Of course, the main reason Darian was able to get promoted so quickly was because HYDRA was secretly pushing things along behind the scenes.
After all, Darian was one of their own; the higher his Agent rank, the greater the benefits for HYDRA.
However, after Darian received his promotion, the first person to actively contact him was not HYDRA, but the former S.H.I.E.L.D. Director who had long since disappeared from the public eye, Nick Fury.
Shortly after Darian left the Director's office, he received an encrypted message from Nick Fury.
This message was extremely concise.
It contained only an address in Brooklyn and an incomprehensible word: "Beta."
Following the address provided in the message, Darian quickly found Nick Fury's safe house number 136.
It was an unremarkable old warehouse hidden in the industrial district of Brooklyn, surrounded by silence and emptiness.
Standing in front of the door, Darian had no intention of knocking; he stepped back half a pace and kicked the door wide open.
Inside, Nick Fury stood alone by a makeshift tactical table. He seemed completely unsurprised by the violent intrusion and didn't even adopt a defensive posture, simply looking up at the doorway calmly.
"You've arrived."
Nick Fury's expression was calm, clearly having anticipated this scene.
He knew Darian's style of doing things all too well; the man would never enter a door using standard procedures.
If someone had actually knocked properly using the "Beta" code, he would have become suspicious, because the person outside would definitely not be Darian.
Darian complained, "Officer, does meeting up have to be this complicated? Wouldn't just finding a rooftop do? Isn't that how undercover Agents usually do it?"
Nick Fury ignored Darian's complaint, his single eye serious as he said, "Agent Darian, there is an urgent mission now involving S.H.I.E.L.D. secrets above level 8. Since you are currently an 8-level Agent, this mission is perfect for you to complete."
"What mission?"
Nick Fury took a small tablet from his coat, unlocked it, and pushed it in front of Darian.
A 3D holographic projection appeared on the screen, showing three advanced-looking helicarriers slowly rotating on a blueprint.
"Years ago, S.H.I.E.L.D. launched a project called the 'Insight Project.'"
Nick Fury said slowly, "The three helicarriers you see have been fully upgraded and are equipped with a new generation of impulse engines, capable of cruising continuously at sub-orbital altitudes and remaining stationed in the sky permanently."
As he operated it, the projection switched to the bottom of the helicarriers, revealing a complex weapon array system.
"At the same time, they are equipped with the latest long-range precision targeting weapon platform, capable of carrying out precise strikes on ground targets from high-altitude orbit, with a hit accuracy down to the centimeter level."
Listening to Nick Fury's explanation, Darian was slightly surprised.
It wasn't because of the helicarriers' performance.
After having witnessed interstellar warships equipped with energy cannons that could jump tens of thousands of light-years through wormholes, these helicarriers, which hadn't even been equipped with basic energy weapons, really didn't amount to much in his eyes.
What surprised him was that such a project could actually be approved.
You have to understand, S.H.I.E.L.D. had always been supervised by the World Council, composed of representatives from five nations. A project like this, involving a global strategic defense system, could never bypass the World Council's approval process.
This meant that the Insight Project had already received permission from the World Council to keep three helicarriers stationed in sub-orbit, hovering over everyone's heads.
Could those five old geezers also be HYDRA moles?
Darian couldn't help but be suspicious.
Nick Fury continued, "In addition, the helicarriers are equipped with Blade servers that can network and synchronize with targeting satellites, using special intelligent targeting algorithms to analyze personal data worldwide in real-time, accurately identifying everyone's potential threat level."
"Once the system determines that a target poses a significant threat to future global security, the helicarrier can react immediately and eliminate them before the threat forms."
In short, it was about taking out criminals before they committed a crime.
It sounded reasonable at first glance.
But if you thought about it carefully, you would realize how unreliable the idea was.
Just imagine, you're at home doing nothing, and suddenly a group of people show up and say that because you will commit a major crime in a few years, they are going to take you out now. What would you think?
And Darian felt this algorithm was equally unreliable.
Even with the ability to foresee the future, there is no guarantee that the future won't change, let alone predictions based on so-called data and algorithms.
Just like the classic butterfly effect, a small butterfly can cause a tornado; every tiny variable can trigger a chain reaction, leading to a final result that is vastly different from the prediction.
Darian couldn't help but ask curiously, "What if the system determines that a person who is a threat has a high status?"
Nick Fury said in a deep voice, "When a target is determined to be a significant threat, regardless of their status, corresponding measures will be taken. There will be no differential treatment based on the target's identity. Once the threat level reaches the preset threshold, the helicarrier will immediately execute the elimination order."
Darian asked again, "Then what if the target deemed a threat by the system is you, Officer?"
Nick Fury said righteously, "My heart is set solely on protecting Earth; I have dedicated my life to maintaining global security. How could the system possibly lock onto me?"
Darian laughed, "The last time Loki controlled you, you almost set off fireworks all across America. If this plan had been implemented a few years earlier, I'm afraid the grass on your grave would be several meters high by now."
Nick Fury:...
Can we not mention that?
Being controlled by Loki with the scepter and leading S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents to attack S.H.I.E.L.D. was definitely the darkest point of Nick Fury's life.
If it hadn't been for Pierce, the former Director, who fought to defend S.H.I.E.L.D., he probably would have blown up his own headquarters.
"Ahem! Let's not talk about that for now; I want to talk about something else."
Nick Fury coughed a few times to ease the awkwardness and said seriously, "Recently, I discovered some issues with the Insight Project. I need you to secretly go to the S.H.I.E.L.D. satellite ship, the Lemurian Star, and copy the satellite launch files."
"Remember, this is a top-secret operation. I will hire a group of French pirates to hijack the satellite ship in advance to create an operational window for you. You must not reveal your identity to anyone, including our colleagues on the ship."
[NPC Nick Fury has issued a new mission to you]
[Mission: Lemurian Star]
[Objective: Go to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s satellite ship, the Lemurian Star, and copy the satellite launch files. Do not reveal your identity.]
[Reward: EXP +1000, S.H.I.E.L.D. Reputation +20, Random Item *1]
Hijack his own satellite ship?
You really are something, the Darkness of S.H.I.E.L.D.!
Darian complained inwardly and asked confusedly, "Officer, since that's our satellite ship, why go through all this trouble? Wouldn't it be simpler to just retrieve the data under the guise of an inspection?"
"I am not the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. now; I don't have that authority."
Nick Fury said helplessly, "Besides, I suspect that the problems with the Insight Project are likely related to a mole within S.H.I.E.L.D. If I were to take direct action, it would inevitably alert the enemy."
Related to HYDRA?
Darian suddenly realized; that explained it.
With a project as massive as the Insight Project, it would be strange if HYDRA didn't get involved.
Just then, Nick Fury suddenly asked, "By the way, how is your investigation going? Have you found any new clues regarding the mole within S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Darian shook his head and said, "Not yet; I need some time."
He did indeed need time; after all, there were simply too many people on the mole list, and it was impossible to list them all in a short time.
Late at night, the Lemurian Star.
This was a massive ship, and also a mobile satellite launch platform, belonging to S.H.I.E.L.D.
As an asset of S.H.I.E.L.D., it should have been under strict protection.
However, at this moment, the figures moving on the deck were sporadic strangers holding assault rifles; clearly, the ship had fallen into other hands.
A figure wearing tactical goggles and a black mask landed on the deck.
He moved quickly with long strides, yet his movements carried an unnatural silence; the sound of footsteps, the rustling of clothes, and even his breathing seemed to have been swallowed by some force.
This person was Darian.
He had his Silent Step skill activated, moving rapidly through the night, heading straight for the bridge control room.
[Skill: Silent Step (When activated, your movement will not make any sound)]
Once this skill was activated, all sounds produced by Darian's actions would disappear.
Unless someone observed his presence directly with their naked eye, no one would be able to detect his movements.
Just like that, Darian transformed into a ghostly silent stepper, moving rapidly through the corridors and passageways of the ship. Whenever he encountered patrolling pirates, he would simply slap them away, perfectly infiltrating the interior of the ship's control room.
After confirming there was no one around, Darian found the host interface at the bottom of the console and inserted a specially made silver USB drive into it.
The indicator light on the top of the USB drive immediately flashed with a blue glimmer, and the built-in cracking program began to run automatically.
A progress window quickly popped up on the console's main screen, showing that the system firewall was being bypassed, and access to the confidential file library was soon successfully obtained.
[Starting to copy core data...]
A new progress bar slowly advanced on the screen.
Because the volume of files to be copied was too large, it was estimated that it would take several minutes to complete.
Darian casually rested his legs on the console, took a bottle of "Cool Drink" out of his game inventory, and sipped it leisurely.
Throughout S.H.I.E.L.D., he was probably the only one who could be this relaxed while carrying out an infiltration mission.
Just as the progress bar reached more than halfway, Darian suddenly heard the sounds of fighting outside.
He poked his head out to look while holding his "Cool Drink."
He saw a man in a Star-Spangled uniform engaged in a fierce fight with a burly man on the deck.
Isn't that Captain America, Steve?
Darian was not surprised by Steve's appearance here.
After all, Steve was now an external special Agent for S.H.I.E.L.D., and considering the importance of the Lemurian Star, it was perfectly normal for Hill to send him to rescue the hijacked ship.
The two fought for a few rounds on the deck. With the shield in his hand, Steve suppressed the unarmed burly man, leaving him with no ability to fight back and beating him into a steady retreat.
The burly man expressed his dissatisfaction: "Is that all you can do, rely on your shield?"
Steve didn't speak; he simply placed the shield on his back and assumed a standard fighting stance, indicating he wanted a fair fight with his opponent.
A trace of glee flashed in the burly man's eyes, thinking this was an opportunity, so he roared and rushed forward with all his might!
However, the next second, he was hit in the face by a clean, sharp straight punch from Steve, flying backward several meters and slamming heavily into the ship's railing, passing out completely.
Clearly, Steve was mainly relying on the Super Soldier Serum.
"Pah! Shameless!"
Darian scoffed.
Crushing an opponent with stats was just too shameless!
"Who's there?"
Steve keenly caught the sound, immediately turned around to look toward the control room, and locked his eyes tightly on Darian.
"Don't mind me; I'm just a passerby watching the show." Darian quickly pulled his head back.
But Steve clearly wouldn't let this suspicious person go easily; he immediately grabbed his shield, smashed through the control room's glass, and his agile figure passed through the flying glass shards, landing steadily inside the control room, only a few steps away from Darian.
His eyes quickly scanned the entire space and soon locked onto the completed data transfer progress bar on the console screen; his expression immediately turned grim.
"Raise your hands and step away from the console!"
Steve watched Darian vigilantly, holding his shield across his chest.
This was S.H.I.E.L.D.'s mobile satellite launch platform, and the control room stored a large amount of confidential data files involving global security.
In Steve's view, Darian's actions were undoubtedly stealing this crucial intelligence.
Regardless of who this mysterious person was, Steve would never allow these confidential files to be leaked.
He took a step forward and warned, "I'll say this one last time: step away from the console."
Darian turned a deaf ear to his warning, his right hand quickly reaching toward the console, pulling the USB drive out of the data interface.
"Stop!"
Seeing this, Steve threw his shield without hesitation.
The shield cut an afterimage through the air, spinning toward Darian at an astonishing speed!
Just as the shield was about to hit the target, Darian turned sharply and caught the shield steadily in one hand.
Steve was stunned for a moment.
Having fought for many years, he had never seen anyone catch his thrown shield so easily.
But Steve quickly regained his composure, took a step, and rushed toward Darian's position at full speed, swinging his fist at Darian.
Darian didn't dodge or evade; he raised the shield in his hand to block in front of him.
Bang!
The shield and fist collided fiercely, emitting a dull thud!
Steve couldn't help but step back; his face remained calm, but his right hand was quietly hidden behind his back, shaking it.
"Who exactly are you?"
Steve asked in a deep voice, his eyes growing increasingly serious.
Given the skill and physical ability Darian had displayed, the other party could absolutely not be an ordinary person.
"Want to know who I am?"
Darian said happily, "You should have said so earlier; I didn't intend to hide it anyway."
As he spoke, he slowly took off his mask and tactical goggles.
When Darian's face was fully revealed under the light, Steve's eyes couldn't help but widen.
"Bucky!?"
Steve's face was filled with shock and disbelief, looking as if he had seen a ghost.
Darian, however, shook his head with a serious expression: "No, you've mistaken me for someone else. I am not Bucky; I am his twin brother, Kiba!"
Steve:....