บท 92: 91: Hydra, exposed!
Nick Fury was still planning on recruiting Tony Stark.
The next day, the highly efficient MIB agents had already placed Hydra's intelligence reports on the nightstands of world leaders.
Across the globe, the most powerful individuals woke up that morning to find these mysterious documents beside their beds.
This marked the beginning of a day filled with turmoil.
Armies were mobilized, national intelligence agencies were activated.
Every leader who received the documents immediately deployed their most secretive and powerful forces.
In classified buildings around the world, thousands of elite troops were dispatched, all in sync, to apprehend the individuals listed in the reports—excluding those in positions of power.
Their mission wasn't just to verify the authenticity of the information, but more importantly, to investigate the forces capable of infiltrating the homes of such powerful people without a trace.
However, when the individuals on the list were captured, imprisoned, subjected to torture, and truth serums, a much greater shock hit the hearts of the world's elite.
The information in the documents was all true!
Hydra still existed in the world!
Moreover, it had infiltrated every level of society!
From royalty and state ministers to street vendors and kiosk owners, Hydra's reach extended everywhere!
The most horrifying discovery for these powerful individuals was realizing that even their closest loved ones, sleeping beside them, were members of Hydra!
The world had gone mad—completely mad!
No one cared anymore which force had placed the documents by their beds.
Everyone was focused on hunting down Hydra, killing Hydra, and digging them out by any means necessary.
Nearly every country was secretly shaken, with thousands upon thousands of orders issued simultaneously to deploy military forces to wipe out Hydra.
However, the moment those orders were issued, they were immediately canceled, and the ones who gave the commands found their heads swiftly removed from their bodies.
Because as they gave the orders, the seemingly respectful assistant handing them gold-rimmed glasses was actually a member of Hydra!
The leaders of nations descended into madness.
The high-ranking officials of Hydra were equally losing their minds.
In a sealed room, prominent figures of Hydra convened through remote holographic projections.
"Who the hell leaked the secrets? Who exposed the list? We have a traitor among us!"
Former S.H.I.E.L.D. director, the impeccably dressed Alexander Pierce, kicked over a table and roared furiously.
"It's a coward! Just as our great plan was about to succeed, someone lost their nerve!"
"Baron Strucker! Was it you who betrayed us? Did you tip off Nick Fury?"
On the other end, Baron Strucker, now bald, was equally enraged.
"I should be the one asking you, Pierce! You're the only one whose name isn't on that list! You self-righteous fool, how dare you turn this on me!"
Baron Strucker stood up abruptly, his veins bulging on his face, eyes wide with rage.
"You think you're better than us just because you control S.H.I.E.L.D.! You want to monopolize Hydra for yourself!"
"You never let that Nick Fury, who acts more like Hydra than we do, join our ranks—that's proof!"
"From the start, you've been putting on an act. First, you used the excuse of Fury's suspicions to get him killed, and now you're planning to kill us!"
"How long have you been living your high and mighty life? Just because you can wield a knife, you think you can eliminate us?"
"I'm telling you, it won't happen!" Baron Strucker's neck turned red with fury as he cursed.
Pierce's face flushed with anger as he retorted, "Nonsense! I've worked diligently in S.H.I.E.L.D., and you think I'm the traitor!?"
"Calm down, gentlemen! Calm down!" Madame Hydra interjected, trying to steer the conversation back to rationality, not allowing them to continue this mindless bickering.
"The urgent matter at hand is dealing with the suspicions of world leaders against us, not fighting amongst ourselves!"
She analyzed coolly, "Strucker, all of us are on that list, so it's impossible that one of us betrayed Hydra."
"But none of your agents inside S.H.I.E.L.D. were exposed, which makes your faction the more suspicious one."
Before Pierce could argue back, she quickly added, "But your 'Insight Project' has already started smoothly. You're close to achieving your goals, so there's no reason for you to betray us either."
"Since we can't find the answer, we need to set this aside! The most important thing now is to help our exposed members go back into hiding!"
Madame Hydra's seductive figure leaned casually on the table. "Do you two understand?"
"Do you think I don't?" Baron Strucker slumped into his chair.
"A third of my best agents have been exposed. Now I'm forced to hide in my Sokovia base, but for how long can I stay hidden?"
"That's exactly why we're here—to find a solution," Madame Hydra replied, turning her gaze toward Pierce. "Pierce, you and your group haven't been exposed yet. This matter has to be handled by you. Don't let everyone down."
Pierce took several deep breaths, glaring fiercely at Strucker like a ravenous wolf, before nodding.
"I'll request the Council to deploy S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Sitwell and Rumlow will provide you with forged death certificates."
"This is the best short-term solution I can offer."
"We'll revisit everything once the 'Insight Project' is underway."
"When that plan succeeds, all those ignorant fools will repent for the mistakes they made against us!"
Baron Strucker snorted coldly upon hearing this. "Fine, then. You'd better move quickly. Meeting adjourned!"
The Hydra meeting ended on a sour note.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side, Nick Fury had already sought out Tony Stark.
With Phil Coulson in tow, he originally intended to infiltrate Stark's mansion, just as he had done the first time.
However, as soon as Fury activated the localized electromagnetic shield device, alarms echoed throughout the entire villa.
"What the fuck!"
In less than a second, a suit of armor descended from the sky, its dual repulsor cannons charged and ready to fire.
"Oh, Wait! Listen, this must be a misunderstanding!" Nick Fury raised his hands in surrender, giving Coulson a swift kick to remind him to do the same.
A few minutes later, the two of them were escorted by the armored suit into the living room to meet Tony Stark.
Tony sat casually, legs crossed, arms draped over the back of the sofa, gazing out at the ocean view as though he didn't even notice them.
Nick Fury, seemingly unbothered by the cold reception, greeted Tony with ease.
"Second time meeting, Iron Man, or maybe I should just call you Tony?"
"You see, whenever we meet, it's always so unexpected—don't you find it thrilling?"
Fury, with Coulson in tow, moved to sit across from Tony and casually spoke to the suit of armor, "A cup of coffee, with milk and sugar, please."
Coulson smiled and added, "I'll just have a glass of milk, room temperature if possible."
"Jarvis, no need to take their order! And you guys, stay standing." Tony raised his left hand, cutting them off. "Sorry, you see, I don't recall inviting you to sit."
"Really? I thought the sofas in your house were for friends to sit on," Nick Fury responded, completely unfazed, as he boldly sat down.
He stretched out his bandaged leg straight. "I believe Stark wouldn't be too harsh on someone who's overcome so much adversity."
Coulson's smile grew even brighter. "The sofa is soft and beautiful, Mr. Stark."
Tony's forehead twitched at their overly familiar behavior. "Shamelessness is S.H.I.E.L.D.'s style, huh? Two uninvited guests? What method do you want me to use this time to throw you both off a cliff?"
"No, no, calm down, Tony. In fact, we're here to bring you something you might need."
Nick Fury gestured to Coulson, who placed a black box on the table.
"Your father was one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D., and this is something he left behind there."
"Maybe it'll give you a better answer about your arc reactor, who knows?"
_________
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