Chapter 229: The Hidden Spy

Chapter 229: The Hidden Spy

Otherwise, it would be just like the Avengers, being forced to sign the Sokovia Accords, and if you refuse, you're globally wanted.

Always arrogantly thinking that even without the Avengers, the national military can handle any crisis.

Back in Infinity War, when Thanos' donut-shaped ship had already entered Earth, Ross was still trying to arrest Captain America. He wants to use Hydra to completely shatter the government's confidence in order to establish the prestige of the Superpower Academy.

That's why he's in no rush at all.

"Traitor? What do you mean by that?"

Garrett suddenly stood up, staring harshly at George.

"You're calling people like us, who have risked our lives time and time again for S.H.I.E.L.D. and for the world, traitors?

That's an insult to all of us!"

"Hey, I suggest you mind your tone when speaking to our principal, or I wouldn't mind adding some color to you."

Wolverine Logan raised his hand and revealed his claws.

He had never had a good opinion of these government institutions, especially since it was those self-righteous institutions that had persecuted mutants the most. He and Professor X had been hunted by the government for a long time.

"You'd better put those claws away!"

Ward, who was standing beside Garrett, drew his pistol and aimed it at Logan.

A mocking grin appeared instantly on Logan's face.

"Kid, your little toy can't hurt me."

"Don't be rash! That's not what we meant, Grant, put the gun away!"

Coulson quickly stood up to ease the tense atmosphere.

George smiled slightly:

"Coulson, we trust you and Natasha, of course. But the others—sorry, if we don't test them, how can we be sure there's no Hydra spy among them?

Don't you find it strange? How did the Winter Soldiers know to lie in ambush at the safe house beforehand?"

"George has a point. I think it's indeed necessary."

Black Widow stood up in agreement with George's words, and her close friend Hawkeye also nodded in support.

In fact, with her sharp instincts, she had long suspected that there might be a Hydra spy among them due to the ambush at the safe house.

But this kind of matter wasn't something she could bring up herself at such a moment.

George had psychic powers and could peer into people's minds, and there was also Professor X on their side—someone even more skilled in this area.

Either one of them could easily help conduct a scan.

That was one of the reasons she had gone to George right after escaping Hydra's pursuit.

Without confirming whether a Hydra spy remained among them, it would be impossible to proceed with any further actions.

Nick Fury had been killed, but he had also left behind many contingencies. They were not entirely helpless—as long as there were no more traitors.

"Natasha, are you kidding me?"

Garrett looked at Natasha in disbelief:

"You know how many classified files are in our minds. Who can guarantee he won't browse our memories during the scan? And he can alter memories—I don't trust him!"

Garrett's words made some of the agents below hesitate.

Even if they weren't Hydra spies, no one was willing to lay their memories bare for someone else to inspect.

That would be even worse than stripping naked in front of someone.

A man's browser history, a woman's WeChat chats—having those exposed would already be socially fatal. Let alone exposing memories—every single detail would be seen through, inside and out.

"Coulson, what's your opinion?"

Garrett turned to Coulson, who hesitated before nodding:

"John, things have come to this point. Fury is dead. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secrets don't matter anymore. I trust George, and I hope you all do too.

It's just a scan."

He wasn't doubting Garrett—his comrade who had gone through life and death with him many times. Garrett's concerns weren't unfounded.

But right now, they had no choice. They had to confirm that there were no Hydra spies among them to move forward.

Besides, they really needed George and the Superpower Academy's help.

"Natasha and I will also be scanned. That way everyone can rest assured."

"Then it's settled."

Agent Hill stood up as well.

Now, the highest-ranking remaining S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were Coulson, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hill, and Garrett.

With four out of five agreeing, the decision was made.

However, Garrett let out a cold snort:

"I don't trust him. You guys go ahead with your scan. As for me, there's no way I'll let an outsider read my memories. I'm leaving and will defeat Hydra in my own way.

Whoever wants to come with me, we'll leave now. That way you won't have to worry about any so-called traitor!"

"Teacher, I'm with you. I don't want to entrust my fate to a bunch of outsiders either."

Grant immediately echoed.

Soon after, another agent stood behind Garrett, clearly agreeing with him.

"John, now's not the time for this. Please trust me."

Coulson stepped in front of John with some distress.

John, however, pulled out his gun and handed it to Coulson:

"Either shoot me now or let me go. I trust you—but not these outsiders."

Both he and Garrett had special trackers on them. The Hydra Winter Soldiers had surely already tracked them here. As soon as they left the academy and regrouped with the Winter Soldiers, they could take everyone down in one sweep.

Back at the safe house, they had intentionally left an opening to let Black Widow and the others escape—just to follow the trail and uncover more valuable information.

And now, it had paid off.

Eliminating these mutants would be a huge step in removing a major threat.

"Well said. But sorry—you're not leaving. None of you are going anywhere."

George applauded Garrett's acting. The guy's performance was truly convincing—there was no sign that he had already defected to Hydra.

"What do you mean?"

Garrett turned to glare at George, who looked over at Banner:

"Show them."

Banner activated the equipment, and a large screen suddenly appeared in the conference room. The figures of the Winter Soldiers appeared clearly on the screen.

To the Winter Soldiers outside, the Superpower Academy seemed to have vanished. Even as they pressed up against the academy's outer walls.

But on the academy's surveillance footage, every single Winter Soldier was visible—caught in perfect clarity.

"It's them! How did they find this place?!"

Black Widow and the others immediately recognized the people on the screen—they were the very same Hydra Winter Soldiers who had ambushed them at the safe house.

"So clearly, there's a traitor among us who leaked our whereabouts. I'd say it's those guys who just tried to leave."

Leaning casually at the conference room door, Thor had already figured out what was going on.

(End of Chapter)