"That scared the hell out of me. I thought it was some shameless little tramp."
Jessica rolled her eyes dramatically.
To her, even though Skynet now had a body, she was still essentially just a program—an AI.
Who would get jealous of a robotic vacuum cleaner?
Wanda also patted her chest, her expression brightening instantly.
"Thank goodness… it's Miss Skynet."
In Wanda's mind, Skynet had always treated her the best—secretly preparing snacks for her, even helping pick out her outfits.
If it was Skynet, then there was absolutely nothing to worry about.
After all, how could an AI possibly fall in love with a human?
Jessica and Wanda exchanged smiles, their guard completely down now.
"My God, Antony." Tony Stark wiped the sweat from his forehead as he retracted his gauntlet. "That joke was a bit too much. One of these days you're going to scare someone into therapy."
"Life needs a little surprise, doesn't it?"
Antony clapped his hands energetically as the tension dissipated.
"Alright, alright! Nobody just stand there!"
"Music back on! Let's dance!"
"Haha! False alarm!"
Pietro immediately jumped in to revive the mood.
"Come on! A toast to our new teammate! To Miss Skynet!"
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
The party roared back to life.
Soon everyone surrounded Skynet, curiosity written all over their faces.
"Hey, Skynet…" Tony leaned closer, eyes shining like a kid in a toy store. "How did you build the tactile feedback system in that body? And the skin color transformation earlier—was that nanotechnology?"
"It is a fusion of Dr. Helen Cho's Regeneration Cradle technology and the energy of the Mind Stone, Mr. Stark," Skynet replied politely.
"Um… can you turn into a man?" Angelica asked curiously. "You know… like a muscular powerhouse?"
"I'm afraid that is not possible."
Skynet smiled calmly.
"The biological template of this body is configured as female. You may think of it as a semi-biological artificial organism."
"Well… that's disappointing."
Angelica sighed dramatically.
The night deepened, and the celebration continued.
Antony watched the lively scene with satisfaction, raising his glass toward Skynet from across the hall.
She seemed to sense his gaze.
Turning her head slightly, she sent him a glance only the two of them understood.
------
Several Hours Earlier — Before the Ultron War
Grant Ward stepped out of the restroom.
He splashed cold water onto his face, droplets running down his jaw.
Moments ago, he had received an encrypted message.
From "Clairvoyant" John Garrett.
Target confirmed: Nick Fury's location identified.
Intelligence update: Fury has acquired unknown alien technology and intends to use it to overthrow the current world order and retaliate against Hydra.
Directive: Tomorrow he will conduct a covert exchange at coordinate (49.27.41.-80.3.40). Intercept the technology sample at all costs and eliminate Fury.
For the future of Hydra. — Garrett
Ward silently slipped the phone back into his pocket.
Alien technology… overturning the world order?
That sounded exactly like something Fury would do.
The one-eyed man always played his cards close to the chest.
He had more backup plans than anyone could count.
But Ward didn't care whether Hydra survived or collapsed.
All he wanted…
…was Garrett's approval.
"Whew…"
Ward exhaled slowly.
He adjusted his expression and returned to the calm, dependable demeanor of a loyal S.H.I.E.L.D. operations specialist.
Then he pushed open the door and walked back into the command cabin.
-----
Inside, Phil Coulson stood staring at a display, deep in thought.
Just moments ago, a string of numbers had suddenly appeared on his Level 7 S.H.I.E.L.D. badge.
(49.27.41.-80.3.40)
It looked like coordinates.
The strange part—
There had been no message.
No notification.
No explanation.
Just the numbers.
Coulson raised his head.
At the same moment, he met Melinda May's gaze.
After years of working together, they didn't need words.
One glance was enough.
"It's his style," May said quietly as she stepped beside him. "Only one person would do something like that."
"Nick Fury," Coulson murmured.
"He's back. I knew it."
"Maybe," May said.
"Do you know what he wants?"
"I don't."
Coulson shook his head.
"But this is the first time he's reached out to us in all this time."
"Are we going?" May asked.
"Of course."
Coulson didn't hesitate for even a second.
"If Director Fury is calling us, then something big is happening."
He turned and addressed the team.
"Everyone listen up. Mission change."
"We're suspending the Obelisk investigation."
"We're altering course to these coordinates."
"Now?"
Skye's voice cut in sharply.
"Coulson, Director Rumlow's orders were clear. Our mission is to investigate the 084 object—the Obelisk."
She stood up, clearly unhappy.
"We've been tracking that lead for two weeks. Now that we finally have progress, you want to abandon it for some mysterious coordinates?"
"This isn't mysterious," Coulson replied firmly.
"That signal came from Director Fury. If it's his order, it takes top priority."
"Fury is not the Director anymore!"
Skye shot back immediately.
"The acting Director is Rumlow! And Fury is currently a wanted criminal!"
"That's Hydra propaganda!"
"And how do you know that?" Skye pressed relentlessly.
"Those documents about him experimenting on children—are they fake? Is all that evidence fabricated?"
"Skye!"
Coulson's voice rose.
"Watch your tone."
"I am watching my tone, sir."
She stared him straight in the eyes.
"I'm simply following orders."
"S.H.I.E.L.D. protocol number one: follow the chain of command."
"Director Rumlow is the current commander."
The tension between them was thick enough to spark.
Fitz and Simmons exchanged helpless looks, staying completely silent.
Only Skye knew the real reason she was being so stubborn.
First—
Rumlow worked with Homelander, which meant he was on their side.
Second—
Rumlow had told her that the Obelisk might be connected to the mystery of her parents.
That was the obsession of her entire life.
There was no way she would abandon that lead for the sake of some "former Director."
At that moment—
Ward walked over.
"What's going on?"
"Ward, perfect timing," Skye said quickly.
"Coulson wants to disobey Director Rumlow's orders and go chase some random coordinates. Does that make sense to you?"
She looked at him expectantly.
In her mind, Ward was a disciplined soldier who always followed orders.
And he was her supervising officer—the one who had supported her countless times before.
Ward glanced at the screen.
His pupils shrank.
Those coordinates…
They were identical to the ones Garrett had just sent him.
--------------
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