MD-Chapter 281 The List Reappears!

Natasha tried to struggle for a moment, grabbing Arthur's wrist and canceling the auto-decryption program, attempting to manually decode it.

But the result still ended in failure.

"This is a very special program," Natasha said. "If it were Tony, he should be able to crack it."

"This isn't the time to talk to him about this."

Arthur turned off the projection on his wristband, walked up to the computer, and inserted the USB drive into the port.

He didn't hesitate much when doing this.

However, the result surprised him slightly. Although the computer started working once the USB was inserted, no activation request popped up.

Instead, it displayed... an iris authentication system!

Looking at the camera above the large display, Arthur thought, This must be the oldest surveillance camera ever. Can this thing handle iris authentication?

"Do we need to find someone?" Natasha asked.

As soon as she finished speaking, a person appeared in Arthur's hand.

This person, just as he appeared, could barely stand. With only Arthur's one hand supporting him, he managed to avoid collapsing to the ground, but his arms were still swinging about uncontrollably.

"What's wrong with him?" Natasha asked, though she wasn't shocked by Arthur's "live transformation" technique, since she had once been thrown into the Disassemble space herself and knew Arthur had such abilities.

"Probably snuck some alcohol when I wasn't paying attention," Arthur casually made up an excuse, grabbing the person by the neck, placing his face in front of the camera, and forcing one of his eyes open.

Moments later, the screen displayed: "Verification Successful!"

"That's convenient. But who is this guy?" Natasha asked.

"His name is Viktor," Arthur replied. "You should remember him. I once had you help me investigate his identity."

"Viktor Clark?" Natasha said. "So he's from Hydra. No wonder that car accident information seemed familiar."

"Probably because they've done it more than once, so they're able to do it with ease," Arthur said.

"So, even if someone's file says they're dead, they might not really be."

Natasha's eyes flashed with understanding, but she sighed. "But, after all this time, that line... it's still been cut. At least we have a new lead here."

"You guys..."

Viktor, at this point, had already struggled to free himself from the dazed condition.

But as soon as he managed to speak two words, Arthur once again threw him into the Disassemble space.

"That's so cruel," Natasha remarked. "But I like it."

Arthur's gaze had already shifted to the computer. On the screen was, unmistakably, a list of names.

The first name on the list was... Wolfgang Von Stucker!

As soon as Arthur saw this name, his pupils suddenly contracted.

Others might not know who this name belonged to, and even moviegoers might not recall the identity behind the name.

But Arthur, with his superb memory, instantly remembered who this person was.

In Avengers: Age of Ultron, Hydra's leader was this very name!

"Alexander Pierce!"

Natasha suddenly pointed at another name and said, "I didn't expect him to be on this list too. What exactly is this?"

"This... is probably a list of important figures within Hydra," Arthur said, taking a deep breath and then looking at Natasha. "Are you good at interrogation?"

"I know a little about it," Natasha said. "That person just now?"

"Yeah."

"It would be very easy. His mind is on the brink of collapse."

Natasha said, "But it will take some time and a more discreet location."

"Time and place, we have," Arthur said. "We need to know more from his mouth."

Natasha nodded, her eyes focused and serious as she looked at each name on the list. "I know some of these people... If they all belong to Hydra, then I suddenly feel like, rather than Hydra hiding in SHIELD, it might actually be SHIELD hiding within Hydra."

"This may only be a more important part of it," Arthur said, recording all the names and imprinting them in his mind.

Even the names marked as deceased, he didn't let go of them.

Afterward, he checked once more to confirm that this USB drive contained only the list. He then removed the USB, threw it into the Disassemble space, and shut it down.

Once this was done, Arthur and Natasha exchanged glances.

Finally, Natasha let out a long sigh. "What do we do now?"

For a moment, she was uncertain. The current situation had exceeded her expectations. Every person on this list was far from ordinary, and the massive forces behind them could shake anyone to the core.

Arthur said, "As of now, what we know is still insufficient. Names alone don't mean much. Even if we reached an agreement with Fury, trying to act against them at this stage wouldn't work."

Natasha nodded. "The list only means their identities are suspicious. Even if we arrest them all, we still can't be sure whether the ones hiding beneath the surface are piranhas or ornamental fish."

"I caught Langmuir," Arthur said. "At least we can be sure he's Hydra."

"If this position has remained vacant..." Natasha suddenly opened her mouth and looked at Arthur. "Are you thinking…?"

"It's impossible for no one to be in contact with him," Arthur said. "I may not be great at role-playing, but I can simulate it just a little."

"At least you score high when you impersonate me."

Natasha said, "There's a secret legend in SHIELD..."

"About what?" Arthur asked casually but quickly regretted it.

Natasha, with a blank expression, said, "The legend says, on the day of the Battle of New York, I once had an affair with Dr. Banner in the women's restroom."

Arthur stared at the ceiling for a moment, then silently said, "We should leave."

"Aren't you going to explain this to me? When you turned into me, what exactly did you do?"

"...Nothing," Arthur replied. "If I turn into Langmuir, I'll need your help."

"Personal information, personality, hobbies, little quirks— I'll have it all sorted for you tonight. But you'd better explain to me what you and Banner were really doing in the women's restroom."

(End of this chapter)

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