48 Hi Hydra

It had been a few weeks after the first meeting for the establishment of the Earth Federation. The charter/constitution for the federation was almost finalized and the day for the official announcement was drawing closer by the day.

A lot of the details about the charter had already been released to the public to create awareness about the historic moment when the whole planet will be united under a single governing body. Although it was called Earth Federation, there were multiple organizations that were to be created under the general name.

The federation would have its own military comprised of the best recruits from all over the world. It would also have its own research and development wing for joint research for new scientific frontiers. A space navy was also formulated with plans to jointly create spaceships and mining ships to start creating military and mining outposts within the solar system.

A judicial system was also created along with the laws for the federation. Anything outside of national issues would be tried in the new court of the federation. It would also support a committee that will be built to audit and review the decisions made by the leaders of the federation.

The leader of the federation as the highest power in the governing body was given a lot of power but to keep them in check, other positions and oversight committees were also created. It was a system that was made to be malleable to fit the needs of the contemporary generation. So, if in the future, the Federation is not efficient then changes can be made in order to fit the times.

Along with all the details about the power held by the federation, there was also a strong undercurrent of political intrigue and maneuvering going on in the world. The public was speculating on who would sit in that position while the leaders were considering and colluding on who they wanted to be seated as the leader of the federation.

During this short time, favorable deals were passing hands one after another. And suddenly the developing and underdeveloped nations found themselves in a position where they were getting aid from all sides.

It was almost a festival for the supporters of trickle-down economics. Now the resources were not just tricking down, they were being sprayed out instead. It was as if a pipe that had been clogged for decades had been unclogged at once.

Of course, this festival of raining aid and resources that were technically free also came with a heavy price tag. The price which was never spoken of, almost like it was Voldemort's name, was the vote for the leadership of the world.

Someone had managed to ask about this phenomenon to Doom in an interview, but Doom's answer was not what anyone had expected. He said, "It is a good thing. I'd do the same if I had spare resources at hand. The point of the Earth Federation is the mutual development of every nation and all people on Earth. So if someone wants to become an example of that spirit, Doom will not discourage it."

Basically, Doom was fine with it as long as it helped the people. This further bolstered public opinion on the side of Doom. Doom didn't appeal to anyone publicly, nor did he ask anything from them. He just spoke of his plans whenever asked.

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The day to vote for the different high-level positions of the Earth Federation was only a week away when Nick Fury found himself in the possession of a classified Hydra dossier of all the high-level members of Hydra inside SHIELD and the American government.

It happened when Nick Fury had slipped out of SHIELD in disguise to rendezvous with Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine a level 9 SHIELD agent and also Fury's lover. They had planned to meet secretly at a secret apartment that Fury had kept as one of his many secret hideouts.

While walking up to the apartment, a kid just walked up to him and handed over a package after shouting "Hail Hydra!"

"What did you say, kid?" Nick Fury vigilantly looked around and ducked into the shadowy corner while holding the kid's hand. He pulled out his gun while still observing his surroundings.

The kid was only 9 or 10 years old and was instantly scared after seeing Fury pull out a gun after dragging him to a corner. "I- I don't know anything. An old man told me to give you that package and to yell out that thing. Look this is the ten dollars he gave me for it. I don't know anything. Don't kill me, I won't tell the police anything."

After the tearful explanation from the kid, Fury understood that someone had played a nasty joke on him. But he still could not be sure if it was just a joke, so after sending a coded message to the Contessa to get away from the apartment, Fury went back to the SHIELD headquarters after changing multiple routes and vehicles, just in case.

After getting back safely to his office, Fury had the package tested for anything that could harm him and then finally opened it up to find a huge surprise. The names of the hydra operatives he found in that document if true would mean that the problem he had thought was a headache had officially become a massive pain in the ass.

Just the name of Alexander Pierce who was his superior and now a member of the Security Council made Fury's paranoia senses tingle. Should he trust the document or should he not? If he trusted it, what should he do about it?

He couldn't exactly attack every Hydra operative in the US. That would mean crippling half of the SHIELD as well as affecting the political and economic situation of the whole nation. It would make the US a joke in the eyes of the world.

Fury knew that he had to take very measured steps now, especially with the announcement for the World Government looming over his shoulders. This is the perfect chance for SHIELD to detach itself from the US and become an independent agency directly under the Earth Federation.

This meant SHIELD would have jurisdiction all over the world with access to better resources and a higher budget. Fury knew that he could do great things if he was to head a SHIELD in that situation. The things he couldn't do now and the plans he couldn't implement could all be seen through.

While Fury was contemplating what to do, his private pager that only the people he trusted most had the number to, rang. There was an unfamiliar number on it. Fury guessed that it was the same person who had sent him the package earlier. So he found a secure burner phone in his drawer and called the number.

"Nick Fury, you come highly recommended so I am guessing you understand what the documents in your hand mean right?" The condescending voice from the other side could not be any more familiar to Fury. Doom's voice was one that hardly anyone could forget.

"Doctor Doom. So it was you? What do you want to do by sending these documents to me?" Fury already had some idea about what was going on. With the timing of it all, it couldn't be any more obvious, he was supposed to be the bomb that would sink America and make Doom the savior.

"From what I have found and heard about you, you are not so stupid to need an explanation for such a simple thing. So, let's get down to more important business. You will lead the new and improved, independent SHIELD under the Earth Federation and coordinate with all similar organizations on Earth."

Doom wasn't asking Fury's opinion, he was letting Fury know of his appointment as an inevitability. Fury frowned after hearing the commanding tone of Doom. He understood that the world needed someone like Doom in the current scenario. But Fury was still unsure whether Doom was the best candidate.

"And what if I don't agree to go through with this?" Fury asked without sounding even a bit servile.

"America is basically a sieve that is protected by many corks like you that are plugging the holes and desperately keeping the water out. You are the best and most convenient cork to be pulled out but don't think for a second that Doom has pinned all his hopes on you.

I will be rooting out the Hydra pests from Europe after two days. You have until then to plan and decide whatever it is that you want to do."

Doom hung up on the call leaving Fury to sit alone in his office with a document that was increasing his blood pressure the more he looked at it.

From what Doom had just told him, it was obvious that Doom was going to destroy Hydra as his campaign advertisement. 'Look at what I did to Hydra that had been plaguing the world. Who better to lead you than me?' or something along those lines maybe.

It was also the perfect strategy. The whole point of the creation of the Earth Federation was the fear of people. People will appreciate the friends who came by to console them with gifts when they are terrified. But what they appreciate more is a sword-wielding hero who promises to eradicate all things that terrify them.

Doom was going to become that sword-wielding hero. Meanwhile, America will play the role of the unwitting friend who had been harboring the monsters all along. The optics of all this were very clear. And so were the decisions that Nick Fury was going to make.

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Extra chapter as an apology. Please send more stones.

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