S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters.
Nick Fury stood in the monitoring room, the massive screen projecting the core data stream of the "Insight Project". Thousands of red dots pulsed on the map, representing targets marked as "potential threats" globally.
His arms were crossed, his gaze sharp, as if examining a newly completed work of art, yet also like staring at an unknown Beast. The corners of his mouth twitched, seeming about to say something, but in the end, he just slowly exhaled.
"Director." Maria Hill walked in from the side, holding a file, her tone as professional and calm as ever. "The deployment of the Insight Project is complete. The satellites are fully online, and the carriers have entered their designated orbits. Once activated, the project will analyze global threats in real-time, identifying and neutralizing targets."
Fury didn't answer immediately. His gaze remained fixed on the screen, as if seeing something deeper through those red dots. He slowly turned, took the file from Hill's hand, flipped through a few pages casually, and said in a low voice, "Theoretically, this is the most advanced threat prevention system in human history. In reality, this thing might be a ticking time bomb."
Hill frowned slightly, clearly surprised by his words. "Director, isn't this our goal all along? To predict and eliminate threats, to ensure safety."
Fury let out a soft snort, a hint of elusive coldness in his tone. "Yes, ensure safety. But the problem is, who gets the final say on this list? The word 'threat' is quite flexible in its definition." His finger gently tapped the file cover. "We can prevent a terrorist attack, but what if the system includes people who shouldn't be marked? Hill, there are too many variables in this."
Hill wanted to say more, but Fury raised a hand, signaling her to stop. His gaze shifted back and forth between the file and the screen, a faint unease churning in his chest. His finger brushed past his ear, activating his communicator. "Initiate secondary encryption protocol. Transfer all Insight Project core data to my terminal. I want to review it line by line."
A few minutes later, the data stream began scrolling on his personal device. Fury's eyes quickly scanned each line of code, his frown deepening the more he read. The information displayed at certain key nodes was too vague, even the source was unclear. The corner of his mouth twitched. He turned to Hill and said, "Get the technicians responsible for this section over here. I need them to explain the source of these discrepancies."
Hill nodded and quickly left. Fury stood alone in front of the screen, his fingers rubbing his chin, possibilities churning in his mind. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s system had always been known for its absolute precision and efficiency. Such vague nodes should never appear, unless—someone had done it intentionally.
Just as he was lost in thought, his communicator suddenly buzzed. The voice was urgent. "Director, our satellites have detected a set of unknown signals. The source appears to be near downtown Washington. These signals are not registered within S.H.I.E.L.D.'s internal system."
Fury's eyes instantly sharpened. "Unknown signals? Send them to my device, let me see."
A few seconds later, a short encrypted signal appeared on his terminal screen. The frequency was abnormal, the content vague, as if someone was deliberately hiding the source. Alarm bells rang in Fury's mind. He quickly ordered, "Trace the signal source. See if it's connected to the Insight Project."
The technician's voice came through the communicator, carrying a hint of tension. "Director, the encryption level of these signals is very complex. We need some time..."
Fury frowned, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "Hurry up. I don't like being kept in the dark."
A few minutes later, an address popped up—an ordinary apartment building in downtown Washington. Fury looked at the screen, quickly weighing his next move. He didn't issue orders immediately. Instead, he turned and walked towards the elevator. He had to see for himself who was playing these tricks in the dark.
The black SUV drove into the apartment building's underground parking lot. Fury, wearing sunglasses, got out of the car expressionlessly. His steps were steady and slow, each one like measuring the air around him. The communicator in his hand emitted a faint hum, indicating that the signal source was just a few floors above.
He took the elevator directly to the target floor. The corridor was silent, only faint lights illuminating the way ahead. He gripped the weapon in his hand, pushed open a door, but found the room empty. Several computers sat on the desk, their screens flashing with a series of complex codes. Fury quickly approached to examine the screen content.
"Just as expected." His frown deepened. The information on the computer indicated that this signal had not only infiltrated the Insight Project's core system but had also transmitted large amounts of data to an unknown external network.
Just as he was about to investigate further, a whooshing sound came from behind him. He sharply turned, raising his weapon, but only saw a black shadow flash by. His intuition made him instinctively duck and roll to the side. The next second, a bullet grazed his shoulder and embedded itself in the wall.
His assailant had appeared.
An assassin, dressed in a completely black combat suit and wearing a metal faceplate, slowly emerged from the shadows. He held a gleaming silver handgun, his steps steady and cold. His left arm gleamed with a cold metallic sheen, each step carrying a chilling sense of oppression.
Fury narrowed his eyes and let out a cold laugh. "It seems S.H.I.E.L.D. has more secrets than I imagined." He raised his weapon and fired several shots at the assailant, but the assassin dodged them agilely. The metallic arm flashed coldly in the dim light, precisely blocking Fury's counterattack.
The assassin didn't waste words and charged directly at Fury. Their clash instantly erupted into intense close-quarters combat. Fury's fist struck the assailant's metal faceplate, emitting a dull thud. He seized the opportunity to draw his dagger and thrust it towards the assassin's side, but it was firmly blocked by the metallic arm.
"Who are you?" Fury growled, his eyes holding a dangerous glint.
The assassin didn't answer. Instead, he pressed further, forcing Fury towards the corner. A heavy punch landed on Fury's abdomen. He grunted, stumbled back, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
The assailant didn't give him a chance to catch his breath, quickly pulling out his handgun and aiming it at his chest. Fury sharply rolled to the side. The bullet grazed his arm, leaving a burning sting. He gritted his teeth, flipped over, grabbed a heavy object from the desk, and threw it forcefully at the assassin's head.
The assassin slightly tilted his head, his metallic arm swung out, knocking the object away. His gaze was as cold as ice. He didn't seem in a hurry to kill Fury, but rather intentionally stalling for time.
Fury was breathing heavily, watching the assailant's every move. He realized that this ambush wasn't about stealing the Insight Project's data, but was aimed at him personally.
"Fine," he muttered through gritted teeth. "If you want to kill me, you've chosen the wrong target."
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(End of Chapter)