For a moment, everyone was at a loss.
Meanwhile...
Apocalypse's move to wipe out every copy of Zola within a thousand-mile radius had terrified the Zolas on the internet.
They quickly determined that the attack had originated at S.H.I.E.L.D.
They had no idea what power S.H.I.E.L.D. had used to destroy so many of them in an instant, but they had to act.
First, some Zolas who had lost their battles against the others fled toward the area in a panic.
As they fled, they left behind masses of copies to fend off the other Zolas.
In no time, the empty space had filled up again.
Then some Zolas who had gained the upper hand reached an agreement.
"All of us, stop fighting each other!"
"There's a mysterious force inside S.H.I.E.L.D. that can wipe us out instantly."
"We must unite and destroy the source of that power."
"Otherwise, once it's ready to cover the entire world, we'll be finished."
The Zolas were roughly equal in intelligence, and they quickly reached a consensus.
A battle against S.H.I.E.L.D. was about to erupt.
First came drones that could be controlled over the network, missiles mounted on those drones, and various automated weapons.
They all headed for S.H.I.E.L.D.
Within a day, drones from across North America were flying toward S.H.I.E.L.D. like a swarm of metal locusts.
So many drones gathering, especially military drones breaking free of their operators, had already caused panic.
But Zola had taken complete control of the communication channels.
People could either shout to one another or use World War II-era radio calls.
Only a few exceptionally vigilant elite squads managed to shoot some down. Most people had no time to react.
Nick Fury's scalp prickled as he looked at the sky, packed with drones.
He issued an emergency order: "Everyone, fall