Chapter 97 – S.H.I.E.L.D. Takes the Blame 

Smith Doyle already knew most of it, yet still asked:"These chemical agents… they can't just control someone through simple air contact, right?"

Melina nodded slightly and explained:"Not at that level yet. If they could control people just through the air, Dreykov would already have the whole world under his thumb.""Surgery is required. Meaning — as long as someone is knocked out and taken, Dreykov can have them under control."

John Wick sighed."Even just that is enough to control a lot of people."

Smith Doyle replied casually."If that's all it takes, then there's nothing to worry about.""I'll take care of it."

Melina looked at him with some surprise. If someone like Alexei could die if surrounded, how could he dismiss it so lightly?

Alexei got up and said to Melina:"Come with me. We need to talk."

He led her into another room.

Left in the living room, Smith Doyle, John Wick, and Natasha sat quietly.Smith Doyle spoke:"You've seen what you needed to see. You've learned for yourself the truth of the intel I gave you.""I don't want to waste more time explaining. Next we strike directly at the Red Room, rescue your sister Yelena, and take Dreykov's head."

Natasha nodded."I'll get the location out of her. Once it's confirmed, we move."

Smith Doyle smiled faintly."Not going to notify S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

Natasha rolled her eyes."You really think I can still trust them?""Who knows what they really are. I'm starting to suspect Dreykov's nerve agent came from S.H.I.E.L.D. support.""Did you hear Melina's tone just now? Dreykov's operations in the U.S. are probably no weaker than in Russia."

Inside the room, Alexei described to Melina what he'd seen of Smith Doyle's abilities during his rescue.Melina could hardly believe it."You sure you're not delirious or trying to fool me?"

Alexei said seriously:"I don't know what his background is, or if he's even really S.H.I.E.L.D. — but have you ever seen a human that powerful?"

Melina shook her head."Never."

Alexei continued:"So now's the time to choose. Last time I chose Dreykov, and he threw me in prison. This time, I choose Natasha. Smith Doyle is an invincible being."

Melina stared at him."You're sure you didn't exaggerate a bit?"

Alexei thought back to Doyle's comment about the avalanche and said:"My description might not even cover one percent of his real strength. I even doubt he's with S.H.I.E.L.D. — I could feel his disdain when he heard the name."

Melina finally understood she had no choice but to believe Alexei."The Red Room really shouldn't exist anymore. What if… we join him? The fallout from destroying the Red Room will be impossible to hide from…"

The two of them returned to the living room and sat back down.

Melina looked at Natasha and asked solemnly:"You really want Dreykov dead, and the Red Room destroyed?"

Natasha nodded."Yes. Completely."

Melina glanced at Smith Doyle — wondering just what kind of power this man held, to make Natasha so confident.

She finally spoke."Dreykov's base isn't on land.""The Red Room base is a fortress in the sky, hidden among the clouds and constantly moving.""I just left it not long ago — I can give you the general area, but if we wait too long even that won't be reliable."

Natasha immediately thought of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s helicarriers — she'd seen them before. And now… it seemed absurd to think the Red Room and S.H.I.E.L.D. weren't connected.

"How do we get in?" Natasha asked.

Melina answered:"I do have a plan — and it's simple. I'll report I captured you. He'll have you brought up for surgery, no question. We'll switch places — you play me, I play you.""That way you face Dreykov looking like me."

But Smith Doyle cut her off."Natasha, you're already chemically compromised. Once you make contact, you won't be able to strike him yourself.""No need to bother with all this. Melina, just tell me the general location."

Melina looked to Natasha.

"Listen to Smith Doyle," Natasha said. "If he says he has a way, then he does."

Melina admitted:"My plan involved carrying a tracker — you could fly up to it, if you can reach that high…""But if you have a better way, then a direct assault might be even better."

She shared the approximate location of the Red Room's floating base.She couldn't imagine how Smith Doyle planned to pinpoint a hidden base in the clouds — but he had no doubt.With his second-generation power level scanner, he could detect high-altitude energy signatures within minutes.

"Now that we know where to look," he said at last, "get ready. We move out."

(End of Chapter)

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