In the north, inside a Secret Base near Canada.
Several Avengers members sat huddled together, watching the news broadcast on a continuous twenty-four-hour loop. Unbidden expressions of frustration and sorrow appeared on every face.
Although they had used this safe house, which had never been registered in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s database, to temporarily evade Hydra's all-encompassing manhunt,
that did not mean everything was fine.
Quite the opposite!
Once they realized that Project Insight was Hydra's scheme to control the world, everyone present sank into despair.
Tony Stark, the genius scientist in particular, knew perfectly well just how horrifying the destruction caused by those three space warships and the AI robots aboard them could be.
If the miniature nuclear warhead technology he had provided was included, they could easily bomb human civilization on the ground straight back to the Stone Age.
Without a doubt, faced with such military deterrence, the overwhelming majority of countries would choose submission rather than fight to the death.
"What did Allen say?"
After a long silence, Steve Rogers was the first to speak and break it.
Although his mind was filled with thoughts of his friend Bucky, he knew how grave the situation was.
With Hydra's ruthless methods, once they seized power, millions, perhaps tens of millions, would likely be killed.
"He said this is an internal human conflict and that he will not interfere lightly. Besides, the International Security Council has not issued a request for aid or authorization, so he refused to provide any help." Iron Man rubbed his brow as he answered.
Everyone had clearly been mentally prepared for that answer, and none of them looked especially disappointed.
Natasha, in particular, was obviously more concerned about the situation within S.H.I.E.L.D. She raised her head and asked Maria Hill, "What about headquarters? Don't tell me Hydra