Chapter 219: Big Brother Patron Pierce Is Gone
Agent 13, Peggy Carter.
Without a doubt, in the eyes of both S.H.I.E.L.D. and HYDRA, she was the most legendary female agent of all.
During World War II, as the British liaison officer of the SSR, she led the Super Soldier Serum project and chose Steve Rogers despite all opposition.
After Dr. Erskine was assassinated, she protected the remaining serum and helped Steve escape, becoming one of the key forces that pushed him toward becoming Captain America.
After Captain America disappeared together with HYDRA leader Red Skull, Carter led the reorganization of the SSR into the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. She established its systems, built its agent network, and became its first director.
During her tenure, she purged HYDRA infiltration, laid the foundation for S.H.I.E.L.D.'s global intelligence network, and trained the first generation of agents.
It could be said that after Steve Rogers, she was HYDRA's greatest enemy.
But there was something Pierce found even harder to understand.
"I remember she's already eighty-seven," Pierce said. "And a month ago, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She lives in a nursing home and has been bedridden for a long time. Where did she get people from?"
Pierce acknowledged Carter's greatness.
But no matter how great someone was, they could not resist the erosion of time. Carter, born in 1921, was already old now. After stepping down from her position in the eighties, she should no longer have had any power.
Pierce had even specifically investigated this.
"Believe me, you bastard," Nick Fury said through gritted teeth. "Even if Ms. Carter has Alzheimer's, she will never, ever, ever forget to kill every last piece of trash like you."
"And you want to know where Ms. Carter got her people from? Figure it out in hell."
"Take him away."
After saying that, Nick Fury no longer looked at Pierce. He gave the order to the agent in front of him, then turned and walked toward Coulson, Hawkeye Clint, and May.
The three of them were taking off their earpieces. Those things were the reason they had remained unharmed under the audio-frequency device, along with the special protective suits they wore.
"Thank you for your hard work, Agent Coulson, Agent Clint, and Agent Melinda."
Although Pierce, Rumlow, and a batch of HYDRA agents had finally been dealt with, Nick Fury did not look happy. His expression remained solemn.
Looking at his three capable subordinates, he quickly gave his instructions.
"But this is not the time to celebrate. We captured Pierce and Rumlow, but there are still more HYDRA inside. Our work is not done yet."
"Once every HYDRA member has been purged, I'll personally pour champagne for you."
"Yes, sir."
The three saluted.
…
"The great Mr. Pierce has come to an end. What a pity."
At the Siberian Plain base, wind and snow howled outside.
Matthew stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in the second-floor office of the main building, looking out at the five thousand reserve soldiers of the three warbands training in the snowstorm.
Of course, there were also two new faces—Wanda and Pietro.
Like the other soldiers, they wore only the simplest vests and shorts, struggling through training in the gravity zone against the cold like wriggling worms. It appeared somewhat comical.
Matthew had no time to mock these two little fledglings. . His thoughts were focused more on his "regret" over Pierce. After all, he harbored deep "affection" for Pierce.
If the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One, was Matthew's number-one big sister patron on his path of growth, then Pierce was definitely his number-one big brother patron.
The kind even Mephisto could not compare to.
After all, during the early stages of development, Matthew's funding, technology, information network construction, and many other foundations had all come from Pierce and his HYDRA people.
Without them, Matthew's later development might not have been nearly as fast.
Especially because of Pierce, he had obtained the formula for the super-soldier gene serum. Only then had he been able to quickly establish the Astartes and Raven warbands.
Such a thoroughly good man, only to be ambushed by that despicable, one-eyed black egghead. It truly left him feeling a deep sense of pity.
Standing to the side and reporting the news, Neagley let out a dry chuckle, mentally grumbling to herself. I don't see any pity from you at all. If anything, you look like you're enjoying his misfortune.
Unfortunately, that tiny bit of grumbling was precisely "caught" by Matthew. One glance from him made Neagley immediately suppress all her little thoughts and become solemn and serious.
She absolutely could not disrespect the Emperor.
The consequences would be very, very serious.
After all, she understood this young Emperor's wicked sense of humor very well.
Neagley did not want to be targeted by the great Emperor at all.
Hmph. Matthew gave a cold snort. After sending another warning look at this woman who dared to be so disrespectful toward him, he turned his gaze back to Wanda with perfect accuracy.
It had to be said, after receiving the serum injection, she was no longer the pale, thin girl from before.
Her figure had begun to take shape, paired with that sweet yet aggressive face.
Just looking at her could easily put someone in a good mood.
Of course, Matthew was not only admiring her face. He was paying attention to the Chaos Magic that had already awakened inside her body.
"I really didn't expect Nick Fury to find Peggy Carter, nor did I expect that after retiring, she still controlled a team of agents," Neagley quickly said, changing the topic.
She was genuinely amazed.
From Neagley's perspective, after Peggy Carter purged HYDRA and led Operation Paperclip, absorbing large numbers of former HYDRA personnel and scientists, Carter clearly had not known about HYDRA's parasitic plan at the time.
She had also failed to notice HYDRA's growth and expansion over the following decades. After stepping down from her position and moving away from the center of power, she should have quietly exited the stage.
Not to mention, Alexander Pierce, the head of HYDRA, would certainly have secretly investigated and watched Carter afterward.
Yet this woman had still managed to keep an elite force hidden in the dark.
And because of that, Nick Fury had completed a shocking reversal against Pierce.
"Never underestimate anyone. Human wisdom and ability will always keep challenging and breaking through imagination—especially someone like Carter."
Matthew, on the other hand, was not surprised.
Although there had been no such information in his memories from his previous life, it was very logical.
A woman like Carter, who had walked all the way from the era of World War II, had experienced far too much.
In terms of political wisdom alone, Nick Fury might not necessarily be better than her.
The United States government should be grateful that this woman chose this path. Otherwise, there might have been one more name carved into the history of American presidents—Peggy Carter.
"Should we make a move?" Neagley asked softly.
Matthew shook his head. "No need. Nick Fury is a hyena. Whether he exists or not has nothing to do with us. If he still wants to keep playing the shit-stirrer, let him."
His impression of Nick Fury had always been indifferent.
Killing him or not killing him brought no benefit, so he might as well leave him there.
Moreover, the existence of S.H.I.E.L.D. was, to a certain extent, beneficial to Matthew.
After all, when it came to stirring up trouble, Nick Fury was only below that arrogant doctor and that playboy.
Troublemaking worked both ways. There were bad results, and there were good ones.
For Matthew, many of the things Fury stirred up were good.
For example, interfering with Asgard.
By borrowing a certain future event, Matthew would be able to make open contact with Asgard in a perfectly justified way.
That place had no shortage of good things—Runes, Uru metal, and much more. Its foundation was far too deep.
...
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