Chapter 231: The Disappearance of Captain Marvel

Chapter 231: The Disappearance of Captain Marvel

According to Garrett's memories, Baron Strucker was originally active during World War II. He was a master swordsman and marksman, on the same level as Red Skull, and died unexpectedly from a spore bomb explosion.

Later, through the efforts of HYDRA's scientists, he was resurrected, gaining a powerful body and various abilities. He continued conducting research on superpowers, capturing and creating numerous superpowered HYDRA soldiers.

In addition to Hive and Baron Strucker, there were many other formidable figures within HYDRA, such as Madame HYDRA and Baron Zemo.

Yes, the Baron Zemo here was also not the Sokovian colonel from the movies, but one of HYDRA's top leaders during World War II, on the same level as Red Skull and Baron Strucker.

Besides these high-ranking officials, HYDRA also had scientists like Zola, List, and Faust.

Zola, too, differed from his portrayal in the films. In the movies, Zola was diagnosed with a terminal illness in 1972, so he transferred his consciousness into a massive computer of that era and was hidden within a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. facility in New Jersey.

But in this world, Zola transferred his consciousness into a robot body that could move freely and continue scientific research. Garrett had even met him.

It was precisely because he had met Zola that Garrett resolutely joined HYDRA, believing they could modify his body.

"Much stronger than in the movies, but still just that."

This world's HYDRA was far more powerful than the one he knew, but to George now, it wasn't much.

Not a significant threat.

"How is it?"

Black Widow took a step forward when she saw George lost in thought.

George snapped back and smiled:

"They're indeed HYDRA agents. They've been passing information to HYDRA, which is why you were ambushed."

After a short pause, he continued:

"Although their memories only show the two of them as HYDRA agents, just to be sure, I need to check all of your memories."

"No problem, start with me."

Coulson stepped forward.

George didn't hesitate. He directly used his psychic abilities and telepathy to quickly scan Coulson's memories.

Coulson's background was not complicated. He had admired superheroes since childhood and was a devoted fan of Captain America. He first joined the Army Rangers, then moved to S.H.I.E.L.D., following Nick Fury ever since.

However, it was this simple experience that left George puzzled.

"What's going on? Why is there no Captain Marvel?"

He found no memory fragments of Captain Marvel or the Skrulls in Coulson's mind.

According to the movies, when Coulson was younger and working with Nick Fury, he had contact with Captain Marvel and the Skrulls. Though brief, there should've been at least some memory.

"Could it be… this universe really doesn't have Captain Marvel!"

This wasn't the cinematic universe, so it wasn't a given that Captain Marvel must exist.

So the reason Nick Fury didn't use a Skrull body double wasn't due to an accident—it was because there were no Skrulls in the first place.

And he didn't have that pager to call Captain Marvel either.

"This universe is getting more and more complicated."

This wasn't necessarily a good thing for George.

It wasn't that the strengthened HYDRA posed a threat, or that the absence of Captain Marvel meant one less powerful ally against Thanos in the future.

It was that all these changes meant this universe might differ greatly from the cinematic universe in many aspects.

This meant that all the judgments George had made based on the original plot might now be drastically inaccurate.

George originally thought that with his current strength—and the fact that he would be even stronger when Thanos arrived on Earth—he would be able to handle Thanos and his cosmic army without much trouble.

But now, it seemed he had been too optimistic.

He hadn't read the Marvel comics, but he wasn't entirely clueless. What if the Thanos that showed up wasn't the one with the Infinity Stones, but the one with the Heart of the Universe? That would be game over.

"Looks like I can't relax after all!"

At that moment, George tensed up again. He needed to work harder to improve his strength.

After checking Coulson, he scanned the memories of Black Widow and the others as well. The rest were all loyal S.H.I.E.L.D. agents—no HYDRA spies lurking among them.

"With this, Nick Fury is truly dead."

Originally, he thought Nick Fury could be resurrected.

Because in the Captain Marvel storyline, Nick Fury had obtained Kree blood and developed the GH-325 serum, capable of reviving the dead—though with serious side effects, with Coulson as the main figure in charge.

In the TV series, Coulson was resurrected by Nick Fury using GH-325.

But now, it seemed resurrection was impossible. With no Captain Marvel, there were no Kree, and thus no GH-325 could be developed.

Dead is dead—not necessarily a bad thing for George.

Nick Fury had an excessively strong desire for control. He wasn't capable enough to justify it, always trying to control everything. Though his intentions weren't bad, it was inevitable that he'd oppose George.

Better to let someone like Coulson take over as director.

"George, more people are coming!"

At that moment, Professor X transmitted the images he had sensed telepathically into George's mind.

Combat helicopters bearing the S.H.I.E.L.D. insignia flew over the school's area, and HYDRA soldiers, fully armed with energy rifles, descended from the choppers.

Apparently, because Garrett and Grant could no longer transmit messages, and the tracking Winter Soldiers hadn't found the missing Black Widow and others, HYDRA was done hiding—they were ready for a full-scale carpet search and attack.

"Tanks are coming out too. Looks like S.H.I.E.L.D. has been completely taken over by Pierce."

In addition to combat helicopters and a large number of HYDRA soldiers, George also saw tanks appearing nearby.

Meanwhile, in the surveillance feed in the conference room, everyone saw HYDRA's movements.

"Coulson, S.H.I.E.L.D. is finished. HYDRA is far stronger than you imagined. Give up resistance.

Join us. With my recommendation, you'll get a position far higher than what you had at S.H.I.E.L.D.

In the future, once HYDRA unifies the world, a small country's territory can be granted to you. Then you'd be the king of that little nation—free to do whatever you want."

Garrett, seeing the HYDRA army on screen, immediately tried to persuade Coulson.

But Coulson turned to Hawkeye:

"Do you still have that electric arrow? I'd like to give him a good zap and then watch the screen while watching him drool on the floor as his body goes out of control."

As a fan of Captain America, he had joined S.H.I.E.L.D. to protect the world with noble ideals.

(End of Chapter)