For three consecutive days, Alice made no progress.
She wanted to deliberately approach Kai and use the honey trap — a trick HYDRA had relied on countless times before.
But Kai didn't give her the slightest chance.
Although he spent his work hours in the office watching dramas and slacking off all day,
this was still the Stark Industries Building — now also serving as the Avengers' base.
If she went too far, she risked exposing her identity.
As for after work...
Alice had tried several times to create "chance encounters," but she soon realized that as soon as work ended,
Kai would turn into pure light — a photon — and vanish from the office without hesitation.
This frustrated her endlessly.
She couldn't get close to him during work hours, and after hours, he was gone in a flash.
At this rate, how long would it take to complete Madame Hydra's mission?
Just thinking about the punishment awaiting anyone who failed a task under Madame Hydra's orders made Alice's heart tremble.
No — she couldn't just sit and wait any longer!
She stood up, walked into the restroom, and checked carefully to make sure no one else was inside.
Then she pulled out her phone and dialed a secret number.
That number had been given to her personally by Madame Hydra.
According to her, the owner of that number would fully cooperate in the mission to "take down Kai."
Meanwhile, inside the Triskelion, Washington D.C.
"Natasha copied a massive amount of data from the Viper Gang. Rumlow — find a way to erase all traces of Madame Hydra's activities near New York."
"No matter what, Captain America and his team cannot discover our connection to Madame Hydra."
Pierce closed the file in his hands and looked up at Rumlow, his expression cold and sharp.
"If necessary... leave no one alive."
Rumlow nodded immediately. "Understood, sir."
He turned to leave — but then paused, remembering something.
"By the way, sir," Rumlow said respectfully, "Madame Hydra seems very interested in that young man — Kai.
A few days ago, she requested every piece of data related to him. If we start cleaning up traces in the New York area, will that—"
"Don't worry about it."
Pierce cut him off coldly. "Some people have been hidden in the shadows for too long. They've forgotten what's truly important."
"If Madame Hydra wants to deal with Kai, then as long as it doesn't expose us — assist where you can."
"Kai's existence is indeed... a threat to HYDRA."
"But remember this, Rumlow — if Madame Hydra's hidden asset is ever exposed, then..."
Rumlow stiffened, his tone firm. "Understood."
Pierce nodded slightly and watched Rumlow leave the office.
Then he took out his encrypted phone and dialed another number.
Madame Hydra wasn't the only one with secret bases — the entire HYDRA Council had scattered hidden installations worldwide.
Each served as a backup force, experimenting with new weapons and human enhancements to create the next generation of super-powered beings.
Speaking of which... after the Battle of New York, the Mind Stone had already been sent to a base in Sokovia.
Pierce wondered if they'd finally succeeded in creating enhanced humans there.
At S.H.I.E.L.D.'s New York headquarters, inside Nick Fury's office—
"Fury, in the past three days, Alice Jones — the HYDRA agent Stark reported — hasn't made any moves," Maria Hill reported.
"A big reason is that she can't get close to Kai after work. Without access, she can't use HYDRA's usual tactics — money and seduction."
Hill sat opposite Fury, her face as calm and unreadable as ever.
Fury continued signing documents, taking his time.
Only after finishing did he set down his pen and glance at Hill.
"Since we want to draw out the HYDRA cell behind Alice Jones," Fury said, "then our bait needs to be sweeter."
"This young man, Kai, is that bait."
"But bait alone isn't enough."
He handed Hill a classified file from his desk.
Hill skimmed through it carefully, then closed it with a faint nod.
"I understand. We'll use S.H.I.E.L.D.'s official cover, with Coulson's newly formed team as background support.
That'll make the bait even more tempting."
"But Fury — do we even have the budget to hire this kid Kai? The World Security Council already cut 40% of our second-quarter funds for the Moon Base. We're bleeding resources. Even if Coulson's assessment of him is glowing, the compensation—"
Before she could finish, Fury capped his pen and interrupted her.
"Don't worry about the money," he said calmly. "Tony Stark's footing the entire bill."
"Don't forget — Coulson isn't the only one who thinks highly of Kai. Stark personally recruited him."
Fury took a sip of his coffee, his one good eye glinting.
"It was Tony who tipped Natasha off about Alice Jones being HYDRA. That alone tells you how much he trusts Kai."
"Even though Kai's power level is off the charts — I rank him in the same tier as Thor and Hulk in our archives —
he's still just eighteen. Not even old enough to drink."
"Tony doesn't trust him to face HYDRA's traps alone... and neither do I."
"So you're assigning Coulson to form a team around him," Hill said thoughtfully.
"That's a smart move — strengthens Coulson's squad, keeps an eye on Kai, and protects him from HYDRA's manipulation."
"Exactly," Fury replied. "And if we're lucky — we might just flush out HYDRA's hidden agents."
Hill stood, picking up the file.
"Then I'll send the approval to Coulson right away. Also... I suggest pulling Melinda May out of administrative duty and assigning her to the team."
Fury smirked. "Good call, Agent Hill."