S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, Director's Office.
After listening to Phil Coulson's report, Nick Fury was overwhelmed with a storm of emotions.
A complete timeline quickly formed in his mind:
The Strategic Scientific Reserve was established after World War II.
With the execution of Project Paperclip, Arnim Zola was absorbed into the Strategic Scientific Reserve.
HYDRA thus took root within S.H.I.E.L.D.. and was reborn.
For decades, the New Hydra has secretly instigated conflicts and contradictions among various factions, profiting from them.
In 1972, Arnim Zola transformed his consciousness into numbers, becoming the world's first Super Intelligence.
Subsequently, Arnim Zola created the Zola Algorithm.
With the advent of the internet age, the Zola Algorithm uses big data to identify millions of potential HYDRA threats...
"Hoo~" Nick Fury let out a heavy breath, forcibly calming the turbulent emotions in his heart.
Phil Coulson said gravely, "Sir, HYDRA's control over the network is beyond our imagination!"
"With Arnim Zola's death, HYDRA, hidden within S.H.I.E.L.D.., will definitely be on alert!"
We must act immediately!
At this moment, Melinda suddenly said, "But right now we can't even tell who the enemy is and who our own people are!"
" Alexander Pierce!" Nick Fury said expressionlessly, "I'm certain he's HYDRA member hidden within S.H.I.E.L.D..!"
At this moment, his face was extremely gloomy, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings.
I know what you're hiding, Pierce...
But I never imagined you were hiding something so big!!!
"Hiss!" Phil and Melinda both gasped simultaneously.
Phil: The former director of S.H.I.E.L.D.. was actually HYDRA?! Oh no, this is dangerous!
Melinda: Arnim Zola was right... S.H.I.E.L.D.. should just be renamed Hydra-Shield...
etc!!!
Melinda's expression changed, and she looked sharply at Phil: " Coulson, that Selena just now was the secretary in the consultant's office?!"
Phil's expression changed as well, and he swallowed hard. "Yes..."
Melinda felt a surge of frustration well up in her chest. "If Alexander Pierce ordered the launch of that cruise missile... then he must have known we met with Arnim Zola..."
Phil nodded, his voice hoarse, " Selena will definitely report to Alexander Pierce when she sees us return alive..."
"Fuck you!" Nick Fury couldn't stay calm any longer. He immediately pulled a pistol from his drawer and said with a dark face, " Agent Coulson, Agent May, we're getting out of here!"
Phil and Melinda nodded. "Yes, sir!"
The three opened the office door and quickly ran out.
On the other side, Selena was driving a fiery red Ferrari SF90 Stradale at 200 km/h on the bridge leading to Washington, D.C..
Although Selena works for Alexander Pierce, her identity is similar to that of Thomas, Adele, and others; she is a second-generation Serpent... and also a member of the Red Order.
Because of her direct evacuation, Alexander Pierce received news that Phil Coulson and Melinda May had returned alive nearly five minutes too late.
Consultant's Office.
"Fuck you!"
Pierce was so angry that he swept everything off his desk and onto the floor.
With a dark expression, he ordered the intelligence agent who rushed to report, "Notify Captain Rumlow to immediately deploy the Special Operations Team and apprehend Nick Fury, Phil Coulson, and Melinda May!"
The intelligence agent glanced cautiously at Pierce, but didn't move.
Upon seeing this, Pierce's eyes instantly flashed with Wrath rage. "Damn it, why are you still standing here? Didn't you hear my command?!"
The intelligence agent hurriedly replied, "Sir, Captain Rumlow is not at headquarters right now!"
Pierce paused, frowned, and asked, "Where is he now?"
"Uh..." The intelligence agent looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry, sir, I don't know either..."
"That bastard, why isn't he here at this hour!" Pierce slammed his fist on the table in anger, then ordered, "Send Agent Sitwell with some men!"
The intelligence agent's lips twitched, but he remained standing still.
Pierce narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, "Agent Jasper Agent Sitwell isn't here either?"
The intelligence agent nodded hurriedly. "Yes, sir!"
"Where is Agent Victor Lessing?"
"Not here..."
" Jack Rollins?"
"Not here..."
" Daniel Grayson?"
"Not here..."
" Marcus Klaue?"
"Not here..."
Pierce's breathing grew heavy, his face flushed, and he gritted his teeth as he asked again, "Where is Agent Lena Walker?"
The poor intelligence agent was now drenched in sweat from fright.
He felt that the officer in front of him was like a raging beast filled with Wrath, ready to pounce and tear him apart at any moment.
The intelligence agent replied tremblingly, "Reporting, sir, Agent Lena Walker is not at headquarters either..."
"OMG Fuck!!!"
Alexander Pierce broke through their defenses!
He pointed at the intelligence agent and cursed, "Then tell me the hell, who else is at this S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters?!"
The intelligence agent, head bowed and walking on eggshells, replied, "Apart from those you mentioned, almost everyone else is..."
Pierce:...
He was speechless.
But the next second, a sense of unease suddenly rose in Pierce's heart.
Could the simultaneous absence of several of my trusted subordinates be part of a conspiracy?!
But dealing with Nick Fury was the most pressing issue, so he had to keep this question to himself.
Pierce looked at the intelligence agent in front of him, his face dark, and ordered, "Notify the Special Operations Team to assemble. I will personally lead the team!"
The intelligence agent breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replied, "Yes, sir!"
After saying that, he sped out of the consultant's office at the fastest speed he had ever run, as if his life depended on it.
On the other side, Nick Fury and his two companions left the office and looked at the empty corridor, feeling momentarily lost.
Where are they? Where are the HYDRA people?!
Phil and Melinda exchanged a silent glance.
Phil: Is Director Nick overthinking things again? Isn't Minister Pierce HYDRA?
Melinda: God knows...
The three of them quickly arrived at the elevator.
Just as Phil was about to press the open button, Nick Fury suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Wait a minute, Agent Coulson!"
He said solemnly, "If I were Pierce, I would wait until the enemy enters the elevator and then blow it up!"
Phil: "Sir, what do you mean?"
Nick Fury said decisively, "Let's take the stairs!"
Phil:...
Melinda:...
The two couldn't help but exchange another glance.
Phil: What should we do?
Melinda: Fine, he's the bureau chief!
Phil: Taking the stairs will delay our departure!
Melinda: I know, but he's the chief!
Phil:...
Melinda:...
Phil ( Melinda ) said in unison, "Yes, Chief!"
So, led by Nick Fury, they quickly ran down the stairs.
Five minutes later.
Alexander Pierce and his men took the elevator to the first floor and successfully intercepted Nick Fury and his two companions at the corner of the stairs.