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Barbara Morse asked, "Is that why you chose to support her? Even with such... unreasonable demands?"

Nick Fury spread his hands. "Powerful people have the privilege of being willful. She believes she can handle the worst-case scenario, so no one can stop her from choosing her path—even if it comes with greater risk.

"But our opinions, and the risks we bear, don’t need to factor into her decision-making, do they? As long as nothing goes wrong and no accidents happen, we get the ideal outcome."

Hearing more complaint than explanation, Barbara looked slightly awkward. "So you don’t agree with Lieutenant Danvers’ approach?"

"That’s not the point. The person making the decision doesn’t consider our opinions. Whether I agree or not—does it matter?"

...Alright, that was definitely a complaint.

Barbara continued, "Didn’t you discuss it with her?"

Fury sighed. "Because of the Kree, her current stance is to help the Skrulls. She’s gone from one extreme to another.

"You can’t persuade someone like that to let go. The only thing we can do is go along with her and keep the risks contained—otherwise she might fully side with the Skrulls and cut ties with Earth."

Barbara said in surprise, "But she still has friends here... memories..."

"If she decided to meet them behind our backs, we couldn’t stop her anyway."

"So you knowingly accepted the Skrulls despite their hidden agenda—and didn’t tell Danvers?" Barbara pressed.

Fury replied casually, "In international politics, countries often grant asylum. Is it because those people are good? Worthy? No—many are criminals, even murderers.

"But if they have political value, they’re worth protecting. Whether the Skrulls have ulterior motives—I believe they do. But do they have value? I believe they do as well."

Barbara stared at him. "You’re just working with them like that? Aren’t you afraid they’ll find out what you’re thinking?"

Fury chuckled. "Earlier I said Talos and I agreed the other wasn’t a bastard. Truth is—we both know the other is a bastard.

"And that’s exactly why we can cooperate. Compared to that, Carol Danvers is too upright—which makes things more complicated."

Barbara was stunned into silence. After a moment, she muttered, "The adult world is... really dirty."

Fury said seriously, "And that’s what determines whether you’re just another pawn—or someone who plays the game.

"The old man saw something in you. Don’t waste it. If you want to do the right thing but don’t have someone like Carol’s power to make others willingly follow you—then you need the intelligence to influence everything."

After a moment of struggle, Barbara asked her final question:

"Will the Skrulls continue targeting Henry?"

Fury let out a short laugh. "Still worried about him, huh? Don’t worry—General Talos promised me they won’t target Henry Brown again. That was one of the conditions for letting them come to Earth."

Seeing her calm down, Fury said no more and turned back to speak with the Skrulls.

Many of them he already knew how to handle. Others were new—he needed time to understand their abilities and how best to use them.

As for Skrull technology... he was quite interested. No need to waste potential scientists by turning them all into spies—if there were any among them.

---

Meanwhile, on the other side, the Skrulls—centered around General Talos—were having a private discussion.

"Priscilla, you’ll be responsible for liaising with Nick Fury from now on."

The named Skrull woman understood the implication immediately. She was one of the few among them without a partner.

"You want me to form a relationship with him?" she asked.

"Yes."

"But from my observations, that human isn’t easily influenced. Perhaps impersonating him directly would be more effective."

"Our history shows that certain individuals can’t be replaced so easily," Talos replied. "Some figures become what they are not because of status or power—but because of their ability and intellect."

"You think Nick Fury is one of those people?"

"Yes," Talos said firmly. "And he is also the only link between us, Earth, and Carol Danvers.

"If something happens to him, do you think Carol wouldn’t notice? Maybe we could deceive her for a time—but once exposed, how would she react?

"The biggest reason she helps us isn’t sympathy—it’s what the Kree did to her that shaped her stance.

"So Fury must not be harmed—at least not by us. Otherwise, we risk losing our greatest ally. Someone who can drive back Ronan the Accuser’s fleet alone is not someone to take lightly."

After hearing this, Priscilla said, "But you should also understand—he’s not someone easily swayed. If he truly possesses the qualities you described, then if he does fall for me... wouldn’t that prove he doesn’t?"

"I know," Talos replied. "But that’s not my goal. You only need to get close to him.

"I’ll have others investigate his past and preferences. As long as you don’t make him dislike you, you’ve succeeded.

"With your personality, given enough time, no one remains unaffected."

Priscilla gave a bitter smile. "I’m not a trained spy. Have you considered that I might actually fall for him? I might not be able to follow your orders then."

"That’s precisely why I chose you," Talos said frankly. "If you were professionally trained, he’d see through the manipulation.

"Sometimes, too much training becomes a flaw. If he accepts you, then when decisions arise, he’ll naturally consider the Skrulls more. That’s enough.

"What I fear most is him driving a wedge between us and Carol Danvers. In the end, she’s human—not one of us.

"That is your true mission."

Understanding at last, Priscilla nodded. "I know what to do."

At that moment, another Skrull asked, "What about the Kryptonian?"

Talos waved it off. "Ignore him. That was an unnecessary complication on your part.

"I’ve reviewed his profile on Earth—he’s harmless.

"Now that we’re cooperating with humans, avoid unnecessary actions that could jeopardize the relationship. Besides, he’s only one person—what impact could he possibly have?"

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