The Script Continues

Malibu, Arbitrator Tower.

Inside the game room, a massive projection screen flashed with dazzling battle scenes, explosions and gunfire booming from the surround speakers. Tony Stark and Chen Tian each held a controller, their fingers flying over the buttons, but neither of them was clearly focused on the game.

"So," Tony said, staring at the screen with the casual tone of someone discussing the weather, "Steve met the Winter Soldier?"

Chen Tian rolled his character out of the way of an enemy NPC sniper shot, a faint smile curling at his lips. "He did. It was interesting."

Outside the door, Agent Coulson and several S.H.I.E.L.D. agents stood silently on guard. In reality, the deafening sound effects from the game room perfectly isolated them from everything inside.

Tony gave a wicked grin. His fingers tapped rapidly, and after his character rammed the opponent to the ground, he raised a saw and stabbed it toward the NPC's head. "What do we do next?"

"Didn't you notice that Agent Hill already left?" Chen Tian glanced sideways at Tony. "Coulson will leave soon too."

"Hm? Didn't Fury always think we were the ones pulling strings behind the scenes, sneaking into his 'secret boudoir'?" Tony glanced at Chen Tian, then turned his attention back to the game. "Shit! I got hit by a sniper rifle! Come save me!"

Chen Tian maneuvered his character over to Tony's and used a medical spray to heal him. "Heh, S.H.I.E.L.D. is already a complete mess. I didn't send Natasha to accompany Steve on a whim. You know, in every traditional hero story, heroes need someone to guide them."

Tony had his character pick up a rocket launcher and fire it at the sniper's position. "Ha, is Natasha playing the role of some magical old grandpa?"

Chen Tian laughed. "Yeah. Um, considering Natasha's gender, you should say she's playing the role of a magical witch."

"Hey, that's mean." Tony laughed too. "But I like it. By the way, if Fury comes to us for help, how should we handle it?"

Chen Tian watched the victory screen and took a sip of cola. "Just put on a show. As long as the plan goes smoothly and we don't make any mistakes, the final battlefield will still be Trident Building."

Tony nodded. Just then, Coulson pounded hard on the metal door of the game room, his knuckles making dull thuds against the steel. He raised his voice and shouted, "Stark! Emergency!"

Tony lazily pressed the pause button, and the battle on the projection screen instantly froze. He raised an eyebrow at Chen Tian. "Looks like the play we organized can move on to its next scene."

Chen Tian set down his controller and made a gesture of invitation. Only then did Tony stroll over to the door and press the open button. The moment the metal door slid apart, Coulson's usually gentle face wore an unusually anxious expression.

"Agent Coulson." Tony spread his arms theatrically. "What wind blew you away from your guard post? Has Fury finally learned how to send text messages?"

Coulson took a deep breath and suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. "Stark, I need to return to headquarters immediately. S.H.I.E.L.D. has... encountered some problems." His gaze swept over Chen Tian behind Tony before he added, "Director Fury hopes you will keep your communications open."

Tony widened his eyes in mock surprise. "Wow. For Fury to actively ask for help, things must really be serious." He deliberately lowered his voice. "Don't tell me someone stole his eyepatch collection?"

The corner of Coulson's mouth twitched. "More serious than that. Director Fury will inform you of the details through secure communications."

Chen Tian walked over then, still holding his can of cola. "So confidential?" he asked meaningfully. "Has some major crisis occurred?"

Coulson's gaze shifted between the two of them before he finally shook his head. "I don't know the exact details either. But please keep your communications open." He checked his watch. "My helicopter takes off in five minutes."

Tony let out an exaggerated sigh. "Fine, fine. Tell Fury I'll consider answering his call, as long as he doesn't keep spam-calling me."

Coulson nodded helplessly, then turned and led his people away at a brisk pace. Their leather shoes struck the marble floor in a rapid series of clicks before disappearing at the end of the corridor.

Tony closed the door. When he turned around, the flippant expression on his face had vanished. He looked at Chen Tian. "That was faster than expected."

Chen Tian shook his cola can, crushed it, and tossed it into a nearby trash can. "Yeah. Tony, I'll handle the United Nations Security Council next. You make preparations to protect the civilians during the battle. Things are going to speed up a lot from here."

A playful smile tugged at Tony's lips. "Do you think you're the only one who's been busy? Or did you think I've just been sitting around like an idiot?"

Tony clapped his hands, and the game display changed to surveillance footage from two laboratories. In one, mechanical arms worked nonstop, assembling rescue robots one after another. In the other, medical pods were being continuously manufactured.

"I started working on these the moment you proposed the plan." Tony placed a hand on Chen Tian's shoulder. "Relax, brother. I've always got your back."

Chen Tian watched the rescue robots and medical pods being assembled automatically on the surveillance feed, and the smile on his face slowly widened. He reached out and patted Tony on the shoulder. "Looks like I underestimated you, Stark."

Tony raised his brows smugly. "Underestimating a genius isn't a good habit." He snapped his fingers, and the surveillance feed switched to a satellite map of New Mexico. "But now, we need to pay attention to our lost United States' Captain America and Black Widow."

On the screen, two tiny figures were moving through the streets of a small town on the edge of the desert. Even through the satellite image, it was obvious that Steve's steps were heavy, while Natasha maintained the alert stride unique to an agent.

"They look like they just crawled out of hell," Tony commented, with less mockery than usual in his voice.

Chen Tian watched Steve's dazed state on the screen. "He saw Bucky. That hit him hard."

Tony fell silent for a moment, unusually without a joke. He pulled up another set of data. "I had JARVIS locate the little motel they checked into. Do we send someone over?"

"No." Chen Tian shook his head. "Let them process it themselves. Natasha knows what to do." He turned toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. Outside, the Pacific Ocean churned beneath the night sky. "Now, we should prepare to deal with the United Nations Security Council's troublemaking."

Meanwhile, in a remote little motel in New Mexico.

Steve sat on the edge of the bed, his hands hanging limply over his knees. His uniform was still stained with dust and blood from the collapse of the research institute. His hollow gaze remained fixed on the mottled wall, as if it were replaying the moment the Winter Soldier removed his mask.

The sound of rushing water came from the bathroom as Natasha washed the dust off herself. Through the foggy mirror, she examined herself—several scrapes, but nothing serious. Compared to physical injuries, she needed to prepare herself for the role of guide in Chen Tian's script.

The water stopped. Natasha came out in her nano battle suit again and found Steve still sitting in the same position.

"The bathroom is free," she said as she dried her hair. "At the very least, you need to clean yourself up."

Steve raised his head as if waking from a dream, his eyes finally focusing. "Sorry. I was distracted."

Natasha tossed him a towel. "You've been distracted for nearly two hours." She walked over to the window and cautiously pulled back a narrow gap in the curtains to observe the street outside. "We need to try contacting Chen Tian and the others. Otherwise, we can't leave here on foot unless we steal a car."

"Bucky is alive..." Steve suddenly said, his voice hoarse. "But he doesn't seem alive. His eyes... those weren't the eyes I knew."

Natasha turned around and leaned against the windowsill as she looked at him. "There are indeed records about the Winter Soldier in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s files, but no one knew he was Sergeant Barnes." She paused. "At least, I didn't."

Steve abruptly rose to his feet and began pacing back and forth in the cramped room. "That doesn't make sense! If Hydra turned him into an assassin, why wouldn't S.H.I.E.L.D. know? And Rumlow and his special operations team—how did they become Hydra troops too? They were an important S.H.I.E.L.D. unit!"

Natasha watched Steve's agitation and sighed softly. She walked over to him, placed both hands on his shoulders, and forced him to stop pacing.

"Steve, take a deep breath." Her voice remained calm. "I know this has hit you hard, but you need to calm down now."

Complex emotions churned in Steve's blue eyes. He opened his mouth, intending to argue, but Natasha spoke first.

"Bucky's appearance has indeed thrown your thoughts into chaos, but you can't let it affect your judgment." Her fingers tightened slightly. "We're facing a carefully planned conspiracy, and emotional decisions will only lead us into greater danger."

Steve's shoulders gradually relaxed beneath her hands. He took a deep breath and nodded. "You're right. I just... need some time to process it."

Natasha released him, a faint smile appearing on her lips. "That's the United States' Captain America I know, always calm." She turned and picked up the communicator. "As for the questions you just raised—why S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't know the Winter Soldier's true identity, why Rumlow betrayed us..."

She paused, her fingers rapidly operating the communicator. "I think it would be better to ask Fury directly. After all, he's the one who claims to know everything."

The communicator emitted a faint buzz, and Natasha frowned. "The signal's being blocked. Looks like someone doesn't want us contacting the outside world."

Steve had already regained his usual composure. He walked to the window and cautiously observed the situation outside. "Do you think it's S.H.I.E.L.D. or Hydra?"

"Either is possible." Natasha put away the communicator, frowning. "We can't contact the Arbitrators right now, but there's no need to worry. An explosion like the one at Pegasus Research Institute can't be hidden from Tony and the others."

Steve nodded. "But we still need to leave here as soon as possible and find Fury. Not only to make him explain Hydra, but also to tell him who attacked Pegasus Research Institute."

Natasha nodded in agreement. She quickly packed up her equipment and efficiently checked the magazine in her pistol. "Fury owes us an explanation, and—"

Before she could finish, a short honk suddenly sounded outside the window.

Steve alertly pulled back one corner of the curtain. A sleek, pitch-black luxury sedan sat quietly outside the motel entrance. Its headlights carved two cold arcs through the night, and its doors silently lifted upward, as if waiting for them.

Natasha leaned over for a look, an understanding smile curling across her lips. "Looks like Chen Tian is more thoughtful than we expected."

Steve frowned. "You're sure he arranged this?"

"A self-driving system at this level, plus those ridiculously flashy gullwing doors?" Natasha pointed at the A emblem on the hood. "Other than Tony Stark, no one would be that ostentatious."

She swiftly pulled open the room door and raised an eyebrow at Steve. "What? The United States' Captain America afraid to get into a stranger's car?"

Steve shook his head helplessly, but he still followed carefully. The two quickly crossed the empty motel corridor, watching their surroundings warily. The old man at the front desk was dozing off, completely unaware of their quiet late-night departure.

If Chen Tian had been here, he definitely would have shouted the old man's name: "Holy shit, Stan Lee!"

As they approached the car, the AI system inside activated automatically, and a familiar British male voice sounded. "Good evening, Captain Rogers, Ms. Romanoff. I am JARVIS. It is a pleasure to serve you again."

Natasha smoothly slid into the front passenger seat, her fingers instinctively checking the concealed weapon compartment beneath it. "JARVIS? Tony finally let you out of the laboratory?"

"Actually, Stark believes the current situation requires more... mature system support." There was a hint of humor in JARVIS's voice as the doors closed silently. "According to Mr. Chen's emergency plan, we must proceed to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters immediately."

The moment Steve settled into the back seat, the vehicle started smoothly, its autonomous driving system precisely avoiding obstacles on the road. "Hm? Chen Tian thinks the same way we do? He believes something is wrong inside S.H.I.E.L.D. too?"

"Precisely, Captain." JARVIS's holographic projection appeared in the front, displaying a series of encrypted files. "Mr. Chen's analysis indicates that Hydra's infiltration is far more extensive than expected. During this attack on the research institute, the enemy used S.H.I.E.L.D.'s highest-level security protocols."

Natasha swiftly scanned the projected files. "So the mole is in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s upper ranks?"

"The probability is as high as 87.6%." JARVIS's tone grew serious. "Mr. Chen suggests that you use the Captain's special S.H.I.E.L.D. clearance to search for classified files from Director Pierce's tenure."

Steve frowned. "Why aren't Chen Tian and Tony handling it themselves?"

The projection switched to a global map, where several red dots flashed. "Dr. Stark and Dr. Banner are tracking the Tesseract's energy signal and have currently identified three suspicious locations. As for Mr. Chen and Ms. 2B..."

The projection suddenly changed to a news broadcast showing an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. "They are handling the political fallout caused by your 'infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D. classified areas.'"

Natasha could not help but laugh softly. "So we're risking our lives on the front line while they're arguing in the rear?"

"More accurately, Mr. Chen is securing room for you to act." JARVIS's voice softened. "I recommend that you rest for three to four hours. I will wake you one hour before arrival. During that time, all surveillance and defense systems will remain active."

Steve watched the scenery flash past outside the windows and finally relaxed. "All right. Maybe taking a nap really is a good idea."

"Sleep mode activated." JARVIS lowered his voice to a perfectly comfortable volume. "Cabin oxygen levels have been optimized, and the seat massage function has been enabled. Sweet dreams to you both."

As the lights inside the car gradually dimmed, Natasha had already closed her eyes. "JARVIS, if anything happens..."

"I will notify you immediately, Ms. Romanoff," JARVIS replied softly. "Now, please get some rest. We will arrive at the S.H.I.E.L.D. underground entrance in five hours and twenty-three minutes."

Steve gave the route map on the projection one last look before slowly closing his eyes as well.

Under JARVIS's careful arrangements, the seemingly ordinary black sedan became a mobile refuge, carrying two exhausted heroes toward the center of the storm while giving them precious time to recover.

Nick Fury's office was shrouded in oppressive silence, with only the blue glow of the holographic projector flickering in the darkness.

Smack!

A thick file was hurled violently onto the desk, sending papers scattering everywhere. Fury turned around, his black leather coat reflecting a cold gleam beneath the lights. His voice was as low as thunder before a storm. "Hill, tell me why Pegasus Research Institute was attacked. Why could the enemy locate the Tesseract so precisely?"

Maria Hill stood straight, though her fingertips tightened around her tactical tablet. "Sir, we're investigating with all available resources. But the enemy was clearly well prepared—"

"Prepared?" Fury suddenly raised his voice, rage burning in his single eye. "You call this prepared? S.H.I.E.L.D.'s highest-level security facility was broken into by armed men like they were shopping in a supermarket!" He strode toward the holographic projection, swiping through the air to bring up the institute's blueprint. "Seven biometric locks, three layers of alloy walls, round-the-clock rapid response teams—and what happened?"

Hill took a deep breath. "The surveillance system was completely breached thirty-seven minutes before the attack. All data was replaced with looping footage. The technical department has confirmed it was the work of an insider. They used the Director's dynamic encryption protocol."

Fury's single eye suddenly contracted, his voice squeezing out through clenched teeth. "The Director's dynamic encryption protocol?"

Hill clearly felt her superior's rage, but she remained professionally calm. "Yes, sir. It was the same system used when Captain Rogers infiltrated Trident Building."

Fury suddenly let out a short, cold laugh without the slightest hint of warmth. He walked to the desk, braced both hands against it, and his knuckles turned white from the force. "Interesting. First the United States' Captain America used my authorization to break into the highest-classified room. Now someone used the exact same method to blow up my research institute."

He raised his head, dangerous light flashing in his single eye. "Looks like I've done a truly terrible job as Director."

Hill cautiously stepped forward. "Sir, this is clearly a carefully planned frame-up. But I don't understand—who else could have infiltrated our systems to this extent?"

A cold glint flashed in Fury's single eye. "Heh. Other than those unkillable Hydra pests, who else could it be?"

He slammed his palm onto the desk, making the coffee cup jump. "The problem is, they can now perfectly replicate my biometric data!" His voice suddenly dropped. "Pierce? Garrett? Or... could every person around me be a snake?"

The office fell into suffocating silence. The cold light from the holographic projection cast strange shadows across Fury's face, and Hill noticed that his fingers were unconsciously brushing against his sidearm.

While the office remained silent, the communicator suddenly rang. Coulson's voice came through. "Director, Captain Rogers is requesting communication."

Fury stared at the communicator for two seconds, a complex emotion flashing through his single eye. He pressed the answer button, and his voice returned to its usual calm. "Rogers, you'd better have a good reason."

Steve's voice came through the communicator, tired but still resolute. "Fury, we need to talk. Face-to-face."

"Now isn't a good time for coffee and conversation, Captain." Fury lightly tapped his fingers against the desk. "Especially after you just finished 'touring' my highest-classified room."

"We need to talk face-to-face." Steve did not argue, still insisting on speaking with Fury in person.

Fury narrowed his eye slightly. "Captain, after you barged into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s highest-classified room without authorization, do you really think I'll believe any request for a 'face-to-face talk'?"

There was silence on the other end of the communicator for a few seconds, broken only by heavy breathing. Finally, Natasha spoke, her voice exceptionally calm. "Fury, there are some things... we can't explain clearly over comms."

Hill noticed Fury tap the desk three times with his fingers—an internal S.H.I.E.L.D. signal meaning "raise alertness." Without showing it, she moved her hand toward the sidearm at her waist.

"Interesting." Fury's voice suddenly became low and dangerous. "Hill, go pick up our 'guests.' Take Coulson with you." He paused, a smile without warmth forming on his lips. "Bring the fully armed kind."

After the communication ended, Fury turned toward the safe and entered a complex string of passwords. When the safe door slid open silently, he took out an old-fashioned pager and slipped it into his inner pocket, then checked the sidearm at his waist once more.

Half an hour later, the elevator doors slowly opened outside the Director's office. Steve and Natasha walked in the middle, while Hill and Coulson led special agents in front and behind them. Everyone's hands hovered near their weapons.

"Welcome to my office, Captain." Fury stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows with his back to them, obvious sarcasm in his voice. "It seems you really enjoy using my authorization to tour the place."

Steve strode into the office, fury blazing in his blue eyes. "Fury, I need an explanation!"

Fury slowly turned around, dangerous light flashing in his single eye. "An explanation?" He sneered. "I'd like to hear your explanation for using my authorization to break into the highest-classified room!"

"Don't change the subject!" Steve slammed a fist onto the desk. "Why did you restart Tesseract research? And Bucky—" His voice suddenly caught. "Did you know the Winter Soldier's identity all along?"

Fury's face instantly darkened. "Rogers, you've crossed the line." He threw a stack of surveillance photos onto the desk. "Before you question my research, explain these first!"

The photos clearly showed Steve using Fury's biometric data to unlock the classified room. Steve stared at them, and a cold smile rose instead. "That's right. It was me."

Fury narrowed his eye. "You admit it readily enough."

"If I hadn't gone in, how would I have known you were secretly researching the Tesseract?" Steve crossed his arms, anger burning in his blue eyes. "S.H.I.E.L.D. is repeating Hydra's mistakes, and you're still standing here questioning me?"

Fury suddenly let out a piercing laugh. "What a righteous United States' Captain America!" He slammed the desk. "If you hadn't illegally entered the classified room and triggered the alarm system, how would Pegasus Research Institute's location have been exposed? Now the entire project has been destroyed because of you!"

Steve's face immediately flushed red. "You—"

"Director," Natasha suddenly stepped forward, "Rumlow's special operations team destroyed the research institute. They had already infiltrated it before the explosion."

Fury turned toward Natasha, sharp mockery in his tone. "Oh? Has one of our finest agents lost even her basic judgment now? Or..." He dragged out the last word. "Have you completely joined the Arbitrators?"

A cold glint flashed in Natasha's green eyes, but she did not argue. She simply took a microchip from her tactical belt and handed it to Fury.

Fury stared at the chip for two seconds, snorted, and took it. He turned and inserted it into the holographic projector on his desk. The footage immediately unfolded—it was Natasha's first-person recording.

In the shaking footage, Rumlow placed the Tesseract into a containment case. What followed was a fierce firefight, flames bursting from Natasha's gun muzzle. Finally, the video ended amid the explosion and collapse of the research institute.

The office fell into deathly silence. Fury's expression turned ashen as he slowly raised his head to look at Steve and Natasha. "So you two were at Pegasus Research Institute too?"