Dum, Dum sifted through the shared memory archive, locating the data uploaded by Clone Unit 00. He reported truthfully, "Based on the available intel, he appears to be unaffiliated. I've found no indication of external influence in any of his activities."
"Excellent. Then let's revisit your report. You dedicated an entire week to determine that the most pressing concern regarding a man who can create biological weapons through unknown means, openly deals with Blade, and attacks vampires is… his potential preference for raw meat over cooked?" Dum, Dum offered a strained smile. "I believe I stated that wasn't my conclusion. Do you concur?" He knew full well this was the kind of answer that would only fly if his head were firmly wedged in a door.
"I'm sure you do. Which gives me even more reason to suspect that the individual currently attempting to ingratiate himself with me isn't your Level Ten prime, but a clone whose actual clearance level wouldn't even qualify him as a Level Two agent." Fury gaze was unwavering. "You didn't even bother to consider that the 'cute animals' he controls might have a predilection for raw meat." Encountering a lazy clone was unfortunate; dealing with an intelligence operative who refused to engage his intellect was infuriating.
Dum, Dum lowered his head, a brief silence suggesting he was scrambling for a plausible explanation to reconcile his flawed report with Fury gaze expectations. "Alright, I think I have a general understanding. I'll instruct my prime to refocus its attention from…"
"Understood. Though I can't guarantee the prime will process my uploaded data immediately." A vein throbbed visibly in Fury gaze temple. He was grateful for the diluted Super Soldier Serum coursing through his veins; otherwise, he was certain he'd be nursing a severe migraine, if not worse.
"Therefore, based on the current intelligence, combined with Blade's input, this individual is a potential asset for cooperation, but remains untrustworthy for the time being. He registered as a legitimate business owner, exploiting legal ambiguities by claiming to conduct biological experiments aimed at developing a specialized cure for mutants… Who in God's name approved that application?" Fury gaze demanded. The reasoning was patently absurd.
Dum, Dum scratched his temple, desperately sifting through his fragmented memories, searching for a believable fabrication that would salvage his reputation as a competent clone. "Because there's been a recent surge in individuals using similar pretexts to fraudulently obtain government funding."
Another man approached, his movements betraying the practiced ease and enigmatic smile of someone accustomed to handling countless delicate situations. Coulson interjected, "Compared to those outright charlatans, this Enzer, a genetics graduate from the University of Zurich, could at least produce some credible academic papers to lend an air of legitimacy. As it stands, he didn't receive the requested funds, only a plot of land designated as an experimental site. Interestingly, however, there was a significant remittance to Vortanex Biotech in the government's financial records."
"Incompetent fools!" Fury gaze slammed his fist onto the table with enough force to send it crashing to the floor. "Who is the senior officer responsible for this blatant oversight? How could they allow such a thing?"
"Colonel Stryker."
"Oh." A beat of silence hung in the air.
Dum, Dum tapped his temple. "I'm just accessing a memory log where the clone monitoring the target reported a robbery at the delicatessen warehouse. Apparently, the target had exhausted his funds and resorted to… direct acquisition. Crucially, he also absconded with the operational funds allocated to the monitoring clone, presumably intending to repay it during his next purchase."
"So," Fury gaze said slowly, his gaze fixed on Dum, Dum, "if I understand correctly, we have an individual with a penchant for raw meat who robbed your cooked food storage. This is a grave offense, he can't even distinguish between raw and cooked food." Dum, Dum's expression stiffened.
Coulson elaborated, "Blade has engaged in three transactions with him, totaling a mere two hundred thousand dollars. Unfortunately, Blade refused to provide us with samples of that creature's blood, denying us any opportunity for analysis. However, even if we had obtained it, study would be problematic. That highly corrosive blood can even degrade super, high alloys. The very nature of its design suggests an attempt at reverse gene decoding engineering, even if the samples Enzer provided to Blade were diluted." Coulson, lacking firsthand knowledge of alien biology, failed to grasp the implications. Even if they could synthesize artificial aliens from genetic fragments, controlling them would be a near impossibility, inevitably leading to chaos within S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Blade is a formidable combatant, but not an ideal operative. He adheres to his own rigid code, and once he's made up his mind, there's little anyone can do to sway him. Let's allocate another two hundred thousand dollars to your monitoring clone," Fury gaze conceded with a magnanimous wave. He then instructed, "And make sure to generate an invoice for two hundred million dollars, payable by the 'Five Families.' Expedite the transfer."
"Director," Dum, Dum ventured, his tone cautious, "I hardly think they'll fall for that. A peculiar scientist who barely managed to subdue a handful of vampires at considerable risk isn't worth two hundred million."
"Nonsense! He's created a powerful new life form capable of defeating vampires! He's worth every penny," Fury gaze declared, his expression betraying little of his true thoughts. In Fury gaze estimation, Enzer's current achievements, while novel, were primarily of interest at a biotechnology level. It could take years, even decades, for his research to mature into truly groundbreaking advancements. Only then would Enzer warrant his personal attention. The S.H.I.E.L.D. he commanded possessed a vast repository of classified information crucial to humanity's survival, along with considerable esoteric power. The depths of the oceans, the mystical city of Kunlun, the lunar surface, sorcerers, demons, gods, frozen wastelands, mythical black dragons, extraterrestrial entities… all fell under their purview. Therefore, Enzer's current status didn't warrant Fury gaze direct involvement.
"Maintain surveillance. Focus on a psychological evaluation, confirm the stability and reliability of his character, and then formulate a long, term strategy." Complete cessation of monitoring was out of the question. Enzer's capabilities extended beyond simple displays of power; they reached a level where significant criminal activity could be easily orchestrated. He had to remain under observation. In this world, the truly dangerous weren't always those with overt powers, but often those with exceptional intellect.
"Coulson, report on the situation elsewhere," Fury gaze said, dismissing the matter of Enzer. The few minutes he'd already dedicated to the subject were an unusual expenditure of his time. More pressing matters likely demanded his attention. Coulson's characteristic smile faded. "It's not good, Director. Following his father's death, Dr. Bruce Banner went underground for a time. He's been located and is now the target of a global manhunt."