Talos took a long breath, steadying himself.

"We were defeated by the Kree," he said finally, his voice tight, "and we fled. Millions of Skrull refugees were scattered across the galaxy, without a home."

Nick Fury's eyes narrowed.

"So they're all on Earth now? Or still drifting out there somewhere?"

Talos hesitated. The lines on his weathered green face deepened. After a few moments, he nodded slowly.

"They're here."

"Who exactly is here?" Fury's voice turned cold, razor-sharp.

Talos faltered. "Everyone…"

Fury slammed his fist on the desk.

"So it's true. There really are a million Skrulls on Earth?"

Talos gave a resigned nod. "That's right."

"Damn it," Fury growled. "That ugly green head of yours must be malfunctioning."

He rose, furious. "You lied to me!"

Talos raised his hands, desperate.

"Nick, I had no choice. I sent out a beacon to the galaxy—a message for any Skrulls still in hiding. I told them Earth was a place with good people, a chance at peace. They were being hunted across the stars. I gave them hope. They could either die, or come here."

His voice cracked under the weight of his words.

"I'm a Skrull general. I did what I had to do to save my people."

Fury's anger didn't cool.

"Right. Noble. All for your people," he snapped. "But what the hell does that have to do with me?"

Talos looked stunned. His voice rose with frustration.

"You used us, Nick. Treated us like spies, like your personal soldiers. We sacrificed for your causes. And now you stand there acting like none of this concerns you?"

Fury leaned in, eyes burning.

"You betrayed me. You hid the truth. You brought a million aliens to Earth behind my back. Tell me—what are you really planning?"

Talos was breathing heavily now.

"I just want a future for my people. I thought you could help us integrate into Earth society."

Fury scoffed.

"That's impossible. You've lived here for over a decade. You know this planet. Humans can't even live peacefully with each other—how do you expect them to accept a million Skrulls?"

Talos's form began to shift. His green skin faded, changing into the face of an aging human with white hair and deep wrinkles. His voice broke.

"Is there no other way?"

"No." Fury cut him off coldly. "I'm calling Carol. Tell her whatever you have to say. In the meantime, if you don't want to end up in a containment cell, get off this planet."

He ended the transmission with a sharp flick of his hand.

In the empty warehouse, Talos stood frozen. His wife reached out to steady him as he collapsed into a chair, overwhelmed and broken.

---

Elsewhere, aboard the S.W.O.R.D. Space Station...

Nick Fury dropped into his chair with a dull thud. His body sank into the cushions, weighed down by more than just gravity.

He stared blankly at the polished surface of his desk, eyes unfocused.

"Talos..." he muttered.

The room was silent. The vastness of space stretched endlessly beyond the window, but Fury's mind was elsewhere—trapped in the storm he'd just unleashed.

Eventually, he opened a drawer and retrieved a small pager, its surface worn with age. He placed it gently on the desk, his fingers lingering on the button.

With a sigh, he pressed send.

"I never thought I'd call Carol again," he said to no one. "And not because Earth's under attack… but because of the Skrulls."

He spun his chair slowly to face the stars outside. For the first time in years, the hardened spymaster looked defeated.

He knew the truth now. A million Skrulls were already on Earth.

They couldn't stay. Not without igniting a war.

And even if they left, S.W.O.R.D. would be dismantled. Everything he'd spent decades building would collapse.

He knew who was behind it all—the Stark brothers.

But he didn't hate them.

HYDRA, the Skrulls—these were threats buried deep beneath the surface of peace. If Malrick and Tony hadn't uncovered them early, the consequences would have been far worse.

So yes, a part of him was grateful.

Still, he couldn't ignore the fact that he was losing everything.

And that made him more cautious than ever.

---

Meanwhile, Avengers Base – New York

Inside a secure observation room, Tony Stark and Malrick stood in front of a one-way mirror, watching the man lying on the other side.

Steve Rogers. Captain America. Frozen in time no longer.

Tony leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

"You called me here to watch a century-old ice pop thaw out?" Malrick asked dryly.

Tony chuckled. "Ice pop. That's good. Why didn't I think of that?"

He gestured toward the mirror. "I didn't bring you here just to stand around. I need you to help make sure everything's secure."

"Security?" Malrick raised an eyebrow. "You seriously think someone's going to attack an international hero's defrosting ceremony?"

Tony's smirk faded. "You haven't noticed? Ever since you handled the Space Stone last month and released that surge of energy, this place has been under constant pressure from the magical side."

Malrick tilted his head, intrigued. "Magical?"

"We've caught witches snooping around. Literal witches. And S.H.I.E.L.D.'s leftover security can't contain them."

That got Malrick's attention. "Witches, huh? Shame they got away. I'd love to see what they're about."

Tony nodded. "Yeah, well, containment wasn't exactly built for mystics."

Malrick shrugged. "Funny, I even leaked a bit of the Stone's energy at Kamar-Taj to try and draw their attention. Nothing. Not a peep."

"Guess even witches know not to mess with the sanctum of Earth's sorcerers."

He clapped Tony on the shoulder. "Still, maybe your Avengers squad needs a power-up if you can't handle a few hedge wizards."

Tony gestured toward the glass.

"That's the plan. You're looking at the next recruit."

Malrick raised an eyebrow. "Captain America? You want to pull him into the Avengers?"

Tony smirked. "Why not?"

---