Hill nodded and withdrew.
Nick Fury, meanwhile, picked up the file Hill had just delivered and began to scan it.
The document detailed several newly discovered HYDRA bases.
Rubbing his temples, Fury felt a massive headache coming on.
Ever since Lin Feng had informed him of HYDRA's existence, Fury had taken it to heart and tirelessly investigated.
Initially approaching it with a degree of skepticism, his investigation had led to a surge in his blood pressure and constant cursing.
He had never imagined that HYDRA was not truly eradicated and was secretly amassing its strength.
They were even making a mockery of him right under his nose!
S.H.I.E.L.D. had become a sieve, riddled with holes.
In just this period, he had uncovered numerous HYDRA loyalists within the organization, causing him such distress that he was contemplating resorting to sleeping pills.
He feared he might be the most incompetent director S.H.I.E.L.D. had ever seen!
As for what else Lin Feng knew, it was no longer important; that young man wouldn't reveal too much information.
The most crucial task now was to dismantle all the discovered HYDRA bases.
Otherwise, Fury wouldn't be able to sleep!
Hill conveyed Fury's intentions completely.
Orders were swiftly dispatched, and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were put on high alert.
Large bases would be put on hold while detailed plans were formulated.
Smaller bases were assigned to exceptionally capable agents. Medium-sized bases would be handled by the Avengers, led by Steve.
As agents began to deploy, a purge operation targeting HYDRA bases commenced.
The agents' efficiency brought a measure of relief to the "dark egg."
Within a single night, two HYDRA bases fell under their operations.
In the following days, news of successful purges arrived daily.
This finally eased the grim expression Fury had worn for many days.
As intelligence was passed up the chain, more HYDRA bases would face a devastating blow...
News of the dismantling of numerous bases soon reached a HYDRA fortress in Eastern Europe.
The one presiding over this fortress was Baron Von Strucker, one of HYDRA's leaders.
Baron Von Strucker had been a long-standing adversary of Steve since World War II.
The HYDRA fortress he currently commanded possessed a top-tier configuration in terms of defense and combat capabilities, unmatched by other bases.
Top-tier combat personnel, top-tier researchers, top-tier intelligence officers.
However, Baron Von Strucker was currently staring at the reports from his subordinates, his brow furrowed in distress.
The major cleanup operation by S.H.I.E.L.D. had already begun, and some bases had been annihilated shortly after sending out distress signals.
The Avengers' bombardment was spreading, and his research had hit a bottleneck.
An intelligence officer, clutching a document, hurried over.
"Sir, the medium-sized base in western Borland has fallen. The Avengers were responsible!"
Strucker's brow tightened, a hint of irritation mixed in.
He took the document, not even looking at it, and crumpled it into a ball, throwing it into the trash.
The intelligence officer, seeing this, shivered and retreated sheepishly.
Even a fool could tell the Baron was in a bad mood; no one dared to cross him at this moment.
Strucker tapped his fingers on the table, his movements mirroring Nick Fury's. No one knew what he was thinking.
After a while, Strucker turned his head and instructed the guard beside him, "Summon those twins... no, just bring the woman."
After a moment's hesitation, Strucker amended his order.
He had a plan, one with a terrifyingly low probability of success, but one he had to attempt.
His research had been stalled for a considerable time, and with the continuous stream of bad news, he desperately needed something to change the current situation.
The Avengers were too powerful, and he had virtually no one under his command who could contend with them.
If the plan succeeded, his subordinates' strength would increase significantly, allowing them to openly challenge S.H.I.E.L.D.'s superheroes.
Therefore, no matter how low the probability, he had to take the gamble!
"Sir..." a HYDRA scientist began, hesitating slightly before speaking cautiously.
"Her abilities are insufficient for the mission requirements; the plan is almost impossible to succeed!"
As one of Strucker's trusted confidantes, this scientist was exceptionally intelligent. They had discussed the matter of "that thing" countless times and naturally understood Baron Von Strucker's general line of thinking.
Her demonstrated mind-control abilities alone made the research fanatics' eyes gleam.
"According to our tests, she can only control others for a short duration."
"Isn't that why we need that yellow gem!" Strucker retorted.
The twins were the only survivors of the experiment.
In Strucker's research experiments, using scarce rare materials, he had maximally imbued the two with weak superpowers.
"Imbued" might not be the most precise term, as Strucker was unsure if they had latent potential for superpowers to begin with.
After all, apart from the twins, all other test subjects had perished!
Now, as long as he obtained the gem, Strucker could proceed with the next phase of his experiment.
At that point, it might even be possible to mass-produce super-powered individuals.
With these thoughts, Baron Von Strucker became increasingly certain of his conviction.
"According to its data, it can amplify mind-control abilities by at least several times! It's worth the risk!"
Seeing Strucker's resolve, the scientist sighed. He understood Strucker's intentions.
After a moment's hesitation, he still felt compelled to remind him, "I know your thoughts, but the gem is currently in that person's possession..."
Before he could finish, Strucker began tapping his desk again, his impatience evident.
"Do you think I *want* to snatch something from him?" Strucker's expression was far from pleasant.
He certainly knew who his subordinate was referring to.
Even though that person was not an Avenger, the combined strength of the Avengers would not be enough to defeat him.
Strucker would rather face S.H.I.E.L.D. than face him.
However, given the current situation, he had no other options. Proactively attempting something was better than passively enduring a beating.
"Several bases have already been destroyed; we don't have much time left..."
"Currently, only she can make us stronger! We have no other choice."
Seeing this, the scientist ceased his dissuasion. He too understood the gravity of the situation.
While the test subjects' superpowers were weak, the ability to momentarily control others offered Strucker a glimmer of hope.
As they spoke, the door was pushed open.
The soldier who had left earlier, accompanied by a young woman, walked in...
She wore a red jacket and a black skirt.
Her black hair had streaks of dark red.
Most strikingly, she possessed a breathtaking bust.
It was Wanda, the younger of the twins.