"That's exactly what worries me," Fury said with a somber expression.
He fully understood what Hill was implying.
The so-called "Project Tahiti" was, at its core, a secret initiative focused on studying the corpse of a Kree that S.H.I.E.L.D. had acquired by chance.
Initially, Fury had entrusted the project to Coulson, and its early progress had been quite smooth. They managed to extract a substance from the Kree body, which they named GH-325.
This substance had the miraculous ability to bring near-death individuals back to life.
The only drawback was that the recipients of the treatment suffered excruciating pain during the process—so unbearable that some would rather die than endure it.
Because of this, Coulson had advised Fury to shut the program down. Anyone who had witnessed the treatment process understood just how cruel it was.
Fury heeded the advice and suspended the project.
It wasn't until Coulson was mortally wounded by Loki during the Chitauri invasion—his chest pierced by a scepter—that Fury revived Project Tahiti to bring him back.
But just like the others, Coulson couldn't handle the inhuman pain. Though he survived, his mental state was deeply affected.
To restore his sanity, they hypnotized him and erased the traumatic memories, implanting a fake vacation experience in Tahiti.
After that, Fury terminated Project Tahiti completely, erased all records, and enforced a strict gag order.
Most personnel involved voluntarily underwent hypnosis to forget the ordeal. Only a select few retained any memory of it.
Very few knew about Project Tahiti—not even Coulson, the original lead.
That was why Fury had dismissed Coulson from the room earlier. Choosing to "resurrect" him might not have been a fair decision.
Had Fury not been so desperate to save him, the project might have remained buried forever.
Now that it had leaked, there was only one possible explanation—a breach within S.H.I.E.L.D.
Hill hadn't spelled it out, but the implication was heavy.
"So what's our move now?" Hill asked, uncertain of Fury's plan.
Fury pondered. "We don't yet know how it leaked. That can wait. Right now, we must ensure Project Tahiti stays buried."
"What do you need me to do?"
"Whoever hired Rising Tide probably already has the data. They could use it to track down everyone connected to the project and target them individually."
"The number of actual participants is small. Most agreed to hypnosis, locking away their memories. A few, however, still remember."
"And among them, nearly all are stationed at HQ—difficult to reach. All except one."
"You mean—"
Hill immediately pictured the individual.
"Yes. Dr. Parker—the psychologist who handled all post-treatment hypnosis for Project Tahiti."
"But… isn't he currently under treatment himself?"
Fury sighed. "If it weren't for this breach, I'd never consider disturbing him. His breakdown was a direct result of that project."
"But now, we can't afford to leave him out there. If Rising Tide finds him, they won't show mercy just because he's sick."
"I want you to retrieve him. If he still needs help, I'll arrange for his care here at HQ."
"Consider it done," Hill agreed without hesitation.
"Thank you," Fury nodded.
Under normal circumstances, it would've been inappropriate for the Director to assign such a task to his Deputy.
But they had no choice.
Only someone aware of the project could be trusted. Sending anyone else would risk leaks or manipulation. And among the few who knew the truth, one of them might very well be the mole.
Until the traitor was identified, Hill was the only one Fury could rely on.
Despite their frequent disagreements—especially over the Avengers Initiative, which Hill considered overly idealistic—she had always put S.H.I.E.L.D. first.
Hill had even been placed at S.H.I.E.L.D. by the World Security Council to monitor Fury. Technically, she was their watchdog.
After the Battle of New York, the Council had considered replacing Fury due to his insubordination. But Hill had stood by him.
That alone proved her integrity.
Of everyone who knew about Project Tahiti, she was the only one Fury could trust.
Had she not been available, he'd have gone himself—drawing dangerous attention.
"I've sent you everything you need on your terminal. Handle the rest as you see fit. I won't interfere."
Hill checked her special wristwatch, gave him a confirming hand signal.
"Clockwork Psychiatric Hospital, huh…"
She repeated the name quietly to herself.