Aegis Headquarters, Triple Wing Building.

"We've had enough of dumb riddles, Minister Pierce." The person who spoke was a woman with short blond hair who looked to be at least fifty years old. Her hologram sat behind a transparent ring of glass, staring at Alexander Pierce, who was standing in the middle of the room, with a stern and repulsive gaze.

The bright and open room has no superfluous furnishings, except for four cylindrical glass columns. Holographic projections of four members of the World Security Council sat behind glass, sharply questioning the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. of something.

It is the responsibility of the World Security Council to oversee all the activities of S.H.I.E.L.D., so it can be said that these people are Nick Fury's immediate bosses. However, Fury is a doer and has always hated dealing with these people, so the burden of honor falls on Pierce's shoulders as always.

"We need answers." The woman said, "Don't try to fool around, we all know exactly what's going on inside S.H.I.E.L.D. ”

Pierce shrugged: "Maybe it's just that Fury feels like we need mass layoffs in order to save money." ”

"It's not funny at all, Minister Pierce." This time, it was a middle-aged man with a beard who spoke, "Nick Fury has made a lot of big moves in the past month, but he has only used some ridiculous excuses to hide his true intentions, which is beyond his purview." If he continues to insist on refusing to report to the Commission, then we will temporarily remove him as commander and forcibly intervene in the investigation......"

Pierce said lightly: "The responsibility of the committee is to supervise S.H.I.E.L.D., not to intervene in every detail. If you have to get to the bottom of everything, then I strongly suggest that you send a representative yourself to sit in the position of director. ”

Indeed, while there were many in the council and in the upper echelons of government who disliked Nick Fury, no one could do anything about him. The reason is simple, because they can't find a replacement.

In this era of constant paranormal phenomena, the existence of S.H.I.E.L.D. is indisputably necessary, and Nick Fury has been at the center of S.H.I.E.L.D. for many years. His unique charisma and outstanding ability to do things make him irreplaceable, and it is his presence that ensures that the Aegis, a huge machine that transcends borders, can function well.

"No one said they were going to replace Director Fury." Another member spoke, looking like an Oriental from his facial features, "Nick Fury's exploits are indisputable, and his presence is of great significance to Aegis. But we also need answers, because it is our duty to ensure that his decisions are correct. ”

"Of course, I understand." Pierce nodded and paced around the room, "Is there something going on inside Aegis?" Yes. Is Fury taking some big action in response? That's also true. ”

He stopped and turned around.

"But I promise you the same - whatever Fury is doing, it's absolutely necessary. And soon, you'll get the answer you want. ”

...

When Alexander Pierce exited the room, Fury had apparently been waiting outside the door for a long time.

"Another tired day?" Fury asked.

Pierce smiled wryly and waved his hand: "There's nothing you can't deal with." After a pause, he added, "But seriously, Nick, what's going on now?" ”

"We've made a lot of progress." Fury replied, "But it's still trying." ”

"Please, Nick, this time is different." Pierce said helplessly, "This is not a small fight like appropriation fundraising, we are talking about Hydra!" A terrorist organization with global tentacles may have infiltrated us!

To be honest, I'm a little overwhelmed by the council guys. I can go on and on with them, but you'll have to let me know something practical, right? ”

Fury shook his head: "This time the situation is extraordinary, the fewer people who know about it, the better." ”

Pierce frowned: "What, don't you even trust me?" ”

Fury didn't speak. He pursed his thick lips tightly and looked at him with his one-eyed eye for a long time, as sharp as a predatory eagle. Pierce was almost uncomfortable stared at by him.

Then he reached out a hand and patted Pierce on the shoulder.

"I'm sorry for you." He said, "I owe you this time." ”

With that, without waiting for Pierce to reply, he turned and left the office.

Alexander Pierce sat back in his chair, his face showing the irritation and impatience that he had been carefully concealing. He sat motionless in the chair for a while, until a request for a visit popped out of his desk in the form of a projection.

Pierce glanced at the interface and pressed the "Allow" button.

The person who came in was Sitwell, a sixth-level agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. He wore a pair of flat glasses, a crisp suit, and his bare head was illuminated by incandescent lights.

Of course, this is also the dark stake of Hydra.

Pierce activates the room's "closed mode" as soon as the automatic door closes, ensuring that the rest of the conversation does not leak out in any way. Then he raised his head and said coldly, "It's better to be good news." ”

"It's Base Thirty-Nine, sir." Sitwell lowered his voice, "Nick Fury's forces attacked Base Thirty-Nine thirty minutes ago, and now it's completely under control......"

Pierce's face darkened.

Base 39 is also considered to be a high level of secrecy among all the Hydra strongholds, and it is not hidden under the surface of the Aegis facility like many other bases, but is a completely independent concealment stronghold.

What's more, Sub-Base 39 has been dormant until now, with no external contact and no activity. Hydra had long prepared a series of such dormant bases, in order to preserve their strength if they were accidentally exposed to Aegis one day in the future.

However, even such a sub-base has been found out by the other party, which undoubtedly means that the other party is getting closer and closer to the core.

Who the hell is that "Black Knight"? Is he really Dr. Norton? How could he possibly know so much?

"But there is good news, sir." Sitwell hurriedly added.

Pierce's face softened slightly: "What? ”

"It's news from Baron Straker." "He said you had a clue about the thing you asked him to look into. He wants to use the 'weapon' you're in charge of overseeing to remove the obstacles. ”

This is indeed good news. Alexander Pierce narrowed his eyes, unconsciously releasing a gloomy murderous aura like an abyss.