The next day.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters.
Due to the attack on S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury, who was hospitalized, the current S.H.I.E.L.D. was temporarily taken over by S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Secretary-General, Alexander Pierce.
At the same time, S.H.I.E.L.D. Deputy Director Maria Hill rushed back to take charge of the unfinished work of Black Egghead, becoming the acting director.
Although Hill didn't often appear at headquarters, she was also one of Black Egghead's most trusted subordinates.
This time, Hill not only became the acting director, but also brought back a big item.
The Helicarrier.
The Helicarrier was the technological crystallization of S.H.I.E.L.D., with equipment including an aerodynamic control tower, anti-gravity room, combat command center, cockpit, prison, computer room, flight deck, observation deck, infirmary, nuclear power control room, and the World Observation Institute.
Overall, the interior of the Helicarrier nearly encompassed all the high-tech capabilities that S.H.I.E.L.D. possessed.
It could not only take off with four turbine engines, but could still maintain altitude even with one damaged. It could also activate its reflective panels to achieve invisibility, and launch F-35 fighter jets and fire nuclear missiles.
The downside was its weak defenses.
However, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s idea, or rather, Nick Fury's original idea, was to use the Helicarrier as the Avengers' headquarters within S.H.I.E.L.D.
In this way, the Helicarrier's only shortcoming could be compensated for.
Because, with the Avengers members present, combined with the Helicarrier's original capabilities, it became powerful enough to resist interference and attacks from some external forces.
"Meeting time!"
At this moment, Coulson knocked on the door of the acting director's office and saw the long-unseen former deputy director, Maria Hill.
"The Secretary-General is calling an Avengers meeting to discuss the issue of Batman."
Coulson looked at Hill, hesitating for a moment: "There might be some serious tension at the meeting. You need to keep things under control, Maria."
"How do I do that?"
Hill's expression was calm: "Have you considered what we'll do if the person behind the attack on Nick is really Batman? Coulson, you're a bit too trusting of Batman!"
Coulson defended himself: "Because I know Batman wouldn't do something like this. It's all a HYDRA plot."
"But so far, we haven't caught a single HYDRA agent."
"This..."
"Have you considered that maybe Batman is deliberately misleading us? From the very beginning, he's been misleading us, making us doubt ourselves?"
"..."
Coulson fell silent, finding himself unable to refute the other person.
There were some things he couldn't say clearly to Maria Hill.
"Let's go, Coulson. The meeting is about to start, and we can't be late."
Hill left the office.
Coulson watched Hill's back, his brow furrowed.
He understood his deputy director and knew that she might genuinely think that way, which immediately gave him a headache.
Maria Hill was born in Chicago. The temperature on the day she was born was below minus 44 degrees, and her mother froze to death in the hospital as a result. Her father never forgave her for her mother's death, which forged Hill's cold personality.
Maria Hill's work efficiency was extremely high. More importantly, she didn't blindly obey Fury and his core team's commands.
Because of this trait, she was appreciated by the higher-ups.
From this perspective, Maria Hill was more like a qualified director than Nick Fury.
Because Hill absolutely obeyed the World Security Council's orders.
Nick Fury, however, was a deep-thinking guy. Sometimes, not only the few core members around him, but even the S.H.I.E.L.D.'s superior organization, the World Security Council, couldn't control Nick Fury's actions and decisions.
This particularly displeased many member states of the World Security Council.
Meeting room.
Several Avengers members were present.
Besides the Avengers, there were also S.H.I.E.L.D. Secretary Alexander Pierce, Acting Director Maria Hill, and Level 8 Agent Phil Coulson.
The man presiding over this meeting was the highest-ranking person present.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Secretary, Alexander Pierce.
"Before this meeting begins, I have a few words to say."
Pierce stood up, his expression solemn: "First of all, there are indeed HYDRA members infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D., and I have already obtained some leads. However, the claims in the Daily Bugle, that I am the head of HYDRA within S.H.I.E.L.D., I deny them."
"My current position is S.H.I.E.L.D. Secretary, and I was once the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. If even I were infiltrated by HYDRA, then there would be no need for S.H.I.E.L.D. to exist."
"In addition, I want to address the issue of Nick's attack."
"Yesterday, I spoke at length with several permanent members of the World Security Council. Before Nick fell into a coma, he indicated that the person who attacked him was Batman. I don't know how he made that judgment, but as his comrade, I have absolute trust in him. Therefore, early this morning, the World Security Council passed a preliminary plan to 'sanction Batman'…"
"In other words, from this moment on, Batman has become our enemy… including the Justice League he organizes!"
As soon as this sentence was spoken, the atmosphere in the entire conference room instantly became heavy.
Everyone present looked at each other, silent, not speaking or expressing their opinions.
They did have some thoughts in their hearts, but they couldn't influence the overall situation.
Obviously, the two most powerful people in S.H.I.E.L.D. right now, the Director and the Secretary, both held hostility towards Batman.
It's easy to understand that Alexander Pierce dislikes, even hates, Batman.
The Daily Bugle, under Batman's command, publicly stated that Pierce was a bad guy. Pierce, of course, wouldn't tolerate this kind of thing happening again.
It's understandable that Nick Fury, the S.H.I.E.L.D. director who had previously been quite friendly with Batman, would suddenly change his tune.
After all, before his hospitalization, Nick Fury stated that Batman was the mastermind behind the attack on him.
In this situation, no one could possibly turn the tide.
"If S.H.I.E.L.D. wants to deal with Batman, I have nothing to say."
Suddenly, Tony spoke up: "But have you considered Batman's relationship with the military?"
"This is a decision made after careful consideration by the World Security Council."
Pierce said, "When we take down Batman and the Justice League behind him, there will naturally be personnel from the World Security Council to resolve these matters for us. Furthermore, S.H.I.E.L.D. can completely replace Batman and establish closer cooperation with the military. I believe that the members of the Avengers, that is, you, are superior to Batman and the Justice League."
"Before that, I hope you can disclose some internal intelligence of S.H.I.E.L.D., otherwise, I find it hard to trust all of you."
At that moment, no one expected a member of the Avengers to suddenly speak up.
It was Captain America, Steve Rogers.
Rogers abruptly stood up, instantly drawing everyone's attention and adding a tense atmosphere to the meeting room.
He looked around, "I fought HYDRA for a long time, and I know their dangers better than anyone. In my opinion, instead of targeting external enemies now, we should first sort out what's happening internally. Pierce, since you said you have some intelligence on HYDRA, don't hide anything, tell me everything."
"Alright, if you insist."
Pierce stood up and led the group out of the meeting room to a prison in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s underground base.
"His name is Jasper Sitwell, a Level 7 agent. We investigated for a long time and finally confirmed that he is a spy HYDRA planted within us."
"What?"
Coulson was taken aback, his face showing shock.
Sitwell!
He and this guy had a good relationship, often going out for drinks together, and they could be considered good colleagues and friends.
He never expected this guy to be a HYDRA spy.
In the prison.
The bald Sitwell, wearing a prison uniform, sat on a chair inside the glass prison. His hands and feet were shackled, and he had visible wounds on his body. He stared coldly at Pierce and the others outside the glass, saying nothing.
"We subjected him to the most brutal interrogation, but we got nothing."
Pierce shrugged, helpless. "I have to admit, he has a very tough mouth."
Coulson frowned.
The others remained expressionless, exchanging glances but saying nothing.
At this moment.
Captain America, Steve Rogers, stood outside the glass, staring at Sitwell inside, his eyes narrowed.
"I won't say anything."
Rogers' gaze was intimidating. Sitwell felt immense pressure, instinctively baring a grimace. Combined with his injuries, it was particularly frightening.
Sitwell even mouthed a word, provocatively looking at the S.H.I.E.L.D. members.
"Hail HYDRA."
"Administer truth serum!"
Hill suddenly spoke, looking coldly at Sitwell in the prison, then turning to Pierce: "I remember we once developed a truth serum. Although it has side effects, it's a reasonable method to use against the enemy."
The Avengers exchanged glances, remaining silent.
"I agree."
Rogers spoke again.
Having experienced the war years, he wouldn't show unnecessary mercy to enemies, especially those from HYDRA.
A moment later.
Hearing the name "Batman" spoken by Sitwell, everyone's faces fell.
Steve Rogers clenched his fists, his gaze icy.
Coulson panicked.
He felt that things were completely out of control!
Originally, the goal was to create opposition between the Justice League and HYDRA, but now it seemed to have turned into opposition between the Justice League and S.H.I.E.L.D…
"The situation is clear!"
Pierce didn't even look at Sitwell, who was foaming at the mouth, eyes rolled back, and consciousness blurred in the glass prison. Instead, he turned around and looked at the people in front of him, his tone low. "The enemy is Batman!"
After a pause, he continued: "I now declare a state of war. Prepare to go to war with Batman!"
On the other side.
After a day and a night of waiting, Anton received a message from John Keller.
[Confirmed Zatanna's corpse is a clone, do as you wish, the military will be the Justice League's most solid backing.]
-----------------------
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