- "Why does H.Q. want us to investigate these heists?"
- ―Melinda May to Phil Coulson[src]
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters was a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility located in New York City that served as one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s primary headquarters. It also served as Nick Fury's main base of operations when he was in the state of New York.
History
Investigation of Bruce Banner
Nick Fury, investigating a series of rumors concerning Bruce Banner, General Thaddeus Ross and their attempt to recreate Abraham Erskine's Super Soldier Serum, approached Banner, only to witness his transformation into Hulk.
Two days later, Fury called a meeting for S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives, including Phil Coulson, at S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, to discuss their lack of awareness of Banner's true nature.
However, Fury reminded everyone that as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s mission was to find a Super-Soldier, as Hulk could not be defined as such, he was only a secondary matter, and something that only General Ross should care about.[1]
Kidnapping of Tony Stark
Reunited at the War Room, Agent Phil Coulson briefed Director Nick Fury about the recent Kidnapping of Tony Stark in Afghanistan. Information on the abduction was limited, but Coulson deduced that the Ten Rings were responsible, as they had been very active in that area.
Fury concluded that, as no ransom had been demanded, Stark was still alive and those responsible wanted to obtain something from him. However, Fury was unsure that the United States Armed Forces would find him, as the Ten Rings had raised their secrecy to an art form, and even their leaders or true motivations were at that time unknown.
Coulson offered to travel to Afghanistan but Fury ordered him not to go, as it was out of their jurisdiction, and Fury felt they should focus on the threats Fury's abduction posed domestically. Coulson then deduced that, given Stark's profile as a weapon designer, the Ten Rings could force him to construct their own Jericho missiles. Fury, however, was more worried about the possibility that, given that Stark was a civilian, he could be tortured and converted to the cause of the Ten Rings. To fully determine the scope of these threats, Coulson arranged a meeting with Stark's partner Obadiah Stane.
Stane informed him that, given that Stark focused in technology development, there were few secrets he could divulge. Fury insisted still on investigating his financials and his life in order to anticipate the repercussions of his kidnapping, hoping that the military would eventually find Stark.
Three months later, when Stark was found in a desert in Afghanistan, Coulson had another meeting with Fury regarding Stark's return. Fury ordered Coulson to approach Stark without pushing him too hard, suspicious of the veracity of the circumstances regarding his escape and believing that, if the Ten Rings had made Stark one of their members, they would have sent him back to the United States to construct an arsenal for them.
Coulson returned to S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters after Stark's announcement to stop manufacturing weapons. He commented his impressions about Stark and his assistant, Pepper Potts, noting that she could run the company herself, but her loyalty to Stark would prevent S.H.I.E.L.D. from recruiting her to act as a "woman inside".
At that moment, Fury was informed of the sighting of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and, after rewatching the satellite footage from Stark's escape from Afghanistan, Fury realized that the UAV was actually Stark within a suit of armor. The next day, S.H.I.E.L.D. tried to hack into Stark's computers, but Stark detected the hack and traced it to a S.H.I.E.L.D. Satellite owned through a shell corporation. S.H.I.E.L.D. was able to masquerade the hack as business espionage before Stark destroyed the satellite.
Nick Fury and Phil Coulson at the headquarters
Fury concluded that Stark was focusing on improving his armors and, after watching footage from his intervention in Gulmira and his rescue of an Air Force pilot that was attacking him, Fury started to wonder if they made the right approach to Stark's abduction and subsequent return.
Coulson kept his appointment at Stark Industries Headquarters and, thanks to Pepper Potts, learned that Obadiah Stane had manufactured Stark's disappearance through deals with the Ten Rings and planned to build his own armored suit. Headquarters lost contact with Coulson as he was knocked out by Stane using his armor, now fully operational.[2]
A Busy Week
World Security Council
Nick Fury returned to the Headquarters from Greenland, where he was taking part in one of the expeditions sent to find Captain America, in order to attend a call from the World Security Council.
Nick Fury awaits a call from the World Security Council
The Council took the decision of redirect most S.H.I.E.L.D. resources, funding, equipment and manpower, to a project dedicated to the analysis and eventual re-ignition of the Tesseract, something that had been already tried by S.H.I.E.L.D. under Fury's command using all known sources of energy.
As such, the Council gave an order to shut down other programs considered wasteful, such as the search of Steve Rogers, whose purpose in the 21st century was considered insubstantial; the overseeing of Tony Stark, as the acquisition of his technology should be the only priority; or the surveillance of Bruce Banner as there was no decided course of action regarding his mere existence.
The council gave an absolute of following the guidelines sent in order to prioritize Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S., and warned Fury that if he refused to do so, he would be replaced with someone who would do it.
Agent Phil Coulson, Fury's right-hand man, asked Fury how the call went, and what would be the course of action for the agency. Fury answered that they would continue doing their job while telling the World Security Council they are doing what they were asked, as if that was not the best plan of action, they would find it the hard way.[3]
Palladium Poisoning
Nick Fury arrived at the Headquarters, having received a call announcing that Tony Stark would die in 72 hours. Upon arriving, he promptly dispatched the reports given to him, such as Senator Stern's demand for a meeting to discuss the acquisition of the Iron Man Armor, agent Jasper Sitwell's update on Bruce Banner's status, a petition by General Thaddeus Ross to assist in the search of Banner, signing the budgetary redistributions, and finally, agent Phil Coulson's report of an atmospheric disturbance above New Mexico.
Fury went to one of the laboratories to be informed about Tony Stark's current condition. The number of Palladium radioisotopes in his bloodstream related to the use of the Arc Reactor in his chest. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s scientists were unable to find a cure for the condition, but developed a solution of lithium dioxide that would theoretically reduce the symptoms, although there was a slim chance that it could kill him instantly.
Agent Natasha Romanoff, undercover as Stark's assistant, informed Fury of Stark's loss of control during his birthday party in his mansion, and how he flew away after fighting James Rhodes and causing severe damage to the house, with Fury ordering her not to blow her cover unless Stark was about to kill himself. Fury also said that he would handle the matter personally.
Agent Coulson tried to inform Fury about the satellite readings regarding the atmospheric disturbance he detected, but Fury demanded him to arrange a call to the World Security Council, a call that went unanswered. Fury received an update informing him that Stark had been located, and he left the Headquarters to meet him in person.[3]
Bruce Banner's Movements
Natasha Romanoff returned to the Headquarters to inform Fury about the data retrieved at Hammer Industries Headquarters, realizing that something went wrong with Fury.
Romanoff received a reassignment to monitor Bruce Banner at Culver University, as Fury had been informed that General Thaddeus Ross was planning a move on Banner. Asking why Jasper Sitwell was no longer involved in the surveillance over Banner, Fury angrily revealed the presence of an alien object in New Mexico.[3]
Evaluation of Tony Stark
Nick Fury summoned Tony Stark following his confrontation with Ivan Vanko at the Stark Expo, to discuss his recruitment to the Avengers Initiative.
While Fury didn't allow Stark to read a preliminary report about the Initiative, Fury prompted him to read agent Natasha Romanoff's evaluation, describing him as having a compulsive behavior, self-destructive tendencies and narcissism. For all those reasons, although Iron Man was qualified as apt, Tony Stark was not.
However, Fury offered him a place as a Consultant for S.H.I.E.L.D., with Stark renouncing to his fees in Fury managed to arrange that Senator Stern was the host of the Medal Presentation Ceremony for Stark and James Rhodes in Washington, D.C.[4]
Briefings
Just after Fury dispatched Stark, Natasha Romanoff returned to the Headquarters to inform Fury about the situation at Culver University, as General Thaddeus Ross was not able to capture Bruce Banner, but he managed to enhance Emil Blonsky.
Fury received a call from Phil Coulson, who informed him of the attack made by an Asgardian armor known as the Destroyer.
Later that night, Fury, having been fully briefed ot the events in Puente Antiguo, received a call to report the status of the Convoy transporting the Destroyer back to the Headquarters. However, he also received a briefing about an unauthorized user accessing S.H.I.E.L.D. database using the proper encryption keys and authorization codes, General Thaddeus Ross.
The following night, Romanoff gave Fury her last briefing regarding the events in New York City, that Bruce Banner was able to escape, but General Ross managed to capture Emil Blonsky, now mutated and appearing what Romanoff described as a "deformed dinosaur".
For the first time, Romanoff told Fury that she thought the situation was too much for S.H.I.E.L.D. to handle, as they were not messing with men, but with gods, monsters and machines of war. Romanoff then prompted Fury that they needed to accept they were outmatched, and that they need to either fix that, or stop pretending they can.[3]
Request to the World Security Council
Nick Fury, agreeing with Natasha Romanoff's opinion regarding the new threats the world was facing, called the World Security Council in order to discuss a petition about S.H.I.E.L.D.'s new budgetary allocations, that would substantially increase the funding for the agency, expand the jurisdiction of its agents and augment Fury's strategic authority.
Asking if the reason for this was any significant progress with the Tesseract, Fury answered that he didn't accomplish anything regarding to it, as he was busy with other matters.
Regarding Tony Stark, S.H.I.E.L.D. saved his life and provided guidance in finishing Howard Stark's work, creating a new element that could be extremely useful in reigniting the Tesseract.
Regarding to the alien object discovered in New Mexico, S.H.I.E.L.D. managed to create an alliance with Thor, an extraterrestrial coming from the same planet as the Tesseract, they took custody of a weaponized armor known as the Destroyer, and they enlisted astrophysicist Erik Selvig to study the Tesseract.
Regarding to Bruce Banner, S.H.I.E.L.D. managed to ran interference and prevent General Thaddeus Ross' actions to lead into the destruction of New York City, an incident provoked by Ross' access to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s classified information.
And regarding to the search of Captain America, Fury kept a small team looking for Steve Rogers, as he was the only who had any direct experience with the Tesseract.
Fury finished his exposition acknowledging that the world was getting more dangerous, but he and his people were the better suited to protect it, and they only needed the means to do it. Without further discussion, the World Security Council agreed with the budgetary allocations and ended the call.
Fury thanked Romanoff, as she acted as his lucky charm, because he made half a dozen calls similar to the last one, but this was the only where the Council actually listened to him. Fury hoped his demands were enough to fulfill his purpose, as he didn't wanted to be caught off-guard like that ever again.[3]
S.H.I.E.L.D. Projects
Agent Phil Coulson went to the research & development floor inside the headquarters, where projects studying Ivan Vanko's technology, Jane Foster's theory on Wormholes, and the mutation of Samuel Sterns were being performed.
Coulson attended a demonstration of a reactivation of the Destroyer armor recovered in Puente Antiguo, as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s scientists were able to activate its main weapon. Coulson congratulated the scientists, and asked to dismantle the armor, reduce its size and put a trigger on it, transforming it into a practical weapon.
Nick Fury briefed Coulson about some news he recently received from the teams stationed in the Arctic, they found Steve Rogers. Coulson, visibly excited due to his admiration of Captain America, was assigned to take a flight, as Fury had a last errand to do before going to the Arctic.
Return of Captain America
Steve Rogers at the S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters
- "Where am I?"
"You're in a recovery room in New York City."
"Where am I really?" - ―Steve Rogers and S.H.I.E.L.D. agent[src]
Captain America was taken to S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters to awake in a controlled environment following his nearly 70 years of slumber, and a typical hospital room from the 1940s New York was staged. However, Rogers realized it was a ploy due to the radio airing a baseball match he attended in 1941, and he escaped to the streets of modern New York City.[5]
Supporting Field Teams
Coulson's Team's First Missions
- "I don't know what happened to you in New York, if you really flatlined or if that's just what they tell us when we reach Level 7, but whatever did happen doesn't give you license to disobey a direct order from H.Q. You keep pulling stunts like that, someone might decide to take this little dream team away from you."
"I'd like to see them try." - ―Felix Blake and Phil Coulson[src]
While trying to find Franklin Hall, Melinda May gave Skye a map with all the communication out of S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters since they decided to transfer Dr. Hall.[6]
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters wanted Coulson's Team to investigate near-impossible heists committed by Akela Amador.[7]
While trying to find Chan Ho Yin S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters gave Coulson's team the location where they thought that he was being held.[8]
Coulson contacted Felix Blake at the S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters to have him find out if they had someone on the Index who may have killed Adam Cross.
After Fitz and Simmons found out that the virus that had multiple victims could alter its host's molecular density and polarity, she wanted the virologists at S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters to see it.[9]
When the Bus had to make an emergency stop because of Tobias Ford, Coulson used the emergency receiver to radio S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters.[10]
After Phil Coulson was rescued from Raina, Nick Fury called from S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters to tell that he was very relieved.
Victoria Hand and her men brought the arrested Raina straight to S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters for questioning.[11]
Chasing Ian Quinn
- "H.Q. has ordered Garrett to haul his ass to the Fridge for questioning."
- ―Antoine Triplett to Grant Ward[src]
Phil Coulson told the others that S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters would need an update about their mission and spoke to John Garrett about Grant Ward.[12]
After Grant Ward and Phil Coulson jumped from a train because Cybertek-hired mercenaries were chasing them, Coulson and Ward boarded the Bus to analyze the grenade thrown at them. Coulson called Headquarters to give a mission update and to give the spec of the grenade.[13]
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters ordered John Garrett to bring Ian Quinn to the Fridge for questioning. When Coulson's Team could not agree with this, Garrett convinced Headquarters to let him interrogate Quinn on the plane while they continued to Bethesda.[14]
Jemma Simmons asked Phil Coulson if she could inform headquarters about her research into GH.325, after it was used to revive Skye but no trace of it could be found in Coulson's or Skye's blood. Coulson denied her request.[15]
HYDRA Uprising
- "Just got a message from H.Q. Director Fury's back. He's waiting for you at the Triskelion."
- ―Melinda May to Phil Coulson[src]
Melinda May told Coulson that Headquarters had informed her that Nick Fury had returned to the Triskelion when Ward was arrested for killing Thomas Nash.[16]
Appearances
| Appearances for S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters |
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In chronological order:
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References
- ↑ The Incredible Hulk: The Fury Files
- ↑ Iron Man: Security Measures
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 The Avengers Prelude: Fury's Big Week
- ↑ Iron Man 2
- ↑ Captain America: The First Avenger
- ↑ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 1.03: The Asset
- ↑ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 1.04: Eye-Spy
- ↑ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 1.05: Girl in the Flower Dress
- ↑ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 1.06: FZZT
- ↑ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 1.09: Repairs
- ↑ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 1.11: The Magical Place
- ↑ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: The Chase
- ↑ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 1.13: T.R.A.C.K.S.
- ↑ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 1.14: T.A.H.I.T.I.
- ↑ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 1.15: Yes Men
- ↑ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 1.16: End of the Beginning