Nick Fury Demoted Again

S.H.I.E.L.D. was founded by the five major powers…

Pah.

S.H.I.E.L.D. was founded by the five major powers, but Russia and China only provided funding and did not grant S.H.I.E.L.D. law enforcement authority within their respective countries.

Russia and China were on their own.

Russia had the Guardian Alliance.

China had the Divine Spear Bureau.

The Guardian Alliance and the Divine Spear Bureau shared data and intelligence with S.H.I.E.L.D., but when it came to cases involving their countries, S.H.I.E.L.D. could only assist, not take the lead.

So…

While S.H.I.E.L.D. sounded impressive, in reality, only three of the five major powers granted it law enforcement authority: Washington, Paris, and London.

And even that law enforcement authority was granted discreetly.

The constitutional framework of the three nations couldn’t satisfy the need for both secrecy and law enforcement power. The Federation was even more so; granting law enforcement authority required going through Congress, even for the President.

S.H.I.E.L.D.’s ability to operate secretly was already a decision made after discussions in Congress, a case of turning a blind eye.

And now?

If this matter blew up and S.H.I.E.L.D. was exposed, it wouldn’t just reassure the public; it would terrify them.

Good heavens.

A secret law enforcement agency?

What was Washington trying to do, use this secret agency to control their freedom in every aspect?

Believe me.

Washington would explode.

And.

Once S.H.I.E.L.D. was exposed, it wouldn’t just be Washington’s problem; it would be a global one.

Uh…

It would be a major event for the entire Western world, and the image of global protests would no longer be a legend.

As for China and Russia?

Undoubtedly.

These two countries would condemn Washington, because they had honestly told their citizens that they had absolutely not granted this so-called S.H.I.E.L.D. law enforcement authority in their countries, and had only provided funding due to Washington’s coercion.

That would be a beautiful scene.

In fact.

The four countries had just held an emergency phone call with Mr. President. If the situation became uncontrollable, they would stop funding S.H.I.E.L.D. if necessary.

That’s what China and Russia said.

They had the confidence to do so, as S.H.I.E.L.D. was merely a backup plan for them.

Paris and London were more subtle.

In short.

Even if Mr. President didn’t do it for S.H.I.E.L.D., he wouldn’t support S.H.I.E.L.D. for his own approval ratings.

This was unsustainable.

It was impossible to sustain.

For Mr. President, everything was a tool. As long as it affected his approval ratings, anything could be discarded. After all, he had worked hard to boost his approval ratings with the September incident last year.

After Mr. President announced his decision, without waiting for Director Langley’s reaction, he slammed the table.

This matter was settled.

Outside the Pennsylvania Avenue villa.

In the car.

Secretary Kelly, sitting in the back seat, spoke to Lake, who was in the passenger seat, "What you wanted to get, now is your time to appear."

Lake turned his head, looking confused, "Me?"

Secretary Kelly didn’t intend to play games. He said directly, "Mr. President has made his decision. You are the primary person responsible for this case. You can conclude it however you see fit, but I don’t care what method you use, you need to quell this disturbance. Also, catch that damn leaker, Professor X. Dead or alive, it doesn’t matter, understand?"

Lake opened his mouth, "Minister, we don’t have foreign law enforcement authority."

Secretary Kelly immediately told the driver to stop the car, then smiled at Lake, "Get out, figure it out yourself. I need to go back and get some sleep."

Lake: "…"

Three Feathers.

"What?"

Nick Fury’s single eye narrowed, and after hearing Alexander Pierce’s words, he shook his head and said, "No, Megan Walsh is our person."

Alexander Pierce said directly, "Megan Walsh isn’t one of our S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. She’s just a killer trained by a killer base, understand?"

Feeling exhausted.

Alexander Pierce sighed at the methods Black King and Lake used to cooperate.

Compared to them.

Alexander Pierce felt an urge to change his successor.

Speaking of which…

If he recruited that Lake Edwin into S.H.I.E.L.D., then helped him rise through the ranks, wouldn’t Hydra’s strength increase significantly?

It would be better than the current situation where no one was in charge, allowing the ‘Black Egg’ to reign.

Alexander Pierce’s heart wavered slightly. The reason he chose Nick Fury as his successor had already been stated. Maria Hill was the only one qualified to compete with Nick Fury. She was too smart and had her own strong principles. He chose Nick Fury because he was easier to control. If Maria Hill took over, Hydra would likely be exposed nakedly.

"I’m the leader of Hydra, why am I worrying about S.H.I.E.L.D. every day?"

No.

"Why am I cleaning up the mess for the ‘Black Egg’ every day?"

"My decision back then must have been made after drinking industrial alcohol."

Alexander Pierce blamed himself in his heart. If he had chosen anyone else, the current situation wouldn’t have happened.

Nick Fury was also ambitious, which was a major reason Alexander chose him. However, it now seemed that choosing a fool would have been better than Nick Fury.

A fool could at least occasionally act wisely out of foolishness.

Nick Fury was completely the opposite, acting foolishly out of great wisdom.

This was probably the fault of racial talent.

Nick Fury said gravely, "This is clearly a trap."

It was another trap set by Lake Edwin and his killer friend, targeting S.H.I.E.L.D.

Nick Fury knew it clearly.

Alexander said expressionlessly, "Do you have proof?"

Nick Fury replied, "Give me some time, and I can find the evidence."

Alexander sighed, "I’ll give you time, but will the White House give me time? Hand over the person by noon tomorrow."

Nick Fury frowned.

Alexander Pierce looked at the silent Nick Fury and shook his head, "You should know who the person in the White House will choose."

He paused.

Alexander Pierce seemed to be persuading Nick Fury, "After the base’s key personnel evacuate, go to the New York Operations Center. I’ll try to see if I can get Agent 83 back after the Department of Homeland Security closes the case."

He was offering a carrot after a stick.

This was another of Nick Fury’s mistakes.

If Nick Fury hadn’t accidentally faked Agent 83’s death and escape, leading to its accidental discovery by the Department of Homeland Security, would all these things have happened? After the White House meeting ended, they immediately started holding S.H.I.E.L.D. accountable.

In short.

It was either Nick Fury’s fault or S.H.I.E.L.D.’s fault.

Choose one.

What choice could Alexander Pierce make?

Alexander patted Nick on the shoulder, "Rest for a while after you get to New York, and come back after the storm passes."

Nick: "…"

Poor Nick Fury. He was doing well as the Deputy Director, just one step away from taking over the Director’s baton when Alexander Pierce retired.

But what happened?

Last year, he was demoted from S.H.I.E.L.D. Deputy Director to head of the overseas Agent Academy.

And today?

He was once again demoted from head of the overseas academy to S.H.I.E.L.D.’s New York Operations Center, with the position… currently vacant.

Just thinking about it was enough to make one feel sad and shed tears…

The next day.

Independence Day.

In Quantico Base, Lake called Rachel Armstrong.

"Mr. Edwin?"

"Good morning, Ms. Armstrong."

Rachel seemed surprised to receive Lake’s call, "Mr. Edwin, what do you need me for…"

Lake got straight to the point, "I’d like you to come and watch a show. Quantico Military Base. I can get you a cameraman spot, an exclusive one. Interested?"

Rachel, who had been sleeping at her desk, immediately sat up. "Of course, what time?"

Lake chuckled. "How about coming over now?"

Rachel walked towards Bonnie’s office. After pushing the door open, she looked at Bonnie and said into the phone, "Okay, I’ll depart immediately."

She hung up the phone.

Rachel said to Bonnie, "I’m requesting to use the newspaper’s helicopter."

Bonnie: "…"

Whirring!

Half an hour later.

Lake, dressed in his service uniform adorned with numerous service medals, looked up and smiled as he watched the news helicopter slowly descend under the base tower’s command.

It’s time to finish this.

Last night, Lake had learned from his contact at Hydra’s Washington office that Nick Fury had once again been made the scapegoat and sent to New York.

This was excellent.

New York was his territory.

Heh.

Lake had plenty of ways to frame Nick Fury.

You mess with me?

I’ll mess with you for the rest of your life, making you wish you were dead.

Meanwhile.

Rachel stepped off the helicopter and looked at Lake, who was standing not far away. She seemed taken aback for a moment, then walked over and shook his hand. "Wow, Edwin… Major! You look even more handsome in uniform."

Lake said, "Thank you." "You look beautiful today too."

Rachel replied, "Don’t joke, I’ve been sleeping at the newspaper office these past few days and haven’t even had a chance to shower."

Lake smiled. "I’m serious, you look very beautiful today."

"…"

This was definitely not flirting.

Lake had said that besides not getting involved with lolis, the second type of person he wouldn’t get involved with was a married woman. Unless he didn’t know, but if he did know, Lake would absolutely not do such a thing.

Uh…

If she was divorced, Lake actually wouldn’t mind much.

Ten minutes later.

Lake, along with Rachel and her photographer, arrived at the base’s command center.

The twelve large screens in the center were still black.

Many uniformed personnel were busy working with tension.

Lake said to Rachel beside him, "You can have your cameraman turn on the camera, but the subsequent editing must be done under the base’s supervision, as some of it is military classified."

Rachel quickly nodded to her cameraman, then handed a signed confidentiality agreement to a soldier. After that, she said to Lake, "Major Edwin, can you give me a spoiler? What are we preparing to do?"

Lake looked at Rachel. "Thanks to your article, the Department of Homeland Security has officially closed the case. I received information from an informant about the destination of this overseas assassin academy. In twenty minutes, our soldiers will be air-dropping into that location. I’m bringing you along to supervise the entire process and to help clear our name."

Rachel: "…"