Hydra's Winter Soldier unit received its first mission since its formation: the target was a little girl, to be captured alive or have a part of her taken.
They did not question whether their superiors doubted their abilities. Being assigned such a simple task, they did not care whether the target was an adult or a child, and they had no moral boundaries. They were merely machines executing a mission; nothing else mattered, not even their own lives.
The team arrived in New York through various channels, adding a fresh streak of darkness beneath the city's bustling life. Upon arrival, they wasted no time and immediately began gathering intelligence.
"Confirm that the Archibaldo Consortium isn't hiring anyone recently."
"The target's school is the same."
"Forced entry, infiltration, threats… we have all the methods we need."
"Intelligence shows the target is guarded by a Saint, so direct action on the target is out."
"Then it's settled. We'll kidnap the parents to apply pressure."
"Feasible…"
After exchanging intelligence and finalizing the operation plan, the group dispersed again into the crowd.
What they didn't know was that from the moment they appeared near Athena and her parents, they had already entered the sight of Cletia and the others from the Crane Constellation.
"Lord Mu, this is the situation," Cletia from the Crane Constellation reported to Mu.
"Good, understood. Continue guarding Lady Athena. I'll arrange Argo and Mestis to assist. You don't need to worry."
"Should we leave any survivors?"
"No, eliminate them all."
"Yes."
Cletia departed. Mu remained in his reading posture, but a cold gleam in his eyes betrayed the tranquility, making it impossible to continue enjoying leisure time.
"As expected, someone can't sit still. Hydra, huh? Looks like it's time to have a talk with Steve and the others. A so-called ordinary world organization hasn't been fully eliminated all these years."
With a shift of his figure, he instantly teleported to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secret base, a location unknown to anyone except S.H.I.E.L.D. members—not even Maria or Tony knew of its existence.
"Mu? What brings you here?" Steve, just returning from fieldwork, greeted him, but Mu's expression made him pause mid-step.
"Steve, Hydra has appeared again," Mu said directly.
"Hydra? Where?" Steve frowned.
"In New York. Target… Lady Athena."
Upon hearing this, Steve felt his body temperature drop dramatically, almost freezing him in place.
These lunatics were really courting death! Targeting Athena? Were they really so reckless?
"Mu, calm down. I'll immediately contact Howard and Peggy. Miss Athena will be fine. Hydra won't pose a real threat," Steve tried to reassure Mu.
"With Cletia and the others present, I also trust Lady Athena will be safe, but… just having such thoughts is already enough."
"Don't get ahead of yourself! I'll dispatch people immediately!" Steve grabbed Mu, genuinely fearing Mu might act rashly. He knew all too well the Saints' fanatical faith in Melin and Athena. If anything happened to Athena, Hydra would be utterly destroyed.
That wasn't a problem—S.H.I.E.L.D. would welcome Hydra's elimination—but if the Saints intervened, the resulting damage would be unacceptable.
"Lady Athena doesn't need additional protection. I will guard her personally. You focus on protecting her parents. Argo and Mestis will assist you."
"Understood. I'll arrange it immediately."
Mu nodded and disappeared again. Steve wiped his sweat and wasted no time organizing personnel. Even administrative staff were mobilized; anyone who stumbled across Steve unknowingly was brought into the operation.
"Steve, what exactly happened?"
"You even deployed clerical staff? Is the world about to end?"
"Mu just arrived. He said Hydra has targeted Miss Athena."
"What!? Stop wasting time! Full mobilization!"
"I've called in the researchers too. These lunatics truly won't give up on world destruction!"
"Calm down!" Seeing Peggy and Howard overreacting, Steve quickly pulled them back. "Mu will personally protect Miss Athena, alongside Cletia, Dadi, and Arugedi, so she's safe. But her parents will need our protection, with Argo and Mestis assisting."
"Phew, that's a relief…" Both finally relaxed slightly, though still tense, urging Steve to move immediately.
"Steve, capture at least one of them alive. We need more intelligence," Peggy reminded him. S.H.I.E.L.D. had been tracking Hydra for years but had only found minor players; no major targets had been caught.
Now, the situation was both a crisis and an opportunity. She didn't believe Hydra had no intelligence on the Sanctuary. Daring to act with the limited information they had wasn't mere recklessness—it was courting death. And those sent were certainly no small fry.
Thus, the operation to eliminate Hydra needed to accelerate. Hydra had already descended into madness, and destruction awaited them.
Steve rushed with his team to the location of the Archibaldos, relieved to find the couple unharmed.
He also saw them chatting happily with Argo and Mestis.
"Thank you so much for looking after Athena at school, Teacher Argo, Teacher Mestis."
"It's our duty to care for students. However, Mr. and Mrs. Archibaldo, you should encourage Athena to exercise more. Her grades are excellent, but she lacks in physical activity."
"Hahaha, Teacher Argo, that's your fault. Athena is a girl, a bit weaker in sports is normal. But in arts, she has great talent. If she persists, she will surely become a famous artist."
"Haha, thank you both for having faith in my daughter. I will remember your advice."
"Teachers, since this is a rare opportunity, may I invite you to a meal?" Lawrence Archibaldo asked. Despite his status and wealth, he showed unusual courtesy to these elementary school teachers.
Privately, he had investigated the three who cared for Athena—Argo, Mestis, and Mu—and discovered they were no ordinary people.
Argo was a former athlete, Mestis a painter with numerous awards, and Mu a renowned doctor with broad influence in medicine.
Though he didn't know why these accomplished individuals worked at an elementary school, he knew they wouldn't harm Athena.
Moreover, behind their fame were extensive connections—a resource Lawrence wouldn't let go to waste.
"Of course, it's our honor, Mr. Archibaldo," Argo of the Celestial Constellation and Mestis of the Lizard Constellation replied gladly.
The group stood and prepared to leave. Argo and Mestis subtly scanned the surroundings, nodded toward a corner.
Hidden Steve received the signal and connected all team communications.
"All squads, maintain strict surveillance near the target. Any suspicious personnel may be captured directly. If they resist, lethal force is authorized."
"Understood."
Unaware, the Archibaldos were already encircled by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, many passersby subtly replaced.
But Hydra's Winter Soldiers weren't about to be discovered so easily; that's why they were kept in cold storage as Hydra's trump card.
"Boom~!"
Several cars across the street suddenly exploded. If not for Argo of the Celestial Constellation and Mestis of the Lizard Constellation noticing in advance and shielding the couple, the blast would have tossed them aside.
"Damn! Those crazy bastards! Report!"
"Squad One found no suspicious individuals."
"Squad Two found none…"
"Squad Three… static…"
"Squad Three! What happened? Squad Three! Respond! Damn it!"
When Squad Three's comms went silent, Steve realized they were under attack and ran to their location—but it was too late.
All he found were bodies with broken necks scattered on the ground.
"Damn it!" Steve smashed the wall in frustration, ready to rush back, but another explosion outside rang out, accompanied by gunfire.
"Captain, enemy spotted, engaging!"
"What about the target?"
"The two Saints escorted them away…"
"Did anyone follow?"
"No, enemy firepower was overwhelming. We were all suppressed!"
"Damn it! Forget capturing alive, eliminate them directly! I'll follow!"
"Yes!"
Hanging up, Steve donned his Cloth. Guided by his Cosmo, he pursued the four from behind. But…
"Yo, Steve, you're late."
"Seriously, falling for such an obvious diversion? You've been slack!"
Argo of the Celestial Constellation and Mestis of the Lizard Constellation were already wearing their Cloths. The Archibaldos were resting safely in Mestis's arms, enveloped in an Air Defense Barrier. Spent bullets littered the ground, while several stone statues with menacing faces had appeared next to Argo.