Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1380 The Immortal (Part 2)

"All information comes at a price. If you want to know about the Immortals and why I attacked the Lighthouse Base, you must offer me a reward that satisfies me," the Emperor said. "Who do you think led Agent Maria Hill to the Lighthouse Base? I thought that in your heart, the Lighthouse Base was more important than spying on this manor, because the Immortals are there. Now your performance shows that you know nothing about it."

Nick Fury shrugged, seemingly unconcerned about the Emperor manipulating Maria Hill and attacking the Beacon Base, nor about the safety of Agent Coulson's team, the only remaining SHIELD organization in the world. "Then enlighten me," he said. "You've always wanted me to face reality, haven't you?"

“I don’t have time for your word games, Nick Fury,” the Emperor said, pointing to the now calm river. “My adopted daughter is waiting for a bite; she’s been waiting for hours. My wife certainly doesn’t want us going home with empty buckets. Am I right, Milia?” The girl nodded vigorously, sitting on a small stool and waving sharply at the stranger. Even Nick Fury couldn’t stand arguing with a child; he could only glare at the Emperor. Before Nick Fury could completely lose his patience, the Emperor, while casting his fishing rod, secretly put the fish he caught into Milia’s bucket, and said in a low voice, “Do you know the origins of the immortals?”

"An observer sent to Earth by extraterrestrials 30,000 years ago."

"Yes, but the two immortals at the Lighthouse are not all of them. You can't understand this race of bio-mechanical beings, you can't understand how androids operate and think, yet you made an agreement with them, asking them to guard the Lighthouse. This isn't the first time you've done something so ignorant and reckless, Nick Fury. Oldbridge (where Thor descended) was one time, Salem was another, and do I need to count the rest for you?" The Emperor shook his head. "Making deals with consequences isn't what I'm blaming you for. My anger stems from the fact that you always make deals without understanding the costs."

"The immortals who can observe for up to 30,000 years without any interference are trustworthy," Nick Fury said. "They follow the initial settings, which is why they can be trusted."

"Like the androids from the Life-Model Decoy project, right? Don't think I don't know. You used the Life-Model Decoy androids to spy on me ten years ago, and even had them impersonate my Call of Duty teammates, trying to extract information from me that way."

Nick Fury shrugged noncommittally.

"Project Life-Model Decoy was terminated long ago; S.H.I.E.L.D. encountered technical difficulties," he said. "If you were to suggest that I would have several robots act as your teammates in a video game, that would be pure delusion and an insult. If your paranoia continues, I would be very concerned about your mental state."

"Agent Coulson said the same thing to me not long ago. He believes the Life-Model Decoy project was terminated because you told him that, and now he has your vibranium holographic projection box. The information about the Life-Model Decoy project inside is far more complex than you make it out to be. If you continue to refuse to reveal any information, I will send you out of Oxfordshire and erase all your memories, making you a true vagrant," the Emperor said. "The Life-Model Decoy project isn't unique to S.H.I.E.L.D. You've seen it yourself; my technology is far more advanced. My precise double is right next to Agent Coulson; I can sit here and snap his neck at any moment."

Not knowing which threat had worked, Nick Fury let out a long sigh, as if he had finally relaxed.

"Yes, I'm not just using the Emperor's true identity as a threat. I want to talk to you about the alien fleet, the Dark Order you mentioned. You're not the only one in this world who can respond to threats from outer space. I need more concrete evidence from you. I have connections to get that evidence on the UN Security Council's agenda." His expression was very serious, even his blind eye was pointing at the Emperor. "If you submit the evidence, the Security Council might not accept it. Only through this method can we get the Security Council to take those documents seriously. Humanity needs to unite to deal with the threat, and I need your documents."

"You know this won't be that easy," the Emperor warned. But Nick Fury knew his reasoning had convinced the stubborn man. "Some nations would prioritize plundering resources or surrendering over unity. The struggle for resources has always been a perpetual theme for humanity, even when facing external enemies. If humanity could unite so easily, I wouldn't be here in the Balkans."

“I know.” Nick Fury found a dry spot on the ground and sat down. Milia turned her head curiously, scrutinizing the fierce-looking uninvited guest. She made a face, then was disappointed to find that Milia didn't show the fear or other emotions a child her age should have. This made Nick Fury pay attention to Milia; he began to believe that this girl was no ordinary person adopted by the Emperor in a fit of kindness. “Tell me about the immortals,” he changed the subject, avoiding revealing his thoughts, “If there's any disaster, shouldn't we face it together?”

"The Immortals are essentially a group of robots in plastic skins. Each Immortal, when sent to a civilization, wears a corresponding disguise. So, in Immortal society, who plays the role of producer? Of course, it's the other Immortals. From this conclusion, it's easy to deduce that not all Immortals are observers of alien civilizations. The Immortals possess a stable social structure; otherwise, they wouldn't have the leisure to observe other civilizations." The Emperor patted Milia's head, directing his adopted daughter's attention back to the river. "Enoch adheres to the original program, but what about the other Immortals who weren't sent out to perform observation duties? Will they be affected by Immortal society? Will Enoch choose humans over his own race?"

"You're starting to worry about alien androids invading Earth now?" Nick Fury laughed. "Another alien fleet?"

"The Immortals' home planet has now been destroyed. Even androids have the desire to perpetuate their species, because machines believe themselves to be life, and life has the instinct to continue. This was written into the Immortals' code from the beginning, and we will have the opportunity to verify it. Now, do you think they might contact Enoch and then use Earth as a colony?" The Emperor's voice did not reveal any triumphant emotion, but remained as calm as ever. "The theory that machines recognize themselves as life is somewhat absurd, but... don't you also believe yourself to be the real Nick Fury?"

"Enoch." Constantine looked at the alien being forced to kneel by two Rangers pointing guns at him. Beside Enoch was another immortal, who had arrived more than ten thousand years ago. Like Enoch, this immortal was an observer of civilization. The immortal's expression was utterly calm, as if he knew nothing of fear, but Melinda May and the other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were utterly astonished by these two individuals who had been hidden within the Beacon base. They knew nothing about immortals. "Are you a hunter, a predictor, or an observer?"

"I am the observer, and also the predictor." The immortal being named Enoch had no hair on the top of his head. "I follow the program."

Do you know what happened on Chronyca-2?

"I don't know," Enoch said calmly. "What will I be facing, genetically modified humans?"

"The mission." Constantine sheathed his Guardian Spear, then pointed to another silent immortal. "You will be involved in this project, Epsilon-Rodney-Radium 223. You will be in charge of uncovering the secrets of the immortals."

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)