Fury's Suspicion

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SHIELD, Nick Fury, who had just returned to his office from underground, suddenly issued an order: "Close the office."

As soon as he spoke, the artificial intelligence system darkened the windows, blocking out all outside light, plunging the room into dimness.

Nick Fury pulled out a USB drive and plugged it into his computer. "Open the launch file for the Lemurian Star."

He intended to access the aerospace carrier's launch data, but the response he received caught him off guard.

"Access denied," the AI replied.

Fury took a step closer to the screen. "Decrypt the file."

The AI attempted decryption but failed. "Decryption failed."

Frowning, Fury activated his director-level authorization. "Director override, Nicholas J. Fury."

"Override refused. All files have been sealed."

His disbelief deepened. "Who authorized this?"

"Director Nick Fury."

The answer sent a chill down his spine. Someone had locked him out under his own authority. His mind raced. There was a traitor, but without concrete proof, he couldn't act just yet.

Determined to investigate, he headed straight for the World Security Council conference room, where Alexander Pierce was meeting with other officials. Many of them opposed Fury's policies and disliked the changes he had implemented since becoming director.

Despite their differences, Pierce had always stood up for his old colleague. However, the meeting was abruptly interrupted when Pierce received a message from his secretary—Nick Fury was waiting to see him.

Pierce stepped out, finding Fury in the hallway. "We're in a secured building. Usually, someone has to be kidnapped before you show up like this."

Fury smirked. "I'd be here even in the middle of a nuclear war."

Pierce glanced toward the meeting room. "What brings you here?"

"I need a favor. I want you to initiate a vote to delay Project Insight."

Pierce raised an eyebrow. "That would require a hearing. It's not something that happens overnight."

"I don't think there's a problem. I just want to make sure of it," Fury said, though his face suggested otherwise.

"And if there is no problem?" Pierce questioned.

"Then we'll all be grateful that those carriers never took to the sky."

After a moment of silence, Pierce nodded. "Fine, but in exchange, I want Iron Man to attend my nephew's birthday party."

Fury sighed. "Thank you, sir."

"And not just fly by—I want him there, inside."

Fury chuckled. Despite his suspicion, he felt his guard lower slightly.

Meanwhile, after a couple of days at the manor, Steve Rogers remembered Sam Wilson, the veteran he had met while jogging. He decided to pay him a visit at the Veterans Affairs Department.

As Sam finished addressing a support group, he noticed Steve lingering outside the door. "Well, look who it is—the runner."

Steve smiled. "I listened in for a bit. Heavy stuff."

"Yeah, we all deal with the same things—guilt, regrets," Sam admitted.

Steve caught something in his tone. "You lost someone?"

"Yeah," Sam nodded. He spoke about his past and the comrades he had lost.

Steve recognized the familiar pain. Hoping to lighten the mood, he said, "So you came back here and found happiness?"

"Of course." Sam looked around. "Not many people here can order me around."

Then he asked, "What about you? Ever thought about retiring?"

Steve hesitated. "I've been considering it, but I have no idea what I'd do afterward."

Sam grinned. "How about boxing?"

They both laughed, and Sam added, "I just thought of that."

Steve shook his head. "I don't know."

Sam studied him, realizing Steve was another soldier who had been shaped—and perhaps broken—by war. He made a silent promise to help if he could.

Elsewhere, after leaving Pierce's office, Fury chose not to return to SHIELD headquarters. Instead, he got into his car and initiated an encrypted call.

"Hill, I need you in Washington. We're in deep shadow mode."

Maria Hill didn't ask questions. "I'll be there in four hours."

"You have three," Fury corrected.

The conversation with Pierce had only deepened his suspicion. Something was wrong. The recent anomalies, the ease with which Pierce had agreed to his request—it all left a bad taste in Fury's mouth. He needed backup.

After ending the call, Fury pulled up at an intersection, waiting for the light to turn green. He noticed a police car idling nearby. His instincts tingled.

He glanced to his right and saw two officers inside, both wearing sunglasses. Something felt off.

"You guys need to see my license?" he asked.

The police car's siren blared briefly before it sped off. Fury watched it disappear, shaking off the unease.

Then he waited, watching the light, unaware of what was coming next.

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