Marvel: I Can Summon

While S.H.I.E.L.D's formation was relatively recent, Natasha Romanoff knew its history well. Within S.H.I.E.L.D, or its precursor, the Strategic Scientific Reserve, the biggest enemy had always been HYDRA.

But wasn't HYDRA supposed to have been wiped out during World War II by Captain America? How could they still exist now?

"Nothing's impossible," Kyle remarked. "I've known for a while that S.H.I.E.L.D is riddled with HYDRA agents. Alexander Pierce being HYDRA was something I suspected, but I didn't think he'd go this far. I thought it would be Nick Fury pulling something like this, but it seems he understands the gravity of the situation."

As he spoke, Kyle used his psychokinesis to crush the middle-aged man's throat, killing him instantly. The next second, Kyle vanished.

Natasha Romanoff approached the body and checked for a pulse, but Hawkeye shook his head.

"Well, this guy's done. We can head back," Hawkeye said, relieved. Facing Kyle had left him feeling utterly powerless.

Natasha nodded, but then her expression changed. Go back? Compared to home, she knew Kyle was more likely to go after Alexander Pierce. And Pierce was still in S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters. She had even seen him when she left on her mission with Hawkeye. How did Kyle know this?

Natasha was convinced Kyle knew. Even if he didn't, she believed he could find Pierce easily. After all, Kyle had found Tony Stark hidden in the desert for two months.

Without hesitation, Natasha contacted Nick Fury.

"How's it going?" Fury asked.

"All dead, no survivors," Natasha reported.

"I see."

Nick Fury's voice was calm. "Come back. I'll send a team to handle the aftermath."

"Director, there's something more urgent," Natasha insisted.

"Tell me."

"This incident was orchestrated by former Director Alexander Pierce."

"What?!"

Fury's voice finally betrayed a hint of shock.

"Kyle used some means to find out that Pierce is the head of HYDRA. He even warned us about it," Natasha explained.

"How reliable is this information?" Fury asked.

"More than ninety percent," Natasha replied.

After a long pause, Fury said, "Understood. Come back."

He hung up, looking exhausted.

Fury had long suspected issues within S.H.I.E.L.D and had initiated a secret investigation. What he found shocked him: an enormous clandestine force within the agency. He realized these forces could not have grown without top-level protection. He suspected Alexander Pierce and had found links between Pierce and these forces. But he never imagined these forces were HYDRA, supposedly destroyed in World War II.

"Director! An intruder has been detected," Fury's headset buzzed.

"Show me the feed."

"Yes, sir."

Seeing the intruder, Fury's eyes narrowed. After a brief pause, he commanded, "This is a special exercise. Inform all agents to stay at their posts and not to engage."

"But, Director..."

"Do it," Fury ordered.

"Yes, sir."

"And notify Director Pierce," Fury added.

"Yes, sir."

...

The intruder in the S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters was none other than Kyle. He had expected heavy resistance but was surprised to encounter none. People looked at him oddly but didn't stop him.

Could S.H.I.E.L.D's defenses be this lax? Kyle dismissed the thought. If S.H.I.E.L.D were so incompetent, HYDRA wouldn't have stayed hidden for so long, and governments worldwide wouldn't fund such an agency.

He quickly realized that Nick Fury must have heeded his previous warning and found problems within S.H.I.E.L.D, though likely without much progress. Kyle's appearance might be the catalyst Fury needed to expose HYDRA within S.H.I.E.L.D.

Kyle had no interest in the internal politics of S.H.I.E.L.D or Fury's use of him. He was there for one reason: to kill Alexander Pierce. Nothing else mattered.