You Can Shut Up Now

Bang!

The Winter Soldier heaved with his shoulder and threw the other, taller, burlier Winter Soldier to the ground.

No one paid any attention to that poor wretch who had been beaten into a greasy mess.

Egghead and Hill let their gazes linger on the Winter Soldier’s Secondary Adamantium mechanical arm for no more than three seconds before turning in unison toward Captain America. Their looks carried a complicated mixture of surprise, inquiry, scrutiny, speculation, suspicion, and wariness, making Captain America somewhat uncomfortable.

Over this period, he had followed the Winter Soldier and gained a preliminary understanding of this world.

Though he did not quite understand the modern way of life or the advanced technology, was unaccustomed to the scantily dressed men and women on the streets, and could not comprehend why women’s status had suddenly risen so much, there were still things he needed to know.

For example, the Strategic Scientific Reserve no longer existed. It had been replaced by an organization called the "Strategic Homeland Defense, Attack, and Logistics Agency," abbreviated as "S.H.I.E.L.D." Supposedly, Carter had named it after the Vibranium shield on his back.

His meeting with Carter last night had left him unable to calm down even now.

He had only slept for a little while, yet the beautiful agent who had once been so sharp and capable had turned gray-haired. Not only had she married and had children, but her husband had died as well. There was no longer any trace of who she had once been in her.

Some of it was familiar, but more of it was strange.

It was as though a lifetime had passed.

Time could not turn back. What was gone was gone. Even he could not say whether the feelings they had once shared could continue. Even if Carter had injected the Resurrection Serum and gained a long life, after sixty-four years of separation, how could they possibly repeat the story of the past?

Besides, although they were both nearly ninety, Carter had truly lived ninety years, while he had only really lived for a little over twenty. In Carter’s eyes, he was probably just an immature child.

There was a generation gap between them.

Who would date someone of their son’s generation, or even their grandson’s generation?

His gaze shifted to the logo on the wall. It was S.H.I.E.L.D.’s emblem.

This was S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. Everything before him was the result of Carter’s efforts, and of course, the efforts of the late Howard as well.

The entire world was unfamiliar.

Perhaps only this place could give him even a slight sense of familiarity.

He was not Captain America.

He was a soldier, a soldier of the Strategic Scientific Reserve.

"Captain Rogers."

Egghead stepped forward and extended both hands, his gaze sincere. "Welcome back."

With both hands hanging in midair, Captain America could hardly leave the man looking too awkward. He reached out as well. "Director Fury."

He had no awareness of being a ninety-year-old man.

In his eyes, the clearly much older director of S.H.I.E.L.D. was the elderly man who deserved respect.

The three hands clasped tightly together. If the Winter Soldier had not been present, Old Wang would really have wanted to shout, "Get together! Get together!"

"Captain Rogers, I have already applied to the United Nations Security Council. Once Ms. Carter recovers, she will return to work at S.H.I.E.L.D. as its chief consultant."

Egghead opened with his trump card. "Just like during World War II, the two of you can work together and fight together again."

Captain America froze.

Egghead’s enthusiasm made him uncomfortable. He knew exactly why the other man was doing this.

To be honest, he did feel attached to S.H.I.E.L.D. After all, it was the successor to the Strategic Scientific Reserve. This place gave him a slight feeling of having returned home.

But he himself was not quite sure how to face Carter.

That was why he hesitated.

And he also had to consider Master Wang.

Without Master Wang’s help, Bucky could never have freed him from the ice of Greenland. He might have continued sleeping for decades, centuries, or perhaps forever, until his bodily functions completely collapsed and he died.

Master Wang had his own purpose as well. Of course, it was an open scheme, and he had never asked for anything. Steve was not someone who liked owing others favors. Kindness had to be repaid.

Bucky seemed to trust and feel close to Master Wang. Master Wang and S.H.I.E.L.D. were partners, but they were not one and the same.

If he went to S.H.I.E.L.D., what would happen to Bucky?

Would he leave Master Wang and remain by his side forever?

"No one can force you, Captain Rogers."

Egghead glanced at Old Wang, the meaning obvious. "No matter what choice you make, it is your freedom… mmph, mmph, mmph…"

I interpret that look of yours as a threat. Brother, you’re awfully arrogant… Old Wang, whose true age was over fifty, lightly glanced at Egghead. He spread apart the index finger and thumb of his left hand, then gently pinched them together.

Egghead immediately felt his lips go out of control, as though someone had forcefully pinched them shut. No matter how hard he tried, he could not open his mouth.

Master Wang, you’ve gone too far!

Egghead tried to move, only to discover that he could not move at all. His limbs felt as though they had been tied up.

He struggled to make muffled noises, only to find that no one paid him any attention, Hill included.

He saw Captain America and Master Wang saying something, but he could not hear a thing.

Wang, you actually blocked my voice!

"Agent Hill, there is something I would very much like to know."

Old Wang suddenly looked at Hill and asked, "What is S.H.I.E.L.D.’s attitude toward Sergeant Barnes? As far as I know… it does not seem very friendly?"

Hill’s eyes narrowed. She understood what Master Wang was trying to do.

She hurriedly looked at Egghead. Naturally, only the director could answer such a question.

Huh? Director, what do you mean?

He did not speak, only pursed his lips and blinked, his expression seemingly helpless.

Hill thought it over and understood.

There was no way to conceal this. Skye was the world’s top hacker. Those files concerning the Winter Soldier had probably already been copied and could be released at any time. It was better to come clean.

But the director clearly did not want to say it himself, probably because he did not want to lose face. So he could only look helpless and have her speak.

You’re the boss and I’m the employee. An official one rank higher can crush you to death… Hill slightly organized her words before saying, "S.H.I.E.L.D. is willing to accept agents with stains on their records. In fact, it has always done so. For example…"

"For example, Agent Romanoff?" Old Wang interrupted.

"Yes." Hill frowned slightly.

Agent Romanoff’s information was Level Eight classified. Only a very small number of people in all of S.H.I.E.L.D. knew it. Of course, to Skye, Level Ten classified information was no different from ordinary data.

This is too much. Does having a top hacker mean you can do whatever you want?

"Agent Romanoff does have many stains on her record, but she has never killed important S.H.I.E.L.D. members or high-ranking officials from other governments. As far as I know, the Security Council members have reservations about Agent Romanoff. You are the next director they trust most."

Old Wang maintained his usual half-smile. "Agent Hill, do not avoid my question. What exactly is S.H.I.E.L.D.’s attitude toward Sergeant Barnes?"

Hill pressed her lips together.

Master Wang was being aggressive, while the director said nothing. Both of them were being far too much.

Forget it. This is not something I can salvage anyway. If the sky falls, the director will hold it up.

She gave up entirely and laid everything out. "The Council has ordered Sergeant Barnes’s capture, and governments around the world are also applying pressure. But the director has never issued the order. He believes Sergeant Barnes was controlled by Hydra and is not personally guilty."

Old Wang shrugged and said nothing more.

Captain America understood.

S.H.I.E.L.D. could not possibly allow Bucky to join them. They might even capture him.

Of course, Master Wang clearly wielded enormous influence. Otherwise, Director Fury would not have resisted the pressure and refrained from issuing the order.

This definitely was not out of concern for Bucky, but because he did not want to fall out with Master Wang.

Therefore, Bucky would only be safe by staying with Master Wang.

Then what about himself?

For a moment, Captain America was lost.