Sokovia.
Baron Strucker, who had drawn the Avengers' attention, was overseeing an experiment.
He wore a monocle. The fortress used Chitauri technology that had originally belonged to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s spoils of war, and an energy barrier protected it.
That was also the source of Strucker's confidence.
Well, before the S.H.I.E.L.D. Building was demolished, anyway.
Captain America and Black Widow had teamed up and torn down the S.H.I.E.L.D. Building, supposedly the safest building in the world.
That left Strucker, who had once boasted that his fortress was the safest place on earth, feeling rather nervous.
These were the Avengers. Who knew whether Hulk might pop up and pound him into a bloody pulp?
Still, he could not quite bring himself to abandon everything just like that.
Now it was a race against time, and he had the guards surround the fortress.
An enormous sum had gone into this Hydra Base. It was far more powerful than the others, and its weapons were more advanced.
That was because it possessed the most technology, along with one crucial experiment.
And that experiment had reached a critical stage.
But right at that moment-
"We are under attack. All personnel, return to your stations. This is not a drill."
"I repeat, all personnel, return to your stations. We are under attack."
The uninvited guests had arrived.
Steve led the charge, putting on a display of shield-throwing acrobatics.
His shield, forged from vibranium, always flew out to strike his enemies before returning precisely to his hand.
Tony wore his Iron Man Armor and swiftly dispatched the enemies as they reacted.
Thor descended from the sky, his hammer driving forward.
Natasha drove a Jeep while Hawkeye drew his bow and fired, every arrow striking its target with precision.
Hulk charged ahead, grabbed one unlucky grunt, and swung him