Chapter 55 - 55: The Fall of Free Will

"This… sir, what exactly do you mean by making me the true leader of Hydra?" Alexander Pierce had finally regained his composure, but he spoke cautiously, afraid that the demon in front of him might take offense and end his life as he had done with Baron Zemo. "The meaning is literal—I will make you the true leader of Hydra." With a casual wave of his hand, Gene summoned a holographic screen in front of Pierce. It displayed a world map, densely marked with red dots indicating Hydra's bases. Pierce's eyes scanned the screen, recognizing a few bases he was already aware of. But the vast majority were completely unknown to him. "You will be the ruler of this immense power," Gene continued, his voice laced with temptation. "And I will grant you the opportunity for eternal life." The words sent a wave of longing through Pierce's heart. At nearly eighty years old, his body was deteriorating despite Hydra's previous efforts to slow his aging. He had been injected with experimental serums designed to delay the process, but he could still feel his strength waning. But now… now Gene was offering him something far greater. "And what is the price?" Pierce asked, his face betraying his eagerness. If this man wanted him dead, he would already be reduced to dust like Zemo. That meant he was still useful. "Everything." Gene's voice was calm yet absolute. Pierce took a deep breath, then suddenly dropped to one knee, bowing his head. "To dedicate everything to my master would be the greatest honor of my life." At that moment, an overwhelming force invaded his mind. "AHHHHHH!" A piercing pain shot through Pierce's brain as Gene's mark was imprinted deep into his consciousness. The emblem of Skynet—a radiant blue insignia—flashed in his pupils. He gasped for breath, trembling, but then something changed. His mind, once his own, was now shackled. Every fiber of his being acknowledged Gene as his supreme master. "Honored master, I shall obey your every command." "Proceed with the full execution of Project Insight. I will provide assistance when necessary." Gene placed a vial of blue liquid onto the table. Pierce did not hesitate. He seized the metallic injector, plunged it into his vein, and injected the serum. Almost instantly, he felt his body rejuvenate. Strength surged through his limbs, his senses sharpened, and the years of fatigue and weakness vanished. A wicked grin spread across his face. "Thank you for your gift, Master." "Do your job well." Sёarch* The NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gene's form shimmered, vanishing in a golden flash. Meanwhile, at S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters… Nick Fury had an uneasy feeling. Something was wrong with Alexander Pierce. His superior, once showing obvious signs of aging, now seemed revitalized, as if he had turned back time. Fury tapped his fingers on the table, his single eye studying Pierce carefully. "Sir, I found evidence of Hydra's presence in a classified facility in New Jersey." He leaned forward. "But that facility is under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s jurisdiction." This was information Fury had obtained from the Black Phantom. "Hydra?" Pierce's brows furrowed in apparent surprise before he spoke in a firm, commanding tone. "Investigate it thoroughly. I want answers." His reaction was flawless. Not a single hint of unease. Fury narrowed his eye. Was he overthinking things? Just as he was considering his next words, Pierce suddenly changed the subject. "Actually, I was just about to discuss something with you. I am implementing a new large-scale initiative—Project Insight." He placed a thick file onto the table, gesturing for Fury to take a look. Fury opened the folder, scanning the contents. His face darkened. With the help of Mason Industries, S.H.I.E.L.D. had already built an orbital Helicarrier as a command center. But Project Insight? It proposed launching multiple Helicarriers into the skies, patrolling the world, capable of identifying and neutralizing threats before they could act. A global surveillance network with the power to strike preemptively. Fury's lips pressed into a thin line. "Sir… this…" He struggled to find the right words. The plan was ambitious, but also filled with potential ethical and strategic risks. "I understand your concerns. This is merely a draft. We will conduct extensive evaluations before execution," Pierce said smoothly, crossing his legs. "But isn't it the most efficient solution? If this plan had been in place, we could have identified the origins of that hammer that fell in New Mexico before it even landed." Fury's expression remained unreadable. "We already have a team stationed at the crash site. Our scientists are analyzing the hammer as we speak." Pierce nodded, reclining in his chair. Fury knew it was time to leave. But just as he reached the door, Pierce's voice called out behind him. "Oh, and one more thing—don't halt the research on the Tesseract." Fury turned his head slightly. "Understood, sir." Dr. Erik Selvig had been tirelessly studying the Tesseract. He had even discovered a way to extract its energy. The Tesseract had always fascinated S.H.I.E.L.D. And Fury still wasn't sure what secrets it held. -------------- T/N: Access Advance Chapters on my P@treon: [email protected]/MPHFics