Yes.
The caller was none other than Anna.
Anna of Hydra.
After exchanging greetings, her voice came through the line, tinged with apology.
"Sorry, I only just got the message. Hawk, please believe me—Hydra has no intention of making you our enemy. You know that."
Hawk chuckled. He glanced at Victoria Hand and the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent eavesdropping nearby, then looked back at Hand.
"Since you're safe here, I'll be on my way."
"No need to thank me."
Without waiting for her reply, Hawk vanished from the underground base of the New York S.H.I.E.L.D. command center.
When he reappeared, he was already in the sky.
Drifting slowly toward New Amsterdam Hospital, Hawk resumed his call with Anna.
"Garrett wasn't one of yours."
"No."
"Then whose?"
"Arnim Zola's."
Anna didn't hesitate. Gunfire and screams echoed faintly in the background as she continued, "New York borders New Jersey. That's always been Zola's turf."
As Hawk expected.
Gunshots rang louder over the phone. Hawk arched a brow.
"Where are you right now?"
"Japan."
More cries, another set of crisp gunshots. "I was transferred here, remember?"
Hawk pictured it instantly: Anna, smiling coldly, dressed in black leather, standing before a wide window while rows of Japanese S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were executed behind her.
One bullet, one corpse.
It was almost… elegant.
Then she added, "By the way, I came to New York a few days ago. You weren't around, and your phone was off. I wanted to wait, but duty called me back."
Hawk slapped his forehead. He had forgotten their half-month promise.
"Sorry. Something came up."
"No matter. Once I finish here, I'll visit again."
"Good. And you don't need to wait until you're free—if things turn bad, just come to New York. I'll be here."
For Hawk, friendship wasn't about sides.
Sharon was his friend. Anna was too—more like an old confidante who understood him better than most.
And if Sharon died, her soul would enter his realm. The same would be true of Anna.
But he intended to keep both alive.
Anna seemed to take his meaning differently.
"Hawk, this wasn't us. As soon as Pierce heard, he cursed Zola for it."
"Oh? And?"
"Zola said he'd handle it."
"Hah." Hawk laughed.
Zola had "handled it" by shoving the blame onto Garrett.
But Hawk wasn't stupid.
He replied, "I thought maybe Garrett was Pierce's man."
Anna was firm. "Absolutely not. When Pierce discovered Garrett had sided with Zola, he personally expelled him from Triskelion HQ."
"I know. Victoria Hand just told me the same."
Hawk's tone hardened. "But regardless of who backed him, Garrett was Hydra. And I was about to make all of Hydra pay the price. If no one claimed responsibility, I'd take it out on all of you."
Justice, he believed, required overcorrection.
Better to kill ten thousand by mistake than let one guilty man slip.
A nobody like Garrett couldn't possibly soothe his rage.
"But you, Anna—you're my friend. I'll give you this favor. I won't extend my fury to your branch, nor to Pierce's."
Anna exhaled audibly in relief. "Thank you."
"But…" Hawk's voice sharpened. "Do you really want to spend that favor here?"
"Yes."
"Fine." Hawk gave a low chuckle. "Then I promise. No retaliation against you or Pierce."
"Thank you."
"Since I've given my word, though, I expect something in return. Do you understand what it felt like to come home and find three Hydra thugs breaking into my house?"
"I understand."
"Good. Then do this for me—vent my anger. Burn that Yasukuni latrine in Japan. Within two hours, I want footage of it in flames. Deliver that, and as before, I'll stay out of Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s fight. Deal?"
Rage could not be erased, only redirected.
Zola had no body to kill. But a shrine? That was tangible.
And Anna happened to be in Japan.
So Yasukuni it would be.
Anna hesitated only a heartbeat. Then she agreed. "No problem. I'll handle it. Within two hours, you'll have your firestorm—I promise."
"Good."
"One more thing. I meant to ask when you came to New York, but since we're speaking now, I'll say it."
"…Go on."
"The Mind Scepter."
After destroying Wakanda, Hawk had planned to bring it up with Anna later. But then he was delayed on Skull Island for what felt like two days—though seventeen had passed outside. By the time he returned, Hydra's second uprising had begun.
So now, with Anna on the line, he seized the chance.
The silence on her end was brief.
"The Mind Scepter?"
"Yes. I know Hydra has it. I need to use it. Not for free—you don't have to give it up. Just lend it. I'll use it on-site if you prefer, and leave immediately after."
This time, Anna didn't give her usual instant yes. After a pause, her voice was careful. "I won't lie, Hawk. That's above me. But I'll report it."
"That's fine. Those are my two requests. Nothing else."
"Understood. I'll see to it."
"Good. Hanging up."
No more pleasantries. They were both busy.
Hawk had Gwen to get home safely—and Zola's servers to smash in New Jersey.
Anna had her own duties: handling Japan's S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, and now torching a shrine.
Catching up could wait.
He looked down at New Amsterdam Hospital below. In the next instant, he vanished into the air.
Meanwhile—
In his Washington estate, Alexander Pierce picked up another phone.
He dialed a number that connected to Japan, where Hydra's Madame Viper—Ophelia Sarkissian—was known to reside.
The line clicked, and a sultry, dangerous voice purred into his ear.
"Good morning, Pierce."
"Ophelia. I need a favor." Pierce's tone was grim. "Within two hours, burn the Yasukuni shrine."
Ophelia, draped lazily across her bed, arched an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"Damn Zola," Pierce spat. Then he explained—how Zola had sent men to test Hawk, only for the demon king to catch them in the act.
Ophelia laughed.
"Pierce, I told you before. That so-called 'digital consciousness' is nothing but a decrepit program. Bound to obsolete machines, unable to even move. And you still obey him?"
"Enough. I just need time—until the Insight carriers launch. Burn the shrine. Two hours. Can you do it?"
Ophelia smiled. "Of course. But remember—you'll owe me."
Pierce exhaled, relieved.
"Fine. I'll remember."
"Then goodbye."
"Good."
"…"
(End of Chapter)
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