The hum of the jet engines filled the cabin.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. team had been in the air for hours, cruising toward their next destination—an old S.H.I.E.L.D. research outpost in Eastern Europe that had suddenly gone dark.
Coulson stood near the tactical display, briefing the team. "The facility stopped transmitting forty-eight hours ago. Last known report mentioned experimental serum work. Our job is to assess the situation, recover any remaining data, and get out."
"Sounds simple enough," Skye said, though her voice carried more sarcasm than confidence.
"Simple missions," May replied dryly, "are the ones that get messy fastest."
Su Zhan leaned against a console, half-listening, half-smiling. He already knew what was waiting for them. This wasn't a malfunction. This was Hydra.
The shadow behind S.H.I.E.L.D.—the cancer festering within.
He could feel it in the air, like static before a storm.
Eastern Europe — Abandoned Facility
Snow crunched under their boots as they approached the silent complex. The building was old, gray, and eerily intact—too intact. No signs of battle. No alarms. Just… stillness.
"Coulson," May said quietly, scanning the perimeter, "this place gives me the creeps."
"Stay sharp," Coulson replied. "Fitz, Simmons—get the power grid online. Skye, see if you can access the internal network."
"On it," Skye said, pulling out her laptop. "If their system's still running, I can—wait…" She frowned. "Someone already accessed this server. Like… recently."
Su Zhan's eyes narrowed. "Hydra."
Before anyone could respond, the lights flickered on—and a low, mechanical voice filled the speakers.
"Cut off one head…"
May spun around. "Positions!"
"…and two more shall take its place."
Panels slid open in the walls. From within emerged armed soldiers in black armor, bearing the unmistakable insignia of a skull with tentacle arms.
"Hydra!" Coulson shouted.
Gunfire erupted.
Su Zhan moved like liquid fire.
A burst of heat flared from his hands, forming a wall of flame that deflected incoming bullets. He dashed forward, striking one soldier with a fiery palm that sent him flying into the wall.
"Skye, get to cover!" he called.
She ducked behind a console, typing furiously to lock down the exits. "Trying! But they've got some serious encryption here—this isn't standard Hydra tech!"
"Then move faster," he said, flames roaring from his fists.
May and Coulson covered the flanks, firing controlled bursts. Fitz and Simmons scrambled to save equipment while yelling, "We're scientists, not soldiers!"
Within minutes, the fight was over. The Hydra agents lay unconscious or dead, the acrid smell of smoke filling the corridor.
Skye peeked out. "Remind me again why we didn't just call Iron Man?"
"Because we're S.H.I.E.L.D.," Coulson said, holstering his weapon. "And we clean up our own messes."
Su Zhan smirked faintly. "Looks like Hydra's been busy."
"Yeah," May said grimly, "too busy."
Inside the Control Room
The team gathered around the central terminal. The monitors displayed streams of encrypted data—genetic logs, weapon schematics, and something else: files labeled "Project Rebirth – Variant Omega."
Simmons gasped. "This… this is derived from the Super Soldier Serum!"
Fitz leaned closer. "No, it's mixed with Gamma radiation signatures and neural control interfaces. This is way beyond anything S.H.I.E.L.D. should be touching."
Coulson's jaw tightened. "Then we destroy it."
"Wait," Su Zhan said suddenly, eyes fixed on the glowing vial displayed on-screen. "We might want to study it first."
Coulson shot him a look. "You're suggesting we keep Hydra's weapon?"
"I'm suggesting we understand it," Su Zhan replied calmly. "Destroying it won't erase the knowledge. Hydra always rebuilds. But if we can replicate their process safely, we might have an edge."
"Or unleash another monster," May snapped.
Su Zhan smiled faintly. "Depends on who's holding the leash."
The tension in the room thickened.
Coulson finally broke the silence. "We'll secure a sample for analysis. The rest gets wiped."
Su Zhan nodded—but his mind was elsewhere.
He wasn't letting this power slip away.
That night, while the others slept in the transport plane, Su Zhan stood alone in the cargo bay. In his hand, a small vial glowed faintly—the Variant Omega Serum he'd pocketed before they left.
The system's voice chimed in his mind.
[Hydra Genetic Serum detected.]
Type: Experimental Hybrid (Super Soldier + Gamma Variant)
Risk Level: Critical.
Assimilation Warning: Unstable energy core. Proceed?
Su Zhan chuckled. "You really think I'm afraid of a little instability?"
He crushed the vial in his palm. The liquid flared like molten light, seeping into his skin. Pain exploded through his veins—a violent storm of energy surging against his Stabilization field.
He dropped to one knee, growling as the heat consumed him from within.
[Assimilation sequence initializing…]
His heartbeat thundered in his chest, each pulse shaking the air. His body temperature spiked, veins glowing faintly green beneath the skin before fading back to orange. For a moment, he felt like he might burst apart—then, suddenly, it stabilized.
[Assimilation successful.]
New Ability Acquired: Gamma Infusion – Strength Amplification (Adaptive).
Additional Effect: Rage Conversion – Energy Surge under stress.
Su Zhan exhaled, trembling slightly. "Now that's power."
He looked at his reflection in the metal wall. His eyes gleamed faintly golden, flickering like twin embers.
For a brief second, he thought he saw a shadow behind him—something inhuman watching, whispering.
"Cut off one head…"
He turned sharply, but there was nothing.
The whisper faded, leaving only the hum of the engines and the faint glow of his eyes reflected in the steel.
"Hydra's not done," he murmured. "Good."
He smiled, stepping into the darkness.
"Neither am I."
System Update:
[Main Quest Progress – Phase 4: The Hydra's Shadow]
Objective: Investigate Hydra's infiltration within S.H.I.E.L.D.
Secondary Objective: Track origin of "Variant Omega."
Reward: Unlock Sub-Quest: Fury's Secret.