Action Begins

After the dinner, a slightly salty sea breeze swept across the terrace of the Long Island Villa.

Tony Stark stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, his fingertips lightly tapping a champagne glass.

"JARVIS, prepare the highest-level access protocol for the S.H.I.E.L.D.. database."

He tilted his head back and finished his drink. "And by the way, let Pepper know I'm wearing that navy blue suit tomorrow."

"Recorded, sir." The AI butler's voice came from the watch.

"Miss Potts reminds you that the Stark Family has begun to put pressure on various members of Congress."

Natasha and Clint walked side by side toward the helipad, the collars of their S.H.I.E.L.D.. uniforms fluttering slightly in the night breeze.

"I bet a hundred dollars, Pierce won't live past tonight."

Clint adjusted the string length of his compound bow, speaking without looking up.

Natasha's red lips curled into a smile, "I bet two hundred he'll die from an accidental heart attack."

With the roar of the Quinjet's engine, the two figures disappeared into the deepening night.

midnight

Alexander Pierce's mansion was brightly lit.

The former chairman of the World Security Council paced anxiously in his study, as encrypted communicators crackled with alarms reporting attacks on various branches.

When he failed to dial for the third time, the hands of the antique clock were pointing exactly to midnight.

Are you looking for this?

Pierce whirled around and saw Adam Bernard emerge from the shadows, his palm condensing into a familiar communicator shape from the azure Antimatter Energy.

"You have no idea what you're fighting against."

Pierce pressed the alarm button under the table, only to find that the entire mansion's electrical system was already down. "Hydra isn't..."

"If you cut off one head, two will grow back?" Adam gently crushed the communicator, the blue light illuminating his cold face.

"Give it a try."

The headquarters of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Triskelion Headquarters is currently experiencing an unprecedented data storm.

A virtual projection of Tony Stark was in the center of the S.H.I.E.L.D.. control room, with tens of thousands of lines of code flowing through every terminal like a golden waterfall.

"Found you, little snakes." On the holographic map, hundreds of red dots were flashing on various floors.

"JARVIS, send Natasha the coordinates."

When the morning sun pierces through the clouds

A white sheet bearing Pierce's name was covering a stretcher in the S.H.I.E.L.D.. medical room.

Global news is rolling out the news of the death of the former World Security Council president from a sudden heart attack.

The World Security Council has unanimously approved the decision to appoint Tony Stark as the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D..

"Sir, a battle report has arrived from the European branch."

Agent Hill strode into the new director's office, where a tactical tablet displayed live footage of Adam destroying the ninth Hydra Base.

"Agent Coulson on the other side requested additional Quinjet."

Tony sat with his legs crossed in what used to be Fury's office chair, twirling the S.H.I.E.L.D.. badge between his fingers. "Give him five. Also, replace this chair with an ergonomic version; the director's butt is precious too."

Natasha's voice came through the communicator. "Skrull lair has been discovered on the 17th floor. A biological cleanup team is needed."

"Approved." Tony snapped his the Snap, and the holographic projection switched to a diagram of S.H.I.E.L.D..'s internal structure.

"Hill, take your cute little squad and inventory the 084 items in the underground warehouse. I bet they'll find half a dozen alien pickles."

On the other side

In Culver University lab, Bruce Banner is placing a bouquet of white roses on Betty Ross's desk.

The female professor stared in astonishment at the man who had disappeared for many years, the test tube slipping from her fingers.

"This time, I won't run away again," Banner said softly, the gamma-ray detector beeping steadily behind him.

When night fell again, the lights at S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters remained as bright as day.

Tony stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the New York night view, the newly made director's badge reflecting a cold light on his chest.

The day's results were scrolling across the holographic screen.

Globally, 2,174 Hydra agents and 586 Skrull imposters were eliminated, and 43 alien technology items were seized.

"Sir, Mr. Xiao has sent a message," JARVIS suddenly said.

He said he did a good job, but be careful of Hydra's retaliation.

Tony raised his coffee cup and gestured towards the void. "Tell that domineering CEO who loves sunbathing that I, the director, am not afraid of Hydra at all, unless they're willing to build a limited edition coffee machine."

In the reflection of the glass, the new director's smile gradually faded.

Outside the window, a transport plane bearing the Stark Industries logo was flying over the moon, its cabin fully loaded with 084 items recovered from the Hydra Base.

An underground base in Europe

In the dimly lit conference room, several of Hydra's most core leaders sat on either side of a long table.

A holographic projection hovered on the table, displaying images of Hydra. raids on S.H.I.E.L.D. outposts around the world, with alarming red "cleared" markers.

Daniel Whitehall adjusted his glasses, his voice low and somber. "Alexander's death was not an accident, it was an execution."

One of the Hydra leaders scoffed, "Tony Stark just took office and dares to make a move? Where does he get the guts?"

Madame Hydra, Vivian Defrost, tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, her scarlet nails gleaming coldly in the dim light. "Because he's not just Tony Stark, Superman stands behind him."

A brief silence fell over the room.

"Superman..."

The name elicited varying expressions from those present.

Gideon Malick slowly began, "We underestimated him. He not only saw through the Skrull infiltration, but also directly attacked S.H.I.E.L.D.., and even..."

He paused, his eyes darkening. "They might even already know we exist."

"Impossible!"

Suddenly, one of the leaders slammed his fist on the table. "Hydra's security measures far surpass those of S.H.I.E.L.D..! They couldn't possibly have all our intelligence!"

"But he has already killed Pierce," Whitehall said coldly.

"This means that he at least knew Pierce was Hydra."

Madame Hydra narrowed her eyes slightly. "The question now is, what should we do?"

"Lie low," Malik said in a deep voice.

"Suspend all operations for now and wait for the right opportunity."

"Wait? Wait for Superman to find us one by one and kill us?"

"So what do you plan to do? Start a war right away?" Malik retorted.

"Why not? We're not without our trump cards."

"You mean..." Whitehall frowned.

"Winter Soldier," Madame Hydra uttered slowly.

The air in the room suddenly froze.

The Winter Soldier, Hydra's deadly weapon, is a brainwashed and modified super soldier who has carried out countless impossible missions for decades.

"Assassinate Tony Stark?" Malik shook his head.

"It's too risky. Stark Industries has too much influence; his death would cause a global uproar and could even directly enrage Superman."

"But this is also the most direct way," Madame Hydra said softly.

" With Tony Stark dead, S.H.I.E.L.D.. will immediately descend into chaos, and Superman will lose his representative in human society."

"And..." she smiled slightly, "Once the Winter Soldier makes his move, no one can stop him."

"But what if we fail?" Malik asked in a deep voice.

"Fail?"

"Then let Superman know that Hydra is not some Skrull minions."

Whitehall pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "I agree."

Malik remained hesitant. "This could trigger a full-scale war."

"The war has already begun." Madame Hydra stood up, her voice icy.

"Now, it's our turn to fight back."

She glanced around at everyone and finally made the decision. "Winter Soldier, move out. Target: Tony Stark."

New York

S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters

Tony Stark sat with his legs crossed in the director's office, a holographic projection in front of him showing the progress of the elimination of Hydra strongholds around the world.

JARVIS, how's it going in Europe?

"Mr. Adam has cleared out his positions in Berlin and Paris and is currently en route to Moscow."

Tony nodded, then looked at Natasha and Clint on the other side. "What about headquarters?"

Natasha swiped her tablet and pulled up a list. "37 undercover agents have been arrested, and 12 are still at large."

"Not bad," Tony said, taking a sip of his coffee.

"However, I still feel that Hydra won't give up so easily."

Clint leaned against the table, toying with an arrow. "They'll definitely retaliate. The question is, when? And how?"

P. S.: Four updates a day, nearly 10,000 words! Is there anyone more dedicated than me? ^_^