It's time to get to work. But the question is: where do I start?
I see three paths ahead of me. First, I could take down Hydra.
Second, I could head to Afghanistan and save Tony Stark.
Third, I could build my own organization from the ground up.
The first option is off the table. Taking down Hydra serves no purpose right now; no one even knows I exist, and everyone who did is currently rotting in that bunker. Besides, I don't really hold a grudge—at the end of the day, they gave me the training I needed to survive.
The second option is too much of a gamble. Finding one man in the vast deserts of Afghanistan is a needle-in-a-haystack situation, and even if I succeeded, the only reward would be a favor from Stark. It would expose me far too early.
The third option is perfect. I'll build an organization from the shadows. No one will know my face, but everyone will feel my reach. I can amass wealth, subordinates, reputation, and—most importantly—power.
[A wise choice. If we are to stay off the grid, we need a digital ghost to mask our movements. Searching your memories... a name surfaces: Skye. She should be around nineteen now. According to your knowledge of this timeline, she's a rising hacker. We need to contact her.]
"Right. An internet cafe shouldn't be hard to find"
[Internet Cafe]
After scouring some of the darker corners of the web, I found myself in a private forum chat with a user named Skye.
"I heard you were looking for me," she typed.
"I am. I have a job proposal for you."
"What kind of job?"
"Not something I can discuss over an unsecured connection. If you're interested, meet me at Bar Santos on XXXXX Street at 9:00 PM tonight. I know you've been digging for answers about what happened in Cuba back in 1962... and I have them."
"How do you know ab—"
I closed the window and wiped every trace of my digital footprint. I knew she'd show up; she was far too curious to let a name-drop like that go. I spent my last bit of cash on a sharp, black tailored suit.
Once I reached the meeting spot, I ducked into the shadows and activated [Bloodcontrol]. I pulled a significant amount of essence from my palm, shaping it into a [Sentient Puppet]. I gave it a face people would instinctively trust yet find intimidating—the rugged, stoic features of Keanu Reeves.
The clock struck 9:00 PM when I spotted the van pulling into the lot behind the bar. A girl stepped out: it was Skye.
As soon as she walked inside, the Puppet raised a hand to signal her. She approached, sat down, and cut straight to the chase.
"So, how do you know what happened in 1962?" she asked, her eyes searching his.
"It doesn't matter," he replied calmly. "It was merely bait to get your attention."
"So you lied to me."
"No. I know exactly what happened, but if you want the truth, you'll have to help me with a job first."
Skye crossed her arms. "And what exactly does this 'job' entail?"
"It's simple. I know you're a top-tier hacker. I want us to work together."
"And my role would be?"
"Shut down the security cameras when I tell you. I'll handle the rest."
"If you're planning to rob a bank, I'm out," she said firmly.
"Don't worry—no banks, and no innocents. We're only stealing from the bad guys."
"Bad guys?"
"Ever heard of Kingpin? I hear his pockets are lined with gold."
Skye's eyes widened. "Are you insane? Kingpin controls the entire underworld. It's a suicide mission. And besides, who else is coming? Don't tell me it's just the two of us."
"Leave the action to me. You just focus on blacking out every camera in my way. Can you do it?"
"I could," she hesitated, "but I'm not risking making enemies with half of New York without proof that you can actually pull this off."
Just as planned, I thought.
"If you want proof, follow me." The Puppet stood up and led her into a dark alleyway nearby. "Give me a drop of your blood."
"My blood?! What are you, a vampire?"
"No, and you're not going to become one. Just trust me."
Skye hesitated, then pricked her finger.
I took the drop, bowed, and passed it to myself—to my masked persona waiting in the shadows.
"Who are you?" Skye asked, bewildered.
"I am the leader of the Blood Syndicate."
"Never heard of it."
"I only just created it," I replied coldly, "and I need the starting capital. But to show you I'm not playing games..."
I absorbed the drop of blood.
> [Status Update]
> [Bloodlust Triggered. Analyzing DNA... Ability Siphoning failed: Blood purity insufficient.]
I ignored the notification and whispered: "[Bloodlock]".
Instantly, Skye froze. Total paralysis. Her eyes darted around in terror, unable to move a single muscle.
"This is just one of the abilities I possess. Do you think that's enough?"
I released the paralysis, and she stumbled, gasping for air. "What... what did you do to me?"
"If you want to know, you'll have to help me. Then, I'll tell you everything."
"Fine, I'm in," she said, regaining her composure. "But no innocents. I won't have innocent blood on my hands."
"I told you already: no innocents will get hurt."
"So, where to?"
"To find Kingpin"