After Kate understood what had happened, she said,
"Director, I haven't been exposed yet. How about I go back tomorrow and see what I can find out?"
Fury shook his head.
"To be on the safe side, it's better if you don't go back. Hydra already knows I'm alive — they'll be on guard now.
Anyone outside their ranks is at risk. Even though I secretly placed you to monitor Steve, Hydra might have noticed you already."
In the original course of events, Fury had faked his death to make Pierce and the other Hydra leaders lower their guard.
Even then, when Captain America returned, Pierce still tried to have him captured — sending a strike team to surround him.
Fortunately, Steve wasn't an ordinary man. He leaped from more than a dozen floors, shield in hand, and landed safely.
Then, on his way out, he encountered a fighter jet blocking the gate.
The pilot underestimated him, flying dangerously low. Steve threw his shield, killing the pilot and escaping.
But now, with Fury alive and Black Widow backing him up, Pierce would not act carelessly.
If Pierce has even half a brain, he would tighten security everywhere, casting a net over anyone who isn't Hydra.
And if Kate goes back alone, without identifying Hydra's agents, it would do little good.
Steve said,
"We can call someone else in. He's an experienced pararescue pilot — we could use his air support."
Of course, Steve was referring to Sam Wilson, the Falcon.
The two had met while jogging one morning.
After talking with him, Steve discovered that Sam was also a soldier.
Sam had left the service after the death of his partner in the line of duty and now worked at a veterans' support center.
Perhaps it was a soldier's intuition, but Steve trusted him deeply.
In the original timeline, Steve and Natasha had been cornered before they went to Sam for help.
And Sam proved himself worthy of that trust — becoming one of Steve's strongest allies.
Fury asked,
"Who is he? Can we trust him?"
Steve didn't hesitate.
"I believe him."
"Then call him."
Fury knew Steve wasn't naive — he was forged in the fire of war during World War II.
Anyone Steve personally invited at such a critical time must be completely trustworthy.
Steve called Sam, explained the situation briefly.
Sam replied over the phone,
"I'm willing to help you. But I'm retired now — I don't have my wings."
Fury answered calmly,
"Don't worry about that. Just get here."
"Roger that."
Just after the call ended, Maria Hill contacted them.
"Director, I'm in New York. Where are you?"
"Go to the backup warehouse, grab the special gear, and rendezvous at the Triskelion."
"Understood."
It was late at night, so everyone got what rest they could.
The Next Day
Six people — Fury, Black Widow, Captain America, Maria Hill, Kate, and Sam Wilson — gathered outside the Triskelion.
Maria arrived in an armored transport loaded with gear.
Fury pointed toward the rear.
"Sam, your wings are back there. These are upgraded versions — better performance than your old ones. Get familiar with them first."
This SHIELD gear was forged by the Asgardian blacksmith whom Lock and Black Widow had captured earlier.
Because most users had no divine power, the design combined Asgardian craftsmanship with Earth technology — stronger than purely technological gear.
For example, Sam's original wings relied entirely on aerodynamics. If they were damaged, he couldn't keep fighting.
But now, with divine energy woven into the design, even if the wings were broken, he could remain airborne for a short while.
Not enough for long missions — but enough to complete this one.
Once everyone had equipped themselves, Steve spoke.
"I need to get to the broadcast control room and make an announcement. Everyone has to hear this."
He exhaled slowly.
"I just hope they believe me."
As they spoke, the artificial lake outside headquarters slowly opened.
The water drained away through hidden channels, revealing the massive underground hangar.
Armored vehicles rolled across transport rails.
Thousands of SHIELD personnel moved with military precision, preparing for launch.
Three enormous Helicarriers sat in the bay, surrounded by heavy transport machines like toys around giants.
"Hurry!" Fury barked. "They're nearly ready for launch!"
Black Widow and Steve immediately made for the control room.
Along the way, scattered agents spotted them — but Natasha cut them down before they could raise alarms.
Soon, they reached the broadcast room.
Because this was deep inside SHIELD, defenses were light. Steve subdued the operators without killing them — just knocking them unconscious.
When they woke, he would observe their reactions before deciding what to do.
Steve steadied his breathing.
This speech was critical — the better he spoke, the more agents would trust him, and the fewer would die needlessly.
In the original story, Steve had only used audio.
This time, to increase credibility, he turned on the video feed — broadcasting his face across every screen.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Steve. Most of you know who I am."
Those who weren't Hydra, sipping their coffee, grinned and greeted the screen casually.
"Hey, Steve."
Because Steve hadn't been officially declared wanted — and Pierce hadn't publicly branded him a traitor — most still didn't know what had really happened.
Even the attack on Fury had been deliberately concealed.
Pierce needed SHIELD operational until launch.
Once the Helicarriers were airborne, he could purge the remaining loyalists.
"I have something to tell you," Steve said solemnly.
"Director Fury was ambushed yesterday afternoon. He nearly died."
The room erupted — the idea that SHIELD's director could be attacked was no small matter.
Some Hydra agents exchanged glances and silently began moving toward the control room, weapons ready.
This was where Natasha's role was critical.
She had to hold them off long enough for Steve to finish speaking — to give SHIELD's loyal agents a chance to choose their side and act.
Before, this might have been difficult.
But now, for Hydra, Natasha was death itself.
Steve continued,
"The people who attacked Fury are inside SHIELD.
They are… Hydra."
"I'm sorry to tell you this like this — but Hydra has infiltrated SHIELD."
"Their leader is Alexander Pierce."
"Fury tried to stop the launch of the Helicarriers — to prevent Hydra from using them to kill everyone who stands in their way."
"I don't know how many Hydra agents are in this building.
They might be standing right next to you — colleagues you see every day."
"I, Steve Rogers, in the name of Captain America, am calling on all of you to stop the launch of the Helicarriers."
"Anyone who tries to stop us… is Hydra."
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