Chapter 81 HYDRA and S.H.I.E.L.D. Reach a Consensus—Capture the Mass-Produced Iron Men?

While the MTF under Ethan’s command completed its assault on the lunar base and began returning to Earth aboard the Retribution, the United States remained in absolute chaos under the nationwide lockdown.

Ethan had delivered a speech through every major American media network, announcing the activation of the Strategic Homeland Division and its sleeper-agent program to assist federal forces in reclaiming the cities.

However, the organizations truly responsible for suppressing the nationwide unrest were S.H.I.E.L.D. and the American military.

Both organizations had mobilized enormous amounts of manpower and resources, committing nearly every military force at their disposal in an attempt to regain control of the country’s major cities.

As one of the primary agencies responsible for stabilizing the situation, S.H.I.E.L.D. was already overwhelmed.

The Strategic Homeland Division had possessed little public presence over the years and received a relatively modest budget.

S.H.I.E.L.D., by contrast, received more funding and resources than almost any other federal agency.

Whenever the United States faced a crisis threatening its very survival, S.H.I.E.L.D. was naturally expected to shoulder the greatest burden.

Once the Division’s sleeper agents were activated, they immediately reopened safe houses in cities throughout the country and began helping the Joint Task Force establish secure zones.

During the first two days of the operation, safe zones appeared across numerous cities and gradually secured their positions.

However, the first wave of Division agents suffered considerable casualties during the brutal fighting.

Because of the dire situation, many Division agents were forced to clear unstable districts and establish safe zones alongside severely depleted JTF units without reinforcements, supplies, or logistical support.

The situation only began to improve when the second wave of sleeper agents was activated and entered the battlefield.

During those crucial two days, S.H.I.E.L.D. and the military poured immense resources into assembling and reorganizing the JTF.

The Strategic Homeland Division had bought them precious time.

After the Division accomplished so much under such desperate circumstances, the pressure shifted to S.H.I.E.L.D. and the American military.

Nick Fury understood that S.H.I.E.L.D. needed to produce meaningful results during this crisis.

If the Strategic Homeland Division single-handedly turned the tide, what would that make S.H.I.E.L.D., the organization that received the largest budget and the most resources?

A joke.

S.H.I.E.L.D. had to prove its value.

Unfortunately, the long-planned operation to reclaim New York had suffered a devastating setback almost immediately after it began.

Even someone as composed and experienced as Nick Fury could not suppress his anger.

“This operation cannot fail!”

“Have Coulson take S.H.I.E.L.D.’s anomalous-response unit and eliminate those Iron Men that appeared out of nowhere!”

“No matter the cost, the operation must continue! At the very least, major cities like New York and Los Angeles must be reclaimed!”

Fury shouted his orders at the subordinate on the other end of the phone before slamming it down.

He turned toward Pierce.

“Alexander, how much of our strength can currently be committed to the operation?”

Pierce’s expression stiffened.

Despite trying to remain composed, he hesitated before answering.

“Director, although we’ve accelerated our deployments, only thirty percent of our available forces can enter combat immediately.”

“We still need more time.”

Fury slammed his hand against the desk.

“That was an order!”

“Committing every available force to the counteroffensive is not a suggestion, Alexander. You understand the consequences of disobeying.”

“Yes, sir!”

Pierce’s eyes flickered.

It seemed he could no longer delay the mobilization.

In Pierce’s mind, S.H.I.E.L.D. was already effectively HYDRA’s organization.

If such an enormous force were deployed into a brutal urban conflict, the resulting casualties would be tremendous.

Given how thoroughly HYDRA had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D., many of those casualties would inevitably be HYDRA personnel.

That was why Pierce had delayed carrying out Fury’s mobilization order for as long as possible.

Unfortunately, the sudden appearance of a mass-produced Iron Man army had devastated the military’s JTF reinforcements and disrupted the plan to establish a major S.H.I.E.L.D. safe zone in New York.

Pierce could continue stalling, but doing so would inevitably arouse Fury’s suspicions.

Therefore, despite knowing that his subordinates would suffer numerous meaningless casualties, Pierce had no choice but to mobilize every available force and commit them to the JTF’s operations.

He also understood that if S.H.I.E.L.D.’s performance was too poor, it might lose its position as the most powerful federal intelligence agency.

HYDRA had been unable to infiltrate the Strategic Homeland Division’s sleeper-agent program.

Because the Division had remained dormant for so long, HYDRA had always assumed it was nothing more than an empty shell.

Furthermore, the hundreds of thousands of agents secretly trained by the Division represented such a vast and terrifying number that HYDRA had no idea where to begin infiltrating them.

With so many personnel, it was inevitable that HYDRA and other organizations would recruit or compromise a portion of the sleeper agents after their activation.

Some Division agents might also defect or betray the organization after confronting the severity of their missions.

However, among hundreds of thousands of agents, such losses would barely scratch the Division’s foundations.

On the contrary, once the weak and disloyal were eliminated through the brutal trials of war, Ethan’s Strategic Homeland Division would be left with a formidable army of experienced elites.

After those forces were fully reorganized, the Division’s position could no longer be underestimated.

Combined with the mysterious and unfathomable Foundation, S.H.I.E.L.D.’s status as the foremost federal agency could soon be threatened.

Pierce could no longer afford to undermine Nick Fury.

At this moment, HYDRA and S.H.I.E.L.D. were forced to reach a strange consensus.

However, where they should concentrate their strength remained open to debate.

After considering the situation, Pierce offered a suggestion.

“Nick, I believe we should prioritize the operation proposed by Coulson.”

Fury raised an eyebrow and studied Pierce carefully.

“You also believe we should deal with those Iron Men first?”

“That’s right, Nick.”

“The technology leaked from Stark Industries has already created an enormous threat. We cannot allow Stark technology to continue spreading—especially the technology required to mass-produce the Mark II.”

“Obadiah Stane poses a significant threat. We don’t even know where that old dog is hiding or what kind of conspiracy he’s preparing.”

“Judging by his recent actions, he may be attempting to overthrow the federal government.”

“We cannot allow that to happen.”

Pierce paused before continuing.

“The reorganized JTF units under the military should be sufficient for the city-reclamation operations.”

“I believe S.H.I.E.L.D.’s main forces should be directed toward stopping conspiracies like the one being carried out by the Chaos Insurgency.”

Fury nodded in agreement.

“You’re right, Alexander.”

“The damned Chaos Insurgency caused the New York reclamation operation to fail. We should provide Coulson with our full support.”

“Order our forces in New York to prioritize Coulson’s operation. He has already secured Tony Stark’s assistance, hasn’t he?”

“More precisely, they intend to capture several mass-produced Iron Men first,” Pierce explained. “That will allow us to determine how much of the Mark II’s technology the Chaos Insurgency has successfully absorbed and reproduced.”

“A good plan.”

Fury stared directly at him.

“Don’t disappoint me, Alexander.”

“Yes, sir!”

The corner of Alexander Pierce’s mouth rose slightly.

Once HYDRA obtained the Mark II’s technology, its scientific capabilities would advance by leaps and bounds.

Perhaps he could eventually command a mass-produced Iron Man army of his own.

When that happened, S.H.I.E.L.D. might finally become what it was always meant to be—

HYDRA’s S.H.I.E.L.D. in name as well as reality.