That evening, Alexander Pierce returned to his Washington residence. As he opened the door, confirming that the cleaning staff had finished for the day, he walked into the kitchen intending to open a bottle of red wine for a quiet drink. He was surprised to spot someone sitting in the living room.
"Actually, I don't mind you visiting, but you should at least pick a better time. Not like now, when S.H.I.E.L.D. just had a minor incident..."
Pierce walked into the dimly lit living room, wine glass in hand, only to find that the person sitting there wasn't who he expected. He let out a dry chuckle. "I thought it was the Winter Soldier."
"Your residence isn't exactly secure, Alexander. Haven't you noticed that?"
Questioned thus, Pierce sat down, looking at the man before him. In the darkness, only a blurry human silhouette was visible. His voice carried a mocking tone. Pierce smiled helplessly and settled into his seat.
"You know, theoretically, within Hydra, you, Strucker, and I are equals. There's no need for you to come here personally."
"Of course, I do, Alexander. I need a little... help from S.H.I.E.L.D."
Silently observing the man, Pierce took a sip of red wine, waiting as the other tossed a thin, transparent mask onto the coffee table. Pierce recognized it; it was a disguise mask used by S.H.I.E.L.D.
Then, the other person threw down another item—a thicker-looking mask with various bullet holes of different sizes. Pierce curiously picked it up and asked, "What's this?"
"The remnants of Project Three, stolen by a Russian. He then called himself Chameleon and ran around doing dirty work. He died in New York recently, and my people found his face."
The silhouette in the darkness slowly spoke: "It's a very useful face, isn't it? With it, I can become anyone."
Pierce remained silent, waiting for the other to continue with his next move. And then what? You can become anyone? Even ordinary S.H.I.E.L.D. agents can do that. Chameleon's face might be unique, but it's not worth this man making such a fuss.
"I need... to become a superhero."
Pierce understood instantly.
"The Silk identity information, you leaked it?"
"Of course." The other person showed no qualms about his actions. "I probably know what you're thinking, Pierce, and I must tell you, you're right. Nick Fury will suspect us because of this. He's Jack Fury's son, that truck driver, and Peggy Carter's student. When it comes to knowing and being wary of us in this world, he's probably the most sensitive."
"And at this moment, you still chose to leak the information—because even Nick couldn't possibly figure out why Hydra would leak information about a superhuman, especially information that the Avengers are quite interested in."
This was a smokescreen, and also Hydra's test of Nick Fury. Whether Nick Fury already knew Hydra was entrenched within S.H.I.E.L.D., and how much he understood and investigated it, were things they needed to know.
More importantly, the information about "Silk" was completely unrelated to Hydra, so even if it was leaked, the worst-case scenario was that Nick Fury would know Hydra already suspected him. In the better scenario, Nick Fury would inevitably get bogged down in investigating the non-existent connection between the "Silk" leak and Hydra's interests, thereby greatly diverting his attention.
And that would give the person before him the best opportunity to become a "superhero." After all, while S.H.I.E.L.D. had become a mere facade for Hydra, the Avengers, as a new organization, had no Hydra tendrils that could spread within it. If he could infiltrate the Avengers while Nick Fury was lost in a fog of investigation, then perhaps they could completely dismantle the Avengers from within.
However, Pierce still didn't understand one thing.
"Why the urgency? Our plan is progressing very smoothly. Everything is proceeding according to Zola's algorithm. Project Insight has already begun in an orderly fashion. Tony Stark has helped us create his own grave." Pierce swirled his wine glass, looking at the other through the blood-red wine. "This sudden move of yours could disrupt our rhythm, make Nick suspicious, and potentially lead to Project Insight's failure."
"Because Project Insight is doomed to fail."
Pierce frowned. He had never heard of such a thing, so he couldn't help but ask, "Why?"
"Arnim Zola's algorithm has a fatal flaw, a flaw we completely unexpected before." The other slowly stated the reason: "The Avengers, almost every single one of them, broke Zola's calculations."
"Zola didn't calculate that gamma rays could turn a scientist into a green monster, nor did he calculate that Stark could surpass his arrogant father's limits and develop new elements to survive. Zola didn't calculate that a god would descend to Earth with his hammer, nor did he expect an impossible scientist to actually break the conservation of energy to grow and shrink."
Every single Avenger made Arnim Zola's so-called future-predicting algorithm look like a joke, including the alien invasion in the Battle of New York and the two successful experimental subjects of Project Two, Spider-Man and Silk.
And for Hydra, the most crucial one.
Their calculations did not account for the existence of their mortal enemy, Captain America, still being alive. When the Avengers were added to the algorithm as a variable in Hydra's plan, Hydra began to realize that their grand future had turned into pure illusion.
Therefore, to create Hydra's world of no freedom, absolute security and order, the Avengers must be eliminated.
And what could be easier than becoming a superhero and infiltrating them to destroy the opposition?
Pierce's brow smoothed. He thought of a good idea, an excellent means and method for a heroic debut. So, he smiled and extended his hand to the person before him.
"Tell me your persona. I'll prepare your identity information. I look forward to the birth of a brand new superhero."
"Hail Hydra."
In the darkness, the silhouette spoke without moving.
"Hail Hydra."
Alexander Pierce raised his wine glass, smiling at the other, then drained it and called out his name.
"Baron Zemo."
Zemo here is closer to the comic book depiction than the MCU, as one of Hydra's leaders.