Chapter 107: Action

"By the way, I should remind you," Thor said to Skye, "that immortality comes at a cost. Lifespans and reproductive abilities are usually inversely related. Take my father, for example. He's been with my mother since the Bronze Age, and yet they only have three children, one of whom is adopted. So, with eternal life, the chance of conceiving a child becomes almost zero."

"So, I'm destined to live a child-free life?" Skye asked, unfazed.

Thor shrugged. "Pretty much. But you get the gift of time."

Meanwhile, Alexander Pierce moved swiftly. With Nick Fury missing and Captain America and Natasha labeled as fugitives, he persuaded the council to activate Project Insight.

At S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Pierce raised a glass of champagne and addressed the council members. "Soon, we'll witness history in the making. From this moment on, crime will be a thing of the past. A new world is upon us! Cheers to the new era!"

Pierce, as a high-ranking HYDRA leader, rarely showed much emotion, but he could barely contain his excitement. Once the Helicarriers reached the correct altitude, they would target and eliminate all HYDRA's enemies worldwide.

The council members joined him in the toast. "To the new era!" they cheered, oblivious to the fact that Pierce's "new era" was HYDRA's new world order.

Suddenly, a calm but firm voice crackled over the building's PA system.

"This is Steve Rogers, Captain America. You've probably heard a lot about me recently, and you know there are many people out there hunting me. Now, it's time you know the truth."

Pierce's expression hardened as he discreetly sent a series of text messages.

Steve's voice continued over the loudspeakers. "S.H.I.E.L.D. has changed. It's been taken over by HYDRA, with Alexander Pierce at the helm. Many in the Special Forces and Insight Project are HYDRA operatives, hiding in plain sight among us."

Pierce stared ahead, feigning indifference while the council members exchanged nervous glances.

"Project Insight isn't about stopping crime. It's about eliminating all of HYDRA's enemies, so they can control the entire world."

Steve paused, his voice resolute. "Freedom has a high price, and I'm willing to pay it. I believe I'm not the only one."

Though his speech was unscripted, Steve's words resonated powerfully. Despite being declared a fugitive just moments ago, many listeners couldn't help but trust the captain, who had always represented their ideals.

In the control room, Crossbones burst in with a squad of agents, barking orders to the launch technicians. "Begin the launch sequence. Get those Helicarriers in the air."

The head technician looked at Crossbones, stunned, but didn't respond.

Crossbones raised his voice, impatiently. "Didn't you hear me? Launch the carriers. That's an order!"

The technician took a shaky breath. "I'm sorry, sir. I can't do that. This is Captain Rogers' order."

Click. A gun pressed against the back of the technician's head, while another agent aimed a gun at Crossbones.

"You've chosen the wrong side, Agent Sharon," Crossbones said coldly, signaling to lower his gun. But as he did, he swiftly fired, catching Sharon off guard and knocking her to the ground.

A shootout erupted in the control room. Amid the chaos, Crossbones managed to activate the launch system.

He turned back toward Sharon, raising his gun with an indifferent sneer. "Unfortunately, you've chosen the wrong side."

"It's you who's on the wrong side," came a voice from behind him. Before Crossbones could react, Thor grabbed him by the collar and flung him across the room.

Sharon looked up at Thor, smiling through the pain. "You don't believe I'd be dead in the next second, right?"

"Don't worry. I've got you," Thor replied, waving his hand. The remaining HYDRA agents collapsed to the ground, twitching helplessly.

Meanwhile, on another floor, Falcon and Winter Soldier were locked in a fierce fight. With a powerful blow, the Winter Soldier knocked Falcon to the floor.

"Sam, go install the chip! I'll take care of him!" Steve shouted.

"Got it!" Sam replied, quickly taking off toward the Helicarrier.

Steve turned back to face the Winter Soldier, his expression softening as he took in the familiar face of his old friend. "Bucky… it's me, Steve. Don't you remember?"

In response, Bucky delivered a fierce punch, wordlessly resuming their battle.

Back at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, one of the council members, a seemingly frail older woman, suddenly sprang to her feet. With lightning reflexes, she took down a HYDRA agent who had entered the room and, without hesitation, stunned Pierce with a Widow's Bite.

As the shocked council watched, she wiped her face, revealing Natasha Romanoff beneath the disguise.

"It's over, Secretary Pierce," she said with an icy smile.

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