Chapter 128: The Exposure of Hydra-Shield
Black Widow reached out and touched the barrier, realizing she was blocked outside. She couldn't help but mock herself:
"So he had already discovered us. I'm going to get an earful from the Director when I get back."
She called the logistics team from the local S.H.I.E.L.D. branch for support to transport the injured agents back for treatment. Then, she quickly dialed Director Nick Fury's private line and reported the situation.
Meanwhile, inside the school, Wolverine watched as George re-established the magical barrier. He lit a cigar and teased:
"George, that lady was holding her butt the whole time. Did you two just—"
"Logan, the children are still here. Watch your words."
Professor X, standing nearby, quickly glared at him to cut him off.
Some of the children, however, had strange smiles on their faces, clearly understanding what Wolverine was implying.
"Alright, enough jokes. I just gave her a little punishment to send a message. The real challenge is tomorrow. Everyone, go back to sleep."
George waved his hand with a smile, sending everyone back to their dormitories.
Today was nothing. Tomorrow's negotiation with Nick Fury was far more important.
If the talks went well, not only would they be free from harassment by S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra for a long time, but they could also get the CIA to drop the warrant for Professor X and reclaim his vast family fortune.
---
The next day, at 1:50 PM, a black car stopped at the entrance of the mutant school.
Nick Fury, the one-eyed Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Black Widow (whose butt had thankfully recovered), and Hawkeye Barton, armed with his bow, stepped out of the car.
"Has the tech team analyzed what this thing is?"
Nick Fury walked up to the school gate and knocked on the transparent barrier.
Black Widow quickly replied:
"They said it's a powerful force field. Once activated, regular firearms would have a hard time breaking through. But a missile strike would do the trick."
"What a shame. It would've been great if they joined the Avengers Initiative."
Nick Fury sighed. He admired George, a mutant with a variety of extraordinary abilities.
"Welcome, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., to our school. Come, sit down and have some tea. Let's talk."
The gates instantly opened, and the barrier disappeared, revealing George sitting on a stone bench, brewing tea.
"Tea? I didn't expect you to have such a hobby."
Nick Fury calmly walked into the school with his two companions and sat on the stone bench opposite George.
George waved his hand, and the brewed tea floated into Nick Fury's cup:
"After leaving the base, I watched a lot of TV and became interested in this drink. Don't tell me you don't like it, Director?"
"I prefer black tea over green tea."
Nick Fury replied.
"That's easy."
George pointed at Nick Fury's cup:
"Flavio Modifico!"
The green tea in the cup instantly turned into black tea.
"How's that? If you don't like black tea, I can make it wine."
George took a sip of his green tea and smiled.
Nick Fury's expression shifted slightly at the magical display, but he quickly smiled:
"You insisted on meeting me, saying it concerns the life and death of S.H.I.E.L.D. What do you mean by that?"
"You only brought two subordinates with you. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you right here?"
George didn't answer immediately but instead asked a question.
Nick Fury laughed.
"Killing me won't change anything. A new Director will take my place. No matter who sits in this position, they won't let you operate unchecked for the sake of global security.
Besides, S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't as weak as you might think."
He pointed to the sky:
"If I wanted, a missile could be precisely launched here right now. Can your force field stop that?
Even if it can stop one, can it stop a second? A third?"
George had been trying to intimidate him since he entered, so Nick Fury wasn't about to back down.
George laughed:
"Director, you're joking. Why would I kill you? We're just a group of law-abiding mutants. I was just teasing you. Don't take it seriously."
"Law-abiding and well-behaved?"
Black Widow, standing behind Nick Fury, couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Of course, I believe you, Mr. George. But the folks in the White House might not. So, I still hope you'll consider our proposal.
Think of it as a transaction—a win-win situation."
"A transaction? The reason I invited you here today is also for a win-win deal."
George remained unmoved:
"I want you to drop the CIA's warrant for Professor X, return his assets, stop interfering with our lives, and help us re-register this school and provide identities for my students.
In return, I'll tell you a secret."
"Mr. George, are you joking again?
What kind of secret could possibly be worth such conditions?"
Nick Fury's face showed a hint of amusement.
George calmly poured himself another cup of tea:
"What if this secret concerns the safety of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the entire world?"
"What are you talking about?"
Nick Fury, seeing that George wasn't joking, replied:
"If that's truly the case, then it's worth the exchange. But I don't believe you have such a secret."
George looked up at Nick Fury and revealed a secret that left all three of them stunned.
"After Red Skull disappeared, you thought Hydra had been completely eradicated. So, you initiated Operation Paperclip and recruited Dr. Zola, a former Hydra scientist, into S.H.I.E.L.D.
Unfortunately, you didn't expect that Zola would secretly rebuild Hydra within S.H.I.E.L.D., even turning most of the agents trained at the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy into Hydra operatives.
Many of your high-ranking officials are also Hydra agents.
So, your S.H.I.E.L.D. should now be called Hydra-Shield.
And many of the missions you thought were saving the world and maintaining global security were actually clearing obstacles for Hydra and achieving their goals.
Do you think this secret is worth the conditions I just proposed?"
"How... how do you know all this?"
For the first time, Nick Fury's expression lost its composure. Even when George had threatened to kill him earlier, he had remained calm.
"The people who attacked me, Coulson, and Miss Potts last time were Hydra agents.
Both the Professor and I have psychic abilities. We can modify and read memories.
So, uncovering this information wasn't too difficult."
George continued calmly:
"If you don't believe me, you can investigate when you return. I'm sure you'll find traces of Hydra if you look in the right direction."
(End of Chapter)