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Director Fury had even prepared himself to count money until his hands cramped.
But who would have thought that Black Widow and Captain America would suddenly show up today to tell him that the Symbiote Warriors, who had been rampaging through New York and causing countless citizens to fear going out alone at night, had all vanished without a trace in such a short time?
How could he accept such an absurd claim?
Director Fury turned to look at Captain America, who had his hands clasped in front of his chest and hadn't said a word since entering the office, and asked in a deep voice:
"Captain, what exactly happened?"
"Why did those Symbiote Warriors collectively disappear? This clearly doesn't make sense!"
Captain America's face showed a complex expression. "More accurately, it should be that those Symbiotes collectively disappeared... As for the specific situation, you should watch this video first."
Then he nodded slightly at Black Widow beside him, who immediately understood. She then took out her phone and projected a video clip onto the large screen.
The video was short, only a few minutes long, and seemed to have been shot by a passerby with a mobile phone, so the picture kept shaking, and the gasps of passersby came from time to time.
However, there were no bloody or violent scenes in the picture.
All there was was the entire process of a large group of prisoners in orange jumpsuits, who were not very conscious and looked as if they had overdosed on drugs, suddenly appearing in the subway station from deep in the tunnel, immediately causing widespread commotion and panic among passengers, and then being arrested by the police.
"What... what the hell is this?"
Director Fury's face became more and more gloomy. If you have something to say, say it. If you have a fart to let out, let it out. What's going on with you playing charades with me here?
Don't you know that the thing I hate most in my life is riddlers?
Huh? Wait a minute?
Suddenly, Director Fury seemed to have discovered something. He quickly froze the video on a certain prisoner and, staring at a certain mark on the prisoner's uniform, turned to Captain America and asked:
"These trash couldn't all be the people who disappeared from Ravencroft Prison, could they... Captain, what in the world is going on?"
"Unfortunately, we also don't know exactly what's going on for the time being!"
Captain America shook his head helplessly. "But you're right, they are all the prisoners who disappeared from Ravencroft Prison, but somehow, they suddenly appeared in various subway stations."
"Except for a small portion of prisoners who were crushed to death on the spot because they didn't dodge the incoming subway in time, the vast majority of the remaining prisoners have now been taken back to the police station and locked up..."
"After examination, no Symbiotes were found in the bodies of these prisoners..."
"However, although their bodies look no different from ordinary people from the outside, many of their internal organs are already on the verge of failure. Various signs indicate that they have existed as hosts for Symbiotes for a long time."
"It's just that we don't know yet why the Symbiotes on them would suddenly leave!"
"Then, after receiving the news, we immediately went to the subway where these prisoners were found, and followed the traces left by these criminals all the way to a huge abandoned tunnel deep underground."
"Through the detection of residues at the scene, technical personnel can confirm that this abandoned tunnel was the habitat of those Symbiote Warriors before."
"However, for some unknown reason, it has now turned into scorched earth... It looks like a very fierce war occurred not long ago, and someone used flame weapons like flamethrowers. It is very likely that the disappearance of those Symbiotes is related to this!"
"War?"
Director Fury immediately snorted coldly. "Captain, if that place was truly the habitat of that group of Symbiote Warriors, then there were nearly five thousand Symbiote Warriors there!"
"I really can't imagine which army could defeat those Symbiote Warriors in such a short time, and without harming the lives of those prisoners!"
"Yes, under normal circumstances, that's the case, unless..." Captain America and Black Widow hesitated to speak, and both looked at Director Fury. The latter was stunned for a moment, then reacted, and immediately roared in frustration:
"Impossible, absolutely impossible, even Karl Merks's Hyperspace Group absolutely cannot do it... Moreover, if that guy had done it, I'm afraid The Daily Bugle would have already started publicizing it for him with great fanfare!"
Captain America and Black Widow still had that detached look: We didn't say that name, you said it yourself, it has nothing to do with us!
"Don't you think this matter is strange in every way?"
Director Fury slightly calmed his broken mood, and his cunning single eye narrowed slightly. "These Symbiote Warriors have been rampant for so long without incident, but why did such a change happen right after S.H.I.E.L.D. just started investigating them?"
"Director Fury, you mean..." Black Widow was the first to react and asked in surprise, "No way, how could there be an internal spy in S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"No, often the most dangerous place is also the safest place, so this possibility is very high."
Director Fury's mouth twitched a few times, and he said angrily, "Actually, I started suspecting it a long time ago, otherwise, why would Karl... ahem, that damn bastard, always be one step ahead of S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"But whether there are internal spies in the bureau or not, the timing of this incident is too coincidental. We can only prepare for the worst."
It must be said that Director Fury was really depressed.
He was originally happily planning how to use the captured Symbiotes to make a big splash.
But who would have thought that it would turn out to be completely in vain in the end.
How could Director Fury's mentality not be able to hold up?
Fortunately, he didn't rashly report the Symbiote Soldier Program plan to the Security Council before, otherwise, wouldn't he be a complete joke now?
Damn Karl Merks, you just wait for me, this matter is not over, I want to see how many more days you can be proud!
Although Director Fury was not sure whether this incident was done by the Hyperspace Group, for him, it was always right to curse Karl first!
"Next, I plan to set up a special team to secretly investigate the loyalty of every Agent, and we must drive out those traitors who are eating inside out from my S.H.I.E.L.D.!"
"Romanoff, you will be the leader of this special team!"
After the death of his confidant Coulson, Director Fury still had a considerable amount of trust in Black Widow and Hawkeye, his two capable subordinates.
However, Black Widow felt like crying without tears.
No, Director Fury, I mean, why do you have to give me all these offensive jobs?
Are there no other people in our S.H.I.E.L.D.?
...
...
According to official statistics afterwards, in this 'Symbiote Warrior attack incident', at least more than 800 innocent people died in all of New York, and the number of injured reached thousands, causing economic losses of about 10 billion U.S. dollars during this period.
Obviously, the death toll in this data was processed and whitewashed.
The real situation is that at least more than 30,000 people, including the homeless and gang members who are difficult to count and have no fixed residence in the worst-hit areas, were directly killed by Symbiote Warriors.
The public trust and support rate of the vast majority of New York residents for the government have fallen to a historical low.
Many people's hearts are filled with confusion and anxiety. They can't figure out why New York has suddenly become so disaster-ridden in recent years?
Also, should they and their families continue to live here?
So, amidst a chorus of curses and doubts, New York City finally ushered in the mayoral election, which is held every four years.
However, this election attracted extra attention from many people due to the participation of several special candidates.
In a certain mansion, Victoria Newman was having breakfast with her daughter Zoe while watching the morning news on television.
"According to our reporter from informed sources, the by-election for mayor is still heating up. There are currently 9 candidates, including two council members and a well-known local entrepreneur in New York..."
On television, The Daily Bugle news reporter introduced in a serious tone: "It is worth mentioning that the two most potential and highest-ranking candidates are one of the well-known 'anti-superhero activists' we have known before, Congresswoman Victoria Newman, the head of the Bureau of Superhuman Affairs, who has been committed to eliminating the threat of superhumans to society and ordinary people..."
"And the other is Mr. Wilson Grant Fisk, the founder of the local New York company, Fisk Industries..."
"But what truly made them stand out from the crowd of candidates was their somewhat similar campaign platforms."
"Both of them seem to believe that the current system in New York is in a state of dysfunction, the government's performance in the face of major disasters is chaotic and terrible, and it is somewhat overly reliant on street heroes, which has caused a large number of citizens to gradually lose confidence in City Hall..."
"Next, here is a random interview from our reporter on the street, please watch the VCR..."
The picture then changed, and a reporter stopped a middle-aged woman who was jogging while wearing headphones on the streets of New York and asked:
"Hello, madam, excuse me for a few minutes. I am a reporter from The Daily Bugle. May I ask you some questions about the current crime situation in New York?"
The jogging woman took off her headphones and thought for a moment. "Okay, go ahead, I'm a fan of The Daily Bugle!"
"Thank you for your support, fan. The first question is, do you feel safe walking on the streets now?"
"I want to say that although those man-eating monsters have disappeared and City Hall and the police station have lifted the curfew, the situation in New York has not really improved. In some neighborhoods, crime is still rampant, and sometimes even family members are worried and afraid to go out. Like most taxpayers, I hope to have a new mayor with a strong hand to reverse such a terrible situation, otherwise I might really have to consider moving my family out of New York."
"Uh, very good, you are indeed a fan of The Daily Bugle. You seem to have answered the answer to my second question that I haven't asked yet. So... the last question, among the many candidates, who do you most hope will win?"
"Let me think... I think Wilson Grant Fisk might be a good candidate!"
"Huh? I'm a little curious. As a woman, why don't you choose the equally popular Congresswoman Victoria Newman?"
"Well, maybe it's because I think Mr. Wilson Grant Fisk, who started from scratch, can do this better and make New York reborn!"
"Okay, madam, thank you for your cooperation..."
Victoria Newman's face became more and more gloomy, and she immediately picked up the remote control and turned off the television.
Zoe seemed to sense her mother's abnormality and asked in a low voice, "Mom, who is Wilson Grant Fisk? Is he very powerful?"
"He's a villain who does all sorts of evil, more disgusting than Homelander..." Victoria Newman blurted out subconsciously, but then, as if afraid of scaring her daughter, she quickly changed her words and explained in a more tactful tone:
"I dealt with that person a few times at charity galas when I was a congresswoman. He is a very hypocritical guy. On the surface, he looks like he is saving New York, but privately, he is actually the culprit who caused New York to fall into turmoil!"
Victoria Newman suddenly stood up, forced a smile on her face, and said to Zoe, "Mom needs to go see someone. I'll have Auntie Assistant take you to school later, okay?"
Zoe nodded obediently and clenched her little fists to cheer her on. "Go, Mom, I believe you will definitely win in the end!"
"Thank you for your blessing, my baby."
Victoria Newman's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly. She leaned down and gently kissed her daughter's cheek, then quickly walked out of the house and drove away.
Half an hour later.
Vought Corporation.
"Homelander, I need your help!"
"Help?"
Homelander glanced sideways at the hurried Victoria Newman and asked nonchalantly, "What kind of help do you want me to give you?"
Although Victoria Newman was very dissatisfied with Homelander's arrogant attitude, in order to achieve her goal, she patiently said:
"If possible, I want you to use Vought Corporation's resources to help me win the position of Mayor of New York City!"