Eastern European Food Cooperation Pilot Program

Mosses generally preferred shady, damp environments. They usually grew on rock faces, tree trunks, and soil surfaces, or in moist forests and swamps. Some mosses could even survive in wastelands and deserts.

But the moss modified by Oaks’s Oak Environmental Technology Company could obviously do far more than that.

Soilless cultivation was something even children had heard of.

Using peat, forest leaf mold, vermiculite, and other media as a substrate to anchor plant roots, supplemented with nutrient solution, allowed plants to grow normally as if they were in soil.

Deserts, beaches, deserted islands… as long as there was a certain supply of freshwater, it could be done.

The "Root Series Moss" developed by Oaks was based on this cultivation method.

The moss secreted a gelatinous substance that firmly adhered to rock surfaces. It also grew a powerful system of "rhizoids" that penetrated deep into the soil before spreading into a continuous expanse.

As long as a small number of truly massive rocks were cleared away, hillside areas could be transformed into fertile farmland by this moss.

But the extraordinary thickness of Root Series Moss was not merely a substrate that helped anchor crop roots.

It secreted nutrient-rich fluids within itself, providing everything the crops rooted in it needed to grow. In other words, no additional nutrient solution was required.

All it needed was fertilizer and water supplied to fixed points. The interconnected moss substrate itself became the best irrigation channel.

This was an innovation that overturned traditional farming systems.

And since Oaks was involved, the food crops naturally were no ordinary varieties.

"Abundance No.3 and No.4 are high-yield wheat varieties specifically developed for mountainous terrain. They are planted on the shaded slope and the Yang Slope respectively, making full use of the two different temperature and moisture environments.

"Of course, you don’t have to grow wheat. Vegetables are fine too, and I wouldn’t object if you wanted to grow pasture grass—

"This moss tastes very bitter, so livestock probably won’t like eating it. If you grow grass, you can develop animal husbandry as well."

Zemo was so shocked that he could not speak.

But he was worthy of being Baron Zemo. After a long while, he still managed to control his emotions.

"Hasn’t your Benevolence Society always stayed out of the food industry?

"Given your capabilities, I have no doubt you would eventually do this, but why us?"

"On one hand, it is a small compensation for this operation—Hydra has been secretly researching dangerous alien technology. That is not something a turbulent small country should get involved with.

"Unless you want to see the surrounding countries tear you apart and divide you up in advance."

Seeing that Zemo did not voice any objection, Oaks nodded slightly.

"You thought of it too. Then the other reason is somewhat related—

"The food industry is the lifeline of a nation. I only began preparing these things after moving the Benevolence Society headquarters above the high seas.

"Sokovia is small enough, poor enough… Sorry, that is somewhat offensive, but it is the truth."

"I don’t mind…"

Zemo sighed and shook his head.

"I think I understand what you mean. My country is not very conspicuous.

"So cooperating with us will not draw the attention of the major powers."

"That’s right. My company’s research results are meant to benefit all humanity… but they are simply too sensitive. I would not dare gamble on the awareness of the American government."

The two shared a knowing sneer. Then Zemo was the first to speak again.

His expression was extremely solemn.

"I can make this happen. With the credit for capturing Hydra operatives, I can gain a greater voice.

"And once this succeeds, Sokovia may be small, but it will become your most steadfast friend!"

"I have no doubt that with your wisdom, as long as you want to do it, you will succeed."

Oaks held out his hand.

"Then, happy cooperation?"

"Wait."

Zemo did not take Oaks’s hand. He looked again at the tablet in his hand and shook his head slightly.

"You are giving too much. It makes me uneasy."

"…Is that so?"

Oaks raised an eyebrow. If he included having Hati give him Hydra’s information…

It really was a bit much.

"Perhaps it seems like too much to you, but I do not find it particularly excessive.

"Actually, I have also selected other countries for experiments involving the earlier-numbered mosses and food crops. I simply have not begun negotiations with them yet.

"Besides, I plan to establish the Benevolence Society’s Europe Branch in London. Perhaps you could also support my branch here in Eastern Europe."

"A branch? No problem."

Zemo’s expression finally relaxed somewhat.

"A worldwide charitable organization would surely be a good thing for the people of our country, who have just experienced turmoil…

"But that is still not enough. This is not your entire purpose."

"…You are that sure?"

Oaks had truly come to admire Zemo’s intelligence.

"All right, all right… Actually, I previously met an interesting pair of twins…"

Only after telling Zemo about Wanda and Pietro did he finally smile.

"Now I feel that you are finally being completely candid."

"Those two young people with special abilities are Sokovians, so I felt they would at least pose no danger to you. That was why I did not mention them."

Oaks rubbed his chin, not trying to conceal it any longer.

"Since we have already said this much, I’ll shamelessly ask Colonel Zemo to help me persuade those two young people properly."

"…I remember the bombing you mentioned."

Zemo looked at Oaks’s young face with a strange expression.

"So that would put them at around twenty-five or twenty-six years old. You are not even thirty yet, are you?"

"…I’m old at heart."

Oaks coughed lightly, quickly moving past the subject as he extended his hand again.

"Then, happy cooperation?"

"Happy cooperation."

This time, Zemo did not hesitate. He took his hand.

With Zemo’s side settled, the previously tense relationship between the Sokovian military and the Howling Commandos naturally eased.

They spent considerable effort transporting the Hydra personnel back to prison. Waiting for them was not only a United Nations trial, but also the anger of the Sokovian people—

They had already learned what this base had done to their country over the years.

Their country had been in turmoil, and their lives had become so precarious. More than half the reason for that lay with Hydra.

After all, the more chaotic things became here, the easier it was for them to hide themselves.

Once the handover was complete, Zemo and Oaks confirmed the timing and methods of contact for their cooperation once more. Then Zemo led his troops back to his city.

The next morning, just after daybreak, Oaks was unsurprised to see the siblings Pietro and Wanda arrive.

"We investigated it… You did not lie to us."

Upon seeing Oaks, Pietro got straight to the point in a deep voice.

"We’ll go back with you and settle the score with Tony Stark… Don’t worry, we won’t use force."

"…That would be for the best."

Oaks glanced at Pietro, then looked deeply at Wanda, whose eyes seemed to flash with red light.

"Then let’s go."