Chapter Ninety: What Can I Use to Save You—My Beloved?

Nick Fury had been exceptionally busy lately.

Utterly swamped, at his wit’s end.

On one hand, he was recruiting people to form a team; on the other, he was gathering funds from safehouses scattered all over the globe.

The money he’d squirreled away in secure accounts over the years was enough to build another helicarrier.

So, worrying about the helicarrier wasn’t his main concern. What troubled him was the infiltration of Hydra agents within S.H.I.E.L.D., and a number of unresolved issues. At least, when the moment called for it, he still had an ace up his sleeve.

In the Marvel universe, the true Hydra was an ancient organization, its roots stretching back over a millennium. However, the Hydra of today was merely a group rebuilt upon similar ideals.

Somewhat lacking by comparison.

Nick’s suspicions had already taken shape, and now he was desperate for news from Rogers’ side.

After all, Rogers was the only capable ally left at his disposal.

Aboard the helicarrier, Rogers had originally devised a better plan. Unfortunately, Hawkeye’s deliberate lack of cooperation from the outset made it impossible for him to continue masquerading as Hydra, and several plans collapsed as a result.

He and a few members of the Defenders found themselves blocked in a corridor, more and more people gathering around them.

Cries of “Hail Hydra” echoed from all sides.

Hill’s intentions were clear—she wanted to see if trapping Rogers here would draw out any more allies.

Nick Fury must be lurking somewhere in the shadows, just as he himself was observing from the dark at this very moment.

With chants of “Hail Hydra” ringing out, Hill blended into the crowd, keeping a close watch on Rogers. She had her own agenda—if possible, she would have preferred to deal with Rogers right here, but she hesitated, wary that acting now might trigger unforeseen consequences.

As Rogers watched nearly the entire ship erupt in Hydra salutes, his expression was a mix of shock and disbelief.

The same expression—one of utter exasperation and dismay—was mirrored on the faces of the Defenders around him.

Rogers realized that his suspicions, shared with Nick Fury, had proven all too accurate. But the sheer number of Hydra operatives exceeded even his worst expectations; it looked as though at least eighty percent of the agents aboard this helicarrier were Hydra.

Perhaps even all of them.

For a moment, Rogers was at a loss for words.

The Defenders, too, all had the same thought flash through their minds:

“Damn it, we’re about to be wiped out by our own side!”

“Nick Fury and his damned chocolate-coated schemes have landed us in this mess...”

But the one even more dumbfounded at this moment was Nick Fury, listening in through his earpiece.

The only thought echoing in his mind was:

“Just how many loyal agents are left in S.H.I.E.L.D.?”

“What are Hill and Alexander’s true allegiances?”

The realization was hard to swallow.

How many people could he still trust?

Clutching his communicator so tightly his knuckles whitened, Nick Fury’s anger simmered.

But now was the time for patience.

Rescuing Rogers was all that mattered.

He activated the communicator—one Rogers had given him, capable of instantly summoning the God of Thunder for backup.

Before long, Thor’s voice came through on the other end.

“Hey, Rogers, my friend.”

“I’m not Rogers, but he needs your help right now, God of Thunder, from Asgard.”

“Oh, I knew it was you, you chocolate bean. What have you gotten him into this time?”

Despite the quip, Thor hefted his hammer, glancing over at the entrance to the Bifrost, where Heimdall stood, steadfast and regal with sword in hand.

The Bifrost.

Asgard’s gateway to Midgard and the rest of the cosmos, powered by immense energy—a spatial bridge.

And its guardian, Heimdall, the ever-watchful sentinel of Asgard, looked kindly at Thor as they bantered.

As gatekeeper, Heimdall was a strategic asset—not only could his eyes perceive any event across the universe, his ears could catch every whisper from every corner of existence.

Whomever he wished to observe, he needed only to turn his gaze, even slightly, and everything that person did would be under his scrutiny.

Truly the ultimate intelligence operative.

Whoever he wished to see, nothing would escape his notice—unless, of course, they possessed some special means of evading his sight. But the main advantage was his command over the Bifrost.

This instant, door-to-door service was invaluable; not only could Thor reach any destination he wished, he could also rely on Heimdall for news of Jane Foster.

“How have you been, Heimdall?” Thor asked, twirling his hammer and offering a flat flask.

“She’s doing well, lately made a new friend, and spends a lot of time talking to others in her dreams. You know, I can see much, but dreams are beyond my reach. Still, I imagine she dreams of you...”

Heimdall, of course, knew exactly whom Thor was asking after.

“Are you planning to marry her? She’s been saying ‘I do’ in her dreams quite a bit lately.”

He took a swig from the flask, then fixed Thor with a steady gaze.

“Uh, I’ve been thinking about it. Are you sure you can’t see what she’s dreaming about?”

“No, I can’t—but I will say this: if you don’t go now, your friends may not survive to see you again. I’ll keep an eye on your beloved Jane.”

Sensing his words could be misinterpreted, Heimdall clarified:

“I mean, you don’t have to worry—I’ll watch over her and the others. She’s searching for you everywhere; I imagine you’re in her dreams as well.”

“That puts my mind at ease,” Thor said, spinning his hammer faster.

“So, as long as she holds me in her heart, right, Heimdall?”

“Yes, she does. Now hurry.”

Satisfied, Thor nodded.

“But if you’re going to see Jane, I think you should be careful.”

“Careful? About what?” Thor asked curiously.

“Jane’s recently made a new friend—a woman from the Astronomical Society. You needn’t be too concerned, but she’s dangerous.”

“And lately, they’ve been searching for something. I have a very bad feeling about it.”

“Don’t worry, as long as Thor is in Asgard, there’s nothing to fear. Heimdall, open the gate.”

“I’m only going to Earth for a short while. I’ll be back soon—cover for me, and I’ll bring you a gift when I return.”

Thor clapped Heimdall on the shoulder, pulled another small bottle from behind him, and handed it over before vanishing into the Bifrost’s radiance.

Heimdall knew exactly what Thor meant. With a twist of his sword hilt, a pillar of Bifrost light shot to where Rogers was.

As the Bifrost activated, Ebony Maw, who had been searching for the energy source, also detected the coordinates.

He could sense the overwhelming power of the Bifrost.

“My master, I have traced the coordinates. I believe it is time to begin our plan.”