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In 1997, in Bristol, England, a group that had once left Earth returned once more.
To avoid S.H.I.E.L.D.'s surveillance, Nick Fury chose to meet these "old friends" across the Atlantic. The eye that had been scratched blind by the Flerken couldn't help but itch again.
They gathered inside an abandoned building that had once been a blues bar.
The leader of the Skrulls, General Talos, met Fury using the appearance of Agent Keller, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Los Angeles office.
Two old comrades—both allies and adversaries—shook hands in greeting.
"Talos."
"Fury."
"You finally got my name right," Nick Fury grinned.
"Your friends all call you Fury, don't they?" Talos replied with a knowing smile.
After releasing the handshake, Fury asked, "Are all your people here?"
"Yes. According to our scientists' calculations, all Skrulls exceeding the life-support capacity of the cruiser are here—including my wife and daughter."
Gesturing behind him, Talos said, "Come, say hello to Fury."
Fury greeted them first. "Soren. G'iah."
As a mother, Soren couldn't simply hide behind others like her daughter. She stepped forward and warmly grasped Fury's hand.
"When our scientists told us that the loss of the genetic seed bank we brought from our homeworld would cause food production to decline, we realized we could only rely on primitive cultivation methods.
"But that meant we could no longer sustain everyone aboard the ship. You can't imagine how desperate we were.
"Fortunately, you were willing to accept Carol Danvers' proposal and take in part of our population. That allowed those on the ship to survive and gave us more time to search for a new home.
"I hope you understand how much this means to us."
Fury smiled. "Out of humanitarian concern and goodwill, it's the right thing to do. But you must also understand—Earth isn't ready to accept aliens. We can't take in too many. This is only a temporary measure."
Talos nodded. "Of course. Until we find a new home. Earth isn't ours, after all."
"Since you agree to that," Fury said casually, "I assume you won't object to another condition."
This time, Talos didn't concede so easily. "I specifically chose individuals who are mentally prepared for this kind of arrangement as temporary migrants.
"But you must understand—leadership isn't based on status. It's based on ability and vision. If you want them to follow you, you'll have to convince them yourself."
Fury raised an eyebrow theatrically. "Wow. I didn't know even your military runs on democracy."
"Are you looking for soldiers?" Talos countered. "Are you planning to lead us into battle?"
"…Fair enough. That's not my goal."
Talos gestured toward the gathered Skrulls, standing in small groups in their natural green forms. "Then you'll have to speak to them."
Fury looked around. "G'iah is here with her parents—that I understand. But there are other children here too? Farah, this is your…?"
Beside a teenage Skrull stood an elderly one—Farah. She answered on his behalf.
"This is Gravik. A very capable boy.
"His parents were killed by the Kree. He escaped alone, piloting a ship by himself. There's anger in him—anger that needs an outlet.
"He's not suited to remain on the cruiser helping search for a new home. So tell me, Fury—do you have what it takes to control that anger? To turn it into strength?"
Learning the boy's story, Fury dropped his earlier casual tone and spoke seriously.
"Kid, I understand your pain. I'm sorry you've had to witness the cruelty of war at such a young age.
"I understand your desire for revenge. But there are no Kree here—no enemies for you to fight. And I won't throw you into a battlefield that isn't yours. That wouldn't be right.
"I'm not here to control you or order you around. But I believe you won't refuse training—to become a skilled hunter, a warrior… someone who can control his anger and understand his purpose.
"You don't need someone to douse that fire inside you. But keeping that flame alive—letting it burn into a blaze at the right time, instead of hurting those around you at the wrong time—that's something worth striving for."
The boy's eyes showed a hint of resolve.
Fury stepped forward and pressed his forehead against Gravik's in a gesture of familiarity common among Skrulls.
Judging by the boy's lack of resistance, Fury knew he had passed the first test.
He didn't seize the moment to address the entire group.
Because what worked for Gravik wouldn't necessarily work for others.
So he waited—for Talos's signal.
As their leader, Talos also needed to formally introduce Fury. Cooperation was inevitable, but how the first step was taken would shape everything that followed.
Talos gathered the Skrulls and spoke:
"My people, we all know why we are here.
"We have scattered across the universe in search of a place to belong. But all we have encountered is the violence of the Kree.
"We have lost much—not just a home, but our families… even everything, until all that remains is ourselves.
"But in our despair, we found a glimmer of hope. Our friend Carol Danvers made us a promise. And because of survival… because of her request… we have returned to this world.
"But we all understand—everything has a cost. The question is who pays it, and whether they do so willingly.
"My first friend on Earth, Nick Fury, has offered us shelter.
"You must understand—for the sake of my family, and for all of you, I do not trust outsiders easily. But he is different. I believe he can be trusted—and I hope you will offer him the same trust.
"At the very least, we can give him the respect of hearing him out.
"Do not think of this as humiliation or coercion. We still have a choice.
"But remember—every choice carries a price. There is no such thing as a free meal in this world.
"And Skrulls are not a people to be forced.
"The Kree could not break us. No one can.
"Our decisions come from our own noble will—guided by justice and dignity."
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