, boss? I wish you're better than Hydra or else you might as well kill me now."
"No need to worry. We're just trying to make the world a better place by destroying guys like Hydra and the Red Room."
"You are the guys are the one who did that job. Hydra freaked about that news. Anyway, that reason sounds good enough for me. Let us begin." As someone who wanted to follow Abraham Erskine's footsteps, Dr. Zoric said with determination.
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After getting out of the lab, Tony went to the meeting room where some of the agents.
Tony stood at the head of the table, a holographic projection of Zoric's work hovering above the surface. Lines of genetic sequences and physiological data rotated in the air, revealing the depth of what they were attempting.
"We're not just looking at recreating the super-soldier serum," Tony began, his tone even but firm. "We're looking at refining it. Controlling it. Enhancing human capabilities without the side effects that made past experiments a gamble."
Melina crossed her arms. "And what stops this from creating monsters instead of heroes?"
Tony met her gaze without hesitation. "Me or us. We control the process. We decide how it's used. No governments, no backroom deals, no hidden agendas. We do this the right way, or we don't do it at all. And he's doing it inside this building, the headquarters of Aegis Protocol. Most of all, J.A.R.V.I.S is monitoring his every move."
There was a beat of silence, Yelena nodded. "If he pull this off, this will change everything."
Tony smirked. "Yes and this will be mostly for you guys."
"And you?"
"Well, I kinda don't need that thing. Gotta go, bye!" Tony said mysteriously as he left and ended the meeting.
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