S.H.I.E.L.D. had compiled a highly classified list of nearly every known individual with special abilities. When Agent Victoria Hand accessed S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secret database and handed that list to her new boss, Solomon couldn't help but laugh. It was the kind of amusement one felt watching a parrot run on a spinning wheel—novel and ridiculous at the same time.
"A Mexican woman with blades installed on her fingers? This is considered a high-risk target?" Solomon pointed at one of the printed files. "And the solution was... giving her steel finger guards? Oh, and they were custom-ordered from a hardware store? S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't just perform surgery on her?"
"Kara Fi Gideon worked in a medical lab with her abusive boyfriend. She wanted to protect herself, so she performed the surgery on herself—permanently. The bolts have fused with her flesh; they can't be removed unless you cut off her fingers. Can you even imagine someone being insane enough to install bolts and blades into their own fingers? She's killed a lot of people. Her boyfriend wasn't her first victim." Hand glanced at the mystic. "S.H.I.E.L.D. had reasons for compiling this list. Not everyone on it has superpowers. Some of them simply lost their minds due to experimental steroids. In essence, this list is mostly for monitoring dangerous individuals. If you're taking over S.H.I.E.L.D.'s responsibilities, then these people are your problem now."
Solomon raised an eyebrow in disdain and tossed the file back onto the table.
Victoria Hand was now back in her professional attire—a women's suit—and was reviewing information through Wakandan-made smart glasses. Solomon had given her a holographic interface to use as a command channel. With AI assistance, she began sorting through S.H.I.E.L.D.'s real classified documents. What Natasha Romanoff had leaked online was only the tip of the iceberg, primarily files on Nazi-affiliated Hydra. Hand, on the other hand, was uncovering secrets Nick Fury had tried to bury forever.
At this point, she was effectively a ghost—an officially deceased Level 8 agent. If S.H.I.E.L.D. were still operational, her account and passwords would have been revoked immediately. But with the agency in disarray, no one was around to handle such administrative matters.
She quickly adapted to her role and firmly believed in the necessity of classification levels. She had no interest in the secrets Solomon kept hidden—unless they were directly relevant to her authority or decision-making.
"I'm not a global police force. These people are a law enforcement issue, not world-ending threats. Unless any of them turn out to be dark magic entities, they don't warrant my attention." Solomon pulled up a list of recorded dark magic entities from the database, going through each one with her. The database contained descriptions, response strategies, capability assessments, and emergency medical treatment protocols for attacks—knowledge accumulated by Kamar-Taj sorcerers and now converted into operational guidelines for the Eternal City.
"Cross-check this list with the registry and determine our targets. I want to know how many dark magic entities S.H.I.E.L.D. has been hiding over the years." Solomon let out a cold chuckle. "Knowing Nick Fury, he's definitely researched vampires and werewolves, probably even categorized cursed dark magic creatures as metahumans. I wouldn't be surprised if he's already created a massive problem."
"And what about dark wizards?" Hand blushed but quickly regained her composure, not wanting anyone to know she was a fan of children's literature. In the same firm tone she used when leading special ops teams, she added, "I don't know what term you use for rogue sorcerers, but I'm sure they exist."
"Kamar-Taj has already dealt with them, and we actively monitor the black market for magical materials," Solomon waved dismissively. "For now, those people aren't our concern. Dark wizards are even harder to handle than dark magic entities. You should focus on building combat experience first. You and your team need time to integrate. Don't rush—we'll provide you with heavy weapons and specialized equipment, and your squad is still training with them."
The squad Solomon had assigned to Victoria Hand was none other than the special forces unit of the conservative faction of Hydra. He had already clarified to her that these Hydra operatives were not affiliated with the Nazi-aligned Hydra, and he had granted her limited access to classified information—including details on the founding of the Eternal City and the origins of Hydra.
This led to an important question.
"Can you guarantee their loyalty?"
"It's difficult. Many of them don't believe in Hydra's so-called god, nor do they subscribe to Alexander Pierce's ideology. They were recruited later—more like mercenaries paid to do a job."
Hand's concerns were something Solomon had already considered.
The squad was organized under the Malik family's name, which meant Stephanie Malik also held partial authority over it. However, she had smartly chosen to forgo those powers voluntarily—seeing the unit as nothing more than a transitional force. This decision was likely influenced by her father, Gideon Malik. When Solomon called Gideon to ask about it, the old snake agreed without hesitation, making no demands in return. He knew Solomon would never mistreat his daughter.
Sure enough, Solomon immediately arranged a meeting with Stephanie and tasked her with training unselected girls from the Sisterhood, sending them to external schools for professional education, preparing them for administrative and medical roles. They would also be trained in weapons use for emergency situations.
Over time, Victoria Hand would gain full command of the special forces unit, selecting capable candidates from missions for enhancement. Those who underwent modifications would remain under her command. As for those who failed to meet standards—there was only one outcome. This was a necessary measure to ensure organizational purity. Stephanie agreed with this approach. It was far more lenient than Hydra's previous methods—at least these recruits were given a chance to prove themselves.
Solomon had already finalized the emblem for this new division: a red shield background with a golden iron gauntlet, bearing a silver skull on its back.
While signing the agreement to formalize command authority, Hand rolled her eyes dramatically, choosing not to comment on her new boss's ridiculous pun-based humor.
Once she signed the parchment contract, she would gain command over several aircraft carrier command ships, a fleet of Quinjet fighters, and nearly all mortal military forces within the organization. The Sisterhood would also provide limited support for her operations. This was an immense level of authority. While it didn't quite match her power within S.H.I.E.L.D., she was certainly in a better position than most loyal S.H.I.E.L.D. agents who had perished.
Moreover, Solomon's trust in her far exceeded anything Nick Fury had ever given.
She requested a meeting with the daughter of the conservative Hydra leader, as the head of intelligence for the Eternal City, wanting a full understanding of Hydra's conservative faction. However, she was informed that Stephanie was currently "on a business trip"—Solomon's exact words.
Stephanie was in the process of setting up several shell companies, leveraging her family's influence to secure government connections and embed Solomon's organization within Congress's gray-area black ops units—hidden under her father's name.
This arrangement even allowed Stephanie to receive government funding—so long as she captured a few fugitive Hydra operatives.
It was essentially free money for her. Since Solomon was still cooperating with Nick Fury, these fugitives needed a way to be smuggled into the U.S. Stephanie was working on establishing that route—a formally armed Hydra Investigation Unit, milking the U.S. government's resources.
"Congratulations to us," Solomon said with satisfaction. "We're officially a righteous American intelligence agency now."
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