Chapter 231: Leaving None Behind

Back on the Nature Guardian, Oaks didn't relax.

In the end, Zola transferred his consciousness backup.

Although a few seconds would never be enough to transfer his entire mind from the 200,000-foot-long tapes, Zola referred to it as "archival data backup"!

For a few tens of gigabytes of software, the archival data may only be a few kilobytes.

So it was understandable that Zola's archival data backup could be completed within a few seconds.

Oaks knew that there was a HYDRA base in Siberia.

That was where Bucky and the other five "Winter Soldiers" underwent modification and were cryogenically frozen!

But Oaks didn't expect that there was also another backup of Zola's mind there!

According to Zola, as long as this backup was transferred, the Zola mind backup there would inherit the memories of the Zola in New Jersey and become his "original"!

"How did he manage to do something so exaggerated in that era..."

The HYDRA base in Siberia was originally Oaks' target.

But to think there was another backup of Zola's there, it could only be said that HYDRA was truly persistent.

Although Zola's mind backup in Siberia shut down before it could be successfully transferred--

After all, HYDRA probably wouldn't keep both the primary consciousness and the backup running synchronously. Having one main consciousness and one backup, activating the backup only when the primary had an issue was the standard operation.

Zola's archival data existed on the internet, untraceable.

If, in the future, this backup of Zola's were to be activated without anyone's knowledge and caused problems, it would be hard to say.

"Fortunately... I have found the location of the Siberian base in Bucky's memories."

Now HYDRA probably didn't have time to activate Zola's backup, so Oaks could get there ahead of them.

However, Oaks thought of a good way to deal with him.

After all, Zola could be said to be a genius surpassing Howard Stark.

He sent the pile of valuable footage of Dr. Zola to Steve, excluding the backup part, it didn't take long for Oaks to receive a call from Steve.

"Oaks! I can't believe you pulled this off. Natasha and I almost thought we really appeared in New Jersey..."

"Well, your projections were wiped out by the missile."

Oaks' relaxed tone made Steve breathe a sigh of relief. Although he knew that Oaks was incredibly fast, Steve only felt relieved when he was absolutely certain that he was safe.

"So it was Armin Zola, truly unbelievable!"

"But unfortunately, he didn't reveal the true content of the Insight Program. The algorithms he provided won't just be used to create profiles for people."

Oaks snorted:

"How's your plan going during this time?"

"We've discovered that the Council has restarted the Insight Program and advanced its launch—16 hours from now, tomorrow at noon, the plan goes online!"

Steve's tone became serious:

"You created the illusion that we were heading to New Jersey, alleviating the pressure on us. Now we have a new ally, a flying friend.

But Oaks, S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters has dispatched three armed helicopters in the direction of New Jersey.

They will definitely discover that we didn't die there, and the pursuit against us will continue. Our time is limited!"

"So, next, you need to determine the content of the Insight Program, and I'll handle Nick Fury's side."

After thinking for a moment, Oaks asked:

"Should I call Tony over?"

"...Oaks, although I really want his help, but..."

Steve fell silent for a moment and sighed heavily:

"Zola mentioned in the information that the accident that killed Howard and his wife was a HYDRA conspiracy. If Tony were to come, given his personality, he might just blow up the headquarters directly.

But among them are not only members of HYDRA but also agents and civilian personnel who have worked diligently for world peace!

Although it's S.H.I.E.L.D... They are innocent.

If he can't control himself and does that, I guarantee that he will regret it for the rest of his life."

"..."

Oaks also fell silent. What Steve said was exactly what he was thinking.

Moreover, Zola's information only mentioned that HYDRA caused the accident that killed Howard and his wife.

If Steve and Tony were to learn the truth—that the accident was caused by brainwashed Bucky—it would cause trouble.

On one side was his friend, whom he relied on to fight for the world, and on the other side was the desire to avenge his parents...

Before Oaks sorted everything out, it would be better to keep it from Tony for now.

"Alright then, after I handle Nick Fury's issue, I'll find a way to infiltrate the Insight Helicarrier."

Oaks set the tone for action:

"After all, if we can't bring down the satellites in the sky, we can only try to prevent the Helicarriers from taking off. If they take off and we have to shoot them down, it would still result in immeasurable losses.

Steve, this is densely populated Washington, and I don't want to perform another large-scale healing spell—

After all, I should be in Asgard right now."

"Understood."

Steve's voice sounded determined:

"We're going to Fury's place now.

Natasha has already investigated possible targets with knowledge of the Insight Program. If we capture one, we can figure out what the Insight Program is.

In addition, Oaks..."

Steve paused for a moment and asked seriously:

"What's your view on S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

"S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

Oaks chuckled softly:

"They are two sides of the same coin as HYDRA. But Nick Fury would probably advocate for some salvaging. If you want my opinion, I support your idea."

"Do you know what I'm thinking?"

"S.H.I.E.L.D., HYDRA, leave none behind."

Oaks expressed his decision for Steve:

"One side is a shield that has been corroded and riddled with holes, unable to fulfill its purpose. So why hold it up in front of us as if deluding ourselves?

Since the end of World War II, S.H.I.E.L.D. has already been infiltrated by HYDRA. Now, they are indistinguishable from each other. Trying to salvage one will only cause more trouble. It's better to shatter them both."

"Thank you for your support."

...

When Oaks rescued Nick Fury in the safe house, Agent Hill let out a sigh of relief.

Oaks' spell was too powerful, and even their best doctors had concluded that Nick Fury was truly dead.

This made Hill even wonder if Oaks took this opportunity to seek revenge for past grievances.

When Nick Fury woke up, the first thing he did upon seeing Oaks was touch his face.

"Bastard! That slap you gave me gave me a concussion!"

He glared fiercely at Oaks with his one eye:

"And then you personally broke my right arm, sternum, and collarbone, and shattered my spine! Was it necessary to be so cruel just to avoid suspicion?

And later, I took a bullet! My lungs ruptured!"

"I also punctured your liver. But now it's all healed. Do you want me to do it again?"

"..."

Agent Hill opened her mouth. Who could endure such a revenge method...

PS: Zola has one final mind backup at the Siberian base, as seen in "What If...".

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