"I am the dignified former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., and you want me to become the leader of HYDRA and command them?"
"Is this even a plan a human could come up with!?"
Nick Fury's face darkened even further: "Agent Darian, are you sure this is a plan?"
Darian chuckled: "Of course. This way, we can not only regain control of S.H.I.E.L.D. but also ensure that S.H.I.E.L.D. suffers no losses."
"More importantly, we can keep those HYDRA Agents working for S.H.I.E.L.D., maintaining the normal operation of all departments while under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s supervision. Isn't this a plan that kills multiple birds with one stone?"
Nick Fury fell silent.
To be fair, the plan was indeed good, but it just felt strange somewhere.
A few seconds later, Nick Fury spoke again: "Even if we implement your plan and deal with the current leaders of HYDRA, how can we ensure those HYDRA Agents will obey our orders?"
Darian chuckled: "You can rest assured about that. HYDRA follows an extremely strict hierarchy and has a unique method of identity verification. Once a subordinate confirms the superior's identity, they will obey orders unconditionally."
"What kind of verification method?"
"Just shout 'Hail HYDRA' to them."
Nick Fury: "..."
Darian explained: "Inside HYDRA, for information security reasons, subordinates usually do not know the identity of their superiors, but superiors possess the identity information of their subordinates. Therefore, whoever shouts the slogan to them must be a superior in HYDRA; they will obey orders without hesitation and without question."
Such a casual identity verification method.
The corner of Nick Fury's mouth twitched slightly.
He had originally thought that a professional terrorist organization like HYDRA, which was so disciplined and had been able to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D. for decades without being exposed, would definitely be equipped with an extremely complex and rigorous identity verification process.
Who would have thought that the core of this security lock, which maintained the operation of the entire massive infiltration network, was just a simple slogan.
"In that case, let's go with this plan!"
Nick Fury made up his mind immediately.
As the darkness of S.H.I.E.L.D., he had always been a pragmatist with a flexible moral compass. As long as he could solve problems and protect the greater good, he didn't care at all about so-called morals or stances.
Just like Black Widow Natasha, who was originally a top spy from Russia; hasn't she also become one of his most trusted confidants?
Since they are both spies, why can't HYDRA Agents be recruited?
Darian said: "Then we must speed up our actions. According to my internal intelligence, HYDRA is planning a major move. Pierce has already tampered with the identification algorithms of the three new helicarriers and intends to use the Insight Project to eliminate all targets that might hinder HYDRA."
"I knew there was definitely a problem with the Insight Project."
Nick Fury snorted coldly, not surprised by this news. Pierce's actions perfectly matched his stereotype of HYDRA.
Compared to this, Nick Fury was more concerned about another issue.
He raised an eyebrow slightly and asked Darian curiously: "What do you mean by internal intelligence?"
Darian spread his hands: "Literally. In order to obtain intelligence, I have successfully infiltrated HYDRA. I've been shouting 'Hail HYDRA' for several days in a row. Now, those HYDRA Agents all treat me as their Officer, and I accidentally became a high-level member of HYDRA."
"If a little more time passes, I might even end up becoming the leader of HYDRA."
Nick Fury: "..."
You really are a talent!
Nick Fury was beyond speechless and said: "In that case, the next mission is up to you. I am now being watched closely by HYDRA. The moment I show my face, HYDRA will likely take immediate action. Only you can stop the Insight Project now."
"Besides that, you must immediately control Pierce before the other HYDRA members react. If necessary, you can kill him directly to seize control of HYDRA!"
[NPC Nick Fury has issued a new quest to you]
[Quest: Cut off one head, and another shall take its place]
[Objective: Stop the Insight Project, control or eliminate Alexander Pierce, and thoroughly take control of the HYDRA members within S.H.I.E.L.D.]
[Reward: EXP +2000, S.H.I.E.L.D. Reputation +200, Random Equipment *1, Random Item *2]
As expected, if you want to farm quests, you have to look to Nick Fury!
Darian was very satisfied. It was worth it that he rushed over to save Nick Fury right after finishing lunch.
Nick Fury solemnly reminded him at the end: "Remember, this matter is limited to the two of us. It must absolutely not be revealed to anyone, including those recorded on that whitelist."
HYDRA infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D. is not a small matter.
If this news were to leak out, S.H.I.E.L.D. would immediately become a target, facing collective condemnation from all sides.
At that point, S.H.I.E.L.D. would face only two choices: either shut down and close its doors, or go completely underground, never again able to perform its functions in the light.
For Nick Fury, both of these outcomes would mean total failure.
Most importantly, this secret must not only be hidden from the public but also strictly sealed off even within the organization.
If S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents were to learn the truth, they would inevitably break out into fierce conflict with the lurking HYDRA members. Perhaps the one leading the S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents would even be some U.S. ass. Regardless of who wins, S.H.I.E.L.D. would be severely damaged by the infighting.
Similarly, if HYDRA were to realize they had been exposed, they would likely choose to strike first and launch a full-scale counterattack. S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents, caught completely off guard, would inevitably suffer countless casualties, and the outcome would be equally unimaginable.
"Understood."
Darian nodded. He was the best at keeping secrets.
"I need an explanation. Why did the assassination attempt on Nick Fury fail?"
Inside the secret Base of HYDRA, Pierce's face was livid as he was raging at a group of HYDRA members.
"We deployed our most elite action team, planned the most perfect ambush route, and even sent out an ace like the Winter Soldier. And what was the result? Nick Fury still managed to escape!"
A HYDRA member explained: "According to the intel sent back from the scene, an unexpected interfering factor appeared during the operation."
"What interfering factor?"
"It was the Winter Soldier's twin brother. He suddenly appeared at the scene, rescued Nick Fury from under the Winter Soldier's nose, and snatched away the Winter Soldier's arm and motorcycle."
"???"
Pierce looked at this HYDRA member with an expression that said, "Are you f***ing kidding me?"
"How come I didn't know the Winter Soldier had a twin brother? Even if he really had a twin brother, the guy would at least be an eighty-year-old geezer. How could he possibly rescue someone from the Winter Soldier and steal his equipment?"
"I don't know about that either..."
"Whatever the reason, immediately use all resources. You must find Nick Fury for me!"
Pierce's voice carried a bone-chilling coldness.
Every minute that Nick Fury is alive threatens the plans they have laid out for years. The Insight Project is about to launch, and at this critical juncture, any negligence could lead to total failure.
The Insight Project must not fail, so Nick Fury must die!
After urgently deploying all personnel to search for Nick Fury, Pierce left the secret Base with a gloomy face.
He sat into his heavy bulletproof car, rubbed his throbbing temples, and prepared to return to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters to arrange the next steps.
Just as Pierce was lost in thought, a screeching sound of brakes suddenly came to his ears.
Screech—!
Tires skidded violently against the road.
Caught off guard, Pierce slammed hard against the back of the front seat.
"What's going on!?" he roared, clutching his bruised forehead.
"Officer, there's someone on the road!"
The HYDRA member in the driver's seat pointed ahead.
Pierce looked out the window in that direction and found a figure standing in the middle of the road.
The person was wearing a tactical suit, a black mask on his face, and had unkempt, stylish hair.
Is that you, Winter Soldier?
Before Pierce could react, the person suddenly raised the special weapon in his hand and pulled the trigger, aiming at the vehicle without hesitation!
A metal disc shot out from the muzzle, sliding rapidly along the road surface, and precisely drilled into the undercarriage through the gap in the chassis.
Pierce: "..."
Why does this scene look a bit familiar?
Boom!!
A deafening explosion instantly resounded through the entire street!
The massive shockwave lifted the entire bulletproof car off the ground, causing it to roll two and a half times in the air before crashing heavily back to the ground with a clang, landing on all four tires and somehow barely maintaining its posture.
The inside of the car was a mess, the alarm was emitting a piercing screech, and all the airbags had deployed.
Pierce was dazed and dizzy from the Impact. A cut had opened on his forehead from hitting the car window, and blood was streaming down his cheek.
The HYDRA member in the driver's seat wasn't so lucky. During the continuous rolling, his head had struck the roof and window multiple times; he had completely lost consciousness and was slumped in his seat, unresponsive.
"Damn it! What the hell is going on!?"
Pierce fought through the dizziness, his heart filled with shock and confusion.
The Winter Soldier was actually attacking a leader of HYDRA!
You have to understand, the Winter Soldier had been brainwashed by HYDRA layer after layer; he was their most loyal weapon.
How could he suddenly turn against them?
But the immediate crisis did not allow Pierce to think too much.
Through the cracked car window, he saw the masked figure approaching the car unhurriedly.
Pierce shouted frantically: "Activate autonomous driving! Get out of here immediately!"
"Power system severely damaged, unable to start," the car's intelligent system prompted.
"Contact the assault team for reinforcements!"
"Communication system damaged."
"Motherf***er! What other function is still working!?"
"The in-car air conditioning system is operating normally. Current interior temperature is 22 degrees Celsius."
Pierce: "..."
Who the hell designed this piece of crap car!?
Just then, the masked man walked straight to the side of the car, hooked his hand into the deformed frame, and with a screeching sound of tearing metal, the entire door was ripped right off!
The next second, Pierce felt his collar tighten, and he was dragged out of the driver's seat, dangled in mid-air like a chicken waiting to be slaughtered.
Pierce did not panic and suddenly spoke: "Longing, rusted, seventeen, daybreak, furnace, nine..."
He shouted a string of incomprehensible words in Russian.
This was the Winter Soldier's activation code. No matter who it was, as long as they said this string of activation words in Russian, the Winter Soldier would immediately enter a hypnotized, obedient mode and do whatever he was told.
However, Pierce discovered that after he finished reciting the activation code, the Winter Soldier before him not only had no reaction but instead looked at him as if he were an idiot, as if questioning whether Pierce had damaged his brain when the car crashed earlier.
"This is impossible..."
Pierce muttered to himself, then suddenly widened his eyes: "You are definitely not the Winter Soldier! Who the hell are you!?"
"I am his twin brother, Kiba!"
Pierce: "..."
What a masculine name.
He forced himself to stay calm, gritted his teeth, and said: "No matter who you are, you need to understand the consequences of doing this. If you dare to touch me, S.H.I.E.L.D. will never let you go."
Although he had long ago disregarded life and death, the Insight Project was not yet complete, and he absolutely could not die like this.
Darian scoffed upon hearing this: "The first person S.H.I.E.L.D. won't let go of, I'm afraid, is you, HYDRA."
Pierce's pupils contracted sharply, but he still forced himself to stay calm: "What HYDRA? I have no idea what you're talking about. I advise you to release me quickly, otherwise, S.H.I.E.L.D. will take action."
"Are you still going to play dumb at this point?"
Darian mercilessly exposed him: "HYDRA has been lurking inside S.H.I.E.L.D. for many years. The Insight Project you have been pushing with all your might recently is simply to eliminate everyone who might threaten HYDRA's rule."
"And you also plotted the assassination attempt against Nick Fury. Am I right?"
Hearing Darian reveal so much classified information, Pierce's heart was filled with stormy waves.
How on earth does this guy in front of me know so many things!
Could it be... there is a traitor inside HYDRA!?
Seeing Pierce not speaking, Darian chuckled: "Let me tell you the truth. Nick Fury has already grasped all of your plans."
"Damn it! Who betrayed us!?"
Pierce was furious.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is one thing, but he never expected that there would be a mole inside HYDRA!
You have to know, HYDRA is known for its loyalty. This is simply a huge disgrace!
Darian did not answer directly but continued to reveal at a leisurely pace.
"Now Nick Fury has dispatched Agent Darian to stop the Insight Project, and at the same time, capture or kill you. Once the situation is under control, he will recruit the HYDRA Agents lurking within S.H.I.E.L.D. to command HYDRA and regain control of S.H.I.E.L.D."
Pierce: "..."
Is this even a plan a human could come up with!?
But he suddenly realized something and his eyes widened: "Wait, you said Nick Fury dispatched Agent Darian to find me, then you are..."
Darian chuckled: "Officer, you guessed it right. It was me who betrayed you!"
"Agent Darian!!"
Pierce roared angrily.
He never expected that the person who betrayed HYDRA was actually Darian, this seemingly loyal HYDRA member!
No wonder Nick Fury was able to escape from the Winter Soldier's hands, and that he knew so many things.
The reason for all this was actually because of the mole, Darian!!
Pierce struggled frantically in Darian's hands: "Darian! Why did you betray HYDRA!?"
He really couldn't understand why Darian, an excellent employee of HYDRA, would suddenly betray HYDRA.
"Why?"
Darian smiled slightly, leaned forward, leaned into Pierce's ear, and slowly spoke.
"Because... Hail S.H.I.E.L.D.!"
After