Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1343 Maintenance Tools (First Update)

Ordinary encrypted data pads are military-grade products, prioritizing quality over user experience. They can be inserted into Kevlar body armor as ceramic chest plates, providing comparable bulletproof protection. While the encrypted data pad used by Victoria Hand was also from Mars, like the others, its hardware encryption level was significantly higher, connecting to the Defense Intelligence Agency's database via Kamar-Taj's satellite network. After the data pad interface displayed a black background with a gold handbone icon, she used her privileges to open a database with a gray eagle emblem and entered the keywords: Montana, ranch, cattle, cult, 2012.

S.H.I.E.L.D. initially took over the case from the Montana Livestock Brand Enforcement Division, but ultimately handed it over to the local FBI. The former was the first law enforcement agency to handle the case because of the mass livestock deaths on nearby farms, their inability to contact the ranchers, and the subsequent disappearance of the rancher's family. The latter identified it as a cult sacrificial ritual. Although the bodies have not yet been found, they have recovered DNA samples from ten humans and a large quantity of dissected cattle from the bloodstains left at the scene; the entrails, torsos, and heads were found piled in three different locations.

Because Nick Fury had deployed almost all available manpower to New York at the time, and because such cases required lengthy investigations and it was difficult to find the body in a short period of time, S.H.I.E.L.D. withdrew from the investigation, only making a note of it in the database and waiting for the FBI office in Montana to share intelligence.

The FBI office in Montana has not yet responded.

However, the details provided by the sorcerer Hamil perfectly corresponded to the intelligence gathered at the scene. The Kamar-Taj sorcerers found no body at the scene, and Victoria Hand also believed it was a good thing they took the corrupted woman away; she couldn't imagine what would happen if an ordinary person came into contact with that mass of flesh. Coupled with the so-called "fourth estate" as perceived by various media outlets, humanity's fear of the unknown could very well lead to a large-scale panic and the widespread proliferation of extremist cults, which would be amplified and disseminated by tabloids and social media.

Victoria Hand was certain that there might be madmen worshipping that lump of flesh. Her career had long taught her not to overestimate human rationality and average intelligence; there were countless absurd things done out of stupidity in this world.

"I need you to focus your attention on the Emperor's journey to Bohemia," Constantine bluntly reminded him on the other end of the communication. "The safety of our lord is far more important than old cases."

"You monitored my dashboard?"

"I possess supreme authority, the power of the Emperor. No secret can be concealed from the Emperor," the Commander of the Imperial Guard stated coldly. The noise of the powerful engine penetrated the thick composite armor of the assault transport ship, but the microphones within the power armor still clearly picked up Constantine's voice. However, this was torturous for Victoria Hand, who was wearing headphones, as Constantine made no attempt to activate noise cancellation. "Now I need a report from you. Regarding the recent arms smuggling case in Boh, and the names of those foreign arms dealers—I know those dealers have government connections. But that's meaningless. I need to know exactly how many overseas arms shipments we've cut off so far. I'll continue with this document for verification."

"I am in Kamar-Taj now."

"But your subordinates are still working, and you have half an hour to contact your deputy. I need him to compile and organize the information, review it, and then officially file it. I know the departmental merger and the extension of authority will cause him a little trouble, but that's no excuse for delaying the report. I will contact Master Hamil and ask him to reduce your coursework, so at least you won't have to submit a paper tomorrow. I hope to receive the report before our Lord arrives in Boh."

"I understand." Victoria Hand slowly exhaled. "Two hours, that's the fastest I can do."

"Very good." Constantine left with a message before hanging up: "We have no time to rest, only to perform our duties. Please hurry, Marshal of the Military Police, otherwise I will have to deal directly with the Ministry of Justice staff."

This was a very serious accusation of dereliction of duty, and Victoria Hand felt a pang of injustice, though she didn't show it. She had already endured immense pressure from her work at S.H.I.E.L.D. In fact, many Latvian civil servants had already been fitted with cybernetic bodies to increase their efficiency; from the outside, it was impossible to tell that they had replaced parts of their flesh with machines. Besides cybernetic modifications, there were also numerous bio-modification options available. These technologies were said to be byproducts of research into genetically modified soldiers, mature and proven. Given her position, she could easily accept bio-modification to extend her lifespan, enhance her abilities, and even improve her intelligence. However, Victoria Hand's cautious nature meant she trusted neither machines nor flesh produced in petri dishes.

She was one of the few high-ranking officials who had undergone almost no modifications. Apart from a subcutaneous genetically encoded verification signal transmitter, her body contained virtually no electronic devices. The Ministry of Justice and the Defense Intelligence Agency were two military departments, and Victoria Hand's responsibilities extended far beyond the Balkans—although she had only recently learned that all that global work actually came from Kamar-Taj, and that the Emperor's primary job was also to defend against supernatural threats. The excessive workload had long since exhausted her. She lacked the perpetually vigilant physique and will of the Royal Guard; she was simply an excellent ordinary person. Add to that the backlog of old cases at S.H.I.E.L.D., the aftermath of the Emperor's forceful unification of the Yugoslav Federation and the overthrow of religion, the opposition caused by Western cultural infiltration, illegal marches and rallies (the armed kind, given the fierce nature of the people here), superstitious cults, marches by the idiotic middle class (unarmed), and cultural censorship—without external equipment, she would simply be worked to death.

This trip to Kamar-Taj can be considered a kind of vacation.

Kamar-Taj possesses numerous secrets to longevity (not immortality) that help alleviate her physical and mental fatigue. These procedures are concentrated in the last two days, and Victoria Hand is currently busy processing documents arriving via fax, unaware that the Emperor has already arranged a full range of treatments for her. The Emperor promised to bring light, reason, and truth to the Balkans, but he has not forgotten his servants; if anyone in the world most desires her longevity, it is the Emperor himself.

A qualified and loyal head of intelligence is hard to find, and the emperor wouldn't fail to value his tools.

Victoria Hand rang the bell. After a moment, an apprentice dressed in a low-ranking arcane robe knocked on her door—arcane apprentices were all required to serve as servants to high-ranking arcane deacons, and even the Sorcerer Supreme had several apprentices serving him. Most came from arcane families, chosen for their loyalty rather than their abilities. Similarly, there was the exception of a certain glittering giant who had studied here; he had never served anyone other than the Sorcerer Supreme—"Tell Sorcerer Hamil that I won't be able to submit my thesis tomorrow," Victoria called through the latticed wooden door. "I might have to miss tomorrow morning's class too."

"I understand, Ms. Hand," the apprentice said softly, his voice just loud enough for Victoria Hand to hear. "Then, should it be delivered in the morning?"

“Yes, we need it,” Victoria Hand said, then mentally grumbled a few more times. “Besides vegetables and fruits, that’s about all we can eat. This luncheon meat tastes like WWII stockpiles.” She wondered, “Could it be that they actually bought WWII-era US military luncheon meat and just repackaged it to cut costs?”

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)