Ghosts of the Past
Chapter 19 conspiracies exposed
Authors notes I don't own Marvel Agents of SHIELD. All I own are my OC's Jack Williams, Shadow, the Katana Killer, Carl Berlin, Henry Radcliff and Cobra.
Also I recommend that all my readers check out the fics written by Angels Anthem, Appa Appa Away, LongLiveTheClones, XxheavendragonxX, Aurora Lunar 0Love This0, Icehockeychic4 Canadiancloneluver, Guardian Kitch, Jemmz, Full-Paragon, Fenrisulven13 and lastly Xpredatorx as they are twelve of the best writers on this site in my opinion.
And please if you read this fic then let me know what you think of it good or bad comments just let me know as I want your opinions on it no matter what they are. 17 people now have story alerts on this fic while 6 people have added this fic to their favourite stories list.
The main pairings of this fic will be Mayson and Jack Williams/Maria Hill but I might add others later on in the fic.
Lastly I recommend my readers have a look at the Agents of SHIELD fics written by charmed4lifekaren you will not be disappointed once you read them, they are amazing fic's and very well written.
Well that's enough of an author's notes on with chapter 19.
SHIELD HQ
Director Fury, Maria and Jack entered the elevator and Fury set the destination for the top level where the World Security Council were in a closed session to discuss the investigation into the attempt on Graham William's life.
All three of them had their pistols out as the elevator stopped and the doors opened.
They entered the room much to the shock of the World Security Council members, Alexander Pierce in particular.
Councilman Yen asked "Director Fury what is the meaning of this?"
Director Fury replied "Councilman, Alexander Pierce is a traitor to SHIELD. He's a member of HYDRA."
Councilwoman Hawley said "I want to see one piece of solid evidence to support this allegation Director?"
Fury answered "Graham Williams gave me a list of all those in SHIELD loyal to the organization. The only member of the council whose name wasn't on the list was Alexander Pierce."
Pierce hadn't said a word since Fury and the others burst in as Councilman Singh said angrily "Get that traitor out of here Fury."
Jack and Maria dragged Alexander Pierce out of the room with Fury following them.
He got a communication from Captain America "Fury, the Helicarriers have been disabled. We're now helping out Coulson's team deal with the HYDRA members."
Fury said "Good work."
He looked at his one-time friend Alexander Pierce and said "I'm not going to bother asking you why. The fact you're part of HYDRA shows I never knew you as well as I thought I did. You are going to tell me about all the HYDRA bases there are worldwide. No matter how painful the method."
Pierce said "You don't know who you're fighting against Nick. I'm just a small cog in a very big machine. Remember cut off one head. Two more will take its place."
Maria said "Pierce did you know that in mythology, after cutting off one head of a Hydra Hercules then dipped his sword in it and used its venom to burn each head so it couldn't grow back."
Pierce scoffed at that remark as the elevator stopped and Pierce was brought into an interrogation room and handcuffed to a chair.
Pierce said "What now Nick? You going to let Jack here beat on me to get info out of me? Or you going to get Romanoff to do it or maybe have agent Burke with his interrogation kit to soften me up first?"
Fury said "Wrong on all three Pierce."
With that Fury, Jack and Maria left the room. A few minutes later Captain America entered the room sat down across from Pierce.
Pierce said "I wasn't expecting you to be my interrogator Rogers."
Captain America ignored the comment and asked "How was HYDRA able to infiltrate SHIELD's ranks so deeply Pierce. Did a member of HYDRA survive World War 2 and have a child and that child joined SHIELD? Or was it done another way?"
Pierce merely said "You know Rogers have you heard of the Butterfly effect? In chaos theory, it is that a small thing like a simple butterfly fluttering its wings, has big consequences elsewhere in the world. I wonder what would have happened if you were not frozen for 70 years and were rescued by the Allies after stopping Red Skull? Would you have taken HYDRA out once and for all? Or would you have died while the new HYDRA grew just like what happened to your old friend Howard Stark."
Captain America said "We'll never know what would happen if things were different Pierce. Tell me all you know about other HYDRA bases. If you don't I'll let Tony Stark come in and question you. I'm sure he'll be eager to inflict a lot of pain on you for what HYDRA did to his father?"
Pierce said "You might have stopped HYDRA today but we are still around and we will take you out and anyone else who stands in our way."
The captain then got a communication from Director Fury via an ear piece he wore and asked Pierce "Who is the Winter Soldier? Files were found in your office mentioning him?"
Pierce smiled and said "You'll find out soon enough I'm sure."
Berlin
Garrett shot the lock off the door as Triplett kept an eye out for any sentries patrolling the area and Mike Peterson entered the building first just in case any of Project Centipede's super soldiers were inside walking around.
When Mike saw the place was empty he yelled out "All clear."
Garrett and Triplett entered and Garrett said "They left in a hurry. They knew someone was coming here. Let's see if they left something behind. Maybe we'll get lucky."
They looked though the entire building and only found a few documents with a symbol on the top of the documents, the eye of providence.
As Garrett looked at the documents he said "These people aren't with HYDRA. So who the hell are they working for?"
Once the area was secured by a SHIELD team, Garrett informed Director Fury of what he found.
London STRIKE headquarters
Director George Murray glared at the now ex defence minister and said "Tell me who you and your fellow traitors were working with. Was it HYDRA? We know their back now and were planning a global takeover. Fortunately for us SHIELD struck before they did."
The defence minster replied "They're not HYDRA. We would never work with a group who were led by a Nazi. You see the thing about these individuals we worked with is that they have people everywhere. Isn't that right?"
One of the STRIKE agents in the room took out his gun and opened fire killing two of the other agents before he shot Director Murray in the chest.
The traitorous agent freed the ex-defence minister from his restraints as Director Murray stood up and grabbed the traitor from behind and snapped the man's neck.
Director Murray said "Should have shot me in the head. I'm been wearing a bullet proof vest under my suit for years. Sit back down please."
The ex-defence minister sat back down as Director Murray called for an interrogation squad to come in and get the answers STRIKE needed.
Meanwhile Director Murray looked at the reports about HYDRA's infiltration of SHIELD and knew that SHIELD would need help moving forward.
He decided it was time for STRIKE to step into the light.
Unknown location
The Shadow sat in the office and was relieved as he got a message from his top inside man in SHIELD that the spies Shadow had inside SHIELD hadn't been found out when Fury was getting rid of all those loyal to HYDRA who were apart of SHIELD.
He had told Pierce that he would regret not helping him against these unknown enemies of his and when HYDRA was on its last legs. He would put the final nail in their coffin.
'Karma is a bitch Pierce'. The Shadow thought to himself.
His head of security Carlo Mancini entered the room and said "Sir. I have some news which I don't think you're going to like."
The Shadow said "What is it Carlo?"
Carlo answered "Carl Berlin knows his daughter is still alive."
The Shadow was silent for a few minutes before he said "Send the guards home then go on a holiday in the Bahamas for a while Carlo. I'll will meet with Carl when he comes here alone. He deserves to know what happened to his wife."
Carlo left the room to carry out his orders as The Shadow loaded his 9mm pistol.
He knew Carl would be here sooner or later and when he showed up. The Shadow would be ready for him.
SHIELD HQ
Director Fury got off the elevator. He had just spent an hour talking to the Council members after SHIELD HQ was secured who wanted an update on Alexander Pierce's interrogation, but so far they hadn't gotten much of anything from the traitor.
Fury decided it was time to change tactics.
He told Rogers to leave the interrogation room and sent in Sitwell. No doubt if Pierce saw the man who made the downfall of HYDRA today possible, he would most likely give up information they wanted without even realising it.
Fury's instincts were proven right as the very moment Sitwell entered the interrogation room Pierce yelled out "You traitor! I trusted you Jasper! You mark my words. When I get of these restraints you're the first person I'm killing."
Sitwell merely smiled and said "I wanted to say these next two words for the longest time sir. Fuck HYDRA!" He even did the HYDRA salute to further aggravate Pierce.
Sitwell then sat down across from Pierce and said "Tell me why HYDRA had Jack Williams and Maria Hill's son Josh killed over a decade ago?"
Pierce calmed down at this and said "We didn't kill the baby boy. If we wanted someone dead we would have killed Williams and Hill. Why would we murder a new-born baby?"
Sitwell glared at Pierce and said "I don't believe you. HYDRA was ready to kill millions with those helicarriars. What's one baby if you're prepared to spill that much blood to achieve your goals? You couldn't risk killing Maria and Jack. Do that and Graham would have searched the planet for the killers in the name of revenge. So what was Jack getting close to that caused you to have baby Josh killed. Was Jack getting to close to learning HYDRA was still around?"
Pierce said "HYDRA didn't kill that baby. I'll tell you this. When we learned what happened to the baby boy. Me and the top brass in HYDRA laughed. The news made us laugh for days. I don't know who ordered that boy dead. If I did know who that person would I'd shake the person's hand."
On the other side room Maria Hill who tightened her grip on a chair in front of her as the anger she had over Josh's death came up to the surface as soon as Pierce was questioned about any role HYDRA had in what happened 11 years ago.
Once Pierce started to laugh as he thought back to when he learned Maria's son was killed. She snapped.
The top of the chair she was holding onto broke into several pieces as she shoved several other SHIELD agents out of her way and burst into the interrogation room and removed her pistol from its holster.
Maria pointed the gun at Pierce's head and said "You give one reason why I shouldn't kill you right here and now Pierce you liar. Tell me who in HYDRA ordered my son be killed?"
Pierce said "You won't shoot me Hill. You think bursting in here enraged with a gun will make me say a word. Besides I was telling the truth. HYDRA had nothing to do with your son's death. But I wish we did. We would have killed the boy's parents along with him."
Maria kept her gun aimed at Pierce who said "You won't kill me Hill. You simply can't afford to do it. After all I have Intel you need. Plus I don't think you have the guts to do it. A lot of people among HYDRA's ranks lost what little respect they had for Nick after you were made the second in command. If he wanted eye candy he could have picked anyone good looking female agent. Like Romanoff for instance."
Maria fired her gun shooting Pierce's left ear off. As the traitor screamed in pain She asked "Still think I lack the guts now Pierce?"
Pierce glared at Maria who said "Tell me who had my son killed was it another member of HYDRA's top brass or a low level member who saw the murder as a chance to impress the higher ups?"
Pierce looked at Maria straight in the eye and said "I don't know who had your son murdered. Kill me if you want to but I am telling you the truth."
Maria didn't do anything for a few moments before she lowered her gun and said "I believe you. Sitwell get a medic in here to reattach Pierce's severed ear."
Maria then left the interrogation room as Sitwell called for a medic.
New York City
Luke Douglas the Shadow's accountant parked his car outside his house and to his shock saw another car was near the house. He knew who's car it was. Carl Berlin's.
Luke took out the dagger he kept in the glove compartment of his car as the man hated guns.
Luke entered his house has his wife Fiona said "Luke is that you?"
Luke replied "Yes it's me."
Fiona entered the hallway and said "Luke you never told me you wrote Spanish plays?"
Before Luke could say a word Carl Berlin entered the hallway with a smile on his face "Don't worry Luke. I haven't told her all of our stories from the years we spent in college together."
Carl hugged Luke and whispered to him "I know my daughter is alive."
Luke was in shock that Carl knew what Shadow wanted kept from him at all costs and knew he had to call for help as Fiona said "I asked Carl to stay for dinner. I made your favourite Luke. Sirloin Steak."
Carl smiled and said "Luke I hope you don't mind if I stay for dinner. I do enjoy a good Sirloin Steak and I've had a great time getting to know Fiona here."
Luke said "I don't mind. Let me go wash up."
As Luke headed for the bathroom Carl said to Fiona "You're fun." And as Fiona laughed at Carl's joke. Luke took out his mobile phone and called The Shadow.
Luke said in a low tone of voice so he wouldn't be overheard by Carl or Fiona. "Sir he's here. Here in my house. Wait. I'm going to call the police. Just please get a car here as soon as you can. Thank you sir."
Luke hung up on the Shadow and dialled 911. After telling the police that an armed man was holding him and his wife hostage Carl ended the phone call and quickly washed his hands.
Luke knew he had to buy time before the police arrived and arrested Carl.
He left the bathroom and entered the dining room where Fiona and Carl were already sitting down enjoying dinner.
Fiona asked "So Carl what college did you and Luke meet at? The man has been to several colleges for different courses?"
Carl replied "I may not have much time to give you an answer Fiona. I believe the police are on their way. Luke tell me what I want to know. Where is Shadow's mansion? I know you've been there."
Confused, Fiona asked Luke "What is he talking about Luke?"
Carl said calmly "Tell me where the mansion is Luke?"
Luke replied "The Shadow will kill me if I tell you Carl. Besides the police are on their here as we speak."
Carl simply took out his gun and shot Luke in the leg.
Fiona horrified said "What are you doing?"
Carl said "Relax Fiona. it's just a flesh wound. Luke give me a name or the next bullet goes in your stomach."
Fiona yelled "He needs a doctor!"
Carl said "Fiona, if you don't stop talking, I'm going to put you in the closet."
Luke said "Carl please. He'll kill me if I talk. He'll kill Fiona."
Fiona said in a panic "I need to call Dr Wright. He will come to the house!"
Carl merely grabbed Fiona by the arm and put her in the closet locking it from the outside.
Fiona started banging on the door and Carl said "Fiona if you don't stop I'm gonna have to shoot through this door, which will be a shame, because I won't have any idea what I'm shooting at."
Fiona stopped the banging as Carl turned to Luke and said menacingly "Luke if you don't tell what I want to know, I'm going to drag you out of this house, put you in the trunk of my car, fly you to Papua New Guinea, and have your head stuck on a pole for all to see."
Luke said "The mansion is in San Francisco. Near the outskirts of the city."
Carl smiled and put away his gun as he said loudly "Fiona my sincere apologies but I'm going to have to take a rain check on dinner. The steak smells delicious."
With that Carl left the house now one step closer to finding Shadow.
London STRIKE headquarters
Director Murray stood outside the interrogation room as the leader of the interrogation squad came out covered in blood and said "The traitor is dead. Before he died he gave us a name. Illuminatus. Looks we now know who was involved with these traitors."
Director Murray nodded and said "They have a name known to the world. The Illuminati."
He then headed to his office and sealed it as he encrypted his phone and called SHIELD HQ demanding to speak to Nick Fury immediately.
London
The man sat in his chair as he looked at the briefcase he said to himself "How many people throughout history have looked for something which would change the face of the world? Too many to count. The important thing is they've all failed, where they failed I succeeded. I hold the power to change this planet in minutes. Now how best to use such a weapon in a practical test?"
The man knew that with his friends in the British leadership all arrested for treason. The original plan of an American-British war was at risk unless General Ross followed through and kills President Ellis."
There was a knock on the door and one of the guards entered the room and said "Sir. We've received the package General Ross gave us."
The man said "Bring it in here."
A small box was brought into the room and put on the table. As the guards left the room .The man opened the box and saw several vials with a blue liquid in them.
The man now had what The Illuminati needed to ensure that they would be a force to be reckoned with.
SHIELD HQ
Director Fury read the status updates from all SHIELD facilities he was happy to see that all of them from the SHIELD academies to the fridge were secure and the HYDRA infiltrators were dead or in custody.
The phone on his desk rang and Fury answered it. A voice said "Director Fury. You don't know me. But I know a lot about you."
Fury said "Who is this?"
The caller replied "My name is George Murray. I'm the Director of STRIKE. The British version of SHIELD dedicated to protecting Britain from threats others aren't prepared to deal with. I'm calling you to discuss a mutual enemy both of our organizations share."
Fury said "I assume you're talking about HYDRA?"
Director Murray laughed and said "I'm not talking about the serpent Fury. STRIKE has learned there is another group involved in all this who want SHIELD and HYDRA to wipe each other out in war. Essentially do their work for them. I also have their name. I propose a partnership between STRIKE and SHIELD. Are you interested?"
Fury asked "What is the name of this group Murray?"
Murray answered "The Illuminati."
Fury in shock said "The Illuminati. They're just a myth."
Director Murray said "A prisoner I had in my custody was killed during interrogation and only said one word before he died. Illuminatus. They're real and they have a plan for this world. A plan both our organizations are in the way of. I suggest we meet face to face in order to cement our alliance. I'll call you back to arrange the time and the place. Good day Director Fury."
With that Murray hung up and soon Coulson got off the elevator and stepped into the office followed by Melinda, the rest of his team and the Avengers.
Fury said "I assume you're here Coulson to learn how you were brought back?
Phil replied "The Shadow told me what he knew. You had me injected with a special drug known as GH325. It stabilized me temporally. But it wasn't enough to keep me alive. I died on the operating table cursing your name. At that point you got more desperate to bring me back and brought in outside help. What help do you bring? What the hell was done to me and why?"
Fury was silent for a few moments before Bruce Banner said "If you won't tell us maybe you'll talk to the other guy."
Fury asked "Phil, are you sure you want to know? There are some things not meant to be known. Not even by us?"
Phil replied "Tell now or I beat it out of you. What made so desperate to bring me back after I died a second time cursing you?"
Fury said "Fine. I'll tell you."
Tony said "Start talking Fury. What exactly brought Coulson back from the dead?"
Fury answered "A necromancer named Magnus Rasputin brought you back Phil. He was kept in files restricted to the Director of SHIELD only. Maria didn't even know what brought you back Phil. She like all those involved thought it was another dose of GH325 that done it. This necromancer demanded payment in return for his help. I had to erase all trace of him from all databases worldwide. I also had to give him something else. Something which I regret doing but to bring you back I'd do it again. I provided him with dead bodies. 200 of them, men, women and children. As for why I did it. Simply put Phil. I consider you an Avenger. I felt if anyone deserved to be given a second chance it was you. You are the reason why everyone on Earth is still here. Your death ensured Earth's survival."
Everyone was shocked at this revelation and Tony recovered from the shock and punched Fury across the face, knocking him to the ground. Tony angrily said "You gave a necromancer more bodies for his work. Why not give the man money?"
Fury Got back up to his feet replied "The man only wanted dead bodies. He didn't want any other payment."
Phil said "Sir. There was a time I would have followed you anywhere. You had my complete loyalty and my trust. No more."
Phil then left the room followed by his team and the Avengers.
Fury said to himself "I'm sorry Phil. I truly am."
HYDRA base
Alarms started to go off as the base was under attack and no one knew who was attacking them but whoever they were made short work of the HYDRA members in the base.
The attackers secured the building as all the HYDRA member's laid dead and as their leader arrived and looked at a cryogenic pod in the main room.
The Shadow said "The famous Winter Soldier, you have a new master now."
Authors notes well that's chapter 19 completed please let me know what you think of it read and review no flames though ok.