Chapter 56 Undercurrents Surging! Return to the Hive!

"Alexander, what on earth have you been hiding from me all these years?"

Nick Fury's gaze was deep and enigmatic.

For the first time in so many years, he realized that he had perhaps never truly understood his "close friend."

Due to limited time, he hadn't discovered many of the deeper anomalies within S.H.I.E.L.D.

Yet, merely this tip of the iceberg was enough to shock him—that was definitely something no external force like Hydra could accomplish!

Only those at the very core of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top echelon, deeply entrenched within the organization for over a decade, could possibly orchestrate such a layout.

Initially, Nick Fury hadn't cast his suspicions on Alexander, but rather on several other core executives of S.H.I.E.L.D.

After all, Alexander was one of the "close friends" he had trusted the most.

In fact, his current position as Director was heavily pushed and supported by Alexander himself.

To suspect Alexander was, frankly, quite unjustified!

But just moments ago, for reasons unknown—perhaps due to Alexander's attitude toward the Umbrella Corporation?

It instantly made Nick Fury feel a sense of vigilance toward him.

There was no help for it; Umbrella's image in his eyes had plummeted so drastically!

Even if Alexander had only the slightest connection to them, it drove Nick Fury to examine him under a hundred-thousand-fold magnifying glass.

And this closer look revealed subtle discrepancies from past events.

Perhaps putting all this together still felt a bit far-fetched, but he was Nick Fury!

Even the slightest anomaly was enough to spark entirely different associations.

Meanwhile.

Alexander had also returned to his director's office on the top floor.

Sitting in the deep black leather chair, Alexander intertwined his fingers, propped up his chin, and a look of deep contemplation crossed his eyes.

"Unsurprisingly, Nick Fury must have uncovered something wrong with Umbrella!"

Having been Nick Fury's senior official for decades, Alexander understood Nick Fury inside and out.

The moment Fury targeted people from the Umbrella Corporation, Alexander knew he was going to make a move against them.

The question then was:

"Should I give Isaacs a heads-up?"

A trace of hesitation flickered across Alexander's expression.

Being caught by Nick Fury meant Umbrella's problems were likely far from minor.

More importantly...

If he gave a warning and was subsequently exposed by Nick Fury, the fallout would not be small.

At this stage, Alexander still relied heavily on Nick Fury—the Helicarriers had not yet been completed, and implementing his Project Insight was utterly impossible.

Therefore, unless driven to absolute desperation, Alexander had no desire to take such a risk.

However...

"Umbrella is one of the top three pharmaceutical conglomerates in the world, wielding immense influence globally. If we could pull them into our camp..."

Alexander felt deeply tempted.

If the Umbrella Corporation were to join, it would undoubtedly be a massive boost to Hydra!

In fact, he had previously attempted to win over Umbrella multiple times, only for Marcus to maintain an ambiguous stance throughout.

It seemed as though they wanted to join, yet harbored certain reservations.

"This incident might just serve as a breakthrough!"

Alexander genuinely coveted Umbrella's power. After hesitating for a long while, he quietly dialed a phone number.

Almost simultaneously.

Downstairs in the Director's office.

Nick Fury also dialed a number.

Soon, the call went through.

"Coulson, how is the situation on your end?"

"Director, we've already arrived near Raccoon City, but Umbrella has sealed off all access routes in and out of the city. We're currently figuring out a way to get inside!"

Colorado.

Raccoon City.

Outside the cross-sea bridge.

nestled within a small mountain, Phil Coulson hid among the bushes, holding a pair of binoculars and gazing from a kilometer away at that towering city gate.

Atop the steel and concrete ramparts, armed personnel of the Umbrella Corporation were patrolling vigilantly.

The only suspension bridge allowing entry and exit was currently sealed, making normal passage into Raccoon City virtually impossible.

Beside Phil Coulson was the Black Widow Natasha, clad in a black bodysuit.

There was also Hawkeye, who had accompanied them and was currently scouring the coastline in an attempt to find a better breakthrough point.

"Both the sky and the sea are being monitored by Umbrella's operatives. I reckon the only way we can possibly enter Raccoon City is by going through the underwater route!"

Phil Coulson reported his ensuing plan.

Upon hearing this, Nick Fury offered no comments on the plan, but instead changed the subject.

"Put the Raccoon City mission on hold for now; I have another assignment for you to execute!"

"Huh? What mission could possibly be more important than this?"

Phil Coulson was momentarily stunned.

This concerned the very survival of the entire world!

"Whether it's more important, I don't know, but I have no desire to clean up a pile of ruins... Though the probability of that is small, listen to me! I want you to..."

...

Phil Coulson departed with Hawkeye and the Black Widow, vanishing as silently as he had arrived, completely unnoticed by anyone.

At the entrance of Raccoon City.

A group of Umbrella armed guards continued to scrutinize their surroundings meticulously, ensuring no unauthorized individuals slipped in or out of the city.

At this time, there was still quite a while before dawn.

Inside Raccoon City.

On the outskirts in a different direction.

Flashes of fire flickered here and there, revealing the occasional wreckage of several armed helicopters.

Venturing deeper, a dark, deserted mansion loomed into view.

This was precisely the starting point where Yu Fei had first arrived in this world.

A figure flashed.

After a gap of just a few hours, Yu Fei returned here once more.

Compared to before, the mansion was now vastly more tranquil; even the chirping of insects and birds had vanished, making it look every bit like a haunted house.

Well, from a certain perspective, it truly could be considered a haunted house—aren't zombies a type of "ghost," after all?

Probably... !

Yu Fei glanced at the nearby corpses of the assault team members. With their eyes wide open in death, there wasn't even anyone to collect their bodies—how pitiful~

"Come to think of time, if I were to gather their remains now, I suppose that would count as practicing benevolence, wouldn't it?"

Yu Fei briefly contemplated a secondary utilization of them, but quickly shook his head.

He still had a far more important task to accomplish!

"According to the plot of Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, the true higher-ups of the Umbrella Corporation are still slumbering at the very bottom of the Hive!"