Deep inside Hydra's research base, Alexander stood before a high-tech monitoring room under dim lights, his brow furrowed and hands clasped behind his back. He paced back and forth, looking unusually anxious.
Standing beside him was the loyal Winter Soldier, Hydra's ace—and Captain America's best buddy, Bucky Barnes.
"Why is progress so slow?"
Alexander muttered under his breath, his voice betraying his considerable frustration.
Several days had passed since they obtained those monsters' body parts, but they still had nothing to show for it. Alexander was getting impatient.
Nick Fury had once been an excellent tool whom he'd promoted. Under Fury's leadership, S.H.I.E.L.D. had grown stronger, and Hydra had grown stronger along with it.
But a few days ago, the Security Council had inexplicably fired Nick Fury and appointed someone Alexander had never even heard of as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director.
Alexander had planned to do something about this new director, but the moment he saw him, all the bad ideas in his head vanished.
As a result, even now, he still had no idea what Director Xia was really like.
Worst of all, the new director was diligent to an absurd degree—a born workhorse.
He spent every waking hour in the office and never even went home.
That level of dedication made Alexander's heart pound with alarm. If things continued like this, Director Xia would discover something was wrong at S.H.I.E.L.D. before long.
That was why they had to move their plans forward. If the new director found out, the consequences would be unimaginable.
He had also observed Banner's battle with the Military. For Alexander, this might be an opportunity.
If the Blood God could freely bless people, couldn't they steal its power for themselves?
Alexander stopped pacing. His gaze passed through the flickering light of the monitors and settled on the scientists working in the laboratory in the distance.
Suddenly, the monitoring room door swung open, and a scientist in a white lab coat hurried inside, looking tense.
"Sir, we've discovered that these unusual energies are more active than ever. The energy fluctuations seem to be interacting in ways we can't predict, beyond the scope of our current theories.
"We've tried all kinds of methods to stabilize them, but with little effect. In fact, our efforts have only made them more unstable."
The scientist spoke quickly, his eyes full of concern.
At this, Alexander's eyes lit up. Active was good. Unstable was fine, too. As long as it wasn't unresponsive, that was all that mattered.
This situation had enormous potential.
"What exactly is happening? Where did these energies come from? There was no progress before, and they were dormant. Why have they suddenly become so active?"
The scientist took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. "Sir, our initial theory is that it may be connected to the gods becoming more active. Perhaps the Blood God has blessed its followers again."
So that was it. Alexander's heart pounded.
He turned to the scientist, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Assemble a team immediately and investigate the nature of this energy and its connection to the gods' activities.
"We need to find out how this power is activated and how we can use it. At the same time, step up intelligence gathering, especially regarding the Blood God and any unusual activity among its followers."
The scientist nodded. He still had plenty of doubts, but faced with Alexander's implacable gaze, he could only put them aside and get to work.
So what if they're gods? Alexander silently told himself. As long as we can master this power, nothing is impossible.
One day, every soldier loyal to Hydra will have this power in their bodies. Then this world will belong to Hydra!
As for the Blood God, the world needs a villain. We can use it to show people that only Hydra can protect them.
As the Blood God, a brainless deity, wreaks havoc, the world will become more and more dangerous. Under the crushing pressure of survival, people will gladly give up their freedom.
Alexander stood before the monitoring room, his heart filled with anticipation and ambition for the future.
What he didn't know was that an eye in the void was watching him, too.
"Director, what's so funny?"
On the other end of the video call, Coulson looked awkwardly toward Xia Ling, while Nick Fury's already dark face grew even darker.
It was no wonder. He was wearing a tattered shirt and shorts, with not even a pair of shoes on his feet. All he needed was a brand on his body.
He looked exactly like a guy working on a farm in the eighteenth century.
As it happened, Xia Ling had let out a snort of laughter just as the video call began. It was hard to believe he hadn't been laughing at Nick Fury's outfit.
"Nothing, Mr. Fury. I'm not laughing at you. I'm just laughing at a clown."
At that, Nick Fury could barely keep his composure. He wanted to unleash a string of curses at Xia Ling.
He hadn't called him a clown outright, but wasn't he implying that Nick himself was one?
"Of course, Mr. Fury, your appearance certainly makes an impression. It seems Coulson has been taking good care of you. All that time I spent grooming him hasn't gone to waste. But your appearance isn't what made me laugh.
"Really. It was just a clown."
Xia Ling said this with a straight face, making Nick Fury furious. Coulson quickly grabbed his former boss to stop the Black Egg from doing anything rash.
Otherwise, even if he ended up begging on the street, he still wouldn't get a turn.
"D-Director, Mr. Fury called to thank you for covering his friend Frank's medical expenses, right, Mr. Fury?"
Nick Fury glared at Xia Ling, but eventually managed to rein in his anger and show a hint of gratitude.
"Coulson's right," Nick Fury said, his voice low and firm. He tried to keep his tone even. "Director Xia, I really do owe you thanks. Frank's an old friend of mine, and I've always cared about him. I've been busy with work lately, so I'm grateful you stepped in when you did."
That business about being busy was pretty clever. Did seeking enlightenment at the Dragon Field count as being busy? What about working on a farm?
Xia Ling didn't call him out, though. Otherwise, the Black Egg really might not have been able to hold back.
People ought to be kind once in a while.
Xia Ling's smile faded, and he became serious. "Fury, let's skip the rest for now. When are you going to pay back the ten thousand you owe me?"
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