Shadow trail of the beautiful world

Chapter 535 60. Royal Envoy

Time flies, and in the process of rectifying the order in Sulfur Harbor, a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

As the alien city slowly recovered from the shadow of the disaster, and as the environment and order there improved, in early July 2003, Merlin finally got what he had been resisting.

About his promotion.

Well, actually a good thing.

"This is your new office, Chief Merlin...er, no, Chief Merlin."

The bald-headed Agent Hitwell entered a super-large office with a smile on his face and a blank-faced Merlin. The level 6 internal affairs agent chief and Merlin were considered acquaintances. Therefore, the title "Director" was full of Congratulations and goodwill.

But Merlin couldn't be happier.

He followed Sitwell into his new office, pushed his glasses and said:

"You can still call me Merlin... The title of director is weird, and I'm just the deputy director who doesn't involve in administrative affairs."

"No, no, it's true that we are good friends after get off work, but when we go to work, we still have to follow the rules and regulations of SHIELD."

Hitterwell said solemnly:

"In an official security organization, the distinction between superiors and subordinates is very important. Maybe this is a bit rigid, but at least I think that maintaining the necessary respect for high-level agents can make our work more efficient and allow us to Pay more attention to internal order."

He said to Merlin:

"It's like Chief Fury, who never asked us to call him Fury..."

"But I always called him Fury."

Merlin complained. He knew that the internal affairs agents in the office generally valued these "workplace rules", so he didn't correct Hitwell's address. He stood in his new office and looked at the environment of the office. .

Frankly speaking, the office environment that Fury arranged for him is quite good. It is located on the top floor of the Trident building, with excellent views and perfect lighting. There are all kinds of office facilities inside, comfortable sofas, mahogany desks, There are also a couple of rather serious-looking filing cabinets and an attached washroom, as well as a lounge.

Probably so that Merlin could rest in the office when he was working overtime.

"This place is nice."

Merlin says:

"Better than my office at SDOLD."

"This place has been vacant since the Trident Building was built."

Sitwell said behind Merlin:

"We are also happy to see that it has finally ushered in an owner. Also, Director Merlin, according to the title benefits of S.H.I.E.L.D., you can have a new official car and a new apartment, Director Fury ordered However, you can choose a few agents from the Ministry of Internal Affairs as working assistants."

The Indian agent took out a tablet, swiped it, and said:

"There is also the priority right to use business jets. If necessary, you can designate a business jet as your private means of travel."

"Do not."

Merlin leaned on the desk, and he said to Hitwell:

"My home is quite comfortable, and I have no plans to move for the time being. My car drives well, so there is no need to change it. As for the assistant, I have a subordinate coming over, and she will come this afternoon The Trident Building is performing its duties, and it may trouble you at that time, and finally a private jet?"

Merlin shook his head:

"Give it to those who need it more, I don't need that thing."

"Uh, okay."

Hitwell also pushed his gold-rimmed glasses. He looked at Merlin and suggested:

"If you don't want to change the car, then I suggest you send the car to the logistics department, and our support agents will carry out a comprehensive security modification on your car."

"Better powertrains, full bulletproofing, and self-defense weapon systems, and short-range flight systems that have only recently entered the application stage, more comfortable seats, and more convenient built-in communications...I know, you may not use it. To these, but, something is better than nothing, right?"

"okay."

Merlin took out the car keys of his SUV from his pocket and threw it to Sitwell, he said:

"Then this matter will trouble you."

"Ok."

The house agent said to Merlin:

"I'll do it right, Mr. Chief."

"It's the deputy director."

Merlin reminded:

"Don't make a mistake, Sitwell, especially when Fury is here, I don't want him to think I mean to grab power."

"No, I'm not that careful."

Just as Merlin finished speaking, Fury's voice sounded at the door of his office. The real Mr. Director was holding a cup of hot drink and leaning against the door of Merlin's office. He winked at Sylvester, who immediately quietly Quietly left the office.

"How does the new place feel?"

Fury took a sip of the hot drink, and he asked:

"It's much better than your original little underground house, isn't it?"

"It's very good, so good that it disgusts me."

Merlin sighed, sat on the sofa, put his feet on the black coffee table in front of him, and said to Fury:

"Trapping me in this exquisite birdcage, old man Pierce is finally satisfied?"

"Don't complain like that, Merlin."

Fury sat on Merlin's chair. He turned left and right, as if he was helping Merlin test the performance of the office chair. He said:

"Pearce just wants you to shine in a more suitable position. He is the kind of old-fashioned person who thinks that good deeds must be rewarded, especially heroes who are willing to make sacrifices for the stability of social order. power and status commensurate with their contributions.”

"Okay, let's not talk about that."

Fury looked at Merlin's disapproving expression, he changed the subject decisively, put his hands on the table, and said to Merlin:

"I'm here because I just got off the phone with Agent Dugan, who asked me to congratulate you on becoming the second level 9 agent after him, and the first S.H.I.E.L.D. The deputy director of affairs...Of course, I will also tell you about your division of powers and scope of work."

"All ears."

Merlin took out a cigarette, played it with his fingertips, and said:

"What else do you need me to do besides being directly responsible for SDOLD?"

"Several shelters, I mean the Island Prison, the Ghost Base, and the 084 Base. There is also the 'Supernatural Affairs Large Database' that is currently being coordinated and established, and the Department of Containment and Management of Contacts with Supernatural Events that has already taken shape, and finally It is a finishing department specially prepared for unusual affairs and supernatural situations."

Fury mentioned many items in detail, and he said to Merlin:

"It's all related to what you are good at. You can understand that I stripped out all the departments of S.H.I.E.L.D. related to supernatural affairs and handed them over to you."

Mr. Director leaned on Merlin's chair, and he said slowly:

"From the Sulfur Harbor incident this time, I felt the sense of embarrassment again, Merlin, especially when I watched the agents enter the Sulfur Harbor defense and the blood phantom invaded, I was in a hurry... .It's a warning that I don't understand that world, at least not as much as I imagine myself to know."

"Professional things have to be done by professionals. Now that Sulfur Port has become a member of our order system, this is enough to prove your ability."

Fury took a sip of his hot drink, looked at Merlin with his single eye, and said:

"After 11 years of joining S.H.I.E.L.D., you can stand alone. There are very few people who can make me feel at ease. Merlin, you are one of them."

"It really flatters me."

Merlin put the cigarette at the corner of his mouth, and the sudden jumping flame ignited the cigarette. As the smoke rose, Merlin's face seemed to become blurred. He said to Fury:

"Since you trust me so much, I can't let you down... I will try my best, but I have a request. I looked at your work schedule, and I found that you spent two-thirds of the time almost It's all in meetings, Fury, and I don't want to waste time on these talking items, so I wish I could assign my assistant to go to those meetings instead of me."

He said to Fury sincerely:

"I'd rather do something more immediate and help our organization."

Facing Merlin's request, Fury hesitated for a moment, then nodded:

"Except for the executive meeting of the World Security Council, you can ask Sharon to go to other meetings instead. If you must attend certain meetings, I will ask Hill to notify you in advance."

"Very well, I knew you could be relied upon, Fury."

Merlin's expression became a little more relaxed, and he said to Fury:

"It just so happens that you are here. I will tell you about my division of SDOLD's follow-up affairs. Of course, I will submit a formal document to you later."

"Well, let's talk."

Fury looked at his watch and said:

"I have an internal security meeting to chair in 15 minutes, so that should be enough time."

"I plan to adjust SDOLD's internal structure and let Coulson take over my position. He is responsible for the overall situation and the management of the ghost base related to mutant affairs."

Merlin touched the Kaby ring on his little finger, and he said to Fury:

"As his assistant, Melinda is responsible for managing the affairs of the other three branches on the east coast. As for the commanders of the three branches, I also have candidates."

"Agent Lincoln will be transferred to the Miami branch, Agent Trip will be transferred to Philadelphia, Agent Mike will be transferred to Atlanta, Agent Bobbi Miles will be in charge of SDOLD's current 10 field teams, and Agent Jimmy will be in charge of SDOLD's logistics and support department."

"This is the arrangement of the command. Of course, before these commanders perform their duties, their agent levels need to be raised. Coulson and Melinda will be promoted to level 7. Sharon, as my assistant, will also Get promoted to level 7, others will be raised to level 5."

Merlin said methodically:

"In addition, they also need to return to the Aegis Academy to receive short-term training in management and command capabilities. In the next step, I plan to establish the same branch department on the west coast as the east coast, so as to make the west coast a slightly chaotic environment. It is also included in our monitoring and management."

"Of course, this kind of expansion operation means that there will be a shortage of personnel in SDOLD again, so in the preparation period of the last few months, I have to recruit a group of new agents from the Secret Service Academy into my department...uh , in my subordinate department."

"Sounds okay."

Fury said:

"But you have to learn to let go, Merlin, and you have to trust your subordinates. For example, Naxin, I believe that Coulson and Melinda, who were trained by you, can do it independently. You have to focus on On more important things, like the 'dress change' program."

The chief stood up and said:

"Whether it's expansion or monitoring, one's own strength is the most important thing, especially when facing unruly aliens, it doesn't make sense to reason with them. You understand this better than me."

"About this point, I also have a plan."

Merlin sent Fury to the door, and he said softly:

"I plan to select a group of people who can be reused from the prisoners in the island prison and the ghost base."

"Your disciple, Fury, Amanda Waller, the operation commander of the Sky Eye Society, has a plan called 'Suicide Squad'. Although I don't agree with that kind of forced control, but at this stage where manpower is urgently needed , I think maybe we can learn a little bit from it."

Fury's footsteps stopped, he looked back at Merlin, he said seriously and earnestly:

"If you think it's necessary, you can do it, but if something goes wrong, you have to take responsibility. Merlin, I used to always take the blame for you, but now you have to learn to take the blame for your subordinates. That's what good leaders have to do..."

Having said that, Fury patted Merlin's shoulder with a strange expression, and said:

"I believe that you will soon understand how I felt at the beginning. Hehe, do a good job in your new position. To be honest, you have really made me feel a lot less stressed when you come here."

"Is it because you don't have to take the blame anymore, so the pressure is much less?"

Merlin watched Fury leave briskly, he complained in a low voice, and then returned to his office.

Fury had already told him about the division of his duties, so Merlin had to spend some time thinking about how to proceed with his work.

"Mr. Merlin, there is a new call."

But just when Merlin drew a simple system diagram in his notebook, a communication request from Central Asia popped up on Icarus' lens.

Merlin raised his head and connected to the communication. The next moment, Gordon's eyeless face appeared in front of Merlin's eyes. The leader of the afterlife organization said to Merlin:

"An emissary from the Inhuman Dynasty has arrived on Earth from Attilan."

"She's resting here with me, maybe you should come over sometime, or send someone over."

"Well, let me go, the specific time is about ten minutes later."

Merlin was playing with the new agent identity card in his hand, the Roman numeral 9 looked so conspicuous, he said to Gordon:

"I'm also looking forward to what kind of new news this messenger can bring us about Hydra."

(End of this chapter)