The complete absence of survivors wasn't due to Big Head and his team's harsh operational plans or kill orders. Rather, it stemmed from the Skrulls themselves growing increasingly indulgent on Earth. Nick Fury's body was barely cold, yet the aliens who once appeared to follow his commands obediently had already begun shedding their restraint.
Talos, the Skrull leader, epitomized this shift. While he hadn't fully unveiled his future plans to all his tribesmen, his personal actions and those of his high-ranking members offered glimpses of his intentions. Even the dimmer Skrulls, too oblivious to recognize the abnormality, began to relax without Fury's supervision.
This manifested in specific behaviors—what Big Head and his team witnessed that night. Skating, murder, robbery, and other acts violating human social order became commonplace, whether driven by curiosity or a desire to vent. Such actions sealed their fate.
Thus, the Alien Surveillance Department's first operation ended in pure slaughter. Contrary to Yelena and the others' expectations, no living captives were taken for further investigation. Early the next morning, Hong Fei received the news.
"If you killed them, you killed them. What are you afraid of? Did you think I'd get angry over a bunch of aliens for no reason?"
Honestly, Hong Fei wasn't surprised by the operation's outcome. No matter how gentle and amiable the Skrulls appeared, it wasn't because they were inherently peaceful. Their demeanor merely reflected the presence of a power they couldn't afford to provoke.
Otherwise, how could the Skrulls have waged a great war against the Kree Empire? How could they have escaped under their leader's guidance despite the Kree's formidable combat capabilities?
The one who truly instilled fear in them, prompting their gentle facade, wasn't Earthling Nick Fury. It was Captain Marvel Carol Danvers, who knew their origins, held many of their secrets, and possessed the power to annihilate them. Now, Carol Danvers was dead, and Nick Fury, who knew their identities, was also gone.
With the sword hanging over their heads vanished, the Skrulls, armed with interstellar technology and a more advanced civilization, saw no reason to continue enduring. A real man born between heaven and Earth—how could he live under others for long? Especially in a society of Earthlings who hadn't even managed to leave their home planet?
Carol was dead, replaced by a Dragon King who seemed even more powerful. Yet, in the Skrulls' eyes, this stronger Dragon King didn't even know of their existence. With the hidden-light relationship clear, the Skrulls, once prosperous and gifted, mocked Pierce's dragon-slaying plan as suicidal while simultaneously acting with audacity against Earth's nations, S.H.I.E.L.D., and even The Foundation. This wasn't contradictory.
"Since they argue they aren't Earthlings and therefore don't need to follow Earth's laws and regulations, then when you take action, you don't need to consider them as humans either. They don't enjoy immunity within humanity—they don't even have human rights. You don't need me to teach you what to do, right?"
"No need, no need, Boss. Don't worry, we'll definitely complete the first operation of the Alien Surveillance Department seriously. It's just that we killed quite a few tonight, and I'm afraid the Skrulls will react. If they notice something beforehand, subsequent operations might run into some trouble."
"Discovery is inevitable, and trouble is normal. It's better if they take the initiative to attack. Can't you defeat them?"
"Boss, of course we wouldn't fear those damn green-skins, but the speed of subsequent operations might slow down, and I have another idea."
"Speak."
Big Head on the screen paused slightly, his eyes and thoughts swirling. Before long, he said with a firm tone, "Boss, our current method of actively searching puts them in the dark while we are in the light. Whether it's purely for revenge or to appease their people, they will definitely take the initiative to find us and retaliate. But after the subsequent retaliation, I worry they might give up most of their actions out of fear. This would only cause great trouble for our mission objectives."
"So, I was thinking, could we give them a chance to fish in troubled waters, and then simultaneously reveal their existence to the whole world?" Hong Fei moved his eyebrows and said, "Not a bad idea. You can do it; no need to ask for permission."
Hearing this, Big Head chuckled, "Boss, what I mean is, HYDRA should be starting their operation soon. The Skrulls might want to get some benefits from it, and they have already planned to replace Hill and Coulson. I was thinking, can we go along with their plan, let them succeed once, and then find an opportunity to wipe them all out?" Hong Fei thought for a moment, shook his head and said, "No need. First, this will only embolden them. The Skrulls' shape-shifting ability is almost unsolvable when facing ordinary people on Earth; they have the absolute advantage. Second, we possess the core power to counter them, but currently, only you and I possess Psychic Power, while the other side doesn't know how we accurately pick them out from the general public. This is the advantage of the Alien Surveillance Department."
"Third, you should remember what I said: The Foundation never compromises. In terms of overall strength, they are only fit to carry your shoes."
Big Head was slightly stunned, then quickly nodded in agreement, "You are right, I was thinking wrong."
"It doesn't matter. There are many ways to complete the task of clearing out the Skrulls. This just goes to show that our strength allows us to flexibly make changes to deal with various accidents. Whether it's you or others, there's no need to imagine aliens as being too powerful. Their technological level is indeed very high, and a complete race might truly be able to crush Earth civilization, but at the same time, you should also know that with your current strength, even if you enter the Universe, you would be objects that various civilizations and empires would scramble to snatch up. You are really strong!"
After hearing this, Big Head laughed so hard he couldn't close his legs, but in his mouth, he still didn't forget to decline and praise back, "Boss, you are too kind. You are the strongest; you are the undisputed strongest!" Hong Fei rolled his eyes at him and said, "Enough nonsense. The operation cannot stop. Kill those who need to be killed. Don't be careless and stop just to leave a live captive. Even if you kill them all, it will only make the reputation of the Alien Surveillance Department resound globally, while also deterring other aliens who might come to Earth in the future. If anyone on Earth wants to empathize with aliens or talk about human rights or other messy things, just kill him directly."
"No problem!"
Just as their conversation was about to end, Arthur, who was on standby 24/7, suddenly spoke up.
"Sir, an abnormal signal has been detected at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. The water level of the river next to the Triskelion has started to drop rapidly."
Hearing this, both of them frowned.
"Boss, Pierce is actually starting to act?"
Hong Fei let out a sudden, derisive snort.
"That old bastard told me the Insight Project's final test wasn't ready yet. Guess he was holding out on me after all."
Big Head's brow furrowed.
"Boss, Pierce actually launched the operation in broad daylight. He must have backup plans. I'm worried—"
"Worried he'll come after me?"
"Yeah."
"Then stop worrying."
Hong Fei's lips curled.
"He's definitely coming after me."
Big Head's voice turned urgent.
"I'm in Washington right now. Let me go take him out—"
"Hold your horses. Targeting me doesn't mean targeting me personally."
The realization hit Big Head instantly.
"Sokovia?"
"And New York."
"I'll contact Mr. Xu and Fury for backup immediately."
"Wenwu's busy securing Fury's leftover bases and supplies for the next few years. Frank's in London cleaning up gangs while supporting Foundation personnel."
Hong Fei drummed his fingers on the armrest.
"Everyone's occupied."
"Then... then we handle it ourselves!"
Hong Fei clicked his tongue.
"Why do I get the feeling you're more worked up than I am?"
Big Head's face spasmed into a pained grin.
"Boss, HYDRA might be weak, but they don't hold back. If those three get hurt—"
"And?"
"You'll be pissed. And guess who'll bear the brunt of that?"
He shuddered.
"I'm not taking the fall for HYDRA's mess."
"Well well."
Hong Fei's eyebrows rose.
"Someone's gotten smarter."
Arthur's voice crackled through the comms, sharp with alarm.
"Multiple hostile signals detected near Sokovia. Ground forces mobilizing. Naval fleet and submarines standing by offshore."
Hong Fei chuckled.
"So he talked Strucker into a suicide pact. Good. More territory for us."
"Fighter squadrons armed to the teeth heading for the New York manor. One's carrying a nuke."
"Again with the nukes?"
Hong Fei rolled his eyes.
"No creativity."
"Ms. Mei's apartment building is under military lockdown. Troops are—"
"They're going after a civilian now?"
Hong Fei's voice went dangerously soft.
"Animals. Though dropping a nuke on the manor would take out half of New York anyway. Overkill."
He commented idly, as if watching a bad action movie. Big Head wasn't having it.
"Boss, Pierce is overplaying his hand. If we wait any longer—"
"Navy. Army. Air Force."
Hong Fei counted off on his fingers.
"All infested with HYDRA. How many more surprises you think they've got?"
"Boss!"
"What boss? I said stand down. Keep hunting Skrulls and stay clear of the Triskelion."
Seeing Big Head's crestfallen look, Hong Fei relented slightly.
"Remember, I'm HYDRA now. Let the Avengers handle this round. Our Captain HYDRA needs his moment."
Big Head's face went blank, gears turning behind his eyes. Hong Fei stood.
"Where you headed first, boss?"
"Where do you think?"
Big Head scrunched his face in thought.
"Sokovia first. Then Ms. Mei. Manor last. In order, without offending anyone."
"You're very particular."
Hong Fei smirked.
"But I'm paying Pierce a visit."
"He'll be in hiding."
"Doubt it. He'll be at S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ."
Big Head gaped.
"Don't believe me?"
Hong Fei's grin widened.
"Wanna bet?"
"Bet what?"
"If he's not there, you win. I'll owe you one. If he's there, I win—and your year-end bonus disappears."
Big Head scowled.
"He wouldn't stay at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. That's practically inviting you to kick his door down."
"Overthinking won't help. Go see for yourself."
With a flick of his arm, Hong Fei sliced open a Portal and stepped through.