Melting Chapter 86: Warning Fury about Hydra... Have a Nice Dream... (Patreon)

Within the Manhattan district, inside an apartment:

After silently mouthing “Hydra” and “snake” a few times, Nick Fury got a bad feeling. The two words felt connected in some way.

Fury feigned confusion. “I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”

“No, you do understand—and you’re not mistaken. I’m talking about Hydra.” Aaron didn’t even need telepathy to see the flicker of shock in Fury’s face; the man’s micro-expressions said it all. So much for the great ‘Spy King.’

“Mr. Aaron, despite your strong influence over the President, don’t mistake that for a license to tamper with S.H.I.E.L.D. 's position,” Fury warned. “S.H.I.E.L.D. is S.H.I.E.L.D. Or do you think I’m too useless, letting some outsiders dictate how we do things?”

Aaron’s brows rose in surprise. “Oh, you already know, huh.”

Fury’s mouth twitched. “Know what? That you think I’m useless?”

He’d served S.H.I.E.L.D. for years; his achievements were undeniable, and everyone saw his ability. Who dared call him incompetent? Now this newcomer, Aaron, dared to speak ill of him! Fine. Fury would tolerate it, just this once.

In truth, Fury vaguely suspected an infiltration in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s ranks, but he didn’t consider it a big crisis. What agency didn’t have moles? People were fickle; under outside temptation, some might betray. But he would never openly admit it. Admitting infiltration meant admitting his own incompetence. He’d rather investigate quietly on his own.

“Mr. Aaron, I can promise you S.H.I.E.L.D. will never become some ‘Snake Shield.’ If I’m lying, you can have my director’s seat,” Fury declared stubbornly, refusing to concede.

Aaron just grinned. “Oh, please. Why would I want to be the boss of a bunch of little snakes? That worthless organization isn’t worthy of a dog’s attention.”

Did he just say I’m worse than a dog?! Fury seethed. Why’s this guy so handsome yet so infuriating? I’d love to rip his mouth off or sew it shut. He fell silent for a moment. He wanted to stand up and walk out, giving Aaron the cold shoulder. But…

He relaxed slightly. “What exactly do you know?” He’d swallow his pride if it meant gleaning more intel.

Meanwhile, Barbara was still peeling grapes for Aaron, and the two kept showing little moments of affection. Fury felt stuffed with all this PDA. To him, it was painfully obvious Barbara wasn’t “acting” anymore—she must’ve really drunk the Kool-Aid. Possibly, she’d lost her own mind.

He grew more determined to get Sharon in place soon, to observe both Barbara’s loyalty and any potential betrayal. If it were real… well, never mind.

Aaron just gave a chuckle, leaning back against a cushy backrest like a giant, succulent pomegranate. Fury tried giving Barbara secret signals; she pretended not to see them. Helpless, he sighed and tried again:

“Perhaps we can strengthen our collaboration. As for Osborn… or the ‘Aaron Group’—we’ll definitely stay out of it, and even provide whatever security or intelligence you need.”

Aaron closed his eyes contentedly. “All right, then, here’s my suggestion: find some absolutely trustworthy people and have them focus on investigating Alexander Pierce, plus the Rapid Response Special Force, the heads of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, and personnel departments, etc. That’s all. Have a nice dream tonight.”

A ‘nice dream’? At this rate, I’ll need sleeping pills for the next few days, Fury fumed inside. He was starting to regret this meeting entirely. Just look at what Aaron had said:

Alexander Pierce—Fury’s mentor, a former S.H.I.E.L.D. Director, now working at the U.N. Security Council as its chair! Even though he wasn’t formally in S.H.I.E.L.D. anymore, he still had his own dedicated office.

The Rapid Response Special Force was S.H.I.E.L.D.’s specialized field team, each member an elite of elites, the organization’s core fighting force.

And the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy was even more critical—split into a Tech Academy, Communications Academy, Ops Academy, etc.—each funneling top-tier brains or skilled operatives into S.H.I.E.L.D. If what Aaron said was true about infiltration…

Just thinking of it gave Fury a headache. The scope was too big, the numbers too large, investigating them all was impossible. Even Fury himself had no sure approach. You find one cockroach in a room, you can bet there are hundreds more hidden in the dark. It’s a total mess. Might as well blow the roof off and be done with it.

Fury didn’t even remember how he’d left the apartment. Heading outside under the bright midday sun, he felt no warmth—only a chill that made him shiver. Is Aaron telling the truth, or does he just dislike me and wants to mess with my head?

His expression alternated between gloom and dread. As a spy, I have to suspect everything, even if it’s far-fetched. If it’s false, I’ll have a thorn in my mind. If it’s true…

He reflexively eyed his bulletproof car on the curb. Could it be rigged with bombs? A passing bus? Possibly surveying him?

“Director, are we leaving?” asked a bespectacled bald man who approached with a polite smile after glancing up at the apartment. This was Agent Jasper Sitwell, an Academy graduate, a Level 7 operative. He served in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s main hub (the “Hub”) as an external officer, seconded to help Coulson after the Thor incident.

Fury instinctively distrusted him. That bald head doesn’t look friendly. Right now, he suspected everyone. All sorts of peasants want me dead. Usually he might guess differently, but after hearing Aaron say “Hydra,” it was impossible to remain at ease. Even if Aaron’s approach was abrasive, I can’t just ignore a “god’s warning,” can I?

“Dammit, Aaron—do you even count as human?!” Fury cursed inwardly.

“Director?” Sitwell repeated politely. “Should we call a Quinjet or…?”

“No! Head to West 219, 47th Street,” Fury barked. That place had once served as S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ before the Triskelion building was completed. They still kept it as one of their most important branches.

Fury started to climb into the car, then abruptly stopped. “You stay here and await further orders. I’m going alone.”

Sitwell nodded, watching him go. Fury, feeling jumpy, took a quick sweep around, abiding all traffic rules. He used his shoe as a mirror to check under the car for bombs. Once he was convinced it was safe, he finally pulled out.

Sitwell, watching him vanish, was a bit mystified but not shocked. A good operative is always paranoid. He calmly adjusted his comms. “I’m still here. Everything is normal,” he murmured into his mic.

Driving away, Fury was scanning in every direction, reflexively calling the handful of subordinates he fully trusted to meet him at S.H.I.E.L.D.’s NYC branch— including Agent Hill back at the Triskelion in DC. But not Sitwell or any other “senior” staff. Academy grads can’t be trusted!!

Shortly after Fury’s departure, Barbara still reeled somewhat from what she’d overheard but didn’t dwell on it too long. She wasn’t part of S.H.I.E.L.D. anymore, but rather Aaron’s woman. And more importantly…

“Sweetheart, I got us some goodies.” She leaned over, pecked Aaron, then turned around to retrieve the shopping bags. She bent forward, pressing her perfect waist-hip curves outward.

Aaron arched a brow. “I’ve got some goodies for you too.” He snapped his fingers, and a green blur appeared.

“Eh? Where is this… Master?” came a confused female voice.

Despite the stranger’s arrival, Barbara didn’t bat an eye, continuing what she was doing—pulling out a rather… tasty-looking piece of lingerie. Barbara changed into it right in front of the newcomer, who watched curiously.

“C’mere,” Aaron beckoned the scorpion-girl. She stepped forward. “We’re gonna play some pool. Lean over Barbara like that, get your body in position, grip the cue, use your special abilities to experience it thoroughly.”

“Eh?” Scorpion-girl seemed intrigued, never having tried pool. She clumsily imitated Barbara’s stance.

A moment later—

“Pff!! It went in!”

Her power of empathic resonance was formidable. She could perfectly share Barbara’s emotions, plus other senses. Double synergy. For Aaron, it was his first time playing pool, but thanks to his talents, he sank two balls in one shot—speed, force, angle, all masterful. He felt it wasn’t even his limit. He might go for a triple. He also solved that classic problem: how do you amuse a third person while two are already playing?

“Genius-level.” Aaron was fully engrossed, ignoring whatever Fury had said about Hydra or S.H.I.E.L.D. He’d arranged them to tear each other apart and would reap the spoils. Possibly Fury would guess his plan— but so what? It was an open conspiracy. Even if you knew, you still had to step in. Hydra was already entangled with S.H.I.E.L.D. intimately. Let them sink each other.

After a while, Aaron further augmented Barbara’s powers. She gained super-healing surpassing Norman’s cell-level regeneration—a near-immortal body. Also super-immunity, super-adaptation, allowing her to resist any earthly toxins or viruses—complete poison immunity. She could handle any earthly environment, even go around in winter wearing a T-shirt with no ill effects. He granted her a base 100-ton super strength, a “triple-metal composite” steel body, super-flexibility, and temperature control as standard. Along with improved dynamic vision, super reflexes, etc.

In a single instant, Barbara was raised to near-Hulk class. She wouldn’t match him in raw offense, but her toughness and vitality far outstripped his, so combined with her combat training and cunning, she might fight Hulk to a standstill, plus she had no side effects.

Feeling these upgrades, Barbara foolishly tried challenging Aaron again—and paid dearly. Just as Aaron was about to bring in the scorpion-girl again, Barbara struggled, reaching for a tube of Super Healing serum.

“What’re you doing?” he asked, thinking she meant to restore her stamina. “Healing serum can’t fix your energy shortage. Not with your abilities—”

“Open up!”

“Huh? Ah…”

Gulp, gulp. Barbara made the scorpion-girl drink down the healing serum, and she watched expectantly. Aaron quickly figured out what she was aiming for: She wants a guarantee that I’ll do this “husbandly duty” every day?!

“Don’t get your hopes up,” Aaron teased. “Norman and his team considered that angle. Neither Super Healing #1 nor Limb Regrowth #1 has the function you’re seeking.”

Barbara sighed, giving up on that kind of fantasy. Aaron added, “But we do have a secret formula for that. Not for sale though.”

In fact, the earliest design of “Super Healing #1” had that effect, but Aaron had them remove it to prevent unscrupulous usage by certain people. He’d done it for his “brothers,” so they wouldn’t be exploited.

Aaron spent the whole day messing around. By nightfall, he finally returned to his villa. Entering, he saw Savannah and Nina on the living room couch with Felicia. Even Jean was in a corner alone, all four apparently watching TV but each with their own thoughts.

“Brother-in-Law, you’re back!” Savannah squeaked, bounding over.
“All of you waiting for me? Not used to life here?” Aaron asked as he caught her. He felt a twinge of guilt.

Savannah took a sniff and frowned slightly. What’s that odd smell? She didn’t dwell on it though.

“Not at all—life here is great! Sure, the air is worse, and the scenery’s not as pretty, but it’s fun. Felicia took us around the shopping streets, tried new games—lots of things we don’t have in Alfheim.”

“Good. If you want anything, just let Felicia know. She’ll arrange it.” They were brand new to Earth, so obviously they needed a daily guide. As for the scorpion-girl, Aaron left her with Barbara. Barbara had once been a teacher, so instructing scorpion-girl was second nature to her. Meanwhile, as a “reciprocal arrangement,” Aaron was instructing Barbara in… different ways. Large sums of money were exchanged each time. Sometimes students rebel in class, but that’s normal.

Felicia spoke up worriedly, “Boss, I haven’t been around the company these few days. Are they managing all right…?” She wasn’t hungry for power, but feared the company would collapse without her presence. During these few days, she fully understood Aaron’s nature: he didn’t bother much with the business at all.

Aaron felt touched—that’s the perfect secretary. He decided that tonight, he’d share with Felicia something new, possibly gleaned from Barbara’s “personal tutoring.” He shot Felicia a glance to reassure her.

“Don’t worry. Tomorrow I’ll bring in a new secretary to help you handle the workload. Meanwhile, how about a few days’ vacation? Enjoy yourself—any expenses go on the company account!”

Felicia didn’t get jealous; she just exhaled in relief. Finally, someone to share that mountain of paperwork and that volcano of stress. The moment she relaxed, Aaron set Savannah down and patted Felicia’s shoulder.

“Felicia, I need to talk to you tonight.”

“Huh?” she asked, blinking.