"That's the situation, sir."
Sitwell did not hesitate for long. "Based on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s data analysis, that unidentified flying object was most likely not some kind of drone at all, but a person."
"Go on."
Nick's expression did not change.
Not only did he know it was a person, he also knew that person was Tony Stark.
That was hardly a secret to him. But hearing it come out of this Hydra agent's mouth gave it a very different meaning.
Nick Fury already knows even this much?
Sitwell cautiously glanced at Nick, his heart jolting again.
As expected of the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. He really was unfathomable.
"There is a very high probability that it is a brand-new weapon developed by Tony Stark. A wearable humanoid combat suit."
"It stands close to two meters tall, can likely exceed Mach 2, and most likely has various miniature missiles and countermeasures integrated into the armor itself. Its combat capabilities should be extremely strong."
"Oh?"
Nick showed just the right amount of curiosity. "How did you figure that out?"
"You know I'm very sensitive to data. With all the fragmented clues S.H.I.E.L.D. has gathered, piecing together a plausible conclusion like this isn't difficult for me."
Sitwell had prepared that excuse long ago. Without changing expression, he slipped in a flattering remark. "Without your recognition, I never would have had such a good chance to prove myself."
"Very good. I was right about you."
Nick laughed inwardly, though his face remained unreadable. "Go on."
"That is all I can estimate about the weapon for now."
Sitwell understood the principle that the more you said, the more likely you were to slip up. So instead of getting carried away, he decisively changed topics. "As for Tony Stark's kidnapping, there is a very high probability that it was the result of internal conflict within Stark Industries. Obadiah Stane likely orchestrated the whole incident himself in an attempt to seize control of the company."
"This information has not yet been officially verified, so you may not be aware of it."
Sitwell casually praised himself again. "I know you place great importance on Stark Industries, so I took the initiative and analyzed it in advance. I can confirm that the information is accurate."
"You did well."
Nick was genuinely a little surprised.
Hydra's intelligence network far exceeded his expectations. They even had a clear grasp of the internal struggle within Stark Industries.
"I'm glad it meets with your approval."
Seeing that, Sitwell immediately nodded with obvious satisfaction. "Then I'll get back to work and do my best to fully confirm my conclusions."
"You're capable. Keep it up."
Nick stepped over to him and gave him some solemn encouragement. Only after Sitwell left, thoroughly pleased with himself, did Nick stroke his chin and sit back down in his chair.
"The information on Obadiah is actually useful. I'll pass it along to Stark when I get the chance. Consider it a favor."
Nick sat there in thought.
Ever since learning that Hydra had not been completely wiped out all those years ago, but had instead used S.H.I.E.L.D. to rebuild itself and grow stronger in recent years, the man who had always regarded S.H.I.E.L.D. as his personal domain had flown into a rage.
After calming down, he conducted a careful investigation over a period of time and, as expected, uncovered quite a few parasites inside S.H.I.E.L.D.
But after decades of infiltration, Hydra's reach had by now become terrifyingly deep.
In other words, S.H.I.E.L.D. was no longer the S.H.I.E.L.D. it once had been. On another level entirely, Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D. had already achieved a kind of symbiosis.
Without Hydra, the present-day S.H.I.E.L.D. would most likely collapse on the spot and lose its ability to function altogether.
When Nick realized that not even he, as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., could possibly purge Hydra completely in a short period of time, he chose another method without hesitation.
If Hydra could not be eliminated, then fine. He simply would not eliminate it.
S.H.I.E.L.D. agents had their uses. Hydra, naturally, had its uses too.
Very soon, Nick picked out a portion of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s personnel and placed them within a circle he considered trustworthy.
People like Coulson, Hill, Natasha Romanoff, and Clint Barton.
At the same time, he deliberately singled out people like Sitwell and Rumlow.
Compared to ordinary S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, these Hydra operatives, in order to keep their identities hidden for good, would rack their brains to complete every assignment. In certain situations, they would even mobilize Hydra's resources for the sake of a S.H.I.E.L.D. mission.
Sitwell, just now, was a textbook example.
Today, he could betray part of Hydra's intelligence in order to advance himself and gain recognition. Tomorrow, for a higher position and greater power, he could keep crossing one line after another.
If one Sitwell resisted temptation, then another Sitwell, one who failed to resist, would inevitably appear.
No matter who they were, human nature guaranteed that some Hydra agents would take that step.
Nick Fury had never trusted people. He only trusted human nature.
And sure enough, after a carefully controlled push from him, Sitwell had appeared right on cue.
He did not need many people like that. Two or three were enough.
No matter how high they climbed, as long as they remained within a controllable range, Nick could use them more easily to achieve his goals and pry Hydra's power loose for his own purposes.
"S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most important project right now is the Helicarrier..."
Nick flipped through the documents in his hand, a strange light flickering in his one eye.
"I still need time to remove these people from the Helicarrier project roster one by one. I just can't make it too obvious. I need to find a way to make them take themselves out of it..."
"No one gets to lay a hand on my S.H.I.E.L.D."
Thoughts surged endlessly through Nick's mind.
"Hydra is a festering disease. There's no way to cut it out in a single day. The right path is to make full use of it, wear it down bit by bit, and move slowly."
Once he had run through the entire plan in his head again and confirmed there were no gaps, Nick finally let out a quiet breath.
"Well, well, Director Fury. You seem to be in a pretty good mood."
Just as Nick had completely destroyed all the documents, a familiar voice suddenly came from the other side of the office without the slightest warning.
"Fenris?"
Nick turned toward the source of the voice at once. It had been quite a while since he had seen Fenris, and for a moment, the feeling of unexpectedly missing him rose in his chest.
Compared to Hydra, dealing with Fenris was far easier.
As long as he kept his sense of proportion and adjusted his attitude properly, a being with that level of power simply would not stoop to playing mind games with him.
A familiar dimensional portal opened. Accompanied by the sound of two sets of footsteps, two figures stepped out in front of Nick the next moment.
"Tony Stark?"
"How did those two end up together?"
Nick quickly rose to his feet and, smiling, invited them both to sit down nearby. There was not a trace left of the deep, calculating look that had filled his eyes just moments ago.
"Nick Fury, did my father leave behind a file with S.H.I.E.L.D. back then?"
Tony had no intention of exchanging pleasantries. He got straight to the point.
"Where is that file now? I'm here to take it back."
(End of Chapter)
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