The briefing room is silent as the hologram flickers to life.

Red zones spread across the globe — assassinations, black site breaches, satellites going dark.

Nick Fury’s image freezes mid-sentence.

Price exhales slowly. “That’s not a mercenary. That’s someone who knows S.H.I.E.L.D. inside out.”

Tony folds his arms. “Which means this just became an Avengers problem.”

Ghost shifts behind you. “With respect, sir… this smells like intelligence rot.”

Steve looks directly at you. “Whoever this is, they’re playing both sides.”

Price turns, voice low but steady. “Captain, they’re waiting for your call. Joint command… or parallel operations?”

All eyes land on you.