High above the clouds, Su Zhan spotted the S.H.I.E.L.D. plane cruising steadily. He did not bother with formalities; the plane's automated systems detected him and opened the hatch without a word. As he stepped inside, he found the team gathered around the bar, chatting quietly. The atmosphere was relaxed, but Su Zhan could sense a mission was brewing.
Skye was the first to notice him. She rushed over, her eyes bright with affection. After a brief, intimate greeting, Su Zhan turned to the others with a smile. "What are you all talking about? Looks like there's a mission."
Fitz nodded, excitement in his voice. "There was an accident at the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy. The pool water suddenly froze solid, and we found a strange device inside. It's based on a concept Simmons and I had studied, but we never thought it would actually be built. Now we have to investigate."
Su Zhan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He recognized the incident—this was a chance to expand his influence and maybe recruit new talent.
"Oh, by the way," he asked, "what happened to the suit you were working on for me?"
Fitz's face lit up. "It's finished! It's modeled after your style, just without the cloak. I made a few different sizes since I wasn't sure about the fit."
Su Zhan followed Fitz to the lab, where he examined the new suits. He was genuinely pleased, clapping Fitz on the shoulder. "Thank you. This is excellent work."
Fitz blushed, modest as ever. "It was nothing, really."
Su Zhan stored the suits in his system space with a casual gesture, leaving Fitz to wonder where they had disappeared to. Su Zhan just smiled and winked, offering no explanation.
Soon, they arrived at S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy.
The mood on campus was tense. The sudden freezing of the pool had injured several students, and the presence of a deliberately placed device made it clear this was no accident. No one knew who was responsible, and suspicion hung heavy in the air.
Because the device had been built using a design Fitz and Simmons had developed, the Academy invited them to give a speech. The hope was that their presence would reassure the students while also allowing them to investigate who might have built the device.
Su Zhan, Skye, Fitz, and Simmons arrived together. Coulson and May were busy with other missions and did not join them.
Skye looked around, taking in the campus. "This is S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy? It looks just like a regular university."
Fitz grinned. "It's similar, but the standards are much higher. You need at least a Ph.D. to get in, and everyone here has an IQ well above average. Honestly, Skye, if you keep studying, you'd fit right in."
Skye laughed. Her hacking skills were already legendary, and she was proud to be a S.H.I.E.L.D. consultant.
Just then, a woman in a sharp business suit approached. Her skin was dark, her demeanor warm yet commanding. "Welcome. I'm glad you could come," she said, shaking hands with each of them.
Simmons beamed. "Agent Weaver, you're as elegant as ever."
Weaver smiled. "Thank you, Simmons. I see you brought some friends."
After introductions, Skye asked, "Do you have any suspects?"
Weaver nodded. "Based on the complexity of the device, we've narrowed it down to the top ten percent of students. The culprit is likely among them."
"Can we talk to the injured student?" Su Zhan asked.
"Of course. I'll arrange for you to meet Seth after class," Weaver replied. "But for now, Fitz and Simmons need to prepare for their speech."
As Fitz and Simmons headed to the lecture hall, Skye watched the students swarm around them, offering greetings and asking questions. "They're really popular here," she remarked.
Su Zhan smiled. "They were top students at the academy. It's a big deal for them to come back and give a speech. Since we're here, let's take a look around."
They wandered the campus, soon coming across a wall lined with names—the Heroic Wall. It commemorated agents who had died in the line of duty. Su Zhan paused, his gaze lingering on a familiar name.
"Bucky Barnes?" Skye read aloud.
Su Zhan nodded. "He was Captain America's best friend. Before Steve Rogers became Captain America, Bucky was already serving in the army. He joined the Howling Commandos and fell during a mission in the mountains. Of course, we know he survived and became the Winter Soldier, but that's still a secret."
Skye looked at him curiously. "Is he important to you?"
Su Zhan smiled. "Not yet. But someday, perhaps."
They moved on to the lecture hall, where the seats were packed. Agent Weaver introduced Fitz and Simmons, who took the stage to enthusiastic applause. Su Zhan and Skye sat in the front row, watching as their friends delivered a heartfelt speech about science, responsibility, and the future.
As Su Zhan scanned the crowd, his eyes landed on a young man with a buzz cut—Donnie Gill. Su Zhan's lips curled into a knowing smile. This was the one to watch.
Suddenly, applause erupted, and the hall was filled with cheers. Su Zhan nodded at Fitz and Simmons, pleased with their performance, though he had missed the details of their speech.
Just then, a panicked shout broke the celebration. "Help! Someone, help me!"
All eyes turned to see a student standing, his feet encased in rapidly forming ice, which was climbing up his legs.
Chaos erupted as people rushed to help, but Su Zhan was already on his feet, ready to intervene.