The Plot About to Run Wild

After four small signal jammers brimming with technological sophistication enveloped the entire base, Ryan and the others entered the facility.

"Strategic Homeland... Forget it. I still prefer calling them S.H.I.E.L.D."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. is a global intelligence agency serving the World Security Council. It holds extremely high authority in most countries around the world, and it was also founded by your father, Howard Stark."

"And now, they are among our enemies!"

After entering the room, Ryan pointed at the S.H.I.E.L.D. emblem on the wall as he explained. Tony, meanwhile, stared blankly at Howard's photograph hanging there.

Ryan paid it no mind and continued, "During World War II, after Red Skull was defeated by Captain America, the remnants of Hydra went from operating openly to hiding in the shadows."

They infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. and grew by feeding off it. By now, rather than calling it S.H.I.E.L.D., it would be more accurate to call it Hydra. Even S.H.I.E.L.D. itself was merely one of Hydra's more important assets, far from the whole of their power."

"Well? Feeling even a little scared?"

Ryan looked at Tony, whose face had darkened as though water might drip from it, and pulled open a file rack, revealing an elevator inside. He asked teasingly.

"If Hydra really killed my parents, I swear I'll shove their heads up their own asses!"

Tony cursed, stepped forward, and held a fingerprint reader to the elevator's lock. It instantly unlocked, and the elevator doors opened.

"Hope it isn't all talk."

Ryan shrugged and entered the elevator.

The elevator descended. Once it reached its destination, the automatic lights came on, revealing a pile of computers old enough to be called antiques.

"You said there's an artificial intelligence in here?"

Tony's tone was filled with disbelief.

How could computers from that era possibly possess technology as advanced as artificial intelligence? Even his JARVIS could not yet be considered a true AI, much less something created from these antiques from decades ago.

"You have to understand that true geniuses are capable of turning the impossible into possible, just like you and your father."

Ryan gave Tony a meaningful glance before pointing at the machines around them. "Arnim Zola, Red Skull's chief scientist, developed mature energy weapons back in that era."

Although it ultimately relied on a mysterious artifact, it was still an astonishing achievement.

"After World War II, following Germany's defeat, the United States Government launched an operation called Paperclip, recruiting strategically valuable German scientists into S.H.I.E.L.D."

"Arnim Zola was one of them. Decades later, when he was diagnosed with cancer, he uploaded his consciousness into these computers in order to survive."

"I don't know how he did it, but if you want proof, you'll have to find it yourself among this junk. I think information obtained this way will earn your trust more than anything I hand over personally."

After saying that, Ryan stepped back and completely ceded the space to Tony.

When it came to technology, he only knew how to use it. If Alva were here, there might have been some chance of figuring these things out. As for Ryan, he might as well go wash up and sleep.

"Who do you think I am? They're just a bunch of antiques!"

Tony replied coldly and stepped forward to start working.

Tony's scientific knowledge and genius were beyond question. Before long, before Arnim Zola's consciousness program could even activate, he had found the information he wanted.

A video of Howard and his wife being gunned down played on Tony's computer. Ryan saw that Tony's fists remained tightly clenched, and the killing intent in his eyes was utterly frenzied.

"Who is he?" Tony asked hoarsely.

"Bucky Barnes."

"Captain America's best friend. During his final mission, he accidentally fell from a cliff. Hydra later found him and brainwashed him. His codename is the Winter Soldier, and he is one of Hydra's most effective weapons for eliminating dissidents." Ryan did not hide anything and told him everything he knew.

"Where is he?" Tony asked through gritted teeth.

"I don't know." Seeing Tony glare at him, Ryan sighed. "I really don't know where he is now. Don't treat me like I'm omniscient and omnipotent. Otherwise, I wouldn't have needed three days just to determine which faction had kidnapped Annie!"

"I only know this much because of a special reason, and even then, I only know the general picture. When it comes to specifics, there may be things you understand better than I do."

Ryan spoke sincerely. Unable to vent his anger, Tony rose to smash everything around him, but before he could move, Sebas restrained him with a binding spell.

"Hey, Tony. Anger won't solve anything. I'm still hoping to keep Hydra in the dark for a while longer."

"Oh, and that inspection you just did wasn't noticed by the consciousness in here, right? If it was, then go ahead and smash everything. I won't stop you."

After Ryan spoke, he waved for Sebas to dispel the magic. Having regained some of his composure, Tony took a few deep breaths and did not move. He sat on the floor for a while to calm down, then suddenly looked up and asked, "What exactly is your real plan? Don't try to fob me off with that plan from before!"

"That is my real plan. It just leaves out the part where I kill them!" Ryan said calmly, a bone-chilling killing intent flashing in his eyes.

They all treated him like a pushover, like a juicy piece of meat anyone could take a bite out of.

Before Nazarick arrived, he truly had been unable to do anything. His foundation had been too weak; even if he wanted to flip the table, he lacked the strength.

But now, did they really take him for some harmless nice guy?

He was waiting now, waiting for those people who could not restrain their greed to make their move. As long as they dared use underhanded methods again, anyone who wanted his life would be sent to hell for a reunion.

As for why he did not strike first?

He was a man who followed the rules. How could he be the first to break them?

That was how this world worked. Those who brazenly broke the rules would be rejected by the entire world; it was only a matter of who acted first.

For the former, even without evidence, success would still bring condemnation from the entire world. After all, no one wanted to deal with someone who flipped the table at the slightest disagreement.

For the latter, even if he went a little too far, because the other side had struck first, no matter how brutal his retaliation was, as long as no one caught evidence, plenty of people and companies would still be willing to do business with him. Governments would not become overly hostile either. At most, they would investigate the power and forces under his control.

Of course, beyond all those reasons, he also wanted to see just how many people and factions in this country wanted to kill him. It could be considered an opportunity for them, since Ryan considered himself a civilized man and would not slaughter people merely on suspicion.

And in the deep waters of the Marvel world, he had always kept a low profile. Though it seemed very likely that he would not be able to stay low-key much longer.