Alien invasion? Luckily, I'm Superman.

"What? How did you know?" Nick Fury's brow furrowed, his one eye scanning back and forth between Su Mo and Natasha. But he quickly recalled Tasha's earlier report, "You're the visitor from another world?"

Su Mo nodded without saying anything more.

"Never mind." Fury's gaze lingered on him for a moment, then he casually brushed the topic aside. "Natasha, I need you to deal with the Helicarrier that's been taken over by Hydra."

He didn't delve too deeply into Su Mo's identity. Now was not the time. The three space carriers were about to take off; it wasn't wise to cause trouble.

Moreover, to be honest, Nick Fury didn't think Su Mo's background was anything special. He'd seen Asgardians, Skrulls, Flerken, and Kree. A visitor from a parallel universe? That didn't seem particularly special either.

"Yes, sir." Natasha accepted the task, her tone regaining its crispness. She briefly explained the Avengers' next plan to Fury, paused, and continued, "We also captured Baron Strucker of Hydra and extracted some information from him. We learned about the hidden Hydra rulers, but the Baron doesn't know many more details. They don't exchange much information with each other."

Su Mo stood to the side, listening to Natasha's report, his mind preoccupied with something else. After a moment's thought, he decided it was time to make a request of Nick Fury. He spoke after Natasha finished.

"Nick Fury, I will assist you with your next operation. But I have one request." Su Mo looked into Nick Fury's one eye and said seriously, "I want a space carrier."

"Hmm?" Fury's single eye narrowed slightly, his pupil flickering deep within its socket. He was looking at Su Mo, his mind rapidly calculating costs and benefits.

thought for a moment.

"Sure." Nick Fury agreed to Su Mo's request. "After we destroy Hydra, you can choose one to take."

Su Mo raised an eyebrow. Did she just agree that easily?

The real reason is that Nick Fury simply didn't care about the Helicarrier. To him, it was ordinary. Having seen the Kree ships and Captain Marvel, he didn't think a single Helicarrier could be of much use. It was only those politicians who considered it important, seeing it as the pinnacle of human technology and a symbol of American global hegemony.

But in Fury's eyes, it was just a flying ship; what truly mattered was the technology and the talent. Using a space carrier to win over such a powerful force as Su Mo was incredibly worthwhile. He had calculated this very clearly.

Fury stood up from his chair, the wound on his left side slowing his movements. He pulled at the collar of his trench coat, covering the bandage. "I'm leaving."

He walked towards the door, his steps much steadyer than when he came in. "Currently, I'm still a wanted criminal. I won't stay with you guys anymore, lest the government misunderstand and think the Avengers are with me."

His figure disappeared at the end of the corridor.

While Nick Fury, Natasha, and Su Mo were talking, Captain America took Bucky to the base's infirmary. Steve Rogers placed Bucky on the bed in the infirmary, pulled up a chair, and sat down beside him, quietly watching him. Once Scarlet Witch woke up, she could restore Bucky's brainwashed consciousness. He had waited many years; a few more hours wouldn't make a difference.

Hydra's plan did not go so smoothly.

Even on his way back to New York, Tony had already mobilized his connections. Sitting in his Quinjet, he used the suit's built-in communication system to contact the military, explaining that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Insight program was Hydra. He also contacted his friend, Colonel Rhodes—War Machine.

As the president's bodyguard, Rhodes immediately informed the president after receiving Tony's message. The president's face turned ashen upon hearing that "Hydra has taken control of S.H.I.E.L.D." and "the true purpose of Project Insight."

Once Hydra had begun its plan, it no longer cared about being exposed. They had been hiding for seventy years, from the end of World War II until now; the time had finally come. They no longer needed to hide. Hydra's assassins began a frenzied attack on the president, attempting to paralyze the US government before the space carrier could launch.

A series of attacks occurred simultaneously in Washington, New York, and Los Angeles. Explosions, shootings, kidnappings—the methods were ruthless and the targets clear. But Colonel Rhodes, the war machine, remained protecting the president, his silver armor weaving around the presidential motorcade, his palm pulse cannons blasting away every approaching assassin. For the time being, no one's plan succeeded.

After the attack, the US government finally realized that S.H.I.E.L.D. had been compromised. They withdrew the arrest warrant for Nick Fury and began searching for Alexander Pierce. But Alexander had already escaped. He didn't care about the US government's warrant. If Hydra's plan succeeded, the world would be ruled by Hydra; what use would a warrant be then?

Hydra moved swiftly. Upon being exposed, they immediately began their plan. In the skies above Washington, D.C., three space carriers slowly rose from the secret dock of the Tri-Wing Building.

-

Meanwhile, the Avengers finally finished resting. Although Tony still looked a bit haggard, he felt much better after drinking two cups of coffee.

After Scarlet Witch awoke, Captain America immediately took her to the infirmary. She placed her hand on Bucky's forehead, and red, chaotic energy seeped into his mind, breaking free of the Hydra-implanted shackles. Bucky then opened his eyes. This time, his gaze was no longer empty.

"Steve..." His voice was hoarse.

Steve didn't speak, but went over and hugged him. The two embraced silently for a few seconds in the infirmary. Bucky's body couldn't hold on any longer, and he fell into a deep sleep in Steve's arms. The damage from the repeated brainwashing would take time to heal. Steve put him back on the bed; with Project Insight so close, he had no choice but to entrust Bucky to Jarvis's care.

Hawkeye replenished his bow and arrows in the armory, checking the fletching of each arrow. Natasha equipped herself with a pistol and a dagger. Quicksilver tried to help, but Wanda secretly tapped him on the back of the head, knocking him unconscious and leaving him on the sofa. The Avengers didn't say anything. In a battle of this magnitude, it's better to have fewer impulsive kids.

Banner is still in the lab. He says that the super artificial intelligence is almost ready, and when it is, a program will be copied and inserted into the server of the space carrier to break the opponent's control.

Afterwards, Su Mo, the Avengers, and Wanda walked towards the Quinjet. The hatch closed, and the jet took off vertically, piercing through the clouds. It arrived above the space carrier.

Su Mo stood in the tail section of the fighter jet and glanced back. Steve held up his shield, Clint drew his bow, Natasha gripped her dagger, Tony's mask had fallen off, and Wanda was surrounded by surging red energy.

Avengers, strike!