American Comics: Tales of Cultivator

Chapter 166: Scheming

Suddenly, a massive shadow loomed over the Canyon, its gloom covering the entire Rift Valley Fault.

It was a Helicarrier, 350 meters long, 87 meters wide, with a full displacement of 122,000 tons.

Four massive turbine engines were positioned at the four corners of the vessel, powered by the immense energy source provided by four A1B nuclear fission reactors, causing the turbines to rotate rapidly and provide vertical lift for the mothership.

The rear of the Helicarrier was equipped with two combined jet engines, providing horizontal power and allowing the mothership to freely change direction as if sailing on water.

Furthermore, the Helicarrier, which had a double deck, carried over seventy aircraft, including but not limited to EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, F-35C Lightning II fighter jets, and E-2D Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft.

This newly commissioned Helicarrier was S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most powerful conventional military force.

The five thousand S.H.I.E.L.D. employees aboard worked tirelessly day and night on complex matters, doing their utmost to uphold the name of the "Shield".

And Nick Fury was their leader.

The setting sun cast its afterglow onto the Floor-to-ceiling Window of the Bridge (of a ship). Nick Fury's dark face showed no expression as he coldly listened to the Voice coming from his Mobile Phone.

At this moment, the one-eyed, burly black person took a deep breath, forcing himself to continue listening to the annoying Voice from the other end of the Phone Number.

"...Mr. Fury, this is an order from The Pentagon."

The Department of Defense Bureaucrat on the other end of the Phone Number said in a rote tone:

"We have communicated with Wakanda. Regarding the Security of this Secret Meeting, the Wakanda King specifically requested you to be responsible."

Nick Fury shook his head and said coldly, "The purpose of S.H.I.E.L.D. is to protect national territory security, and prevent superpowered crime events that could cause significant loss.

If it's just a Security issue for a Secret Meeting, you shouldn't come to me. This is not S.H.I.E.L.D.'s responsibility.

You can contact the CIA, FBI, National Security Bureau, National Security Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, or the Tri-Service Intelligence Agencies."

"Don't give me that nonsense," the The Pentagon Bureaucrat said in a deep Voice. "Director Nick Fury, this Matter was secured for you by your old superior, Alexander Pierce."

"This meeting concerns future changes in world landscape. Secretary Pierce specifically requested Agent Barton and an Agent named Natasha Romanoff from your bureau to be responsible for the Security Work of this meeting!"

"Oh?" Nick Fury frowned slightly and asked, "Secretary Pierce specifically requested us to be responsible for Security?"

He had been harboring suspicion towards Alexander Pierce recently, even conducting a secret investigation on him.

Alexander Pierce asking them to be responsible for the Security Work of the Secret Meeting between Wakanda and the Federation at this time made Nick Fury unsure of his intentions.

The matters concerning Wakanda involved a game between the five Bosses behind S.H.I.E.L.D.

This was a game between countries.

Even an Organization the scale of S.H.I.E.L.D. would end up as cannon fodder if it got involved.

Nick Fury did not want S.H.I.E.L.D. to wade into this muddy water. His most important Matter right now was to complete the self-investigation within the bureau as quickly as possible.

The The Pentagon Bureaucrat said in a deep Voice, "We have received Intelligence that someone wants to disrupt this Secret Meeting. Mr. Pierce recommended you to the White House.

Director Fury, since S.H.I.E.L.D. is responsible for this Matter, the Security Work must be done well!"

Nick Fury's eyebrow furrowed deeply, like the Valley beneath the Helicarrier. "Since it's a Secret Meeting, why was the information leaked?"

"At the level of national confrontation, there are no eternal secrets."

The Bureaucrat on the other end of the Phone Number said indifferently, "We are also investigating which part went wrong. Perhaps Wakanda wanted to exert pressure on us and deliberately leaked the Intelligence!"

"Currently, a bounty for the Wakanda King has appeared in the Underworld!"

"Director Fury, I hope S.H.I.E.L.D. can value this Security Mission.

Send as much manpower as possible.

Rest assured, no matter who it is, anyone suspected of undermining national security or threatening national interests will need to be reviewed and verified.

Regarding this Security aspect, I have communicated with the National Security Bureau, Defense Intelligence Agency, and National Reconnaissance Office on your behalf, asking them to share relevant Intelligence with you."

Despite the other party offering such favorable working conditions, Nick Fury was not satisfied in the least. He narrowed his single eye and asked hoarsely, "Why such a large-scale operation?"

The other end of the Phone Number was silent for a moment before saying indifferently, "This is not something you should be concerned about, Director Fury. You just need to be a qualified soldier and execute the Mission loyally and without compromise."

"No." Nick Fury shook his head and said, "S.H.I.E.L.D. is under the jurisdiction and management of the World Security Council.

The Pentagon only has advisory power over me, not command authority. If you refuse to tell me the truth, I'm afraid I cannot obey."

"...Are you sure you want to know?" the Bureaucrat said softly. "Nick Fury, this is a decision by The Pentagon and the White House. Although you represent the Federation's most powerful supernatural power response agency.

However, you must know that what you rely on is still within the federal political system.

Your Agents are federal citizens, the Helicarrier under your feet is federal property, and even you yourself are just a puppet pushed to the forefront by the Federation.

S.H.I.E.L.D. is like a knife. If the knife becomes dull, or even disobedient, turning its blade against the user, we won't hesitate to replace the blade."

Such a blatant threat was like pressing a gun barrel against Nick Fury's forehead. The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. clearly understood that the "we" the other party referred to was definitely not the Department of Defense, The Pentagon, or the White House, but the incredibly vast Federal Government itself.

"Yes! I understand. Regarding the Security of this Secret Meeting, S.H.I.E.L.D. will ensure the Security Work is done well!"

Nick Fury took a deep breath. After agreeing, he hung up the Phone Number directly! "Director, the Things are packed!"

On the Helicarrier, Agent Phil Coulson knocked and then pushed open the door to the Director's Office.

Having just finished the assessment of Ghost Rider, he immediately followed Nick Fury's Order to sort through Howard Stark's belongings at S.H.I.E.L.D., preparing to transfer them to Tony Stark in New York.

As soon as he entered the Office, he saw Nick Fury with a gloomy look.

"Phil Coulson, I'll personally go to New York to hand over the Things Howard Stark left behind to Tony Stark. There's a Mission I need you to go on!"

Phil Coulson naturally clasped his hands over his lower abdomen, waiting for Nick Fury's Order.

"In a few days, there will be a Secret Meeting in Washington D.C. Secretary Pierce specifically requested Hawkeye to perform Guard duty for the Mission. Phil Coulson, go and replace Hawkeye!"

"Hawkeye is currently guarding Brock Rumlow. I originally planned to transfer him back after the interrogation was finished, but our enemy's sense of smell is far sharper than I imagined!"

Nick Fury walked up to Phil Coulson and patted his shoulder. "Phil Coulson, Brock Rumlow is your responsibility now. As for the Interrogation, wait until Hill brings the Mind Reader back!"

Phil Coulson pursed his lips. "Yes, Officer!"

On the Helicarrier's Runway, Phil Coulson walked towards a Quinjet.

In front of the Office's Floor-to-ceiling Window, Nick Fury's Gaze deeply scrutinized everyone who appeared next to the Quinjet.

The Ground Crew responsible for guiding the fighter jet, the Agents who seemed to be just passing by...

...New Mexico, Albuquerque Rocky Mountains

Inside a Villa Safehouse hidden in the Mountain Range, the windows of all the Rooms were covered with cloth. Two single sofas were placed seemingly casually on the Ground.

Hawkeye Barton sat on a sofa, holding a coffee cup in his hand, his Gaze fixed on the Man opposite him.

His former colleague, Crossbones Brock Rumlow, held a glass of red wine mixed with truth serum potion in his hand. Under the Gaze of two Agents, he wore a sarcastic expression and, without any hesitation, gulped it down.

"Barton, how many times has it been? You should know, this Things is useless against me!"

Hawkeye Barton took a sip of coffee and frowned. "Brock, what exactly are you hiding?"

Brock Rumlow retorted, "Agent Barton, as the Cobra Commander of the field team in the bureau, I've been tied up here by you. I'd like to ask you, what exactly do you want to do?"

Barton looked at Brock Rumlow's defiant expression and shook his head. "Being stubborn is useless, Brock. You should know whose authorization I had to bring you here!"

"You should know Director Fury. Since you are on his suspicion list, don't expect any luck!"

Hearing Barton mention Nick Fury, a trace of Fear flashed deep in Brock Rumlow's eyes, but his face remained unchanged.

Soon, the drug effect of the truth serum kicked in! Brock Rumlow became completely groggy—

An ordinary-looking white Agent walked up to Brock Rumlow, leaned close to his ear, and spoke softly in a hypnosis tone.

"Officer Brock, it's me. Do you remember me?"

"You, who are you?" Brock Rumlow, groggy from the truth serum, asked confusedly! "I'm your subordinate! Don't you remember? We were ordered to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D.! Think about it—"

The white Agent was an Agent developed by Nick Fury himself, a hypnosis master who did not exist within the S.H.I.E.L.D. system.

Nick Fury deeply understood the principle of "a cunning rabbit has three burrows". He had dozens of such Safe Houses around the world that did not exist in S.H.I.E.L.D. records.

His Intelligence personnel and peripheral Agents who reported directly subordinate to him numbered up to several hundred.

These people were independent of the S.H.I.E.L.D. system. Even their activity funding bypassed S.H.I.E.L.D. and was issued from Nick Fury's personal slush fund.

After learning that the interior of S.H.I.E.L.D. was not safe, he urgently activated this batch of manpower directly subordinate to him.

"S.H.I.E.L.D.," Brock Rumlow muttered. As he repeated the name, a struggling look appeared on his face.

"Officer, we've recently been compiling a list of our own people within the bureau. We need your cooperation—"

...

"Ding-a-ling"

Hawkeye Barton took out his Mobile Phone. Looking at the Agent conducting the Interrogation, he got up and walked towards another Room.

"Hello, Director! Okay, I understand!"

Barton answered the Phone Number. After listening to Nick Fury's Order on the Phone Number, he hung up the Mobile Phone.

"Temporarily stop the Interrogation, evacuate here immediately..."

Barton walked out of the Room and gave an Order.

Eight Agents, along with Brock Rumlow, left the Villa Safehouse and quickly disappeared into the Mountain Range.

...

Fifteen minutes later, a Quinjet landed vertically on the Helipad of a Safe House in the Rocky Mountains.

Phil Coulson stepped out of the Quinjet. He didn't immediately enter the Villa but turned and walked outside, busying himself for a while under a few Trees in front of the Villa before returning. He walked up to the Villa Gate, looked at the Villa Room with the Curtains drawn, and without hesitation, pushed the door open and walked in, then closed the Room door again.

Three minutes after Phil Coulson entered the Villa Safehouse,

High above the Rocky Mountains, two Quinjets appeared in the sky, hidden among the clouds.

"Officer, the target Safe House is locked! Should we force entry!"

On one Quinjet, a pilot wearing a black and white eagle S.H.I.E.L.D. badge on his chest opened an encrypted communication channel.

World Security Council Headquarters, Alexander Pierce stood in front of a Floor-to-ceiling Window, holding a Mobile Phone.

Looking at the figure reflected in the Floor-to-ceiling Window, he hesitated slightly.

Alexander Pierce was not certain that Brock Rumlow was inside the Safe House!

But even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, he couldn't take the risk.

"Brock! Hail Hydra!"

Alexander Pierce muttered a phrase to the reflection in the Floor-to-ceiling Window.

Then, without hesitation, he issued the Order.

"Destroy that Safe House!"

Boom boom boom boom boom boom...

The pilots of the two Quinjets simultaneously pressed the firepower strike button on their Quinjets.

From the rocket pods, dense rockets were aimed directly at the Villa Safehouse below for carpet bombing.

The entire Villa instantly became a sea of fire.

After two rounds of rocket carpet bombing, the two Quinjets simultaneously fired two missiles, completely leveling the Villa before slowly descending.

The two Quinjets hovered at low altitude, their cabin doors opened, and they lowered two fast ropes.

Several fully armed security personnel wearing S.H.I.E.L.D. badges on their chests quickly slid down the ropes to the Ground.

Once everyone had assembled, these armed security personnel formed groups of three and cautiously advanced in combat formation, searching towards the Villa Ruins.

Behind them, among the branches and leaves of several large Trees, inside tree holes, several micro cameras were rotating.

Filming their faces and recording the serial numbers of the two Quinjets.

(end of chapter)