Chapter 9: A Conversation With a Spy
Morning – Hell's Kitchen – Rooftop of Adam's Apartment
Adam stood barefoot on the gravel-strewn rooftop, sipping cheap coffee as steam curled into the cool morning air. Below, traffic rumbled and horns blared. But he wasn't watching the street.
He was watching her.
Agent Sharon Carter. Across the street. Pretending to read a newspaper like this was the '70s.
"Alright, Agent," he muttered. "Let's talk."
20 Minutes Later – Apartment Hallway
The knock came at 9:17 AM sharp.
Adam opened the door, towel around his neck, shirtless, hair damp from a shower. He blinked at her innocently.
"Hi," he said, like she wasn't already on page five of his notes.
Sharon Carter, crisp black coat, calm eyes, badge barely visible.
"Adam Kane. I'm Agent Sharon Carter. I'm with—"
"S.H.I.E.L.D.," he finished for her. "Yeah. I figured."
That gave her pause.
She recovered quickly. "We have questions."
He stepped aside, gesturing inside. "Come in. But if you're here to arrest me, at least let me grab pants first."
[Minor Amusement Detected – Sharon Carter]Reward: +$200Progress Toward Luck: +1/10
5 Minutes Later – Inside
Sharon sat on the edge of the couch. Adam handed her a cup of coffee. She didn't drink it.
"You're not on any real database before 2007," she said. "Your ID's a fake. Your spending pattern's erratic. You've appeared at the center of multiple anomalies in the past ten days—"
"And yet," Adam interrupted, "you didn't bring backup."
She narrowed her eyes.
He leaned back. "That means you think I'm interesting. Not dangerous."
Silence.
"I'll make you a deal," Adam said. "You ask me three questions. I answer honestly. Then I get to ask you three. Deal?"
"…That's not how this works."
"It is now," he said, smiling. "Or you can leave with more questions than you came with. haha thats my specialty"
[Medium Intrigue Detected – Sharon Carter]Reward: +1 CharismaEmotional Anchor Strengthened: "Unknown Asset"
She hesitated—then nodded once.
Sharon's Questions:
1. "Where did you get that tech?"
Adam walked to the desk, lifted the gauntlet.
"I built it. Salvaged pieces. I watch people very closely. Let's call it intuitive engineering."
2. "Who taught you how to fight?"
"I haven't fought yet," he said. "But I plan to."
3. "What's your end goal?"
He looked her dead in the eye.
"To stop the end of the world ."
Her jaw clenched.
"How do you know that it will come?"
"My turn," Adam said, ignoring the question.
Adam's Questions:
1. "What does SHIELD know about Kamar-Taj?"
She frowned. "Not much. Supposedly myth. Old monks, Himalayan magic nonsense. Nothing actionable."
2. "How many Hydra cells still exist in the US?"
Her expression didn't change. But she did blink.
"Less than six. That we know of."
[Medium Shock Detected – Sharon Carter]Reward: +1 IntelligenceTalent Fragment: Espionage Awareness (4%)
3. "Do you think I'm a threat?"
She stared at him. "I think you're a wild card."
Adam leaned forward. "Then don't waste your time trying to control me."
He smiled faintly.
"Help me."
10 Minutes Later – Outside
Sharon stepped into the street. No handcuffs. No arrest.
Just thoughts.
She pulled out her phone.
"I want access to the full Hydra legacy vault," she told her superior. "And I want a shadow clearance on Adam Kane."
Later That Night – Adam's Apartment
[System Alert: Emotional Anchor Progressed – Sharon Carter]
Status: "Complex Ally"
Progress Toward Luck: +5/10
[New Perk Unlocked: "Charm Offense"]
Effect: When facing direct suspicion, chance to flip it into intrigue or admiration.
Adam smiled.
Finally.
His first point of Luck.
[Current Stats:]
Strength: 13
Intelligence: 19
Stamina: 11
Charisma: 12
Luck: 1 (Progress: 0/10)
[Talent Fragments:]
Astrophysics – 12%
Cooking – 1%
Emotional Insight – Basic
Streetwise – Basic
Negotiation – 7%
Intimidation – 4%
Advanced Engineering (3%)
Urban Combat (4%)
Lie Detection Resistance – 6%
Prototype Design (5%)
Miniaturized Tech Design (8%)
Strategic Thinking (8%)
Reflex Engineering (6%)
Bioengineering (6%)
Biochemical Weaponry (6%)
Reflex Engineering (6%)