Marvel: Blood in the Water

Jakuna Singh sat back in his chair, his face etched with fatigue but his mind racing with thoughts. He rubbed his temples, the dim light of the hotel room casting long shadows on the walls. The video call was already connected, and on the other side, Deepak—a man in his late thirties with perpetually droopy eyes—leaned closer to the camera. A faint smile played on Deepak's lips as he listened to Jakuna.

"Oh, if you're saying so, then it's a good thing I didn't skip today's call," Deepak said, his voice tinged with humor.

Jakuna's face hardened. "What is that supposed to mean, Deepak? I've told you—no drinking before my calls, at least for a few hours."

Deepak chuckled lightly and retorted, "It's 5:30 in the morning here. I'm not drunk, just sleepy. So, what happened?"

Jakuna launched into a detailed recount of his meeting with Jared, highlighting the revelations and the peculiar request Jared had made. As Deepak listened, his amused expression turned serious. When Jakuna finished, Deepak leaned back and let out a soft laugh.

"If I had read this somewhere on the internet, I'd have dismissed it as a conspiracy theory," Deepak said with a mocking chuckle.

"It's not something you'll find on the internet, let alone a theory. SHIELD's secrecy is unparalleled," Jakuna replied, his tone sharp. "Have you noticed any suspicious movements within SHIELD? Did what I hear today hold any water?"

Deepak's brows furrowed slightly. "I've got a few informants inside SHIELD, but they haven't reported anything unusual. Then again, SHIELD's operations are so compartmentalized that even the smallest project is shrouded in secrecy. However, there is something worth noting. I've observed agents close to Alexander Pierce being steadily promoted. It's as if he's systematically replacing Fury's loyalists with his own people."

Jakuna leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "You never mentioned this before."

"It didn't seem alarming at first," Deepak admitted with a shrug. "Pierce has always been ambitious, but he's also cautious. He's played his cards slowly and deliberately, so no one has raised any red flags. Besides, his influence has benefited us in the past. He's helped us secure safe houses in Asia and protected our interests. Why would I consider him a threat?"

Jakuna nodded, processing the information. "Pierce's support has been valuable. Going against him without substantial proof would be reckless."

Deepak's smirk returned. "True, but if there's even a one-percent chance that the kid's claims are accurate, we can't afford to ignore it. Pierce's calculated rise is concerning. If we're cautious, we can use this situation to our advantage. Besides,the kid's knowledge of SHIELD and HYDRA indicates he knows the stakes. He'll need our resources, and that keeps us in control."

"He doesn't seem the type to let others have control. I am sure the amount of control we will have only lasts until he needs us. When its the other way around, he will like to have things in his grasp." Jakuna said in a serious tone and he was right. The only reason for Jared to even approach Jakuna was because he needed money and secrecy and if Jakuna and Deepak aren't able to provide that then there was no reason for Jared to be aligned with them. He could just move on to some other council member or even a billionaire like Tony Stark.

Deepak gave a reassuring smile as he said "Don't worry I'll make sure to handle things when i meet him. No matter how much he knows, at the end of the day he is just a kid."

Jakuna's lips curved into a faint smile. "You've made your point. I'll inform my contacts to keep an eye on SHIELD's movements. He requested to meet you next week. Prepare to leave India within two days. I'll provide further details later."

Deepak nodded, the screen fading to black as the call ended. Alone in the room, Jakuna exhaled deeply.

"I hope I've made the right decision," he muttered. "This 'Third Eye'… what exactly is its purpose? Stepping into these waters might cost me everything."

Jakuna's gaze shifted to the family portrait which was the wallpaper of his device. A legacy spanning generations rested on his shoulders. Every choice he made carried weight, but this… this was a gamble he couldn't afford to lose.

**

Meanwhile, chaos enveloped the warehouse Jared had recently vacated. Police cars surrounded the perimeter, their red-and-blue lights casting an ominous glow on the rusted metal walls. Among the vehicles, a black SUV rolled to a halt. Detectives Elise and Mathew stepped out, the cold ocean breeze hitting their faces.

"Why do you think the captain sent us here?" Elise asked, adjusting her coat against the chill.

Mathew shrugged. "No idea. I already informed him about taking the case with the two black-suit Asians. Odd for him to pile this on us."

As they approached the crime scene, a patrol officer lifted the yellow tape, allowing them entry. The metallic tang of blood filled the air, making Elise grimace. Inside, the scene was grim: four bodies lay sprawled on the ground—two Asian men in suits and two white men. A trail of blood led to the railing overlooking the sea, smeared with bloody handprints.

Elise's eyes widened. "Looks like a bloodbath."

Mathew nodded, his gaze sweeping over the carnage. "Four bodies, all connected. The same organization, maybe. Let's see what Dr. Scott has to say."

The coroner, an older man with sharp eyes, knelt beside one of the white men. He glanced up as the detectives approached.

"Ah, overtime for all of us," Dr. Scott quipped dryly, eliciting a chuckle from the pair.

Mathew smiled briefly. "What've we got, Doc?"

Scott's expression grew serious. "These folks didn't have an easy death, that's for sure."

Elise frowned. "Why do you say that?"

Scott pointed to a deep wound on one of the men's necks. "All of them have a similar knife wound to the carotid artery. But here's the twist—two of them were already dead before this wound was inflicted."

Elise's brow furrowed. "Why stab someone who's already dead?"

"If the killer wanted to make absolutely sure they stayed dead," Scott replied. He held up an evidence bag containing a bloodied blade. "This is the weapon. A tanto. Matches the description of the knife used to kill Ronan Carbrey."

Mathew took the bag, scrutinizing the blade. "So, this case ties to Ronan's. And if these Asians are from the same group as the two in the morgue…"

Elise followed his gaze to the railing. "You think another member escaped? Injured, but determined enough to ensure no loose ends."

Mathew nodded. "Possibly jumped into the sea to evade capture. Dedication to their cause, whatever it may be."

Elise sighed. "A lot of questions, no clear answers. Let's hope something from forensics breaks this wide open."

As the detectives pieced together the puzzle, Dr. Scott's phone rang. He answered, his face paling as he listened. "You're sure?" he asked, his voice unsteady.

He hung up and turned to Mathew and Elise. "We have a problem. There's been an attack."

**

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