"Phil Coulson, Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. Here to investigate the Osborn Industries theft, thank you."
A man with a receding hairline and a kind smile, accompanied by a young girl, approached the front desk of the Osborn Industries building and presented his ID. The receptionist glanced at the ID but wasn't quite sure what this organization, abbreviated as S.H.I.E.L.D., was. After asking Coulson for clarification, she called her supervisor.
Coulson, hands in his pockets, surveyed the modern design of the Osborn Industries lobby. Meanwhile, he quietly instructed Cindy, who had pulled her hood low to conceal her face: "Your transfer procedures are complete. You can transfer to Midtown School of Science and Technology next week. From now on, you'll report directly to Director Fury and will no longer be under my supervision. This also means your S.H.I.E.L.D. training is finally over."
Cindy finally looked up at Coulson.
"What about you, Agent Coulson?"
"Me? I have a new mission, leading a new team, executing new tasks. Thank you for accompanying me while I was recovering from my injuries. You've always been a rather introverted child. Take care of yourself."
Cindy nodded, saying nothing more. They watched Norman Osborn approach, extending his hand warmly to Coulson.
"Welcome, Agent Coulson, I've heard so much about you." Norman maintained a cheerful smile, gripping Coulson's hand tightly. "I'm very grateful for S.H.I.E.L.D.'s concern regarding our company's property theft, but unfortunately, it involves a great deal of classified information that I cannot disclose to you."
"We have evidence that the Osborn Industries theft could potentially threaten public safety. This is our duty."
Norman's expression became intrigued.
Most people were unaware of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s existence. Even after the Battle of New York, while some knew of it, they weren't clear on what S.H.I.E.L.D. actually did. There were a few common misconceptions about S.H.I.E.L.D., one of which was that it was an American organization.
In fact, it wasn't. S.H.I.E.L.D. should be described as an "American-controlled international organization." Its predecessor, the "Strategic Scientific Reserve," was jointly formed by the Western Allies. Currently, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s direct superior was the United Nations' "World Security Council," not the President of the United States. While America could be said to control S.H.I.E.L.D., it couldn't be said that S.H.I.E.L.D. belonged to America.
So, what was the difference?
The difference was that some American secrets were not accessible to S.H.I.E.L.D. For example, the U.S. military's "Project Savage Force" was not open to S.H.I.E.L.D., and coincidentally, this project involved Hydra, forcing Fury to find someone to investigate it.
"A significant portion of the stolen items relates to classified U.S. military projects. In accordance with our contract with the U.S. military, we are not authorized to disclose relevant information."
"That's fine. We only need to examine the parts that are viewable."
Coulson maintained his usual smile, then introduced Cindy behind him to Osborn: "This is our new S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, Agent Silk."
Silk?
Osborn looked at Cindy, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Of course, you're welcome."
Despite this, Osborn personally led them, deliberately avoiding Jonathan Drew's laboratory and instead guiding them to other areas, showcasing the storage room for the artificial metal skin.
"They said this was prepared for Blonsky. General Ross consistently believes 'Abomination' is more stable than Bruce Banner."
Osborn looked at the metal skin with a missing corner, filled with emotion, then changed the subject: "I heard S.H.I.E.L.D. specifically organized a team of super-powered individuals. Is Blonsky under your consideration?"
"I'm sorry, I don't have the authority for that kind of information."
"That's a shame." Norman feigned regret, but in reality, ever since they entered, he had been observing the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent referred to as Silk.
If even he and Tony Stark could figure out who Spider-Man was, couldn't S.H.I.E.L.D.? Why then had these individuals, who were so desperate for super-powered beings, never recruited Spider-Man? Combining this with the appearance of Agent Silk, everything became clear.
S.H.I.E.L.D. already had their own Spider-Man. That day, it wasn't just Peter Parker and the Spider-Society who were chosen; now there was a third person.
This must be Coulson's attempt to test him, to use her to probe his bottom line...
Norman smiled. Letting them know the true progress of Project Savage Force was impossible, but related matters could be disclosed. If he could use this opportunity to have Agent Silk undergo tests and medical examinations at Osborn Industries, that would be even better.
"The remaining stolen items are classified military information. Of course, I believe S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't entirely unaware—Osborn Industries has long been responsible for replicating and developing super-soldier serums. Stark once undertook the replication of the Erskine serum, while we are responsible for another."
Leaving the laboratory, Norman invited the two to his office. After they sat down, he spoke as if making casual conversation. Cindy sat to the side, looking out the window.
It was Thursday afternoon. By now, Midtown School of Science and Technology should have been dismissed, and Spider-Man would be swinging around. She could always sense Peter Parker's changing location. It wasn't just his position; she could also feel his physical condition. When Spider-Man lifted the freeway and was struck by high-voltage electricity, Cindy felt his physical state rapidly deteriorating.
This had become a way for her to pass the time during her S.H.I.E.L.D. training, recording Spider-Man's movements, battle times, and daily routines through this perception.
She listened absently to Osborn and Coulson's conversation.
"Actually, it's not just us; all the high-tech industries across the country are helping the military execute the Super Soldier Program. We're just a small part of it; it's not worth S.H.I.E.L.D.'s effort."
"That's for us to decide."
"If S.H.I.E.L.D. were useful, you would have caught Stryker and his Weapon X project by now." Osborn smiled slightly, but Coulson frowned at this, tilting his head and asking back, "Mr. Norman, are you implying that Stryker's Weapon X project and the project Osborn Industries contracted for..."
"I never said that, but Weapon X, hmm. I mean, oh, I should say, you should really think about the meaning of X." Norman stood up and extended his hand to Coulson: "When you've thought about it, we can continue our conversation."
Cindy watched as Coulson got up and followed him. The two entered the stairwell, turned off all communication devices as required, and after confirming no one else was around, Coulson began to ponder Norman's words.
Cindy, on the other hand, directly asked, "What does X stand for?"
"Weapon X Project, a plan to brainwash and modify mutants into weapons. Wolverine is the most famous test subject, Weapon X Product Number 10..." Coulson said, raising his wrist and looking at the time markers. "X doesn't refer to the mutant X-gene; it's a double entendre. X is a number, the Roman numeral 10. He wants you. If we want to know more about these Super Soldier Programs, we need to cooperate with him."
Coulson finished speaking and laughed, his smile filled with fear. For the first time as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, he felt fear of the unknown.
"So, do we need to cooperate with him?"
"No, he told us the most important thing." Coulson thought of Fury's hint, his smile stiffening. "There are at least ten Super Soldier Programs."
Hydra's covertly planned Super Soldier Programs numbered at least ten.
Weapon Plus Project: Beginning with the creation of Captain America, the U.S. government undertook over ten Super Soldier Programs. These projects were unified under the "Weapon Plus" project, responsible for various directions of super-soldier research. The most famous results of these studies were Captain America, Steve Rogers, and Wolverine, James Howlett.
This book has significantly modified the Weapon Plus project, incorporating the origins of heroes like Spider-Man.
After all, Hydra in the MCU is too weak and needs a significant boost.