"Alright, before reinforcements arrive, let's hear your thoughts, Director Fury."
Kagura continued, "As the world's greatest spymaster, you can't possibly be completely in the dark about why someone tried to assassinate you. If that were the case, then what kind of director are you? S.H.I.E.L.D. might as well hand the organization over to me."
"Miss Kagura, S.H.I.E.L.D. has many secrets," Nick Fury replied. "Not everyone knows everything about the organization. It's a matter of security."
"Oh, I understand—compartmentalization," Kagura chuckled. "In the end, that means you're the only one who knows everything about S.H.I.E.L.D., right?"
"Exactly." Fury nodded. "Which means that if I die, there won't be anyone left who can unify the organization. That leaves S.H.I.E.L.D.'s mission, operations, and projects vulnerable to misinterpretation or exploitation."
"So, if I'm not mistaken, S.H.I.E.L.D. is working on some major project, and the bad guys got wind of it. They want you out of the picture so they can take over and use it for their own agenda, right?"
"Your analysis is spot-on, Miss Kagura." Fury nodded again. "Looks like we do speak the same language."
"Then do you mind telling me what this top-secret project is?" Kagura asked. "Maybe we can start there and track down who's really behind this attempt on your life."
Fury hesitated. "That information is classified."
"...Huh?"
He cleared his throat. "Ahem, but considering that I'm technically 'dead' now, and our enemies are about to take control of this top-secret project, and you—at least for now—are on my trusted list..."
After a brief internal debate, the ever-cautious Fury finally chose to "trust" Kagura. "Fine. I'll tell you. It's called 'Project Insight.'"
"Project Insight?" Kagura's expression turned incredulous.
"No way. You mean that ridiculous plan? The one where three Helicarriers are stationed in low Earth orbit to constantly monitor the world and conduct long-range assassinations on designated threats? That stupid plan?"
"Uh... yeah, that... stupid... plan," Fury muttered, clearly irked by her choice of words.
"I thought that plan was scrapped! When you came to discuss it with Bruce Wayne, I already told you it was a dead-end project!"
Kagura was genuinely surprised that Fury was still pushing forward with Project Insight. In this world, S.H.I.E.L.D. was supposed to have abandoned the idea.
Having memories of the MCU universe, she knew how disastrous Project Insight could be—not just for S.H.I.E.L.D. but for the entire world.
The moment those Helicarriers were operational, HYDRA would inevitably hijack them, using them to eliminate anyone who opposed their agenda.
Besides, Rhodes Island Industries already had the Argos project, along with space-based weapons equipped with electromagnetic railguns.
Compared to Project Insight, their surveillance network was far superior, offering a more advanced and effective global defense system.
Given this, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s continued investment in Project Insight seemed like a pointless redundancy. Kagura had advised Fury long ago to abandon it.
"I did take your advice into account, which is why we made some upgrades to the plan," Fury admitted.
"Pfft! Upgrades?" Kagura Hitomi was stunned. "Are you doubting Rhodes Island Industries' global defense system?"
"No, I'm giving you an extra layer of insurance!" Fury countered. "We've upgraded the Helicarriers with full-spectrum stealth capabilities, making them undetectable by Argos."
"Plus, we rearmed them using Asgardian 'Destroyer' technology, allowing them to engage ultra-long-range targets—including your own orbital defense stations."
"You—!" Kagura was momentarily speechless. "Nick Fury! Are you targeting me?"
"I told you, it's just insurance." Fury seemed prepared for her outrage. "Rhodes Island Industries has the capability to strike anywhere in the world. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't have a countermeasure in place."
"Ha! Great job, genius! And now your so-called 'countermeasure' is about to fall into enemy hands!" Kagura scoffed. "Looks like the real threat to global security isn't Rhodes Island Industries—it's S.H.I.E.L.D.!"
"I know, I know! I screwed up!" Fury sighed, rubbing his forehead. "But now isn't the time to argue. We need to fix this."
"Fine. Do you have any leads?" Kagura asked. "How many people inside S.H.I.E.L.D. know about Project Insight?"
"Not many," Fury admitted. "Only a handful of people have full knowledge of it. We can use a process of elimination."
After thinking for a moment, he continued, "First, we can rule out the World Security Council. They only know the name Project Insight and the vague idea that it's meant to maintain global security."
"Yeah, those idiots can be crossed off the list." Kagura nodded in agreement. "Who else?"
"Next, the lead engineering teams for the Helicarriers. They only have the blueprints and construction plans. I doubt a contractor would have the means—or the motive—to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D. and assassinate me."
"Agreed. The contractors can be ruled out."
Fury hesitated before adding, "That leaves two people... Tony Stark and Alexander Pierce. And that's where things get awkward."
"Um.....?" Kagura tilted her head. "Isn't it obvious? It's Pierce."
"No... it can't be." Fury frowned. "Would Pierce really do something like this?"
"I thought you didn't trust anyone, Director Fury," Kagura said. "And now you're suddenly putting faith in your old friend? The World Security Council's executive and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s deputy director?"
"No, it's just that... statistically, Stark has more reason to want control over Project Insight." Fury reasoned. "It's just a matter of probability."
"First, Stark has no motive. Second, if he really wanted to pull off something big, he wouldn't need your Helicarriers," Kagura pointed out. "Didn't he help design them in the first place?"
"Most importantly, Stark simply isn't that kind of person."
"Alright, alright, I get it. You and Tony are close. I'll drop it. That means Pierce is our prime suspect. But... why?" Fury muttered, still unable to fully accept it. "What does he gain from stealing control of S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Just then, Captain America—Steve Rogers—stepped into the safe house.
"Your reasoning makes sense, but I've got bad news for you," he said grimly.
"Alexander Pierce has been assassinated."
"…What? Σ(っ °Д °;)っ!"