After returning to New York, Van En quickly received new information. The message came through one of Hydra's internal channels and carried a familiar signature. Minister Pierce, currently the most influential smuggler among them, intended to organize a meeting with several of the organization's major operators to discuss an important matter.
Van En naturally had no reason to refuse. On the contrary, he responded with immediate enthusiasm. Any opportunity to sit at the same table with Hydra's leadership—even a virtual one—was always valuable.
As usual, the meeting was conducted online.
For Hydra's leadership, caution was practically a religion. Even though they all belonged to the same organization, personal meetings were extremely rare. Every one of them understood that their fellow "allies" could just as easily become threats.
Trust simply did not exist at that level.
The only partial exception was Dr. Faust, who functioned more like a technical support officer than a true power player. Compared to the other leaders, Faust lacked both ambition and personal influence, which made him far less threatening.
Because of that, he cooperated with the others more often than most.
Even with Hydra's most advanced network protection protocols in place, the participants still relied on special cameras and heavily modified microphones. Their faces appeared as blurred silhouettes, and their voices carried deliberate distortion.
The precaution might have seemed excessive to outsiders.
To Hydra, however, it was standard procedure.
If anything, it demonstrated just how professional the organization had become in conducting its operations.
When the meeting interface finished loading, Van En scanned the digital room and noticed that fewer participants had joined than he expected. Even so, the individuals present were all familiar figures. Their identities were recognizable from posture, voice, and general outline.
Dr. Faust.
Dr. Arnim Zola.
Lady Euphemia Sarkiss, one of Hydra's most influential financiers.
Baron Wolfgang von Strucker.
Minister Alexander Pierce.
And Baron Zemo.
Zemo, however, was accompanied by someone new.
A woman sat beside him, her figure visible only as a vague outline on the screen. Her identity was unknown to Van En, but one thing was certain: anyone allowed into a meeting at this level was not an ordinary subordinate.
Her presence alone suggested she possessed a status worth noting.
Van En observed the gathering calmly.
Every single person present represented Hydra's modern faction. Not one member of the ancient branch had appeared.
This division was something Van En understood well.
Although both groups called themselves Hydra, their goals were fundamentally different.
The ancient faction devoted itself to locating the Blackrock portal and retrieving Hive, the ancient Hydra deity sealed beyond it. Their ideology revolved around restoring that forgotten god and reviving Hydra's original spiritual foundation.
The modern faction, however, had evolved directly from the legacy of Red Skull.
Their focus was not worship.
It was conquest.
They believed Hydra's purpose was to seize control of the world through intelligence operations, political manipulation, and military power. Their goal was simple: establish Hydra as the dominant force ruling the planet.
As for the ancient Hydra god?
Van En practically laughed at the idea.
Any ambitious villain would understand the problem immediately. Inviting a retired emperor back to rule over you again was hardly an appealing prospect.
Why summon a god only to kneel beneath him?
Compared to the ancientists, the modern faction possessed far greater influence and resources. As a result, they barely took the Hive legend seriously.
Once everyone had joined, the meeting officially began.
Pierce acted as both organizer and moderator.
"Gentlemen," he began calmly, his distorted voice echoing through the encrypted channel, "it's been quite a while since we last gathered like this."
He paused briefly, letting the room settle before continuing.
"I called you all here today because I'd like your opinions on a certain idea. I'm curious whether anyone has suggestions."
His gaze seemed to sweep across the digital conference table.
Everyone remained silent.
No one interrupted him.
Seeing their attention fully focused on him, Pierce nodded with clear satisfaction.
Van En watched quietly and clicked his tongue inwardly.
What's going on here?
Old Pierce is starting to look a little too confident.
"Ever since that well-known failure decades ago," Pierce continued, "Hydra has been forced to accumulate power in secrecy."
At that time, their enemies had been overwhelmingly powerful. Hydra had no choice but to scatter its surviving forces across the globe and rebuild from the shadows.
But now things were different.
"After decades of preparation," Pierce said, his voice rising slightly with excitement, "I believe Hydra has reached a new stage of victory."
"In Germany and Austria, our forces have regained considerable strength."
"Our operations in Madrid continue to expand."
"Our pharmaceutical research division has achieved extraordinary breakthroughs."
His tone grew increasingly confident.
"And most importantly… we are Hydra."
He allowed the words to linger.
"Today, we effectively control the world's most powerful intelligence organization."
S.H.I.E.L.D.
Pierce did not say the name directly, but everyone present understood exactly what he meant.
That achievement alone was unprecedented.
Pierce glanced at the silent figures seated around the table. The stillness of the room sent a strange chill through him.
For decades, he had been the one controlling S.H.I.E.L.D. Funding, intelligence, global influence—much of Hydra's growth had come from his position within that organization.
In his mind, the balance of power was obvious.
All these years, you've grown stronger using the resources I provided.
Now it's time to repay the debt.
"But…"
His tone suddenly shifted.
The excitement faded, replaced by something closer to regret.
"Despite our individual successes, Hydra's overall strength has not experienced the breakthrough we expected."
The reason was simple.
After their great defeat decades earlier, Hydra had fractured.
"You operate in Europe," Pierce continued. "Others in Asia. I remain in America."
"There is no unified leadership."
Without a central authority, their combined power remained scattered.
"So," Pierce said slowly, "I believe the time has come for Hydra to become a true family again."
The moment those words left his mouth, subtle reactions appeared across the virtual meeting room.
Though their faces remained obscured, small movements betrayed the tension building beneath the surface.
Van En, however, felt completely relaxed.
In fact, he thought Pierce's proposal made perfect sense.
If they were all part of the same family, then naturally what belonged to one member belonged to everyone else as well.
Why continue holding meetings across separate continents through encrypted video calls?
Why not simply meet in person?
When the time came, Van En even imagined welcoming them into his own territory for a personal tour. His hidden resources would certainly leave a memorable impression.
Pierce carefully observed everyone's reactions.
Deep down, he felt increasingly satisfied.
In his mind, these people had no choice but to accept the proposal.
Did they truly understand the scale of power he possessed now?
Project Insight was close to completion.
Once it succeeded, how could he possibly tolerate sharing authority equally with the others?
With that thought in mind, Pierce tapped the table lightly.
"Gentlemen," he said calmly, "my proposal is simple."
"We will establish a Hydra Supreme Council."
"All Hydra members will be managed by this council."
"All major operations will be directed by it."
He paused for effect.
"And each of you will serve as a member of this Supreme Council."
"How does that sound?"
"Excellent!"
The enthusiastic response exploded almost immediately.
Van En slammed his hand against the table and applauded loudly.
The sudden noise startled everyone.
Several blurred figures turned toward him.
"I completely support the Minister's—ah, I mean the Speaker's—plan," Van En declared confidently.
Silence followed.
The other snakeheads seemed to ignore him entirely.
Van En waited a moment before raising his hand again.
"Since we're forming a council," he said politely, "I'd like to ask whether the position of deputy speaker exists."
He smiled.
"Because I believe I'm quite qualified to compete for it."
Pierce chuckled politely.
"Of course, Mr. Vann," he replied. "I also believe you have a strong chance."
Once again, the room fell silent.
Van En leaned back in his chair and said nothing more.
The atmosphere became painfully quiet.
Although Pierce's face appeared only as a dark silhouette, Van En gradually sensed the irritation building behind it.
Several times, Pierce glanced toward him as if hoping he would say something to break the tension.
Van En pretended not to notice.
When Pierce looked his way again, Van En even raised his thumb and mouthed exaggeratedly.
"Boss, you're amazing."
Finally, Pierce could not endure the awkward silence any longer.
"Take time to consider today's proposal carefully," he said coldly.
"There is no need to make a decision immediately."
"I trust that each of you is capable of making the correct choice."
With that, his connection abruptly disconnected.
Van En rubbed his chin thoughtfully as the meeting interface closed.
Looks like someone's in a bad mood.
His thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Earlier, he had asked Pierce for Bruce Banner's exact location. Pierce had avoided the question and instead emphasized the Hulk's extraordinary combat ability and immense value.
The implication had been obvious.
They wanted money.
So Van En had simply changed his approach.
Originally, he planned to send Frost.
Instead, he delivered someone far more interesting.
The unfortunate Blood God Frost.
Van En had restored Frost's Blood God abilities, completely erased his will, and reshaped him into a loyal puppet. After that, he handed the man over to Pierce.
He even explained helpfully that Frost's memory had been wiped clean.
Now he was nothing more than an obedient tool.
Perfect as a bodyguard.
Much stronger than an ordinary enhanced soldier.
Van En wondered briefly where Frost was now.
Pierce was an old fox.
There was no way he would trust a gift sent by someone else without verification. Frost would certainly be subjected to endless brainwashing procedures, psychological testing, and brutal interrogation.
But none of that truly mattered.
With the Blood God's abilities restored, Frost was far too valuable to discard.
Van En leaned back in his chair and smiled faintly.
Come on, my son.
Don't disappoint me.
.....
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