Chapter 20: Hail Hydra

A/N: Alexander Pierce finally gets some good news!

-x-X-x-

Secretary Alexander Pierce had not been having a good couple of weeks. As one of HYDRA's heads, the Winter Soldier debacle fell squarely on his shoulders. As much as he might have preferred taking the easy way out and blaming one of his underlings, the truth was that the buck stopped with him. He'd been the one to give the order to bring the Winter Soldier out. He'd been the one to sign off on the mission.

Only, their secret weapon, the legendary assassin who'd shaped the last century of mankind's development… was in the wind. Worst of all, no one could tell him whether the conditioning had broken or whether the Winter Soldier had been captured. They couldn't even properly confirm whether the Soldier had made it to his target. Judging by Agent Romanoff's report to Nick, he hadn't.

That made it seem more likely he'd managed to break free of his conditioning then anything else, but if that was the case there should have been a trail to follow at the very least. The legendary assassin's complete and utter disappearance spoke more of concentrated enemy action than anything else.

Unfortunately, they hadn't been able to pin the action on any of their known enemies. And that meant there was another organization out there who not only had HYDRA on their radar in a big way but was also skilled and hidden enough that HYDRA had no idea who they were.

So yes, Alexander Pierce had not had a very good past couple of weeks. But finally, things were starting to look up.

"Sir, Tony Stark is here to see you."

Smiling brightly, the Secretary reaches over and presses a button on his desk.

"Send him in please, Marsha."

A few moments later and Marsha leads Tony Stark, Chief Science Officer and Owner of Stark Industries, into his office. The billionaire genius actually looks a little bashful of all things… even nervous! But he's also got this excited energy to him that's almost infectious.

"Mr. Secretary, sir! Glad to be able to meet with you!"

Waving Marsha off and watching her leave the room, Pierce rises to his feet to take the offered hand that Stark thrusts across the table. It's funny, their file on Tony Stark says the man hates being handed things and hates shaking hands. And yet, here he is, initiating a handshake all on his own. Afghanistan really had changed him, hadn't it?

Hah! But then, of course it had. And most of the world, SHIELD included, didn't know the half of it, not really.

"It's a pleasure, Dr. Stark. Please take a seat."

"R-Right!"

Sitting back down as Stark does the same, the Secretary presses another button on his desk. The windows go opaque and a low hum, barely audible to the human ear, fills the air. There's no steel walls that come up or anything truly obvious like that, but in that moment Alexander Pierce has put his office into lockdown. No one can hear a single word of the conversation he's about to have with Tony Stark.

"… We can speak freely now, Tony. May I call you Tony?"

Looking a little bashful still, Tony offers a surprisingly human smile and nod.

"Yes sir. That's perfectly fine."

Honestly, when Zola had first contacted him about this, Pierce could hardly believe it. It seemed too good to be true. But now, sitting across from the man and seeing it with his own eyes… he was starting to have faith. This could be just what HYDRA needed to bounce back from the disappearance of the Winter Soldier. But first, he had to be sure.

"You know Tony, when our mutual friend first got in contact with me, I wasn't sure about what he had to say. You are… well, you were one of the last people I thought would dedicate themselves to something as meaningful as this. Your time in Afghanistan must have had more of an effect on you than any of us realized."

Tony offers a tepid smile at that.

"Yes sir. I'm very good at putting on a façade and when I first came back from Afghanistan, that's exactly what I did. I put on a smile and a brave face and promised everyone the world. But really… I was still reeling. I'm still not fully recovered."

Stark raises a hand at that, showing a tremble in his fingers even now. Truthfully, Pierce isn't surprised. What the man had gone through would be a harrowing experience for anyone, let alone someone as soft as a civilian billionaire.

"I needed security. I needed to know I was safe, or even if I ever could be safe again. So… I started searching for answers everywhere. And then Obadiah died and… and things got even worse."

Humming, the Secretary considers letting that pass for a moment… but in the end decides it'll be good to see how Tony reacts.

"You know, SHIELD thinks that you killed Obadiah Stane. Aldritch Killian as well."

Tony flinches and looks down at his hands. He doesn't act surprised by that, Pierce notes.

"I… I know. I had JARVIS hack into their files. I know what they think of me. I know that they sent Natasha Romanoff to spy on me."

Pierce just nods. That lined up with what Zola had told him Tony and his pet AI were capable of. It was good to hear that Tony was disinclined to lie to him.

"I didn't though, you know. I didn't find out that Stane tried to have me killed until after his heart attack. JARVIS was going through his stuff before the funeral and I… well, I found the video that the Ten Rings sent him about paying more money if he wanted them to finish the job."

His heart goes out to the man in front of him. It must have been terribly conflicting, finding out his mentor was a traitor right after the man died from too much red meat and cigars.

"And Killian… why would I kill him? What would be the point? I'd been watching him and AIM and Maya Hansen for the past eight years ever since I met the two back in 2000. I was rooting for them honestly. When Killian took his own life… of course I had to swoop in, for Maya if nothing else."

Yes, that also rang true from what Pierce knew. As much as he respected and trusted Nick Fury to be a good, diligent Director of SHIELD… sometimes the one-eyed man's paranoia could get the better of him in a big way. And he especially hated it when there was something he knew he didn't know. Tony Stark had become like a piece of old leather Nick couldn't resist gnawing at over the past year and a half.

"I believe you, Tony. So JARVIS… that was where it started, yes?"

Tony smiles softly and it's clear he holds a large degree of affection for the AI he'd created. That's good, from what Zola tells Pierce, JARVIS makes for an excellent weakness for Tony.

"Yes… yes sir. JARVIS was nothing more than my house's security system when I was taken in Afghanistan. While I was there, I couldn't help but think to myself… if I'd just made him something more, he could have helped me. He could have had my back when no one else did. The first thing I did was turn him into a full-fledged AI when I got back home. And from there I was able to hold off SHIELD… from there, Dr. Zola found us."

Ah yes. As Zola had told Pierce, it had been complete happenstance. Tony and JARVIS were hacking into SHIELD, and in doing so they put themselves on Zola's radar. After watching them for a time, the older AI had reached out and the rest… well, the rest wasn't quite yet history, but it HAD led to this meeting, with Tony Stark in Pierce's office.

"Dr. Zola told me about that. I wonder, what was that like from your perspective, exactly?"

Flashing a fragile smile, Tony lets out a soft laugh.

"… Terrifying, truth be told. SHIELD couldn't do anything to JARVIS after I brought him to full sentience. But Dr. Zola wasn't SHIELD. And he had so much experience it made JARVIS look like a toddler. For a little bit, I was afraid that he might hurt JARVIS. I was afraid he might hurt me. But… in the end, Dr. Zola turned out to be a godsend. He was exactly what we were looking for."

Indeed. Zola had explained how he'd gently coaxed Tony and JARVIS out of their shells. Like creator, like creation. Tony had been jumping at every metaphorical noise he heard and JARVIS had been like a guard dog, doing his level best to protect his creator from any potential harm. Against an organization like SHIELD which was admittedly purposefully hamstrung by HYDRA to keep them from operating at their full potential, they'd done just fine.

However, against an experienced uploaded mind like Zola, they hadn't just met their match, they'd met their superior. From the sound of things, JARVIS and Tony considered Zola to be something of a mentor at this point. Perfect for HYDRA's purposes, if a bit surprising.

"Exactly what you were looking for, you say. Can you expand upon that, Tony?"

"O-Of course, sir. After Afghanistan… I was looking for a reason for why the world was so chaotic. So… disorderly. I spent all my life living in order and I thought because of my wealth and influence that order would follow me wherever I went. But in Afghanistan I learned that wasn't true."

Here, Tony reaches up and touches his chest in remembrance.

"There was a man in those caves with me. He saved my life the first day I was there. Then, a few weeks later, he sacrificed himself to save me again. I thought he wanted to see his family again. That's what he'd told me anyways. But it turned out… his family was already dead. By dying to save me, he WAS seeing them again."

A touching anecdote. Pierce can see that it's had a deep and lasting impact on Stark as well.

"JARVIS and I were working on figuring out why the world was such a fucked up place together when Dr. Zola found us. But before he found us, we found SHIELD… my father and my Aunt Peggy's child. They built SHIELD up from pretty much nothing, trying to create something that would defend civilization from the barbarians at our gates."

The man has a gift for words, Pierce notes. He's just about to interject when Tony suddenly lifts his head, his eyes blazing as he looks directly at the Secretary with an intensity that takes him aback.

"But it wasn't enough, was it sir? All of their work… they didn't go far enough. They held themselves back from doing what needed to be done. Dr. Zola has been showing me and JARVIS some of your work. He's been showing me the difference you've been making behind the scenes. I want in. I want to help. That's why I asked for this meeting, because I recognize now that in order to build a better world, sometimes you have to tear the old one down first."

Pierce jolts, finding that those words… they resonate with him rather deeply. Something he'd heard before? Something he'd maybe said before? Either way, he finds himself quite liking Tony Stark. And not just because the man represents a massive infusion of wealth and influence right when HYDRA needs it the most. Of course, that doesn't mean he isn't going to downplay things.

"We want you onboard too, Tony. Though there is the question of what you bring to the table."

Here, Tony Stark smiles like a boy excited to show something off to his father.

"Of course sir. I've brought something to show you… may I?"

When he gestures to his pocket, Pierce smiles magnanimously and gestures for him to go ahead. Tony pulls out a small disc and places it on the desk in between them. Then, he presses a button. In an instant, a holographic display lights up and Pierce finds himself leaning forward, his eyes widening at what he sees. Rows of metal men, or robots, each of them looking like something straight out of Science Fiction… each of them a veritable weapon of war in their own right.

"Oh my…"

"I call them the Iron Legion, sir. Well, JARVIS and I call them that. We're developing them together with Dr. Zola's help. Each of them will be remote piloted, powered by a miniaturized Arc Reactor and-!"

"Excuse me, an… Arc Reactor?"

Tony nods rapidly, his smile only growing as he swipes at the hologram and brings up the schematics for the power source. Now Pierce begins to recognize it.

"The Arc Reactor was something my father invented many years ago. But like with many of his inventions, he was ahead of his time. The best he could do was create a rather large version of the Arc Reactor, which powers the main campus of Stark Industries to this day. However, we're in the digital age now sir. The age of miniaturization. So I shrunk the Arc Reactor down. They're actually powering that Repulsor Technology that SI is selling to the US Military, if you've heard about that."

Actually, Pierce had heard about that. He gives Tony an interested look.

"I heard that all of those weapons were black boxed. That you wouldn't even let the military crack them open to see what was inside."

Here, Tony's bashfulness asserts itself again.

"A-Ah… well, I figured if anyone could know what was powering them, it would be you sir. Besides, that Repulsor Technology… it's all operating on far weaker Arc Reactors anyways. The Iron Legion will be top of the line! The best I can make. All for the cause… all for HYDRA."

It's the first time the word has left Tony's lips. It sounds good coming out of the genius' mouth, Pierce decides. He stares over the schematics for the Arc Reactor one more time, but honestly it all goes over his head. He was never a scientist. Zola though… if Zola was taking lead on this project, then he supposed he could count on the uploaded intelligence to make sure everything went according to plan.

Although…

"We're going to have to find a way to get SHIELD off of your tail, Tony. They're nipping at your heels and I have to admit, Nick is a personal friend of mine… which is how I know that once he gets his teeth on a bone, it's all but impossible to get him to stop gnawing. How do we redirect SHIELD's attention? Do you have any ideas?"

Correctly deducing that show and tell is over, Tony reaches out and turns off the display disc, pulling it back off the table before giving Pierce a tentative smile.

"Well… I did have one idea. If you can't beat 'em… join 'em, right?"

The Secretary just raises an eyebrow and quirks the side of his mouth up in amusement, gesturing for Tony to go on.

"The way I see it, SHIELD thinks I'm a loose cannon. They think I have to be studied and controlled because they don't know my motivations or intentions. So… we let them think they've won. Let them think I'm under control… specifically under YOUR control, sir. Yours and the World Security Council's."

Oh? Now there was an idea.

"I've got plenty of goodies to go around, really. We can give SHIELD some toys to placate them, like the Repulsor Technology and other stuff. The really good stuff we hold in reserve for HYDRA. That way, SHIELD thinks that they've got me right where they want me. Of course, it won't work if I'm actually under Fury's thumb. I'll need to be outside of the SHIELD command structure. A civilian contractor of sorts, under the direct authority of you and the World Security Council. That way we can say I report to you and only you in the event that I need to do things that SHIELD might frown upon."

Heh, it was obvious for all Tony's bashfulness and the way he'd been buttering Pierce up this entire time that the man still had problems with authority. Or maybe he just didn't like Fury and SHIELD. Based on the reports of what Fury and Coulson had been trying to do to get to Stark the past year and a half, it wasn't all that surprising. Not to mention, finding out that Natalie Rushman was Agent Romanoff had probably pissed off a control freak like Tony to high heavens. Speaking of which…

"And where would Agent Romanoff fit into all of this, exactly? If we're going to bring you under the World Security Council's umbrella, there's no point in leaving her in her current position, is there?"

At that, a hunger seems to enter Stark's eyes.

"Yeah, you're right. I'd say… I'd say we have Natalie, err, I mean Natasha… be my SHIELD liaison. Keep her attached to me and Stark Industries. Pep would miss her otherwise."

It's obvious that even with the betrayal and even with all of the changes the man has gone through, Tony Stark is still a horndog easily led by his cock. After all, Natasha Romanoff is an exceptionally beautiful woman. And from the sound of it, the rumors of him and his new CEO sharing women together were quite true.

More amused than anything, Pierce nods his head and rises from his chair once more. Tony hurries to do the same on the other side of the desk.

"I think that can be arranged, Tony."

Holding out a hand, Pierce waits until Tony takes it before giving him a wide grin.

"Here's to a brighter future. Hail Hydra."

One last test. Though only partially. Even some perfectly loyal recruits had a hard time saying it the first time. Just stumbling over the words didn't mean you were a traitor. However, when it comes to Tony Stark, he lights up and doesn't even hesitate.

"Yes sir! Hail Hydra!"

… Yes, the last couple of weeks had been very rough for one Alexander Pierce. But as Tony leaves his office, the Secretary can't help but smile a little bit. The disappearance of the Winter Soldier was still very troubling of course. However, when one door closes, another opens. Things were already starting to look up.

-x-X-x-

A/N: "Well Arnim Zola has been around a lot longer than this Jarvis AI so he MUST be stronger, right?" - Alexander Pierce being a boomer.

And thus does Tony say the fateful words. Hail Hydra indeed :P.

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