Seeing this scene, the live broadcast had already skyrocketed to over 120 million viewers, yet the barrage of comments was surprisingly sparse, as though the audience was collectively holding its breath.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. is cooperating with them for the first time, so a bit of friction is normal."
"But infighting now? At such a critical moment? That's insane."
"This isn't about solutions anymore, it's about who's right and who's wrong!"
"The Captain's annoyed at a slow computer, of all things!"
"F**k! Something's off! We were tricked! We thought Black Widow had pulled off a perfect interrogation, but now she's the bait in someone else's trap!"
"If she hadn't brought him here, maybe things wouldn't have spiraled out of control!"
"Uhh… that actually makes sense."
"Thor never saw this coming."
"I honestly can't fault Fury's decisions."
"I agree, this really does feel like the Earth Age is on full alert."
"Big battle incoming!"
"Oh man, are they seriously about to throw down right here?"
"Infighting already?"
"And the Chitauri haven't even arrived yet! What's the plan now?"
In the reserve's office, the chief sat stiffly, his eyes glued to the screen. Two more members had joined the room, a man and a woman, and the tension that had filled the air before was beginning to drain, replaced by grim focus.
The director finally spoke, his voice solemn: "Activating the Cube means we're declaring war readiness. Other planets will notice."
"I didn't expect it to escalate this fast," someone muttered.
Aldice leaned forward. "What's even more terrifying is that alien forces aren't limited to Thor's divine domain. There are others, ones we don't even have names for."
"Are we… is Terra truly blanketed by all these looming threats?"
Elenora's voice trembled. "Thor said they were the Earth's defenders. Does the Terra Federation… even have defenders anymore?"
The room fell into heavy silence. They were all supernatural beings, powerful in their own right, yet even they didn't know how to respond.
"Even back in the Terra Earth era," someone said quietly, "with all that power, they'd have struggled to help."
"The enemy's strength… It's planetary-level. We're ants in their eyes."
"How can just a handful of people turn the tide of something like this? 99"
In the Court, eight elders were gathered, their sharp eyes fixed on the unfolding chaos on screen. Elder Gldwin's expression, like the others, shifted with every revelation, every grim detail that came to light.
A war unlike any other was coming. That much was clear. Yet, revealing these truths only seemed to deepen their unease. The war of that era was over, yes. But the echoes of it… Those records could shake the very foundations of the present Terra Federation.
"Fury's actions are justified," Elder Gladwin finally said. "If we discovered an artifact like the Cube, we'd also consider harnessing its power to shield us from unknown threats."
Heads nodded. No one could deny that. The development of new weapons wasn't optional; it was inevitable.
Hyeon's mind replayed the cryptic sigils he'd seen earlier, an image he couldn't shake. He exhaled heavily. "Human strength is pitiful. In the short term, the only path forward is clear. We arm ourselves. Heavily. Even if it means turning Terra itself into a fortress."
Orson and the others exchanged grim looks, offering no objections.
"Nuclear weapons were humanity's trump card back in the Earth Age," Orson said, voice low, "and they might be our last resort as well."
"If the records are accurate, nuclear weapons were deployed back then to repel alien invaders," another elder added. "But even so, history's inconsistencies show that threat was never fully erased."
Elder Sith's voice cut through the tension, grave and commanding. "Then we need weapons stronger than nuclear arms. 35"
Gladwin offered a bitter smile. "And yet, Fury's S.H.I.E.L.D. was forced to replicate alien technology. They couldn't advance otherwise."
Even if such advancements painted a giant target on Earth… even if they drew the gaze of other alien forces… doing nothing was worse. If they stayed idle, Terra would fall, regardless.
An elder's voice rang out. "How far along are our other R&D projects?"
Since pulling private research organizations under government control, resources had been consolidated, poured into every project at full tilt.
"The hurdles are massive. Progress is slow. Only the suit's armor plating has passed preliminary tests. Wearability and energy supply remain unverified. More tests are required."
Another elder sighed deeply. "If the Cube is truly on Terra, can we pinpoint it with Dr. Banner's tracking method?"
Gladwin nodded. "Elder Kennedy just arrived. We've already begun integrating related tech."
"The scans aren't promising yet," Kennedy said, expression dark. "All we can do is wait."
The Supreme Court was already operating on knowledge from the "past life" era. High-tech gear, weapons, and artifacts these were no longer luxuries. They were lifelines. And yet, acquisition wasn't easy. Development would take time. Too much time.
Elder Sith's voice cut in again. "Has the team been assembled?"
Hyeon nodded slowly, "Six members so far. But I believe we need a central figure, a backbone."
"Immortal Warrior?" someone guessed.
Hyeon shook his head. "He's the obvious choice, yes. But he's still piecing his memories back together. What we need right now is someone who can immediately keep this team in line.
"The team has no powers, while the others are arrogant and restless. Without strong leadership, infighting will tear them apart."
Many elders murmured in agreement.
"You're suggesting sending him?"
"That's right," Hyeon said firmly. "We trust him more than anyone."
Gladwin smiled faintly. "Very well. Send Ren Kasey."
"Seconded!"
"Second!"
"Second!"
Far away, in the wilderness beyond Terra Federation's cities, two ragged teens crouched low, watching a massive wild boar tear through brush. The beast's back bristled with sharp spikes, its movements radiating raw ferocity.
"Brother… you really want to take that thing down?" Burton whispered nervously.
Kasey didn't look back, his gaze locked on the animal. "Of course. What else are we eating for lunch?"
"You're still sick," Burton protested, voice wavering. "Wouldn't it be easier to just buy medicine from the pharmacy? It's only a few Dollars."
Kasey shot him a glare sharp enough to silence him. "You don't know anything."
Then, without warning, he lunged forward. His body blurred, leaving behind a ghostly afterimage as he closed the distance in an instant. The boar barely had time to blink. Kasey's fist slammed into its skull with a sickening crack. Bone shattered. Brain matter spilled.
"Not even a challenge," he muttered, shaking the blood from his knuckles.
Burton rushed over, clutching a sleek Mango 19 phone, excitement lighting his face. "Brother! There's a mission! The Administration's calling for us!"
Kasey hoisted the boar effortlessly over one shoulder. "Got it. We'll leave… after lunch."
Back in the live broadcast room, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s actions kept the chat buzzing with tension. The viewers could feel it, something far worse was about to happen.
This ragtag group might hold the fate of the Earth Age in their hands.
"Quit bickering! You're carrying the future of the Terra Earth Era!"
"This is all Loki's game!"
"Not just Loki! That scepter too, I swear there's something sinister about that gem!"
"Wait, could that thing also be a cosmic cube?"
"If the scepter controls minds, couldn't it mess with emotions too?"
"Possible!"
[ The instruments aboard the carrier beeped wildly, detecting a craft descending from orbit., "66B transport, confirm your code. I found your file in the system, but no flight logs. What's your cargo?" ]
[ "Weapons and ammunition. All accounted for." Inside the fighter, elite agents checked their gear. Patton, under Loki's control, quietly retrieved a bow from a crate, drawing it back with lethal intent. ]
"Gan! Barton and his team really are here!"
"Is this an ambush? Are they here to kidnap or kill?"
"Why'd that staffer wave them through?! That was way too obvious!"
"Crap! Tony and the others are probably still arguing while this unfolds! What a nightmare!"
"Enemies at the gates already!"
"This is life or death!"
"See? This is why last-minute teams never work."
"They're unreliable… but hey, it's just S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, right? Easy pickings."