If one disregarded Hydra's past crimes and their goal of conquering New York, judging solely by their actions in defeating the superheroes and exposing the massacre from two years ago, they actually bore a slight resemblance to a legitimate military force.
If they truly succeeded in this endeavor, at least in the eyes of ordinary citizens across America and even the world, Hydra's actions would indeed be seen as a heroic feat.
Batman brought the members of the Justice League to Batman Island. Standing before the massive intelligence analysis screen in the Batcave, Batman spoke:
"These people are stalling for time."
"The movements of Sandman, Grim Reaper, and these Hydra soldiers all point to this fact."
The massive projection screen clearly displayed the scenes of Electro, Max Dillon, battling Sandman, as well as Grim Reaper being bombarded from a distance by Iron Man's heavy firepower.
In another corner of the screen, footage played of Wolverine, Black Widow, and Daredevil, who had formed a temporary partnership to fight off Hydra.
The image of Hawkeye surrounded by Hydra soldiers was also on display.
Although Batman had been holding his ground, the real-time combat situation in Manhattan was constantly being transmitted back to Batman Island through various cameras.
"What is their purpose in stalling? If they keep dragging this out, won't we have to guard this place indefinitely? What if Red Hulk and the others delay showing their faces?"
The Lizard's jaw snapped open and shut as a barrage of questions slipped through his teeth.
"I deduce that their purpose in stalling for time is to wait for the group that broke out of prison tonight. According to my monitoring by hacking into S.H.I.E.L.D. satellites, they traveled by plane to Latveria."
Batman said:
"When I made contact with Wolverine, he provided me with a piece of intelligence: over a decade ago, two CIA agents went undercover in Latveria on a secret mission."
"That mission ultimately met a dead end when the agents were killed in the line of duty. I suspect that the escaped convicts heading to Latveria might be related to this."
These two agents were naturally Peter's parents, but there was no need to share this information with the rest of the Justice League.
Dr. Otto was currently familiarizing himself with his newly equipped alloy suit and tentacles, so he did not join the analysis of the battle situation at this moment.
Hulk crossed his arms, his eyes fixed on Venom Robin, who was staring right back at Hulk.
Professor Morbius didn't seem to understand much of this either. Only Professor Lizard, who had operated alongside Batman the most, was able to chime in.
"Is there an escape list?" Professor Connors had shifted back into his human form, standing in place wearing a white lab coat.
"Yes. I have already identified a commonality among this group, which is that their previous criminal methods were all more or less related to technology." Batman brought up all the dossiers of the escaped individuals.
Professor Connors rubbed his nose with his single arm, his brow deeply furrowed:
"Perhaps their purpose in going to Latveria is to upgrade their respective technological means of crime? To use whatever it was that the deceased pair of agents had been investigating?"
"That is my assumption as well." Batman nodded. "As of right now, the destruction caused by these Hydra soldiers seems aimless, but analyzing their routes reveals that it is meant to maximize the separation of the assembled superheroes, breaking them apart to defeat them one by one."
"But looking at the current situation, Hydra's plan might fall through first. Electro and Iron Man have both swiftly achieved victory in their battles," Professor Connors said.
On the projection, Iron Man, relying on a barrage of firepower, had forcefully blasted apart Grim Reaper's high-tech scythe before closing the distance and pinning him to the ground.
"That is what worries me. The group in Latveria couldn't possibly arrive this quickly, yet the victories of Iron Man and the others have been so rapid. Hydra must have other countermeasures," Batman said.
"Aside from Red Hulk and the New Goblin, I can't think of anyone else who could pose a threat to Iron Man and his team," Professor Connors said, puzzled.
"Us," Batman said in a low voice.
"Us?" Professor Connors was momentarily stunned. "Us?!"
"Correct. On top of Hydra's plan, I believe there is another plot at play. The Enchantress will strike at some of us the moment we deploy, guiding us to fight Iron Man and the others," Batman said.
"Isn't that the Norse mythology aspect you mentioned before...?" Professor Morbius interjected.
"This part is pure speculation, but it's best to be cautious," Batman said.
"No wonder you wouldn't allow us to deploy immediately," Professor Morbius said, a look of sudden realization dawning on him.
Just then, Dr. Otto extended a tentacle and pointed toward Hawkeye's section on the projection:
"It looks like that area needs backup."
"I have already sent someone to reinforce him. They will arrive shortly," Batman said.
"We still have personnel available?" Dr. Otto asked in surprise.
"Blade," Batman said.
"Actually, as long as you and Hulk don't deploy, the rest of us are perfectly capable of going to reinforce him," the Lizard said.
"I am waiting for intelligence," Batman said.
"Who else would be providing you with intelligence?"
According to the division of labor agreed upon back at Stark Industries, Hawkeye's opponent should have been Baron Zemo.
However, that fellow had vanished to who-knows-where. Not only had Hawkeye failed to find him quickly, but he had ended up surrounded by Hydra soldiers instead.
Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!
Caught within the encirclement of the Hydra soldiers, Hawkeye, Clint Barton, desperately dodged the incoming gunfire. Bullets rained down densely behind him like a torrential downpour, striking the ground and kicking up sparks.
But no matter how well he could dodge, once the Hydra soldiers stopped fixating on aiming directly at him and instead let their bullets crisscross haphazardly through the air, Hawkeye had nowhere left to hide.
In the span of a single breath, six bullets had already found their mark on his body, hitting his forearm, thigh, and abdomen respectively.
Just as Hawkeye let out a sigh, preparing to close his eyes and await his demise, a dark silhouette suddenly loomed over him, shielding him completely.
Flap!
The newcomer threw open his wide leather trench coat, and the bullets hit it with muffled thudding sounds.
Hawkeye couldn't see clearly who it was, but this bullet-blocking maneuver immediately made him think of one person:
"Batman?"
As he spoke, Hawkeye looked at the newcomer. Although the man was clad entirely in black, unlike Batman who wore a mask, this guy was only wearing a pair of sunglasses over his face.
Seeing Hawkeye's gaze shift toward him, the man bared his teeth, revealing a mouth full of bright white teeth:
"I'm not Batman, but he's indeed the one who told me to come back you up."
"I'm Blade."
As the gunfire continued without pause, Hawkeye quickly reached for his waist and tossed out a smoke grenade.
The moment the smoke grenade burst into a cloud of smoke, Hawkeye took the lead by lunging out from behind Blade's cover, drawing his bow and nocking three explosive arrows.
The three arrows flew in three different directions, blasting a gap in the Hydra encirclement wide enough for a tank to drive through.
"I heard of you when I was in Japan," Hawkeye took a moment to say to Blade. "Back then, your name was the Daywalker."
"I've heard of you too." Blade's teeth shone brilliantly white against the darkness of the night. "The 'Ronin' who slaughtered the entire Dark Wind Syndicate."
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