Possibly No Next Time

"If we can't solve Ultron with our own strength, if we have to bow our heads and ask that damned, shameless bastard Carl Mala for help—"

The corner of Nick Fury's mouth twitched slightly. "I think the topic at the next Security Council hearing probably won't be how S.H.I.E.L.D. should rebuild itself, but how S.H.I.E.L.D. should be liquidated."

Maria Hill fell silent.

She understood the part Nick Fury had left unsaid. This was not merely a military operation; it was more like a complicated political game.

If the Avengers could defeat Ultron, S.H.I.E.L.D. would gain enough breathing room to rebuild and grow stronger.

Otherwise, if the Avengers failed, S.H.I.E.L.D. would likely become history—

"But Tony and the others..." Maria Hill still could not fully suppress the worry in her heart. "Dr. Banner's condition is unstable. Natasha and Clint may both be top-tier agents, but they'll inevitably be outmatched against a Mechanical Legion of that scale. As for Tony, he created Ultron himself and has been deeply blaming himself for it. That also means he's the most likely to let his emotions affect his judgment—"

At that, Nick Fury stubbed his cigar out in his coffee cup with a soft sizzle.

"That's why I didn't have them blindly launch an assault." Nick Fury sounded irritated. "Reconnaissance, assessment. If an opportunity arises, prioritize taking control of those three Helicarriers."

"If that doesn't work—at least we can find out Ultron's exact progress, learn what we'll be facing next, and naturally know how to fight next time."

"Next time?" Maria Hill sharply caught that word.

Nick Fury did not answer.

He walked over to a military safe in the corner of the room, entered a twelve-digit password, verified his fingerprint, and underwent an iris scan—until the safe finally opened.

Yet inside that heavily secured