Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1031, Section 1027: Survival of the Fittest (First Update)

"While the Pentagon is still investigating the decapitation strike and the weaponry used in Latvia, we are certain that these crimes were orchestrated by the Latvian government. Sending the Avengers to Latvia will bring prestige to both of us, should the Avengers sign an agreement," Thaddeus E. Ross said solemnly. "Whether you trust the White House or not, we are saving lives."

"I think only Jimmy Carter could say that."

"General Ross, let me speak with Captain Rogers," Tony Stark interrupted Steve Rogers. He looked rather disheveled, as if he hadn't slept all night. "I think this needs to be discussed internally."

Thaddeus E. Ross gave him a deep look, then nodded. He stood up and undid his suit jacket. "I understand," he said. "I look forward to your discussion. You know what happens if you refuse to sign the agreement. We still have many hearings to hold regarding the Avengers, and many things to clarify, such as who the knight who ended the Battle of New York really was. As for Dr. Banner, he's retired from the life of violence. Trust me, he won't like you bothering him. Hello, Agent Hill… Don't worry, I just need to get the Secret Service agent with me."

Maria Hill glanced into the conference room, then closed the door again.

“We have to do it.” Tony Stark sat in the chair opposite him. “Steve, I know you don’t trust the White House, but believe me, I can handle this.”

"What are you planning to do?"

"I've already discussed it with the White House, and I'll be the Secretary of Defense." This news was like a bombshell, but apart from Colonel Rhodes, the War Machine, no one in the conference room was surprised, because most people weren't interested in the news. "The Avengers will then be under the command of the Department of Defense, and as Secretary of Defense, I will have full command of the Avengers. You may not trust the White House, but you can't not trust me. You know I would never make you do anything you don't want to do. And... look at this, we all know who that guy who spoke in Hungary was. He was too radical; look at the blood on his hands. Now that Thor isn't on Earth, if we can't stop him, then no one in the world can."

"Stark." Steve Rogers organized his thoughts. He wasn't exactly a silver-tongued man; his earlier conversation with General Ross was the result of careful consideration and deliberation. Now he was going to argue with the most eloquent member of the Avengers, even though Natasha Romanoff, sitting across the long table, could sense his emotions.

"I know what Stark Industries is still relying on to make a profit after closing its military production lines," his voice was rough and calloused, like two stones rubbing against each other. "Stark Industries is still part of the military-industrial complex. If you really want the Avengers to do good, then you should understand better than anyone what kind of situation the Avengers will be in after signing the agreement. Even if you become Secretary of Defense and gain command of the Avengers, not everything in this world will go according to your plan. Salomon once said, 'One man is wise, but a crowd is foolish.' Manipulating public opinion is quite easy. Just put on the cloak of maintaining peace, democracy, and justice, and they have plenty of ways to get the Avengers involved in those ugly actions, preventing us from participating in the actions we must participate in."

"But our most crucial task right now is to stop him," Tony Stark explained anxiously. "I don't deny the pressure we faced after signing the agreement, but the problem we face now is more practical. He's destroying satellites, he's murdering agents and ordinary people. If you really care about justice, shouldn't you stand up and stop him now?"

"Are they really innocent, Stark? CIA agents, biological labs, cybersecurity companies, and so on... Stark, this goes beyond the question of whether justice is being debated. But when the weak cannot get justice for themselves through legal and just means, then it proves that this legal system is inapplicable, and the entire rule should be changed."

"Your statement is dangerous, Captain," Colonel Roddy kindly warned. "Such remarks could be considered treason."

"I have never fired a shot at an innocent person, I have never fed on the flesh and blood of an innocent person, and I have never let an innocent person feel fear in the dead of night." Steve Rogers stood up, looking down at Colonel Roddy and Tony Stark. "Colonel Roddy, you've been through modern warfare; you know better than I do what happened in those places. I will not sign this agreement because I don't trust this system. The justice I seek cannot be found here. I will resolve this matter in my own way, and even then, they will not escape the judgment of justice. They must pay the price for their actions. Including you, Tony Stark. You have never broken free from the interests of the military-industrial complex. You have never atoneed. This base… I think this is the reason this base exists. You betrayed Howard's ideals."

He picked up his coat from the back of the chair and walked out of the conference room without looking back. Sam glanced at everyone, hesitated for a few seconds, and then immediately followed. Seeing that the others were about to leave, Quicksilver followed without hesitation. Only Tony Stark, Vision, Colonel Rhodes, and Agent Natasha Romanoff remained in the conference room.

"Are you leaving too?" Stark asked. Seeing Natasha nod, he sighed deeply. "Alright."

I will try to persuade him.

"What a pity." Only Vision's face remained expressionless. "I was also going to tell Captain Rogers about the probability of conflict between enhanced individuals after the Avengers' emergence!"

"Let me go, Vision. I don't remember you having such low emotional intelligence."

Only Colonel Roddy remained bewildered. He had initially thought he was the one who knew the most, but now it seemed he was the only one kept in the dark. "What are you talking about? Who is 'he'?"

"It's better if you don't know, Roddy. Although it's a semi-public secret, it's still a secret. I don't want to cross the line with dangerous people. Who knows if he's even listening to us right now?"

"Are we being monitored?"

"There is no radio signal indoors, and everyone's cell phones are placed outside the meeting room..."

"Spare me, let me have some peace and quiet. Vision, if possible, bring Little Dumb over. I want to give it an upgrade. It needs to learn some skills besides causing trouble, like offering an ice-cold beer at the right time."

For a full twenty-four hours, Latvian appeared to have ceased all activity to outsiders.

However, the reality was quite different. Many chases, murders, betrayals, interrogations, confessions, and trials took place under the cover of night. A ferocious predator had forcefully squeezed into the complex situation of the Balkans and even the entire international community. Other countries in the world wanted to strike him but couldn't, because the so-called Latvinia was actually a person. No means could work against such an invincible individual, someone who could come and go freely, disregarding all social rules and following only his own ideals. No one knew who he was or where he came from. Those who knew anything remained silent, fearing an even more terrible fate. That speech, like the battles of New York in 2012 and London in 2013, repeatedly reminded humanity of the cruelty of the universe and how fragile the relatively stable international situation is today. Self-proclaimed civilized and advanced behavior is meaningless in the face of higher levels of violence.

Aliens don't care about human skin color, language, or values. To them, humans are simply objects to be enslaved, a race to be slaughtered at will. Individual freedom and value are insignificant compared to the survival and freedom of the race. Aliens will not accept the surrender of human traitors.

After a long and arduous journey back from Tethys, Viktor von Doom suggested in a late-night meeting that Salomon follow Castro's example and send those who advocated for individual freedom in the Balkans to the African savanna, allowing them to enjoy full freedom while reducing the administrative costs of Latvia. After all, the Immortal City had vast tracts of transboundary land in Africa, and many African governments were indifferent; the Immortal City could simply dump the liberals there and let them live freely.

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)