The HYDRA Research Base is a research compound operated by HYDRA, housing numerous items of varied origins and importance. It contains a prison occupied by Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. It was also heavily defended, being equipped with an energy shield powered by the Scepter along with turrets augmented to fire Chitauri energy blasts. It was guarded by dozens of HYDRA troops equipped with Chitauri cannons, machine guns, tanks, trucks, and jetpacks. The forest around the base was also fortified with watchtowers and bunkers.
HYDRA established an underground compound in the country of Sokovia while its operatives still posed as loyal S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents. While Sokovia was in the middle of a rebellion, HYDRA managed to send its operatives to the country under the guise of being S.H.I.E.L.D. peacekeeping forces. The compound was located in a old fortress on a hill not far from the Sokovian capital Novi Grad.
Wolfgang von Strucker and Doctor List discussed the public revelation of HYDRA's existence and its infiltration within S.H.I.E.L.D. List asked what would they do now that Nick Fury had revealed everything about them, but Strucker replied that he only revealed the things he knew.
As they continued walking through the facility, Strucker acknowledged that HYDRA and S.H.I.E.L.D. were two sides of a coin that was no longer currency, and Strucker stopped right in front of the Scepter, saying that they got something more worthy than anyone could imagine, even though they have only scratched its surface.
Strucker informed that they would lure Captain America and his allies to other HYDRA facilities in order to keep them away from them, and they would deal with the "volunteers" to their experiments, burying the dead deep so that none could find them.
List asked about the two survivors of their experiments, Pietro and Wanda Maximoff, who were being kept in cells as they struggled with their powers. Strucker acknowledged that sooner or later the Avengers would meet them, as the world was not a world of spies anymore, not even a world of heroes. Strucker ominously announced the arrival of the age of miracles, as there was nothing more horrifying than a miracle.
As Strucker was speaking, Pietro moved at superhuman speed from one side to another of his cell, while Wanda moved a series of cubes with her mind, finally making them explode.
Not long after the twins learned how to control their powers, the Avengers attacked the base. After a confrontation, the facility was breached and Strucker was confronted by Captain America and was quickly subdued, while Iron Man searched for the Scepter, eventually finding a room full of Chitauri weaponry, armory and equipment, including a dead Leviathan. Before Stark could grab the scepter, he was hexed by Wanda Maximoff, leading him to have a vision: his team, dead, and the Chitauri and Leviathans crossing a Wormhole to invade Earth. Nonetheless, Stark managed to secure the scepter and the Avengers were victorious. Shortly after becoming sentient, Ultron traveled to the base to start replicating Chitauri technology and build his own sentries.
Inhabitants:
Wolfgang Von Strucker
Doctor List
HYDRA Agents
Equipment:
HYDRA Chitauri Armor
HYDRA Tanks
