Zola's voice rang out, "First correction, I am Swiss."
"Second correction, look around—I am very much alive and kicking."
As soon as Steve and Natasha entered the facility, Zola immediately reported the situation to Pierce.
After a brief moment of thought, Pierce made his decision: sacrificing Zola was acceptable as long as Steve could be eliminated.
"Zola, stall Steve and Natasha. I'll deploy an intercontinental missile to destroy the site."
Zola knew that the devices containing his consciousness were all in this facility. If it were destroyed, his data would be obliterated, and he would cease to exist.
However, if Hydra could fully consolidate its control and eliminate Steve in the process, it would be worth it.
Zola continued introducing himself, "In 1972, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer."
"Science could not save my body, but my mind had to endure."
"So I uploaded my consciousness into this two-million-unit database."
"You are standing in my brain."
Steve glanced around and approached the computer again, asking, "Why are you here?"
Zola explained, "I was invited."
Natasha chimed in, "Operation Paperclip after World War II—S.H.I.E.L.D. recruited German scientists of strategic value."
Zola added, "They believed I could help them achieve their goals, and I achieved mine."
Steve asserted, "Hydra died with Red Skull."
Zola replied, "Cut off one head, and two more shall take its place."
Steve scoffed, "Prove it."
Eager to stall for time and convinced of Steve's impending death, Zola revealed the truth without hesitation.
"Accessing archives."
Soon, video footage began playing on the computer screens before them.
"Hydra's founding principle was that humanity cannot govern its own freedom. But we failed to realize that if we tried to take it, people would resist."
"War taught us many lessons—humanity needs to willingly relinquish freedom."
"After the war, S.H.I.E.L.D. was formed, and I was recruited. A new Hydra was born, like a beautiful parasite inside S.H.I.E.L.D."
"For seventy years, Hydra has worked behind the scenes, engineering crises and instigating wars. When history didn't follow our plans, we changed it."
As the footage and Zola's words unfolded, Natasha was visibly shaken.
"That's impossible. S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn't allow it."
A photograph of Howard Stark's death appeared on the screen.
"Accidents are unavoidable," Zola said.
"Hydra has created a chaotic world, forcing humanity to eventually trade freedom for security. Once the purification process is complete, Hydra's new world order will be realized."
"We've already won, Captain."
"Your death, like your life, will be meaningless."
Enraged by Zola's declaration of Hydra's victory, Steve punched the monitor in front of him, shattering it with a deafening bang!
The largest screen in front of them was destroyed, but a nearby screen remained intact.
Zola's voice came through again, "As I was saying..."
Before Zola could finish, Steve interrupted, "What's on the USB drive?"
Zola replied, "The Insight Project."
"The project requires insight, so I developed an algorithm."
Natasha asked, "What algorithm? What does it do?"
Zola explained, "The answer to your question is fascinating, but unfortunately, you won't live to hear it."
Natasha retorted, "What about the ninjas? That group isn't something S.H.I.E.L.D. or Hydra can contend with."
Zola dismissed her claim, "Don't worry about them. We've already developed the means to counter their threat."
As Zola spoke, the doors to the room began to close automatically. The loud sound immediately caught their attention.
Steve threw his shield to wedge the door and prevent it from closing, but it was ineffective—the shield was bounced back.
At the same time, Natasha's phone sounded an alarm. She checked it and exclaimed in shock, "Steve, a missile's been detected!"
"It's not far—no more than 30 seconds away."
Steve asked, "Who launched it?"
"S.H.I.E.L.D."
Zola's voice chimed in again, "I've been stalling for time, Captain."
"Accept your fate—it's better this way."
Natasha quickly yanked out the USB drive.
Steve scanned the room and noticed a drainage cover beneath them. He ran over, pulled it off, and discarded it, revealing a drainage tunnel about one meter wide, two meters long, and one meter deep.
Lifting Natasha into his arms, Steve jumped into the tunnel and raised his shield over their heads for protection.
The missile struck.
Boom!
The underground facility, buried nearly ten meters deep, was engulfed in flames. Steve shielded himself and Natasha from falling debris with his shield.
After the explosion, Steve and Natasha miraculously survived. However, Natasha was unconscious.
Carrying her, Steve quickly fled the scene as armed helicopters loomed in the distance.
Soon after, Brock Rumlow and a large team of operatives arrived on the scene and began searching the area.
After a thorough search, Rumlow found footprints indicating Steve's escape. He ordered, "Pull everyone back."
The operatives boarded the helicopters and left the scene.
…
At Pierce's Home-
Returning home, Pierce opened the refrigerator only to see the Winter Soldier sitting nearby.
The housekeeper's voice came from behind, "I'm leaving now, Mr. Pierce."
"Do you need me to do anything else before I go?"
Glancing at the Winter Soldier, Pierce replied, "No, it's fine. Go home, Renate."
"Alright. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
The housekeeper left, and the sound of the door closing echoed through the house.
Confirming the departure, Pierce turned to the Winter Soldier and asked, "Want some milk?"
He poured himself a glass and continued, "Plans have changed—this is a rare opportunity."
"Two Level 6 targets. They cost me Zola."
"Eliminate them within the next ten hours."
At that moment, Renate unexpectedly reappeared behind Pierce.
"Sorry, Mr. Pierce, I..."
She froze upon seeing someone else in the living room besides Pierce.
"I... I forgot my phone."
Pierce turned to look at her, his expression a mix of annoyance and resignation. Truth be told, he had grown accustomed to this housekeeper after many years.