Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 492 I am the Hydra (Part 4)

"Nick Fury was brutally murdered. Anyone with a modicum of common sense would see him as a martyr, not a traitor!" Alexander Pierce spoke eloquently as he stood in his office. He was quite charismatic, with thick, short blond hair, old-fashioned rounded eyes, a sharp grey suit, and a demeanor that clearly indicated he was a politician who valued efficiency.

His face showed no sign of suspicion, as if he had not ordered his men to kill Nick Fury. Alexander Pierce convincingly portrayed a slightly flustered demeanor, leading the World Security Council to believe that he also wanted to postpone Project Insight.

"Do you know why we call him a traitor?" The holographic projection of Director Powell Booth mercilessly displayed the reflection of his bald head, indicating he was currently in his office. Pierce remembered there was a window behind Director Powell Booth, letting in the direct Washington sunlight. "He actually sent mercenaries to hijack his own ship!"

The World Security Council is full of bureaucrats. He'd been in that position since the days when reports had to be handwritten, and dealing with bureaucrats was Alexander Pierce's forte. Nick Fury's death would also be excellent material for a story. For example, he could leak the news that "Nick Fury hired pirates to hijack the S.H.I.E.L.D. ship Star Lemuria" through an informant planted in the World Security Council, and then present it vaguely in the reports submitted to those bureaucrats. Those brainless idiots would then think they had a major hold on S.H.I.E.L.D.

They'll investigate on their own until they find the cookie Alexander Pierce left them. Everything they uncover is the truth: Nick Fury did indeed hire pirates to hijack S.H.I.E.L.D. ships, forcing the Council to delay Project Insight's launch. Now that Nick Fury is dead, the dead can't speak, and all the blame can be placed on him. Furthermore, due to the negative impact of the attack on the former S.H.I.E.L.D. director in Washington, D.C., the World Security Council will undoubtedly push for Project Insight's launch—they only know that they must support what Nick Fury opposed, and oppose what Nick Fury supported, such as the freak party he organized.

They're nothing but a bunch of pigs.

Board member Singh agreed with this statement and explained to Alexander Pierce the consequences of Nick Fury's actions.

"Do you want me to resign?" Alexander Pierce asked. He tried not to appear concerned, but he truly didn't. He had grander plans than a position at the State Department. "I just happen to carry paper and pen with me."

"We'll discuss this later," said Hawley, the only female council member, preventing the debate from escalating into a pointless argument. So far, everything was proceeding according to Alexander Pierce's plan, forcing the council to make choices and play its cards.

"We've already discussed it, Mr. Secretary General," Director Powell Booth said with a triumphant smile. "The Council has resolved to immediately restart Project Insight. If you want to make a scene, now's the time."

Alexander Pierce tried hard not to smile.

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"You're dressed too conspicuously, too British." Agent Natasha Romanoff gestured with her fingers up and down. "You should know that Americans don't wear such formal suits, right? We need to hide in crowded places to avoid being caught, and you look like you're going to some kind of ball."

"I don't have any T-shirts or hoodies in my closet, that's true, and I've never worn them. Do you want to see me in a robe?" Salomon was quite pleased; even Black Widow had no idea what was in his closet. He never wore clothes that would get him arrested or even shot—it was a little quirk of his. S.H.I.E.L.D. had no idea how explicit the anonymous images he posted online were. Thanks to his years of oil painting skills, which fan wouldn't respectfully call him "teacher"?

"I'm not going to walk with you," he said. "I have classes to attend, ladies and gentlemen, otherwise I wouldn't have waited until today to come to see you. Nick Fury died yesterday."

"Where are you going?" Steve Rogers asked.

“It’s not that simple, Rogers.” Salomon desperately needed a justification for his actions. “My spells can kill many people; their guns are nothing but toys to me.” He paused, seemingly wanting to give his companions time to prepare, “but I can’t do that. I can’t bring magic into mortal conflicts, at least not directly. That’s not allowed. I must abide by the commandments. This isn’t an extinction-level event like New York or London, where secular governments can’t resist an alien invasion. In Kamar-Taj’s view, this is just a power struggle between secular governments, meaningless, since they’ll all perish sooner or later anyway. So my only weapons are these two knives and Dinah’s gun. That’s all I can do.”

"You don't actually know what's on that USB drive, do you?" Agent Romanov keenly sensed Salomon's complete lack of interest in the USB drive containing crucial information. She had told him it was copied from the Lemurian Star. "What do you know? Or rather, what can you reveal?"

Salomon glanced at her. This woman was too clever; she had seen through part of his disguise. But he was still pleased, because he truly needed someone like Natasha Romanov. The Immortal City was never short-handed, and the establishment of an intelligence department and the training of assassins were urgent. Out of respect for the androids, he wouldn't add any more for the time being, but if he failed to complete this recruitment, he would have to.

Every material used in alchemy exudes the scent of gold, and Salomon's gold reserves are far from abundant. The alchemy lab adjacent to the biological lab is the most expensive project in the Immortal City. Other projects can be carried out by burning dollars, but these two projects cost real gold, in addition to Parasus Celsus's short sword.

"I believe you'll always find out what's in here," he said, his tone almost prophetic. "And I'm going to protect the SHIELD force."

He thought to himself, "But it didn't say whose pocket it was going to be put in."

"Now that Nick Fury is dead, the lives of many loyal agents are certainly in danger. We need their help to get to the bottom of this and uncover all the conspiracies," Salomon said. "This isn't something one or two people can do; we need help."

Even Romanov, the agent, had to admit it was a good idea. "Who are you planning to go to?"

"Level 8 Agent Victoria Hand," Salomon said. "I trust her abilities."

When Natasha Romanoff and Steve Rogers saw him again, their situation was completely different. Salomon had just finished talking to the person he wanted to see. "You know everything?" Steve Rogers glared at Salomon and the person lying on the hospital bed. "And you!"

"I can trust very few people, Captain." Even lying in a hospital bed, severely injured, Nick Fury still possessed ample analytical thinking and eloquence. He had just struck a deal with Salomon, a deal known only to him, Salomon, and Agent Hill.

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After several hours of sailing, a dark-painted assault transport slowly approached an aircraft carrier floating on the ocean. This carrier was a mobile base for S.H.I.E.L.D., and several high-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. officers were on board—they were aware of the attack on Nick Fury, though the details were unclear. Right now, they trusted no one, not even their own comrades. The atmosphere on the carrier was tense, and upon receiving news from Washington, D.C., combat immediately broke out.

The assault transport ship removed its camouflage and then brazenly landed on the aircraft carrier deck. A dazed Agent Victoria Hand emerged under the protection of the sorority.

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)