What is the HYDRA slogan? "Cut off one head, two more shall take its place."
They have done exactly that. After failing in World War II, they were not completely eliminated but went underground, infiltrating governments and organizations in various countries, spreading, growing, and waiting for the right moment like cancer cells.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was once their number one enemy, but now... HYDRA is almost successful.
They have planted their own people, controlled key departments, and even started secretly using S.H.I.E.L.D. resources for HYDRA's research projects.
But at this critical moment, in the blink of an eye, he is told that his ace, the Winter Soldier, has gone missing?
The Winter Soldier, who was brainwashed to be HYDRA's sharpest blade, has disappeared?
Pierce closed his eyes, forcing himself to think calmly.
The Winter Soldier could not have disappeared for no reason. He had absolute confidence in the control program for the Winter Soldier; it was Dr. Zola's masterpiece, perfected over decades, and had reached an almost perfect level.
The Winter Soldier had no autonomy, no memory, no self; he was just a perfect killing machine.
Unless...
"Did someone kidnap the Winter Soldier?" Pierce whispered to himself. "And took Mr. and Mrs. Stark along with him?"
This speculation was even more unsettling.
Not to mention that the Winter Soldier, as HYDRA's ace and a warrior who had been injected with the Super Soldier serum just like Captain America, could not be taken away silently without deploying an entire army. Who would have the ability to do that?
Furthermore, there were absolutely no traces left at the scene—no tire tracks, no helicopter landing marks, not even any extra footprints.
How did three living people leave?
Could they have flown away?
Pierce suddenly felt a chill. This inexplicable situation, this phenomenon that defied common sense, made him instinctively uneasy.
"Pull up all activity records for Howard Stark for the last six months," Pierce suddenly said, his voice regaining its calm.
"All itineraries, all contacts, all unusual incidents. I want to know what this old scientist has been doing lately, who he has met, and what he has been researching."
"Yes, Director." An intelligence analyst immediately responded.
"And!" Pierce added, his gaze sharp. "Focus on any... unusual connections, anything that defies common sense. No matter how absurd it seems, report it."
People in the room looked at each other, but no one dared to question him.
They began a new round of data mining, and the sound of keyboards clicking resumed, like some sort of anxious heartbeat.
Pierce walked back to the conference table, his hands pressed on the surface, looking down at the spread-out maps and reports.
His brain was racing, arranging, analyzing, and eliminating all possibilities.
Mr. and Mrs. Stark were still alive; that was almost certain, as there was too little blood at the scene to be fatal.
The Winter Soldier should also still be alive; the serum... it was a priceless treasure. Whoever obtained it would not destroy it easily.
So, who was it? What was the purpose?
A competitor? Other intelligence agencies? Or... some force he didn't even know about?
Pierce looked back at the big screen, staring at the blurry satellite images, looking at the empty car accident scene.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"