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[Frog] Chapter 195: Preparing to Launch Nuclear Weapons
🕑 Added 2024-12-04 17:12:33 +0000 UTCRoar!
In the heart of Manhattan, Hulk let out a furious roar and leapt from a high-rise building.
On his way down, he crushed several Chitauri riders, and the force of his landing sent a shockwave that knocked a circle of Chitauri soldiers to the ground.
Yet, despite the carnage, more Chitauri soldiers rushed in, firing their laser rifles at the Hulk.
Their weapons, capable of piercing through solid rock, hit Hulk's body—only to produce a few sparks. His defense was monstrously impenetrable.
While the lasers couldn’t cause him any real harm, the pain was enough to provoke him further.
Grabbing a nearby car, Hulk swung it violently, smashing it down onto a Chitauri soldier.
One blow.
Then another.
Two Chitauri soldiers were instantly reduced to pulp beneath the relentless attacks.
The remaining Chitauri soldiers, witnessing Hulk’s brutality, hesitated, their advance faltering in fear.
Hulk flung the car at them and charged forward with terrifying speed.
This ferocious scene was also playing out in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s command room.
On the screens in front of Nick Fury, members of Congress watched with grim expressions.
Their earlier conversation had clearly not gone smoothly.
After watching the Hulk’s battle, Fury insisted stubbornly, "I trust my soldiers can handle this crisis."
"I’ve invested heavily in the Avengers Initiative for moments like this."
He wanted to use this scene to prove the Avengers' effectiveness to Congress.
But the congressional members weren’t convinced.
"Director Fury, based on the current situation, the number of alien invaders is still increasing."
"And it appears that your Avengers are beginning to struggle."
The screen shifted to show a new image: a black figure with a quiver nearly empty of arrows.
Nick Fury instantly recognized him—it was Hawkeye.
The camera shifted again, showing Rogers and Black Widow fighting off waves of Chitauri, each battling on their own.
Both of them bore visible injuries.
Compared to the others, Rogers and Black Widow were clearly starting to tire.
And yet, the Chitauri numbers continued to grow.
"Captain, this isn’t sustainable," Black Widow gasped.
"I’m running out of stamina."
Her hand-to-hand combat skills were top-notch, but even she was struggling to keep up.
Rogers knew that if they continued like this, they wouldn’t last much longer.
Currently, each Avenger was holding off a portion of the Chitauri forces, keeping them divided.
But if one of them fell, the freed Chitauri soldiers would overwhelm the others, breaking their fragile balance.
Rogers glanced at the space portal hovering in the sky.
Black Widow spoke first, "Looks like the only way up there is to hitch a ride."
"Are you sure you can manage?"
Black Widow forced a weary smile, "Do we have any other options?"
Though it was their first time working together, their coordination was seamless, as if they’d been comrades for years.
Rogers understood her plan: to hijack a Chitauri speeder and head straight for the top of Stark Tower to shut down the portal.
"You’re right. Leave this to me."
Crouching, Rogers tapped his vibranium shield.
"Come on, I’ll send you up."
Black Widow locked eyes on a Chitauri rider flying towards them, timed her move, and leapt onto Rogers’ shield.
With a powerful shove, Rogers launched her into the air.
Their flawless teamwork did not go unnoticed by Nick Fury, who watched with confidence and glanced back at the Congress members.
The congressional representatives whispered among themselves—a conversation Fury couldn’t hear.
Fury frowned as he observed their discussion, a sense of unease creeping over him.
He knew this group of bureaucrats all too well.
If they deemed the situation beyond control, they would undoubtedly make the most extreme and reckless decision.
After a while, the congressional members concluded their discussion.
The man at the center spoke, "Director Nick Fury, if I recall correctly…"
"Years ago, Director Carter applied for two nuclear warheads to be placed aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier as a contingency for worst-case scenarios."
"Is that correct?"
Nick Fury's expression darkened.
As expected, they had already conceived the most reckless plan.
"Yes, Director Carter requested those nuclear warheads because of an invasion."
"Secretary, I don’t believe now is the time to use them."
Everyone present was aware of this history.
It was, in fact, this event that solidified Nick Fury's appointment as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
At the time, he was one of the few people on Earth, apart from Carter, who had experienced space travel and negotiated with an alien race.
The Secretary of Defense stared at Fury and continued, "Right now, S.H.I.E.L.D. is the closest and most capable organization to launch a nuclear strike on New York."
"After careful deliberation, Congress has decided to deploy a nuclear warhead to Manhattan…"
"To achieve a complete and thorough cleanse."
Fury could hardly believe his ears.
They were truly planning to go through with it!
He scanned the room, glaring at each congressional member, and shouted, "I absolutely will not allow this!"
"That’s the busiest district in New York City! Do you have any idea how many civilians live there?"
"If you launch that nuke, everyone will die—including those taking shelter in underground bunkers!"
The Secretary of Defense, unfazed, looked at Fury as if he were discussing something trivial.
"If these aliens spread beyond Manhattan, it will be a catastrophe for the entire world."
"Sacrificing a portion of the population to save the world… We consider that a fair trade."
Several other congressional members nodded in agreement.
"A trade?" Fury's voice trembled with fury.
"You’re treating human lives as a bargaining chip? Have you lost your minds?"
"I am the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., and I will never authorize a nuclear strike!"
The Secretary’s lips curled into a subtle, almost imperceptible smile, as if anticipating Fury's defiance.
"When S.H.I.E.L.D. was founded by Carter and others, they ensured that the Director would have independent authority, free from political interference."
Fury nodded firmly.
"Exactly. S.H.I.E.L.D. is still under your command."
"However…" the Secretary continued, "To prevent any abuse of that authority, Congress has the power to remove the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. with a unanimous vote."
"Gentlemen, what do you say?"
Fury’s already dark complexion seemed to grow several shades darker, his expression cold and foreboding.
In the past, he wouldn’t have worried about a unanimous vote.
Congress, despite appearing unified, was often mired in internal conflicts.
Each member despised S.H.I.E.L.D. but also relied on it to counter their rivals.
This delicate balance had always ensured S.H.I.E.L.D.’s autonomy.
But now, things were different.
The Chitauri invasion posed a threat far greater than S.H.I.E.L.D.’s existence.
As expected, every congressional member raised their hand in agreement.
"From this moment, Nick Fury is relieved of his duties as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D."
"The reinstatement period is indefinite."
The Secretary of Defense tidied the documents on the table and declared, "Now…"
"Prepare to launch the nuclear warhead. Target: Manhattan, Stark Tower…"
… (To be continued) …
