S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, conference room.
Alexander Pierce tapped his fingers on the table. It was hard to imagine that this former director of S.H.I.E.L.D. was actually a member of Hydra.
He had once been Nick Fury's superior and had personally promoted him to the position of director. He had also served as a key leader in the national security apparatus, frequently entering and leaving the White House, and now worked as a consultant for the World Security Council.
Beneath that string of dazzling honors, he was actually a high-ranking Hydra operative. The irony was exquisite.
"Has the Winter Soldier completed his mission?" He put on a miniature earpiece and contacted someone through an encrypted channel.
Earlier, Nick Fury had been forced by the World Security Council's demands to grant access to part of the S.H.I.E.L.D. database, bringing Project Insight into the open.
This had put Alexander Pierce on alert. If Nick Fury truly succeeded in establishing worldwide surveillance and tracking, Hydra would no longer have a place to hide.
So he had decided to strike first and eliminate the troublesome Black director. Once S.H.I.E.L.D. was left without a leader, Pierce would undoubtedly take over the position with his prestige and abilities.
"The operation failed. The Winter Soldier has disappeared." A voice came through the earpiece.
The Winter Soldier, who had captured Nick Fury, had suddenly vanished without a trace. The signal from the tracking device implanted beneath his skin had disappeared as well, leaving Hydra utterly baffled. For all these years, this brainwashed killing machine had never made a single mistake.
"Useless!" Pierce slammed his fist down on the table, rare fury appearing on his face. "The Winter Soldier isn't important! Nick Fury is the key! Find him at all costs!"
Hydra could always create more super soldiers, but the Black