"We did it!" A cry of elation echoed through the laboratory on the Chitauri ship.
The researchers gathered in the lab lit up with joyful smiles, some even shedding tears. They were filled with relief—finally, they could stop fearing for their lives, no longer expecting to be killed at any moment.
The commotion in the lab attracted the attention of the Chitauri guards. One of the soldiers, peering through the glass window of the door, noticed the scientists' excited behavior and assumed something important had occurred. He hurried to report to Corvus Glaive and Proxima Midnight.
They arrived quickly. They had been waiting for these scientists to finally deliver results, as carrying out Thanos's orders was their priority. Too many days had passed since they were dispatched to this godforsaken planet, and they were starting to loathe the place and the dim-witted Chitauri soldiers, incapable of independent thought.
A few minutes later, they reached the laboratory. The soldiers opened the door for them, and the general noticed the same excited atmosphere the guards had reported. The scientists were clearly on the verge of celebration.
As soon as those present noticed their approach, one of the scientists hurried to calm down his colleagues. The laboratory quickly fell silent—fear of Corvus, whose menacing figure had left a lasting impression on everyone, took over, and the joy instantly evaporated.
"I could hear your commotion from outside," Corvus said icily. "I expect an explanation."
His eyes swept over those present, and those who met his gaze immediately lowered their heads, afraid to utter a word.
"M-my lord," the Kree scientist, the one who always acted as the spokesperson for the others, spoke hoarsely. "We found a way to open the portal."
"Oh?" Corvus's expression softened slightly. Finally, after so many days, he heard the long-awaited good news.
He and Proxima Midnight exchanged glances and proceeded further into the laboratory. The scientists immediately parted, allowing them to pass.
When he and his companion reached the center of the room, they saw a metal device about a meter tall—the result of the scientists' labor.
"Based on the data you provided, we conducted calculations and experiments. We managed to locate the source of the powerful energy," the Kree scientist began, explaining the essence of their work.
"Can it be used for teleportation yet?" Proxima asked in a cold voice.
"After all our efforts, we managed to open a portal using the energy from this source, but..." the scientist hesitated, glancing at Corvus with obvious apprehension. "For now, the portal can only transport two people."
The researcher's words triggered an immediate outburst of rage from Corvus. His face contorted with anger, and he instantly grabbed the scientist by the throat.
"What did you say?! After all these days, you dare tell me that only two can pass through the portal?!" he roared, tightening his grip on the scientist's neck. The other scientists recoiled in fear, taking a few steps back.
"I need a portal capable of transporting an entire army!" he bellowed, turning to the other researchers. He intended to send the Chitauri army through this portal, and a single passage for two people was completely unacceptable.
"My lord..." the Kree scientist could barely speak, his face turning purple, air unable to pass through his constricted throat. "We... can't... do that... without..."
The scientist tried to explain, but the words came out with great difficulty, and it was clear he was about to lose consciousness.
"Hmph!" Corvus snorted in displeasure and released the researcher.
The scientist collapsed heavily to the floor, gasping for air as if he had just escaped death itself. His colleagues rushed to his aid, helping him up. They knew their lives depended on him.
"Continue, but if you can't give me a satisfactory answer, you will all die!"
In a trembling voice, the Kree scientist continued, "My lord, with our technology, it's impossible to create a teleport capable of transporting an entire army. The only way to achieve this is to utilize the magical power emanating from the energy source on the other side. That's the only way to fulfill your demand."
The scientists had long since realized that the power the general ordered them to study was extraordinarily potent and enigmatic. It was so powerful that it allowed them to create a portal across vast cosmic distances. But they couldn't expand it to the required size until they reached the source of this energy.
Corvus Glaive stared intently at him for a while, making him tremble with fear, before finally saying, "I'm giving you one more day. Increase the portal's capacity to at least three people. If you fail, you will share the fate of the others."
With those words, the general and Proxima left the laboratory, leaving the scientists to discuss their next steps.
"And what are you going to do?" Proxima asked when they were further away.
"The Mad Titan tasked us with retrieving the Infinity Stone," Corvus replied. "He also ordered me, along with the Chitauri fleet, to test the strength of the planet called Earth. According to him, besides the Stone we seek, another Infinity Stone is located on Earth."
"What? Two Infinity Stones on this insignificant planet? That's impossible!" Proxima was stunned. Infinity Stones were such powerful artifacts that searching for them could take an eternity in the vast expanse of the universe. And yet, two of them were on a small planet like Earth?
"Yes, that's why the Mad Titan sent us to verify this. As soon as they finish with the portal, we'll go there, take the Infinity Stone, and uncover the secrets hidden on this planet," Corvus said as they reached the ship's bridge. There, he opened a cabinet and took out a scepter with a blue stone gleaming at its center.
The scepter seemed short, but its structure hinted at the ability to change its length.
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