S.H.I.E.L.D.. safe house.
Peggy Carter's face turned ashen.
Sitting on the medical bed in front of her was Dum Dum Dugan, covered in wounds. His signature bowler hat lay to one side, with a clear bullet hole in it.
He was alone.
Dugan's voice was hoarse, and each breath seemed to aggravate the broken ribs.
"But he's like an army."
Medical staff were treating his wounds, but he paid no attention, only staring at his arm, which was wrapped up like a dumpling.
"He fell from the sky and landed on the roof of the vehicle. Our bullets were ineffective against him; his specially designed combat suit blocked all attacks."
"His arm... was metal, gleaming coldly."
"He didn't say a word, didn't make a sound. He was a killing machine. His target was very clear: that box."
Metal arm.
ghost.
Killing machine.
But now, he has appeared.
Peggy was furious.
Hydra was not eradicated.
Like a virus, they lurked in the Shadow of the world for decades.
Now, their appetite is no longer satisfied with power on Earth.
They turned their gaze to the starry sky.
They turned to alien technology.
Vought International, New Jersey, Omega-level secret biological laboratory.
Dr. Horton and his assistant D.A. Sinclair, were like two children who had discovered a new toy, their eyes filled with a morbid fanaticism as they surrounded the intact Skrulls corpse.
"Perfect cell mimicry! My God, this is simply a biological miracle!"
Dr. Horton carefully cut off a small piece of skin tissue using a high-frequency laser scalpel.
The tissue was wriggling in the petri dish, attempting to mimic the glass material of the dish.
"Doctor, its gene sequence contains a switch structure. Theoretically, if we can decipher and activate this sequence, we can also possess this ability!"
Sinclair adjusted his glasses, the complex stream of data scrolling across the screen making him tremble with excitement.
Lynn Morris appeared silently behind them.
He glanced at the green-skinned monster on the operating table, then at the two scientists caught up in a frenzy, his face expressionless.
I don't care how amazing its cellular structure is.
The cold voice sent a shiver down the spines of both Horton and Sinclair, snapping them out of their frenzy.
"Boss."
Lynn walked to the operating table and looked down at the corpse.
"I only want one result."
He held up a finger and pointed at the corpse.
"A method that can identify them with 100% certainty. Whether it's equipment, serum, or some special Soundwave frequency."
"I will make sure these shapeshifters in human skin have nowhere to hide, no matter where they are."
copy?
That's the mindset of an arms dealer.
What Lynn wanted was the power to set the rules.
When he possesses the world's only "demon-revealing mirror," everyone will live within his defined "truth," fearing that those around them may be exposed as "imposters" at any moment.
"The ultimate challenge! I love it!"
Dr. Horton rubbed his hands together, like a madman about to unravel the world's ultimate mystery.
Sinclair, standing nearby, added in a low voice, "Boss, while researching identification methods, we can simultaneously develop replication capabilities. These aren't mutually exclusive. Creating an absolutely loyal, unbetrayable perfect double for Vought, whether for infiltration or replacement, will be your sharpest hidden sword..."
Lynn remained noncommittal.
He turned and left.
"I only care about the results."
Back in the office, Gin's briefing was already on the table.
Lynn picked up the communicator and dialed the number of Hans Landa, the head of the Public Relations and Brand Management Department.
"Dear Boss, how may I help you?"
Landa's elegant and humble voice came from the other end of the phone.
"A good show is about to unfold, and we need you to set the stage." Lynn said calmly, "Release a news report."
"A gunfight broke out on New York highway. A group of unidentified gunmen attacked a secret convoy."
"The focus is on the existence of a ghostly assassin, with a metal arm, who comes and goes without a trace."
"Finally, in a casual tone, an insider revealed that one of the survivors in the convoy was a World War II hero, a legendary figure of the Howling Commandos — Dum Dum -Dum Dugan."
"The Motoko will be sent to you later."
Hans Landa was silent for three seconds on the other end of the phone.
Then, he let out a pleasant chuckle.
He understood the malice and brilliance of this move.
The "ghost killer" would trigger public panic and curiosity.
The "secret convoy" and "highway shootout" directly point to the government's incompetence and cover-up.
The name " Dum Dum Dugan " is like a depth charge!
A World War II hero who should have died and been revered in history books is still alive!
And he's working for some "secret organization"!
S.H.I.E.L.D.., this behemoth hidden in the Shadow, will be dragged into the spotlight by this news.
Public suspicion, government inquiries, and the harsh realities of public opinion will leave them battered and bruised.
"As you wish, boss."
Landa's voice was filled with the thrill of about to wield the butcher's knife.
"Tomorrow morning, our story will be on the front page of newspapers all over the world."
After hanging up the phone, Tifa, his personal secretary, walked in.
She handed a tablet computer to Lynn.
"Boss, breaking news."
"Vi has successfully retrieved the black box. Currently, she is on a Quinjet transport with Carol Vers, Maria Rumble, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Nick Fury, and a group of Skrull refugees."
"Very good."
"All the actors have come on stage."
He stood up from his seat, walked to the window, and looked down at the city shrouded in night.
" Tifa, activate Soldier Boy, Human Torch, Yasuo."
Tifa's fingers flew across the tablet without the slightest hesitation.
Mission Code: Fence.
"Order them to proceed to Vi's coordinates and ensure that no alien combatant, whether Kree or Skrulls, leaves Earth."
"It's time to let the arrogant universe see who the true master of this planet is."
The instruction was transmitted to a private island in the South Pacific belonging to Vought International.
Deep beneath the island's surface, a large door slowly opened.
A man wearing a dark green combat uniform with an eagle emblem on his chest stepped out.
He picked up a shield with the Stars and Stripes painted on it from the weapons rack beside him, a bright yet cruel smile spreading across his face.
"Ha! Finally, I can get started!"
"Fighting aliens is much more interesting than fighting those Hydra!"
The Soldier Boy shouldered his shield and strode toward the elevator leading to the ground, his steps filled with a thirst for killing.