Rumlow's words sent an endless chill through Nick Fury's heart. As someone with terminal persecutory delusions, he instantly imagined countless possibilities.
Besides shock and fear, he was also curious. He wanted to meet the great one Rumlow had mentioned immediately.
The group passed through the building, but instead of taking transportation out of S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, they headed toward another office building.
It was the office building of Alexander Pierce, Minister of the World Security Council and former director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Seeing this, Nick Fury finally gave up all hope.
No wonder the secret elevator had been exposed. His longtime friend really was one of Hydra's people.
The elevator rose to the top floor, and Nick Fury saw his former superior in the corridor—Alexander Pierce, the man who had promoted him.
Rumlow saluted. "Sir, Nick Fury and Phil Coulson have been brought here."
"You've worked hard, Agent Rumlow. Leave them to me."
"Yes, sir!"
After the handover, Rumlow left with his men. A group of people at Pierce's side then escorted Nick Fury and Coulson onward.
Nick Fury said nothing and silently observed everything. Hydra had a clear hierarchy. Rumlow was merely an errand-running underling, while Pierce had greater authority.
"Fury, my old friend, after such drastic changes today, you can still keep your composure. I thought you'd ask a lot of questions the moment you arrived."
Nick Fury replied coldly, "Minister Pierce, are you showing off?"
"No. Quite the opposite—I'm envious."
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like."
Pierce stopped and looked at Nick Fury with a complicated expression. "Do you know that throughout all my years as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Minister of the World Security Council, I've never once been summoned by that great one? Yet you... an outsider who doesn't even know who he works