"If I want to run for the House of Representatives, can you help me?"
Finnian Murdock didn't name the man in charge directly but chose to settle for the next best thing.
In America, whether it's state legislators or higher officials, most of them are just mouthpieces launched by big capitalists.
Rather than being another capitalist's spokesperson down the road, it was better to side with the guy standing right in front of him.
At least so far, their cooperation had been pleasant.
"What? Congressman?" Tony Stark stared at Finnian's young, sharp face. "Finn, you're not even old enough."
"Two years away."
"You want to enter politics?"
"That's the idea."
While Tony was still processing, Finnian decided to be straightforward.
"A few days ago, the agent who came to see you—Coulson—he's from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. They call it S.H.I.E.L.D."
"Jesus, what a long name," Tony muttered.
"Yeah, I know," Finnian smirked. "Anyway, to be precise, S.H.I.E.L.D. has history with you."
"Me?"
"Your father, Howard Stark, was one of the three founders of S.H.I.E.L.D."
Tony shot up from his chair.
"My father? Founder? No way."
The only memory Tony had of his father was regret—an argument before his parents' car accident.
He never got the chance to apologize. That one night became a permanent farewell.
"Finn, how the hell do you know all this?"
"Allow me to reintroduce myself," Finnian said with a grin. "Finnian Murdock. S.H.I.E.L.D. Level 8 Agent. Deputy Captain, Rapid Response Unit."
And immediately he thought: Deputy Captain? God, that sounds awkward. That word deputy needed to go. Maybe even the Captain.
"Fuck! Finn, you're an agent?!"
Tony was stunned. During this whole time, he had actually started seeing Finnian as a real friend.
He hadn't expected the guy to be a spook.
Finnian shrugged. "After I rescued you, they found me and asked me to join."
Tony let out a breath. "Damn. I'm sorry for dragging you into this."
"It's fine. We're friends."
Finnian leaned forward. "I'm telling you this because Director Fury wants to invite you to join S.H.I.E.L.D."
"But the bald bastard only wants my money."
Only Finnian could get away with raiding Tony Stark's wallet.
Braised eggs. Rolling balls.
"Fuck!" Tony paced the room, swearing. "That's my father's work! My father's!!"
Tony was furious, learning not only that his father had been a founder but that the current director was after his assets.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
Finnian considered reminding him about Obadiah Stane—Iron Monger—but then remembered Tony had already been injected with the 50-50 serum.
If Obadiah made a move, odds were high Tony would flatten him.
Besides, Finnian wasn't anyone's babysitter. And since he had already changed the timeline by rescuing Tony early, there was no telling if Obadiah would even become Iron Monger in the first place.
Eventually, Tony calmed down.
"I'll announce the clean energy plan as soon as possible. Once the company's stock jumps, I'll come back and talk sponsorship with you."
"No problem."
After Tony left, Finnian checked his system's refreshed shop. With 200,000 left on his card, he took a deep breath and opened the mall interface.
[Luck +1, always a little luckier than others. Price: $1]
He bought it instantly without hesitation.
Luck was one of those intangible rules—not noticeable most of the time. But at critical moments? It could mean everything.
Like when the Family Planning Bureau director snapped his fingers.
Better to have more luck than less.
[Item: Golden Desert Eagle, unlimited ammo. Price: $100,000]
"Fuck, now that's interesting."
Unlimited bullets—definitely a system product. Perfect when paired with his Mozambique shooting method.
Hell, with this setup, he could even create a side persona: John Wick, for handling inconvenient problems.
The third refresh confirmed Finnian's suspicion—the system really was watching his bank balance. Two Golden Desert Eagles appeared, draining him down to zero.
He thought back to selling that God Squad body for $8 billion, eyes burning with ambition.
"If I had 10 billion in my card, there's a high chance the system would start selling weapons on par with the Celestials."
He needed to make money—and fast.
He was already forming a plan: lead his rapid reaction force into some seriously lucrative jobs.
The sun rose on a new day.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters – Rapid Response Unit
"Captain, good morning."
"Morning."
Because Brock Rumlow was still hospitalized, Deputy Captain Finnian Murdock had become the acting head of the team.
Just as he sat down in his office, Agent Coulson pushed the door open.
"Finn, urgent mission."
Still confused, Finnian was pulled into the director's office.
Nick Fury was on a video call.
"Director Fury, the President's safety is in your hands."
"Rest assured, Minister. I'll make sure the mission is completed."
The call ended. Fury exhaled, then turned with a faint smile.
"Finn, President Ellis will be visiting Western Europe tomorrow. The White House needs you on the security detail."
"Got it."
President Ellis—yeah, the same poor bastard who would later get kidnapped by Killian and hung up like a piñata. His term ran from 2008 to 2016.
A two-term speaker of the free world. Definitely worth protecting.
"Excellent." Fury nodded. "Coulson, you'll accompany Finn and assist with the mission."
Fury had never had such a chance to get close to the President before. Now that it came, he wasn't wasting it.
If the personnel requirements weren't so strict, Fury would've sent Natasha along too.
Unfortunately, Natasha Romanoff was Russian born. Not American. She'd never clear the political screening.
(Author's note: In the MCU, the show Luke Cage mentions Obama singing Al Green in 2012. When Iron Man 3 released in 2013, Ellis was already President. So, in the MCU timeline: Obama 2008–2012, Ellis 2012–2016. For simplicity—and to avoid the "little black room"—Ellis is the U.S. President across both terms in this book. His name comes from Iron Man writer Warren Ellis.)