Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1390 Compromise and Participation (Two-in-One)

In the heart of the Balkans, the mountain airport, just two kilometers from the Latvian Rail Tower, is busier than usual.

This newly built military airport handles most of Latvian air force takeoffs and landings. This time, to escort important items destined for the Yugoslav Federation, the entire airport was not only brightly lit as usual, with all anti-aircraft firepower activated, but a company of genetically modified soldiers was also deployed to patrol within a radius of several hundred meters around the airport. All departments wishing to use the airport had to undergo even stricter vetting. Not only were the armed forces dispatched by the Emperor ready, but the Martian forces also willingly cooperated with the genetically modified soldiers, storing the Rangers' walking tanks in nearby defensive fortresses and handing over command and control personnel. All of this was because the crucial samples obtained by Epsilon-Rodney-Radium 223 were about to arrive at the airport.

Even high-ranking officers in the Southern Federation's regular army couldn't fully know what would land at the military airfield, but the military, following Regent Victor von Dum's orders, dispatched troops to seal off the valley and prepared anti-aircraft missiles and other weapons, ready to deal with any contingencies. As night fell, the clear night sky allowed the observatory to clearly observe the atomic fire shining in the sky.

Since the emperor truly ascended the throne in the Balkans, the climate of the entire Balkans has changed. Even the catastrophic weather caused by the global earthquake and volcanic eruption a few months earlier failed to truly affect this land. The real reason is known only to the emperor and the regent: it was an extreme measure that had to be taken to solve the local food crisis. In order to cope with the impending global disaster and supply chain disruptions, the Balkans had to stockpile large quantities of food.

The bright light at the top of the atmosphere is fleeting.

About thirty minutes later, a massive, pitch-black aircraft, escorted by a large number of "Eliminator" fighter jets, landed at the military airfield. As soon as it landed, before the ramps of the Wind One could even be lowered, the genetically modified warriors and Ranger cavalry, who were already prepared, rushed over in armored personnel carriers. The Wind One's ablated armor still retained the red-hot heat from friction with the atmosphere, and its engines were still radiating heat.

Amun, as the Emperor's representative, arrived at the scene riding a hoverjet motorcycle, witnessing firsthand the arrival of Epsilon-Rodney-Radium 223 and the captured alien bionic mechanical samples at the airport, where they were then handed over to a specially established research institution. This institution comprised many Earth scientists recruited by the Emperor and new subordinates of Epsilon-Rodney-Radium 223. Scholars from numerous fields, departments, and disciplines, including computer deep learning, bionic mechanical engineering, gene editing, energy, and quantum communication, participated in the handover process.

They weren't entirely clear on what was so special about the samples being handed over, but anything related to extraterrestrials was currently a hot research topic on this planet, and the Emperor must have summoned them because the research on the samples required their expertise. They were also willing to sacrifice their freedom in exchange for this once-in-a-lifetime research opportunity.

Epsilon-Rodney-Ray 223 proudly descended the ramp of the Wind One, followed by several Rangers carrying two heavy metal "coffins." Numerous thick cables and data lines connected to objects inside the "coffins" via interfaces, continuously importing data into a nearby data terminal. Epsilon-Rodney-Ray 223 hadn't initially expected such an honor, nor had she anticipated such a grand welcome from Mars after receiving the news. This made her somewhat worried about her future position within the research team.

Even with her lack of sensitivity to political intrigue, Epsilon-Rodney-Radium 223 knew this wasn't a good thing. She could compile a list of Martian sages with strained relationships with her own Forge—a Martian entity that comprised research institutes, factories, and universities. These individuals possessed superior mechanical and biological implants and held higher positions within the Olympus Data Exchange Center; they were highly likely to attempt to seize the technological secrets she, a lowly researcher, was about to master. Epsilon-Rodney-Radium 223 had already foreseen the path ahead: if she wanted to protect her research, she had no choice but to rely heavily on the Emperor's power.

Epsilon-Rodney-Ray 223 was eager to speak with the Commander of the Royal Guard to figure out how to address the Emperor. Royal Guard Commander Amon sent the order to her data terminal. The Emperor wanted to speak with her privately, without the Martian Sages knowing of their exchange. However, Constantine did not return to the Yugoslav Federation with Epsilon-Rodney-Ray 223, but instead led his troops to remain at the Lighthouse Base for rest and reorganization.

After the fall of the Beacon Base, it became a secure staging area for Latvian military forces. Constantine greeted Agent Coulson at the base entrance. Although the state of the Beacon Base shocked him, Agent Coulson quickly regained his composure and figured out why the Emperor's army hadn't left immediately—both sides knew their bottom lines. Agent Coulson would never allow the US government to know the location of the Beacon Base. No matter how much he trusted Jeffrey Mays, he wouldn't reveal all his cards, because if the US government wanted to outmaneuver S.H.I.E.L.D., they wouldn't give them any way out, even if Jeffrey Mays agreed to accommodate former S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.

Those politicians definitely want to investigate all the secrets held by S.H.I.E.L.D., and find out how many officials' secrets Nick Fury knows. On the other hand, there's room for negotiation with the Emperor, who seems like an enemy, because they share common goals and can sit down at the negotiating table and discuss things properly. An enemy with principles is far more reliable than a fickle ally, and Agent Coulson fully understands this, so he intends to have a serious talk with Constantine.

The First Class Secret Service set up security gates to check whether attendees were carrying weapons.

Agent Coulson passed through the security gate, and unsurprisingly, his prosthetic hand was discovered. Leopold Fitz had integrated many functions into that prosthetic hand, and when the First Class Team examined it with another instrument, they found numerous mechanical parts that were not bionic functions. Agent Coulson had to remove the prosthetic limb before he could enter the makeshift conference room converted from his temporary accommodation.

The Rangers acted as engineers, creating independent electrical circuits and ventilation systems, and shielding the room from external electromagnetic waves, making it look like a newly built, unfinished house. Agent Coulson didn't have much interaction with other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents before being brought here by the Commander of the Guard, the First Class Sergeant, and the Rangers, seemingly because they were worried he would have complete information and make more demands at the negotiating table.

"Your master told me that he intends to give me a task."

“Yes. My lord told me that the reason he has been protecting your safety is to involve you in this mission.” Constantine glanced to the side of the negotiating table. The immortal Enoch sat calmly in his chair, showing no reaction to Agent Coulson's gaze. Hearing Constantine's words, Agent Coulson inevitably thought of the Tahiti Project and the Emperor involved in it. Perhaps the Emperor had already begun his planning from that time, but no one could understand his plans then, not even Nick Fury.

“I believe he can fully explain all the detailed objectives of this mission.” Constantine didn’t sit down; he was the only one still standing in the conference room. “My Lord told me that he has told you the mission is to travel through time, but the one who initiated this mission is not my Lord, but him.” He pointed to Enoch. “This mission concerns humanity’s future and past, therefore you must complete the mission and ensure the stability of the timeline.”

"So who are you, sir?" Agent Coulson asked.

"I am Enoch, from the planet Chronyca-2 in the constellation Cygnus. I was dispatched to Earth 30,000 years ago to observe the evolution of species. I have witnessed the entire history of human development and evolution, and many extinction events. Perhaps I was placed on Earth immediately after being created, but undeniably, I gradually came to recognize the efforts humanity has made for survival. Therefore, I am willing to break the principle of non-interference in the development of species to help humanity," the immortal said calmly. "This violates all the regulations for immortal observers and goes against the ideas of the higher race that created the immortal race, but the 30,000 years I spent on Earth occupy all my data cache. Now I have made a deal with Nick Fury, and for the past few decades, Beacon Base has been my base of operations. I have the right to access some S.H.I.E.L.D. resources, and with this, I have established several private security companies that have no connection with S.H.I.E.L.D. to assist in mission operations."

Agent Coulson fell silent.

Seeing this, Enoch continued to explain. He tilted his hairless head, revealing deep wrinkles on his forehead. "My main component is a plastic alloy," he said. "The advanced race that created the immortals designed us for an extremely long lifespan, and my energy and components are sufficient to support me for extended periods. I do not possess an emotional module, as do all immortals. My assistance to humans is solely for the purpose of observing the project's progress."

"Are you an android?"

"I am a machine, not flesh and blood. In this universe, few machines are as advanced as me."

Agent Coulson looked at the Commander of the Royal Guard, but the golden-armored giant did not respond, as if he were tacitly agreeing with Enoch's statement.

Although he wasn't quick to accept these facts, Agent Coulson managed to devise a solution in his increasingly strained mind. "Then release my men first," Agent Coulson said, letting out a sigh of relief and leaning back in his chair. "If this mission truly concerns the survival of the human race, then we must be prepared accordingly," he said. "I need to figure out how we're going to conduct time travel, and I also need the research department to do the work. This is what you've requested; this mission must be flawless."

“I have everything ready, Agent Coulson,” Enoch said. “Now I just need to wait for all the agents who need to carry out the mission to arrive at Beacon Base. I also have a deal with the Emperor of the Balkans, a contract brought by this genetically modified warrior who has been forcibly elevated to the highest level of human evolution. He will assist me in this mission, although he cannot participate directly, but the chances of completing the mission with his help are far greater than if S.H.I.E.L.D. were to act alone.”

Agent Coulson looked at the Commander of the Imperial Guard with a puzzled expression. "What does this mean?"

"That means we need you to persuade Agent Alfonso McKenzie, Agent Daisy Jensen, Agent Elena Rodriguez, and Agent David to join this mission," the Commander of the Guard said. "We've located them and sealed the doors of their Quinjets, and we're currently negotiating with Agent Alfonso McKenzie. They will be key figures in the mission; it cannot be launched without them."

"Is this what your master wanted?"

“I don’t fully understand my Lord’s thoughts; no one can comprehend all of my Lord’s plans.” Constantine appeared very sincere, but his face remained largely expressionless, as if genetic alchemy had erased any chance for him to be emotionally affected by such matters. “However, if my Lord approves of Enoch’s proposed mission list, it means my Lord agrees with Enoch’s ideas and approves of all the parameters of the mission. We need you to persuade those agents to return and participate in the mission, Agent Coulson. We don’t want to forcibly arrest them—we don’t want their injuries or deaths to delay the mission—we must begin the mission as soon as possible, before another devastating catastrophe strikes.”

Is this a threat?

"No, this is a suggestion."

The Commander of the Guards knew his height made him appear immense in the room, creating an unbearable sense of oppression for any mortal sitting in the chair—a feeling even seasoned agents struggled to shake. "You share the same goal as my lord; the only difference is that my lord sees further ahead. Therefore, I advise you to heed the advice of the wise, rather than blindly pursuing poor choices with unwavering confidence and optimism. You and your squad have made similar mistakes more than once, and you continue recklessly rushing down this path." The Commander lowered his head, staring intently into the eyes of the only mortal present. "My lord admires your courage in dedicating yourself to humanity, but that doesn't mean he can tolerate you continuing to make foolish decisions and create trouble he can't handle."

"I agree, but I really need my partner." Agent Coulson sighed again. "We can't do without one of them."

(End of this chapter)