Control

Strucker had recently felt that his luck had turned, as though he had suddenly lifted Lady Luck’s skirt. The enhanced human experiment, which had been stalled for a long time, had achieved several breakthroughs in succession, sending the Baron into a frenzy of delight.

Since Viper, far away in Tokyo, Japan, had gone missing, Hydra had drawn in its forces and maintained its usual secretive, low-profile approach. Alexander Pierce had originally intended to help Loki bring in the Chitauri, create greater chaos, and leave S.H.I.E.L.D. overwhelmed and weakened. If they could use a borrowed knife to kill and take the opportunity to eliminate the Avengers, that would have been even better.

Unfortunately, Loki had failed to live up to expectations. Not only had he lost the Tesseract, but he had ultimately drawn Thanos into acting personally, leaving Asgard badly weakened and suffering enormous losses. S.H.I.E.L.D. and Earth had instead become bystanders.

This left Hydra, which had been eager to make a major move, with complicated feelings. They had not known before just how terrifying the Cosmic Overlord behind Loki was. If the Chitauri army had truly descended upon Earth, these Nazi remnants plotting to rule the world likely would not have fared well either.

Strucker had chosen Central and Eastern Europe as his base precisely to avoid S.H.I.E.L.D.’s notice. Since the Red Empire had collapsed, Hydra had split into several factions. Alexander Pierce had infiltrated the enemy ranks early on, lying low and enduring as he waited for an opportunity, even rising to a high-ranking position for a time. Meanwhile, the Baron had taken root in this chaotic land of upheaval amid the drastic changes in Eastern Europe.

Others, such as Whitehall, who was devoted to seeking the miraculous power of extraterrestrial life, and Viper, who researched viruses, each belonged to different Hydra factions. They usually acted independently and contacted one another only when necessary.

After the Third Reich fell apart and Red Skull disappeared, this ancient organization fractured and spread, like a virus creeping across the world.

"Dr. Stoke, what exactly is going on?"

Strucker, wearing a monocle, strode through the secret base—Sokovia’s largest medical center, which was in fact a hidden Hydra stronghold used for experimental research.

The Baron’s forebears had been hereditary nobles from Bavaria, Germany. After the Führer of the Third Reich came to power, swept up in the fanaticism gripping the entire nation, they joined the Nazi Party. Later, they became trusted aides to Heinrich Himmler and members of the SS high command. Born into such a family, Strucker had caught the eye of the Hydra led by Red Skull and been recruited into its ranks. After a period of maneuvering and climbing, he had attained his present position.

"Dr. Sipes improved the experimental process and adopted a new form of psychotherapy. The facts have proven that this method has a higher success rate than the old one," Dr. Stoke replied.

He was Strucker’s trusted confidant and had overseen the enhanced human experiment for many years. He had always been regarded as Sokovia’s second-most powerful figure.

"Dr. Sipes?" Strucker’s tone was surprised. As the true person in charge here, he had never heard of this man.

The managers in charge of the enhanced human experiment had always been Dr. Stoke and Dr. Leonard. The two believed that mental stimulation and painful experiences could awaken a test subject’s physical potential. Combined with Hydra’s enhancement serum, it was enough to grant ordinary people unexpectedly formidable abilities.

Absorbing Man Carl Creel was a product of this experiment. She could transform her body into the properties of any material she touched, and Strucker had appointed her leader of Satan’s Claw.

"Dr. Sipes is young and accomplished. He graduated from a prestigious university and holds dual degrees in neurobiology and psychology…"

Stoke spoke at length, while the endless illusions flickering into existence and vanishing inside his mind made him firmly believe every word.

The Mind Stone possessed the strange ability to distort consciousness and control the mind. Sean was still continuously exploring it. He wanted to master it more deeply, so that after entering the void state, he could rid himself of his uncontrollable rampages.

Hearing this answer from his capable subordinate, Strucker felt much more at ease. He paced into the discreetly located experimental center and saw a young man in a white lab coat conducting routine interviews with several test subjects.

Judging from their vital data, Dr. Sipes had made subtle modifications to the enhancement serum. Moreover, he seemed highly skilled at psychotherapy, producing remarkable results in mental stimulation and clearly inheriting Hydra’s finest brainwashing techniques.

Baron Strucker nodded and wished to meet this promising young doctor personally. He sat in the room waiting for him, mentally preparing a set of persuasive words. To deal with opportunists, he would promise benefits; to handle fanatical believers among the Nazi remnants, he would deliver an impassioned speech.

There were always few saints in this world who desired nothing. Hydra had always been skilled in this regard. Among the factions within its massive organization, only a small number were truly willing to sacrifice everything for a Nazi revival. Most were ambitious schemers using the name of the Third Reich to fulfill their own lust for power.

"Dr. Sipes… how could it be you?!"

Hearing a knock, Strucker raised his head. When he saw the young man entering, his eyes filled with shock. He knew him.

Sean Sipes, the New York genius mentioned in the same breath as Tony Stark, the founder of Umbrella. Energy weapons and Human Enhancement Serum—these two technologies had always been precious prizes Hydra had sought by every possible means to obtain.

The last time Loki attacked Umbrella, Alexander Pierce had even dispatched a Hydra Squad, hoping to steal cutting-edge technology amid the chaos. There had been no word from them to this day.

It was said that Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. regarded this young man as a priority target. Though Strucker was far away in Eastern Europe, he had also kept track of Sean’s news.

If Sean had not been under S.H.I.E.L.D.’s close watch, Hydra would have sent someone to contact him long ago. For a rare genius like this, the best outcome would naturally have been to recruit him.

"Mr. Sipes, I believe you have come to the wrong place…"

Almost instinctively, Strucker reached for the pistol beneath the desk. Even though he did not understand why Sean had appeared here, this was clearly not a good sign.

How had that idiot Stoke brought Sean Sipes into Hydra’s ranks?

That young face had appeared repeatedly on the front pages of New York newspapers and had even made the cover of Time Magazine. He was practically a household name throughout North America.

"I merely happened to be passing by, and I also felt that your enhanced human experiment was far too inefficient. So—could you put down the gun in your hand first, Baron?"

Sean smiled faintly. Strucker’s body trembled as he pulled the trigger, then, like a robot, he lowered the weapon in his hand.

"Let’s sit down and talk."

Facing the other man’s incredulous, horrified gaze, the young man casually pulled out a chair and sat down. At the same time, Strucker went against his own will, his limbs stiff as he sat down in his seat.

Overwhelming terror washed over him. As one of Hydra’s senior members, Strucker felt as though he had fallen into an ice pit. He was certain that his body had not been controlled, yet whenever Sean spoke, his heart involuntarily yielded.

It was as though he were a machine receiving commands, unable to defy any order from the other man.

"Don’t look at me like that. I’m not a demon."

Sean wore a gentle smile. Combined with the white lab coat he had on, he looked like a real psychologist.