Marvel: Infinite Personalities ;)

The Science Faction is led by another Hydra leader, Daniel Whitehall, and is mainly focused on developing technology.

Many well-known research institutions around the world, including the Quinn Group and A.I.M. Group, are secretly connected to this faction.

It's worth mentioning that Daniel Whitehall, like Gideon, is one of the original founders of Hydra, and his status at the beginning was even higher than Gideon's.

But since he was more interested in technology, his influence in Hydra today is not as strong as Gideon's.

The S.H.I.E.L.D. Faction refers to the group of Hydra agents planted within S.H.I.E.L.D., led by senior Hydra members like John Garrett and Alexander Pierce.

This group doesn't have one clear leader; instead, it's run by these senior members working together.

In recent years, as they've grown stronger, they've started to challenge Gideon and Whitehall, acting more and more independently.

Even though they're supposed to follow the orders of leaders like Gideon and Whitehall, in practice, they often do their own thing.

The most secretive faction, the Secret Faction, is made up of the remaining followers of Hydra's three old leaders.

The Red Skull's followers currently serve his trusted assistant, Dr. Arnim Zola.

Baron Strucker is said to still be alive, but almost no one has seen him. Only people from his time like Gideon and Whitehall might know where he is.

Baron Zemo may also have descendants alive, but like Strucker, there's no confirmed news.

Overall, the Secret Faction usually stays out of the affairs of the other three groups. They only step in occasionally if trouble arises.

Even though there are new leaders in Hydra now, the Secret Faction doesn't recognize their authority.

Because of that, Gideon and Whitehall don't have a good opinion of them.

After all, no leader wants a group within their organization that refuses to obey orders. That's why the Secret Faction is considered an odd one out.

But even without them, the remaining three factions all have very different goals and beliefs.

These differences are exactly why the factions were formed in the first place.

The S.H.I.E.L.D. Faction's goal is clear: to destroy S.H.I.E.L.D. and replace it, using its power to secretly control the world.

The Science Faction believes that alien technology is the key to the future, and they're working to create powerful weapons.

For example, Whitehall is currently focused on the Inhumans' "Obelisk," hoping to uncover Kree technology and turn his men into super soldiers.

As for Gideon's Political Faction, they're focused on one thing: finding the legendary "Hive."

This is also the original purpose of Hydra's existence.

The "Hydra" during World War II was just a branch, at least in Gideon's eyes. He didn't see it as the true Hydra.

Before that offshoot was formed, Hydra's real goal was to find the "Hive" and use its power to unite the world.

According to Hydra's ancient texts, the Hive was a powerful creation from the advanced Kree civilization. It had strength so great that even the Kree feared it and eventually exiled it to another planet.

The texts say that whoever finds it can use its power to rule the world… Whether that's true or not, at least that's what the records claim—and Gideon believes it.

So even though the three factions all want Hydra to rule the world, they each believe in a completely different way to reach that goal.

Stephanie is one of the few reasonable thinkers in Hydra. She doesn't believe Hydra can rule the world, and she even thinks her father's idea is ridiculous.

He's putting all his hope into one ancient record? That the Hive can bring about global rule? Stephanie finds that hard to believe.

As for the Science and S.H.I.E.L.D. factions, she thinks their plans are also unrealistic and far from the real world.

With Hydra's current strength, if all three factions worked together, they might not rule the world, but they could definitely control some small countries.

But the problem is—they want too much too fast. They think they can win everything in one move.

Stephanie never shared these thoughts with anyone, not even her father. She had no idea how Raymond had figured it all out.

Can he read minds too?, she thought, her face turning grim again.

No one likes being around someone who can see through their thoughts—and Stephanie was no exception.

"Relax. I just think you're smart. And a smart person wouldn't be okay watching them mess around like that," Raymond said with a smile.

That made Stephanie feel a little better.

"So, have you made your decision?" Raymond asked again.

"I'll agree, but I have one condition. If you don't accept it, then just kill me now," Stephanie said seriously.

"What's the condition?"

"Spare my father's life…" she looked straight into Raymond's eyes.

"As long as you do your job well, in the future, you'll be second only to me in Hydra. Your father's fate will be in your hands. You won't need my permission," Raymond replied.

"Can I trust you?" she bit her lip.

"That's your choice. Don't ask me," Raymond shrugged.

After a short silence, Stephanie finally lowered her head.

She would now act as Raymond's representative and fully take control of Hydra, turning the whole organization into his loyal servants.

"Well then, I won't keep you from eating. Better eat while it's still hot," Raymond smiled.

Still hot?

That was impossible. With all the times she had been caught in the illusion, plus the conversation with Raymond, at least several hours must have passed.

But when she blinked, Raymond was already gone.

And the meal in front of her was still steaming, just like it had just been served.

Everything that had just happened felt like a dream—and maybe, in the real world, only a second had passed.

That's the only way it made sense that the food hadn't gone cold.

But this time, Stephanie wasn't shaken.

She had already chosen to follow Raymond. His power was no longer something that frightened her—it was now her true source of confidence.

A deep feeling of security filled her heart.

Yeah… maybe having someone powerful to rely on isn't such a bad thing.