Steve Rogers sat in his simple room, deep in thought. There were no luxurious decorations in the room, only a few old photos and some plain furniture. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, adding a touch of warmth to the small space, but it could not dispel the shadow in his heart. For some time now, he had been pondering the secret Dominic had revealed to him: within S.H.I.E.L.D., the influence of HYDRA was lurking.
From the moment Dominic revealed this news, a layer of gloom settled in Steve's heart, weighing him down. He recalled how after the New York War, Tony had revealed S.H.I.E.L.D.'s "contingency plan" targeting the Avengers on the sky carrier. Tony's eyes were sharp then, his words filled with dissatisfaction and doubt: "Nick, are we forming a team, or destroying a team?" The words "contingency plan" struck Steve's heart heavily.
Just as he was lost in thought, a knock on the door pulled him back to reality. He stood up to open the door, and outside stood a strong, determined young man—Sam Wilson, a recently discharged veteran. The two had met by chance at a charity event, and Steve had been moved by Sam's steadfastness and loyalty. He had been observing him lately, feeling that he might be a trustworthy ally.
Sam, full of respect for Steve, asked with a hint of speculation, "Captain, is there anything you need me to do?" His tone carried a touch of probing, as if trying to gauge Steve's intentions.
Steve smiled at his probing, but his heart was in turmoil. Nick's explanation after the New York War had filled his heart with conflict. He clearly remembered that scene—after the battle, Steve had found Nick and asked about S.H.I.E.L.D.'s "contingency plan" for the Avengers. Nick had not avoided the question, but instead explained righteously, "This is for safety, Steve. Earth's safety. Sometimes we have to prevent any possible threat."
"Including the Avengers?" Steve looked at Nick with eyes full of doubt then, a hint of anger in his heart, "Including Thor, Hulk, and even me and Dominic? Nick, these people are not threats, they exist to protect Earth."
Nick did not respond directly, but a subtle coldness and 'care' were revealed in his eyes, as if hinting that Steve did not fully understand the dark side of this World. Steve knew Nick was a shrewd manipulator, but that moment was the first time he felt S.H.I.E.L.D.'s true intentions were so vague, even unsettling.
Now, with Dominic revealing the trace of HYDRA, his suspicion deepened. Sam in front of him might be the help he needed. Steve looked at Sam, thought for a moment, and then spoke slowly, "Sam, I've had some things lately... I need your assistance. This matter may not be simple, it involves a kind of... corruption, or even danger hidden among us."
Sam nodded steadily, a determined smile on his face, "Whatever it is, I'm willing to follow you, Captain."
Steve showed a slight smile, feeling that the heavy burden in his heart had lightened a little. Finding a trustworthy comrade felt long overdue and precious. He paused for a moment, then said to Sam with a serious look, "Dominic told me that there is a hidden HYDRA force within S.H.I.E.L.D. I haven't told anyone about this, including Nick."
Sam's expression became serious, clearly shocked by the news, "HYDRA... within S.H.I.E.L.D.? Captain, is this true?"
"I wish it wasn't true." Steve sighed softly, his tone full of conflict and reluctance, "But I can't ignore this possibility. The feeling Nick gives me... there are some things he hasn't told us all."
Sam nodded, thought for a moment, and then said seriously, "So what should we do? Since we can't trust the high-ranking officials of S.H.I.E.L.D., we can only rely on ourselves."
Steve nodded slightly, saying with firm eyes, "Exactly. I need an investigation team, a team not controlled by S.H.I.E.L.D., to track down this hidden force and ensure that HYDRA can no longer infiltrate our ranks as they did in the past."
A flash of determination flickered in Sam's eyes, and he said firmly, "Captain, you've found me. No matter what the mission is, I will complete it."
Steve gently patted Sam's shoulder, his gaze gentle yet firm, "This time, I believe we can bring the truth to light. The remnants of HYDRA must be completely eradicated."
At the same time.
In the living room, the television light flickered slightly, casting a faint glow on their faces. On the TV screen, the Mandarin's face, covered in deep wrinkles, exuded a chilling ruthlessness. In heavily accented English, he slowly and steadily threatened America, especially Tony Stark. This mysterious terrorist appeared through major global networks and public displays, like a shadowy overlord, coldly watching the audience on the other side of the screen, as if everyone was under his control.
"Tony Stark... your pride and arrogance are the ultimate destruction of you and this country..." The Mandarin's words were slow and clear, his tone filled with disdain and contempt for American society, as if every word was challenging America's bottom line.
Steve furrowed his brows tightly, his gaze fixed on the screen, his eyes revealing suppressed anger. The Mandarin's arrogant demeanor fueled the fire in his heart, and his deep-seated doubts became clearer. Sam clenched his fists beside him, his eyes filled with indignation, and he whispered, "This Mandarin is provoking so openly... This is still... He's simply unrestrained!"
Steve didn't respond immediately, but watched the screen coldly. After a moment, he shook his head slightly, "Not everyone truly understands 'America'." There was a subtle warning in his tone, but a complex emotion in his eyes.
Sam looked at Steve in confusion, and after a moment of silence, he asked tentatively, "Captain, what should we do next? One is the Mandarin's declaration of war against Iron Man, and the other..." He hesitated, a hint of worry in his eyes.
Steve whispered in his ear, "Sam, you know? Lately, I've always felt like someone is watching me, maybe some ill-intentioned people within S.H.I.E.L.D. I've even carefully checked my room, even used the detector Tony gave me, but still found nothing..." He frowned slightly and continued, "Every day in S.H.I.E.L.D., I always feel like there are undercurrents."
Sam nodded, a hint of uneasiness in his expression. He hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively, "But... do you really trust Dominic? His style always gives me a... feeling I can't quite describe. Do you think he is a completely just person?"
Steve turned to look at Sam, a hint of determination in his eyes. He smiled slightly, and said gently but firmly, "Sam, many people misunderstand Dominic, and even see him as an arrogant conceited person. But in battle, only those of us who truly stand by his side know what kind of person he is. Dominic seems unconventional, but everything he does for justice is not as simple as it appears on the surface. He protects this World in a special way, even if he is not accepted by everyone."
Sam nodded silently, seemingly gradually understanding Steve's attitude. After this period of observation, he gradually realized that in the Dominic that Captain knew, behind this 'Homelander' named Dominic, there might be unknown complexity and forbearance.
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(End of Chapter)