Eastern Europe, Sokovia
"Hiss…"
After reading the intel Natasha sent, the strike team members looked at their captain with surprise.
"Boss, this time Black Widow's target is a human trafficking organization in Eastern Europe," one of them said. "But that group has business dealings with our Hydra contacts. Should we…" — he made a throat-cutting gesture.
The captain immediately smacked him on the head. "Don't even think about it. We follow Black Widow's orders."
"Even if that trafficking ring has ties to Baron Strucker's Hydra base in Sokovia, it doesn't concern us."
"Remember, since twenty-three years ago, those guys led by A.I.M. disagreed with our ideology and split off to form Hydra's Dark Division. We're not the same anymore. So even if the trafficking ring is connected to Sokovia's Hydra base, we'll still destroy them if Natasha says so."
The soldier hesitated. "But Captain… they're technically our people."
"Our people?" The captain sneered. "Only the Hydra inside S.H.I.E.L.D. are our real brothers!"
He loaded his pistol and continued, "Who has been serving S.H.I.E.L.D. fearlessly for all these years, taking every suicidal mission?"
"Us—Hydra," the team replied in unison.
"Exactly! Even real S.H.I.E.L.D. agents hesitate when the mission looks hopeless. Only we Hydra agents go without fear of death, because we understand the truth — the stronger S.H.I.E.L.D. becomes, the stronger Hydra becomes."
He glanced around at his team. "But the Hydra in the shadows? They want us to fail. They want us disgraced."
"Now do you understand?"
The soldier finally nodded. "Yeah… I get it now."
He didn't say it out loud, but deep down he couldn't help thinking — somehow this still feels ironic.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Lounge
Clint Barton was methodically sorting his arrows when Natasha approached.
"Clint, this mission's target is a human trafficking ring. We'll be rescuing the kidnapped women and children, and we also need evidence of their business ties in America," she said. "I'm counting on you."
Hawkeye smiled, setting down his arrow. "No need to be so formal, Nat. You know Laura used to be a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent—she understands the job. And you're the godmother of our daughter, remember?"
Hearing him mention Laura and his little girl, warmth crossed Clint's face.
Natasha pulled up a chair. "I heard Laura's pregnant again?"
"Yeah. Another girl. We haven't decided on a name yet, though. Looks like your wish for a godson will have to wait."
"Tsk… traitor," Natasha teased lightly. But even as she smiled, envy flickered in her eyes. She could hide her emotions from most people — but never from Clint.
He reached out and gently held her hand. "Natasha…"
She forced a small smile. "I'm fine. What matters now is saving those women and children."
"Frank Castle's already doing recon. As soon as we have intel, we move."
"Understood," Clint nodded.
Upper East Side, New York
"Kelly, are you sure we should be doing this?" one of the girls asked nervously, staring at the Ouija board on the table. "I heard this game can really summon the dead…"
"Scared already?" Kelly frowned. "If you're that timid, maybe you should hang out with that spoiled brat Jessica instead."
"She's the deputy mayor's daughter—she could help your dad, right? So go on, join her little princess club. Just don't show your face in our sisterhood again!"
The timid girl quickly shook her head. "No! I'd never betray us. Remember when we cornered Jessica in the bathroom back in middle school? She slapped us, but we got her good after that!"
Kelly smirked. "That's right. If she dares to look down on us, we'll make her regret it. No one embarrasses us in New York's social circle."
She pointed at the board. "Alright, listen up. Once the game starts, if the planchette moves — no one lifts their fingers. Got it?"
Everyone nodded.
Kelly lit the candles, her eyes gleaming as she began the chant.
East Coast Studio
"Are you sure that brat Kelly's really going to do some séance tonight?" Barbara asked, adjusting a shelf full of hand-crafted decorations.
"You know what happened last time we tried that, right? If it weren't for Linen, we might've actually been haunted."
Jessica smirked. "Of course she will. Kelly can't resist showing off. Especially after I told her I'd done it before — she was furious. That girl's pride won't let her back down."
She sighed regretfully. "Too bad Linen's busy these days. Otherwise, he could have summoned a ghost just to spook her."
Barbara chuckled. "You really hate her that much?"
"It's not about hate," Jessica said. "It's about business. Once this goes viral, our East Coast studio will explode in popularity. Fox TV is already interested."
Barbara's eyes lit up as she looked at the shelves. "If this works, we'll make a fortune. I need to tell the supplier to produce more of these crafts."
Jessica grinned. "You're just trying to make sure Linen gets his villa within the year."
"Half a year," Barbara corrected seriously. "If this studio doesn't earn him enough for that in six months — enough to help his brother and sister pay off their student loans — then I've wasted my degree."
Jessica sighed softly. "You know… neither of us can really be with Linen."
Barbara smiled knowingly. "Maybe not in name, but we'll always be close. The three of us have been through everything together — it's like family now."
She leaned back with a teasing grin. "You'll marry for business, and I'll marry someone who treats me like a princess. But don't pretend, Jessica — even when you're married, if Linen calls, you'd still come to him."
Jessica rolled her eyes. "You're such a bitch."
Barbara only laughed, unbothered.
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