Marvel XP: Dossiers/S.H.I.E.L.D.

=Files=

[[Image:Nick_Fury_Marvel_XP_Sidebar.png]] FROM NICK FURY
WHEREAS attacks by terrorists such as Hydra and persons possessed of superhuman abilities continue to increase around the globe;

And WHEREAS the normal peoples of the world have no reason to trust those the media calls “super heroes” to act always in humanity’s best interests;

IT IS RESOLVED that the Council authorizes the creation of a Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate, or S.H.I.E.L.D. to coordinate humanity’s resistance to these extraordinary threats;

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council shall use the wartime Scientific Strategic Reserve as a model for this organization;

AND IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED so that no one of our member nations is singled out for super human attack for harboring said agency, Stark Industries’ proposal to build a floating “Heli-Carrier”™ is hereby accepted and once constructed, that vessel shall become S.H.I.E.L.D.’s mobile headquarters.

• 1285th plenary meeting • 2 August 1965

[[Image:Nick_Fury_Marvel_XP_Sidebar.png]] CLASSIFIED
[AGENT SECURITY CLEARANCE INSUFFICIENT]

[ACCESS DENIED]

[[Image:Nick_Fury_Marvel_XP_Sidebar.png]] FROM NICK FURY
Note:This File is also in The Pulse and Nick Fury's Dossier Files.

TO: All S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents

FROM: Nick Fury, Executive Director

SUBJECT: The Pulse

I’m dispensing with any sense of formality. Whatever it was that hit us, hit us HARD. You already know about the power grids going down on a global scale, the cities paralyzed by gridlock as cars stop working, the rioting that always ensues whenever people aren’t sure when they’re going to get their next meal, and the psychopaths who seize opportunities like this to play their little games without getting caught. As far as we can tell, S.H.I.E.L.D. is the only major institution unaffected by this “Pulse” as our orbital probes detected its approach from deep space and we were able to protect our own systems in time.

We are all that stands between the world and total chaos, people.

Effective immediately:

All leave is cancelled until further notice and all agents should report to their respective station houses or helicarriers.

All in-training agents and new recruits have been promoted to active status and should report to their superiors for field assignment.

I am activating the Avengers Initiative to assemble as many known super powered friendlies as we can to help restore order. Agents will be expected to assist in the deployment and coordination of heroes and hero teams.

It is only through this alliance between S.H.I.E.L.D. and the super heroes that the damage caused by The Pulse can be minimized and those who seek to exploit it for their own selfish ends are brought to justice.

That is all. Carry on, people.

Make me proud.

[[Image:Jasper Sitwell Marvel XP Sidebar.png|Jasper Sitwell]] PREPARED BY JASPER SITWELL
ENEMY ACTIONS IN RESPONSE TO THE PULSE: INITIAL REPORT

TO: All S.H.I.E.L.D. Department and Station Heads

FROM: Jasper Stillwell

As we both expected and feared, the chaos following the Pulse has emboldened criminal and terrorist networks. AIM and Hydra, as well as the AIM offshoot known as RAID, have taken full advantage of law enforcement’s distraction to launch multiple attacks. Their greater goals are as yet unclear. What is known:

• Numerous enemy organizations are collecting an element or compound present in some of the meteors that fell with the Pulse. We have heard this element referred to as Iso-8.

• Viper is taking an active and public leadership role with Hydra, but so is Baron Zemo. It is currently unknown whether they are cooperating or competing.

• Hydra and AIM are in open conflict.

• R.A.I.D. appears to be operating on its own.

• Enemy organizations are enlisting super-powered assets such as Whiplash and members of the Wrecking Crew. Some of these hired assets appear to be interested in Iso-8 for their own reasons.

• AIM and Hydra have deployed agents wearing power armor; one such hostile defeated by our own Agent has been sent to Tony Stark for a tech assessment.

• SHIELD scientific personnel are researching Iso-8. Other teams are identifying and securing known locations of Iso-8. These will likely be sites of imminent conflict as enemies attempt to capture this material for their own ends.

• The active recruitment of additional Avengers is already paying dividends. Newly recruited and trained Agents are acquitting themselves well in the field against highly motivated and dangerous enemies.

• We are in an extremely fluid battlefield situation, with the expectation that more enemy organizations will appear.

[[Image:S.H.I.E.L.D. Marvel XP Sidebar.png]] INTERNAL S.H.I.E.L.D. DOSSIER
ORIGINS AND NATURE OF OMEGA LEVEL PLANETARY EVENT 122822 [designated “THE PULSE:”] PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

INTERNAL S.H.I.E.L.D. DOSSIER

ORIGINS

The Pulse originated in deep space, but its point of origin is uncertain and estimates vary widely. S.H.I.E.L.D. scientific staff, working in conjunction with Reed Richards, is attempting to pinpoint the source by working backward from the minute differences in recorded times of impact and different locations across Earth’s surface.

NATURE

Fundamentally the Pulse was an electromagnetic wave of singular power and integrity, with a velocity at its wavefront approaching the speed of light. The meteor shower that followed immediately after it consisted of tens of thousands of objects varying in size from dust to several meters across. These impacted Earth at expected velocities for deep-space objects, leading to questions about whether they are part of the Pulse or were dragged behind it from some location nearer Earth. Other possibilities, including dimensional disruption, cannot be either dismissed or confirmed.

The type of energy contained in the Pulse does not match any known phenomena, including pulsars, quasars, supernovae, black hole radiation, neutron stars, and/or stellar winds. S.H.I.E.L.D. astrophysicists and mathematicians are isolating and identifying the complex combination of energies it contained, and finding several never before recorded.

Orbital and terrestrial telescopes, brought back online since the Pulse, have observed its effects throughout nearby bodies in the solar system. The sun itself has reacted to the Pulse’s impact with a noticeable increase in flares and sunspots. Nearer to Earth, the moon has manifested much more intense changes in light and/or color (aka Transient Lunar Phenomena) than typically observed. The long-term effects cannot be predicted.

Recovered meteor specimens exhibit unique metallurgical composition, including significant quantities of a largely unknown substance currently being called Iso-8. Research is ongoing into its characteristics.

SUMMARY The Pulse and accompanying meteor storm are almost certainly the product of a release of energy comparable to a supernova, or even greater. Until its source can be pinpointed and observations made at that location, further speculation is unlikely to be useful.

[[Image:Iron Man Marvel XP Sidebar.png]] SPEECH BY ANTHONY STARK
Opening statement before the World Security Council, classified session.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am going to make this brief because while I am here, S.H.I.E.L.D. is leaderless at exactly the moment when we need it most. In the last week, we have confronted: Oh, and I forgot Hydra. Get the picture? You’ve got me in a briefing room while everything is about to go straight to hell in New York. I will now tell you what S.H.I.E.L.D is going to do, so we can get this hot-air exchange over.
 * targeted kidnapping of two of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s directors;
 * Mutant-rights marches turned into riots by Brotherhood of Mutants members including Avalanche and the Blob;
 * An attack by the U-Foes in conjunction with Servo Guards created by Victor von Doom;
 * An animated fire-breathing suit of armor; and
 * Interdimensional magic portals spewing out demons.

S.H.I.E.L.D will continue to capture and store Iso-8 while using samples of it to advance weapons and defense technology.

We will continue to pursue the perpetrators of cybernetic sabotage and network vandalism.

We will prevent the mutant marches from escalating into city-wide riots with mass casualties.

We will close portals to dimensions full of demons that want to kill us, and find those responsible for opening them.

We will find Nick Fury and Maria Hill, and send a message to their kidnappers.

We will fight and eliminate threats posed by groups including but not limited to Hydra, the Hand, AIM, RAID, the Maggia, and various demons, robots, and frost giants.

We will deploy assault teams and individual superhuman assets on missions that even you don’t have the security clearance to know about.

And by we, I do not mean you. In other words, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Stark Industries will continue to do what the world’s governments cannot. But we will only do that when I am no longer in this room. I’m happy to take your questions now. No questions? Good. Then I’ll be on my way to do my job and save your asses.

[[Image:Jasper Sitwell Marvel XP Sidebar.png|Jasper Sitwell]] PREPARED BY JASPER SITWELL
SPECIAL OPERATION 03

Mission recap and briefing — S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives only

S.H.I.E.L.D. first responded to reports of a new variation on Iso-8 in San Francisco. Deploying assets discovered that the Phoenix Force had returned to Earth and somehow fractured into five pieces, each of which imbued one of the X-Men with additional powers and a connection with the cosmic energies of the Phoenix Force itself. It also appeared that the return of the Phoenix Force created this new sub-strain of Iso-8. Further investigations along those lines are in progress.

Of immediate concern to S.H.I.E.L.D. assets in the field were 1) the presence of the Brotherhood of Mutants and 2) the hostility of the X-Men to S.H.I.E.L.D.’s presence. S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel sought information about the nature of the Phoenix event and were rebuffed. The X-Men claimed that the arrival of the Phoenix Force was a sort of omen signaling the empowerment of mutants. Open combat between Black Widow and Emma Frost was followed by a mutant embassy to Avengers Mansion, during which further hostilities occurred. A simultaneous Jotun attack on the area further complicated matters.

Upon S.H.I.E.L.D.’s return to San Francisco, Cyclops and Phoenix declared their intention to separate the welfare of mutants from the broader operation against hostile organizations. S.H.I.E.L.D. viewed this declaration as untenable from a security perspective, arguing that a new potential weapon of this power could not be held back for the benefit of a select few. Further hostilities ensued, complicated by the presence of Hydra in the Bay Area.

A truce has been reached, but the creation of the so-called Phoenix Five—Magik, Colossus, Cyclops, Emma Frost, and the original Phoenix herself—has brought escalating tensions between the mutant community and S.H.I.E.L.D. Those tensions appear somewhat lessened at this point but work remains to be done if S.H.I.E.L.D. is to continue deploying mutant assets with confidence in their loyalty and performance.

The X-Men are still considered S.H.I.E.L.D. allies at this point, but Director-level clearance is required before intelligence can be shared with any of the Phoenix Five.

[[Image:Jasper Sitwell Marvel XP Sidebar.png|Jasper Sitwell]] PREPARED BY JASPER SITWELL
Special Operation 4: All Hallows

Mission recap and briefing — S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives only

A demonic invasion, apparently spurred by a new variant of Iso-8, recently overtook several areas of Manhattan. The leaders of the demonic forces were Satana, Mephisto, and Baron Mordo, although the Hood also took part, raising the specter of cooperation between known demonic powers and faux-demonic interdimensional enemies such as Dormammu.

The Iso-8 variant was pursued by several varieties of demons not seen before, as well as Mindless Ones, who staged an attack directly on the Sanctum Sanctorum. Dr. Strange and Ghost Rider spearheaded the S.H.I.E.L.D. response. Strange also took the lead in tracing the origins of the specific classes of demon seen in the streets of New York (see separate report).

Anchored by Ghost Rider, S.H.I.E.L.D. strike teams counterattacked directly through some of the portals, taking the fight to the demons on their own turf. This was a successful tactic, clearing the demons from the other side of the portal and enabling S.H.I.E.L.D. specialists to close the portals without being attacked while doing so.

Apart from the new adversary draining resources from the ongoing battle against the emergent Syndicate, a further troubling development was the apparent alliance of Dormammu with the demonic legions of Mephisto, Satana, and Baron Mordo. Dormammu is not a demon, although he resembles one in aspect and often plays up the association to terrify his enemies and subordinates. Perhaps this is his tactic here as well. He took over the Dark Dimension after being exiled from his native dimension; he may consider a temporary demonic alliance the best way to get a foothold in the precincts of Hell. From there, it is expected, he will marshal new forces and attempt to conquer the surface realms again.

The involvement of Satana makes it a priority for S.H.I.E.L.D. to bring her brother Daimon Hellstrom on board as soon as possible. His knowledge of demonic strategies will be a crucial asset, as will his previous entanglement in the Hellfire Club. Outreach in this direction is ongoing.

[[Image:Maria Hill Marvel XP Sidebar.png|Maria Hill]] PREPARED BY MARIA HILL
A short time ago, Thor informed S.H.I.E.L.D. leadership that a new variant of Iso-8 had been observed in Asgard, specifically on and around Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge that connects Asgard with other realms. Loki learned of this variant — or perhaps created it himself — and used it to create a pseudo-Wild Hunt in New York City. His motivations are unclear, but we suspect Loki’s exclusion from the Syndicate provoked him to make a dramatic statement.

The Wild Hunt was traditionally an end-of-year phenomenon in which Odin led a retinue across the skies gathering departed souls. Loki, unsurprisingly, put his own tricksterish spin on the endeavor. Using Jotun forces, he swept through New York City scattering variant Iso-8 and using it to turn local gangsters and criminals to his will.

Valkyrie was a valuable addition to our team, sent by Asgard because her traditional role as escort of valiant souls made her particularly suited to address the perverse Wild Hunt of Loki’s creation. The Asgardian opposition included Enchantress, Skurge the Executioner, and the Wrecking Crew. Also, it emerged that Loki had managed to recover the Destroyer armor and unleash it at a critical juncture. Valkyrie and the S.H.I.E.L.D. strike team defeated the Destroyer and were also able to subdue Loki long enough for him to be returned to Asgard.

The Asgardian Iso-8 variant is surprisingly resistant to analysis. Whether this is due to Loki’s manipulations or its absorption of some unusual quality from the Asgardian environment is uncertain. Agents and S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel are strongly discouraged from attempting to use this Iso-8 variant without strict laboratory controls in place.

Asgard is more than ever a firm S.H.I.E.L.D. ally now. The treachery of Loki and his cohorts has roused the Asgardians to more resolute action. We understand from Valkyrie that Asgard is taking direct action against the Jotun in Jotunheim in retaliation for their attacks on Loki’s behalf. Also, it is expected—although not certain—that more Asgardians will be available for S.H.I.E.L.D. deployment at some future date.

[[Image:Maria Hill Marvel XP Sidebar.png|Maria Hill]] PREPARED BYMARIA HILL
Mission Summary and Preliminary Analysis

The Hellfire Club has expanded the reach and scope of its operations to recruit anti-social mutants who had previously elected not to get involved in the post-Pulse events. In this case the Brotherhood of Mutants, through the Hellfire Club, has brought Dragoness and the Living Monolith into play. S.H.I.E.L.D.’s first information about this operation came as a result of Havok reporting his awareness of an energy field that appeared to be tapping his ability to channel cosmic energies. Havok had been operating undercover within the Hellfire Club at Emma Frost’s direction, attempting to determine who was leading the Brotherhood effort to take over the Hellfire Club from within.

Investigating, S.H.I.E.L.D. quickly discovered that the Living Pharaoh was responsible for constructing a matrix designed to use Havok’s powers as a conduit for the Living Pharaoh’s transformation into the much more formidable Living Monolith.

Response teams deployed immediately, encountering Hellfire Club personnel led by Bullseye and Constrictor, themselves under the direction of Dragoness. Field assets next encountered Blob and Avalanche, who succeeded in delaying S.H.I.E.L.D. countermeasures long enough for the Living Pharaoh to complete his transformation into the Living Monolith. The Green Goblin was also revealed to be involved. He is a known member of the Hellfire Club and has associated himself with previous A.I.M. operations to capture Iso-8, but whether his appearance here points to a broader operational alliance between A.I.M. and the Hellfire Club remains to be seen.

Reed Richards, Tigra, and Havok himself led a mission designed to root out the Hellfire Club safe houses used by the Living Monolith. The Brotherhood and Hellfire Club answered with Mystique and Sabretooth, as well as Toad and Juggernaut—nearly their full complement of combat strength after previous battles with Avalanche and Blob.

S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel were successful in clearing all known Hellfire Club safe houses used by the Brotherhood in all three mission locations. The Living Monolith himself was not apprehended and remains at large. Havok will continue to search for him, using their unique connection.