Sensing Steve's turmoil, Sitwell ramped up his verbal assault, partly to stall for time.
"I don't know what happened between you and Director Pierce or why you're keeping secrets about what Fury told you before he died," Sitwell said.
"But let me remind you—Fury was personally chosen and promoted by Pierce."
"When Pierce stepped down, he made sure Fury succeeded him."
"So, if you think Pierce is corrupt, then what does that say about Fury?"
Though Sitwell didn't say it outright, his insinuation was clear: if Pierce was HYDRA, then Fury might have been as well.
Steve hesitated, his gaze shifting to Natasha, uncertainty clouding his expression.
Sitwell's words echoed some of Steve's recent doubts—Pierce had claimed Fury orchestrated the Lemurian Star hijacking, while Zola had identified Pierce as HYDRA.
If Pierce was HYDRA, did that mean Fury was too? And if not, why had Fury worked with Bartoc to hijack the ship? Fury certainly didn't lack access to resources like the super-soldier serum.
Natasha broke the silence, her voice firm and resolute, "Our enemy is HYDRA. Whether Fury was involved or not, he's dead. But Pierce cannot be allowed to walk free."
Steve snapped out of his thoughts, realizing the bigger picture. He wasn't fighting to avenge Fury—this was about stopping HYDRA's plot.
At that moment, Sam, who had been unconscious, stirred awake. Opening his eyes without moving, he assessed the situation.
Noticing he was being held hostage, Sam subtly blinked at Natasha and Steve. Then, without warning, he pressed a button on his wrist.
The wings of his Falcon suit extended abruptly, and the propulsion system on his back fired a burst of flames.
Caught off guard, Sitwell's arm was scorched, and the force of the wings snapped his grip on Sam.
Seeing the opportunity, Steve and Natasha immediately lunged at Sitwell.
Sitwell, though burned, reacted instantly and tried to grab Sam's wings, but before he could, he was tackled to the ground. Sam took the chance to fly back into the air.
As Natasha brought Sitwell down, she twisted his arm forcefully backward.
"Crack!"
"Argh!" Sitwell screamed in agony as one of his arms was rendered useless. Without hesitation, Natasha spun around and delivered a powerful blow to his lower leg.
"Crack!"
Another snap, and Sitwell's leg was broken, leaving him incapacitated.
Steve, watching this unfold, hesitated. Unsure whether Sitwell was truly HYDRA, he wondered if such extreme measures were justified.
Noticing Steve's doubtful gaze, Natasha explained, "This ensures he can't run. Besides, for someone who's taken a super-soldier serum, these injuries aren't as severe as they look."
Writhing in pain, Sitwell screamed loudly.
Though he was a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent with some field experience, most of his duties were administrative. His combat skills were nowhere near those of Natasha, and he could feel her deadly intent.
Sam, now safely back on the rooftop, rubbed the spot where Sitwell's punch had knocked him out earlier. The blow had made him painfully aware of his limitations.
Natasha stepped closer to Sitwell, her voice cold, "Tell me—what is the Zola Algorithm?"
"And don't claim you don't know. As Pierce's assistant, you must know he's HYDRA."
"Your enhanced serum—HYDRA gave it to you, didn't they? Fury's selection list didn't include your name."
As she spoke, Natasha gripped Sitwell's throat.
The mention of HYDRA made Sitwell freeze. He realized their biggest secret had been exposed, though he wasn't sure who had spilled the beans.
Feeling Natasha's tightening grip and sensing her willingness to kill him, Sitwell finally broke.
"The Zola Algorithm... it's a program. It selects targets for the Insight Project!"
Steve's eyes widened in shock. Sitwell really knew something. He immediately asked, "Targets? What kind of targets?"
Sitwell hesitated, but when Natasha reached for his other arm, clearly intending to repeat her earlier actions, he blurted out, "You... A TV anchor in Cairo, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, a high school valedictorian in Iowa, Bruce Banner, Stephen Strange—anyone who poses a threat to HYDRA!"
"Whether now or in the future."
Steve frowned, "The future? How can it predict the future?"
Sitwell suddenly laughed, a strained, bitter laugh that chilled them, "Hahaha... Of course, it can."
"The 21st century is an open book, and Zola taught HYDRA how to read it."
At this moment, Natasha released Sitwell. He turned to face them, seeing the bewildered expressions on their faces, and began to explain:
"Your bank records, medical history, voting patterns, emails, phone calls, even your damn SAT scores."
"Zola's algorithm analyzes people's past to predict their future."
Steve looked at Sitwell and asked, "And then?"
Realizing how much he had already revealed under the threat of death, Sitwell hesitated. But soon the weight of his betrayal dawned on him.
"Oh, God. Pierce is going to kill me."
Steve stepped closer, repeating his question, "And then?"
Seeing Natasha also approaching again, Sitwell knew he was at their mercy. He decided to spill everything, throwing caution to the wind.
"Then, the Insight Project's helicarriers eliminate them."
"All of them. Hundreds of thousands at once."
The revelation sent chills down their spines. Even Steve, who had experienced the horrors of World War II, found the scope of the plan utterly terrifying.
Without delay, the trio loaded Sitwell into a vehicle and headed toward the Triskelion, where the helicarriers were housed.