Pierce uttered the name, Steve Rogers, and the man standing behind him momentarily froze. His cold, unyielding eyes betrayed a flicker of something unspoken, and his face, concealed beneath a mask, twitched ever so slightly.
Steve Rogers?
The name reverberated in his mind, stirring a cascade of emotions he couldn't fully comprehend.
Why does that name sound so familiar? Who is he? And why does it feel like I... know him?
The man's thoughts churned silently, though neither Pierce nor Rumlow noticed his subtle change in demeanor.
"Sir, should we intervene?" Rumlow asked.
"No," Pierce replied with a shake of his head. "We've had blood samples from Steve Rogers for years, but despite all our research, nothing conclusive has come of it."
"And the Cosmic Cube?"
Pierce's lips curled into a cold smirk. "Let Fury handle it. Once he succeeds, we'll take the results for ourselves."
Pierce glanced down thoughtfully before continuing, "Thanks to SHIELD, our people are positioned to harvest vast amounts of critical research. The Cube is no exception."
Rumlow nodded, his loyalty unwavering. Pierce's tone shifted, becoming more decisive.
"Our next plan requires adjustments. We will remain dormant for now. Extend the Insight Program timeline. As for the Super Soldier Legion, it's secondary—keep things running as usual."
"Understood," Rumlow said, his voice filled with fervor. "Everything for Hydra."
"Long live Hydra."
Pierce nodded in satisfaction, his ambition gleaming in his eyes. The events in Mexico, the Frost Giants, and Asgard had opened a new path for him. Conquering the world was inevitable—it was only a matter of time.
But time was something he lacked. Despite his vitality, he knew his years were limited. If Hydra were to achieve global domination, he would need more than just ambition; he needed to live longer. For this reason, he had summoned the leaders of Hydra's other factions to orchestrate this audacious plan.
"All for Hydra's great revival," he murmured to himself, conviction filling his voice.
Elsewhere, on a beach near a New York manor, the atmosphere couldn't have been more different. Under the moonlit sky, a bonfire crackled, its warm glow illuminating a lively gathering. Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, Natasha Romanoff, Yelena Belova, and others were enjoying a festive evening. The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of barbecue, mingling with the cool sea breeze.
Leon stood shirtless by the grill, wearing shorts and flip-flops, skillfully tending to the food. Yet, behind his easy smile lay a sharp, calculating mind. He'd intercepted every clandestine meeting between Pierce and Hydra's leaders through the omniscient capabilities of Sky Blade Seven, a technological marvel. It filtered and transmitted any relevant information directly to his mind, ensuring no secret could escape his grasp.
So, Pierce is still scheming. Leon's thoughts were cold, his emotions carefully controlled.
Had this been years ago, he might have felt anger or even apprehension. But now, with his power and resources, Hydra's grand ambitions seemed almost laughable. If he wished, Sky Blade Seven could identify every Hydra operative on Earth within seconds—and eliminate them just as quickly.
A few ants plotting to take down an elephant. How amusing.
A fragrant breeze wafted by as a pair of arms wrapped around his neck from behind. Natasha leaned in, her voice low and teasing.
"What's on your mind?"
Leon tilted his head slightly, brushing his cheek against hers. "Just wondering why there are always people who overestimate themselves and don't know their limits."
Natasha chuckled, resting her chin on his shoulder. "That's human nature. Greed blinds them. Even if the odds are one in ten thousand, they'll still take the gamble."
Leon smiled, nodding. "True enough."
"So," Natasha mused playfully, "are you planning to crush these ants underfoot?"
"Not exactly." Leon's grin turned mischievous. "Without them, life would be too boring. I'm considering how to toy with them instead."
Natasha raised an eyebrow, amused. "Toy with them? That's not like you. You're more of a 'quick and clean' kind of guy."
Leaning closer, she pinched his cheek. "What makes these people so special?"
Leon's tone darkened, his smile fading. "Hydra."
Natasha's expression shifted. "Hydra? The same Hydra you've been dismantling in Eastern Europe? The one you robbed blind before disappearing?"
"Exactly. And now it seems Alexander Pierce—former director of SHIELD and current member of the World Security Council—is their latest puppet."
Natasha leaned back slightly, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Pierce is Hydra? That's... a revelation. I bet Nick Fury would have a field day with that."
Leon smirked. "Thinking of letting Fury handle them?"
Natasha grinned wickedly. "There's no better way to torture a man like Pierce than to expose his carefully orchestrated plans. When the world turns on him, he'll be left with nothing but despair."
Leon chuckled, her logic resonating with him. "You always know how to hit where it hurts."
"Of course." Natasha's voice was soft but resolute. "It's not death that terrifies people like Pierce. It's being forgotten, discarded, and dying alone in the shadows like a rat."
...
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