Hydra

Tri-Wing Building, Nick Fury's office.

Alexander Pierce sat on the brown-black visitor's sofa in the director's office, his pale gray eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at Nick Fury behind the desk.

"What did you just say?"

"I said Hydra." Nick Fury stared at him without a hint of a smile, enunciating each word. "They still exist today."

Pierce blinked and stared at Fury's intact single eye for a long moment, as though desperately trying to find even the slightest hint of a joke in his gaze.

"You don't believe me," Fury said flatly. "I understand. But I can guarantee with my position that this information is absolutely true, and it has already been confirmed."

Of course it was absolutely true. At this very moment, a high-ranking Hydra operative was sitting face-to-face with him on the sofa in his office, pretending to be utterly shocked by the fact that "Hydra still exists" while also acting completely unaware of it.

Yes, this S.H.I.E.L.D. minister, deeply trusted by Fury, was one of Hydra's most important pieces planted within S.H.I.E.L.D. But it was no wonder that even someone as cautious as Nick Fury had never suspected Pierce. After all, Alexander Pierce had served under Fury's predecessor as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.; it was this blond old man who had personally handed the director's position over to Fury.

"Twelve hours ago, I secretly dispatched a team to verify a lead," Fury said. "According to the intelligence, they discovered a still-operational facility at that military camp in New Jersey where S.H.I.E.L.D. was originally established. Buried beneath the facility were over two hundred thousand feet of servers—old equipment from the last century, but well-equipped and still functioning properly."

By this point, Pierce had long understood what Fury was referring to, but while cursing inwardly, he still had to maintain an outwardly calm expression.

"Is that so?" he replied. "That really is strange. Who would hide a bunch of antiques that belong in a museum in a place like that?"

Fury did not answer directly, instead changing the subject. "Do you remember Arnim Zola?"

Pierce put on an act of pondering for a moment.

"If you mean the German scientist from World War II, then I remember him," he replied. "He was an exceptionally rare talent in his era, though unfortunately he worked for Hydra. Captain America captured him in the end."

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

Pierce naturally knew that Zola was Swiss, and he knew of his existence as well. But he still narrowed his eyes and feigned ignorance. "You must be joking now."

Fury continued, "My team has already secured Zola. He proved to us that Hydra still exists. All these years, Hydra has been parasitizing S.H.I.E.L.D. from within, like a parasite drawing nourishment from us, gathering strength, and quietly changing this world from the shadows."

Pierce dropped his casual attitude and looked directly at Fury with a serious, grave expression. "You realize how insane what you just said sounds, right? You're telling me Hydra not only still exists today, but has been hiding within S.H.I.E.L.D.? And it has been doing so for many years?"

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

Alexander Pierce slowly removed his dark black glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Damn it. If this is true... do you know how much impact this will have? The World Security Council..."

"Don't let them know yet," Fury said after a pause. "At least not until I've decided what to do. That's why I told you in advance—there may be a series of major moves within the agency next. While I take action, I need you to handle the Council."

Pierce put his glasses back on and sighed softly. "All right. As long as you know what you're doing, Nick. Don't worry about the Council. I'll buy you the time you need, just like always."

S.H.I.E.L.D. was not under the jurisdiction of the United States government, but answered directly to the World Security Council. Dealing with those big shots above had always been Alexander Pierce's specialty. Fury handled the real work, while Pierce secured more resources and greater freedom for him. The two had maintained a good working relationship for years.

"Then it looks like I have a lot to prepare." Pierce let out a long sigh, rose from the sofa, and buttoned his suit jacket. "But I still have one final question. What do you plan to do, Nick? Investigate every agent in the agency?"

Fury remained expressionless. "I have my own arrangements."

Since he had said that, he clearly had no intention of explaining. There was no point pressing Nick Fury for anything he did not intend to reveal. Pierce clearly understood that, so he said no more and took his leave.

The electronically controlled automatic doors closed immediately after Pierce left, and the digital lock let out a crisp click to indicate that it had locked. The director's office was sealed shut again, like an airtight iron box.

Fury sat quietly in his swivel chair with his eyes closed for a while, then suddenly spoke as if to himself. "Something you want to say?"

Half a second later, ripples appeared in the air by the wall behind him. Deep fluorescent light emerged from nowhere, and iron-black lines outlined the shape of a metal suit of armor.

"Just as expected of Nick Fury." Michael Passo, clad in armor, spun over to the desk. "Sharp nose."

"This building is filled with the world's best agents and protected by security protocols built from the most advanced technology, yet they still can't stop you from entering and leaving my office like it's a supermarket." Fury lifted his eyelids. "How long have you been here?"

"Twenty minutes. I happened to hear your entire discussion." Michael said, "It sounds like you've found Zola, and the intelligence I left behind last time has all been confirmed. I believe that should lay a solid foundation for our cooperation going forward."

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

"Special circumstances call for special measures. We're discussing something that concerns S.H.I.E.L.D.'s very survival. I think you'll make an exception for that." Michael paused, then changed the subject. "But if it would put you slightly more at ease, I can tell you that my former name was Angus Norton, one of Hydra's highest-ranking researchers—but don't bother digging too deeply into that name. Hydra has spent three whole years searching for Angus Norton with everything they have, and they still haven't found anything, because that person no longer exists."

"What, did you two have a falling-out?"

"My family has served Hydra loyally for generations, but I have no interest in their stale, ridiculous ambition to 'rule the world.'" Michael said flatly. "But Hydra will not tolerate betrayal. Their claws stretch across the world. As long as I remain alive, they will never stop searching for me. That's annoying, so I'm going to pull them out by the roots."

"That's all?" Fury raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"That's all," Michael repeated. "'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.' Hydra is our common enemy, so I'll help you deal with them with everything I have, and I won't require anything in return."

"You really are generous," Fury said flatly. "Your proposal is tempting, but not convincing."

"Then don't believe me. Suspicion is your job, Director Fury. You only need to do your job."

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

"What is this?" Fury asked.

"Your leverage." Michael spoke flatly as he remotely brought up a file photo on the screen. The photo showed a fierce-looking bald man, all muscle, with the eyes of a wild beast seemingly lurking within his gaze.

"Carl Creel, codenamed 'Absorbing Man,' a superpowered individual whose ability allows him to transform his skin into nearly any material he touches," Michael explained.

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

"Verify it again," Michael said. "Absorbing Man is now a Hydra weapon. I've just sent you his current hideout address, the data on all his abilities, and the countermeasures I've developed personally. You can arrange for people to deal with him as soon as possible. Creel is one of Hydra's most useful superpowered individuals. Taking him out would be a very good start."

"All right, then get moving. I won't disturb you any longer." Michael took two steps back and waved behind him. A Magic Circle portal spun open behind him. "Like I just said, you don't have to believe me. Of course, you can also try setting a trap for my next visit, try to capture me and torture me or something." He paused, then gave a low chuckle. "If you can catch me."

As he spoke, he had already stepped backward into the flame-colored Magic Circle. The portal spun shut, then vanished completely after throwing off a few final sparks in the air.

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

"Put me through to Agent Phil Coulson," Fury said into the receiver. "I have a mission for his team."