The Greedy Frog
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Marvel: Chapter 95
🕑 Added 2023-03-24 08:50:34 +0000 UTCChapter 95: S.H.I.E.L.D
After dealing with Krakoa I was left with the task of setting up the infrastructure and technology. As a sentient island, Krakoa could understand others and help with their needs. Things like food, water, herbs or basic shelter was not an issue. It was even able to successfully erect a town at my words.
I promised Krakoa to help find his lost sister l, Arakko— his other half… and merge them together to recreate Okkara.
But that was something for the far future as I didn't have the resources to face every daemon including Apocalypse's wife.
Okkara was once a massive sentient island that was ruled by Apocalypse. But by his wife's ploy and rebellion, the island was split in two using the twilight sword. Apocalypse's wife, countless daemons and Krakoa's other half was then sealed in another dimension.
Returning from Krakoa, I was made to attend a party by Joel. He was ecstatic that Peggy accepted my proposal.
Howard was the only one that I was worried about but he seemed pretty fine. And I made sure to check if it was an act— but turns out… he was being genuine.
Overall, it was a great couple of weeks.
But, after today— I was going to be busy again.
…
…
[6 Days Later]
"Have you read the newspaper?" Joel asked me over the phone while I was getting ready for a very important discussion.
"Yeah, popularity can be a pain at times. But don't worry… I had taken care of all the false slander."
Popularity brings troubles but as long as you can deal with that trouble— everything will be fine.
"The Hanley Group is now the world's most influential group... not to mention your name has made it to the top spot of the richest list." He laughed. "So, how does it feel to be the world's richest man, Mr. Marcellus?"
I sighed. "Stressful… but weirdly fulfilling."
"Have you heard the other news?" He asked.
"The one about my mother?" I asked, getting him to confirm.
"Yep." He said. "There are rumours that she will be receiving the Nobel Peace Prize pretty soon."
It was good news and within everyone's expectations. My mother had done far more than someone like Mother Teresa did. Honestly, it was surprising that it took them so long to decide on this.
But all's well that ends well.
"Anyways… you are supposed to attend the meeting as well. So, be there on time."
"Gotcha."
…
[3 Hours Later]
I sat at the conference with Joel to my right and Howard to my left while Peggy was next to the projection screen, giving us a detailed explanation.
"S.H.I.E.L.D is not a military group and as such we will not be taking part in any of the wars between the nations. We are an organisation formed strictly to monitor and protect against extraterrestrial threats." She breathed out. "But our current biggest issues are the terrorist strikes that have been taking place after the war. So, to maintain order we have made some special laws that you can find on the files of your tables. And under these laws, we have the right to handle the issues related to terrorism."
She looked at the members present. "Our goal is to protect the world from threats— be it human or alien."
As she finished her speech, one of the committee members chuckled.
"Ms. Carter, you are not suggesting that earth might be attacked by aliens right?"
Peggy was unhappy with his attitude but she was clearly skilled at hiding her displeasure.
"Mr. Lohan." I smiled at the cocky blonde. "You were elected as a committee member not very long ago so your knowledge seems to be a bit lacking. But let me tell you, that if you did even a little bit of research, you would have received all the information about the extraterrestrial lifeforms that are under the supervision of your National Aeronautics and Space Administration."
I looked at another NASA member. "Mr. Bennet, can you tell me about the little 'species' that you are currently experimenting on?"
The man nodded and walked towards the projection screen.
As he walked there, an image of a greenish alien-looking corpse was displayed on the screen.
"We found this in Indiana three years ago and since then, we have been experimenting on it. Our team has confirmed it to be an extraterrestrial lifeform and not a result of genetic mutation in humans." He frowned. "Upon further research, we found that it is a highly advanced lifeform that is much smarter and much more capable than us humans."
The blonde man— Lohan, had his eyes wide open. "What is that?"
"After three years of research and investigation, we have figured that it belongs to an alien species called 'Skrull.' And their population might be even more than us humans." Bennet declared, causing an uproar in the room.
"And none of us know if they are hostile." He added. "We had found remains of similar beings in the past and as such, we can say for sure that there are at least a few hundred species out there… that are more advanced and far more dangerous than us."
"Do you see the importance of S.H.I.E.LD now? Mr. Lohan?" Howard asked. "Our technology is far behind them and as such, we need to prepare from this instance, in case they decide to launch an attack. We need a defence line strong enough to protect mankind." He paused and looked at the members. "S.H.I.E.L.D is that defence line."
The committee started discussing amongst themselves and to make sure that everything went according to our wishes… I decided to 'adjust' their thoughts a little.
President Eisenhower had given us the green signal a week ago and now we only had to get an affirmation from the rest.
"This is quite a serious issue that has been overlooked for a very long time." A member of the UN stated. "And as we clearly saw the sample at NASA's lab, we agree to the demands of S.H.I.E.L.D."
I might have something to do with the meeting going this smoothly…. But who cares?
It's always the result that matters.
"Thank you, Mr. Adams." Peggy said and then looked at me. "Mr. Hanley, would you like to continue?"
I got off my seat and gave her a nod. "Thank you, Ms. Carter."
I walked towards the screen and then looked at the people within the room.
"Gentlemen and Ladies. We already discussed the beings of outer space but I believe many of you may have heard the rumours about superpowered beings that have been popping up recently."
The room went into a loud discussion session once again. And as I looked at Joel, he seemed nervous. But I assured him with a nod.
"While these extraterrestrial beings are rare— the ones that are present in this world are not." I showed a picture of Captain America on the screen which made the members gossip.
I looked at Peggy but to my relief, she wasn't fazed by Steve's picture. She was calm… even mentally.
"We have created superheroes in the past. And we also made supervillains." I changed Steve's picture to that of Red Skull. "But the point still stands— we created superpowered beings."
Everyone agreed.
"But recently, there has been an increase in the sighting of such beings." I looked at Bennet. "I believe there have been no recent programs to create super soldiers. And even if there were… it's not possible to miss so many of them popping up."
I changed the slide to a collage of different images that had beings with abnormal features or pictures of humans using superpowers.
"So, my question is… who are they and where are they coming from?"
The entire room seemed confused which made me smile.
I changed the slide once again to a picture of a DNA strand.
"I obtained the blood samples from a few of those beings through excessive investigation. And when I examined their blood, I was shocked."
I pointed at the DNA strand.
"They are the same as us but surprisingly… or not so surprisingly, they have another set of DNA… Which you can see on the screen." I was talking about the gene factor. "It's a set of genes that provides them with those special abilities. They are humans but have superpowers— naturally obtained superpowers."
Everyone was surprised.
"Can that effect be replicated?" One of the UN representatives asked.
"I tried." I said. "But even my best science team was unable to mimic it." I lied through my teeth.
"The people either went insane or straight-up died after being injected with the DNA." It was half true as not everyone is adaptable to X-Genes, even if they are artificial. "So, from what I learned… the effects cannot be replicated."
I was going to make sure that they never try to. Omega level telepathy was more than enough to help me with that.
"Within the past couple of months, their population has been increasing." I sighed. "They have powers and can be dangerous if they were made to follow the same rules as us."
Some of them are quite unstable.
"And so I suggest that we should make special laws for them and provide them with support to help with their powers." I suggested. "They stay hidden as they are afraid of the possible harm that we might cause them. Humans are creatures that are easily scared. To make sure that they don't feel left out and form their own community— away from us, we need to provide them with the support to help with their powers and life."
Humans vs Mutants was a terrifying thought and could be easily turned into a reality. So, I had to make sure that it never happened… at any cost.
I was continuously using my psychic abilities to subtly drive them towards my goal and make them agree. Using mind control directly would make the others suspicious as they might later do something that will bring suspicion towards them.
"So, what exactly are you suggesting?"
This question made me smile.
"Humans and those powered beings cannot be equal. That's a fact."
It was. No matter how many people denied— humans and mutants are different.
"So, not to make them feel marginalised or make them hostile." I smiled. "We need some new laws for both humans and the superpowered beings."
"And what is that?" Joel asked.
"That's the… Species Coexistence Act."
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