Marvel: Starting with Iron Man in the Apocalypse

As the first rays of morning sunlight touched the glass facade of Stark Tower, a Quinjet landed almost vertically on the rooftop helipad. The hatch opened, and Nick Fury stepped out alone, his signature black trench coat fluttering slightly in the morning breeze.

"Sir, Director Nick Fury has arrived," Jarvis's voice rang out in the laboratory. "He requests an 'informal meeting' with you and Mr. Chen."

Tony looked up from the data screen and exchanged a glance with Chen Haotian: "They're finally here. Tell him to wait in the meeting room for ten minutes, and that we're still dealing with some 'urgent matters'."

Chen Haotian straightened his collar, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Give him some time to check out the meeting room, lest he think we've prepared some kind of trap."

Ten minutes later, as the two brothers entered the top-floor meeting room, Nick Fury was standing with his back to them, gazing out at the New York morning view. He turned around, his single eye sharply sweeping over the two men: "Stark, and this mysterious Mr. Chen. I hope I haven't disturbed your sweet dreams."

"Actually, we've been working all night." Tony sat casually on the sofa, relaxed yet wary. "Didn't the S.H.I.E.L.D. surveillance team report this to you?"

Fury ignored Tony's provocation and fixed his gaze directly on Chen Haotian: "Chen Haotian, Howard Stark's illegitimate son, suddenly appeared in the public eye three months ago. Before that, all your records were blank."

Chen Haotian smiled slightly and calmly sat down next to Tony: "Everyone has their own secrets, Director Fury. Just like you wouldn't reveal your entire past to the outside world."

Fury narrowed his single eye slightly: "My past is irrelevant. What's important is that several unusual events in New York recently are related to you two brothers. The virus leak at Aldridge Tower, the explosion at the Hudson River warehouse, and yesterday's biohazard alert in Brooklyn."

Tony shrugged. "Just a coincidence. Strange things happen in New York every day."

"A coincidence?" Fury took a tablet from the inside pocket of his trench coat, swiped it a few times, and then pushed it to the center of the table. "This is the analysis report of the samples we extracted from the ruins of the Aldrich Building. It contains a previously unseen viral structure that does not match any known biological weapon."

Chen Haotian glanced at the data on the tablet, his expression unchanged: "So?"

"So we have reason to believe that someone is conducting illegal biological weapons research." Fury's voice turned cold. "And all the clues point to Stark Industries."

Tony jumped to his feet: "An accusation requires evidence, Fury! Stark Industries has long since ceased weapons development; that's common knowledge!"

"Sit down, Stark," Fury said calmly. "If I really wanted to charge you, it wouldn't be Quinjets coming, it would be an entire special forces unit."

Chen Haotian gently pressed Tony's arm, signaling him to calm down: "Director Fury, since you chose to come alone, it means you don't want a confrontation, but a dialogue. You might as well state your purpose."

Fury's lips curled up slightly, seemingly pleased with Chen Haotian's directness: "Smart guy. Then I'll get straight to the point—I need to know where you got that virus from, and what you're researching."

A brief silence fell over the meeting room. Tony looked at Chen Haotian and nodded slightly, indicating that he would handle the situation.

Chen Haotian leaned forward, placing his hands crossed on his knees: "If I said we were preventing a disaster, would you believe me?"

"That depends on how much credible evidence you can provide," Fury replied.

"A month ago, we intercepted a secret Hydra transaction," Chen Haotian began, recounting the story they had fabricated beforehand. "The item being traded was a sample of this virus. During the transfer, an accidental leak occurred, leading to the contamination incident at the Aldrich Building. We had to take extreme measures to control it."

A glint flashed in Fury's single eye: "Hydra? Where's the evidence?"

Tony continued, "We've already sent the relevant evidence to your private, encrypted channel, Fury. This includes transaction records and the identity information of Hydra agents."

Fury immediately checked his communications equipment. A few minutes later, he looked up, his expression even more grave: "This information does indeed point to Hydra, but that doesn't explain why you were researching this virus privately instead of immediately reporting it to S.H.I.E.L.D.

"Because we're unsure if S.H.I.E.L.D. is completely clean," Chen Haotian stated bluntly. "Hydra's infiltration is deeper than anyone imagines. If we rashly report this, the evidence could very well fall into their hands."

These words clearly struck a nerve with Fury. A barely perceptible flicker crossed his single eye: "This is a serious accusation."

"But it's true, isn't it?" Chen Haotian looked directly into Fury's eyes. "You've had your suspicions for a long time, but you just haven't had any solid evidence."

Fury didn't deny it, but changed the subject: "So, how's your research progressing? How much do you know about this virus?"

Tony continued, "We call it the 'X-virus,' and it has an extremely high mutation rate and is highly contagious. If left unchecked, it could infect the entire population of New York City within 72 hours. We are developing a vaccine and an antidote."

"How's it going?"

"We've already achieved some initial results," Chen Haotian replied, "but we still need more time."

Fury stood up and paced around the meeting room. "Even if I accept your explanation, there's still one question I can't avoid—why didn't you mention Hydra's existence during your previous questioning?"

Tony scoffed, "To accuse SHIELD of being infiltrated by Hydra without solid evidence? That would only make us look like lunatics, or worse—make us scapegoats for Hydra."

Chen Haotian added, "We chose to investigate privately to avoid alerting the enemy. Now that you've taken notice of this, we're willing to share some information—but on certain conditions."

Fury stopped in his tracks: "What are the conditions?"

"First, the investigation must be conducted under absolute confidentiality, and the participants must be people you completely trust," Chen Haotian listed. "Second, we need to retain control over the virus research, because we have made significant progress. Third, all joint actions must be approved by both of us."

Fury pondered for a moment: "I can accept the first two points, but the third... S.H.I.E.L.D. will not authorize operations to outsiders."

"Then we have nothing more to discuss." Tony stood up. "See him out, Jarvis."

The door to the meeting room opened with a click, but Fury showed no sign of leaving: "Perhaps we can compromise—we'll inform you in advance of important operations, but the final decision rests with S.H.I.E.L.D."

Chen Haotian exchanged a glance with Tony, then nodded: "That's acceptable. But we reserve the right to withdraw if we deem the operation too dangerous."

"Deal." Fury walked toward the door, but turned back before leaving and said, "But remember, if I find out you've concealed anything, or that these virus events are actually more directly related to you... the consequences will be far more serious than you imagine."

Silence fell in the meeting room after Fury left. Tony sighed deeply. "How much did he believe?"

"That's enough." Chen Haotian walked to the window, watching the Quinjet take off and disappear. "He believed in Hydra's part, but he still has doubts about the origin of the virus. This is just the beginning, Tony."

Tony walked up to him: "What's the next step?"

"Continue with our plan." Chen Haotian's gaze was profound. "Fury's intervention was entirely expected. Now, all we need to do is guide him onto the path we've set."

Inside the Quinjet, Nick Fury is speaking to Maria Hill via encrypted communication: "Their knowledge of Hydra is beyond what we expected, which is abnormal. I want you to set up a special team to investigate Chen Haotian's background—I need to know where he was and what he was doing every minute before he appeared."

After hanging up the call, Fury stared at the shrinking Stark Tower below with his single eye, muttering to himself, "What are you hiding, Stark brothers?"