No. 59 lifted the S.H.I.E.L.D. box containing forearm guns. "Better than nothing, this one belongs to us now. At least we won't walk away empty-handed."
No. 35, at the control terminal, asked curiously, "Didn't you say this was all junk?"
"It's still valuable junk. Bring it back, maybe we can get a little extra bonus and a better meal."
The two clone soldiers ignored the other three people present, dragging the box away as they gradually disappeared into the distance...
Sitwell knew he was no match, so he said nothing. Moreover, the near exposure of his identity just moments ago still left him uneasy. "807".....
After leaving the apartment of the clumsy criminal duo, the two clone soldier operators continued their conversation.
No. 35: "Aren't you afraid that the people from S.H.I.E.L.D. will report this to the higher-ups?"
"Ha~ What's there to be afraid of?"
No. 59 spoke mysteriously: "Let me tell you some insider news—it came from our higher-ups... Word is, S.H.I.E.L.D. won't last much longer. They're done for~"
No. 35: "Really? Why?"
No. 59: "How would I know? I'm just a worker... But I heard it from the core members of the Club... Uh... Seems like the Vice President mentioned it casually..."
Number 35: "Hey! If S.H.I.E.L.D. collapses, wouldn't the Club dominate everything? I also heard... that the Vice President and Ms. Skye have been placing a lot of new congressmen in positions—new members supported by the Club..."
Number 59: "That's right~ When the time comes, our Silver Sable Security Company will get to ride their coattails too! Haha!"
…..
S.H.I.E.L.D.
Agent Hill's Office.
Location Unknown.
"They are too arrogant!!"
"I worked so hard to obtain the [Chitauri Soldier Neural Components], and they just took them away!"
"And they even accused me of being a Hydra agent—this is utterly ridiculous!!"
A young man sat in front of Agent Hill's desk, harshly criticizing the actions of the Fearless Corps!!
He was a Level 6 S.H.I.E.L.D. agent—Grant Ward (who was, in fact, a Hydra spy...)
"Calm down, Agent Ward. The Chitauri remnants don't belong solely to us."
"In our agreement with the Club, there is indeed a clause about fair competition regarding Chitauri remains."
"Although I, too, wish that all alien artifacts belonged exclusively to S.H.I.E.L.D.,"
"But that's obviously unrealistic. The Club also has the right to process scattered parts, and this has been approved by the government."
As Hill explained the regulations, a hint of suspicion arose in her gaze toward Ward...
—But she quickly dismissed it...
Based on the real-time communication recordings during Ward's mission,
Silver Sable Security Company seemed to be tracking down Hydra members...
And when they accused Ward of being with Hydra, they later clarified it was a misunderstanding...
So, Agent Ward should still be a good guy...
[But that was blatant robbery! Blatant robbery!]
Ward screamed inwardly after hearing Hill's explanation...
However, in front of a superior, he couldn't lose his composure.
His face returned to calm.
Just now, he'd put on that act deliberately, only to conceal his true identity...
"Alright."
Ward adjusted his expression. "I want to know—how did the Rising Tide learn about this? I thought they were just hackers. Has something changed?"
"Everything has changed..."
Hill stood up, naturally placing her hands on her hips.
"People used to think that,"
"A web-slinging idol swinging between buildings,"
"And a billionaire flying around in a metal suit,"
"Were the strangest things in the world..."
"… But then these became normal."
"The Battle of New York was the end of the old world."
"Now is..."
"The new world."