"Let's just stay here for now. It's a house bought by Agent Morita's cousin. His family went back to Texas to take over the farm and don't usually come back to New York, so it should be safe enough here."
But what use was safety? Everyone knew the most important thing now was to find out Hydra's plan and then submit it to the World Security Council to have them all arrested.
"Stark, any ideas?"
With Nick Fury's question, everyone's eyes turned to Tony Stark. After all, he was the one who discovered Hydra's existence. And with J.A.R.V.I.S. and Stark Industries, plus being in New York, Stark was practically a local big shot.
"I need to look into some things and have Pepper send over a spare suit. Before that... do whatever you want. It's best if you use your own connections too."
Stark replied. After all, aside from Bruce Banner who had lived abroad for a long time and had no local friends, the rest had their own ways. Even Steve could contact a few friends, though his so-called friends were probably all white-haired and using canes.
Hydra's intel wasn't easy to find. Tony Stark had only stumbled upon it by accident, and before he could fully investigate, he was exposed.
Steve signaled to Natasha and Hawkeye, then said, "We'll take a look around nearby. If anything unexpected happens, we'll let you know."
"Don't do anything unnecessary, Captain. I need time."
Tony Stark said without looking back. He was currently using J.A.R.V.I.S. to filter through all S.H.I.E.L.D. agents' files, trying to screen out possible Hydra members and then investigate them one by one based on their histories. It was troublesome, but reliable.
"I know."
With that, Steve, Natasha, and Hawkeye left. Scouting the terrain was one thing, and also an excuse, but Steve preferred to gather information his own way. He didn't understand computer networks much, but for intel, he could just ask the enemies directly.
While escaping S.H.I.E.L.D., Steve had learned the identities of at least a few Hydra agents. So, after catching Hawkeye and Natasha's eyes and getting them outside, he told them his plan.
Natasha and Hawkeye both agreed with Steve's idea. This method played to their strengths as agents. Otherwise, they'd just be sitting around waiting for Tony Stark's analysis results.
The three quickly agreed and prepared to head back near S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, find a chance to capture one or two Hydra agents, and force information out of them. If they couldn't get any information, it didn't matter. It would still be eliminating the enemy early, since they were Hydra.
Bruce Banner wasn't idle either. While Stark was cracking S.H.I.E.L.D.'s files, he had also copied a lot of classified data. He handed some data on the Tesseract to Bruce Banner. With his expertise, Bruce could study S.H.I.E.L.D.'s research on the Tesseract, just to pass the time.
"Peter, are you done yet?"
Pietro had been waiting for a long time, but Peter Parker was still fiddling with computer interfaces he couldn't understand. However, seeing Peter's increasingly serious expression, he felt their chances of finding the targets might be slim.
"Almost there. I'm using the dumbest method, so it takes a lot of time."
Peter Parker stared intently at the micro-computer's projected screen, speaking to Pietro and Wanda.
"They wiped the data very thoroughly when they left. Even after restoring part of it, we can't get any useful information. So, I have to hack into defense satellites and see which vehicles left here heading to other places. Seven people leaving means a car definitely wouldn't fit them, and they'd definitely change vehicles to avoid tracking..."
"But doing it this way, any abnormal contact between vehicles might also reveal their whereabouts. By following this clue, we can probably find them... New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Washington D.C."
After identifying these four possible locations, Peter Parker wiped non-existent sweat from his brow.
Hearing Peter Parker's words, Wanda and Pietro quickly came closer and asked, "Found them?"
Peter corrected them, "This is just the first step. Four cities spread all over America. I need to contact the local police. The best choice is the NYPD, right? I'm going to report that there's a wild party going on at 307 to 315 on XX Street. They're too loud and it's bothering me!"
Then, to Wanda and Pietro's shock, Peter Parker called the police stations in the other three cities to report as well, before wiping all traces of his intrusion. "Now we just wait for news... Don't look at me like that. This is a complaint. If I reported drug use, it would bring in too many cops and let them escape."
After saying this, Peter Parker quickly packed up and, under Wanda's strange gaze, walked out of the mechanical manufacturing warehouse.
"Stark, do you think Future Pharmaceuticals taking over all of Stark Industries' weapons manufacturing division means they've had their eye on the Tesseract for a long time?"
After studying S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Tesseract data, Bruce Banner realized this energy source was extremely dangerous, far beyond what current human civilization could control. A bit of gamma radiation turned him into the Hulk, and the energy within the Tesseract was even more terrifying than the Hulk.
Recklessly activating that energy could plunge human civilization into extreme danger, yet S.H.I.E.L.D. still had plans to research it.
"You're right, Dr. Banner. But right now, the Tesseract is in someone else's hands..."
"That's even more dangerous. This kind of thing isn't something current human civilization can study. They simply can't control the power of the Tesseract."
Hearing Bruce Banner's words, Tony Stark temporarily handed over the analysis work to J.A.R.V.I.S. and pulled up some information on Future Biopharmaceuticals for Bruce to see.
"Dr. Banner, what kind of pharmaceutical foundation do you think it takes to invent so many drugs different from anything on Earth? J.A.R.V.I.S. once calculated that even if Pfizer and other pharmaceutical companies merged their efforts, it would take at least twenty years to develop this many new miracle drugs. And then there's this..."
The screen switched from data to another surveillance feed. It showed Wanda, Quicksilver, and Spider-Man just jumping off their aircraft. Then, pressing something on it, the two-meter-long aircraft shrank into a metal piece the size of a button, which Spider-Man and Quicksilver pocketed.
Wanda's flying broom also transformed into a staff, flowing like mercury as it changed shape.
"Quantum particles? Nanotechnology? And that faint flame ejected from the back of the broom, probably for adjusting direction. That suggests anti-gravity technology too. Oh, and the military also obtained the super-soldier serum from this company... Dr. Banner, this is what I mean. If the boss of this company stepped in, I wouldn't have any confidence. Hiring the best lawyers would be our best option."
Both Tony Stark and Bruce Banner were tech geniuses. From a few details, they could infer the technological backing involved. Any single technology Future Biopharmaceuticals casually put out could lead the world.
But so many technologies were concentrated in one company, involving artificial intelligence, biology, quantum technology, physics and magnetism, and more. And Tony Stark was the only one who had witnessed their miraculous, almost divine healing methods.
"Let's put these worries aside for now, Dr. Banner. We'll deal with Hydra's pursuit first, then think about other things. Even eating, you have to..."
Ding-dong.
A doorbell rang. Tony Stark and Bruce Banner stopped talking and went to the living room. Nick Fury also came out of his room, gestured to Tony and Bruce, and went to check the peephole.
Seeing it was the NYPD, Nick Fury opened the door.
"Hello, sir. We received a complaint about excessive noise nearby. May I see your identification?"
Because of Nick Fury's skin color, the officer's tone was quite rude, but Fury was used to it. He simply showed his ID.
After checking the ID, the NYPD officer warned, "Keep the noise down..."
Just before, there had been some noise nearby. Nick Fury thought it was a complaint leading to a house-to-house check. A coincidence made him suspicious, but he didn't immediately relocate. He at least had to wait until the nearby police left before moving.
However, through the police officer's body camera, Peter Parker successfully located Nick Fury. "Brooklyn, New York. They're there."
Having locked onto Nick Fury's group, Peter Parker and the others quickly headed for New York City. To get there faster this time, Wanda even used her telekinesis to create a protective barrier for Pietro.
Otherwise, at that speed, Quicksilver might end up needing a hospital.
On the way back, Peter Parker hacked into nearby cameras surveilling the house where Nick Fury was staying. He used a network channel opened up by Android 18, so J.A.R.V.I.S. wouldn't detect him. But how to hack into all of New York's cameras still required Peter's own operation.
Just as Peter Parker and the others reached the outskirts of New York City, Nick Fury and the others had just notified Captain America and were preparing to leave.
But with their aircraft's speed, Nick Fury's group couldn't escape.
"Dr. Banner, give me a hand."
Tony Stark said to Bruce Banner, carrying two large suitcases. Although he exercised regularly, the weight of two suits was too much for him.
"What are these?"
"My suits. You probably won't need them, they're the smaller size."
Tony Stark joked casually, then loaded the suits into the truck with Bruce Banner. He had brought three suits in total: two were reinforced Mark V models, and the other was a Mark VI with many added features.
Now that Stark Tower and his home were under S.H.I.E.L.D. surveillance, these three Iron Man suits were all the equipment he had left.
Nick Fury stuck his shiny black head out the truck window and urged them, "Can you two hurry it up? You can talk once you're in the truck."
"Hey, buddy, maybe I should drive this thing!"
Bang.
A figure suddenly jumped down from above, smashing the concrete pavement, creating cracks spreading over two meters outward. Then two more people slowly descended from the air, though not as roughly as the first.
Seeing these three, Nick Fury took a deep breath. If there was a regret pill, he'd have used a gun to force Stark and Bruce into the truck immediately!
"Gentlemen, here are your summons and investigation warrants. Now, please step out and face the truck, hands on it..."
"You guys run, Stark, Fury!"
Bruce suddenly shouted, then started running towards Peter Parker. But Bruce Banner in his normal state had no combat ability. He hadn't run far before a red glow enveloped him. Wanda flung him away with her telekinesis, sending him crashing through a wooden fence and into a yard.
"This is what happens when you resist arrest. Hey, Mr. Stark, you planning to resist too?"
Seeing Tony Stark and Nick Fury still trying to fight back, Peter Parker shot two webs. But Tony Stark jumped into the truck, dodging the webs, and activated the heavy-duty Mark V. Nick Fury, though his face was covered in webbing, closed his eyes and slammed on the brakes.
Screech!
The truck, at full throttle, was brought to a halt by Wanda's telekinesis. The next second, Nick Fury was yanked out of the truck by her power and thrown to the ground. Peter Parker thoughtfully added another web covering.
"Director Fury, I'll note your resistance to law enforcement in my final report."
The webbing Peter Parker shot was produced by his body and could withstand hundreds of tons of force. Nick Fury couldn't break free, especially with his face covered, unable to move or see.
Regular people were this helpless against superheroes, especially since Peter and the others were fully equipped. Quicksilver was also nearby, ready to intervene; otherwise, Tony Stark wouldn't even have reached his suit.
Boom!
The truck's cargo container was blasted open by a repulsor blast. Then Tony Stark, clad in his red-and-silver Iron Man suit, flew out. Both repulsors charged, aimed at Peter Parker and Wanda.
"Kid, I don't want to fight you. There's more to this..."
"ROAR!!"
Before Tony could finish, a beast-like roar suddenly came from the nearby yard.
A green figure sent wooden planks flying as he surged upward, leaping high towards Wanda.
"Look out, Wanda!"
Peter Parker quickly turned to warn her, but Wanda had already been pulled aside by Quicksilver.
The Hulk landed heavily from above, cratering the ground. Seeing the little one who had thrown him earlier was gone, he angrily glared at Spider-Man nearby. With his limited intelligence, he vaguely remembered this blue-and-red little guy was with the other one.
"Oh... this is trouble. He didn't even pass out. Karen, switch to strength mode!"
As Peter Parker spoke, his suit turned mostly red with blue web-like patterns interspersed. As the colors changed, the suit's nano particles permeated into Peter's body, lurking in his muscle groups for power output.
The spider suit was now like a living thing. When Peter punched or exerted force, the suit would coordinate with his muscles and bones.
(End of Chapter)