Marvelous Mutations

If Luke wanted a helicarrier, there were countless ways he could get one.

But fortunately, for S.H.I.E.L.D at least, he wasn't a robber.

Just like that time with Mjölnir. He hadn't snatched it by force or ambushed Thor. Instead, he made a fair deal.

Even Thor, hot-tempered as he could be, would admit it: it was a more-than-fair transaction.

And now, Luke intended to use the same approach again.

He was going to make Nick Fury willingly offer up a helicarrier, with sincerity and, ideally, a smile.

Because that was Luke's principle: don't take advantage of others. Always pay a fair price, even when you don't need to.

In his previous life, Luke had thought helicarriers were the epitome of cool. Flying battleships, hovering fortresses of tech and firepower, what's not to love about them? Now that he had the chance to own one, he was downright giddy.

Never mind that he had absolutely no clue what he'd use it for. Or that maintaining it would probably cost more than the GDP of a small country.

Minor details.

Luke wasn't the kind of guy who obsessed over consequences. Sometimes, you just had to leap before you looked. After all, Tony Stark didn't stop to consider budget constraints when he built his first Iron Man suit in a cave with a box of scraps.

Same philosophy.

Meanwhile, across the room, Fury looked like he'd just bitten into a lemon soaked in vinegar.

Giving away a helicarrier? His heart ached just thinking about it.

Each one cost more than an island. And building the three latest models had nearly bankrupted S.H.I.E.L.D.'s reserves, and that was after he'd dipped into his "emergency" funds (also known as "technically stolen").

And worst of all… even if he wanted to give Luke one, he technically didn't have the authority.

"Luke," Fury said, rubbing his forehead with a groan. "Consultant Yale, I may be Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., but I don't have the right to just hand over a helicarrier."

Luke raised an eyebrow, folding his arms. "So the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. has no power now?"

Fury sighed. "Directors have bosses too. The World Security Council oversees major decisions like this. I can't give away something so valuable without their approval."

Luke's face shifted into a sly grin.

"The World Security Council, huh?" he said. "You mean the one that's full of Hydra agents?"

Fury blinked.

Oh. Right.

The World Security Council was compromised.

In fact, the Secretary and several members were likely Hydra operatives, or maybe dead. Who could even tell anymore?

So technically… there wasn't anyone left to stop him.

Fury's shoulders slumped in defeat. "...Fine. I'll give you one."

There it was.

A full surrender.

He couldn't deny that Luke had more than earned it, and truthfully, if sacrificing one helicarrier meant saving the other two from falling into Hydra's hands, it was a deal worth making.

Before Fury could say anything else, Luke's expression turned serious.

"I need to make something clear, Director Fury," he said, voice level. "This helicarrier isn't payment. I'm dealing with Hydra because it's the right thing to do. Got it?"

"The helicarrier is just… a gift. A thank-you from your part. That's it."

Fury gave a pained, reluctant nod. "Right. Right. Of course. It's a gift. No strings attached. We're not in any kind of employment relationship."

Luke beamed. "Good. Then write it down."

Fury blinked again. "What?"

Luke reached behind him and produced a blank sheet of paper out of nowhere, handing it to Fury with a dramatic flourish. "Write a gift certificate."

Fury stared at the paper like it had insulted his mother, and he loves his mother.

Still, with the expression of a man filing his own death warrant, he took a pen and wrote:

"Today, I, Director Nicholas Joseph Fury, on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D., present Mr. Luke Yale the helicarrier number 001 as a gift..."

The moment he finished writing his signature, Luke's system buzzed in his mind like a party popper going off.

[Ding! Helicarrier 001 is overjoyed to become the property of the host. In order to be worthy, it has initiated automatic system upgrades. Remote-control functionality is now available via the host's mobile device.]

[Ding! Helicarrier 001 has activated full self-repair and cleaning capabilities. It will remain in pristine condition at all times.]

[Ding! Helicarrier 001 has obtained an unlimited energy core. The host will never have to worry about fuel.]

Luke didn't even glance at the signed certificate. He casually tossed it aside and pulled out his phone.

Sure enough, there was a new app on his screen: a sleek icon shaped like a helicarrier.

He tapped it, and immediately a 3D model of Helicarrier 001 popped up on the screen, complete with interface controls for weapons, shields, flight paths, stealth mode, and more.

It was… a lot.

"Uhhh… how do I use all this?" Luke muttered.

The app looked way too complicated for his simple monkey brain. He was more of a "press big red button" type.

Then, inspiration struck.

He bolted toward the garage, phone in hand.

Inside, Bumblebee was parked in Camaro mode, resting silently.

Luke approached and placed a hand on the car's roof. "Bee, buddy, can you run this app for me? It controls the helicarrier."

A robotic arm extended from the car's side and gently took the phone. Bumblebee examined the screen, then connected it to his systems via a small data cable.

Three seconds later, he responded, "Boss, I can control it now."

He handed the phone back.

Luke grinned. "Perfect. Keep the phone for now, I need you to do a test run…"

Bumblebee interrupted him. "Boss, no need for the phone. I've already downloaded the app into my system."

Luke's jaw dropped. "...You can do that?!"

He stared at Bumblebee for a long beat. Then slowly broke into a thrilled grin.

"Ohhh, this is gonna be fun."

…

Meanwhile…

At S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, Agent Maria Hill finally managed to escape.

As a level 9 agent, she knew every back route, duct, and security flaw in the building. But to her surprise, Hydra didn't even seem to be chasing her.

They were way too busy.

All their attention was focused on launching the helicarriers.

Hill's escape was easy, but not comforting.

She knew full well that once the helicarriers took off, she'd be on Hydra's priority kill list.

Standing behind the dimly lit building, heart pounding, she watched with horror as the ground nearby began to open.

Giant platforms split the earth apart as three monstrous structures slowly emerged.

The helicarriers were ready.

Engines humming.

Lights activated.

Weapons primed.

Hill's blood ran cold.

She clenched her fists as her worst fear was confirmed:

Hydra was about to take the sky.

…

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