As one of the main brains of the Hydra organization and the person in charge of Hydra's SHIELD division, Pierce naturally arranged for manpower to pay special attention to both game gashats and Gaia Memories—two items that possessed supernatural power far beyond common sense—once they appeared, along with all related intelligence and information.
However, after previously witnessing the uncontrollable nature of the Bugster virus, and then obtaining the Weather Memory from Dan Kuroto in his Eternal form, thereby gaining the formidable power of a Gaia Memory himself—
and after learning a considerable amount of information about Gaia Memories—
Pierce began to feel that the power of the Gaia Memories was already within his reach.
Thus, he decisively shifted his focus to Gaia Memories, pouring all the resources at his disposal into searching for them.
As for the Bugster virus and the game cartridges, he left those to SHIELD to study—letting them explore the path for him.
But this time, after encountering Genm and being thoroughly beaten, Pierce immediately began to place great importance on the Bugster virus. He ordered Sitwell to report on the location and research progress of the game cartridge containing the Bugster virus that SHIELD currently held.
However, after the real arrival of Thor, the God of Thunder from Asgard, during the myth-related incident in New Mexico, Nick Fury developed a strong sense of urgency. Not only did he restart research into weaponizing the energy of the Tesseract, he also secretly transferred the game cartridge in his possession to a research base for study.
Moreover, in order to ensure the secrecy of the research facility, Nick did not allow a single SHIELD researcher to participate. Instead, he brought in Dr. Erik Selvig, an external consultant, to take charge of the research.
Although Nick Fury still did not know that SHIELD had long since been completely infiltrated from the inside out by Pierce's Hydra faction, he was well aware that SHIELD was certainly riddled with intelligence agents from the permanent members of the World Security Council.
The United States in particular could be said to have planted personnel within SHIELD openly and brazenly. Nick's own deputy director, Maria Hill, was someone designated by the American side.
Nick understood all of this perfectly well, but there was nothing he could do to change it. After all, SHIELD's resources and funding depended heavily on support from the U.S. government.
Although Nick Fury had already identified quite a number of personnel within SHIELD who were dispatched by various countries, even if he knew they were planted spies, what could he really do?
After all, SHIELD's bosses—its superiors—were the World Security Council, or to put it more plainly, the five permanent member states. When it came to personnel sent by those five powers, Nick Fury could only turn a blind eye.
Thus, Nick Fury had always been quietly siphoning off SHIELD's funds to construct a number of secret bases directly under his own control.
"This time, because Nick Fury didn't use any personnel from SHIELD's research department at all, we didn't obtain the relevant intelligence immediately," Sitwell said anxiously as he saw Pierce remain silent for a long time, hurriedly offering an explanation.
"No need," Pierce said after thinking for a moment, shaking his head. "Since Nick Fury moved the game cartridge so covertly, it probably won't be easy to find. If our investigation becomes too conspicuous, it may alert Nick. There's no need for that."
As the former director of SHIELD who had personally promoted Nick Fury to his current position, Pierce understood this successor well—the blacker-than-black-hearted man was extremely suspicious and very difficult to deal with.
Sitwell froze for a moment, clearly puzzled. "But… didn't you previously say you wanted to get the game cartridge?"
Pierce nodded lightly. "Of course we must obtain the game cartridge. Only then can we research the power of the Bugster virus.
"But it's not as if only SHIELD has one. The cartridge in SHIELD's hands also came from elsewhere. There's no need for us to insist on finding Nick's cartridge and exposing ourselves."
Sitwell's eyes lit up in realization. "I understand. We can directly target people connected to the Bugster virus—those who might possess game cartridges—and investigate thoroughly."
Pierce nodded in satisfaction. "Exactly. And SHIELD's research on the game cartridges probably hasn't made any substantial progress yet.
"On the contrary, if we start with the original source of the cartridges, we might uncover the secrets of the Bugster virus.
"I'll leave this matter to you. I authorize you to use any means necessary."
"Please rest assured, sir. I will not disappoint you," Sitwell said immediately, making a solemn promise.
Genm Corporation Headquarters, CEO's Office
Not long after Hydra finalized their operation plan, Dan Kuroto became aware of their every move.
"Although I already expected that after being beaten senseless by Genm this time, Pierce would definitely take action regarding the Bugster virus," Dan Kuroto said with a faint smile to himself,
"I didn't expect him to act so… simply and brutally, without any regard for the consequences."
"Planning to directly kidnap Dr. Li Hua from Holy City Hospital and interrogate him about the Bugster virus? Fine, I can understand that.
"But why is he planning to kidnap me—the president of Genm Corporation—at the same time?
'Better kill the wrong person than let one escape'?"
Holy City Hospital had always been treating patients infected with the Bugster virus. Although its connection to the virus was not openly displayed, the intricate links were impossible to hide from anyone paying close attention.
Even though Holy City Hospital was wholly funded and built by Genm Corporation, Genm itself had absolutely no direct connection with the Bugster virus or the game cartridges.
Which meant—true to Hydra's nature—they didn't care about evidence at all. They simply grabbed people first.
But why were the targets specifically Li Hua and Dan Kuroto? Was it because they were a without powerful political backing in the United States, making the aftermath easier to handle?
Even though Dan Kuroto was the CEO of the world's largest gaming corporation?
Thinking of this, Dan Kuroto let out a cold laugh.
"Master," Azu said, murderous intent flashing in his eyes, "these lowly, ant-like beings actually dare to attempt to act against you. Shall I be permitted to deal with them personally?"
Dan Kuroto smiled faintly and replied meaningfully, "That won't be necessary…"
"But since they've decided to make a move against you, we can't just let them act freely, can we?" Izu added from the other side. "Or we could go directly to Pierce and give this Hydra faction a warning."
Dan Kuroto shook his head, an ill-intentioned smile spreading across his face.
"What I mean is, there's no need to deal with Hydra's agents so directly. We can let them play their part—use them to stimulate Li Hua into mastering the power of the new game gashats more quickly.
"And then, if they're still alive afterward, we can take action and eliminate the people Pierce sent. That way, they'll at least die having served a purpose."
(End of Chapter)