Marvel: A.T.L.A.S. - Ghost Protocol

A.T.L.A.S. Strategic Operations Center, Titan - December 1987

The Emperor Eye tracked seven distinct heartbeats in the secure briefing room, each belonging to someone who should exist only in fiction. Caspian maintained rigid professional control as decades of intelligence training warred with memories from his previous life—movies and television series now made flesh before him.

George Smiley stood at the tactical display, and Caspian had to consciously prevent his reaction. The legendary spymaster from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was now in his early thirties, but those penetrating eyes still carried the same analytical brilliance that had uncovered Soviet moles at the highest levels of British Intelligence. His appointment as A.T.L.A.S. Deputy Director spoke volumes about the sophistication of ROB's alterations to this reality.

"The enhanced soldier program shows sophisticated dispersal patterns," Smiley noted, his precise analysis cutting through assumptions. "Multiple cells, each with independent command structures but coordinated objectives. Classic Russian doctrine, but with refinements I've not seen before."

Jack Bauer's presence was another shock. In his mid-twenties but already carrying the intensity that had made 24 legendary, his role as Deputy Director of Operations seemed both impossible and perfectly natural. The Emperor Eye caught micro-expressions that showed the same ruthless determination to protect America that had defined his character.

"The Osaka operation was too well-coordinated," Bauer said, younger but no less commanding. "Three-tier security, counter-surveillance measures, enhanced backup teams. They weren't just testing capabilities—they were staging a demonstration."

John Reese observed from his position by the wall, and again Caspian had to control his reaction. The quiet professional from Person of Interest was barely older than Caspian himself, but still carried that deadly calm that made him legendary. His tactical analysis proved ROB had enhanced more than just his youth.

"Their pattern recognition software is advanced," Reese noted. "They're learning our methods, adapting countermeasures in real-time. Someone's giving them insight into how we think."

Harry Tasker cut an imposing figure despite his youth—ROB had maintained the Austrian's commanding presence while stripping away decades. His expertise in deep cover operations made him invaluable for understanding the enemy's methodology.

"The enhanced soldiers are a calculated reveal," Tasker added. "Show us the obvious threat while positioning something more dangerous in the shadows."

But it was John W. Creasy who gave Caspian the greatest pause. The legendary operative from Man on Fire was now the spitting image of Will Smith, yet carried himself with the same lethal grace that had made the original film so compelling. The Emperor Eye caught dozens of scars beneath his tactical gear—a history of violence written in flesh.

"They're pushing us to react," Creasy said, his voice carrying the weight of hard-earned wisdom. "Testing response times, cataloging our capabilities. The question is why now?"

"The enhancement formula provides a partial answer." Dr. Sameen Shaw's clinical precision cut through the tension. Seeing the deadly operative from Person of Interest transformed into a genius medical prodigy his own age was yet another impossibility to process. "The cellular structure suggests experimentation with something they don't fully understand. They're trying to recreate effects they've only observed."

The Emperor Eye tracked her movements as she brought up genetic data. Brilliant, lethal, and utterly focused—just as she'd been in the show, but now with an added layer of scientific genius that made her even more formidable.

"Six facilities identified," Smiley continued, manipulating the tactical display. "Each showing signs of enhancement research. The energy signatures are... problematic. They don't match any known Soviet technology."

"Because they're working from incomplete data," Caspian said quietly, frost gathering around his fingers. "Trying to reproduce something they found. Something old."

Shaw's gaze fixed on him with laser intensity. "Your cellular alterations share certain base patterns with their attempts. They're trying to reverse-engineer whatever changed you."

"Then we shut them down," Creasy stated flatly. "Hard. Fast. Clean."

The mission planning unfolded with lethal efficiency. Bauer coordinating multiple strikes. Reese taking Moscow with his underground contacts. Tasker and Creasy assigned to the Chinese facility. The Emperor Eye tracked every detail, every contingency, as these legends of screen and page worked together with deadly precision.

"The Siberian facility is key," Shaw said, her attention fixed on biochemical data. "We need to understand exactly what they're trying to replicate. You and I will handle that personally."

The frost in Caspian's blood stirred as he reviewed tactical projections. Six hours until deployment. Six targets. Six chances to stop whatever was being built in the shadows.

The mission was clear. Everything else was irrelevant.