"Project Paperclip?"

Rogers, in the director's office, closed the thick folder in his hand.

That is, the president secretly extradited a group of German scientists, and S.H.I.E.L.D. also absorbed part of the power of Hydra. But wouldn't this allow the enemy to infiltrate and pose a threat to national security? ”

Captain America looked a little puzzled.

As an intelligence agency, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s primary concern should be to ensure its own confidentiality.

Taking the initiative to recruit Hydra is tantamount to creating opportunities for spies to lurk.

Invisibly, a certain amount of risk is added.

What should S.H.I.E.L.D. do when the time comes?

"This program was first carried out by the military, and they took a fancy to the V-1 and V2 rockets of the Third Reich, the new technology of ballistic missiles, and wanted to get their hands on it."

Luke shrugged his shoulders and said lightly.

The most scarce thing in the twentieth century was talent, and the new president understood this, which is why he approved the "Paperclip Project".

During World War II, the military industry of the Third Reich was extremely developed, and all kinds of black technologies were endless, and it was a well-deserved strength first.

The White House and the Pentagon look greedy, and that's normal.

It is their nature to take advantage of the force and put interests first.

"Initially, there was a lot of opposition to this plan, because according to the regulations, the U.S. military, which was on the side of the Central Powers, was forbidden to deal directly with war criminals."

Luke paused, and said with a smile on the corner of his mouth: "Ironically, almost all German scientists, engineers and other technical personnel who have the conditions for recruitment and extradition are basically closely related to the Nazi Party, and some even meet the standards of war criminals." ”

Rogers had a shocked look of "strange knowledge has increased".

Although we know that the interests of all parties are entangled, the image of the country may not be as glorious as it seems.

But the thought of recruiting war criminals into government departments was still a little difficult for him to accept.

"Those people should be judged."

Rogers whispered.

Seeing Captain America's frustrated look, Luke continued to talk about the black history of the federal government: "That's just your personal opinion, the president and generals don't think so. In order to ensure their strategic interests, they circumvented these rules and dispatched more than 700 intelligence officers to vigorously collect personnel related to fighter jets, missiles, and rockets. ”

"Among them, Arthur L. Rudolph, who once managed an arsenal, is a talent in rocket manufacturing. However, he was also a notorious war criminal, committing the atrocious crimes of hanging slave laborers and massacring and abusing prisoners of war. ”

"And Werner von Braun, who now works as a senior engineer at the Army's Equipment Design and Research Bureau, the designer of the V-2 missile. He killed thousands of people in Britain and was an avid Third Reichist. ”

Luke spoke in detail, every word hitting Rogers' heart like a sledgehammer.

"Steve, there is no such thing as absolute justice in this world. The country you are defending, or the spirit of defending, is not great. ”

Luke, who is obviously the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and a major general of the army, unceremoniously ridicules this capital country packaged as a beacon of freedom.

But then again, Project Paperclip did have a big impact on the United States during its formative years.

Take, for example, Werner von Braun, a war criminal.

He had a brilliant resume and entered the Technical University of Berlin in 1930.

Four years later, he received his Ph.D. in physics from Humboldt University, where his dissertation was rated with the highest grade.

In just two years, the V-2 missile was designed, which was the world's first ballistic missile to be put into actual combat.

Later, he went to the United States and developed the Saturn 5, which successfully achieved the amazing feat of landing on the moon.

Another Howard Stark, so to speak, in rocket building, in the space industry.

"What about S.H.I.E.L.D., and so are we?"

Rogers struggled to accept it and looked at Luke, who was leaning back in his seat.

"Almost. Like Dr. Anim Zola, who previously made energy weapons for the Red Skull and now works for S.H.I.E.L.D. Therefore, we are not guilty of his previous crimes. ”

Luke nodded, not hiding.

The "Paperclip Project" also benefited S.H.I.E.L.D. greatly.

From an unknown intelligence agency, it has rapidly developed into a huge organization above the Pentagon.

In addition to the special status of Superman, plus all kinds of requests for funds, the amazing operation of expanding power and responsibilities.

There is a small part, also thanks to the generous help of Hydra.

This old opponent allowed the reorganized Strategic Science Corps to quickly complete the primitive accumulation.

"Don't get too attached to justice, goodness, and moral conscience, Steve. You can pursue those good things, but you can't use them as a standard by which everything in the world is measured. ”

Luke began to boil poisonous chicken soup as usual, playing the role of life coach.

Speaking of which, transforming the unwavering Captain America seems to be quite interesting.

"I never think about how many people Howard has killed with the weapons he makes and sells."

"I don't even think that Arnim Zora was once a loyal fan of the Third Reich, and at one time worked for Hydra and Red Skull, and his hands were stained with the blood of Allied soldiers."

"Because that makes no sense. It is of no use except to put yourself in the contradiction between moral conscience and cruel reality. ”

Rogers' lips quirmed, as if he wanted to say something.

The education he received and the cognition he formed since he was a child is to be a good person, stick to the bottom line, and not easily hurt others.

But Luke's words were like a bullet that shattered Captain America's strong defenses and made him waver.

"But ......"

Rogers looked up, as if he was a little skeptical.

"Nothing. Looking at the truth separately from reality, I am a superman, a war hero, and an object of public worship. ”

Luke smiled and said softly, "But I am also the S.H.I.E.L.D. chief, an army general, an out-and-out authority and leader. I need to stand up for my interests and stand for what I stand for. For this reason, they even had to do some 'bad things' that violated morality. ”

"When these two identities are put together, they are not incompatible."

Rogers' mind was in turmoil, as if he had withstood 10,000 mental attacks.

He looked down at the vibranium shield in his hand, and the Star-Spangled Banner on his chest.

For a moment, I was at a loss.

"Maybe I'm not the right captain to be a captain."

After a while, Rogers laughed self-deprecatingly.

"Good thing you're here, Luke. So I just need to be a soldier and put my head down and rush forward. ”

Luke, who poured several bowls of poisonous chicken soup for Captain America, Shi Shiran stood up, patted the other party's shoulder, and said, "Go to my house for dinner tonight, Marlena's skills are not bad." ”

After a few minutes, the conversation ended.

Watching Rogers leave, he walked over to the cellar and poured a glass of '82 Lafite—well, an 1882 vintage.

"Dr. Zola, you heard it all."

Luke shook his wine glass and said towards the office cubicle, "I know Hydra's intentions, you rely on the 'Paperclip Project' to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D., intending to resurrect and start over. ”

"The most dangerous places are often the safest. After the Red Skull fell, Hydra's forces were divided into three, some were recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D., some were taken away by Baron Teslak, and some were hidden and secretly infiltrated into the federal government. ”

Dr. Zola, who was short and stocky, pushed the door open with small steps.

He had been in his office cubicle for a long time, and had heard about the counter-plot against the Hellfire Club, as well as various information about the "Paperclip Project".

"Mr. Major General, I have abandoned the darkness and turned to the light! Hydra is destined to have no future, S.H.I.E.L.D. is the future! ”

Dr. Zola said sincerely.

Luke handed over a glass of red wine, shook his head, and said, "You're wrong, Dr. Zola. I'm very bullish on Hydra, they are well-organized, their infiltration is extremely good, and their intelligence network is all over the place, much stronger than S.H.I.E.L.D. ”

Dr. Zora shuddered and took the glass.

He didn't know what the major general in front of him wanted to say.

Do you have to settle the old account that you are a hydra?

"Dr. Zola, I want to join you."

Luke's smile grew thicker and he said sincerely, "Do you think I can become a qualified hydra?" ”