"I need Inhumans. Lots of Inhumans!"
In a hidden underground lab run by Baron Strucker, Hive was roaring with rage.
Ever since Gene annihilated most of Hive's parasite swarms, his strength had plummeted. To restore himself to his former power, he needed supplements—living hosts.
"Please, calm yourself. Our capture teams are already in motion," Baron Strucker hurried to assure him. "Very soon, you'll have a fresh batch of Inhumans delivered to your side."
Hive's expression didn't change. His voice was cold and mechanical. "I need them now."
Then, without warning, a cloud of tiny insects burst forth from Hive's body and shot across the lab—straight into the scientists working there.
In the blink of an eye, the life and energy were drained from their bodies. They began shriveling, collapsing like puppets with their strings cut, and then crumbling into ash.
The gray dust of their remains rose like a storm, swirling and settling across every corner of the lab. Baron Strucker hastily covered his nose and mouth with a trembling hand, regret flooding through him.
Bringing this "god" to Earth… had been a colossal mistake.
Hive looked visibly rejuvenated, his vitality partially restored by the fresh sacrifice. He slowly turned his gaze to Baron Strucker.
Strucker shivered under the weight of that stare. "M-my Lord, when do we launch our attack on Mason Industries?" he blurted out, trying to change the subject—desperate not to become Hive's next meal.
"My loyal disciple… are you second-guessing your faith?" Hive asked coldly. "Are you no longer willing to become a part of me?"
"No, no, revered god—I am eager to be one with you," Strucker said, forcing a smile. "But I know I'm still useful to you. Once the plan is complete, then you may assimilate me."
Hive snorted with disdain. He didn't believe a word of it. If he didn't still need Strucker's network, he would've absorbed him on the spot.
A tiny insect flew out from Hive's body and hovered around Strucker's head before, to the Baron's horror, diving into his skin.
He could feel it—the thing crawling through his bloodstream, surfing his veins, swimming freely inside him like a predator in an aquarium.
"AHHH!" Strucker couldn't suppress the scream that escaped his lips.
"Don't even think about double-crossing me," Hive said icily. "Or you'll learn what it truly means to become nothing."
With that, Hive turned and left the lab, his coat swirling behind him like a storm.
Strucker stood trembling, watching him go. His face was pale. Regret gnawed at his insides.
This wasn't what he signed up for. This wasn't the god he thought he was awakening.
But it was too late now. There was no going back. He had chosen this path… and now, he had to walk it to the end.
On a barren patch of land far from any city lights, Daisy stood alone, clutching the digital invitation Gene had given her.
The ground was dry and cracked. No signs of life. No signs of people. No signs of… anything.
But Daisy had already made her choice.
She would join S.W.O.R.D. Not just because of what Gene had said, but because she truly believed in their mission.
She had never been one for government control. S.H.I.E.L.D. might've recruited her from the fringes, but she never felt like she fit in. Their rigid protocols, their blind allegiance to outdated systems—it didn't sit well with her.
S.W.O.R.D. was different. They felt like rebellion with purpose.
Daisy glanced at her watch. There was one minute left until the time stated on the invitation.
"Typical," she muttered. "Doesn't matter how fancy you are, still can't be on time."
She kicked at a tuft of dry grass with frustration.
A thunderous roar split the air above her, making her heart leap into her throat.
She looked up—and saw a bizarre-looking ship descending from the clouds.
Its massive engines sent gales of wind surging in all directions. Daisy staggered, almost losing her balance.
She squinted up at the landing craft, its gleaming surface reflecting the dim sky.
"Show-off," she muttered, shielding her eyes with one hand.
The ship landed in front of her with a hiss of compressed air. Its ramp extended slowly, silently inviting her in.
"Hello?" she called out as she stepped onto the vessel.
Only the soft echo of her own voice and the mechanical hum of alien tech.
She wandered further in, curiosity overtaking caution. The place was filled with strange devices—screens, panels, equipment she couldn't even begin to understand.
No crew. No welcome party.
Daisy frowned. "Seriously? You invite someone to join your top-secret organization and just leave the ship empty?"
Just then, a calm female voice echoed through the chamber:
"Miss Daisy, please take a seat. We are preparing for immediate departure."
Daisy screamed and jumped as a red holographic figure appeared before her, hovering inches from her face.
"I am S.W.O.R.D.'s onboard AI. You may call me Red Queen," the figure said sweetly.
Daisy clutched her chest, trying to slow her racing heart. "You're saying this ship… is unmanned?"
"That is correct. And as I mentioned, we're departing now."
The voice echoed in her ears like the devil's whisper.
Daisy barely had time to buckle herself into the nearest seat before the ship began to rise.
She had never flown on an autonomous ship before.
And she certainly didn't expect her first ride to start .
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