Nick Fury's voice carried a rare trace of humility.
Even though it was Sharon who picked up the call, his tone lacked the commanding authority one would expect from the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
After so many dealings with Luke, Fury had come to a simple conclusion: Luke Yale was impossible to handle.
The man had just blown up two helicarriers and reduced S.H.I.E.L.D.'s headquarters to rubble… and yet, not only could Fury not scold him, he actually had to thank him.
The humiliation alone made his eye twitch.
What made it worse was that, after all that destruction, Fury now had to ask Luke for help again.
The acting government had issued a direct order: S.H.I.E.L.D. was to rescue the President.
The problem? S.H.I.E.L.D. was in pieces. The infrastructure was gone, the ranks decimated.
Hydra's infiltration ran deep, over half of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s agents were exposed as traitors, and many held critical positions. Even the entire Strike team turned out to be Hydra operatives.
They were all buried now… literally, beneath what remained of the headquarters.
With the Strike team gone, Fury had no one left to send.
It made his stomach churn. He had tried explaining S.H.I.E.L.D.'s condition to the higher-ups, pleaded for time, but they wouldn't hear it.
"This is the acting president's order," they said, before hanging up.
But orders were orders. And as the Director of what was left of S.H.I.E.L.D., Fury had to execute them, even if it meant swallowing his pride.
So, in the end, with a bitter taste in his mouth, he called Luke.
Luke had a helicarrier now. He could go wherever he pleased.
And that dog of his had a nose like a bloodhound on steroids. Perfect for tracking the missing President.
Wanda and Sharon were also powerful assets. As much as Fury hated to admit it, Luke's ragtag team was probably the most capable force available.
Still, would Luke even be willing?
As Fury stood near the ruins of the headquarters, trying to think of what leverage he had left as he waited for Sharon to pass the phone to Luke.
Soon, Luke's lazy voice came over the line.
"It's me," Fury said, trying to sound casual.
"Fury," he said, louder this time.
"Oh, Nick! What's up?" Luke replied, sounding genuinely curious.
Fury hesitated. He hadn't even figured out what exactly he could offer Luke this time.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had nothing left, no funding, no manpower, no technology. Compared to Luke's resources, they were practically bankrupt.
But the President couldn't wait. Every second that passed only increased the risk on his life.
"Consultant Yale, I… I need to ask you for another favor." Fury moved away from the cluster of agents and support crews working by the rubble, stepping into a corner where he wouldn't be overheard.
He gripped the phone tightly.
If any of his subordinates heard him begging Luke Yale for help again, he could kiss the last of his authority and respect they had for him goodbye.
On the other end, Luke's voice perked up with excitement.
Last time he helped Fury, he walked away with an entire helicarrier.
"If you need my help, just say the word!" Luke said enthusiastically.
That tone nearly gave Fury a heart attack.
The more enthusiastic Luke sounded, the more it meant he was going to have to pay for it.
But this was about the President. He unfortunately couldn't afford to think twice.
"Uh… haven't you seen the news? The President was kidnapped by terrorists. I was wondering if you'd be able to…" Fury trailed off, voice low and serious.
Luke blinked, glancing at the monitor in front of him, where the President of the United States was currently hanging upside down from a metal structure.
"Ah. Yes," Luke said slowly. "I've… seen the news."
He didn't understand at first why S.H.I.E.L.D. was even involved in this. Shouldn't the military be handling it?
But after a moment, the truth dawned on him.
'Ah… the vice president. Probably trying to make a power grab.'
Fury's voice came again, cautiously polite. "So… do you have time?"
Luke tilted his head, pretending to think.
"Well, I guess I do have some free time. Sure, I'll take care of it. I'll save your president." He thumped his chest with mock righteousness.
Fury froze. That was too easy.
Then came Luke's follow-up: "It's just that… my helicarrier doesn't have a license. If I fly it out there to rescue the president, won't the military treat me as a hostile?" he asked, feigning sadness.
Fury exhaled slowly. Of course.
Luke wanted S.H.I.E.L.D. backing again.
But this time, Fury didn't hesitate. "Don't worry. The helicarrier is still registered under S.H.I.E.L.D. You can fly wherever you want. If the military gives you trouble, tell them to call me."
He had no other cards to play.
If trading that was the price for the President's safety, it was well worth it.
On the other end, Luke smiled.
Flying around with no official cover could have been a pain. But now, backed by S.H.I.E.L.D., he could do whatever he wanted.
And honestly? He probably wouldn't even have to do anything. Tony could handle this.
At most, he might have to throw a punch or two, and still come out looking like a hero.
"Alright! The President's safety is in my hands now. We're on it!" Luke said confidently and hung up.
Sharon raised a brow. "Boss, didn't you just say we were going to watch the show?"
Luke laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, but… your boss is soft-hearted. That poor old guy looks miserable swinging up there. So, I figured we'd lend a hand."
Sharon shrugged. Wanda, meanwhile, jumped up in excitement. Another fight!
The battle at the dock was reaching a fever pitch.
It was nothing like in the movie.
In the film, Tony was holding back because Pepper was in Killian's hands. Killian himself wasn't half as unhinged. And his forces weren't this large.
This? This was an all-out war.
Explosions rocked the pier. Armored suits zipped through the sky. Extremis soldiers clashed with Iron Man units in a blur of heat and metal.
And amidst the chaos, Colonel Rhodes finally arrived at the scene, but he didn't bother joining the fight.
Instead, he beelined straight toward the hanging figure of the President.
"Hang on, Mr. President! I'm coming to get you!" Rhodes shouted, running full sprint across the platform.
The President nearly cried with relief.
He'd spent the last half hour dangling helplessly, with explosions going off and suits of armor flying past his eyes like fireworks.
He was one heartbeat away from a full-blown panic attack.
Seeing Rhodes felt like seeing family.
But just as Rhodes reached the scaffold, several of Killian's men spotted him and began climbing up the metal frame to cut him off.
The situation took a sharp turn.
A strange sound distracted them.
A deep, thunderous roar echoed from the sky above.
People looked up, squinting against the fierce wind that began to blow down on them.
Something massive loomed overhead.
The roaring intensified, then, with a sudden whoosh, the wind pressure exploded downward.
Even Tony lost altitude, forced to land all of his suits for stability.
Killian and his men gripped whatever they could. So did Rhodey. The President, meanwhile, swung like a pendulum, groaning helplessly.
And then… it arrived.
A colossal helicarrier descended slowly, casting a shadow so wide it blanketed the entire dock.
As the engines calmed and the wind died down, the President managed to open his eyes again.
And saw the strangest rescue party in history.
Standing proudly on the deck, Luke had his arms folded, grinning like a comic book hero.
To his left stood Wanda in a crimson dress, hair and fabric billowing in the wind.
To his right, Sharon held a hammer crackling with electricity, dressed in jeans and a white blouse, eyes focused and calm.
Behind them loomed a giant yellow robot, silent, stoic, and oddly menacing.
And at their feet, a round, chubby husky stared down at the President, tongue lolling, eyes glinting…
It actually looked like it was hungry.