Marvel: My Sign-in System

"You're insane, Pierce, and I can see how tempting the idea might be," Mrs. Ophelia said, her voice sharp and filled with disdain.

She glared at Pierce like he was a madman, shouting, "Are you even sure you can find them? What makes you think you can take down a group of superhumans?"

Pierce leaned back, unfazed.

Ophelia's tone grew colder. "Even if you manage to replicate those superhuman legions, how do you plan to deal with Leon? Who could possibly withstand his wrath? Or do you think he's not powerful enough to destroy the planet with a mere flick of his hand?"

Among the group, Mrs. Ophelia was undoubtedly the voice of reason. While the others were swayed by Pierce's vision, she remained cautious and composed.

Pierce's grand plans were as enticing as they were deadly. "His promises may be sweet," she thought, "but they're laced with poison."

Pierce underestimated the cost of provoking someone like Leon. Ophelia, as Mrs. Viper, had a deep understanding of Hydra's vast industrial empire. She knew the stakes.

Hydra could shake the world, but compared to Leon—a being capable of reversing time and singlehandedly killing Laufey—what was Hydra but a fleeting bubble?

Her words cut through the room, extinguishing any glimmer of excitement among the others. It was as if she had poured cold water over a roaring flame.

Pierce, however, remained calm, silently calculating. The other two glanced at Mrs. Ophelia, their hesitation clear. Her unyielding expression unnerved them, but they quickly masked their unease.

"I understand your concerns," Pierce said smoothly. "But this isn't a plan to be executed overnight. I'll use S.H.I.E.L.D. to locate them. After all, we're operating under the guise of S.H.I.E.L.D. itself."

He chuckled, his confidence palpable. "Even if we provoke them, it's S.H.I.E.L.D. and the U.S. government that'll take the heat—not us."

His words gave the others pause. As they mulled over the implications, Pierce's reasoning began to sound plausible.

They weren't afraid of the cost—it was the retaliation they feared. But Pierce offered a new perspective.

Hydra, long thought destroyed after World War II, had been hiding in plain sight, growing stronger within S.H.I.E.L.D. and the U.S. government.

If their operations were carried out under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s name, any backlash would fall on S.H.I.E.L.D. and the government, not on Hydra itself. This strategy gave them the opportunity to expand without drawing attention.

After a moment of silence, the two skeptics nodded, not fully committed but no longer resistant.

Pierce smiled. "Take your time to think it over. There's no rush."

The meeting adjourned, and Mrs. Viper and the others left with their entourages.

Once alone in the dimly lit room, Pierce sat silently, deep in thought. Behind him stood a tall man in a combat uniform. His left arm was a gleaming silver prosthetic adorned with a red star. A black mask covered his mouth, and his cold demeanor exuded menace.

A knock broke the silence. Pierce looked up. "Enter."

The metal door slid open, and a man stepped inside. His gaze briefly flicked to the figure standing behind Pierce before addressing him.

"Sir, Mrs. Ophelia, Mr. Whitehall, and Baron Strucker have left. One couldn't attend, but he's confirmed his participation in the next Federation Council meeting."

"Good," Pierce replied with a nod. Then, as if recalling something, he asked, "Rumlow, what's Nick Fury up to?"

"Sir, Fury's been busy contacting the upper echelons. The formation of the Avengers is a sensitive topic among the leadership," Rumlow reported. "He's also assisting Tony Stark in recruiting members for the team."

As the leader of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Special Operations Team, Rumlow—despite being only a Level 6 agent—had access to sensitive information.

Pierce shook his head, a smirk tugging at his lips. "The incident in Mexico must've emboldened him, but finding the right people won't be easy."

He knew Fury all too well. As the man who had elevated Fury's career, Pierce understood his tendencies. Fury was meticulous, sharp, and prone to suspicion.

Pierce had always ensured Fury's focus remained outward, keeping him distracted from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s internal affairs. If Fury ever turned his gaze inward, Pierce's carefully laid plans could unravel.

"The fruit of my labor has begun to bloom," Pierce thought, "and soon it will bear even greater rewards."

"Sir," Rumlow interrupted, "Fury's also recruited Dr. Erik Selvig."

"Who?"

"An astronomer with expertise in various scientific fields. Alongside Hill, Coulson, Barton, and even Peter Parker, he's spearheading a secret project."

Pierce's eyes narrowed. "A secret project?" His voice held a hint of intrigue. "The Cosmic Cube?"

"Yes," Rumlow confirmed. "They've established an underground research base in California, mobilizing substantial resources for the project."

Pierce leaned back, connecting the dots. "It seems the Frost Giant invasion and Asgard's presence have left Fury uneasy. He's likely preparing to mass-produce energy weapons using the Cube's power."

The Cosmic Cube had been in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s possession for decades, but only recently had advancements in technology enabled meaningful research.

"Also, Fury's keeping tabs on the man they pulled from the ice," Rumlow added.

Pierce's lips curled into a wry smile. "Ah, Steve Rogers. How tragic. The world he knew is long gone."

...

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