Chapter Summaries

Tony watched footage of Bucky Barnes murdering his parents and learned that Bucky had been used by a HYDRA branch led by Vasily Karpov. After Tony injured his hands in rage, Richard brought him to the Sky Fortress and treated his wounds, removed the Arc Reactor, and began healing his chest.

• Tony watched Bucky kill Howard and Maria, then demanded to know the killer’s identity from Richard.
• Richard identified Bucky as a former Winter Soldier and explained that Vasily Karpov had supervised the project for a HYDRA branch.
• Tony learned Karpov was dead, lost control, and smashed his bleeding hands against an alloy table until Richard calmed him.
• Richard took Tony to the Sky Fortress medical department, where Christine directed them to the Wax Bath Treatment Room.
• Richard put Tony to sleep, removed shrapnel and the Arc Reactor from his chest, and used mana and bath wax to seal the wounds as new flesh began to grow.

Richard showed Tony that HYDRA's reach included Alexander Pierce and Arnim Zola, whose Zola Algorithm predicted future threats by analyzing personal data. Tony learned about Zola's achievements and the algorithm, leaving its implications unexplored.

• Tony woke after Richard removed the Arc Reactor and discovered that the wound in his chest had healed.
• Richard brought Tony to the Flying Fortress, where Tony asked to buy its blueprints and said Pepper would handle negotiations.
• After confirming Tony could control his anger, Richard gave him a document identifying Alexander Pierce as a secret HYDRA leader.
• Richard explained Pierce's S.H.I.E.L.D. career and described how HYDRA members had also sacrificed themselves for S.H.I.E.L.D.
• Tony read about Arnim Zola's work, including his AI survival and the Zola Algorithm, which used personal data to predict whether someone might become a threat.

Richard warned Tony that HYDRA could use the Zola Algorithm and Helicarriers to eliminate millions of people, while hinting that Nick Fury and Alexander Pierce would soon turn against each other. Elsewhere, Victoria Hand mobilized a team for New Jersey, Brock Rumlow left on a mission after Thomas asked him to seek Adele’s hand in marriage, and Nick Fury reacted with shock to an encrypted hard drive.

• Richard explained to Tony how HYDRA’s Zola Algorithm identified direct and potential threats, then described a future in which Helicarriers targeted millions of people.
• Tony insisted they had to stop HYDRA, and Richard predicted that Nick Fury and Alexander Pierce would soon turn against each other.
• Victoria Hand received an alarming message, ordered Felix Blake to bring trusted operatives, and flew with them toward New Jersey.
• Thomas asked Brock Rumlow to seek Baron Strucker’s permission for him to marry Adele, and Rumlow agreed to raise the request with Commander Pierce after the mission.
• Thomas’s teammates teased him over his confession, while Nick Fury inspected an encrypted hard drive at a New York safehouse and swore in shock.

Phil Coulson and Melinda May accessed the hidden S.H.I.E.L.D. Facility 13 at Lehigh Camp and found Dr. Zola, asking him for the Zola Algorithm. Alexander Pierce learned that Nick Fury knew about the algorithm and ordered Zola to give everything for HYDRA.

• Phil Coulson and Melinda May arrived at Lehigh Camp, where Coulson explained that the old warehouse concealed an early S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.
• Melinda used her Level 7 clearance to open the hidden elevator, and she and Coulson descended into the underground computer room.
• Dr. Zola’s computer system activated and greeted Coulson and May, and Coulson asked Zola for the Zola Algorithm.
• Dr. Zola called Alexander Pierce and told him Nick Fury knew about the algorithm and that Coulson and May had arrived.
• Pierce warned Zola that Nick Fury must not obtain the algorithm and told him to give everything for HYDRA.

Phil Coulson and Melinda May uncovered that Dr. Zola was a HYDRA operative who had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. and used the Zola Algorithm to profile people and fuel global crises. Trapped in the computer room, they confronted Zola until Victoria Hand blasted her way in.

• Alexander Pierce ordered Zola to sacrifice himself for HYDRA, but Zola refused and ended the call.
• Zola revealed HYDRA had secretly survived within S.H.I.E.L.D. and used the Zola Algorithm to analyze people and promote conflict.
• Melinda shot the surveillance camera, while Phil and Melinda fired at the computer equipment and tried to escape.
• Zola sealed the exits and said they would die with him, but Phil tried to persuade him to help them.
• Zola claimed HYDRA was deeply rooted in S.H.I.E.L.D., and Victoria Hand entered through an explosion in the wall.

Victoria Hand arrested Phil Coulson and Melinda May as suspected HYDRA agents, then tried to recruit Arnim Zola before a S.H.I.E.L.D.-ordered missile destroyed his facility. At S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Alexander Pierce saw that Zola’s threat list had marked Pierce himself as a threat.

• Victoria Hand ordered Phil Coulson and Melinda May arrested, but Melinda disarmed an operative before Hand called off the arrest.
• Victoria Hand offered Arnim Zola a choice between living and dying, then proposed recruiting him into S.H.I.E.L.D.; Zola rejected her appeal and mocked the organization.
• Agent Felix Blake reported that S.H.I.E.L.D. had launched a cruise missile at the warehouse, forcing Victoria Hand, Phil, Melinda, and the others to flee.
• The missile destroyed the warehouse, and S.H.I.E.L.D. reported that Arnim Zola’s electronic signal had vanished.
• Alexander Pierce examined the Zola Algorithm’s threat list and saw his own name on it.

White Queen recovered Arnim Zola’s backup data as Phil Coulson’s group escaped the destroyed warehouse with Victoria Hand’s help. On the Lemurian Star, Crossbones and Strike Team 1 began their operation, with Captain Floyd Benson as their target.

• White Queen found Arnim Zola’s backup and took his remaining data with her.
• Victoria Hand agreed with Melinda’s point about Nick Fury and offered to fly Phil Coulson’s group back to Washington, D.C.
• Melinda reported that their vehicles had been destroyed and that their wounded needed medical care, so Phil accepted Victoria Hand’s offer of transport.
• Crossbones and Strike Team 1 landed on the Lemurian Star, where Crossbones questioned boatswain Derrick White about Captain Benson’s whereabouts.
• Crossbones identified Captain Floyd Benson in the bridge and ordered Chambers to move in as gunfire and screams sounded over the headset.

Floyd Benson tried to destroy the Lemurian Star after learning HYDRA had marked him as a threat, but Crossbones stopped him, interrogated him, and killed him. Crossbones escaped before the ship exploded, while Richard confronted White Queen about the strange gift hovering above her projection.

• Floyd Benson activated the Lemurian Star's self-destruct device, but a bullet from Crossbones wounded his hand before he could confirm it.
• Crossbones killed the second mate and interrogated Floyd, who revealed that HYDRA had placed him on a list of threats because he knew too many secrets.
• Crossbones killed Floyd and two special operations agents, then activated the self-destruct device and evacuated with Chambers.
• The Lemurian Star exploded after the Quinjet had flown away toward America.
• Richard pointed out the green data stream wrapped in crimson Mana above White Queen's projection and asked if it was her gift.

Richard welcomed Arnim Zola as an ally and promised to give him a living body, while Vivian reported that Alexander Pierce and Nick Fury were nearing a falling-out. The chapter ended with Thomas warning Brock Rumlow that he was going to die.

• Richard discovered that the crimson-and-green ball contained Arnim Zola, whom the White Queen had rescued from the network world.
• Zola explained that he had uploaded his consciousness in 1972 and had battled the White Queen before she saved him.
• Richard offered Zola a new body or a server, and Zola chose to become human again, so Richard sealed his soul in a Sealing Spirit Orb until he could reshape a body for him.
• Vivian reported that Agent Barton's secret work was beginning to drive Alexander Pierce and Nick Fury toward a confrontation.
• Thomas met Brock Rumlow at the Starlight Bar and warned him that he was going to die.

Thomas convinced Brock Rumlow that Alexander Pierce was eliminating people named on the HYDRA Threat List and urged him to seek Baron Strucker’s protection. Rumlow agreed to flee to Sokovia, while Cass warned Sitwell that he was going to die.

• Thomas told Brock Rumlow that his name appeared on the HYDRA Threat List alongside Floyd Benson and Sitwell, and that Alexander Pierce was eliminating those listed.
• Thomas urged Rumlow to defect to Baron Strucker, claiming the Baron rejected Pierce’s elimination campaign and could protect him.
• After Figo ordered Thomas to stop speaking, Rumlow drank whisky and asked Thomas to arrange a meeting with Baron Strucker.
• Thomas contacted Adele, who agreed to report Rumlow’s decision to her father, then advised Rumlow to hide in Sokovia.
• At a coffee shop near Starlight Bar, Cass told Sitwell that he was going to die.

Alexander Pierce and Nick Fury investigated a cruise missile strike on the abandoned Lehigh Camp, while Hawkeye and his team prepared to expose hidden Skrulls inside S.H.I.E.L.D. The chapter ended as White Queen began a ten-minute countdown and a golden-orange light sped toward Earth from near Jupiter.

• Pierce accused Daniel Whitehall of breaking their contract, but Whitehall insisted he had found the real Nick Fury and Clint Barton and refused to return Item 84.
• Pierce directed his secretary to send the Department of Defense's inquiry about the Lehigh Camp missile strike to Director Fury, then suspected Whitehall's renewed youth could be valuable.
• Nick Fury learned about the missile strike and the sinking of the Lemurian Star, but hesitated before calling someone and instead waited for Coulson and May to bring back clues.
• Clint Barton watched the Triskelion and coordinated with White Queen and Yelena to target the hidden Skrulls, warning Yelena not to attack Fury or act without authorization.
• White Queen started a ten-minute countdown for the operation as a golden-orange stream of light raced toward Earth from near Jupiter.

Phil Coulson and Melinda May returned to S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters and reported their findings from the abandoned Lehigh Camp to Nick Fury. While Phil gave his report, the White Queen began exposing Fury’s secret projects across internal and public networks.

• Victoria Hand left Phil Coulson and Melinda May at S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters after warning May to stay vigilant.
• Melinda told the field agents to get the wounded checked and cautioned Phil that the cruise missile attack on Lehigh Camp meant they should stay alert.
• Phil and Melinda encountered Selena, who complained about the pressure from Minister Pierce and Nick Fury, then headed to Fury’s office.
• Selena secretly contacted the White Queen, who announced the start of the Nick Fury Exposé Operation.
• Phil reported what happened at the abandoned Lehigh Camp while the White Queen released details of Nick Fury’s secret projects, including Project Black Sun and the Wall of Silence.

After learning HYDRA had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. through Dr. Zola’s algorithm, Nick Fury tried to escape with Phil Coulson and Melinda May before Alexander Pierce could stop them. Pierce mobilized a strike team and led it himself, ultimately cornering the trio at the first-floor stairwell.

• Nick Fury identified Alexander Pierce as a HYDRA member, and Phil Coulson and Melinda May realized Selena could report their survival to him.
• Selena returned to Pierce too late to warn him before Phil and Melinda made it back alive.
• Pierce ordered a strike team to capture Nick, Phil, and Melinda, but several of his trusted agents, including Rumlow and Sitwell, were absent.
• Pierce decided to lead the strike team personally, while Nick chose the stairs to avoid a possible elevator trap.
• Nick, Phil, and Melinda hurried down the stairwell, but Pierce and his men reached the first floor and cornered them.

Nick Fury confronted Alexander Pierce and the strike team, then escaped with help from Zieg and two others after they brought down the ceiling. Pierce ordered his agents to fire at the escapees, unaware that two strike team members had turned their guns toward his back.

• Nick Fury accused Alexander Pierce of being a HYDRA remnant, but the strike team kept their weapons trained on Fury and his allies.
• Pierce ordered his agents to kill Fury, who offered to reveal a secret in exchange for sparing Phil Coulson and Melinda May.
• Hawkeye waited for the signal while Yelena and White Queen argued over White Queen's completed online exposure of Nick Fury's dirt.
• Nick Fury chose a third option, and Zieg and two others collapsed the ceiling onto Pierce and his strike team before helping Fury, Coulson, and May escape.
• Pierce ordered his agents to fire at the stairway, and as the escapees fled upstairs, two strike team members aimed their guns at Pierce's back.

Nick Fury exposed HYDRA’s infiltration of the Triskelion and activated an emergency protocol before portals pulled Zieg and two others away. They arrived on a nearby rooftop, where Yelena forced Zieg to reveal his Skrull form and attacked him.

• Pierce was shot, and Robert Chambers died protecting him before the special operations team killed the two traitors.
• Nick Fury activated Level 7 Emergency Directive, warning S.H.I.E.L.D. agents that HYDRA had infiltrated the Triskelion and ordering them to treat anyone operating a weapon as hostile.
• Pierce fired at Nick as he escaped, but a portal redirected a bullet into Nick’s left hip.
• Three crimson portals opened beneath Zieg and two others, transporting them to a rooftop near Hawkeye’s position.
• Yelena recognized Zieg as a Skrull, provoked him into revealing his true form, then broke his arm and struck his head with her baton.

Yelena Team captured five Skrull imposters at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters while Hawkeye confronted Yelena for injuring Nick Fury. As Fury went into hiding and left S.H.I.E.L.D.'s future to Phil Coulson, Alexander Pierce ordered a retreat, and Natasha prepared to punish Yelena.

• Yelena Team captured five Skrull imposters, and Hawkeye led the team back through a portal after warning Yelena that he would tell Natasha about her role in Nick Fury's injuries.
• Phil Coulson treated Nick Fury's wound as Fury decided to disappear and entrusted S.H.I.E.L.D.'s future to Phil and Melinda May.
• Phil vowed to keep S.H.I.E.L.D. standing after Nick Fury left, while Melinda realized Phil was already thinking like the new director.
• HYDRA's infiltration became international news, and Alexander Pierce ordered his agents to retreat as U.S. military forces rushed toward Washington, D.C.
• Yelena Team locked the five captured Skrulls in isolation cells, and Hawkeye told Natasha what Yelena had done, prompting Natasha to roll up her sleeves in anger.

Natasha bound Yelena to punish her for misconduct on a mission, while Talbot’s convoy learned that Alexander Pierce’s fleeing Quinjet had been destroyed by an unknown hypersonic missile. Tony watched the strike with Richard’s help and invited him to celebrate, only to become captivated by Richard’s magical wine.

• Natasha stormed into Melina’s office and used the Crimson Chains of Destiny to bind Yelena before dragging her away for punishment.
• A S.H.I.E.L.D. Quinjet carrying Alexander Pierce and his special operations team escaped the Triskelion as Talbot’s convoy approached.
• Talbot ordered an airborne interception, but the Quinjet flew too fast for the base to catch.
• An unidentified hypersonic missile destroyed the Quinjet, and Talbot ordered his men to investigate where it had come from.
• At Tony’s Malibu villa, Richard helped Tony watch the Quinjet explode through a portal, and Tony thanked him for making the strike possible.
• Richard produced a bottle of Dragon Saliva Heart-Blazing Brew, and Tony became fascinated when he heard it could enhance physical fitness, mana capacity, and kidney function.

Tony arranged a feast to coax Richard into sharing his otherworldly wine, while Brigadier General Talbot arrived at the Triskelion with US military forces to investigate S.H.I.E.L.D. Amid the confrontation, Sharon Carter learned that Alexander Pierce had taken people to Hangar No. 1 and led Phil Coulson and Melinda to face the military probe.

• Tony persuaded Richard to fetch a banquet from the Hansen Hotel using a portal, then arranged for Pietro to bring Wanda back from school.
• Brigadier General Glenn Talbot ordered his troops to seal the Triskelion and entered with an officer to meet S.H.I.E.L.D.'s leaders.
• Phil Coulson and Melinda told Sharon Carter that HYDRA had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. and that Alexander Pierce was a HYDRA member.
• Sharon learned Pierce had gone to Hangar No. 1, but the hangar did not answer her calls and a staff member lay dead beside a communicator.
• After Sharon heard that Talbot's armed soldiers had entered the lobby, she ordered S.H.I.E.L.D. to resume normal operations and hurried downstairs with Phil and Melinda.

Brigadier General Glenn Talbot tried to take control of S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, but Sharon Carter and Phil challenged him and prevented the soldiers from advancing. The standoff ended with both sides armed and furious, while Melinda watched.

• Yvette Oliveira confronted Talbot at the lobby entrance, then gained confidence when she pointed out that she was Swiss.
• Talbot announced that the US Air Force would take control of S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, and Sharon Carter arrived to oppose him.
• Phil defused Talbot's anger by explaining that Sharon was Peggy Carter's niece.
• Talbot claimed HYDRA agents had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. and ordered the soldiers to secure the building, but Sharon rejected his authority.
• Sharon aimed her pistol at Talbot as the Special Forces trained their rifles on her, while Phil tried to keep both sides from firing.

Carol Danvers arrived at S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters looking for Nick Fury, but a US military unit opened fire and she devastated the lobby while defending herself. Phil Coulson survived the attack, and he, Sharon Carter, and Melinda faced the aftermath as Carol asked again for Fury’s whereabouts.

• Talbot ordered the soldiers to shoot the golden-orange figure who had flown into the lobby asking for Nick Fury.
• Carol Danvers deflected the bullets with an energy barrier and sent them flying back, killing or injuring many soldiers and wrecking the lobby.
• Melinda pulled Sharon away while Coulson shielded Yvette from the blast.
• Coulson recovered with Yvette’s help and warned Sharon and Melinda that they were in trouble.
• Carol revealed herself as Carol Danvers and asked where Nick Fury was, and Coulson said Fury had left headquarters.