Big Head and the others froze in shock. Jessica's eyes widened.
"They're on Earth?"
"Yep. And there's a whole lot of them."
Yelena crossed her arms.
"When did they get here?"
Hong Fei glanced at Natasha. She'd been lost in thought, but lifted her head when she felt his gaze. Their eyes locked, and a flicker of understanding passed between them.
"Fury?" she murmured.
Hong Fei nodded.
"Carol showed up on Earth years ago. Fury was just a Level 3 Agent back then—same time the Skrulls first appeared. They started as Carol's enemies, but things changed. Became allies. No idea when Fury started using them, but now that he's dead? Nobody even knows they exist here. That's why they're crawling out of the woodwork now."
He leaned forward.
"Found one at S.H.I.E.L.D. today."
"What do you need from us?"
"Find them."
Hong Fei locked eyes with Big Head.
"You're on it."
Big Head nodded. Hong Fei didn't have to spell it out—even if their shapeshifting went down to the DNA level, their minds couldn't hide. At the very least, those aliens had no way to shield their thoughts. Otherwise, Hong Fei wouldn't have spotted them so easily.
"The Black Widows have been sitting around too long. Time to move. Start with The Foundation and S.H.I.E.L.D. Track them down one by one. Detain and interrogate. Anyone willing to switch sides gets shackled. The rest?"
He made a sharp gesture.
"Put them down."
Big Head raised a hand.
"Boss, can I have the corpses for research?"
"They're yours."
"Thanks, Boss!"
Antonia spoke up suddenly, her voice quiet but clear.
"Boss... I don't trust them. Shapeshifters could be playing the long game. Even if Big Head reads their minds now, that doesn't mean they won't flip later. Look at Fury—they behaved under him, but the second he died?"
She shrugged.
"They couldn't help themselves."
The room went silent. Everyone turned to stare.
Antonia blinked, tilting her head.
"...Did I say something wrong?"
Natasha was the first to smile.
"No. You said everything right."
Antonia's lips curved slightly, her pale face glowing. The Dark Elf's power hadn't left a single mark on her—just pure strength, pushing her to the top of their ranks.
Hong Fei chuckled.
"We're not surprised you're right. We're surprised you spoke up at all. Out of all of us, you talk the least. Half the time, we don't even know what you're thinking."
His voice softened.
"It's good. You're finding your voice."
Big Head and the others nodded. Antonia ducked her head, but not before they caught her whispered, "Thank you."
Hong Fei grinned.
"Don't thank us. Kill a few more Skrulls instead. You're spot-on—they're not trustworthy. Simple rule: 'Different kind, different heart.' Harsh, but true. There is still the phenomenon of 'racial discrimination' on Earth, and these aren't even from here. Lost their planet, lost their way. At least a stray dog won't try to take your house. These ones? They'll stab you in the back the second they can."
Jessica smirked.
"Boss is right. I hate traitors the most!"
Antonia spat, her voice dripping with venom.
"Here's the thing—we don't need manpower, and we sure as hell don't need Skrull shapeshifters to achieve our goals. If that's the case, why not hunt them all down? Kill some, exile the rest, and leave none of them in The Foundation."
Hong Fei didn't answer immediately. His gaze shifted to the others.
"Thoughts?"
Big Head hesitated, casting an apologetic glance at Antonia before speaking.
"Boss, I don't think that's the right move. If we're going to kill, we should wipe them all out. Exiling most just creates enemies. Letting a tiger return to the mountains? Bad idea. Besides, they've already lost their home."
He leaned forward, his voice low.
"Exile means they'll have nowhere to go. Eventually, they'll turn on Earth, and The Foundation will pay the price. My suggestion? Find them, kill them all, and make it public. Expose their secrets first—leave them no place to hide. Force them into the open, then round them up under the guise of 'sending them away.'"
The plan was ruthless, fitting Big Head's reputation perfectly. Hong Fei remained silent, turning next to Jessica.
"Kill them!"
Jessica snarled, fists clenched, her eyes burning with bloodlust.
"Every last one! Aliens can't be trusted!"
Natasha's response was calmer.
"How many are we talking about?"
"At least ten thousand."
She nodded, as if she'd expected the number.
"Too many to slaughter outright. There's always a use for things—even Skrulls. We don't need their abilities, but that doesn't mean they're worthless. I say we cooperate—but only if we have absolute control. Enough to ensure they can't cause trouble, no matter what happens."
Her gaze sharpened.
"The Boss's control method is solid, but it should hinge on one thing: we decide whether they live or die."
Hong Fei's eyes flicked to Yelena.
"I agree with Natasha," Yelena said, glancing at her sister. "But I've got another idea—half-baked, maybe."
"Go on."
"Earth's seen a lot of aliens lately. People aren't shocked anymore, but they're still scared. The Chitauri, the Dark Elves—they brought war. Now everyone assumes aliens only come to invade. Ever read the forums? It's all doom and gloom—how to surrender, how to run when we lose."
She crossed her arms.
"So why not control them as prisoners? Parade them in public. Let the world see them powerless. Eradicate the fear, make them work off their crimes. But no release—permanent imprisonment, under our thumb."
She met Hong Fei's eyes.
"Same as Natasha said: we decide if they live or die."
Hong Fei listened, absorbing each argument. One thought dominated his mind: Dark. Too damn dark. Except for Natasha's later input, the others were brutal. And even Natasha—this wasn't the same woman from S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Alright," he said finally. "Everyone's had their say. Similarly, this control needs to be able to determine their life and death."
"Whose idea do you think is better? Or are you still sticking to your own approach?"
Hong Fei barely finished speaking when Big Head plastered on an obsequious grin.
"Boss, we'll all follow your lead!"
"No need this time."
"We insist, absolutely!"
"I said no."
Big Head rolled his eyes.
"Fine. Then I'm backing Yelena."
Jessica crossed her arms.
"I still say slaughtering them all is cleaner, but Yelena's plan isn't terrible."
Natasha nodded.
"Yelena's approach is more comprehensive. It aligns with The Foundation's principles and will cement our reputation."
Antonia simply stated, "Yelena."
The girl blinked, stunned. She hadn't expected her carefully considered proposal to gain unanimous approval. A flush crept up her round cheeks.
"I—I just thought—thank you, everyone—"
Natasha smirked, leaning in.
"Are you actually blushing?"
"I'm not!"
Yelena jerked her head up defiantly, but the fire in her cheeks betrayed her.
Hong Fei observed the exchange quietly. This was the difference between them and the Avengers. Though he ruled The Foundation with an iron fist, his decisions often boiled down to simple approvals or vetoes. For broader strategy, he listened—guided others to voice their ideas. His fierceness toward his own was mostly theater. They all knew it. When to yield, when to push back, without leaving scars.
There were no Avengers here. Only The Foundation. And eventually, those former heroes would adapt—or be removed. The latter outcome remained unlikely. Hong Fei wasn't some blood-drenched tyrant. Right?
"Since you've chosen Yelena's plan, we'll proceed."
He clasped his hands.
"The Foundation will establish an Alien Supervision Department. Big Head leads as Minister. Yelena, as Deputy. The rest of you support them. Need personnel? Pull anyone—including me. I want one result: within a month, no major Skrull incidents in The Foundation or S.H.I.E.L.D. Their existence stays classified. Beyond that?"
He shrugged.
"Kill, dissect, whatever. Dismissed."
A synchronized nod.
"Understood."
"Go."
Big Head herded the group out. Hong Fei rose, moving to the window. Dragon banners multiplied across the city. Rubble had largely been cleared. Construction vehicles crawled through streets. Tents replaced demolished buildings. Civilians flowed through makeshift pathways, their faces no longer shadowed by despair, but lit with cautious hope.
Silently watching everything outside, not a single ripple could be seen in Hong Fei's eyes.
A moment later, Arthur's voice broke the stillness.
"Sir, Bronski secured the targets. En route now."
Hong Fei turned away with a soundless exhale.
Kunlun. Should I just take the Dragon Power... or burn it all to the ground?