Chapter 80: Psychological Theory, Confused Superheroes
Ryan sat down at the lab table and activated a series of scanning machines, positioning them to conduct a full examination of his neck.
Simultaneously, he channeled the cosmic energy within his body toward his head.
Logically, cosmic energy traveled through specialized cell membranes in the bloodstream, and since blood circulation passed through the brain, cosmic energy should be able to reach it.
As Ryan directed the energy upward, it felt as if a valve had been installed in his neck, blocking any energy attempting to pass through.
According to Sprite's theory, her energy naturally entered her brain, allowing her to create various illusions through thought alone.
Conjuring clones was only the most basic application of this ability.
On its own, this power might seem limited—little more than a parlor trick—but combined with combat techniques, it could easily double one's effectiveness in battle.
After running multiple tests, Ryan couldn't identify the primary factor preventing cosmic energy from entering his brain.
After several minutes of contemplation, he opened a storage cabinet, retrieved an adamantium needle, attached it to a robotic arm, programmed the sequence, and settled into the examination chair.
Click.
A switch engaged, and the robotic arm slowly guided the needle toward Ryan's head, positioning it three inches below the base of his skull where the spine connected to the brainstem.
Thunk.
The adamantium needle pierced his skin, extracting a blood sample from near the primary nerve pathway.
To thoroughly understand something, you had to take it apart and examine every component. Even if that object was his own body, Ryan was determined to solve this puzzle today.
Once the sample was drawn, he immediately began comparative analysis.
"I knew it!" Ryan's eyes widened slightly. "The blood above the brainstem doesn't contain the energy-conducting cell membrane!"
This specialized membrane was the primary mechanism for transmitting cosmic energy. Anyone with energy-based superpowers possessed one.
The difference was that each membrane could only conduct a specific type of energy.
For example, Captain Marvel's cellular structure couldn't transmit Asgardian lightning, and Thor's physiology couldn't channel the cosmic energy used by the Eternals.
It was as if, from the very beginning of the universe, each energy type had been separated and confined to its own distinct pathway, prevented from crossing over, locked behind an unbreakable barrier.
"Why is this happening?"
"The programming Ajak mentioned?"
Ryan wrote down the names of all ten Eternals on a piece of paper, then labeled each with their corresponding superpower.
After categorizing them, Ryan discovered a pattern.
"Could it be that cosmic energy utilization is divided into two categories: physical and mental?"
"Ajak's healing, Sprite's illusions, Druig's mind control, Phastos's matter creation, Sersi's molecular transmutation—these can all be categorized as mental powers."
"Ikaris's optical blasts and flight, Thena's weapon materialization, Gilgamesh's energy exoskeleton, Kingo's energy projection, and Makkari's super-speed—these are all superpowers related to physical application."
"In other words, my cosmic energy materialization also falls into the category of physical manifestation!"
Ryan continued scribbling notes, his analysis suddenly revealing a new perspective.
The corners of his mouth curled upward unconsciously. "It's not that the cosmic energy is being blocked—they're simply not in the same system."
Then—
Ryan suddenly shook his head. "No, wait. Phastos doesn't have the energy-conducting membrane in his brain either. So—"
He turned to examine his newly captured X-ray, his gaze fixing on the upper cervical vertebrae.
"Would injecting Celestial genetic material here work?" Ryan hesitated. If he got the placement wrong, it could result in complete paralysis.
Even he wouldn't dare attempt such a procedure in this location without proper research.
"Damn it. I really should have studied neurology more extensively."
Human capacity was limited. It was impossible to master every discipline. Even Tony Stark, despite his genius-level intellect spanning multiple fields, wasn't omniscient.
He packed up his laboratory equipment and left, immediately summoning Corvus Glaive.
"Boss, you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, I need you to handle something for me."
Ryan handed Corvus a beer, then settled into a chair on the observation deck overlooking the island's construction. "There's a body in the Des Plaines River southwest of Chicago. I sank it beneath the Highway 83 bridge. Go retrieve the upper two cervical vertebrae and bring them back."
Ryan had originally collected bone marrow from Phastos's lumbar spine, but he hadn't noticed the critical difference between the lumbar and cervical vertebrae at the time, so he'd disposed of the entire corpse in the river.
Ryan couldn't easily leave Celestial Island himself, so he decided to send Corvus Glaive in his place.
"No problem. I'll depart immediately."
"No rush. Stop by and visit your family on the way back."
Corvus nodded and turned to leave. Despite his agreement to take his time, he didn't waste a moment—he didn't even pack any luggage, boarding a military transport directly back to the United States.
Ryan had chosen him specifically because someone needed to remain on Celestial Island to prevent an Avengers assault.
Originally, the world had settled into a state of hostility between Ryan and the Avengers. Ryan had allied with the federal government and military to cultivate his army of enhanced super-soldiers. The Avengers, reluctant to attack civilians and soldiers directly, hesitated to act, creating a strategic stalemate that worked in Ryan's favor.
The Avengers were famous and well-connected. If they wanted to escalate to full-scale war, they could easily call upon additional resources: Wakandan warriors, Asgardian fighters, the Masters of the Mystic Arts, even the Ravagers and other cosmic mercenaries.
If Ryan lost his home-field advantage, he would struggle to maintain superiority against the combined Avengers forces.
But now, Ryan had introduced the Skrulls into the equation, creating a three-way standoff. None of the factions dared initiate action, fearing they'd be destroyed by the other two while distracted.
If the Avengers wanted to continue their campaign against Ryan, they first had to eliminate the Skrull threat.
The question was: could a million Skrulls infiltrated throughout human society be dealt with so easily?
For now, Ryan needed to remain on Celestial Island and avoid unnecessary risks.
New Asgard, Norway
A group of superheroes gathered to discuss the Skrull situation.
"Carol, can you still reach Nick Fury?" Banner asked.
Captain Marvel shook her head. "I've tried twice but can't get through. You suspect Fury's been replaced, don't you? Why contact him?"
Valkyrie interjected, "Dr. Banner wants to capture Nick Fury and confirm whether he's a Skrull. If he is, that proves Ryan's claims are legitimate."
"Exactly. That's my thinking." Banner rubbed his temples. "Strange still hasn't located Wanda, and now we have a Skrull invasion to deal with. God, if only Steve were here."
At the mention of Steve Rogers, everyone's thoughts turned back to Ryan.
Before anyone could respond, there was a knock at the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
Shang-Chi stood and opened it, finding three unfamiliar faces. "Can I help you?"
"Excuse me, are the Avengers here? I'm Alexei Shostakov. Natasha and Yelena's father. You might know me as Red Guardian."
Yelena's death had been tragic—perhaps even senseless.
Shang-Chi stepped aside, allowing the visitors to enter.
Red Guardian settled onto the couch. "Hawkeye sent me. He said I could find a way to avenge Yelena here."
Dr. Banner's expression turned somber. "Sir, we're deeply sorry about Yelena's death. As for vengeance... that might have to wait."
The Avengers' mission was to protect Earth and humanity. If the Skrulls exploited a war between the Avengers and Ryan, it would be catastrophic.
Therefore, the most strategic approach was to address the Skrull threat first, then deal with Ryan.
Alexei nodded, then gestured to his companions. "This is Antonia Dreykov, the Taskmaster—proficient in photographic reflexes and all forms of combat. The other is Kate Bishop, Hawkeye's protégé."
Banner had met Kate briefly at the Avengers compound, though they weren't well acquainted.
After brief introductions, Alexei continued, "Clint said there are several people imprisoned in the Raft. He wants to break them out and regroup with everyone."
The group exchanged confused glances, uncertain who Hawkeye intended to rescue.
Valkyrie spoke up. "I know about this. They're street-level heroes from New York. Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist—that group."
"Wait, they participated in the military base operation," Carol said, surprised. "How did you know about this?"
Valkyrie rolled her eyes. "Asgard isn't cut off from the world. I watch the news too. There was a public congressional hearing, then they were transferred to the Raft. The whole world knows about it—apparently except you people."
Thor leaned forward. "So what's our next move?"
Not many of these superheroes possessed tactical genius. When faced with complex problems, they typically relied on brute force. None of them understood strategic planning or operational deployment.
The atmosphere grew awkward.
Finally, Bruce Banner broke the silence. "I think we need to verify the Skrull intelligence first. As for Ryan... we should table that situation. Going to war with him now would be extremely dangerous."
"And after we verify it?" Carol's voice was tight. "What do we do about a million Skrulls?"
Carol knew the Skrulls' history. During the 1995 incident, after learning the truth about the Kree-Skrull War, Carol had nearly destroyed the Kree Empire's fleet herself.
Emotionally, Carol sympathized with the Skrulls' plight as refugees. But from humanity's perspective, the Skrulls were just another type of invader.
"We could relocate them to Titan—Thanos's former planet," Banner suggested. "They'd have to rebuild from scratch, but it would prevent further conflict."
Nick Fury had promised to find a suitable homeworld for the Skrulls, but he'd never followed through.
While the Avengers debated how to handle the Skrulls humanely, the Skrulls themselves were planning something far different.
Because Ryan had exposed their infiltration, the anticipated war hadn't materialized. Now the Skrulls were forced to find alternative strategies to counter the threat of human retaliation.
Occupying Earth wasn't their only objective—radical Skrull factions even advocated enslaving humanity entirely.
Each of the three factions had its own agenda, and none of them aligned.
The coming conflict would be unlike anything Earth had seen before.
End of Chapter 80
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