"Afraid of misidentifying people?"
Lucas turned to Hawkeye and said calmly,
"Then find a method that cannot make mistakes."
"That's impossible," Hawkeye said helplessly after exchanging a glance with Natasha.
"Unless you can read minds, there's no way to tell who's really Hydra."
Lucas shook his head.
"Mind-reading is one option—but it wastes too much time."
"What I intend to do is wipe out Hydra in America within a single day."
Natasha shook her head.
"I have to warn you—if Hydra managed to stay hidden inside S.H.I.E.L.D. for this long, they definitely have perfect cover identities."
"I honestly can't think of any way to uproot Hydra completely in one day."
Lucas smiled.
"Don't worry. You'll understand very soon."
At that moment, a phone rang.
Lucas answered it, and a translucent interface immediately projected across his vision.
This was a prototype device he had "borrowed" from LexCorp when leaving Luthor's secret lab—a test-stage product capable of projecting electronic interfaces directly onto contact-lens-like chips.
On the screen sat three men and one woman in a uniquely designed conference room.
Upon connecting, all four stood up.
The middle-aged white man in front spoke first:
"Mr. Lucas, I'm Webster Hank, Director of the FBI."
"Present with me are CIA Director Dwight Malone, NSA Director Esther David, and IRS Director Mary Zamora."
"By order of the President, we will fully cooperate with your operation."
Lucas nodded.
"Good. Then I won't waste time."
"From this moment on, suspend all current assignments."
"Mobilize every resource and personnel you can command, and surround all S.H.I.E.L.D. branches within America."
"Wait for my orders, and be prepared to detain all S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel."
The four directors' expressions changed instantly.
FBI Director Hank hesitated and said,
"Mr. Lucas, forgive my bluntness—but that's S.H.I.E.L.D., an organization under the Security Council."
NSA Director David added gravely,
"Mr. Lucas, I must remind you—S.H.I.E.L.D. operates globally."
"In America alone, they have over a hundred public branches and more than sixty thousand active employees."
"Not to mention hidden agents and secret facilities."
Lucas replied flatly,
"Don't worry. The current Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury, is right beside me."
"He'll provide you with the locations of all hidden bases and covert personnel."
"No!"
Nick Fury finally snapped back to reality and shouted,
"That's impossible! What you're doing is destroying S.H.I.E.L.D.!"
"Nick Fury," Lucas sneered,
"Do you honestly think the current S.H.I.E.L.D. is still worthy of that name?"
"If I don't intervene now, Hydra will strike sooner or later."
"Do you really believe they spent decades infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D. just to steal files?"
"When they fully reveal themselves, do you think you'll be able to stop them?"
"At that point, S.H.I.E.L.D. either becomes Hydra and turns its guns on the world—possibly triggering a fourth world war."
"Or S.H.I.E.L.D. collapses entirely and becomes a global pariah."
"So tell me, Nick Fury—
am I destroying S.H.I.E.L.D., or are you burying it shovel by shovel?"
Fury stared at Lucas.
He knew Lucas was right.
Lucas had the power to erase S.H.I.E.L.D. outright. Even if some hidden assets survived, the organization would become a hunted remnant.
And with the four major U.S. agencies watching closely, once Lucas stepped aside, they would tear S.H.I.E.L.D. apart without hesitation.
"…Fine," Fury finally said hoarsely.
"I understand."
"I'll send you everything. I only hope you keep your word."
At this point, Fury had no leverage left.
His final trump card—Captain Marvel—couldn't arrive in time even if summoned.
Lucas had moved too fast.
His goal was never just the Tesseract.
It was S.H.I.E.L.D. itself.
The four directors had heard everything.
Though their faces remained composed, excitement churned beneath the surface.
They were often labeled "special departments," yet constantly had to yield to S.H.I.E.L.D.
The IRS, in particular, harbored deep resentment—S.H.I.E.L.D.'s funding was completely exempt from their oversight.
"You've all heard it," Lucas said calmly.
"You may arrest personnel—but all equipment, databases, and servers must remain sealed and untouched."
"I'm not here to destroy S.H.I.E.L.D."
"I'm here to purge Hydra."
"Without my authorization, you are forbidden from revealing Hydra as the true target of this operation."
"As for the cover story—make something up yourselves."
FBI Director Hank asked,
"What if they resist?"
Lucas's lips curved slightly.
"Once the encirclement is complete, Nick Fury will issue a public statement as Director, announcing cooperation with the investigation."
"All agents will be ordered not to resist."
Hank's eyes lit up.
"So anyone who does resist or flee at that point—"
"—clearly has something to hide," Lucas finished.
"Hydra or not."
"Capture them alive if possible. If not—neutralize them."
"And one more thing."
"If anyone in your four agencies violates protocol and fires first before resistance is confirmed—"
"Treat them as Hydra suspects and detain them as well."
The four directors exchanged uneasy glances.
"That… isn't this too extreme?" someone asked.
Lucas looked at them coldly.
"If this operation leaks—even a little—I will personally interrogate the four of you."
"Don't assume Hydra exists only within S.H.I.E.L.D."
"They've infiltrated other institutions as well—so watch yourselves."
"Now go. Call me once you're ready."
The call ended.
Lucas turned to Nick Fury.
"Fury. I don't need to remind you, do I?"
Fury said nothing.
With a dark expression, he returned to his desk and opened his computer.
After a series of commands, he compiled a complete archive containing S.H.I.E.L.D.'s hidden bases and covert personnel—
and sent it to the four directors.
_____
T/N:
For readers who would like early access, my Patreon is available for just $4 per month. You'll unlock 90+ advance chapters and help support ongoing works.
🔗 patreon.com/user?u=79514336
You may also search Translator-Sama directly on Patreon.
Your support is sincerely appreciated