The battle in Chicago lasted ten minutes.
The heroes looked exhausted, and the victory was filled with a tragic, epic feel.
Starlight's battle suit was covered in dust.
Several cracks appeared on the Guardian's shield.
Wei still had blood on the corner of his mouth, but his eyes remained fierce and unruly.
This hard-fought victory was perfectly captured by the live broadcast cameras.
As viewers cheered for the heroes, their fear of "SOMS" reached its peak.
Even the top-tier hero team from Vought International struggled so much, and even suffered casualties.
If the next " Magnetism Boy " shows up at your doorstep, who will protect them?
The federal government? You must be kidding!
The National Guard could do nothing but set up a cordon and issue warnings through loudspeakers!
Panic is paving the way for Vought International's upcoming " Metahuman Registration and Management Act."
On the other side.
Senator Kelly's national press conference has become the focus of all media attention.
"... This is not a natural disaster, but a man-made one! It's an outright conspiracy!"
Under the spotlight, Senator Kelly was visibly emotional, waving his arms vigorously.
"We have irrefutable evidence that this nationwide crisis is being orchestrated by a sinister terrorist organization!"
"Their goal is to overthrow our country and destroy the freedom we cherish!"
"I think everyone here is familiar with their names!"
He roared out the word.
"Nine-headed serpent!"
The entire audience erupted in uproar!
Reporters frantically pressed their shutters, the Flash turning the entire press conference venue into daylight.
Hydra?
That specter from World War II, does it still exist?
And they even launched such a terrible attack?
This news is even more explosive than "SOMS" itself!
"I will formally request Congress to establish a special investigation committee at the highest level!"
"I demand that the Department of Defense, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and all intelligence agencies release all top-secret files on Hydra to the committee!"
"We must drag out these venomous snakes hiding in the Shadow, one by one, and sever their heads!"
Senator Kelly's speech was highly inflammatory.
He successfully transformed the public's fear of the unknown into anger towards a specific enemy.
He portrayed himself as a lone hero fighting against evil and defending national security.
His reputation reached its peak in an instant.
Countless phone calls came into his office.
There are members of the public who have expressed their support, and "insiders" who hope to provide clues.
There were also expressions of interest from other members of Congress on Capitol Hill.
Kelly felt he was standing at the forefront of a new era.
He was full of confidence.
He believed he was leading a great and just war.
Lynn smiled as she looked at the spirited young senator on television.
"A good opponent makes the protagonist's victory seem all the more hard-won."
He turned his head and looked at Ada Wong beside him.
What's going on with S.H.I.E.L.D..?
Peggy Carter is in a complete mess.
Ada Wong replied.
" Senator Kelly's press conference was tantamount to slapping S.H.I.E.L.D.. in the face in front of the whole world."
"An organization that should have been completely eradicated by them has now caused such a huge mess right under their noses."
"They are frantically going through files, trying to find any clues about the remnants of Hydra to explain to Congress and the public."
"Very good."
Lynn picked up her black tea.
"Let Barbara give Director Carter some inspiration. Let them vie for credit, attack each other, and stir things up even more. I need a spectacular farce to celebrate the passage of the new bill."
The atmosphere at S.H.I.E.L.D.. was extremely tense.
General Phillips retired honorably due to his advanced age.
Peggy Carter, who had been in office for less than two years, was now filled with exhaustion and frustration.
Senator Kelly's righteous face, every word he uttered on television was like a slap in the face to S.H.I.E.L.D..
There was a knock on the office door, and Barbara Minerva walked in.
She gently placed a document on Peggy's desk, her face showing a mixture of seriousness and excitement at having discovered a clue.
"Sir, I've reviewed some archived data from the 'SSR' era and performed gene sequence cross-matching with recent SOMS cases. I've discovered a overlooked connection point."
Barbara pointed to a map in the document.
All clues point to an abandoned industrial area outside Illinois.
"According to encrypted communications records from World War II, it was once a secret Hydra outpost, codenamed Cradle."
Peggy took the documents.
This intelligence came at just the right time.
Senator Kelly's investigative committee is gaining momentum, and several members of Capitol Hill have already expressed their support for him.
If S.H.I.E.L.D.. fails to produce any substantial results, it's only a matter of time before it's sidelined or even disbanded.
Is this information reliable?
Peggy stared into Barbara's eyes.
I vouch for it with my entire career.
Barbara's answer was resolute, her eyes filled with loyalty.
Peggy rubbed her temples.
She had no choice.
She has to gamble.
"Summon the Alpha Assault Team."
"Block all communication. We need to take this base before Kelly's men can react!"
At the same time.
Washington, D.C.., Capitol Hill.
The atmosphere in Senator Kelly's office was as enthusiastic as on the night of a successful election victory.
"The FBI's tactical team has set off!"
His chief investigator, Michael, reported excitedly.
"We bribed an informant within S.H.I.E.L.D.., and they're also targeting the same person!"
"Very good!"
Kelly slammed his hand on the table in excitement.
"I want the whole world to see how incompetent and slow-witted S.H.I.E.L.D.. is!"
"This credit must belong entirely to our committee!"
Illinois, late at night.
Peggy Carter led the team personally, dressed in a black combat uniform, her expression stern.
"Alpha Group, infiltrate from the east."
"Group Two, control all exits."
"Remember, we want them alive!"
Just as S.H.I.E.L.D.. agents infiltrated the steel mill.
"Waaaaah!"
The piercing sound of police sirens grew louder as they approached, shattering the silence of the night!
A dozen or so black SUVs bearing the FBI logo violently crashed through the factory's rusty gates.
The car door opened.
A large number of heavily armed FBI tactical team members poured out and quickly established a defensive line.
A commander in a suit, with an arrogant expression, shouted into the dark factory through a megaphone.
"This is the area of operation authorized by the Congressional Special Investigation Committee!"
"Those inside, lay down your weapons and cease your illegal intrusion!"
The Alpha Squad leader's angry curses came through the communication channel.
"Damn it! It's the FBI! What are these idiots doing here?"
Peggy's face turned extremely ugly.
Is it a coincidence?
Or was it a leak?
Before she could think further, a roar suddenly came from deep within the factory!
A thick concrete wall was smashed open from the inside!
A monster nearly three meters tall, with various rough metal tubes inserted into its body and abnormally swollen muscles, charged out!
Behind him followed a dozen or so "experimental subjects" that had also undergone crude modifications.
Some crawled on the ground, while others had green saliva dripping from their mouths.
This was orchestrated by Hannibal.
Some prisoners who "disappeared" from death row were injected with incomplete Compound V and then subjected to mental torture and reformation by Professor Pyg.
They are the perfect "backdrop".
"Fire!"
Both S.H.I.E.L.D.. and the FBI issued orders simultaneously.
Gunfire erupted!
Chaos erupts!
Peggy ordered, " Alpha Squad, prioritize the target, avoid conflict with the FBI!"
But on such a narrow, chaotic battlefield with obstructed visibility...
"Avoiding conflict" is just a wishful thinking.
Just as a Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. rolled to dodge an attack from a cyborg, a stray bullet whizzed past his scalp and struck a steel plate behind him, sending sparks flying.
He turned around in shock and anger, and saw a young FBI agent, overly nervous and covered in sweat, holding a gun with smoke rising from the muzzle.
"Where are you looking to shoot, you idiot!"
"Who are you calling an idiot?!"
Trust has vanished.
Suspicion and hostility grew rampant.
Seeing his men suffering heavy casualties, an FBI commander, his eyes bloodshot, roared into the communicator, "Requesting heavy fire support! Repeat! Requesting heavy fire support!"
Peggy tried to take control of the situation, but her orders were drowned out by gunfire and the mutual cursing between the two sides.
This was supposed to be a surprise attack by "justice in its fight against evil".
It completely devolved into a farce where S.H.I.E.L.D.. and the FBI, under the meddling of Hydra "actors," dragged each other down.
On the distant hillside.
Several "reporters" disguised as hiking enthusiasts are faithfully recording all of this with the highest-resolution telephoto lenses.