Support my new novel with Power Stones please! Let's bring it to the first rank!
MHA: Bat to the Future: The Other Midoriya
(Check my profile or search by the name.)
PLEASE ADD TO YOUR LIBRARY!
**************
Erwin noted every step, the tempo, the number of guards. A distinct scent of metallic oil confirmed an elevator descent. When the hood was yanked off, the fluorescent lights revealed a plain interrogation room with no windows. Pierce sat at the head of the long table, his posture stiff, his eyes scrutinizing Erwin like a predator.
Erwin looked around the room, trying to identify the faces. The guards who had escorted him in were stationed at the door, weapons at their sides but not in their hands. Two others, senior agents by the look of their uniforms, stood near Pierce, their stances neutral but attentive.
Pierce's voice broke the silence. "Agent Smith," he began, his tone cold. "Stirring the pot, making suggestions that conveniently align with HYDRA's goals. Care to explain?"
Erwin smiled, his demeanor calm but his words sharp. "Don't play stupid. I know you're HYDRA, Pierce."
Pierce didn't flinch, but his narrowed eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise. "Careful, Agent Smith. That's a dangerous accusation. You better have proof, or this will be the shortest career climb in SHIELD history."
Erwin tilted his head slightly, studying him with dispassionate ease. "Proof? I don't need proof. I'm not here to convince anyone. Your clearance just isn't high enough to know who I really am."
Pierce leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Enlighten me, then. Who the hell are you?"
Erwin's smile didn't falter. "HYDRA. Since before Project Paperclip, if you can believe that. SHIELD might have cleaned up some remnants, but the truth is, we were always here—embedded, evolving, waiting. You think you're running the show, Pierce? No. You're a tool in a much bigger machine."
The room went silent. The agents flanking Pierce exchanged uneasy glances, their hands hovering near their weapons. Pierce's mask of composure cracked slightly, his voice lower now. "That's a bold claim. And if it's a lie, it'll be your last."
Erwin leaned back, folding his arms loosely. "You think I'd walk into this without knowing exactly how far I can push? Let's skip the dance. I know your role here. You've been using SHIELD resources to fund HYDRA projects under the radar, but you're sloppy. You allowed Fury to snoop around. If it wasn't for me diverting his attention, he'd be hounding you by now."
Pierce's smile was thin, his tone colder. "Interesting theory. But theories don't hold weight without evidence. You're dangerously close to making accusations that'll bury your career."
Erwin smirked, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Because I'm not just an agent, Pierce. I've been with HYDRA since before SHIELD even realized what we were capable of. You think Zola was the only one brought in under Operation Paperclip? Let me jog your memory. Reinhardt. Von Braun. Hundreds of others. We embedded ourselves into their ranks as they scrambled to scoop up the best minds from the ashes of the war."
Pierce leaned back slightly, his expression hardening. "So you're claiming to be one of them? Part of Zola's shadow network, I suppose?"
"Not part of it—part of the oversight," Erwin said without hesitation. "The operation to integrate us wasn't flawless, but it was effective. The façade of collaboration worked because we let it. You think SHIELD's growth wasn't fueled by HYDRA's hands? Look deeper into the early funding allocations, the technology pipelines. Even the systems you use today trace back to us."
One of the senior agents standing by Pierce shifted slightly, his eyes darting between the two men. "That's a lot of talk, Agent Smith. Got anything more solid to back it up?"
Erwin didn't even glance at him. "1947. After Paperclip officially ended, a second wave of recruitments occurred under the guise of academic collaborations. Look into the correspondence between Werner Reinhardt and a small pharmaceutical firm in Germany. That firm was a HYDRA front, funneling enhanced serum research back into SHIELD's hands—through me."
Pierce leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table. "If this is some elaborate attempt to muddy the waters, I'll give you credit for creativity. But forgive me if I'm not sold on a self-proclaimed HYDRA overseer conveniently revealing himself after decades of silence."
Erwin's smirk deepened. "I haven't been silent. You just didn't have the clearance to notice. Fury doesn't either. That's why he hasn't pulled the trigger on you yet—he suspects but doesn't know. I made sure of it."
Pierce's tone cooled further. "And what exactly is your angle here, Smith? If you're what you claim to be, why expose yourself to me?"
"Because you're becoming a liability," Erwin replied, his voice measured. "You've been sloppy, and that sloppiness is attracting attention we don't need. Fury's not an idiot. He's already piecing things together. If I hadn't redirected resources to cover your tracks last quarter, you'd already be under formal investigation."
The room went quiet for a moment, the tension thick as Pierce studied Erwin's face. Finally, he gestured toward the guards. "Leave us."
The guards hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding and stepping out, the heavy door clicking shut behind them. The two senior agents exchanged glances but followed suit, leaving only Pierce and Erwin in the room.
Pierce steepled his fingers, his gaze sharp. "You've got my attention. Let's say, for argument's sake, you are who you claim to be. Why come clear now?"
"Because HYDRA's future depends on its ability to adapt," Erwin said plainly. "You're clinging to old methods, Pierce. You think embedding agents in SHIELD's upper echelons is enough to secure power. It's not. HYDRA has always thrived by staying ahead, by evolving faster than our enemies. Right now, you're stagnating."
Pierce's lips thinned. "What do you suggest?"
Erwin got up from his chair, his movements unhurried. He took a step closer to Pierce, smiling faintly as the other man's hand instinctively reached for the pistol at his side. "As I said, you're a liability," Erwin said. "I'll be speaking with upper management. You'll be removed from SHIELD. You're done here."
Pierce's hand moved in a flash, drawing the gun and firing. Erwin shifted his head, the bullet grazing past his ear. The second and third shots followed quickly, but Erwin leaned to the side and then back, letting them miss by a breath. The entire clip was emptied before Pierce realized he hadn't landed a single hit.
Erwin looked at Pierce with a cold gaze. "You're a mere human. You can't keep up with the times."
Pierce's hand tightened around the empty pistol as his breathing steadied, his expression darkening. "You're testing your limits, Smith. Don't mistake my patience for tolerance."
Erwin stepped closer, his voice calm but carrying a sharpness that cut through the tension. "Patience? Let's not pretend you have a choice here. If I wanted you dead, you'd already be gone. But lucky for you, I'm not here to clean up just yet."
Pierce scoffed, lowering the gun but keeping it in hand. "Big words for someone who hasn't shown me proof of anything except a knack for theatrics. What exactly do you want?"
Erwin ignored the insult and folded his arms. "You're not the person I need to speak to. HYDRA's true upper echelons are far above your clearance. You've been too busy wallowing in mid-level bureaucracy to notice."
Pierce's eyes narrowed. "And you expect me to give you access? I'm not naïve, Smith. Even if you were who you claim, why should I stick my neck out?"
Erwin leaned against the edge of the table, his posture relaxed, but his words pressed like a blade. "Because you're already in over your head. Fury is watching you. Hill suspects you. Every step you take is being shadowed, and your usefulness is running dry. If I can see that, so can the rest of HYDRA."
Pierce's jaw tightened, his grip on the gun shifting slightly. "If I make that call and you're bluffing—"
"You'd die knowing you weren't worth much to begin with," Erwin interrupted. "Don't think of this as a choice. It's a necessity. The question isn't whether you trust me. It's whether you can afford not to."
Pierce stared at him for a long moment, his fingers drumming on the table. The faint hum of the room's lights filled the silence until he finally spoke. "Who?"
"Viper," Erwin said simply. "Ophelia Sarkissian."
Pierce stiffened slightly at the name, his skepticism giving way to something closer to alarm. "Viper? She doesn't deal with foot soldiers."
"Exactly," Erwin replied. "And I'm not one of them. She'll answer if you make it clear who's calling."
Pierce hesitated, his mind clearly running through the risks, before pulling a secured phone from his jacket. He keyed in a sequence, the device scanning his fingerprint before unlocking. He dialed with steady hands, though his expression betrayed his unease.
The line rang twice before a smooth, controlled voice answered. "Pierce. This better be important."
Pierce glanced at Erwin, his voice steady but cautious. "I have someone here who claims to be HYDRA oversight. He's demanding contact with you."
There was a pause, then a faint chuckle. "Oversight? That's ambitious. And you believed him?"
Pierce's grip on the phone tightened. "He's... persuasive. Claims to have information that could compromise our operations if mishandled."
"Put him on," Viper said, her tone shifting to something more calculating.
Pierce handed the phone to Erwin, his expression grim. "You'd better know what you're doing."
Erwin took the phone, smoothly switching the call to video mode. As the screen came to life, he aimed the camera at Pierce, who was sitting rigidly, his hands still gripping the empty pistol. Erwin raised a hand, and before Pierce could speak, his body contorted unnaturally, swelling for a split second before bursting apart in a gruesome spray of red. The guards outside the door didn't move—Erwin had ensured they wouldn't hear anything.
Viper appeared on the screen, her expression quickly hardening from mild intrigue to cold shock. "Who the hell are you?" she demanded, her tone sharp but not betraying any fear.
Erwin let the phone's camera linger on the mess that was once Pierce before turning it back to himself. He smiled faintly, his gaze steady. "Viper."
Her narrowed eyes scrutinized him. "You have my attention. Explain."
"Ah, Viper," Erwin began, his voice calm, unhurried. "Or should I say Madame Hydra? Child prodigy of Kraken, the one who slaughtered her way into power. I'll admit, your history is... fascinating." He leaned back slightly, resting against the edge of the table. "And, of course, there's the Serpent Crown. Quite the accomplishment."
Viper leaned back slightly, her fingers tapping the surface of a sleek desk just out of view. "You know a lot for someone who hasn't introduced himself. I don't entertain theatrics, so speak plainly."
Her gaze sharpened as she added, "How can I believe you're not just a well-informed liar?"
Erwin leaned forward, the camera catching his face in clear view. "Look at my face. I'm your Führer's wet dream."
The pause on the line was palpable. Viper's fingers stopped tapping, her sharp gaze shifting as she processed his words and features. The unmistakable Aryan traits—the sharp jawline, the blonde hair, the piercing blue eyes—were undeniable. Viper's voice returned, measured but edged with intrigue. "You have my attention."
"Fair enough," Erwin said. "I was placed here by Red Skull himself. Not as one of Zola's experiments or Kraken's protégés, but as an overseer—HYDRA's safety net. My role is to ensure the organization's survival, no matter what form it takes."
She tilted her head slightly. "And why haven't I heard of you before?"
Erwin gave a low chuckle. "Because you weren't supposed to. My presence is only known to those who need to know. People like Pierce are expendable. People like you? You're valuable. But even valuable pieces can be replaced when they become liabilities."
Viper's gaze darkened. "Pierce was clumsy, but he wasn't incompetent. Killing him creates a vacuum. You'd better have a plan for filling it."
"Pierce was becoming a liability," Erwin said evenly, his voice carrying the weight of fact rather than emotion. "SHIELD is predictable, exploitable—always has been. But the Seven Masked Vigilantes? They're a different threat entirely. Pierce's rash actions would've exposed too much, too fast, and we can't afford that. If it comes to it, I'll burn SHIELD to the ground, taking HYDRA's roots within it along for the ride, and regroup. But I couldn't let his recklessness draw more attention, so I stepped in and made my move."
Viper's eyes stayed locked on him through the screen, sharp and unblinking. "You dealt with him... efficiently. But that doesn't answer the most pressing question. What exactly did you use?"
Erwin tilted his head slightly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You mean, what couldn't he handle? Let's just say it's a technique that doesn't leave loose ends."
"Don't dance around it, Smith," Viper said, her tone edged with the sharpness of authority. "HYDRA doesn't rely on vague answers, and neither do I."
He folded his arms, maintaining his calm. "It's something I've honed for decades—something that works precisely because it's untraceable. Let's just say Pierce didn't have the clearance to learn about it. But you do."
Her expression didn't shift, though there was a flicker of curiosity in her voice. "Go on."
"It's simple," Erwin said, stepping away from the table to emphasize his ease. "When you've been around as long as I have, you develop... capabilities. Call it an extension of the sciences HYDRA already dabbles in. You've seen Zola's work. You know how far we've pushed what's possible."
Viper leaned back slightly, her fingers tapping the surface of a sleek desk just out of view. "That explains the method. But it doesn't explain why you're bringing this to me now."
Erwin moved closer to the screen again. "Because Pierce wasn't wrong about one thing—the Seven Masked Vigilantes are a threat to HYDRA. They've avoided every trap set for them, neutralized assets we couldn't afford to lose, and disrupted operations critical to our global positioning. If we keep letting them act unchecked, we'll lose more than just a few pawns. We'll lose HYDRA's seat at the table."
Viper's tapping stopped. "You're proposing a solution?"
"I'm proposing a conversation about them," Erwin corrected. "And before you ask, no, I don't know their identities. Nobody does. They don't leave trails, they don't take credit, and they don't play by anyone's rules. But what I do know is their pattern. They're surgical in their strikes—precise, coordinated, and always one step ahead."
She narrowed her eyes. "And yet they've avoided us for years."
"That's the problem," Erwin said. "They're not avoiding us—they're dismantling us. Piece by piece, without making a spectacle of it. They've gone after operations that weren't just random targets. Every move they've made has been deliberate."
Viper leaned forward, her voice lowering slightly. "What do you know about their powers?"
Erwin shook his head. "Not much. Only that they're varied and unpredictable. One of them can move faster than anything I've seen—faster than any of Zola's experiments. Another seems to control energy fields, destabilizing technology with a glance. And those are just the ones we've seen. There's no telling what else they're capable of."
Her expression hardened, but she didn't interrupt. He continued, "What I do know is that they operate under a code. They don't kill indiscriminately. They don't target civilians. But they'll burn entire facilities to the ground if they think it serves their goals."
Viper leaned back again, her fingers steepled as she processed his words. "If they have a code, that's leverage. It means they can be predicted."
"Only to a point," Erwin replied. "Their code makes them predictable, yes, but it also makes them dangerous. They don't play the long game like us—they act decisively, which gives them an edge. And every second we spend trying to anticipate their next move is a second they're using to get further ahead."
"Then what's your plan?" she asked, her voice cold and direct.
Erwin tapped the table. "Now that Pierce is gone, I need an identity to control HYDRA within SHIELD. I wasn't supposed to surface this early, but the times force our hands."
Viper's expression remained sharp, her lips pressing into a thin line as she studied him. "Your timing is convenient. A little too convenient. What makes you think I'll just hand over an operation this sensitive to someone who, by your own admission, isn't supposed to be here yet?"
"It's not about timing," Erwin replied, standing upright. "It's about survival. Pierce's incompetence was dragging us into exposure. You can't argue with that." He gestured lightly toward the mess behind him, still visible through the camera. "I took action to preserve the integrity of the operation. If you have a better candidate, I'm all ears."
Viper leaned back slightly, fingers drumming softly against the desk. "This is about more than Pierce's failure. The Seven are a problem we can't ignore, and Pierce's stupidity cost us an opportunity to understand them. You claim to be from oversight—what's your plan to deal with them?"
"I'll tell you what it isn't," Erwin said. "It's not fumbling around in the dark and hoping for the best. We need to approach this like we always have: methodically. The Seven don't operate like SHIELD or HYDRA. They're unpredictable, precise, and untraceable. The way to handle them isn't with brute force or some outdated notion of superiority. We dismantle their foundation."
"Foundation?" Viper asked.
"They have to rely on something to act as efficiently as they do," Erwin explained. "Whether it's technology, logistics, or intelligence, they have a support structure. It's not visible, but it's there. They're too precise for it to be otherwise. We focus on disrupting that."
Viper's eyes narrowed. "You're making a lot of assumptions for someone who claims to not knowing much."
"Because I pay attention," Erwin replied. "Their patterns are consistent. Even their unpredictability follows a certain logic. They don't act unless the target aligns with their objectives. Figure out what drives them, and you find their weak points."
"And what do you think drives them?" she asked.
Erwin paused for a moment. "Balance. Every move they make is about control—stopping something they believe will destabilize the playing field. They don't care about power or territory. Their focus is surgical. That's why Pierce failed. He treated them like an enemy that could be outmaneuvered. But they're not playing a game. They're managing chaos."
Viper tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "Interesting theory. But theories don't stop threats. How do you propose we act on it?"
"We bait them," Erwin said simply. "Create a scenario they can't ignore. Something that forces them into the open. Once we have them out in the field, we observe, analyze, and disrupt."
"Bait them?" Viper repeated, skepticism lacing her tone. "And what if they turn it back on us? They're not amateurs."
"Of course they'll try," Erwin said. "But that's the point. We don't need to defeat them in one move. We just need to force them into a position where they're reacting instead of acting. That's when mistakes happen."
Viper let the silence linger, her gaze fixed on him. "You're confident in your ability to pull this off."
"I'm confident in HYDRA's ability to adapt," Erwin countered. "This isn't my plan. It's our plan. If you don't trust me to execute it, fine. But ask yourself this—can you afford not to try?"
She didn't respond immediately, her fingers tapping the desk again. "You'll take control of Pierce's remaining assets. If you slip up, I'll make sure your existence is erased, oversight or not."
"Noted," Erwin replied without hesitation. "And you'll authorize the resources I need."
"That depends on results," she said curtly.
"You'll get them," Erwin said. He reached out and ended the call without waiting for a response. Setting the phone down, he glanced at the mess on the floor.
Erwin removed his phone and dialed. The line connected almost instantly. "Boss. Did you get it?"
Nero's voice came through. "We heard it all, Erwin. Good job."
Erwin adjusted the phone against his ear. "What's the plan?"
Nero chuckled, the sound light "We'll take your bait and engage HYDRA directly. It'll cause enough chaos to solidify your position. After that, you'll continue to rise through both SHIELD and HYDRA. Slow and steady. No unnecessary risks."
"Understood." Erwin kept his tone neutral. "Any specific angle for the engagement?"
"We'll keep it clean. Enough damage to make HYDRA lean on you but not enough to make SHIELD suspicious. Play your cards right, and Viper will be forced to rely on you more. The rest is your call."
"I'll handle it," Erwin replied.
"Good. Keep us updated," Nero said before ending the call.
Erwin slipped his phone back into his pocket, his mind already running through the logistics. HYDRA's inner circle was fragmented enough for the plan to work, but Viper's paranoia could complicate things. That wasn't his concern for now. He adjusted his coat, stepped over the mess on the floor, and exited the room without looking back.
-----
To Read up to 75 advance Chapters (25 for each novel) and support me...
patreon.com/thefanficgod1
Please drop a comment and like the chapter!