"No, Doctor, I'm still greatly concerned about this. If you don't want my condition to worsen, you must oblige my request."
"You just say the word, Madame. I will do my utmost."
Natasha mustered enough strength to lift her head and raise a hand, speaking in dramatic tones, "Though my colleague Coulson is extremely competent, able to manage every matter thoroughly, paying close attention to even the smallest details, it's clear that the demands of over 30,000 tasks can be overwhelming. The assignment and management of over 600,000 agents, an unavoidable burden he has to bear."
"Therefore, I entreat you, Doctor, to lend extra attention to the mental health of my department's team of special agents. We can't afford any of them to collapse under work pressure as I have."
"Rest assured, Madame, I am heading to your office right now in order to thoroughly evaluate the mental and psychological states of your subordinates from every angle."
"Then I'm relieved. That means I can allocate some time to recuperate mentally."
"And perhaps handle some personal affairs."
"...Incidentally."
Their hands clasped tightly together. The female agent let out a light laugh and left with a brisk pace.
Three minutes later, in the emergency response group office where Natasha was, Schiller slapped a file down on the table expressionlessly, folding his arms and casting a looming sight over all the agents below - an intimidating aura that stopped anyone from daring to lift their heads.
"You have failed to commit wholly to your work," Schiller's chilling tone set the stage, he then continued, "Black Widow sensed this and has handed her workload to me, hoping Nick will reprimand me. She has indeed played a smart game."
The atmosphere in the room turned tense instantly. A middle-aged female agent stood up to say, "She deceived us all. None of us saw her plot."
"Spare the talk," Schiller didn't even bother to give her a glance. He began to pace around the room, now and then sweeping his gaze icily across every face. Fear would wash over anyone his eyes landed on, causing them to promptly lower their heads.
"Of course you can slack off while you're under Natasha's command. This female agent is itself a case of serving the enemy while harbouring loyalty to us. But the Hydra expects nothing less than results."
"Now, while ensuring that the works under your charge are not disrupted, focus entirely on investigating the specifics of the protest activities erupted in Brooklyn and the Bronsk District."
"In two days, I want results! And not a mound of dull, uninteresting data. What I need is a core solution!"
Schiller exclaimed loudly:
"Get to work, remember, hail Hydra."
"Hail Hydra."
With that, Schiller exited the room. Upon closing the door behind him, he swiftly stepped into the adjoining room where he exchanged a knowing glance with a man seated in the front row. Moving straight to him and firmly shaking hands, he switched to Russian:
"Comrade, you've heard about the protest of the lower class people erupting in two major districts of New York, haven't you? I knew it, these lapdogs of capitalism are completely unreliable. They are trying to oppress the people again."
"Of course, Comrade. Ever since the human race made substantial progress in the cosmos, we old guards from the previous era see hope again. However, aside from the unfathomable heavens, we must also look after the people on earth."
Before Schiller could speak, another woman stepped forward, looking at Schiller as she said, "This is within Natasha's jurisdiction. We were just about to make contact with her."
"No, don't do that, it will only put her in a difficult position," Schiller replied swiftly, "It's not easy settling in here, we can't compromise another comrade."
"Nick is contemplating to create a new agency to counter interstellar intelligence work and therefore has no time for this place. I have already undertaken the handover process with Comrade Natasha. It is now up to me to orchestrate investigation matters concerning the protest activities."
"Of course, Comrade Schiller, we unanimously concur that within S.H.I.E.L.D, only you are capable of undertaking such a great responsibility. You have proven this through your actions. Your merit in getting us here will be fully supported by our comrades in the KGB."
"Please don't say that. All meritorious deeds belong to the people. Considering there are no objections, let's get started."
Schiller exchanged handshakes with them one by one and, after sweeping the room with his sincere gaze, said, "Let's immerse ourselves in our grand task, comrades."