ASCHUN headquarters, Sanquyi Building.

"We've had enough of the mystery, Minister Pierce." The speaker was a woman with short golden hair, who was visually at least fifty years old. Her holographic image sat behind a layer of transparent ring glass, staring at Alexander Pierce standing in the middle of the room with a stern and reproachful look.

There was no unnecessary decoration in the bright and open room, and only four cylindrical glass cylinders were standing. The holographic projections of four members of the World Security Council sat behind the glass and questioned the minister of SHIELD something.

It is the responsibility of the World Security Council to monitor all activities of SHIELD, so it can also be said that these people are Nick Fury's immediate boss. However, Fury is a practical person and has always hated dealing with these people, so this glorious burden has fallen on Pierce's shoulders as always.

"We need the answer," said the woman. "Don't try to get away with it. We all know clearly what's going on inside S.H.E.L.D.."

Pierce shrugged: "Maybe it's just Fury feels that we need to lay off a large scale in order to save money."

"Not funny at all, Minister Pierce." This time the speech was a middle-aged man with a beard. "Nick Fury has taken many big moves in the past month, but he only used some ridiculous excuses to cover up his true intentions, which has exceeded his responsibilities. If he continues to refuse to report to the committee, then we will temporarily remove his commander's duties and forcefully intervene in the investigation..."

Pierce said lightly: "The responsibility of the committee is to supervise S.H.E.L.D., not to ask about everything in detail. If you have to ask the bottom of everything, then I strongly recommend that you send a representative to take the position of the director."

Indeed, although there are many people in the committee and government leaders who don’t like Nick Fury, no one can do anything about him. The reason is simple, because they can’t find a replacement.

In this era of ever-changing paranormal phenomena, the existence of SHIELD is undisputedly necessary, and for many years Nick Fury has been the center of AHIELD. His unique personal charm and outstanding ability to do things determine that he is irreplaceable. It is his existence that ensures that AHIELD, a huge machine that transcends national borders, can operate well.

"No one ever said to replace Director Fury." Another commissioner spoke, looking like an oriental from his facial features. "Nick Fury's merits are undisputed, and his existence has great significance for ASCH. But we also need answers, because it is our duty to ensure the correctness of his decisions."

"Of course, I understand." Pierce nodded and walked around the room. "Is there something happening inside the ASUS? Yes. Is Fury taking some big moves to deal with it? That's true."

He stopped and turned around.

"But I promise you too--no matter what Fury is doing, it is absolutely necessary. And soon you will get the answer you want."

...

When Alexander Pierce exited the room, Fury had obviously been waiting outside the door for a long time.

"Another tired day?" Fury asked.

Pierce waved his hand with a wry smile: "There's nothing to deal with." After a pause, he said: "But seriously, Nick, what's the situation now?"

"We have made a lot of progress," Fury replied, "but still working hard."

"Please, Nick, this time is different from before." Pierce said helplessly, "This time is not a small fight like fundraising. We are talking about Hydra! A terrorist organization with tentacles all over the world may have penetrated into us!

To be honest, I can no longer hold back in front of the people in the Council. I can continue to deal with them, but you have to let me know something practical, right?"

Fury shook his head: "This time, the situation is extraordinary, the fewer people know, the better."

Pierce frowned: "What, do you don't even trust me?"

Fury didn't say anything. He pursed his thick lips tightly and looked at him with his one-eye for a while, his eyes as sharp as a predator eagle. Pierce was almost uncomfortable being stared at by him.

Then he stretched out a hand and patted Pierce on the shoulder.

"Please trouble you," he said, "I owe you this time."

After saying that, he turned around and left the office without waiting for Pierce to reply.

Alexander Pierce sat back into the chair, his face showing anger and impatience that had been covered up by his careful care. He sat in the chair for a while, until a request for visiting jumped out of his desk in a projection.

Pierce glanced at the interface and pressed the "Allow" button.

The person who came in was Sitville, a Class 6 agent of SHIELD. He wore a pair of flat glasses, a straight suit, and his bare head was shining with incandescent lights.

Of course, this person is also a concealer of Hydra.

Pierce immediately activated the "closed mode" of the room after the automatic door was closed, ensuring that the following conversation would not be leaked in any form. Then he raised his head and said coldly: "It's better to be good news."

"It's Base 39, sir." Sitville lowered his voice, "Nick Fury's troops attacked Base 39 thirty minutes ago, and now it has been completely controlled..."

Pierce's face turned dark.

Base No. 39 is also considered to be highly confidential among all Hydra's strongholds. It is not covered under the surface of the ASCHUN facility like many other bases, but is a completely independent hidden stronghold.

More importantly, the No. 39 sub-base has been dormant until now, without any external contacts and no activities. Hydra has long prepared a series of such dormant bases in order to be able to be accidentally exposed to ASCHD one day in the future and have the strength to preserve them.

However, even such a sub-base was found by the other party, which undoubtedly means that the other party is getting closer and closer to the core.

Who is that hell "Black Knight"? Is he really Dr. Norton? How could he know so much?

"But there is good news, sir." Sitville hurriedly added.

Pierce's face was slightly relaxed: "What?"

"It was news from Baron Strack," said Sitville. "He said he had a clue about the matter you asked him to investigate. He wanted to send out the 'weapon' you supervise to clear the obstacles."
Chapter completed!