New Jersey.
As the Quinjet touched down, a group of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents immediately approached. They handed a report to Phil Coulson and began briefing him on the situation.
"Thank you," Coulson said, scanning the report before turning to his team.
Fitz and Simmons looked excited yet nervous—it was their first real field mission.
Melinda May stood silent and sharp-eyed, constantly assessing their surroundings.
And Kai?
He strolled off the Quinjet as if stepping onto a beach resort, hands in his pockets, eyes half-lidded, utterly relaxed.
Coulson, however, kept that ever-patient smile. When he'd first proposed forming this new S.H.I.E.L.D. team, he'd personally lobbied Director Fury to include Kai—codename Flash—on the roster.
Many had warned him: "He's too lazy. Too casual. Unreliable. Way too expensive."
But Coulson saw something the others didn't.
He knew that May—once the legendary Cavalry—had been desk-bound for years after the Bahrain incident. He knew that Fitz and Simmons, while brilliant, were still young and easily rattled in the field.
Kai's easygoing nature, Coulson believed, would balance the team's tension—his calm energy infectious, his power reassuring.
And he was right.
Inside the Destroyed Supermarket
The aftermath of the explosion was grim. The air reeked of scorched plastic and ash; bloodstains marked the tiled floor.
Kai walked in without a hint of discomfort, lazily looking around as if on a casual stroll. He flipped a bill onto a collapsed counter, grabbed a can of cola from the debris, popped it open, and took a sip.
Even Simmons, who had been visibly nervous a moment ago, found herself breathing easier just watching him.
Donning gloves, Simmons knelt beside what was left of the hooded man's charred body. With tweezers, she picked up a piece of dark, viscous tissue and placed it into a containment vial.
Beside her, Fitz unfolded a portable lab case. Dozens of micro-drones whirred into the air, scanning the ruined aisles under ultraviolet light.
From across the wreckage, May murmured, "Judging by the blast radius, the self-detonation was at least a Level 5 threat. Hill said this wasn't an isolated case—I'm worried we'll see more of these."
She glanced over at Kai, who was leaning against a pillar, finishing his cola and opening a bag of chips.
She sighed quietly. His attitude screamed vacation mode, but she couldn't deny—having someone that strong nearby made her feel a lot safer.
"Mr. Coulson! I think I've found something incredible!" Simmons called out, hurrying over.
Holding up the analysis tablet, she explained, "Based on the skin and DNA residue, this body contains a completely new substance. The molecular elements are unknown—we'll need full lab equipment for deeper analysis—but there's one clear finding: the sample emits strong gamma radiation. And it's extremely unstable."
"Gamma rays?" Coulson's brows furrowed as he turned toward Kai, who was now casually crunching chips.
The word gamma instantly brought someone to mind—Dr. Bruce Banner, whose experiments with gamma radiation birthed the Hulk.
Coulson considered the similarities. Banner transformed when emotionally triggered. This man had exploded after losing his temper. Unstable emotions. Gamma exposure. It fit too neatly.
"I've arranged a secure lab for further testing," Coulson told Simmons. "I'll need a complete report."
"No problem, sir!" she said, practically glowing with excitement. For a scientist like Simmons, studying an unknown gamma-based organism was the ultimate thrill.
As Fitz's drones completed their scans, Coulson signaled the local S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to come in. They carefully collected the remains for transfer to the research facility.
Coulson then approached Kai, who was checking his watch.
"Kai, relax—it's only half an hour till quitting time. This shouldn't cut into your rest schedule," he said with an amused tone. "The explosion happened last night. Our analysts are still working on identifying the man and his connections. We might uncover more soon."
Kai gave a lazy nod.
Coulson's smile widened. "Well, since we've wrapped up early… how about we grab some New Jersey barbecue? My treat."
Kai's eyes lit up slightly. "Barbecue during work hours? Coulson, you're spoiling me."
He grinned, following the team out. Half an hour left in the day, and he was being invited to eat on S.H.I.E.L.D. time?
Now this was how to live. He'd have to drag Tony Stark here someday and show him what a real workplace looked like.
Meanwhile, Back at Kai's Apartment
Elsewhere, Alice was on a mission of her own.
To get closer to Kai, she'd quietly arranged for HYDRA to "relocate" his old neighbor, moving into the vacant unit herself.
She'd even taken the day off for it—starting the morning at an exclusive beauty salon. Hours later, her skin was flawless, her hair perfectly waved, her makeup radiant.
Standing before the mirror, she admired her reflection: a fitted white skirt, black stockings, and long, toned legs.
"Perfect," she whispered. "No man can resist this."
Carrying a tray of freshly baked pastries, she smiled confidently. She knew Kai's schedule—he always came straight home after work.
As the clock hit the right time, she knocked softly on his door.
One minute. Two minutes. Three.
Nothing.
Her smile faltered.
Then—frustration. She stomped her heel lightly against the floor, glaring at the door.
"He's not home?!"
All the hours at the salon… the outfit… the baking… everything she'd done today—
Wasted.