Next, Fury told the two of them what had happened to S.H.I.E.L.D. after Howard's death. Naturally, not all of it was true; it was Egghead's carefully edited version.
In this story, after taking office, the new director had carried out brutal purges and political reviews against Howard's confidants. He also wanted to seize the scientists' achievements and nationalize them.
"Wait, you said nationalize them?" Bucky raised a hand. "Are you sure your director wasn't hired from Leviathan? I remember that under the old rules, as long as they weren't Nazi scientists brought in through Operation Paperclip, any technological products developed by independent domestic scholars using SSR resources belonged to the SSR itself, while the patent rights belonged to the individual scientists?"
Nationalizing everything? What was this, Polar Bear?
"Yes, that was the old rule, and it remained unchanged during Peggy and Howard's terms." Fury nodded, his black egg-shaped head constantly reflecting the lightray. "Because of that rule, scientists could focus on their research without worrying about being 'communized' one day. We all know scientists are people too. They need benefits."
"Go on. You haven't told us where the crisis is yet." Steve stopped Bucky from interrupting and had Fury continue.
"The problem is the new director. He wants to take everything into his own hands, including every invention the scientists have made. Yes, Steve, including you."
Fury immediately revealed the crux of the matter.
Steve was an SSS Serum recipient. The SSS Serum was Dr. Erskine's research product, and Dr. Erskine had been an SSR scientist during his lifetime. Therefore, Steve was to be nationalized as well.
"What?! Steve is a person, not some weapon. He has no right to do that to an American citizen."
Bucky immediately protested. It was simply inconceivable.
Egghead first nodded in agreement, then shook