American comic: Checking in, Gwen in black stockings rolls her eyes.

"Yes, sir. I will notify all teams to prepare for launch within 24 hours."

After the call ended, Pierce stood by the window, looking down at the Washington night view.

His decades-long plan was about to come to fruition, and he wouldn't let anyone ruin it.

.....

160: Insight Project! Launched!

He picked up the security phone and dialed a special number:

"Call the council for an emergency meeting. Discuss the major threats to global security."

After hanging up the phone, Pierce took a deep breath, preparing for the decisive battle.

After hiding for seventy years, the time has finally come for Hydra to reappear in the light of day.

The World Security Council quickly convened an emergency video conference.

Pierce reported a so-called "urgent threat intelligence" in a serious tone:

Terrorist organizations are reportedly planning attacks around the world, targeting several major cities and government facilities.

"We need to act immediately."

Pierce spoke to the council members on screen 06.

"Operation Insight must begin now. Our intelligence indicates that if we wait until the scheduled time, we will miss the best opportunity to stop this attack."

The council members looked at each other, clearly bewildered by this sudden change.

“This is so sudden, Pierce.”

The British representative stated.

“The final testing of the Insight Project has not yet been completed, and there may be risks in launching it prematurely.”

"What is risk compared to the lives of millions?"

Pierce countered with a question laced with pressure.

“We created S.H.I.E.L.D. to deal with threats like this. Now, I ask the entire Board of Governors to vote to authorize the immediate launch of Project Insight.”

After a brief discussion, the council reluctantly agreed to Pierce's request.

However, he was required to personally oversee the entire process and report back to the council at any time.

Pierce agreed to the terms, but he had already planned his next move.

Once the Insight Project is launched, the Council will also become one of the targets of the purge.

After obtaining authorization, Pierce immediately contacted Nick Fury.

Nick.

Pierce's voice came through encrypted communication.

"The Council has approved the Insights program, which must be launched immediately."

Fury frowned:

"What? The original plan was for three days later. What happened?"

"Emergency, Nick. Details have been sent to your terminal. The council has voted to approve this; it's an order, not a request."

Fury opened the received file and quickly browsed through the so-called "threat intelligence."

His intuition told him that something was wrong.

The entire intelligence seemed too perfect, as if it had been meticulously fabricated.

“Pierce, I need more time to verify this intelligence.”

Fury said cautiously.

"A hasty launch might—"

"There's no time, Nick."

Pierce interrupted him.

"This is a direct order from the Security Council. Are you going to disobey?"

Fury fell silent.

He couldn't directly refuse the council's order, but his intuition told him that something was amiss with the whole thing.

Especially considering Natasha's sudden disappearance, it all seemed too coincidental.

Give me six hours.

Fury finally spoke.

"I need to make sure all systems are working properly."

Four hours.

Pierce conceded.

"No more. Remember, Nick, this concerns global security."

After the communication ended, Fury immediately called Coulson.

“Phil, things have changed. I need you to activate the Ghost Protocol immediately and find Natasha. At the same time, conduct a full review of the Insight Project's algorithm.”

.....

161: Natasha was completely dumbfounded!

Coulson nodded:

“Understood, sir. But the Ghost Protocol implies…you suspect there’s something wrong inside?”

Fury looked at him seriously.

"I doubt everything. Act now, and keep a low profile."

With the order given, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s core base began intensive preparations.

Engineers intensified final checks on the three space carriers, and security teams increased vigilance around the base.

Meanwhile, Coulson launched a secret search program in an attempt to find Natasha's whereabouts.

Meanwhile, Hydra agents had already infiltrated various key positions within S.H.I.E.L.D.

They are like invisible vipers, waiting for the moment to strike a fatal blow.

An invisible war has begun, and the countdown to determine the fate of the world has started.

The following morning, Lin Feng was in a safe house on the other side of the city.

Natasha slowly opened her eyes, her consciousness gradually returning.

She found herself lying on a comfortable bed, the wound on her arm professionally treated and bandaged.

The room was simple but fully equipped, and the windows had special light-blocking and bulletproof materials.

She sat up alertly, recalling her last memories before losing consciousness.

"You slept for almost ten hours."

Lin Feng's voice came from the doorway as he entered the room carrying a cup of hot tea.

"how do you feel?"

Natasha took the teacup and cautiously took a sip:

"Much better, thank you."

She paused.

"You saved my life."

Lin Feng sat down on the chair next to the bed.

"You say you know Hydra's secrets and the true purpose of Project Insight?"

Natasha took a deep breath and looked at Lin Feng cautiously.

She decided to trust the person who had saved her in her time of crisis, because she had no other choice now.

"Hydra."

Her voice was soft, but her tone was firm.

“They have never been completely eradicated. For decades, they have lurked within S.H.I.E.L.D., growing and spreading like parasites. Now, they are about to take control of the world through Project Insight.”

Lin Feng's expression turned serious, signaling her to continue.

"Project Insight is ostensibly designed to protect global security, using three space carriers equipped with advanced weapon systems to identify and eliminate potential threats from high altitudes. But Hydra has tampered with its algorithms,"

Natasha explained.

“Once activated, these space carriers will not be used to eliminate terrorists, but to locate and eliminate all those who might resist Hydra—scientists, politicians, people with superpowers…” She paused, “and millions of people, including you and me, will be wiped out within minutes.”

Lin Feng frowned:

"Do you have evidence?"

Natasha took a miniature storage device out of her pocket.

“All the data is here, but I can’t stop them by myself. Project Insight could be launched at any time, and Hydra has a huge presence within S.H.I.E.L.D. I don’t even know who I can trust.”

"I believe in you."

Lin Feng got up and walked to the computer at the other end of the room.

"But we need more help."

"Who?"

Natasha asked.

“We cannot risk contacting any S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel; any one of them could be a Hydra agent.”

.....

162: Tony is dumbfounded! Supervising humans?!

Lin Feng turned to look at her, a slight smile appearing on his face:

"I know a billionaire who is so arrogant he's annoying. He also happens to be a genius and has a high-tech suit of armor that can fly."

Natasha's eyes lit up:

"Tony Stark?"

“That’s right.” Lin Feng nodded.

"If anyone can help us solve this problem, it's him. And I believe Hydra hasn't infiltrated the Avengers yet."

"Great."

Natasha breathed a sigh of relief.

“But we must act quickly. Pierce has accelerated the timeline, and the Insight program could be launched at any time.”

Lin Feng quickly typed a few lines of commands into the computer, then picked up his coat.

“I have a car in the underground garage. We can get to Stark Manor in ten minutes.”

Natasha stood up, her eyes filled with determination despite her still being somewhat weak.

"Then let's set off."

.

The security system at Stark Manor was even more stringent than Lin Feng had anticipated.

But Tony Stark had clearly already reserved access for them in the system.

When Jarvis announced, "Agent Romanov and Mr. Lin have arrived," they were led directly to Stark's private laboratory.