Chapter 362: Long Live Helada (Part 2) _2

Charles pondered for a moment and said: "That's not impossible, but I heard that Stark and Steve were competing in some sort of match?"

"Steve is also investigating Erik's origin. I think, he would be very keen on collaborating with a mutant, given that the newly created Avengers Alliance already has mutant members..."

Charles nodded and said: "Indeed, Captain America is an honorable man, he doesn't discriminate against mutants..."

"Alright, I'm going to disconnect from Dreamland Base for now and take a look inside Erik's mind to see if there are any clues. We'll contact each other later."

The next morning, Charles called. He said: "According to Erik's memory, he had been in contact with a man called Ulysses Klaue. Klaue is not a native of Wakanda, but an American physicist."

"Unless it's unexpected, he should be a member of Hydra. In Erik's memory, it shows that he and Klaue had dealings about Vibranium. Erik wanted to sell their tribes' Vibranium reserves to Klaue."

"But afterwards, Erik's memory become fragmented. I suspect Hydra brainwashed him. Clearly, Klaue wanted Vibranium but didn't want to pay, so he brainwashed Erik into becoming a Hydra member."

"Can we locate this Klaue?"

"Just last night, I managed to locate him. He is currently in Korea, I suspect he's there to meet his superior."

Before Shiller could ask, Charles said: "I went through Klaue's memory. During World War II, his father worked for the NAZI. I suspect his father was a Hydra member and also his referrer."

"Klaue is a sonic physicist with quite the prestige in his field. Therefore, his rank in Hydra is not low. His brain contains a lot of intelligence about Hydra. I'll compile it and then send it to Captain America... "

"What about the toxin in T'Challa..."

"In Erik's memory, the person who poisoned him and ordered him to assassinate T'Challa was a mysterious person in a black robe. I didn't see such behavior in Klaue's memory."

"Maybe Klaue was Erik's referrer, but not necessarily his only superior. It seems we must delve deeper into Hydra to find out what's really going on..."

As Shiller spoke, he pondered: "Professor, I recall you just said there's quite a bit of information about Hydra in Klaue's mind..."

"Yes, some of it is about staffing arrangements, some about the location of bases, but there's nothing very crucial."

"Normally, he shouldn't be in the leadership position, but maybe it's enough."

"What are you planning to do?" Charles asked on the other end of the phone.

"I have a plan..."

On the next day, the S.H.I.E.L.D. counselling room was as quiet as ever. Most agents kept their distance, yet today it received a special guest: Grant Ward, a Level 7 S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent.

He walked into the counselling room with a grim face. Shiller, seemingly having waited for him for a long time, stood up from his desk for a handshake. Yet, Grant kept expressionless and didn't respond to his motion.

"I think right now, you are wondering why I would use the emergency contact signal to reach you. You probably think that this contravenes organizational code and you didn't want to come." Shiller said, standing in front of Grant and looking into his eyes. Grant avoided direct eye contact and remained indifferent.

"Please, have a seat, Grant, can I call you that?"

"I'm known as Ward."

"Alright, Mr. Ward, let's get straight to the point. I have taken a great risk by using the Helada symbol to contact you. As you know, they're going mad recently."

"Director Pierce has fallen silent," Shiller suddenly said. It was then that Grant looked at him. Seeing that Shiller wasn't joking, he moved his lips, but he didn't say a thing.

"I know you suspect that I am an investigator from S.H.I.E.L.D., trying to trick you into talking, but actually, it's quite the opposite. I am in direct contact with Director Pierce and I have been silent for a long time. The reason I speak now is because Alexander Pierce has gone missing."

"He anticipated this day long ago, which is why he positioned me here, so I could take over his work after he fell silent."

"I don't need you to verbally engage with me," Shiller said, looking into Ward's eyes seriously. "I want you to contact your superior immediately to confirm whether Director Pierce is really silent. If so, the matter may be very serious..."

"Now, for the next half hour, I'm going to provide you with some psychotherapy and then submit a report to cover our conversation. During this process, you don't need to say anything or do anything. What you do next is entirely up to your judgment."

After that, Shiller lowered his head and began to write a case report. During this period, he did not ask Grant anything.

As Grant left the counselling room, he kept his composure. He made a call to his superior only after entering his secure room in S.H.I.E.L.D..

Grant Ward was a S.H.I.E.L.D. Level 7 Agent. His superior in Hydra was a Level 8 Agent, John Garrett.

He told Garrett about what Shiller had said. Surprisingly, Garrett stayed silent and didn't refute him. So, Grant asked: "Is Director Pierce really silent?"

"In fact, he's been missing for a week or more." Garrett's voice came from the other end. "He's never been missing for this long before. He's gone silent on all channels. There's no news from him even on the secure channel."

"Then, that Dr. Rodriguez..."

"I need to make contact with him to confirm. Leave the rest to me. Now is a special period; remain vigilant."

Hearing Garrett's serious tone, Grant realized the situation was probably grave. He then asked: "Is this cleansing very severe?"

Garrett stayed silent for a while before saying: "I'm afraid it's the most severe in history. Stay silent, we'll meet later."

When the work day was over, Shiller didn't leave. He stayed in his office until the dark came.

Indeed, just in the few minutes when night fell, someone knocked on the door of his office. The person who walked in was none other than John Garrett, a Level 8 Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra's high-ranking member.