"Hey, I'm kinda busy here!"
Rumlow picked up the phone and stepped aside to talk.
When he hung up, his face was grim.
He hadn't expected Coulson to be the one calling. Learning he needed to clean up bodies outside Bul-Kathos's blacksmith shop left him short of breath.
Coulson only mentioned handling the corpses, saying he couldn't leave.
But Rumlow knew what it meant: Hydra was already making moves.
And Pierce hadn't informed him, which meant he was under suspicion.
Not exactly a surprise.
If Nick Fury could sense something off from his talks with Dugan, then Pierce, the former director, wouldn't miss it either.
"Rumlow, why'd you turn on Hydra?"
Steve's curious gaze locked onto Rumlow.
During their brief clash earlier, he'd felt Rumlow's strength. If not for his shield's kinetic absorption, he'd have been smashed through the floor.
Now, knowing Rumlow was a former Hydra agent, Steve's curiosity burned brighter.
In his memory, Hydra operatives were fearless lunatics, akin to the fanatical zealots of history.
A guy choosing to betray them? Steve wanted to hear Rumlow's journey.
Faced with Steve's question, Rumlow's mouth twitched.
He knew his change came from the legendary weapon, Proof of Shame, but he didn't see it as a problem.
In fact, after his "awakening," he was deeply grateful for it.
The moment a man without a conscience rediscovered it, he vowed to atone.
But he couldn't spill the truth—it sounded too crazy.
"Because I learned what justice is."
Rumlow's mind drifted to the visions Mount Harrogath had shown him, imagining himself among the relentless barbarian warriors.
His words carried sincerity.
But his face looked like he was haunted by a past too heavy to revisit.
"That must've been tough."
Steve's tone was empathetic, as if he understood.
Maybe he was the type who could see misfortune in moments of joy.
To Steve, someone who'd reclaimed their conscience would wear Rumlow's expression when recalling a shameful past.
"When this is over, I swear as Captain America to speak for you before a judge."
Steve still believed wrongs deserved punishment. He didn't know Rumlow's past crimes, but justice was inevitable.
Still, he'd vouch for him.
"Thanks for that."
Rumlow's expression was strained.
He wanted to make up for his mistakes and take Hydra down.
But that didn't mean he was eager for a reckoning. After this, he planned to head to Mount Harrogath, train under Ancestor Taric, and grow stronger.
Having tasted the convenience of power, he craved more.
Strong enough that no one could stop his justice!
Like Bul-Kathos!
So Rumlow's response to Captain America's kindness carried an odd edge.
Steve clapped a hand on Rumlow's shoulder, giving him a look of confidence.
"So, what's our next move?"
Dugan eyed the group, urgency in his voice.
Hydra was already moving. If they kept waiting, they'd lose the upper hand.
"Are you willing to let S.H.I.E.L.D. go?"
Nick Fury's eyes glinted. He was planning something ruthless.
"If S.H.I.E.L.D.'s become Hydra, I'd rather see it burn than let it be their shell!"
Dugan's words were resolute.
"Then I'll act as bait to draw their fire. You storm S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters and take out Pierce!"
Fury slammed the table and stood.
"But that won't destroy Hydra."
Steve shook his head.
Cut off one head, two grow back—it wasn't just a saying.
"Hill will alert the World Security Council! I'll contact Barton to support you from the inside! The Howling Commandos will step up to expose the truth!"
Fury stood tall, almost imposing, but Rumlow scoffed.
"And you, great S.H.I.E.L.D. director? Hydra's crimes happened right under your nose. You think this clears you?"
"I'll die in a Hydra attack! Then Steve will take up S.H.I.E.L.D.'s banner as Captain America! No one in the world would doubt him!"
Captain America's sacrifice had already deified him.
Politicians loved turning people into symbols—especially "dead" ones who couldn't lead the masses.
They'd do the same to the living, but a deified figure couldn't afford a single mistake. The higher they're raised, the harder they fall.
Not Steve, though. His character had stood the test of time.
"So you'll hide in the shadows?"
Dugan snuffed out his cigar, his voice icy.
Just as he'd never fully trusted Rumlow, he doubted Fury too.
The man's actions were far from upright.
Agent Hill and Sharon Carter shared reservations about Fury's plan.
Ever since Fury used the Purple Man's corpse for research, their wariness had grown.
Whether Fury's motives were as noble as he claimed was debatable, but his actions didn't inspire trust.
"If I go into hiding, you'll never find me."
Fury stared at Dugan, stating a fact.
No one knew how many decoys Fury had or which was the real him.
His plan was a clear grab for control.
"You want me as a figurehead while you pull strings from the dark?"
Steve's tone turned cold.
He'd despised schemers for years, and Fury had all the makings of one.
If they followed his plan, they might thwart Hydra's plot, but S.H.I.E.L.D. would fall under Fury's grip.
And Captain America would be his perfect shield.
"Got a better idea?"
Fury spoke with the confidence of someone sure they'd hold their noses and agree.
News of Hydra's return would be suppressed by the Council and other agencies to avoid panic.
"We could expose Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s dirty laundry to the world. What do you say?"
Rumlow pulled out the Mist Crystal, his voice dripping with menace.
It'd cause chaos, clashing with his newfound conscience.
But as a threat against Fury? Perfectly timed.
(End of Chapter)
------------------------------
🌟 Hi everyone! 🌟
If you love my work and want to support me on this creative journey, you can support me here: [patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ] 💖
By joining, you will get access to exclusive content, behind-the-scenes updates, and some special perks that I have prepared just for you. Every support really means a lot and helps me strive every day! 🙏✨