Hawk wasn't Thor.
He wasn't an alien; he was born and raised on Earth.
Ever since Thor's appearance and the Chitauri's invasion, the Five Good Men had learned a hard truth:
Beyond Earth lay a lawless frontier. Once humans stepped out into space, they'd be far more likely to meet the muzzles of countless alien civilizations than bouquets and fine wine.
Earth might be a backwater of the cosmos.
But…
The Five Good Men didn't know that—and if diplomacy on Earth already assumed the worst in others, what about diplomacy beyond it?
Which made Hawk all the more crucial right now.
Most importantly:
Hawk was at odds with the U.S. military.
Quantico was still being rebuilt; not even a tenth had been restored, while the remaining nine-tenths of the ruins still lay there.
The grass on General Ross's family graves had been replaced several times by now.
For the United States, that was terrible. For the other four Councilors on the Security Council, it was… delightful.
Same old story:
Hating those who have what you don't.
If Hawk had a cozy relationship with the U.S., the other four would have backed Nick Fury's plan to "manage" Hawk—
Just like when the Council tacitly endorsed Fury's "management" of the Hulk.
After all, the Hulk's girlfriend was Betty Ross, and her father, Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, was a major military figure.
But the Security Council wasn't the U.S. Security Council; it was the Five Good Men's.
It wasn't so much S.H.I.E.L.D. wanting to control the Hulk, as it was the Council wanting to.
Hawk was different.
He had no ties with the other "benevolent" nations, he was hostile to the U.S. military, and Maria Hill's dealings with him had been cordial.
That was why, when Fury reemerged and again proposed to place Hawk under control, the Council froze his authority—again.
So…
"Congratulations, Commander Hill—no, Director Hill."
Following the Council's latest resolution, the first order of business wasn't HYDRA cleanup. It was promoting Maria Hill to Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., with full authority over all operations.
Because if they were going to handle the aftermath of HYDRA's uprising, they needed someone accepted and dependable to steer the ship.
And in this HYDRA chaos, Maria Hill had been notably calm and by the book—qualities the Council appreciated.
After all—
Nick Fury was dead.
Fake dead was still dead.
In a way, that was a mercy for him.
As Director raised to the post under HYDRA leader Alexander Pierce's recommendation—and with HYDRA's resurgence happening on his watch—Fury wasn't going to pull off a triumphant "return of the king" this time, not with Hawk in the mix.
If he truly had died, maybe different. But if he'd been declared dead and suddenly popped back to life now?
Heh.
Best-case scenario: he'd rot in prison.
HYDRA rose and he "died." HYDRA failed and he "lived." Hard not to be suspicious.
In short—
The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. was dead. The new Director was Maria Hill.
"As for a replacement field commander, Director Hill, do you have someone in mind?"
"Victoria Hand, Commander of S.H.I.E.L.D. New York Operations."
"…Acceptable."
On the video call, the four veteran Councilors and the newly appointed U.S. Councilor muted themselves, exchanged a few nods, and then the rotating chair from the Eastern Nation unmuted:
"Mr. Phoenix is in New York. If Commander Hand comes to HQ, then in New York…"
Hands clasped behind her back, Maria Hill met the five faces on the wall—symbols of the Five Good Men.
"Sharon Carter, not I or Commander Hand, has the closest rapport with Hawk. Because of Sharon, we had Hawk's help."
"Then Agent Carter can replace Commander Hand in New York…"
"No."
"Uh…"
"I intend to abolish the New York Command Center. In fact, all S.H.I.E.L.D. field branches outside of headquarters."
Hill's first act as Director wasn't to calm nerves or expand.
It was to swing the axe.
HYDRA had parasitized S.H.I.E.L.D., grown fat within it, and nearly pulled off a second triumph. That was undeniable.
And as the host, S.H.I.E.L.D. had left a bad taste in the Council's mouth—even if, for various reasons, they hadn't swung their own axe.
So…
Better to move first than wait to be cut.
"I've long felt S.H.I.E.L.D. is too big. Not just big—bloated.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. was founded to be a firewall between the extraordinary and the ordinary worlds.
"It doesn't need to be massive. It needs to be fast, flexible, and responsive to the Council's directives.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. needs elite forces.
"And while Hawk cleaned out HYDRA, with parasites embedded for years, none of us can swear there are no HYDRA remnants left.
"This is our moment.
"On the back of reform, we'll purge our ranks.
"As for the two remaining Insight Helicarriers, my plan is…"
As Hill laid out her agenda, the five faces on the big screen—new U.S. Councilor included—grew solemn, then increasingly approving.
The Eastern Nation's and Moscow's Councilors were especially pleased.
They'd always been the "pay, don't play" types, and both had floated quitting the group entirely. Domestic realities had paused that notion.
Now…
Hill's seemingly "self-limiting" approach lined up nicely with their preferences.
London and Paris were also happy.
There were tiers even among "benevolence." S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't set foot in the Eastern Nation or Moscow. The U.S. was HQ, but in London and Paris, the local S.H.I.E.L.D. branches had thrown their weight around quite a bit.
As for the new U.S. Councilor—
He wanted to object. Everyone knew a "global institution for world peace" was often code for "obey us or else."
But this wasn't the time to protest.
As everyone knew:
Fresh offenders are in no position to talk back.
The U.S. was no exception.
Thus—
Director Hill's first reform package passed unanimously.
"And regarding Hawk…"
"With Sharon in New York, that's sufficient. My stance remains unchanged, and the facts back it: Hawk is lawful neutral. He may not help us, but he won't help villains who threaten Earth."
"…Very well."
The Eastern Nation's Councilor recalled his meeting with Hawk in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s conference room and chuckled. "You're the Director now, Hill. Your call. Settle this unrest quickly."
Hill nodded, face grave.
"Understood."
"Then we're done here. Meeting adjourned."
The Eastern Nation's Councilor glanced at the others, rapped the table, and ended the call.
The screen went dark.
Maria Hill lowered her eyes, then turned to look at Victoria Hand, who had been standing just out of frame.
Commander Hand stepped forward.
"Director."
"Commander."
After exchanging their new titles, Hill smiled. "How long for New York?"
Hand thought for a moment. "One month."
"Good."
"I want S.H.I.E.L.D. reform completed by year's end."
"By year's end…"
Victoria Hand frowned at Hill. "That's too fast."
Hill shook her head.
"Cut the knot cleanly. We're at our messiest, but that also makes reform easiest. We must change. I don't even plan to keep our current headquarters."
"Hiss—are you really moving HQ to…"
"Yes."
Hill nodded, but didn't elaborate. Instead, she changed the subject. "I heard Hawk was injured?"
Meeting Hill's gaze, Hand smiled. "Yes. Fractured left arm. He's resting at home on Palm Street."
Hill's curiosity showed. "What happened?"
"The Devil's Shackles are still the most effective—achieved what no one else could with ease."
Commander Hand explained how Hawk ended up with a cast and sling for the month.
Hill finished listening and couldn't help a wry shake of her head before looking back at Hand.
"That's fine by me. If he's injured and resting, we can focus on our work."
"Agreed."
Hand nodded, then asked, "Should we tell Sharon to coordinate with Gwen, see if Hawk can… rest a little longer?"
Hill smiled slightly and didn't answer.
She moved on to their next target.
"Someone should be dropping by soon. They're here for Nick Fury."
"…"
(End of Chapter)
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