Chapter 86: Pierce's Objective
In the past, Pierce would never have paid any attention to an environmental organization dedicated to conservation.
While he was busy with HYDRA affairs, he also had to handle Council-related matters and maintain a respectable image. He was busy indeed...
Therefore, even though he, like Nick Fury, had Level 10 clearance, when Oaks Woods's profile was elevated to Level 9, Pierce merely glanced at it without any constructive thoughts.
He hadn't figured out how to approach a consultant who was dedicated to global reforestation as part of HYDRA's recruitment efforts.
The consultant seemed harmless on the surface, but Pierce was well aware that he was an "enhanced individual." However, he had already reached a certain level of cooperation with S.H.I.E.L.D., which was sufficient for HYDRA at the moment.
However, based on firsthand observations from HYDRA agent Sitwell in New Mexico, Pierce discovered that Oaks, the consultant, was not that simple.
He could even get along well with those aliens, and Thor even agreed to become an ally of Earth!
This made Pierce wary. Would this have an impact on HYDRA's rise?
Strictly speaking, Pierce would never attempt to recruit candidates on the Avengers roster.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s qualification review mechanism for the Avengers was strict and effective. He couldn't even imagine how the chosen individuals would fit into his organization.
It would be an insult to his intelligence.
Even if there were two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents on the Avengers roster, Pierce never attempted to approach these two senior agents who were nominally his subordinates.
So when Oaks Woods's name appeared on the Avengers roster, Pierce didn't try to do anything extra. After all, he was an outstanding consultant who had helped S.H.I.E.L.D. solve many problems.
But now, the situation is different.
The presence of this consultant, Oaks, could potentially affect Pierce's plans.
The recent deal with the U.S. government and the military made Pierce consider a plan to silently suppress this potential trouble—
For HYDRA to rise, it couldn't merely rely on official interactions with the United States, given the country's size and system.
Gideon Malick had even planned to become an advisor to the new president, further influencing U.S. government decisions.
In this situation, they had to ensure that Malick's current "friend," Congressman Ellis, could be successfully elected.
"The ideals of the Benevolence Society have been gaining popularity lately, although they have not made any public statements. Undoubtedly, they have provided significant social prestige support for the policies of the Democratic Party."
Pierce looked at Nick Fury's peculiar expression, but paid no attention to it. He walked over to the coffee machine, refilled his cup, and comfortably settled back into his chair.
"Fury, I know Consultant Oaks has noble ideals, but what's most important now is the plan that affects global security—the immediate priority."
"Remember," Pierce chuckled, "if aliens launch a full-scale attack, an NGO won't be able to replace advanced weaponry."
"The exchange condition involving the priority of the Pegasus Project is somehow connected to an environmental NGO?"
Nick Fury stared at his old friend and former boss with a bit of a toothache as he rubbed his chin.
After assimilating information about the Benevolence Society, he had to admit that the organization had unknowingly grown into a tremendously influential entity.
"Is the presidential election really that easily influenced?"
"You really don't care about politics."
Pierce put down his coffee cup, stood up, and stuck one hand in his pocket while the other held his chin. He strolled around the office, lost in thought.
Nick Fury knew this was his old boss's thinking habit, and he was also pondering.
Under Pierce's explanation, he quickly understood the potential influence of the Benevolence Society on the presidential election—
If Congressman Ellis played his cards right, with an industrial, military, and economic strategy directly opposing President Obama, the environmental policies that were already having a noticeable impact would undoubtedly be discarded.
What influence did the Benevolence Society possess?
Its social prestige is extremely high, it is a pioneer in the environmental industry, it has a S.H.I.E.L.D. background, foundation support, and most importantly, it holds shares of Tony Stark, the current prominent CEO of Stark Industries.
In the eyes of the public, it is even considered one of the typical representatives of environmental spirit and philanthropy!
In a time when donating a few million dollars can make global news headlines, the Benevolence Society' influence in the industry can be described as unparalleled!
It is the perfect template in the eyes of the Democratic Party, aligning with their governing ideology.
In the election, the Benevolence Society doesn't need to do anything; their mere existence can bring in a large number of votes for the Democratic Party.
Ellis truly lives up to being the ace that the Republican Party has put forward; he has a sharp political sense.
Although the Benevolence Society don't have any dark history, their rise has inevitably violated the interests of various capitalists—
With its existence, the tactics of capitalists using money to buy prestige have been disregarded by the public.
Therefore, it is necessary to strip away the Benevolence Society' S.H.I.E.L.D. background; that way, it will no longer pose a threat.
It is well known that the U.S. presidential election is all about capital.
And capital will easily crush the Benevolence Society without their S.H.I.E.L.D. background, even with Stark Industries backing!
By undermining the Democratic Party's governing ideology in this way, and with the exchange of interests between Ellis and the Council, doesn't it secure his victory in the election?
"Now do you understand?"
Pierce shook his finger.
"Just as you said, we at S.H.I.E.L.D. cannot interfere in the U.S. presidential election, but now the Benevolence Society' relationship with us is known by some individuals. It's clearly inappropriate, isn't it?"
"If things involve this aspect, then yes."
Nick Fury pondered for a moment and spread his hands.
"But he won't actively help the Democratic Party because he has a strong aversion to bureaucracy and politics."
"...Fury, it's not about what he will or will not do, it's about what he represents in the eyes of others."
"After all, Consultant Oaks is still an Avenger. It would be excessive to go after his influence."
Nick Fury felt that Pierce was being too persistent.
"Even if the Benevolence Society has significant influence, as long as we make them temporarily dormant, it will be enough. Especially if we do so, the Avengers Initiative could immediately encounter problems."
Nick Fury clearly disagreed with Pierce's use of force. Apart from anything else, with Oaks's temperament, if they went too far, he would dare to directly attack the Triskelion to retaliate against them!
And the media, which relentlessly seeks hot topics during the election period, would never miss out on such a big news story that could ignite society.
"'Avenger'—that's the identity... that would make the Benevolence Society have that kind of influence."
Pierce stopped in his tracks, tilted his head, and looked at Fury with a slight smirk on his face.
"But you make a valid point. After all, this identity is not yet public, and it hasn't had any substantial impact."
"In that case, the Benevolence Society will remain untouched, but Dr. Oaks himself... cannot continue as a consultant!"
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