Chapter 65: Fitz & Simmons

S.H.I.E.L.D. Science and Technology Division.

“What? Titanium alloy staff? Titanium alloy gauntlets? You want us to make them?”

Upon hearing Black Widow’s request, Leo Fitz’s excitement was palpable.

Having just enrolled this year, he’d already received the highest evaluation from every instructor and was about to graduate in record time alongside his close friend Jemma Simmons—soon to be the fastest graduates in S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy’s history—

It only took one year!

To think that many exceptionally talented master's and doctoral students had spent four years at the Academy, often unable to graduate in the end.

Recently, he’d been specially recruited for an internship in the Science and Technology Division, working with a group of scientists to research a blended liquid called “Azeroth Signature Essence Wine.” Fitz felt it had nothing to do with him.

His specialty was mechanical engineering; the essence wine belonged to biochemistry, which was Simmons’s strength.

Simmons had always been his assistant, but this time, he had to become hers, which didn’t sit well with Fitz, who appeared gentle but had an iron will.

Now, they were actually tasked with manufacturing advanced tech equipment—his forte. Simmons was again his assistant; Fitz relished this reversal.

Two people working together, just the two of them—a taste of paradise!

Fitz couldn’t help but glance at Simmons.

Simmons was speaking with Black Widow, that legendary agent every male at S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy wanted to get involved with.

Strange, what was so attractive about Black Widow?

Her face wasn’t as big as Simmons’s, her chin wasn’t as round, her golden hair wasn’t as long, her waist was too slim, her chest and hips were too large, cold as an iceberg—did someone owe her two cents and never pay back?

Unlike Simmons, who always wore a smile, even arguing with Fitz was adorable—so lovable…

Why did so many people like Black Widow? What kind of aesthetics were these? He just couldn’t understand!

“Agent Simmons, how’s the research on the essence wine coming along?”

Black Widow was deeply concerned about the essence wine that sped up her recovery—ten times better than the best emergency medicine in the Science and Technology Division.

The only problem was, its effective ingredients seemed scarce.

To heal the wounds inflicted by the Winter Soldier and Hydra assassins, she had to drink an entire vat—dozens of kilograms.

If it were just wine, that'd be one thing.

But it barely tasted like alcohol—more like drinking plain water, bloating her stomach. That Master Wang, what a swindler!

“Nine vats of essence wine have already been refined. Ninety-nine percent is water, about one percent alcohol, and the effective ingredient… is less than ten micrograms.”

At the mention of “essence wine,” Simmons’s eyes sparkled, her excitement barely contained: “It’s a substance that doesn’t exist on Earth, and hasn’t been discovered in the entire history of science! The project team is analyzing it, using equipment worth tens of millions. We found it’s peculiar—not so much a substance as pure energy, compressed to its absolute limit…”

Black Widow’s lips twitched.

Ten micrograms?

Master Wang, I knew you were a swindler, but not to this extent!

Flooding it with alcohol was bad enough.

Now you flood it with water?

Simmons continued, “Our research has hit a bottleneck. Ten micrograms is far too little. We need more. Agent Romanoff, could you report this to the Director? Where does this stuff come from, and can we get more? We need at least one hundred micrograms!”

Black Widow frowned slightly.

This little girl didn’t seem to understand protocol.

After the battle with Lady Gao, all of Master Wang’s files were classified as Level 10—only the Director could access them, not even Agent Hill.

You’re just a regular student—how could you ask about this?

Even if you wanted to research it, it should be the project leader or deputy leader making the request!

“Ahem, Agent Romanoff, Simmons received doctorates in both biology and chemistry at seventeen. Two months ago, the Academy’s tutors couldn’t teach her anymore. She’s now the deputy leader of the ‘Azeroth Signature Essence Wine Project Team.’”

Seeing Black Widow’s displeasure, Fitz hurried to explain. He dared not offend this legendary agent.

Black Widow paused, raising an eyebrow.

She took orders only from the Director and didn’t know much about the Science and Technology Division.

But she knew the Director valued the essence wine highly, ordering the Division to devote itself to its study. Only scientists with relevant expertise were allowed on the project team.

To be a leader or deputy leader meant you had to be top-tier, or at least first-rate, in the field.

Simmons, just a first-year student, was actually deputy leader?

Unbelievable.

If she was that capable, what about Fitz?

Wasn’t assigning these two to make equipment for Master Wang a bit of a waste?

No wonder the Division head looked so displeased when she brought up the Director’s orders earlier—probably cursing the Director under his breath.

Perhaps she should alert the Director?

Black Widow thought it over and decided against it.

Kunlun Iron Fist had saved her.

Master Wang was Iron Fist’s apprentice.

Having two second-rate scientists design advanced equipment for them—she’d chalk it up to returning a favor.

“I’ll see what I can do.” Black Widow’s response thrilled Simmons.

Though they had to make titanium alloy staff and gauntlets, research on the essence wine wouldn’t be interrupted—one research direction was proposed by Simmons herself, which earned her the deputy leader position. Unfortunately, her salary hadn’t changed—still at intern level; she’d have to save for years to afford a car or house.

Many in the Division had already moved on, just needing a confidentiality agreement. S.H.I.E.L.D.’s benefits weren’t as impressive as imagined; if a good opportunity arose...

“These are the requirements.”

Black Widow had other matters to attend to and couldn’t stay. She handed Simmons a stack of papers and left.

Fitz and Simmons eagerly studied the documents.

“This long? This thick? This hard? There are requirements for toughness too? It must be solid? Titanium alloy won’t cut it!”

“Add high-strength carbon fiber!”

“For the titanium alloy gauntlets, I think we can add retractable claws to increase lethality. Plus, a retractable cable to make them grappling claws for climbing.”

“We need careful design—it can’t hinder use of the staff, which isn’t easy.”

“How about a micro-hole in the claws? Add pressure sensors, so when enough force is applied, dendrotoxin and cobra venom are ejected?”

“The user has immense strength—twice the Olympic weightlifting record? Is this for Captain America?”

“He’s long gone… I think it’s for a robot, or maybe a brown bear?”

“I prefer pandas… Built-in stun device, segmented control for the titanium alloy staff, capable of releasing high-voltage current… Agent Romanoff’s Widow’s Sting packs how much voltage?”

“At least ten thousand volts, I guess. Who knows? Her gear isn’t for me to study. The staff has limited lethality—add a retractable, detachable spearhead so it can transform into a gun, and change length as needed!”

“Integrate an internal communicator, intrusion detection and identification system chip, capacitive screen, high-strength tempered film, plus infrared and satellite missile guidance?”

“The budget’s a bit steep…”

“No worries—we’re not footing the bill!”

“Then let’s add a micro freeze gun and tranquilizer gun, swap the claws for gold titanium alloy at both ends of the staff and on the gauntlets!”

“Right, and the latest smart system, dozens of apps, sixteen terabytes of memory, and a subdermal neural connector for better usability and remote control—so it won’t get lost.”

“We have to make sure consumable parts are removable and replaceable. Prepare ten sets.”

“Fifty sets.”

They worked on the specifications and budget for two solid hours.

Then they stared, stunned.

“One staff and one pair of gauntlets—is it really more expensive than thirty sets of field agent equipment?”