"'Project Paperclip'?"
Director Rogers in the office closed the thick folder in his hand.
"In other words, the president secretly extradited a group of German scientists, and S.H.I.E.L.D. also absorbed part of Hydra's power. But won't this allow the enemy to infiltrate and pose a threat to national security?"
Captain America looked a bit puzzled.
S.H.I.E.L.D. As an intelligence agency, the first priority should be to ensure its own confidentiality.
Taking the initiative to recruit Hydra is tantamount to creating opportunities for spies to lurk.
Invisibly, a certain amount of risk is increased.
At that time, what should we do if S.H.I.E.L.D. becomes the new Hydra?
"This plan was initially carried out by the military. They were interested in Third Reich's V-1 and V-2 Rocket, which are new ballistic missile technologies, and they wanted to get them."
Luke shrugged and said easily.
The most scarce thing in the twentieth century is talent. The newly elected president also understands this truth, so he approved "Project Paperclip".
During the World War II period, Third Reich's military industry was extremely developed, with various black technologies emerging in endlessly, and it was the well-deserved number one in terms of strength.
White House and the Pentagon looked at each other with envy. This is normal.
It is their nature to plunder and put profit first.
"Initially, many people opposed this plan because according to regulations, US Army, which belongs to the Allied Nations side, is prohibited from dealing directly with war criminals."
Luke paused and said with a smile, "The irony is that almost all German scientists, engineers and other technical personnel who are eligible for recruitment and extradition have basically close ties with the Nazi Party, and some even qualify as war criminals."
Rogers had a shocked expression of "weird knowledge has increased."
Although we know that due to the entanglement of interests from various aspects, the country's image may not be as glorious as it seems on the surface.
But the thought of recruiting war criminals into government departments was still a bit hard for him to accept.
"Those people should be put on trial."
Rogers whispered.
Seeing Captain America's frustrated look, Luke continued to talk about Federal Government's dark history, "That's just your personal opinion. The president and generals don't think so. In order to ensure strategic interests, they bypassed these rules and dispatched more than 700 intelligence personnel to vigorously collect personnel related to projects such as fighter jets, missiles, and Rocket."
"Among them, Arthur-L-Rudolph once managed an arsenal and was a talent in Rocket manufacturing. However, he was also a notorious war criminal, committing the brutal crimes of hanging slave laborers, Carnage, and abusing prisoners of war."
"There is also Werner von Braun, who is now the senior engineer of the Army Ordnance Design and Research Bureau, the designer of the V-2 missile. He has killed thousands of people in the UK and is a fanatical Third Reich element."
Luke spoke in great detail, every word hitting Rogers's heart like a sledgehammer.
"Steve, there is no absolute justice in this world. The country you protect, or the spirit you defend, is not actually great."
Luke, who is clearly the commander of S.H.I.E.L.D. and an army major general, is rudely mocking this capitalist country that is packaged as a beacon of freedom.
But having said that, "Project Paperclip" does have a great impact on America during development.
For example, the war criminal Werner von Braun.
This person has a bright resume and entered Berlin Institute of Technology in 1930.
Four years later, he obtained a doctorate in physics from Humboldt University, and his graduation thesis was rated the highest grade.
In just two years, the V-2 missile was designed, which was the first ballistic missile put into actual combat in the world.
Later, he went to the United States and developed Saturn V, which successfully achieved the amazing feat of landing on the moon.
It can be said that it is manufactured by Rocket, another Howard-Stark in the aerospace industry.
"What about S.H.I.E.L.D., are we the same?"
Rogers was a little hard to accept and looked at Luke who was leaning in the seat.
"Absolutely. Like Arnim-Dr. Zola, he used to manufacture energy weapons for Red Skull, and now works for S.H.I.E.L.D.. Therefore, we do not blame him for his previous crimes."
Luke nodded without hiding anything.
"Project Paperclip" also benefited S.H.I.E.L.D. a lot.
From an unknown intelligence agency, it has rapidly developed into a huge organization that is superior to the Pentagon.
Apart from the special status of Superman, plus various astonishing operations to request funds and expand power and responsibilities.
For a small part, I would also like to thank Hydra for his generous help.
This old rival allowed the reorganized Strategic Scientific Reserve to quickly complete its original accumulation.
"Don't be too obsessed with justice, kindness and moral conscience, Steve. You can pursue those beautiful things, but you cannot use them as the standard to measure everything in the world."
Luke started to cook poisonous chicken soup as usual, playing the role of the Mentor in life.
Speaking of which, it seems to be quite interesting to transform the unwavering Captain America.
"I never think about how many people Howard has killed with the weapons he manufactured and sold since he was in the arms business."
"Not to mention that Arnim Zola was once a loyal supporter of Third Reich. He once worked hard for Hydra and Red Skull, and his hands were stained with the blood of Allied Nations warriors."
"Because it is meaningless. There is no use except to get yourself into the contradiction between moral conscience and cruel reality."
Rogers's lips moved, as if he wanted to say something.
The education and understanding he has received since childhood is to be a good person, stick to the bottom line, and not easily hurt others.
But Luke's words were like a bullet, shattering Captain America's solid defense and making him waver.
"But..."
Rogers raised his head, as if he was doubting life.
"There is nothing but. Separate the truth from the reality. I am Superman, I am War Hero, and I am the object of public worship."
Luke smiled and said softly, "But I am also Commander S.H.I.E.L.D., a major general in the army, an out-and-out person in power and a leader. I need to safeguard my own interests and stick to my position. To do this, I even have to do some 'bad things' that violate morality."
"These two identities are not inconsistent when put together."
Rogers's mind was very confused, as if he had endured 10,000 mental attacks.
He looked down at the Vibranium shield in his hand and the Stars and Stripes printed on his chest.
For a moment, I was at a loss.
"Maybe I'm not fit to be a captain."
After a while, Rogers laughed self-deprecatingly.
"Fortunately, you are here, Luke. Then I just need to be a soldier and rush forward."
Luke, who had fed Captain America several bowls of poisonous chicken soup with philosophy of life, Shi Shiran stood up, patted Captain America on the shoulder and said, "Come to my house for dinner tonight. Marlena's cooking is pretty good."
After a few minutes, the conversation ended.
Watching Rogers leave, he walked to the wine cabinet and poured a glass of 1882 Lafite—well, an aged wine from the 1882 vintage.
"Dr. Zola, you heard it all."
Luke shook the red wine glass and said towards the office cubicle, "I am very clear about Hydra's plan. You rely on 'Project Paperclip' to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D. and plan to revive and start over."
"The most dangerous place is often the safest. After Red Skull collapsed, Hydra's forces were divided into three. Some were recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D., some were taken away by Baron Strucker, and some were hidden and secretly penetrated into Federal Government."
Dr. Zola, a short and fat man, pushed the door open with small steps.
He stayed in the cubicle of the office very early and heard the countermeasures against Hellfire Club, as well as various intelligence about "Project Paperclip".
"Mr. Major General, I have abandoned the dark side and turned to the bright side! Hydra is destined to have no future, S.H.I.E.L.D. is the future!"
Dr. Zola said sincerely.
Luke handed over a glass of red wine, shook his head and said, "You are wrong, Dr. Zola. I am very optimistic about Hydra. Their organization is tight, their penetration ability is extremely outstanding, and their intelligence network is spread all over the place, which is much stronger than S.H.I.E.L.D.."
Dr. Zola trembled and took the wine glass.
He didn't know what the major general in front of him wanted to say.
Do you want to settle the old debt that you are Hydra?
"Dr. Zola, I want to join you."
Luke's smile grew thicker and he said with a sincere face, "Do you think I can become a qualified Hydra?"