Nolan didn't care who was crazy.
After all, as long as he wasn't the one losing his mind, that was all that mattered.
Thirty-nine point two billion!
A sum like that was enough to be considered a fortune anywhere.
Of course, the Earth Defense Initiative was a joint effort between the White House and the Council, which gave him such a golden opportunity.
Naturally…
It also helped to have a very generous, unsuspecting "mark."
Crossbones, Brock Rumlow, didn't care about that.
A little loss of profit? So be it.
This was his responsibility entirely. Even if Nick Fury got a little upset and didn't understand the details, a few perfunctory words would be enough to smooth things over.
Even if Fury caught on later, by then their plan would already be complete.
Once the Insight Plan was fully operational, Fury would be the first to fall.
Doubts?
Perhaps at that time, Nolan could have a little chat with… Satan.
"Pleasure doing business."
Nolan extended his hand to Brock Rumlow.
Rumlow's smile twisted into something even more unsettling. He returned the gesture:
"Pleasure doing business, Mr. Lock. I hope this collaboration will serve as a bridge between S.H.I.E.L.D. and Lock Technologies."
"Of course," Nolan said without hesitation.
For a sum close to four hundred billion, even he could afford a bit of flattery. Otherwise, his conscience might gnaw at him.
"What a good guy," Nolan smacked his lips once the others had left.
Susan's expression darkened.
"Has S.H.I.E.L.D. gone mad? They agreed to such an outrageous demand?"
Nolan smirked.
"Susan, you need to get your attitude straight. This is our benefactor. Actually, I should call Fury myself… no, better I handle it personally."
He felt it was necessary to inform Nick Fury but only after everything was settled.
He was certain Fury's reaction would be priceless.
A month passed.
The main phase of the Titan Project the Imperial Titan Initiative was officially underway.
Meanwhile, the space carriers had completed nearly all their integration work over the month.
With the full 39.2 billion received, Nolan called Nick Fury to inform him.
"What?!"
Fury leapt from his chair as if there were nails sticking into it.
"You handed over over three hundred billion dollars to them?"
Fury's face darkened.
"Has Brock Rumlow lost his mind?"
Sure, S.H.I.E.L.D. had money, but three hundred billion? Even the agency's total annual budget barely reached a few thousand billion, which had to support secret bases, the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, the weapons division, science division, operatives, and countless other departments.
Even the Academy, a top priority, only had a yearly budget of three hundred billion.
How could Rumlow dare do this?
Fury's face turned iron-gray.
He'd been secretly tracking Hydra members recently. He knew nothing until now but the deeper he looked, the more S.H.I.E.L.D. seemed like a sieve, with Hydra agents scattered throughout every department.
And yet, he never imagined an agent of Rumlow's caliber could be Hydra.
But what if Brock Rumlow was Hydra?
Rumlow wasn't stupid. If this three-hundred-billion transfer was for Hydra, it all made sense.
"Damn it!"
Fury slammed his fist into the desk so hard his face twitched in pain.
Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself.
"Mr. Lock, since this three-hundred-billion is… extra "
"Sorry, I have other matters to attend to," Nolan said, cutting the call immediately.
Looking at the phone, he sneered.
"Money in my pocket, and you want to take it out? Keep dreaming."
"Boss, Brock Rumlow is here," one of his aides reported.
Nolan nodded.
"Mm, handle it."
Rumlow had been here more than once recently, but Nolan had no reason to entertain him now that his goal was achieved.
Seeing Nolan remain inside, Rumlow's expression darkened. It was clear Nolan had no intention of meeting him.
He clenched his fists.
If this could be resolved by force, Nolan would already have been taken out with a single shot.
Instead, he forced a strained smile, though it was ugly.
Because of Rumlow's actions, Fury had grown suspicious and was secretly investigating him.
Even though Crossbones performed well, there were still traces to be found.
Especially after discovering that the team behind the Inhuman assassination seemed linked to Rumlow's squad.
Fury was furious he nearly vomited blood.
If it weren't for that assassination, he could have coordinated humans and Inhumans perfectly, even bringing the Black Bat into the Avengers.
Yet it was his own operative who had caused all this?
And he couldn't touch Rumlow.
As an S.H.I.E.L.D. Level 8 agent, Rumlow had immense authority and a vast network, making him nearly impossible to fully investigate.
And Fury wanted to see exactly what Hydra intended.
Rumlow arrived at Lock Technologies again, this time with a firmer attitude.
"I want to see Mr. Lock," he demanded.
He had decided if Nolan refused, he would take other measures. Time was running out.
"Please wait. Our boss, upon learning you were coming, immediately returned from outside," the receptionist replied with a smile.
Rumlow froze for a moment.
Nolan was going to see him? Unexpected, yet he felt a small sense of relief, thinking he had a chance to execute the plan.
Soon, Nolan returned from outside the office.
Though he had been inside all along, he played the part perfectly, making it seem as if he had just rushed back.
"Mr. Rumlow, long time no see. I heard you've been here a few times. Unfortunately, because of the Titan Project, I've been constantly away and haven't had time to return," Nolan said.
Rumlow's eyes narrowed. He only believed a third of Nolan's words.
As a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, he wasn't foolish. Nolan's movements were mysterious, but from clues, he knew Nolan likely hadn't left; otherwise, why make such an effort to come here?
"Mr. Rumlow, you're eager to see me. Is there something urgent?" Nolan asked with a smile.
Rumlow immediately said:
"It's time to integrate the space carriers with the Titan system. There are many tasks we need to handle together, but you know we don't have authorization."
Nolan's lips curved.
"I see. That explains it. Since this is a routine collaboration, let's have Lock Technologies and S.H.I.E.L.D. assign personnel for integration."
Rumlow exhaled in relief.
It was done!
Once they entered the Titan system hub, nothing could stop Hydra from ruling the world.
At the Titan Project main base, Rumlow walked alongside Nolan.
"This is where the main system resides," Nolan explained.
Rumlow's eyes glittered with calculation.
Finding an opportunity, he slipped away, plugged a USB drive into a computer port, and left pretending nothing had happened.
He didn't realize that Nolan had anticipated this. Every move had been observed.
"Trying to infect the Titan base with a virus," Nolan scoffed.
Such confidence.
The main system's firewall had been personally designed by Nolan, rivaling even Red Queen's system.
In this world, not even J.A.R.V.I.S.'s firewall could be breached, let alone Red Queen's.
"Red Queen, scan the virus algorithm. If all checks out, open a backdoor."
He wasn't interested in Rumlow. Letting him inside was just a lure to see who was backing him. Nolan hadn't forgotten Hydra's interference when his company had faced trouble. That "favor" was about to be repaid.
After leaving the Titan base, Rumlow called.
"Director, the mission is complete."
"Mm," came the reply.
Shortly after, they hung up.
On the other end, Alexander Pierce smiled.
"The Insight Plan is ready. Dr. Zola, you won't disappoint me, right?"
Pierce glanced at a nearby computer.
"Of course," Dr. Zola nodded.
Having uploaded himself into the system, he had gained a form of immortality, though limited.
Fluctuations in his program meant that soon, he would control all Titans and the world itself.
Yet…
He glanced at Pierce.
Being uploaded introduced vulnerabilities, which Pierce had already identified.
No matter.
"Hydra forever!"
Both men shouted the slogan, each with their own agenda.
…
"It's about to begin."
After weeks of intense preparation, the Insight Plan was ready. The three space carriers were set for launch, and all completed Titan bases were linked to the main system.
Nolan stood with Nick Fury.
Fury's eye looked dimmer than before, his vitality waning.
Nolan studied him.
"Director Fury, it seems you've not been doing well lately."
Fury's mouth twitched.
"That's none of your business."
Nolan smiled. He didn't care how much the wound still ached.
"How many Hydra members are in S.H.I.E.L.D.?" he asked curiously.
Fury's lips twitched.
"Hydra?"
Tony Stark leaned closer.
Hydra? He'd heard of them, and this was fascinating.
Nolan grinned:
"Not long ago, a Level 8 Hydra agent within S.H.I.E.L.D. just handed me four hundred billion."
"Damn!"
Tony Stark was dumbstruck.
A Level 8 Hydra agent in S.H.I.E.L.D.? Four hundred billion? There were few Level 8 agents, and four hundred billion was astronomical even Stark Industries would take notice.
He glared at Fury.
"Perhaps S.H.I.E.L.D. needs a new name how about Hydra Shield?"
Ever since the Black Bat incident, Stark enjoyed taunting Fury. This moment was too perfect to miss.
For Hydra to infiltrate a Level 8 agent and control such vast funds, S.H.I.E.L.D. must have already been thoroughly compromised.
No, it was more than compromised it might now be Hydra's headquarters.
Fury's expression remained calm.
"You needn't worry. S.H.I.E.L.D. is still under my control."
He glanced at both men, finally locking his one good eye on Nolan:
"Mr. Lock, you shouldn't have revealed this. It'll only bring us trouble."
Nolan remained unconcerned.
"The plan has already begun, hasn't it?"
Fury's purge of Hydra would start now.
Elsewhere, Alexander Pierce stood with White House leaders.
"Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to witness humanity's greatest creation!"
No one noticed the fanatic gleam in Pierce's eyes.
"To ensure nothing goes wrong, I'll personally supervise the space carrier launches," he said, turning to leave.
Unnoticed, Grant Ward followed silently.
"Where's Brock Rumlow?"
"Finishing final preparations," Ward replied.
Pierce nodded.
"I won't allow any mistakes. This is Hydra's critical moment. Notify Dr. Zola. Our agents will take control of the carriers while Zola takes command of the Titans. Eliminate anyone on-site who isn't Hydra. The world from here on out belongs to Hydra!
Hydra forever!"
Pierce whispered the slogan.
"Hydra forever!" Ward echoed.
Ward casually approached Natasha.
"What did you do?" she asked.
"Nothing. I thought I saw something outside the pod, but I was mistaken," he said.
Natasha nodded, unconcerned.
The instant Pierce stepped into the carrier, every Hydra agent struck.
Ward threw a powerful punch at Natasha.
Though skilled, Natasha had no chance to counter the sudden assault.
Ward assumed victory as his blow landed.
But in the next second, Natasha dodged and delivered a whip-like kick that sent Ward flying.
Looking stunned, Ward saw Natasha's face remain calm.
"You're definitely compromised, Grant Ward."