New York is a city that truly never sleeps, especially around the Financial Street in the Manhattan area, where the buildings are lit up all night. Even though it's already 11 p.m., the lights here are as bright as day and the streets are still bustling with activity.
Not far from Wall Street, in the Arkham Sanatorium, Shiller was working at his desk when a uniquely designed security telephone by his side rang. He picked up the phone and said, "Hello, yes, you're right, I am 'the Doctor'...."
"Yes, that's correct, I am equally sorry about Director Pierce's situation... The four bases in the east of New York? I apologize, but I am simply swamped with work at the moment. You see, I am the only high-ranking member in the entirety of New York who is still able to maintain communication and not fallen into silence..."
"...Alright, but I can only accept two bases at most. For the remaining two... I suggest you strategically abandon them and withdraw the personnel there..."
"What? A safe house? ... I am sorry, but before Director Pierce fell into silence, he did not leave me with enough safe houses. As of now, they're all filled to capacity."
Shiller sighed and said: "It's not that I want to ask for too much. But really, I have so many people looking for me... Yes, I appreciate your understanding, for the extra personnel on the protection plan roster, it's calculated per person. High-ranking managers and important researchers have a security fee of 300,000 US dollars each..."
Listening to the response from the other end, Shiller rested his head on his palm. His tone becoming colder, he said, "Do you think now is the time to negotiate a price? The West Coast is their major target. Do you realize the risk I am taking by accepting you people?"
"Don't tell me these things. Everyone knows that the urgent transfer operation was for you to preserve your own direct lines of power, and the only truly reliable safe houses are with me. If you're willing to let those fraudsters swindle your money, I won't stop you..."
"Fifty people? No, I've told you, there are limited slots, I can only give you fifteen at most. Thirty thousand dollars per person... Alright, a 10% discount, in consideration of our past working under Director Pierce..."
Shiller sighed, and put down the phone. He then rested back on his chair, stretched out, and looked at Nick Fury sitting across from him.
Nick Fury looked up from the table and said, "Another 5 million dollars in the account, huh?"
"As I always said, we'll split it 55-45. But honestly, this bit of money can't even begin to make up for the psychological trauma caused by working overtime."
Just as Shiller was about to stand up to make a cup of coffee, his phone rang again. Shiller picked up and said: "Hello, this is 'the Doctor.' What? Your base was attacked? I apologize, but I really don't have any additional personnel to send to your aid."
"Your attacker is Captain America? Even if God Himself was your attacker, I still wouldn't be able to save you..."
"Alright, I can only provide you with a route to retreat. Please proceed immediately to New York Harbour. There, you will be met by a dedicated agent. But if you wish to move to a secure location, please send a message to your superior to pay your security fees..."
"I will say it again, this is not extortion. The safe houses are already filled to capacity. If you think you can get in without paying, what do you think the others will think? You'd better hurry up and call your boss. If he's willing to pay, then you guys will have a chance. If he isn't, then God bless you..."
Having said this, Shiller hung up the phone. Nick then teased, "Cold and ruthless, doctor."
"Likewise."
Ever since Shiller tricked everyone into believing Director Pierce had fallen silent and leaving Garrett, Pierce's backup plan, out of action, he had completely seized control of the Hydra agents within S.H.I.E.L.D. He concocted a protection plan that turned the Arkham Sanatorium into a supposed "safe" house for Hydra.
From the beginning, Shiller wasn't interested in fleecing these agents. Frankly, how much could these wage workers possibly be worth? Selling the Eternal Life Factor would be slow and complicated.
So, Shiller chose a different path and opened up another industry.
The competition between Stark and Steve was heating up, with them becoming increasingly entangled. As such, the scale of this 'cleansing' operation grew larger, involving all the Hydra of the East and West Coast. Since the competition started quite abruptly, most of them were unprepared.
This was unlike S.H.I.E.L.D.'s deceptive "investigation". When dealing with Hydra, Captain America and Iron Man meant business. Thus, within a few days, the Hydra leaders of the East and West Coast had lost significant power.
As each so-called 'safe house' was attacked, more and more Hydra heads went into hiding for self-preservation, and the more they fell silent, the less capable they were of mounting a defense. Therefore, their losses increased.
These Hydra heads went into hiding, but they were unwilling to have their hard-earned power base wiped out. If that were to happen, wouldn't they be left alone and powerless when they reemerged?
As always, Hydra infighting is professional. They had to consider how to face their ruthless colleagues after their silence ends. If they really did end up bare and defenseless, they could only expect to be devoured.
At that time, a rumor spread among the high-ranking members - before former S.H.I.E.L.D. Director and well-known Hydra head Alexander Pierce went into silence, he left behind an experienced silent agent and an absolutely secret safe house.
This silent agent code-named "Doctor" was likely an agent within S.H.I.E.L.D., but his identity was unknown. However, there was no doubt that his protection plan was very effective.
The effectiveness of this protection plan is rooted in S.H.I.E.L.D.
Immediately after the important Hydra agents in S.H.I.E.L.D were transferred, S.H.I.E.L.D launched a massive cleansing operation. Those agents who didn't participate in the protection plan were directly wiped out.
Of course, this was a coordinated attack from Nick and Shiller. After Shiller transferred the important Hydra agents and left only the small fry, Nick simply needed an excuse to get rid of them. With the core Hydra members gone, the rest couldn't put up any real defensive or counter-attacks.
Although the protected agents were locked up in the sanatorium, the unprotected ones were wiped out completely, confirming the importance of the protection plan and the "Doctor"'s experience and readiness in taking action.
Following the rumor of a safe refuge, many of Hydra's leaders began considering relocating their faithful personnel there.
The fact that Shiller was charging a fee didn't surprise them at all. That's Hydra for you, if not now, when?
On the contrary, Shiller's approach only reinforced the leaders' faith. Only a true Hydra member would so expertly capitalize on someone's misfortune and ask for a lion's share.
Recognizing his astuteness, Pierce admired him!
That's Hydra for you.
The leaders felt a deep sense of kinship in Shiller's actions. They didn't mind his high asking price. Having operated Hydra for so many years, they had the means. For them, a bit of spending to assure the well-being of their followers was extremely beneficial.
Along the way of evacuating to the Arkham Sanatorium, 80% of the people were caught by the all-knowing S.H.I.E.L.D., with only 20% managing to reach the sanatorium successfully, but they didn't see this as a problem.
Now, considering the situation was already so dire, they considered themselves lucky that 20% managed to survive.
What they didn't know, however, was that their savior, sitting in the Director's office of the Arkham Sanatorium, was weighing them for sale to the S.H.I.E.L.D. Director.
"Honestly, I think you should consider stepping back. In a few days, those two crazed hotshots will be onto you," Nick suggested to Shiller. "We all know we're doing this for a just cause, but those two are a bit overzealous. It would be bad if they hurt one of their own unwittingly…"
Yet Shiller remained unfazed. He smiled and said, "Don't worry, I already have a plan."
"What plan?" Nick looked up at him.
At that moment, a portal opened up in the office, and Strange entered from it. He first looked out at the sky, yawned, and then sat down next to Shiller. Shiller asked, "Finished your work?"
"Yes, the Supreme Magician has handed over all of Kamar-Taj's affairs to me. Now I am indeed the Supreme Magician, only lacking an official ceremony."
"Well, that calls for a congratulation. However, hadn't you mentioned that there's been a lot of troubles lately. What happened?"
Upon bringing up this issue, Strange furrowed his brows, "The mages think Stark is being stingy. He only gave them one spaceship for research…"
"You know, those grand mages are research fanatics. One spaceship isn't enough to satisfy their curiosity."
"Mages come in many schools. Some use white magic, others research summon magic. Their modification ideas differ from one another. Some want to completely energize the spaceship, while others want to use enchantment technology. Recently, I had to stop at least a dozen arguments…"
"Regardless, we need at least three spaceships," Strange concluded. "Any less, and I wouldn't be able to balance the mages' experimental needs."
"Just like I suggested over the phone earlier, you mages have portals to sneak on board and do some research. You wouldn't likely be discovered."
"That's just what I'm hesitant about..." Strange revealed a troubled expression. "I don't want to intensify the conflict between ordinary humans and the mages. We are Earth's guardians, not managers, let alone rulers. If discovered, Stark will be furious."
"As long as he doesn't find out, it'll be fine, right? Do those grand mages also have the habit of leaving a mess after their research?"
"Of course not, unlike that wealthy Stark, Kamar-Taj has maintained its virtuous frugality for years. Our magic is environmentally friendly and pollution-free, without even any waste."
"And, the Supreme Magician left me a special item that can reset time…"
Strange's eyes brightened with his words, "I can let the grand mages perform their experiments and then use the gemstone to restore original condition of the spaceship. This way Stark will never discover us…"
With that, he stood up, telling Shiller, "That's right, an idea has come to mind."
He then opened the portal, putting one foot into it. Before departing, he looked back and said, "Thank you. Appreciate your flexible thinking, and... morals."
Once Strange fully vanished, Nick stared at the spot he left, asking thoughtfully, "The scapegoat you found?"
"Don't say that. There're many doctors in this world. How could they suspect just Steven?"
"Yep, no one would've suspected him initially. But now that you've persuaded him to take a ship right under Stark's eyes, there's no need to say who Stark will suspect…"
Shiller, with a coffee, walked over, handing a cup to Nick. He raised his own cup and said, "If you don't tell, and I don't tell, who would know that he was influenced by me?"
Nick, grinning, lifted his cup. The two gently toasted, revealing an unsaid understanding through their smiles.