Inside the Prismos Building.
The core members had gathered together. Even Tony and Steve, who had clashed just moments ago, were present.
Tony, however, stood a bit farther away, leaning against the wall while tightening a screw on the gauntlet he wore on his left hand.
Fortunately, Prismos still had those steel soldiers left behind from Hammer Industries. With some modifications, they could be put to use.
That had saved Tony a considerable amount of time.
Still, he couldn't help thinking how passive this situation was. If the suits he kept back at Stark Tower could just fly over to him on their own, he wouldn't have to go so long without full combat capability.
"I'm sorry. I'm the one who led them here."
Harry said guiltily.
Since Harry had been involved in managing most of Prismos' previous operations, Pierce, after failing to find him at Oscorp, immediately thought to check Prismos.
It could be said that he was the one who brought the wolves to the door.
"Why don't you take your glider and lead them away?"
Nick Fury suggested shamelessly.
Bant kicked him directly.
"If it weren't to save your sorry black hide, would Harry be in this mess? You might as well just turn yourself in. Honestly, even if we beat Hydra, you're probably getting the boot anyway. Trust me, a life picking cotton would suit you better!"
Nick Fury: "..."
"Alright, cut the jokes."
Hill pressed a hand to her forehead. She was discovering that this bunch seemed to lack any sense of urgency whatsoever.
"The problem now is that Pierce has brought an army right to our doorstep. What do we do?"
"No need to worry about that. Unless they bring out heavy weapons, they're not getting through Prismos' energy shield. But staying trapped here isn't a solution either. We can't get any reinforcements while we're pinned down. If we want to regain public trust, our best bet is to get the media on our side."
Bant said.
That statement didn't hold a shred of credibility.
Truth be told, he had dozens of Steel Samurai units stashed in his warehouse. Counterattacking would be no problem at all.
But the time wasn't right just yet.
"And who in the media would support us?"
Natasha countered.
"I know one outlet!" Peter stepped forward. "The Daily Bugle!"
"I'll handle this!"
The others looked at him like he'd sprouted a second head.
Harry covered his face and said, "Are you insane, Peter? The Daily Bugle trashes you more than anyone else! Why would they ever help Spider-Man?"
"Don't say that, Harry. Mr. Jameson is actually a good man." Peter pulled off his mask. "Maybe he won't believe in Spider-Man, but I think he might be willing to believe Peter Parker."
"Perhaps I can drum up some support as well..." Connors said, sounding uncertain.
"I have a friend named Otto. He's working for the Hardy Foundation now. I don't know if he has any pull with Mrs. Hardy, but it's worth a shot."
In this capitalist society, money equated to power and influence.
The Hardy Foundation might not compare to giants like Oscorp, but it still carried some weight in the public eye.
Hearing this, Bant thought of Felicia.
Mrs. Hardy was a sharp, critical woman. Otto alone probably couldn't persuade her. Maybe with Felicia's help, it would be possible.
But Bant dismissed the idea.
He didn't want to drag Felicia into this mess.
So Bant said to Connors:
"If you can find Otto, just have him reach out to prominent figures in academia. That'll be enough."
Connors nodded.
At that moment, Nick Fury asked:
"You're planning to come along with us? I thought you didn't have any combat ability?"
"Not at the moment," Connors said, producing a vial of serum and injecting it into himself right there on the spot. "But with a shot of this, I do!"
Then, before everyone's eyes, he transformed instantly, once again becoming the terrifying monster.
The Lizard Doctor had returned!
An immense pressure exploded outward, causing the seasoned agents to step back instinctively and drop into combat stances.
But Connors merely let out a savage grin.
"Don't be afraid. I can control myself now."
His greatest achievement during this time had been working with Bant to create a version of the Lizard serum that didn't rob him of his sanity.
But that was as far as it went.
No matter how much the two of them researched, they couldn't optimize the serum's effects to the level of Spider-Man's abilities.
Bant figured it wasn't due to a lack of research skill on their part, nor a lack of intelligence from Little Genius. Rather, the Totem had already marked Connors.
No amount of tinkering could change his destined outcome of becoming the Lizard.
Then again, saying Little Genius's intelligence was insufficient wasn't entirely wrong either.
If its intellect were on par with someone like Azmuth, perhaps even the issue of the Totem could be resolved.
Standing over three meters tall, the Lizard Doctor exuded an extraordinary level of intimidation.
But as a teammate, he also seemed incredibly dependable.
Steve let his gaze sweep across the group. Then he strapped his shield onto his left arm and declared, "Then let's go win this fight!"
Outside Prismos.
Dozens of black sedans had the building surrounded. On top of that, nearly the entire New York police force had been mobilized.
George Stacy was at the very front line, pistol raised.
But the look on his face was far from pleasant.
Although he'd always had issues with Spider-Man, seeing S.H.I.E.L.D. issue a warrant for the web slinger felt deeply off to him.
Not to mention that every name on that wanted list was stranger than the last.
He didn't know if what he was doing was right or wrong. But as the Chief of the NYPD, he was bound to follow orders from above.
In the distance.
Pierce had placed himself well away from the front lines.
He watched the surrounded Prismos Building and was preparing for a direct assault.
But other members of his council harbored concerns.
A high ranking Hydra officer asked, "Will this work? Prismos' technology is highly advanced. The building's exterior likely has a powerful energy shield."
"Sustained bombardment. Siege them."
Pierce said. "Cut off their resources and supplies. How long can they hold out?"
"Once the Helicarriers are fully operational, all obstacles will be swept away!"
"This shall be our Hydra crusade!"
He stated decisively. "Have the other Winter Soldiers ready themselves!"
Within Hydra, the term "Winter Soldier" didn't just refer to Bucky alone. It was a program, an entire unit of super soldiers.
The few remaining Winter Soldiers were now fully prepped and awaiting orders.
Furthermore, to counter the powerful alien enemy that had appeared days earlier, Pierce had combed through the files Nick Fury left behind and identified another individual potentially capable of matching that threat.
"Lord Pierce, the subject has been brought in."
Pierce turned, a smile spreading across his face.
"I'll be there shortly."
Inside a room.
Two men in rather soiled clothing sat in opposite corners.
One was tall and broad shouldered. Even in a downtrodden state, he still looked imposing and heroic.
The other man was much shorter, with a soft, out of shape build. His expression was highly uneasy, even fearful and restrained. His gaze kept darting nervously toward Thor.
Being watched like that was starting to grate on Thor's nerves.
But he held his tongue.
His time on Earth had changed him quite a bit.
Perhaps sensing that Thor had noticed his stares, the smaller man wiped his sweaty palms and ventured a tentative probe.
"I didn't expect them to lock me up with you. Or is there something special about you?"
"What are you talking about?"
Thor glanced at him, not grasping his meaning.
"This is just an ordinary room."
"It's anything but ordinary." The man shook his head, his eyes scanning every corner of the space. "This is a cage... Sorry." He walked toward Thor and extended a hand. "Bruce. Banner."
"Thor. Thor Odinson."
The two exchanged a brief greeting.
After that, Thor decided to ignore this rather gloomy individual.
A short while later, Pierce entered the room. At the sight of this stranger, Bruce Banner instantly tensed every muscle in his body.
"Pleased to meet you both. My name is Alexander Pierce."
Pierce displayed no hostility whatsoever. He appeared remarkably friendly. Yet, for some reason, Thor sensed something was off.
Pierce's demeanor was just a little too reminiscent of Loki.
Cunning, sly, treacherous...
"What exactly do you want?" Thor was blunt. In contrast, Banner had fallen completely silent the moment Pierce walked in.
He was studying Pierce carefully.
Pierce said, "Events have unfolded rather suddenly. Perhaps neither of you is fully aware of the situation. Simply put, we require your assistance."
He pressed a button, and images of Bant and the others, marked as wanted fugitives, appeared on a screen.
"These individuals have betrayed our nation. In truth, they are agents of Hydra and have now allied themselves with unknown extraterrestrial forces, seeking to overthrow human civilization."
At this, both Thor and Banner looked utterly stunned.
A sardonic expression crossed Banner's face. "That's rich. The U.S. government accusing Captain America of being Hydra..."
"Utter nonsense!"
Thor slammed his fist on the table and made to leave immediately.
He didn't believe a single word of the drivel coming out of this man's mouth.
For Thor, the only judgment he trusted was that of Mjolnir. He had witnessed with his own eyes Steve Rogers lift the hammer.
If Mjolnir deemed Steve Rogers worthy, then Thor believed in him!
If a traitor could lift the hammer, then what did that make him?
Ridiculous!
Thor let out a cold snort, closed his eyes, and said no more.
Bruce Banner, a man accustomed to isolation, had no idea what unspoken understanding passed between them. But he truly wanted no part in any of this trouble.
These people had brought him here for one reason only: to exploit his power. Yet he had no desire to transform into the Hulk ever again.
Truth be told, he hadn't changed since that rampage in New York.
Life had been peaceful lately.
But these people, claiming to be from S.H.I.E.L.D., had tracked him down.
They said they needed his strength to help save the world. They promised that if he helped, he would never have to worry about the military hunting him again.
And so, Bruce Banner had come.
/-\
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