"There's more," Tony added with a smirk. "Our moral compass, Captain America, is now a wanted man. Charges? Assassinating Nick Fury."
He gave a short laugh. "Steve killing someone? Sure. Steve killing Fury? Not buying it."
"Hydra," Karl said flatly. "I warned Fury S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't clean. He ignored it. Now the whole nest has surfaced."
Outside the apartment building, S.H.I.E.L.D. tactical units surrounded the perimeter—but none dared advance past the invisible barrier enclosing Karl's office.
Tony had already moved.
"Something this interesting? I'm in. I'll be there shortly."
He ended the call.
---
Malibu
"JARVIS, prep the armor. Load the new weapons package."
"Yes, sir."
In the lab, a hexagonal arc reactor slid into position, nanotech conduits linking seamlessly into the core system.
"Sir, the new undersuit is ready. Next-generation Stark fiber. Breathable, reinforced, temperature resistant."
A mannequin rose from the floor platform, clad in a sleek black compression suit.
Tony tugged the small button at the sleeve. The suit loosened instantly.
He removed his jacket, slipped into it, and pressed the button again.
The fabric tightened, molding perfectly to his frame.
He flexed.
No resistance.
"Market it," he said casually. "Call it a performance line."
"Yes, sir."
The arc reactor locked into his chest with a precise click.
"Keep the house standing, JARVIS."
Moments later, he blasted skyward, banking toward New York.
---
New York – Karl's Office
Gunfire hammered uselessly against the barrier. Every bullet disintegrated on contact.
Residents leaned out of windows, watching like it was a public spectacle.
Inside, Skye calmly sipped tea and continued typing.
Karl stepped outside.
Gunfire ceased immediately.
"Mr. Norman," the lead agent called out, voice measured. "Return S.H.I.E.L.D. property. Failure to comply authorizes force."
Force.
Against him.
Karl raised an eyebrow.
Back at headquarters, Alexander Pierce watched the live feed.
"Put me through."
Moments later, a portable projector activated.
Pierce's image flickered into view.
"Mr. Norman," he began smoothly. "Alexander Pierce. S.H.I.E.L.D. liaison."
"I know who you are," Karl replied evenly. "Leader of Hydra."
The reaction was immediate.
Weapons snapped back up.
Pierce's expression tightened—just for a second—before the smile returned.
"You're well informed."
"I scattered Strucker's ashes myself."
"Strucker was reckless," Pierce dismissed. "I am not."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Join me. Whatever you want—power, influence, resources—it's yours."
It wasn't an exaggeration.
With Karl's power backing Hydra, global domination would be inevitable.
"What if I want your position?" Karl asked lightly. "Leader of Hydra."
Pierce didn't hesitate.
"Done. You'd take full control of S.H.I.E.L.D. immediately."
Even Karl paused at that.
Madness.
"I'll be visiting headquarters," Karl said at last.
Then he raised his hand.
Dark clouds churned above the building.
Thunder split the sky.
Lightning crashed down in a blinding cascade.
Every Hydra agent on the ground was reduced to ash before they understood what was happening.
On the projection feed, Pierce witnessed it all.
"So this is your answer," he said coldly.
"You'll regret this."
"We'll see."
Another bolt shattered the projector.
Above, three helicopters circled, opening fire.
Karl flicked his wrist.
Razor-sharp wind blades carved through steel.
The helicopters disintegrated midair.
At that moment, Tony descended beside him, repulsors glowing.
"I'm guessing those were Hydra?"
"Hydra's everywhere inside S.H.I.E.L.D.," Karl replied. "Assume no one's clean."
"And our vintage super-soldier?"
"New Jersey. Hydra has something buried there."
Tony tilted his helmeted head.
"Road trip?"
Karl's eyes gleamed.
"Exactly."
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