(Sorry for the late update guys. Here's the next chapter guys.)
OfficialUSMWriter: You'll find out.
GuestinyourStory: Things are complicated to say the least.
The Timeless Writer: Nice analogy.
Death Fury: Thanks.
Ultimatrix bearer: Only time will tell.
Noble Six: Thanks.
Man285: Haha, hope he continues to impress.
Chapter 46: Clarity in Calamity
(New York City, Manhattan, Triskelion, the next day)
White Tiger looked out a window, staring at the city. Her stance is straight yet rigid, arms behind her back yet with her claws out as she held them together. Fires raged in the city and smoke rose into the air. Her eyes glared at the destruction the city is experiencing. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operations to sabotage and assault the Goblin outposts had becoming more aggressive and effective. Goblins had been driven out of these locations as S.H.I.E.L.D. took more ground from their foes.
'Soon you bastards, I'm coming for all of you.' White Tiger hissed in her mind, eyes glaring into the city.
She heard footsteps behind her. Then they stopped.
"Director." An agent said.
"Yes?" White Tiger asked, not turning around to face the agent.
The agent held up the folder and opened it. He began looking over the papers in it.
"Field reports from the attack squads." The agent added.
"Read them." White Tiger ordered simply.
"Yes ma'am." The agent stated.
He began reading field reports of the squads demolishing blockades and weapon storages, scavenging supplies to study and use against the Goblin horde. How each post was brought down by exploiting its weaknesses. How the squads fought against the Goblins and the way they overcame the Goblins.
"They have superior numbers and the better position in this fight, I hate to admit it…but they have a weakness: they're untrained and undisciplined. They're facing an opponent despite having a poor position, it still has its experience and skills." White Tiger stated.
"Of course, but-" The agents started to say.
"I've always felt anything said before the word 'but' is meaningless. Still, please…continue." White Tiger grunted, turning around to face the man.
"Sorry…the Goblins still have an overwhelming advantage of superior numbers; it will be difficult to deal with countless foes. Many bring up the point that even if we cure the civilians of the affliction, what then? They will be in danger and of no consequence to our enemy." The agent replied.
White Tiger nodded, seeing the man's reasoning was sound. She scratched her chin, contemplating and trying to come up with a plan.
"When the time comes to cure the citizens we need evac and escort crews to see people out of the city, find safe passageways and routes for their escape." White Tiger stated.
"Of course, I'll get the scout and attack squads together to form ideas." The agent said.
"Report to me after that meeting, I'll need to be aware of what you come up with. I have other business at the moment." White Tiger replied.
"Yes ma'am." The agent responded, nodding then walked away.
White Tiger grunted as she walked back to her office. She shut the door and locked it behind her. She then walked over and sat down at her desk. She looked through photos taken of Goblins near sewers, apparently leaking something into them. White Tiger growled in annoyance and irritation.
'Damn it! That was our mostly likely route to escort the armed forces into the city. Seems they're being cautious with their attempts to keep out our allies on the outside. I'll need to have a messenger send word that those routes won't be of use until we give them the vaccination.' White Tiger growled in her mind.
She slammed her fist on the table, the wood cracking under the force of her hit. She lifted her hand up in surprise then growled at the sight of the cracks.
'Great, now it will have to be replaced.' White Tiger groaned in annoyance in her mind.
She placed both her hands on her masked face and pulled them down slowly till they fell back onto the table.
'With the Goblins trying to cut off any routes in and out of this borough, we will need to be more careful in trying to bring down our foes.' White Tiger grumbled in her mind.
She needed to figure out a way to gain a foothold, an advantage over her foes. She had studied the attacks on Goblin outposts, the known routes and scouting patrols of the Goblins, the layouts of S.H.I.E.L.D. outposts, etc.
'They've been attacking without any sense of direction. The attacks seem random yet without focus. Could it be?...Could it be that the Green Goblin doesn't have complete control or command over every Goblin in Manhattan? It's a bit of a stretch…but it's possible.' White Tiger contemplated in her mind.
She rummaged through the reports given to her by field commanders and her friends. Her eyes carefully studied their statements, witnessing of Goblin attacks and defenses. There were several Goblins at the outposts, yet groups also found many Goblins meandering around as well…but were still close to Goblin defenses and congregations. Then something else popped in her head. She pressed a button on a device next to her.
"I need the Academy, all field leaders, and Doctor Conners in my office asap." White Tiger ordered.
Several minutes later those she had called had arrived. They awaited their commander's explanation for why she called them all.
"I believe I have made a discovery on the military makeup of our enemy. I only realize it now because of the Goblins' erratic and suspicious actions. Despite his barbaric tendencies and his cunning, it seems his minimal leadership strength has become a major weakness. With him, his son, and…Spidey…they don't have a proper chain of command." White Tiger explained.
"That makes sense. Many Goblins we encounter seem quite random and in total surprise, without focus." Power Man said, rubbing his chin as he contemplated the notion.
"That's a weakness we need to exploit. Without guidance and leadership in such situations, it will be easier to pick off such stragglers. Even if the Green Goblin gathered every one of his henchmen in one place and was able to give them a specific command, it would still be difficult to obtain the goal at hand without leaders in groups and other key positions for vital tasks." One of the S.H.I.E.L.D. squad leaders said.
"Divide and conquer? Sweet." Nova chuckled.
"Not divide, their disorderly mess is already weak enough. All we need to do, is conquer." White Tiger stated.
The group nodded in understanding.
"Doctor Conners, Iron Spider, how does the mass production of the cure coming?" White Tiger asked.
"We have a large mass of it currently, but still not enough to send out to the military. That will still take some time." Doctor Conners answered.
"However, we do have enough to start supplying key squads and individuals with the cure. Perhaps gifting it to them can help turn the tide? With this, we still will have enough it case of an emergency and work with to continue to build up more for our allies outside of Manhattan." Iron Spider added.
"Good, we start now. Have the elite S.H.I.E.L.D. strike and stealth ops teams supplied with rounds that contain the vaccine. Also, we will need Academy members with specific assets that will be effective in delivering the cure, including you Iron Spider." White Tiger ordered.
"I understand you perfectly." Iron Spider chuckled.
"Alright everyone, once this has been prepared and tested properly, we will change the rules of the nature of this calamity. Until then, operate as usual. We cannot afford any possible chance of our enemies learning this revelation and plan. That will be all." White Tiger commanded.
The group nodded in understand then all walked out. White Tiger had a silent sigh of relief. She then walked back to the window. Her eyes narrowed in focus at the mayhem the city is in.
'Soon enough, I'll be coming for you.' White Tiger growled in her mind.
To be continued…