I have uploaded 20 advanced chapters on my Patreon for the readers. Go check them out and read them, and please don't forget to give this story a Powerstone and show your support.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's my Patreon: "patreon.com/Hussain678" — 20 advanced chapters have been uploaded there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Then let us begin the vote. Those in favor of continuing to use the Mind Scepter against Superman, please raise your hands."
When no one responded after Baron Strucker finished speaking, Gideon Malick—HYDRA's most powerful figure in the real world—finally spoke up. As a member of the World Security Council, Malick didn't have much time to linger here.
After Malick's words, none of the eight individuals present—each a top-ranking HYDRA leader—raised a hand. Everyone understood that whoever voted in favor would likely be the one tasked with carrying it out.
Faced with Superman's overwhelming power, they all knew none of them could even get close to Clark while he wielded the Mind Scepter. So when Malick put forward the proposal, the room fell into complete silence.
In truth, Malick's intention was exactly that. HYDRA's intelligence on Clark had always been severely lacking. Most of the time, they were unable to obtain any concrete data during Clark's battles, and in many cases, his opponents weren't strong enough to force him to fight seriously.
As a result, HYDRA's understanding of Clark remained largely unchanged, which was why the earlier proposal to use the Mind Scepter against him had even existed.
But now, Malick believed they needed to rethink how to deal with Clark. Given the current situation, even without the scepter, they likely wouldn't stand a chance.
To prevent a priceless artifact like the Mind Scepter from falling into Nick Fury's hands again, Malick chose to block any attempt to use it on Clark.
"Since no one supports continuing the Mind Scepter plan, we'll shelve it for now. Next—Garrett, how is Project Insight progressing?"
As he spoke, Malick turned to John Garrett. Although he received daily reports from Nick Fury about S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Project Insight, what he wanted now was an update on HYDRA's Project Insight.
As for John Garrett, after Alexander Pierce left S.H.I.E.L.D. because of Clark, Garrett had effectively become the highest-ranking figure within the organization.
Malick's words drew everyone's attention to Garrett. After Pierce escaped from S.H.I.E.L.D., Garrett had clearly taken over many responsibilities.
"Most of the personnel eligible to board the helicarriers have already been replaced by our people," Garrett said. "Give me some more time, and full replacement won't be a problem. The only remaining issue is when Zola's algorithm can be completed."
After speaking, Garrett glanced toward the silent Alexander Pierce.
"Dr. Zola says he should be able to finalize the algorithm in about a month," Pierce said, breaking his silence as all eyes turned to him.
"That means our situation looks very promising," Garrett said with satisfaction. "All we need to do now is let S.H.I.E.L.D. finish building the helicarriers—then we take control of them."
The reports from Garrett and Pierce lifted the spirits of the other HYDRA executives.
"Then I wish the plan every success. Hail HYDRA."
"Hail HYDRA."
"Hail HYDRA."
With the chant, everyone closed their video feeds.
After leaving the private conference room, Baron Strucker went to find Dr. List, the scientist in charge of the Mind Scepter experiments.
"Doctor, how is the development of Mind Scepter–based weapons progressing?"
"Baron Strucker," Dr. List replied while recording data from the scepter, "since obtaining it, we've achieved breakthroughs in many technical fields. However, to reach the level of progress you're expecting, we may need to conduct human experiments to gather sufficient data."
"Human experiments…"
Hearing those words, Strucker suddenly thought of their current location—Sokovia.
Sokovia had descended into near-total chaos. Government control was weak, uprisings broke out almost daily, and conflict never truly ceased. The war-torn population protested endlessly amid the ruins.
With that in mind, Strucker said calmly, "Because of Killian, it's difficult to use soldiers for experiments. But where are we now? This is Sokovia."
"People disappear here every day, and no one questions it. If you need test subjects, they're everywhere. If necessary, you can even go out and choose them yourself."
"That's excellent," Dr. List said, a smile of anticipation spreading across his face. As a HYDRA research physician, such ruthless efficiency was precisely their advantage.
"Here?"
According to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s information, Steve had located the retirement home where Peggy Carter—the woman he had long missed—was staying. It was a quiet house in the suburbs, surrounded by trees and greenery.
Standing at the door, Steve took a deep breath and knocked. He soon heard footsteps approaching.
Is it her?Is she doing well?
Listening to the movement inside, Steve couldn't help recalling the first time he had ever met Peggy Carter.
It's you…
When the door opened, Steve froze.
Because the person standing there wasn't Peggy—but Sharon, the young nurse who lived across the hall and had been his neighbor ever since he moved into his new apartment.
"Rogers? What are you doing here?" Sharon Carter asked in surprise. Her first thought was that Steve had come to see her—but then she realized he might be here to visit her aunt, Peggy Carter.