He had been wrong.
Completely wrong!
Why would he want to eliminate Lucian?
Wasn't this man, with his invincible might, ruthless methods, and utter disregard for rules, precisely the ultimate answer Hydra had so desperately sought?
After Lucian exposed the threat posed by the Skrulls, the public hadn't rioted. Instead, in their panic, they had willingly abandoned their so-called freedom and surged madly toward the shelter of absolute power!
Wasn't this the very future Hydra had dreamed of?
The greatest obstacle to carrying out this plan had turned around and become their greatest asset in achieving their goal!
"Someone, come in!" Pierce turned, his voice filled with authority.
The concealed door in the office slid open, and two trusted agents strode inside, their backs straight. "Sir."
"Send a top-priority directive to every S.H.I.E.L.D. agent embedded in every department." Pierce adjusted his suit collar and fastened his buttons one by one. "Cooperate fully with Vought International's arrest operations. Wherever Vought International wants to impose a lockdown, whoever they want to arrest, S.H.I.E.L.D. will provide unconditional logistical support and maintain order at the scene."
An agent froze for a moment. "Sir, what about Director Fury..."
"Fury is finished," Pierce cut in coldly. "He was already a dead man the day he brought aliens to Earth. Prepare a private jet."
"Where are you going?"
"New York. Vought Tower." Pierce drew a deep breath, the madness of a veteran conspirator gleaming in his eyes. "I'm going to see Lucian in person."
At the same time, deep inside an abandoned old industrial park on the outskirts of London.
Dozens of Skrulls sat around rust-covered sheet-metal crates. Their disguises had fallen away, their dark green skin gleaming greasily beneath the dim emergency lights, their long, pointed ears drooping limply.
The ultimatum on the television screen had