Skye's hacking skills were, as expected, impressive but what Nolan valued most wasn't her current ability. It was her potential.
Her hidden Inhuman lineage was the real reason he had decided to take her in. Perhaps, through Skye, he could uncover the mysterious Inhuman race that had remained buried in secrecy for centuries.
Who knew how many powerful beings or hidden races still lurked in this world?
On the way back to the Hive, Nolan casually brought up the topic of Inhumans, hoping to learn something more. But, as he suspected, Skye knew almost nothing about her true heritage. What she did seem certain about, however, was her excitement to join Locke Industries.
Even she couldn't explain why she felt such a strong pull toward Nolan and his company it was as if destiny itself was leading her there.
After returning to the Hive and arranging Skye's living and training conditions, Nolan entered the Inner Hive his personal command hub.
Hydra's reemergence had triggered a deep sense of unease in him.
That organization… there was no other word for it it was disgusting.
Compared to other secret groups, Hydra's influence wasn't necessarily the strongest. But what made it terrifying was its longevity. It had existed for decades, spreading its roots across nations, embedding itself in governments, corporations, and intelligence agencies.
The Hydra faction Nolan knew best was the one led by Alexander Pierce the same group that had long since turned S.H.I.E.L.D. into a sieve. But Pierce's branch was only one head of a much larger monster. Hydra had many splinter cells, each with its own goals and methods.
Trying to wipe them out completely was like trying to kill a virus that adapted faster than you could attack it.
Take Pierce, for example. Nolan knew exactly who he was and what he controlled but what good would killing him do? He was a high-ranking member of the World Security Council. Even if Nolan could assassinate him, Hydra would simply hide deeper and regrow.
As their motto went: Cut off one head, two more shall take its place.
Nolan needed a plan a decisive opportunity to strike.
For now, interrogation would have to do.
Deep within the Inner Hive, Red Queen the emotionless AI interrogator was working on a captured Hydra operative.
Half an hour later, Nolan emerged from the chamber, face dark and cold.
The agent was dead.
He had known almost nothing not even who his direct superior was.
The result didn't surprise Nolan, but it irritated him nonetheless.
"This is the second time…" he muttered, his tone heavy with restrained fury.
Maybe it was time for payback.
He didn't know where the other Hydra cells were hiding, but he could certainly remind Pierce's faction that Locke Industries wasn't to be trifled with.
When he entered his office, Nolan stopped short. Sharon Carter was there wearing her newly crafted black combat armor.
"Carter," Nolan sighed, rubbing his temple. "I think you need to remember your professional duties."
Sharon merely smirked. She had grown far too comfortable around him.
"So, boss," she teased, "what's the issue this time?"
"You missed a call that was meant for me."
Her expression faltered. "Ah… right. My bad. I must've forgotten."
"Forget it," he said, waving her off. He could already tell this wasn't going to be the last time something like this happened.
Creating custom armor required precise physical data and Sharon had been at the company long enough for Red Queen to have recorded every detail of her body metrics. Nolan, of course, never bothered looking them up himself. He wasn't a creep.
With that data, and with prior experience in armor design, he had finished her black suit in a single day.
Captain America's team, however, was still waiting on theirs not because of time constraints, but because Nolan simply didn't feel like rushing.
"By the way," he said suddenly, "I'll be heading to Stark Industries in a bit. Tony says he's got something new to show off."
He smiled faintly. Knowing Stark, it was probably another one of his flashy suits.
"Want me to come along?" Sharon asked half-heartedly.
Nolan gave her a dry laugh. "No need. You can stay here and admire your… figure in that armor."
Her armor, after all, was form-fitting streamlined for agility and defense. It didn't leave much to the imagination.
With a teasing grin, Nolan brushed past her, earning nothing more than an indifferent glance. Her lack of reaction made the game less fun, and he quickly lost interest.
Soon after, he headed to the underground garage, chose a sleek sports car, and sped off toward Tony Stark's mansion.
But fate had other plans.
High atop the Brooklyn Bridge, two shadowed figures lay in wait, sniper rifles glinting faintly under the afternoon light.
"Target will arrive in ten minutes."
Their voices were cold, mechanical.
"Five minutes."
"One minute prepare to engage."
They chambered their rounds in unison.
Nolan, completely unaware, drove onto the bridge. The moment his car crossed the midpoint
Bang!
Two gunshots echoed as one.
The sniper rounds slammed into his car, flipping it sideways with a metallic screech. Sparks flew as it skidded across the road, nearly plunging into the river below.
Without hesitation, the two assassins descended along steel cables, landing only meters away from the wreck.
Their timing was perfect.
But before they could confirm the kill, the overturned car erupted open and Nolan burst out.
He had seen the attack coming at the last second thanks to Red Queen's early warning system.
In a blur, he charged one of the assassins and swung a crushing punch.
The man met his strike head-on, grabbing for Nolan's shoulder with speed and precision. Their movements were sharp and efficient military-level combat.
The second sniper joined in, launching himself forward.
When their fists collided, Nolan instantly felt it cold metal meeting flesh.
"A mechanical arm…" he muttered, eyes narrowing.
That strength, that speed there was no doubt.
This was Bucky Barnes, Captain America's old friend the infamous Winter Soldier.
Hydra again. Of course.
"Red Queen!" Nolan barked.
Several drones shot out from beneath the wrecked car, unleashing a hail of bullets.
The Winter Soldier deflected a few but was forced on the defensive. Seizing the moment, Nolan twisted and broke the neck of the second assassin.
Bucky's eyes flicked to the body, realizing the situation was turning. Without a word, he sprinted toward the bridge's edge and leapt into the Hudson River.
But as he fell, a small metallic button-like tracker thrown by Nolan latched onto his jacket and powered down into stealth mode.
Nolan stepped to the edge, watching the ripples fade with a cold smile.
"Red Queen, track him. Let's see where our ghost runs off to."
The attack had failed, but the damage was done. The bridge was in chaos, and Nolan's car was a wreck.
All this… just because he decided to visit Tony?
"Sir," Red Queen's voice chimed, "should I adjust your schedule?"
"No," Nolan began, but suddenly his vision blurred.
His limbs felt heavy, his thoughts sluggish. Poison? But there were no wounds…
The dizziness worsened fast. He bit his lip hard, trying to stay conscious. The approaching crowd worried him he couldn't risk collapsing in public. Who knew if more Hydra agents were hiding among them?
"Red Queen," he rasped, "plot an exit route. Deploy T-1000 for extraction."
"Route confirmed."
He staggered forward, following the holographic markers, but his body gave out.
With a dull thud, Nolan collapsed.
Red Queen's voice echoed faintly through his earpiece: "Emergency team dispatched. Securing perimeter…"
Then darkness.
When his eyes opened again, the first thing he saw was an unfamiliar ceiling.
"Where… am I?" he groaned.
The door opened.
"Boss, you're awake!"
Nolan blinked. "Dr. Green? This is your house?"
Dr. Green stood there in casual clothes, her loose shirt slipping slightly off one shoulder, revealing just enough to make his pulse quicken.
She smiled knowingly. "You passed out right in front of my door. Took me a while to drag you inside."
Nolan let out a quiet laugh. "Looks like my luck isn't all bad after all. Of all places to collapse, at least it wasn't an enemy's doorstep."
Her lips curved upward, her gaze gleaming with playful charm. "Then I suppose my luck isn't bad either. After all, I just saved my boss. Surely, you'll find a way to thank me properly?"
That smile half teasing, half dangerous reminded him of a serpent coiled to strike.
Nolan only chuckled. He wasn't worried. Red Queen had already confirmed it was a coincidence, and his security team was nearby, hidden and watching.
"Of course," he said lightly. "You'll be well rewarded, Doctor."
Dr. Green's laughter filled the room, soft and alluring
and for the first time that day, Nolan allowed himself to relax.
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