Marvel: Randomly Load a Protagonist Template - Chapter 89
Christmas was approaching, and every household adorned their homes and yards with colorful lights, festive decorations, and uniquely built snowmen.
As snowflakes danced in the air at night, the glittering residential area transformed into a fairy-tale-like town.
Meanwhile, Hawking Wanda and her family sat on the living room sofa, sipping hot soup prepared by Ileana while chatting and watching TV.
“Ding-dong!”
Just as the family burst into laughter at a sitcom on TV, the doorbell suddenly rang.
“I’ll get it!”
Pietro activated his super speed, and in less than a second, he moved from the sofa to the door and opened it.
Standing before him was a tall, bald African-American man in a black leather coat and an eyepatch—the one-eyed stranger, Nick Fury.
“Who are you?”
“Sorry to disturb you, I’m looking for Hawking. Is he here?”
“What a rare visitor!”
Hearing the voice, Hawking got up and went to the door, raising an eyebrow in surprise upon seeing Nick Fury.
He had just met with Magneto the night before, and now Nick Fury was here—could this be trouble brewing? It seemed unlikely, as Hawking sensed no other presence nearby; Nick Fury wouldn’t have come alone if he was looking for trouble.
“Hawking, is he your friend? It’s cold outside and snowing; please invite him in for some hot soup, and you guys can talk!”
Realizing the visitor might know Hawking, Oleg and Ileana quickly greeted him.
They didn’t know that Hawking was the CEO of the Avenger Corporation. Still, Wanda and Pietro mentioned that Hawking often helped professors with matters concerning mutants due to his exceptional abilities.
So when Magneto and Mystique came looking for Hawking, knowing they were mutants, they didn’t ask further questions.
However, Nick Fury steps forward to enter, but Hawking stops him with a hand gesture; he doesn’t want his family to interact too much with Nick Fury.
Turning to Oleg and Ileana with a gentle smile, he said:
“My friend doesn’t like soup and prefers solitude; he doesn’t like crowds and is resistant to the cold. We’ll just chat outside; you guys continue watching TV.”
After speaking, he gave Nick Fury a nod, and they walked outside.
Nick Fury shrugged and followed.
“Let’s talk in my car then!”
“I heard from Professor X that Director Fury is always busy with important matters. What brings you to visit me, a mere mutant student?”
Sitting in Nick Fury’s black van, Hawking began to probe.
His last encounter with Nick Fury was during a significant battle years ago, and some matters of the Avenger Corporation were coordinated through Professor X and Nick Fury.
“Mr. Hawking is joking; you’re not just a student at a school for mutants. You are the founder of the renowned Avenger Corporation, known as a superhero comparable to Superman in the comics.”
Nick Fury also smiled.
Hawking quickly waved his hand modestly:
“It’s just gathering some like-minded friends to do some good, hardly comparable to the peace-keeping efforts of S.H.I.E.L.D.”
He wasn’t surprised that Nick Fury knew this; after all, many company matters were resolved with the help of Nick Fury through Professor X, who also made Fury aware that the company belonged to Hawking, not the school for mutants.
Nick Fury looked at Hawking, paused, and said:
“Let’s cut to the chase. I came here because I need your help tomorrow.
In return, I’ll handle all your company’s future troubles with the government.”
Hawking has been closely monitored by Fury, who has discreetly had trusted individuals investigate and gather intelligence on him, making a detailed professional assessment from various angles.
First and foremost, it’s clear that Hawking has a good heart; otherwise, he wouldn’t have continued to fight crime and encourage others to do the same.
Yet he’s also pragmatic, knowing how to make money to pursue his goals better and ease everyone’s worries.
Moreover, despite his young age, he’s very experienced and challenging. Over the years, those who have tried to cause trouble for his company have been cleverly thwarted by him.
Lastly, he’s not entirely a saint; his hands are not blood-free.
So, simple tricks won’t work with someone like Hawking, and using moral coercion like you would with Professor X isn’t ineffective.
The best approach is to be straightforward and use transparent strategies, trading on tangible benefits.
Sure enough, Hawking was intrigued by Fury’s words.
“First, tell me what you need help with. I can handle small favors, but I might not be able to manage a big one.”
His company, although currently collaborating with the government, which makes many things easier, still faces many restrictions.
For instance, their activities are confined to New York, and they aren’t allowed to use their powers against criminals outside the city, among other detailed restrictions.
Fury needed help to possibly let the Avengers, a company closely associated with the mutant school, develop smoothly. He couldn’t refuse Professor X outright but wouldn’t give his total effort either.
If Fury were willing to assist the company exhaustively in the future, its growth would surely accelerate.
Thus, if the flavor was easy enough, he was okay with helping.
This world has no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests.
He agrees with this saying.
Even if there’s a deep-seated vendetta, if an enemy can help revive your clan, you could temporarily become friends for that cause.
Besides, he and Fury aren’t enemies; they’re somewhat allies.
Fury smiled and said:
“For you, it’s no big deal. Tomorrow, someone might try to assassinate me, and I need you to protect me secretly.
And those people’s abilities are probably nothing for you.”
“Director Fury, you’re not joking, are you?”
Hearing Fury’s words, Hawking narrowed his eyes.
It seemed absurd that the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. would need protection from someone he had only met once.
Not to mention Captain Marvel, who can destroy Kree warships, or top agents like Black Widow, Hawking, and Melinda May, who are not easy targets.
Moreover, they could always ask for help from Professor X and the frequently collaborating X-Men. Why would they need him?
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