Washington D.C.
An inconspicuous cafe.
In a corner by the window, a man with gold-rimmed glasses and a refined demeanor was stirring the coffee in his cup.
He was Senator Robert Kelly's most trusted chief investigator, a former federal agent named Michael.
Known for his suspicion and caution.
Sitting across from him was an Asian woman in a professional suit with exquisite makeup.
Ada Wong.
She was a risk consultant for a certain European consortium, a character who could access many dark secrets.
"Senator Robert Kelly's courage is admirable."
Ada Wong's voice carried a convincing power.
"But courage requires weapons, not just hot-blooded passion. Especially when challenging a behemoth like Vought International."
Michael leaned back slightly, remaining vigilant.
"Who are you? Who is your employer? What do you want?"
"An investor who can't stand Vought International's monopoly and wants to reintroduce competition to the market."
Ada Wong smiled; the reason was impeccable.
"As for what I want... I hope Senator Robert Kelly's investigation can be more precise, rather than acting like a headless fly, aiming its spear at a behemoth that cannot be shaken."
"You mean you have evidence of Vought International's crimes?"
Michael pressed.
"No."
Ada Wong shook her finger, her smile carrying a hint of mystery.
"If you attack Vought International directly, you will be crushed. What I'm giving you is something more valuable than that—a perfect enemy, a target that can make Senator Robert Kelly a hero."
She wrote an address and a string of passwords on a napkin and pushed it gently across the table.
"The entrance to an abandoned website. What's inside will tell you the true source of this crisis. Of course, whether you believe it or not is up to you. My boss believes that a smart hunter knows how to utilize the hunting dogs provided by others."
After speaking, she stood up, straightened her skirt, and turned to leave.
The sound of her high heels clicking against the floor was crisp and distant, quickly disappearing into the crowd at the street corner.
Michael stared at the napkin for a full three minutes.
He called his subordinates over, and only after confirming that Ada Wong had completely left and hadn't left any surveillance behind did he put the note into his pocket.
An hour later, inside the senator's office.
After layers of technical checks and virtual circuit jumps, they finally opened the website.
Senator Robert Kelly watched the shocking data on the projection screen, his breathing becoming increasingly rapid.
The content inside far exceeded his imagination.
It was not direct evidence regarding Vought International.
It was a series of secret research reports regarding the remnants of HYDRA!
The photos showed gloomy underground laboratories with deformed biological tissues soaking in culture tanks.
The documents detailed the development process of something called "Inhumans Gene Activation Serum," and its described side effects were shockingly similar to the symptoms of "S.O.M.S"!
There was even an incomplete list of experimental Bases, and one of the coordinates was in the suburbs of Chicago, less than fifty kilometers away from that leaking chemical plant!
Everything was connected!
It wasn't some damn "industrial leak"!
This was a premeditated biochemical attack against the entire United States!
And the one launching this attack was that terrorist organization that should have been completely wiped out after World War II—HYDRA!
"Found it!"
Senator Robert Kelly slammed his fist onto the table, his face filled with uncontrollable ecstasy and excitement.
"We've found the enemy! Michael! A real enemy that no one can refute!"
His previous accusations were too vague for the public.
Attack a giant corporation that provides them with heroes, entertainment, and now promises to provide protection?
It was too difficult.
But attacking HYDRA was different!
That was a symbol of evil engraved in the bones of Americans!
"Prepare a press conference immediately!"
Senator Robert Kelly's eyes burned with a flame called ambition.
"I want to establish a special congressional investigative committee! I want to apply for the highest investigative authority! I want to let everyone in the United States see who is spreading the plague on our land!"
He had already envisioned the scene of himself at the hearing, under the nation's spotlight, uncovering the shocking conspiracy and becoming a national hero.
It wasn't that he hadn't considered how suspicious the source of this "perfect" evidence was.
But he knew even better that in political struggles, the truth is far less important than a useful weapon.
Who the hunting dog is doesn't matter; being able to kill the prey is what matters most.
...
Chicago.
Piercing sirens tore through the city's tranquility.
An out-of-control bus tumbled through the air and smashed into a roadside store.
In the center of the street, a teenager in a hoodie hovered half a meter off the ground.
Around him, all metal objects—streetlights, fire hydrants, car wreckage—were violently deforming.
Another "S.O.M.S" awakened one.
The ability is... Magnetic control.
The National Guard's defensive line was easily torn apart.
Bullets hovered eerily in the air before they could reach his body, then fell powerlessly to the ground as if they had lost their kinetic energy.
Panic was spreading.
Just then, three figures descended from the sky.
Starlight, Guardian, and Vi.
"Hey! Kid! Have you had enough fun yet!"
Vi was the first to charge up; her style was always this simple and direct.
The Hextech Gauntlets smashed fiercely toward the teenager.
But her fist stalled in mid-air.
An invisible, immense force grabbed her iron fist, preventing her from moving forward even an inch.
"Metal?"
The teenager's scarlet eyes locked onto Vi's gauntlets, a cruel smile appearing on his face.
"Thanks for the toy!"
Vi's expression changed; she was flung away by force, crashing into a nearby building!
This scene was clearly transmitted to the eyes of the entire World through ubiquitous live streaming cameras.
In Times Square, a girl wearing a jacket identical to Vi's saw her fanatical worship turn into dullness and fear.
The cheering sign in her hand fell to the ground with a "bang."
People gasped.
That pink-haired girl who could blast monsters away with a single punch was actually... defeated in a single exchange?
How strong was this newly appeared monster, exactly?
"His ability counters Vi!"
Guardian said to Starlight in a deep voice; the metal armor on his body made it difficult for him to move, every step feeling like he was stuck in a quagmire.
"I'll pin him down!"
Starlight did not hesitate; brilliant beams of light shot from her palms.
The teenager let out a painful scream, and his control over magnetism became chaotic.
Guardian seized the opportunity, rushing forward to slam fiercely into his opponent.
The battle fell into a stalemate.
Vought Tower, top-floor office.
Lynn watched that "difficult" battle on the screen.
"Senator Robert Kelly's press conference will begin in ten minutes."
Motoko Kusanagi's voice sounded from the side.
"The media warm-up is complete; he has successfully attracted everyone's attention to HYDRA."
Lynn picked up his black tea and took a gentle sip.
Everything was according to the script.
Senator Robert Kelly thought he was a dragon-slaying warrior.
But what he didn't know was that the "evil dragon" was drawn by Vought, and the "sword" in his hand was also given by Vought.
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