Although the base itself was vast, the area allocated for Shen He and his Servants to live in wasn't large at all.
Their rooms were practically adjacent.
So when Shen He arrived at the lounge, Violet, Ryougi Shiki, and the other resident Servants were already there.
Along with Captain America, Steve Rogers.
"Steve, looks like you're adapting pretty well."
Carrying three glasses of milk and some cake, Shen He walked over and sat on the sofa opposite Coulson and Steve.
"You're the one who said we didn't have much time to adapt, Shen."Steve Rogers stopped his conversation with Coulson and turned to him. "Seems like you did something… excessive to Coulson and the others last night."
"This is a war. In a war, things like 'excessive' don't matter."
Shen He handed milk to Jeanne and Shiki, then sliced a piece of strawberry cake for Violet, looking entirely uninterested in further conversation.
"Mr. Shen," Coulson spoke up first. "Director Fury sent me here to ask if there's anything you need our help with. In fact, although the public outrage outside looks serious—there are protests everywhere—this is only a minor issue for S.H.I.E.L.D."
"That's right. A minor issue."
Shen He nodded as though he had expected that response.
"While I'm not someone who worships free will, even I know this: ever since that terrorist attack, the phrase 'national security' has become a banner used to justify restricting personal freedom. People compromised—and once they compromise the first time, the second time becomes even easier."
He glanced at the time on his phone."Jarvis, the official press conference should've started. Pull it up."
"Right away, sir."
Jarvis' voice followed, and a virtual screen appeared in the center of the lounge.
As Shen He said, it was a live broadcast of the government's press conference addressing the alien incident that had spread across the world.
"No comment," the spokesperson said firmly. "This incident has gravely endangered national security. Our classified information has been leaked and spread, our soldiers exposed to the enemy's sight. Anyone who fans the flames is only helping our enemies. They want us to fall into chaos. We have already begun investigating the mastermind behind this…"
"Is he telling the truth?" Shen He looked at Coulson. "Have you already started investigating?"
"Yes, Mr. Shen," Coulson confirmed.
"Investigating who?"
"They call themselves the Rising Tide. The investigation is difficult—they're all top-level hackers."He paused, then added more pointedly, "But so are we. Right before I came here, we found a lead and are preparing for an arrest."
This group of hackers apparently wasn't motivated purely by idealism—one member was acting for personal gain.
And tracing stolen funds was far easier than tracing a top-tier hacker's IP address.
"Jarvis, what about the woman I asked you to monitor?" Shen He asked.
"She is still safe, sir."
"Good…"
Shen He lowered his voice, then turned his gaze to Steve."Steve, what's your opinion?"
"…What?" Steve froze slightly.
"You've read the files—about the Asgardians, about S.H.I.E.L.D." Shen He asked casually. "Do you think restricting personal freedom in the name of 'national security' is right?"
Steve fell silent for a long time.
Finally, he shook his head."…I don't know."
"I see." Shen He sounded slightly disappointed.
In the original timeline, Steve faced the same question—and he stood firmly as an opponent, without hesitation.
"What about you, Shen?" Steve suddenly asked. "What do you think?"
"Me?"Shen He laughed as if he'd heard a joke and turned his head."Shiki, tell them your opinion."
"Boring," Ryougi Shiki replied coolly. "Stuff like that? Who cares."
"You hear that?" Shen He spread his hands. "That's my opinion as well."
To someone raised with a Chinese worldview, this kind of debate was indeed mind-numbingly pointless. Freedom, national security—ultimately it was all about position. Right now his position placed him opposite S.H.I.E.L.D., so he was the defender of personal freedom. Later? That depended on his position and benefits at that time.
In the end, Shen He's convictions applied only to people, not ideals.
"All right, Steve. Everyone has their own idea of what's right. And in the end, we usually settle things with our fists." Shen He stood and stretched. "If you're ready, then I need you in battle."
"…If it's to protect the people, then I'm always ready," Steve Rogers stood as well.
Ever since waking—ever since that virtual reality test—Steve had been wavering between confusion and conviction. Conviction that he must fight for the people; confusion over who truly represented them.
But no matter what, Captain America never hesitated once war began.
"Then it all starts now."
Shen He sat back down and contacted Lelouch in his own world.
Fortunately, Lelouch's world was currently in a peaceful, everyday period, giving him time to assist.
With a blink, a tall, thin young man appeared among them.
"Let me introduce him—this is Lelouch. Steve, there's no time to explain, but what he handles and what you handle are separate. Just follow my arrangements. Lelouch, everything has begun."
"Leave it to me," Lelouch nodded.
His original strategic plan had been heavily modified by Shen He, but he understood the changes.
Steve said nothing, simply nodding. He would find his answers in the battles ahead.
"Mr. Shen… may I stay here?" Coulson asked once Steve and Lelouch had left.
"Of course," Shen He nodded. "I still need your inside information…"
Meanwhile, elsewhere—Skye was watching the same press conference.
And she was furious.
Because nothing she did threatened national security.
She only wanted the truth.
So why were they slapping such a label on her?
-----------------------
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