Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1398 Worship Emotions (Part 2)

This wasn't the first time S.H.I.E.L.D. had found itself in danger. The agents' mental fortitude was more than capable of handling crises, thanks to their education, training, and combat experience, which exposed them to some of the most bizarre things in the world. But this experience was different. They were being ordered to operate under the command of a ruthless enemy who had killed several S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel, without any physical threats like imprisonment or hunger strikes. All the surrendered agents, except for the armed personnel, were released unharmed. Even more astonishingly, Agent Coulson obeyed the order.

This is also what Melinda May finds hardest to understand.

She repeatedly evaded surveillance cameras to invite Agent Coulson to secret gatherings of high-ranking agents, but Agent Coulson refused each time and worked overtime in the control room, trying to find Alfonso MacKenzie and his group, seemingly wanting to find Constantine and the agent chosen by the alien android who had been hiding in the Lighthouse base.

Melinda May absolutely refused to believe the Coulsons had betrayed the organization, but due to an underestimation of the enemy's moral bottom line, she could only assume that they had controlled the Coulsons' actions through some shady methods. In her eyes, the Guardians' masters were evil, dictators and tyrants who destroyed democracy and freedom, and the Guardians who had made a deal with the alien androids were even more evil. As for Enoch's account of the treaty with Nick Fury, Melinda May simply considered it one of the countless rules Nick Fury had violated. The reason the agreement was made was entirely because the alien android had concealed its true purpose and deceived S.H.I.E.L.D. at the time.

Constantine knew exactly what Melinda May was thinking.

He had read Melinda May's academic report, and through brief communication (and deliberate provocation), Constantine knew that Melinda May, like many Europeans and Americans, lacked any sociological knowledge or common sense, lacked dialectical materialism in her thinking, and was quite stubborn and arrogant. Such a person was difficult to deal with rationally. Constantine placed her on the line between idiots and ordinary people, observing her behavior as it fluctuated. The idiot side included categorization as rednecks and liberals.

In contrast, Philip Colson was much easier to get along with and readily accepted the emperor's orders.

Perhaps it was San Fernando's experience that made Agent Coulson believe in the Emperor once again, or perhaps it was the Emperor's past displays of precognition. In any case, Agent Coulson believed that the Emperor's plan would avert a disaster, even if the methods were unacceptable. Agent Coulson was not unaware of how arduous Nick Fury's work had been in the past; shortly after becoming Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., he realized he had to make a decision that would dirty his hands (in fact, he only had one hand).

However, he couldn't make up his mind, and Nick Fury saw the Emperor as someone exactly like himself, which is why he subconsciously agreed to let the Emperor carry out those brutal tasks in his stead. Coincidentally, every time Agent Coulson encountered a problem he couldn't solve, the Emperor would appear and resolve the issue using methods that Agent Coulson found unacceptable.

After several missions, even Agent Coulson himself didn't realize that he was destined to agree with the Emperor's idea to alleviate his guilt. Without the professional psychologists provided by S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Coulson would never realize this unless he found an opportunity for psychological counseling. "You never told me," he said, staring intently at the control room screen showing the flight path of a Quinjet returning to base, "how many innocent people will die on this mission."

"If we're lucky, it'll be zero." Constantine knew Agent Coulson was speaking to him. The psychological analysis report included a section on the psychological impact of Agent Coulson's "wet work" on him; those violent missions had caused Philip Coulson considerable trauma. This was why the Emperor chose Agent Coulson as a breakthrough point, proactively taking on guilt to intervene in S.H.I.E.L.D. affairs. "If you fail, it's the entire Earth; no one will escape. Perhaps there will be survivors, but who will care then? Humanity, having lost all technology and land, has no meaning."

"That's a really good excuse to numb yourself."

"Are you planning to start another moral debate, Agent Coulson?" Constantine said calmly, without the slightest hint of impatience. He was like a tall metal statue standing in the control room, forever calm and composed, even his marble-like features remained motionless. "If you can't make a decision, you'd better hand the nuclear button to someone else. You can't exchange other people's right to survival for your own moral satisfaction. That's why our Lord wants to take over Beacon Base, because he knows you absolutely cannot press the nuclear button at the crucial moment. You're too kind, but excessive kindness is no different from atrocity, and even worse."

Agent Coulson closed his eyes and remained silent; he knew Constantine was right.

Such conversations took place at least five times a day, and each time he received the same answer. It was less a reprimand of the Imperial Guard and more a way for him to bolster his wavering resolve, using the answer Constantine had given him to reassure himself that his current actions weren't wrong—the feeling of deceiving his comrades was extremely unpleasant. Agent Coulson knew he couldn't fully inform Alfonso McKenzie and his group of the truth, given the Elder's account was simply too sensational. Alfonso McKenzie, after hearing it, would either believe someone was impersonating him to deceive them, or he would simply assume he had defected; in any case, they would not return to the Lighthouse base.

Only by getting them back to the lighthouse base could Agent Coulson be confident in persuading them.

That's why he declined Melinda May's invitation, but didn't reveal the small gathering to Constantine. Lighthouse Base is now under the control of First Class Regiment soldiers and Rangers, and the Wind One has become their aircraft, continuously transporting more soldiers and researchers there in preparation for the upcoming mission.

The Beacon Base seemed to have sprung into activity overnight. S.H.I.E.L.D. research experts joined the research team comprised of Latverian and Martians without hesitation, beginning their study of the megalith provided by Enoch. Simultaneously, they provided specialized training to the mission participants—including Agent Coulson himself—covering spacewalks, asteroid belt flights, the use of space radiation-resistant drugs and first aid, and the use of void radar. This training encompassed most situations humans might encounter in outer space, demonstrating a highly professional approach, a stark contrast to the previously hastily assembled S.H.I.E.L.D. team. After all, Constantine certainly didn't want the agents to survive solely through a few individuals' quick thinking; he needed a 100% survival rate, not thrilling adventures.

Mars technicians even made modifications to the Wind-1 spacecraft.

While these modifications significantly reduced the stealth capabilities of the giant airborne command post, the Zephyr One, it gained a remarkably powerful radar system. This radar was extremely sensitive, allowing the Zephyr One to evade ejected asteroids in the asteroid belt. Melinda May needed to learn how to use radar readings to control the aircraft. Currently, she could only practice on a simulator, but once the mission began, she would have to use this skill in real combat, regardless of her current proficiency; otherwise, she wouldn't be the only one facing death.

However, the trained agents didn't yet know the purpose of these skills. They could only silently receive the training, then find opportunities to meet and exchange intelligence, summarizing all the information and trying to find a way to secure victory. Unfortunately, Constantine didn't give them this opportunity. More and more First Secret Service soldiers and Rangers were gradually shrinking the operational space of Melinda May's small group of agents. The original patrol gaps were filled, and the damaged surveillance cameras were repaired and reconnected, forcing Melinda May to only pass on the meeting place to others before each gathering.

Constantine was very interested in Melinda May's small gathering, while she thought he hadn't noticed her subtle movements. In fact, Melinda May's biggest mistake was bringing Leopold Fitz and Gemma Simmons into her party. Although they were also agents, they lacked the qualities and vigilance of spies. Constantine discovered all of Melinda May's actions by tracking these two. They didn't even realize that Constantine was tiptoeing behind them as they walked down the dimly lit corridor.

His silent server and agile movements made him seem like a feline lurking in the dark, emitting no noticeable sound and blending perfectly into the shadows. He even gave temporary orders to the First Class Regiment patrol that was about to discover the two, instructing them to investigate the power supply facilities to prevent anyone from finding Leopold Fitz and Gemma Simmons.

This wasn't out of a desire to toy with the prey; rather, the Commander of the Guard wanted to see if his security arrangements, planned by professionals, could withstand scrutiny—the world's vested interests all wished for the emperor's death—and the Commander of the Guard would not allow this to happen. Therefore, he would find the most capable field agents, those specializing in "wet work," to test him. Melinda May's track record showed that she was qualified to be an impromptu testing tool.

During the wiretapping, Constantine also figured out that Melinda May didn't seem to have found an opportunity to inform Alfonso McKenna about the current situation at Beacon Base. She seemed to believe that after Daisy Jensen and Elena Rodriguez arrived at Beacon Base, SHIELD agents would have the power to fight the Royal Guard, and she would then explain her ideas to the others, believing they would accept her approach regardless. Having understood Melinda May's thinking, Constantine confirmed that the SHIELD agent riot would be confined to a certain area, and therefore just a minor incident within the mission, not worth affecting the overall operation. He simply ordered the Rangers and the subsequent low-level Martian technicians to weld all the steel doors of the prisons for the armed personnel shut.

Along with the logistics and technical departments, a group of armed members from the Sisterhood of Immortals also arrived.

This twenty-person armed force wasn't entirely for military purposes. Many of the sorority androids (and ordinary girls) immediately donned maid dresses over their power armor upon arriving at the Lighthouse base. They replaced the stainless steel pipes and iron plates that made tables in the control room, and replaced the $20 swivel chairs with elegant armchairs. Many previously idle field agents were constantly ordered around, starting to renovate and rewire some rooms at the Lighthouse base. Only after the leading android was finally satisfied did she begin to instruct the other sorority androids to clean and lay carpets. In addition, there were tin cans of coded tea caddies, an assembled dressing room and dry cleaning room, a large quantity of clothes packed in black clothing bags, many custom-made pieces of furniture, and a large number of exquisitely crafted custom-made household items.

Everything pointed to one unmistakable message: a very important person was about to arrive. Agent Coulson held a list in his hand, detailing the items the Sorority had transported from the Windward One throughout the day. Over 200 sets of ceramic tableware, including cups and plates; over 100 sets of gilded and silver tableware; 50 tablecloths with specific patterns; 25 rugs; 50 coat hangers; 3 steam irons… After reviewing the long list, Coulson gasped. “This looks like it’s for a long vacation,” he protested to Constantine in a low voice. “This isn’t a resort.”

"I cannot question any of my Lord's decisions."

"That's quite a convenient excuse." Agent Coulson looked up, observing Constantine's expression. Although he couldn't deduce anything from micro-expressions, Agent Coulson sensed something was amiss. "You mean... you're not joking?"

“Yes, I’m not joking. My function is to help my Lord accomplish any decision he makes, not to question those decisions,” Constantine said. “This is true of any member of the Guard. We always know that my Lord’s vision is correct, but due to the limitations of lifespan and ability, ordinary people find it difficult to recognize and understand all that he knows.”

"I can tell you admire him a lot."

"Worship? I don't know what misunderstanding you have, Mr. Philip Coulson. My Lord has repeated many times that he was just an ordinary person with foresight and execution capabilities. He foresaw the crisis and did many things that no one else dared to do. Worship... perhaps ordinary people would worship him because they don't understand, but we will not fall into the foolish and superstitious sentiment of worship, which would be the greatest betrayal of my Lord's teachings. The Royal Guard will never betray, please remember that, Mr. Coulson."

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)