S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, Tri-Wing Building.
"We've had enough of riddles, Minister Pierce." The speaker was a woman with short blonde hair, apparently at least fifty years old. Her holographic image sat behind a transparent circular glass barrier, staring sternly and reproachfully at Alexander Pierce, who stood in the middle of the room.
The bright, spacious room contained no unnecessary furnishings, only four cylindrical glass pillars. The holographic projections of four World Security Council members sat behind the glass, harshly questioning the S.H.I.E.L.D. minister.
Overseeing all of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operations was the World Security Council's duty, so these people could also be considered Nick Fury's superiors. However, Fury was a man of action who had always hated dealing with this crowd, so this honorable burden had, as always, fallen upon Pierce's shoulders.
"We need answers," the woman said. "Don't try to brush us off. We all know perfectly well that something major is happening within S.H.I.E.L.D."
Pierce shrugged. "Maybe Fury just thinks we need large-scale layoffs to cut expenses."
"Not funny at all, Minister Pierce." This time, it was a middle-aged man with a full beard. "Over the past month, Nick Fury has made a number of major moves, but he has used nothing but absurd excuses to conceal his true intentions. This has already exceeded the scope of his authority. If he continues to refuse to report to the Council, we will temporarily remove him from his command and intervene in the investigation by force."
Pierce said blandly, "The Council's responsibility is to oversee S.H.I.E.L.D., not to meddle in every trivial detail. If you insist on getting to the bottom of every matter, then I strongly suggest you send a representative of your own to sit in the director's chair."
Indeed, although many people on the Council and in the upper levels of government disliked Nick Fury, no one could do anything about him. The reason was simple: they could not find a replacement.
In this rapidly changing age, where supernatural phenomena emerged one after another, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s existence was undeniably necessary. And for many years, Nick Fury had been the center of S.H.I.E.L.D. His unique charisma and exceptional ability made him irreplaceable. It was his presence that ensured this enormous machine that transcended national borders could run smoothly.
"No one said we wanted to replace Director Fury." Another Council member spoke. Judging by his features, he appeared to be Asian. "Nick Fury's achievements are beyond dispute, and his existence is of great significance to S.H.I.E.L.D. But we also need an answer, because ensuring the correctness of his decisions is precisely our duty."
"Of course, I understand." Pierce nodded and began pacing around the room. "Is something happening inside S.H.I.E.L.D.? Yes. Is Fury taking major action in response? That is also true."
He stopped and turned around.
"But I can also assure you that whatever Fury is doing, it is absolutely necessary. And very soon, you will receive the answers you seek."
When Alexander Pierce stepped out of the room, Fury had clearly been waiting outside for quite some time.
"Another exhausting day?" Fury asked.
Pierce gave a wry smile and waved his hand. "Nothing I can't handle." After a pause, he added, "But seriously, Nick, what exactly is going on now?"
"We've made considerable progress," Fury replied, "but we're still working on it."
"Come on, Nick, this isn't like before." Pierce said helplessly. "This isn't some minor matter like funding or budgeting. We're talking about Hydra! A terrorist organization with tentacles reaching across the globe may have already infiltrated us!
To be honest, I'm already having trouble holding off those people on the Council. I can keep dealing with them for you, but you have to let me know something concrete, don't you?"
Fury shook his head. "This situation is extraordinary. The fewer people who know, the better."
Pierce frowned. "What? You don't even trust me?"
Fury said nothing. He pressed his thick lips tightly together and studied Pierce with his one eye for a long while, his gaze as sharp as that of a hunting eagle. Pierce was almost beginning to feel uncomfortable beneath that stare.
Then Fury extended a hand and patted Pierce on the shoulder.
"Sorry to trouble you," he said. "I owe you one for this."
With that, without waiting for Pierce to reply, he turned and left the office.
Alexander Pierce sat back down in his chair, anger and impatience surfacing on his face—emotions he had carefully kept hidden until now. He sat motionless for a long while, until a visitor request popped up in holographic form above his desk.
Pierce glanced at the interface and casually pressed the "Allow" button.
The person who entered was Sitwell, a S.H.I.E.L.D. Level Six Agent. He wore a pair of non-prescription glasses and a crisp suit, while his bald head gleamed under the incandescent lights.
Of course, he was also a Hydra plant.
As soon as the automatic door closed, Pierce activated the room's "sealed mode," ensuring that the coming conversation could not leak out in any form. Then he raised his head and said coldly, "This had better be good news."
"It's Base 39, sir." Sitwell lowered his voice. "Nick Fury's forces attacked Base 39 thirty minutes ago. It has now been completely secured."
Pierce's expression darkened.
Base 39 had a relatively high level of secrecy even among all of Hydra's strongholds. Unlike many other bases concealed beneath the surface of S.H.I.E.L.D. facilities, it was an entirely independent hidden site.
More importantly, Base 39 had remained dormant until now, with no external communications and no activity. Hydra had long prepared a series of dormant bases like this, so that if they were unexpectedly exposed before S.H.I.E.L.D. someday, they would still have the strength to preserve themselves.
Yet even such a base had been uncovered by the other side. This undoubtedly meant they were drawing ever closer to the core.
Just who the hell was that "Black Knight"? Was he really Dr. Norton? How could he possibly know so much?
"But there is good news as well, sir," Sitwell hurriedly added.
Pierce's expression eased slightly. "What?"
"It's news from Baron Strucker," Sitwell said. "He says he has a lead on the matter you asked him to investigate. He hopes to deploy 'that weapon' under your supervision to clear the obstacles."
That truly was good news. Alexander Pierce narrowed his eyes, unconsciously releasing a murderous aura as dark and chilling as an abyss.