Hydra

Tri-Wing Building, Nick Fury's office.

Alexander Pierce sat on the brown-black sofa reserved for guests in the Director's office, his pale gray eyes wide, staring at Nick Fury behind the desk with an expression of utter disbelief.

"What did you just say?"

"I said Hydra," Nick Fury replied, his face deadpan as he fixed his gaze on Pierce, enunciating each word. "They still exist today."

Pierce blinked, staring at Fury's one good eye for a long moment, as if desperately searching for a hint of a joke in his gaze.

"You don't believe me," Fury said flatly. "I can understand that. But I can stake my position on this information being absolutely true and confirmed."

Of course it was true, because right now a senior Hydra officer was sitting face-to-face with him on that office sofa, feigning shock at the "fact" that Hydra still existed while pretending to know nothing about it.

Yes, this S.H.I.E.L.D. Secretary, deeply trusted by Fury, was one of Hydra's most important sleeper agents within the organization. But it was no wonder even someone as cautious as Nick Fury hadn't suspected Pierce—after all, Alexander Pierce was the former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., the one who had personally handed the reins to Fury.

"Twelve hours ago, I secretly dispatched a team to verify a lead," Fury said. "According to the intel, they found an active facility at the old army base in New Jersey where S.H.I.E.L.D. was founded. Buried beneath that facility were over two hundred thousand feet of servers—old equipment from the last century, but well-maintained and still running smoothly."

By this point, Pierce already knew exactly what Fury was referring to, but while cursing inwardly, he kept his composure on the surface.

"Is that so?" he replied. "That's strange. Who would stash a bunch of relics meant for a museum in a place like that?"

Fury didn't answer directly, shifting the topic instead: "Do you remember Arnim Zola?"

Pierce pretended to think it over for a moment.

"If you mean the German scientist from World War II, then yes, I recall him," he said. "He was an exceptionally rare talent for his time, but unfortunately, he worked for Hydra. Captain America eventually caught him."

"To be precise, a Swiss scientist," Fury corrected. "Yes, that's the guy we're talking about. Not long ago, we discovered that this mad scientist backed up everything in his mind before he died. His memories, his knowledge, even his madness—all stored in that massive server."

Pierce, of course, knew Zola was Swiss and was well aware of his existence. But he still narrowed his eyes, feigning ignorance: "Now you must be joking."

Fury continued: "My team has Zola under control. He's proven to us that Hydra still exists. For years, Hydra has been parasitizing S.H.I.E.L.D. from within, like a parasite, draining our resources, building its strength, quietly shaping this world from the shadows."

Pierce dropped his casual demeanor, meeting Fury's gaze with a serious, heavy look: "You realize how insane what you're saying is, right? You're telling me that not only does Hydra still exist today, but it's been hiding inside S.H.I.E.L.D.? And for years?"

"I stand by every word I've said," Fury said flatly.

Alexander Pierce slowly removed his dark-framed glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose: "Damn. If this is true, do you know how big an impact this will have? The World Security Council."

"Keep it from them for now," Fury paused, then added, "At least until I decide what to do. That's why I'm telling you in advance—there might be a series of major moves within the agency soon, and I need you to handle the Council while I take action."

Pierce put his glasses back on and let out a light sigh: "Alright, as long as you know what you're doing, Nick. Don't worry about the Council. I'll buy you the time you need. Like always."

S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't under the U.S. government's jurisdiction; it answered directly to the World Security Council. And dealing with those bigwigs had always been Alexander Pierce's forte. Fury handled the real work, while Pierce secured more resources and freedom for him—the two had maintained a solid partnership for years.

"Looks like I've got a lot to prepare," Pierce said with a long sigh, rising from the sofa and buttoning his suit jacket. "But I have to ask one last thing. What's your plan, Nick? Screen every agent in the agency?"

Fury's face was expressionless: "I have my arrangements."

With that, it was clear he had no intention of elaborating. Whatever Nick Fury didn't want to reveal was pointless to pry into, and Pierce knew that well, so he said no more and took his leave.

The electronically controlled automatic door slid shut behind Pierce, and the electronic lock let out a crisp click as it engaged. The Director's office was sealed again, like an airtight iron box.

Fury closed his eyes, leaning back in his swivel chair for a moment, then suddenly spoke as if to himself: "Something to say?"

Half a second later, a ripple appeared in the air near the wall behind him. A faint, deep glow emerged, and iron-black lines traced the outline of a metal suit.

"As expected of Nick Fury," said Michael Passo, stepping out of his armor and walking to the desk. "Sharp senses."

"This building houses the world's top agents and the most cutting-edge security protocols, yet it still can't stop you from strolling in and out of my office like a supermarket," Fury said, lifting his eyelids. "How long have you been here?"

"Twenty minutes, just about long enough to hear your whole discussion," Michael replied. "Sounds like you've found Zola, and the intel I left last time has been confirmed. I believe this should lay a solid foundation for our future cooperation."

Fury crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair: "You didn't lie last time, but that's not enough to make me agree to cooperate. My principle is to work only with people I know inside and out, and I know nothing about you."

"Special situations call for special measures. We're talking about something that concerns S.H.I.E.L.D.'s very survival here. I think you'll make an exception." Michael paused, then shifted gears: "But if it puts you at ease, I can tell you that my former name was Angus Norton, one of Hydra's top-level researchers—but don't bother digging into that name. Hydra has been searching for Angus Norton for three full years and come up empty, because that person no longer exists."

"What, did you have a falling out?"

"My family has served Hydra for generations, but I have no interest in their laughable ambition to 'rule the world,'" Michael said flatly. "But Hydra doesn't tolerate betrayal. Their claws are everywhere, and as long as I'm alive, they won't stop hunting me—it's annoying, so I'm going to uproot them."

"That simple?" Fury raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"That simple," Michael repeated. "'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.' Hydra is our common enemy, so I'll do everything I can to help you take them down, with no conditions in return."

"How generous of you," Fury said flatly. "Your offer is tempting, but not convincing."

"Then don't believe me. Doubt is your job, Director Fury. Just do your job."

Michael made a gesture, and the projection screen on Fury's desk lit up in response. Documents streamed into his system one after another, like an unstoppable flow of water.

"What's this?" Fury asked.

"Your bargaining chips," Michael said flatly, remotely pulling up a file photo on the screen. It showed a fierce-looking man, bald, muscular, with eyes that seemed to harbor a wild beast.

"Carl Creel, codename 'Absorbing Man,' a superhuman who can transform his skin into almost any substance he touches," Michael introduced.

"I know. S.H.I.E.L.D. has clashed with him before. He's under our control."

"Check again," Michael said. "The Absorbing Man is already Hydra's weapon. I've just sent you his current hideout, his ability parameters, and my personal research on countermeasures. You can deploy your people to deal with him as soon as possible. Creel is one of Hydra's most useful superhumans—taking him out would be a great start."

"Alright, you'd better get moving. I won't disturb you further." Michael took two steps back and waved behind him as a magical portal spiraled open. "Like I said, you don't have to trust me. Of course, you can also try setting a trap next time I visit, try to catch me and torture me for information..." He paused, letting out a low chuckle. "...if you can catch me."

As he spoke, he stepped back into the flame-colored magic circle. The portal spun shut, spitting out a few sparks into the air before vanishing completely.

Nick Fury stared at Carl Creel's photo on the screen for a long moment, then picked up the phone and dialed a number.

"Get me Agent Phil Coulson," Fury said into the receiver. "I've got a mission for his team."