The Game of Secrets 6

Unknown Location

"The project is eighty percent complete. Success is guaranteed," announced a robotic voice. A green glow flickered across the monitor.

"Your intellect remains as brilliant as ever, Arnim Zola," an unknown figure responded.

"That should come as no surprise. Machines do not make mistakes," the green-lit screen spoke, its voice cold and calculated.

"It's a shame that such fascinating developments had to be put on hold for so long," the other figure said with regret.

"The fault lies with incompetent people and my former limitations ones that must now be eliminated," the mechanical voice replied, laced with the faintest trace of human inflection.

"I appreciate that you have pulled me from oblivion, but do not forget under whose conditions you have always operated, Mr. Zola," the mysterious figure said more firmly.

"Yes, Red Skull," came the processed, synthesized reply.

A grin spread across Red Skull's face as he raised his glass.

"Being alive is far more enjoyable."

[image]

"Despite all my computational power, I fail to understand why you have not yet eliminated Captain America."

"It's quite simple, my friend. Our rivalry is one of the greatest conflicts in human history, and ending it with a mere bullet to the head would be… disappointing," Red Skull replied. "It must be an event as significant as 1945 a final battle, where at last, I will claim undeniable victory."

While one dreams of world domination, the other has spent decades trapped in mere lines of code, unable to act. But now, at last, he has found his place in the world a new body, crafted with superior intelligence and the latest advancements in technology.

And soon, he will make his presence known. Very soon.

[image]

HYDRA was nearly wiped out, but some of its leaders survived, striking advantageous deals to ensure their escape. Realizing their past mistakes, they retreated into the shadows, quietly extending their influence across every sector of the world controlling, manipulating, and positioning themselves for their eventual rise to power.

When the Tesseract fell into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s hands, experiments began. However, in secret, one of the most ambitious operations was carried out: the return of Red Skull. He had been trapped in the void, caught between life and death, but HYDRA managed to pull him back. And with his return, HYDRA was reborn, ready to complete the mission of his lifetime.

Their plan for global domination was in its final stages. Their army was prepared, armed with the most advanced technology the world had ever seen. All that remained was one last step pressing a few buttons, activating the hidden mechanisms that would usher in a new order. The era of HYDRA.

Once again, the world spun in an endless cycle where the fate of millions depended on those who controlled the machines. But this time, the press of a button would lead to only one outcome total annihilation.

[image]

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S.H.I.E.L.D. Base Alert

The day began with an unexpected disruption without warning, the Tesseract activated, releasing uncontrolled bursts of energy. Realizing the severity of the situation, Phil Coulson immediately sounded the alarm and reported the anomaly to his superiors.

Shortly after, a helicopter touched down, carrying Nick Fury. Coulson was already waiting for him on the landing pad.

"How bad is it?" Fury asked, striding toward him.

"That's the problem, sir. We don't know," Coulson replied.

Wasting no time, they hurried into the research facility to assess the situation firsthand.

"Dr. Selvig detected an energy surge from the Tesseract four hours ago," an analyst reported.

"He didn't have authorization to conduct experiments," Fury said, displeased.

"There were no experiments. The Tesseract wasn't being used. This was spontaneous activation," Coulson clarified.

"It turned itself on?" Maria Hill asked, skepticism lacing her voice.

"What's the current energy output?" Fury demanded.

"It's rising. We initiated evacuation procedures immediately," Coulson answered.

"How soon until the facility is cleared?"

"Thirty minutes."

"Make sure it happens," Fury ordered.

Coulson nodded, staying behind to oversee the evacuation. Meanwhile, Fury and Hill descended into the depths of the lab, heading straight toward the Tesseract chamber.

"Sir, Evacuation May Be Useless," Hill Noted.

"Send people back to bed?" Fury asked.

"If we don't stabilize the Tesseract's energy, there might not be a safe distance at all."

They entered the laboratory, where Dr. Erik Selvig stood right in front of the Tesseract, staring at it with concern. He was clearly trying to understand what was happening, but without success.

"What's the situation?" Fury asked sharply.

"We can't do anything," Selvig replied. "The Tesseract keeps emitting massive amounts of energy."

"Where's Hawkeye?" Fury asked, looking around.

"In the 'nest'," Selvig nodded toward the observation post.

Hawkeye descended and approached the director.

"I ordered you to monitor the situation," Fury said.

"Had a better view from above," Barton replied.

"Did you notice anything unusual?"

Hawkeye frowned. "Sir, I don't think the problem is on our end. The Tesseract is a door. And it looks like someone is trying to open it... from the other side."

Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden flicker. The blue light of the Tesseract pulsed more intensely until, suddenly, a surge of energy erupted. A wave swept across the room, blinding everyone for a moment.

And then, right before them, a figure appeared.

Tall, clad in golden armor, a staff in hand. A faint smirk touched his lips as he scanned the gathered crowd, as if studying insects.

The agents immediately opened fire, but the bullets simply bounced off the stranger.

He merely raised his staff.

A bright beam of energy shot out, effortlessly taking down one agent after another.

While his forces distracted attention, Nick Fury attempted to seize the Tesseract.

"I won't let you do that," Loki said, looking directly at him. "I still have use for it. That's why I came."

"No need to make this difficult," Fury said.

He watched as Loki used his staff to subjugate his men. Among them was Hawkeye. The situation was spiraling out of control.

Observing how the Tesseract's energy surge had created an unstable field, Fury realized this was his chance to bury the enemy. He had to stall for as long as possible.

"Oh, but it's absolutely necessary." Loki stepped forward, grinning widely. "I am Loki of Asgard. And I have a sacred mission to free this world."

"Free?" Fury narrowed his eyes. "From what?"

"From freedom," Loki sneered.

"Sir, Director Fury is stalling," Hawkeye said in a calm tone, standing beside Loki. "He wants to bury us here."

"Forever, like the pharaohs," Fury quipped.

"He's right. The portal will self-destruct. We have no more than two minutes before catastrophe," Dr. Selvig warned.

"Go ahead," Loki glanced at Barton.

Hawkeye didn't reply. He simply shot Selvig, knocking him to the floor. The group moved upstairs, took the elevator, and reached the garage.

"We need these vehicles," Barton said.

Maria Hill eyed them suspiciously. Too many questions were forming in her mind.

"And who's that?" she asked, nodding toward Loki.

"Wasn't told," Barton muttered, already heading for the cars.

At that moment, Fury's voice crackled in her earpiece:

"Hill, do you copy? We have a traitor!"

She reacted instantly, diving for cover and opening fire on Hawkeye. He returned fire without hesitation.

"They have the Tesseract! Stop them!" Fury ordered, quickly retreating from the blast zone.

Loki and his team sped through the tunnel in a stolen vehicle. Maria Hill and a squad of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents pursued them.

Without taking his eyes off the road, Loki simply raised his staff. A pulse of energy shot through the metal, effortlessly demolishing the vehicles in pursuit. By some miracle, Maria managed to swerve and avoid destruction, but the wreckage left her stranded behind.

Meanwhile, Nick Fury had evacuated and taken to the air in a helicopter. From above, he watched as the S.H.I.E.L.D. base erupted into flames, collapsing into the ground.

Attempting to catch up with Loki, his helicopter was hit. Fury barely managed to survive the crash, escaping the wreckage. Realizing the situation was growing worse by the minute, he activated his communicator:

"The Tesseract has been taken. I failed to stop the enemy. Effective immediately, Level Seven is declared. I want every agent searching for our opponent. We are now at war."

His voice was firm and resolute. The enemy's intentions and full strength remained unknown. And more than anything, Fury hated being in the dark.