---------
Kai started with Pierce, screening from top to bottom. At the same time, he followed the clues from the bottom up among the discovered agents, conducting a meticulous examination of all S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel. Finally, he produced a comprehensive network of relationships.
As he introduced Steve to his findings, Kai projected a massive web of interconnected names in front of him.
Steve's eyes widened in shock.
He had mentally prepared himself for the possibility that Hydra had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D., but he had assumed it would be limited to a small number of agents. After all, Nick Fury always boasted about his tight control over the agency.
But now, as Steve stared at the sprawling network before him, he realized that Fury had been wrong. The Hydra infestation extended from Pierce at the World Security Council down to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s leadership, special operations teams, and even grassroots agents.
If Nick Fury were awake and able to see this, Kai suspected he might pass out from sheer frustration.
Steve remained silent, stunned by the scale of the infiltration.
"Kai, are you sure this is everything?" Steve asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
Kai nodded. "This is every piece of data I could gather. I triple-checked it to ensure that no innocent people were wrongly accused, and no guilty ones escaped."
Steve exhaled sharply. The thought of Peggy Carter's hard work being undone by Hydra made his expression darken. He shot a glare at Nick Fury, still frozen in Kai's ice spell. If Fury had been awake, Steve wasn't sure how he would have reacted.
Just as Steve was about to request the list, Kai interrupted him. "Don't rush in. If you act too soon and alert them, what then?"
Steve hesitated. Kai had a point—this had to be handled carefully. No one could be allowed to escape.
"We need a proper plan. Just the two of us won't be enough; we need reinforcements," Kai continued. "More importantly, we have to think about what happens to S.H.I.E.L.D. after Hydra is gone."
Steve frowned, realizing Kai was right.
"First problem: S.H.I.E.L.D. will be critically damaged, and the major world governments won't trust it anymore."
"Second problem: Without that trust, the agency loses funding, operational authority, and law enforcement jurisdiction. What happens then?"
"Third problem: If none of the above is resolved, can S.H.I.E.L.D. even continue its global operations?"
Steve considered Kai's words carefully. "S.H.I.E.L.D. was Peggy's creation. I don't want it to fall apart because of this."
Kai nodded. "I agree. And I have a plan."
Steve looked at him intently. "Let's hear it."
Kai smiled slightly before laying out his vision. "First, regaining trust. While governments may not trust S.H.I.E.L.D. anymore, the world still trusts us. If we endorse S.H.I.E.L.D.'s new direction, faith can be restored."
"Second, restructuring. S.H.I.E.L.D. tried to be involved in everything before, which was its downfall. It should focus on one clear mission—handling supernatural and extraordinary threats worldwide."
"Third, operating from the shadows. After the Hydra revelation, S.H.I.E.L.D. won't be able to function in the open. It should transition into a covert organization, doing its work discreetly."
"And finally, new leadership. Nick Fury failed to see Hydra festering under his command. He can't remain Director. I propose Coulson—he's competent and loyal. He can lead S.H.I.E.L.D. into its next phase."
Kai finished and took a sip of water, giving Steve time to process.
After a long pause, Steve looked at Kai and said, "Kai, I think your plan makes sense. Let's do it."
Kai exhaled, relieved that Steve was on board.
However, he couldn't help but chuckle. They hadn't even begun fighting Hydra, yet they were already planning the aftermath. It was almost amusing in its own way.
________