One Week Later
Morning sunlight streamed into the dining room. James savored Wanda's pancakes, Dijiang hovering above, sneaking syrup licks. The phoenix pecked flame-roasted bacon on Kara's shoulder. The Ink Qilin basked by the window.
A system alert chimed in James's mind. [Host activity low. Issuing chained mission.]
[Mission 1: Human Guardian]
[Objective: Visit another universe, stop an alien invasion.]
[Reward: Unlocks next mission based on completion.]
James paused, smiling. "Finally."
"What?" Wanda noticed his shift.
"Got a job." James wiped his mouth, ruffling Wanda's hair. "Heading out."
Kara, wrestling bacon from the phoenix, looked up. "Need help?"
"Nah, watch these three." James eyed Dijiang, who hid its paws after stealing juice. The Ink Qilin touched his hand, sending pure energy. "Thanks," James patted it, opening a golden portal.
Wanda kissed his cheek. "Come back soon."
Kara smiled. "We'll wait."
James winked. "Back in no time." He stepped through, hearing Dijiang knock over the juice bottle and Wanda's exasperated sigh.
Earth, K-Science Base, Training Arena
In a wooden-floored dojo, Mako Mori and Raleigh Becket finished sparring, trainees buzzing about their moves. Suddenly, Buzz! a blue spatial rift opened.
"Alert!" Trainees tensed, Raleigh and Mako retreating defensively, guards aiming rifles.
James stepped out, black suit gleaming, his chest gems dim. "James Holden, another universe. Relax, just visiting."
"Another universe?" Raleigh frowned. "This isn't sci-fi."
Mako eyed the gems. "Energy devices?"
James glanced down. "Usually useful, but not here."
Armed guards rushed in, charging. James raised a hand, Bang! Bang! sending them flying back, landing unharmed. "Last time: I'm passing through."
Mako's eyes flared. "Let me test him!" She launched a flying kick. James glanced, and she flew back, crashing lightly.
"Nice speed," he commented.
Raleigh attacked but flew back too, hitting the ground. "Can we talk now?" James smiled at Marshal Pentecost.
Pentecost studied him, swallowing, then signaled the guards to stand down. "My apologies, sir. Follow me."
James grinned. "No sparring first?"
Pentecost glanced at the fallen duo. "If you want a match, we'll oblige."
James laughed, following him out. Trainees helped Mako and Raleigh, who were bruised but alive, lucky James held back.
Conference Room
The metal door sealed, soundproofing active. Pentecost sat at the head, Mako and Raleigh, unharmed, at his sides. James leaned on the table, scanning holographic maps of mech bases and kaiju activity.
"You're fighting these monsters?" James asked, amused. In the Marvel universe, they'd last an hour. Even here, their tech could outmatch them, yet they fought like medieval knights.
Pentecost showed footage of a kaiju, Knifehead, ravaging Hong Kong, fought by the mech Gipsy Danger. "Since 2013, these creatures emerge from a Pacific breach," he said. "Our Jaeger mechs, piloted by two synced drivers, are our only defense."
James shook his head. "Why rely on giant robots? Your tech could make fusion cannons to wipe them out."
Mako corrected, "Jaegers need dual pilots for neural sync to handle the mental load."
Raleigh, rubbing his chest, scoffed. "You say you're from another universe. Got kaiju there?"
"Nope, worse," James replied.
Pentecost eyed him. "Why are you here?"
"Just sightseeing," James said. "But your kaiju issue? Too slow. I'll fix it. Coffee, ten minutes." His nano-armor formed, and he vanished.