New York, Brooklyn — the Trident Building. This is the headquarters of S.H.I.E.L.D. Although S.H.I.E.L.D. has recently been working on the Helicarrier Project, until that plan is complete, this remains their base of operations.
On the top floor, inside the Director's private office, Nick Fury was reviewing the latest intel.
"F***, all the members of the World Security Council were killed by some mysterious person. Who the hell did this?"
"Wait… why isn't Pierce dead?"
Nick Fury had just received word that every member of the Security Council had been assassinated — and the one who sent the message was none other than Alexander Pierce.
Fury knew very well that Pierce was HYDRA's highest-ranking mole inside S.H.I.E.L.D. But he also understood Pierce's behavior. Pierce would never make a move unless he was absolutely certain. As long as Fury remained Director, Pierce would keep hiding.
"Hey, Black Braised Egg, what are you worrying about? Now you know the little Revenge Club you're trying to form— oh, right, right, the Avengers — yeah, they're done for. Captain America Rogers is already dead, and Tony Stark was even killed by Allens."
"F***, what a mess. What a terrible past."
On the sofa, Rocket Raccoon hopped up, cursing and sighing helplessly. He suddenly missed Groot, and missed the days of running wild with the Star-Thief crew.
Boom, boom, boom.
Just as Fury frowned in thought, someone knocked on the door. He glanced at Rocket, who shrugged and immediately darted behind a chair.
Fury tapped a button on his desk. The door slid open, and a squad of fully armed S.H.I.E.L.D. field agents marched in.
"What's going on?"
Fury stood up calmly, staring at the dozen agents who entered.
"SIR, S.H.I.E.L.D. needs some new leadership."
Walter shut the door behind him, blocking the view. The man leading them — Walter — wore a ferocious smile, excitement glittering in his eyes. As a HYDRA operative, he had been waiting for this moment for years.
Shff.
Walter flicked his hand, and all the "agents" immediately drew concealed firearms, aiming at Fury.
"I'm surprised. HYDRA's full assault wasn't supposed to begin yet… why expose yourselves early?"
Fury's voice was calm and blank. His single eye showed no fear. As S.H.I.E.L.D.'s only Level 10 agent, he wasn't intimidated by these traitors.
"F***, how did you know we were HYDRA?!"
Walter's expression twisted. He stopped hesitating and prepared to order his men to turn Fury into a sieve.
"Hey boys, don't you think guns are supposed to be a man's romance? You bunch of chicks, stop embarrassing yourselves with those cheap pistols."
A mocking voice froze the HYDRA agents. They looked toward the sound — then their worldview collapsed.
A raccoon was holding a massive high-tech cannon, grinning at them with a smile that was anything but friendly.
"Goodbye, chicks."
Rocket didn't waste the moment. He pulled the trigger. A blast of red energy vaporized Walter and his men.
BOOM.
A violent explosion shook the entire office. More than a dozen HYDRA agents were blasted through the wall and into the hall.
"A bunch of trash."
Hidden among the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, Sitwell's eyes flashed coldly. He made a subtle hand gesture.
"Hail HYDRA. This era will fall under HYDRA's rule."
"The uprising begins now. Sorry — I'm HYDRA."
"Hail, hail."
Following Sitwell's signal, HYDRA agents embedded throughout the building mobilized. S.H.I.E.L.D. had already been rotting from the inside — nearly two-thirds of the personnel were HYDRA. Within an hour, all remaining pockets of resistance were eliminated.
"SIR, S.H.I.E.L.D. is completely under our control."
A HYDRA agent approached Sitwell and reported seriously. Sitwell didn't need the report — he could already see captured S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel being escorted out.
"Did you find Nick Fury and the raccoon?"
Sitwell scanned the prisoners, including Maria Hill. But Fury was nowhere to be seen.
"I'm very sorry, SIR. Nick Fury and that strange raccoon weren't found."
The agent looked panicked. He knew Sitwell's real target was Fury — and Rocket. Their escape meant failure.
"Escaped, huh? You really can't underestimate Nick Fury."
Sitwell sighed. After years undercover in S.H.I.E.L.D., he understood well how terrifyingly competent Nick Fury was. The man always kept backup plans, hiding his life — and his secrets — in layers no one could easily reach.
"Forget it. It doesn't matter if Fury and the raccoon escaped. HYDRA has finally taken over S.H.I.E.L.D."
Sitwell's eyes gleamed. He hadn't forgotten his true identity — a loyal hound of Allens. Everything he did was for Allens' plan. Even though Fury escaped, Sitwell had successfully seized HYDRA's reins.
Now he could move to the next phase: use HYDRA's power to control the world, placing everything under the will of Allens.
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