Chapter Fifty: The Insight Project

Steve Rogers and his two companions successfully abducted Sitwell outside the Defense Department and, from his mouth, learned that the Zola Algorithm and Project Insight targeted anyone who might threaten Hydra. Project Insight was set to launch in sixteen hours, so Steve and the others drove Sitwell toward S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, where the Insight Helicarriers were stationed.

Halfway there, as their car entered an overpass, two black vans suddenly appeared behind them, each mounted with a heavy machine gun on its roof. Both vans opened fire at once, bullets raking their car. Sam gripped the steering wheel, swerving left and right in a serpentine path to evade the hail of gunfire. Sitwell, trapped in the backseat, was riddled with bullets, while Natasha managed to crawl down just in time and remained unharmed.

The vans drew ever closer, their guns blazing more fiercely. Gritting his teeth, Sam slammed on the brakes. Their car screeched to a sudden halt, causing one van to crash into their rear, while the other sped ahead. The three quickly exited the vehicle. Natasha drew her pistol and swiftly dispatched the four enemies in the van before them.

However, the second van swung around, its machine gun unleashing another storm of bullets. The trio could only take cover behind the two vehicles. At that moment, a gray SUV bore down on them from behind. Sensing danger, Natasha fired her pistol at the SUV's windows, only to discover it was bulletproof.

As the SUV was about to ram them, the three rolled aside, narrowly avoiding the impact. Steve took cover behind his shield, withstanding the machine gun’s barrage. The SUV’s doors burst open and six armed men poured out, firing submachine guns at the group. Forced to seek cover, Natasha still managed to return fire with her pistol.

In this moment of extreme peril, a figure descended from above. A silver right fist smashed the machine gun atop the van to pieces. The three recognized him at once—it was the Winter Soldier. Wasn’t he working with Hydra? Why was he now attacking their men?

Beside him approached another figure, drinking from a bottle of mineral water—Arthur. He raised his hands, mimicking a gun, and aimed at the Hydra soldier wielding a submachine gun, murmuring “Bang!” as if a child at play. Incredibly, the man he pointed at dropped as though shot.

Arthur then pointed at the other Hydra agents: “Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!”—five shots, five Hydra soldiers fell. Natasha stepped forward to check; each had a bloody hole in their forehead, killed instantly by Arthur's water droplets.

The Winter Soldier finished off the four men in the van and walked over to Arthur’s side.

“Steve, Natasha, it’s been a long time. How have you been?” Arthur asked with a smile.

Steve and Natasha came forward to embrace him.

“I’m so glad you made it back alive!” Steve Rogers said.

“My partner died and I was sad for days…” Natasha joked.

“This is Sam Wilson, my friend. And this is Jon Arthur, also my friend,” Steve Rogers introduced them.

“Hello, Sam Wilson, I’ve heard of your exploits!” Sam replied.

“Hello, Jon Arthur,” Arthur said, shaking Sam’s hand, sealing their acquaintance.

“What about him?” Natasha asked, glancing at the Winter Soldier standing by Arthur. She remembered him well—he had once attacked her.

“We’ll talk about that later. Let’s get out of here first,” Arthur said. The five of them piled into the armored SUV and headed for S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.

“Nick Fury isn’t dead. I’ve seen him,” Arthur said from the back seat.

“What? Nick’s still alive?” Steve Rogers and Natasha couldn’t believe it—they had seen Nick gutted with their own eyes.

“He faked his death with medication. He’s with Hill now, recovering at a reservoir base,” Arthur explained.

“That’s wonderful!” Steve and Natasha were overjoyed.

“I also captured Pierce,” Arthur continued.

“You caught Pierce?” Steve exclaimed in surprise.

“What’s with you today, Steve? You keep getting shocked. The next piece of news might make you jump out of your seat!” Arthur teased the usually composed Steve.

“Sorry, it’s been tense lately. Good news just gets to me. Anything else? This time I promise not to react,” Steve said.

“Heh! Don’t be so sure. Let me introduce an old friend—Bucky, take off your mask!” Arthur instructed the Winter Soldier.

The Winter Soldier removed his sunglasses and mask, revealing a face Steve Rogers could never forget.

“Bucky! You’re Bucky! You’re still alive?” Steve asked, overwhelmed.

But Bucky gave no answer, sitting expressionless as if he hadn’t heard Steve’s words.

“Bucky was brainwashed by Hydra and turned into their assassin. For now, I’m controlling him mentally; he can’t recognize you yet,” Arthur explained.

“I see. Will he ever get his mind back and be free of Hydra’s control?” Steve asked.

“Don’t worry. When this is all over, I’ll erase Hydra’s brainwashing from his mind and restore his memories,” Arthur replied.

“That’s fantastic, Arthur. Since you came back, everything’s been going our way. I can finally breathe easy,” Steve said happily.

“There’s no longer any need for S.H.I.E.L.D. I think from now on, the Avengers should protect the peace of Earth. I’ll leave it to you,” Arthur said.

“I agree S.H.I.E.L.D. has outlived its purpose. You should join the Avengers too, Arthur,” Steve Rogers invited.

Arthur considered it and decided joining the Avengers was a good idea—he would need their help against Thanos. He accepted.

“From now on, let’s work together to completely destroy Hydra’s plans and defend Earth!” Steve Rogers said to Natasha and Sam, both of whom nodded.

They drove to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. Bucky eliminated the guards at the entrance, allowing them to enter successfully.

Steve Rogers made his way to the broadcasting room, turned on the microphone, and addressed the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters:

“This is Steve Rogers! You’ve heard a lot about me these past few days—some of you were even ordered to hunt me. By now you should know the truth! S.H.I.E.L.D. has changed—it’s been taken over by Hydra. Alexander Pierce is their leader, as are the STRIKE teams and Project Insight team. Who knows who else? They’re here in this building, maybe standing right next to you. They assassinated Nick Fury, and it’s not over. If you launch those Helicarriers today, Hydra will be able to kill anyone who stands in their way! We will stop them. I believe most of you will choose the side of justice. Please, trust us!”

Steve Rogers was a master at stirring speeches.

“Did you write that in advance?” Sam asked.

“I improvised,” Steve replied.

By now, chaos had erupted in S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. Hearing Captain America’s announcement, the Hydra agents revealed their true colors, slaughtering agents who remained ignorant of the truth.

Hydra rushed to launch the Helicarriers, overpowering those in the control room and entering the launch codes.

Outside, three massive doors opened on the lake, and the colossal Helicarriers slowly rose from the underground hangars.

Arthur, wielding his trident, hovered in the air, watching it all unfold. “I’ve been waiting for you to show yourselves!”

He aimed his trident at a Helicarrier’s turbine engine and unleashed a blast of energy, destroying all four engines in a single shot. Without its engines, the Helicarrier plummeted toward the earth.

“Haha, Loki taught me this!” Arthur laughed and flew toward the next Helicarrier.

The Hydra agents on the two remaining Helicarriers responded, anti-aircraft guns opening fire on Arthur. But he was too small a target and too swift. The guns’ fire passed him by, while Arthur, with ease, destroyed the four turbine engines of the second Helicarrier.

Boom! Boom! Explosions thundered one after another…