Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1662 Secretary of Defense Stark

As the sea gradually changed from azure and indigo to deep purple and then pitch black, the stars cast their last rays of heat upon the island, causing the transparent shield enveloping it to shimmer faintly. Laura Crawford raised her bottle and took a swig of ice-cold beer. The sweet, wispy aroma of fat, sugar, and protein was quickly dispersed by the sea breeze, leaving only a faint scent. She felt sticky grit on her thighs, back, chest, and arms, and smelled of olive oil and honey, along with a slightly sweet and bitter fragrance of secret herbs—identical to the scents of witches nowadays. Curious, she licked the ointment on her fingers; the bitter, spicy taste vanished on her tongue, followed by a sweet and slightly spicy sensation as it slid down her throat.

This is a secret alchemical ointment passed down from the witch clan, used both as perfume and as an aphrodisiac, handcrafted by Bayonetta and Jeanne and used daily. She felt her back and neck burning red, and could only try to cool down with ice-cold beer. The party would continue until dawn at the heated pool of the mountaintop villa, where they would enjoy moonlight and carnal pleasures; she knew it would last a long time and exceed human limits. Her room wasn't completely soundproof, even with her head covered by a pillow, so she constantly fantasized about joining in.

Only the library is a truly quiet place.

However, she didn't want to stay there recently, because there seemed to be a forbidden zone deep within that cellar. She was certain that the layout of the underground library of this residence was no different from that of a regular private library, but she could never access the strange book on the "Folklore" shelf, bound by chains and with the "Book of the Apocalypse" written in gold lettering on its spine. Laura had always known that dangerous things existed in libraries, just like the library of Kamar-Taj. All dangerous knowledge was strictly protected, and knowledge in the hands of evil could create far more horrors than imagined. She had read, in a rudimentary form, about the manufacturing process of biological weapons, the technical principles of plasma reactors, and myths written on linen and papyrus—all highly dangerous knowledge. Having experienced the Oxfordshire manor and the library of Kamar-Taj, she now had a certain understanding of so-called witchcraft. Although she couldn't yet see the full picture of the so-called "gods walking on the earth," she had also learned some so-called truths from casual conversations.

For example, the so-called Nephilim, the offspring of angels and human women, are actually products of genetic engineering created using humans as the subjects of modification. The Great Flood recorded by the Sumerian civilization was actually a comprehensive cleansing of the human race's gene pool, eliminating mutated genomes contaminated by psionic energy. After the last Nephilim, Goliath, was killed, this contaminated human race completely disappeared. However, Laura Crawford didn't know who used humans for genetic modification in ancient times, or who orchestrated the cleansing of the human race's gene pool. Those who knew the truth were tight-lipped about it, turning away to enjoy their beer and barbecue, remaining silent on the topic. A gentle breeze swept across the vast sea, and she suddenly felt cold. This made her want to move closer to the heated pool and barbecue grill, enjoying warm conversation and delicious food.

Perhaps, one night of indulgence and entertainment won't have any significant impact.

"The prophecy tells me that the journey to Neptune will be far more dangerous than that to Attilan. I have a feeling that your business trip might be extremely long." Bayonetta slowly tore apart a piece of meat that had been slow-roasted to a tender tenderness with her fork, elegantly put it into her mouth, and swallowed it with a shot of liquor.

"I'm prepared, you know, I always make thorough preparations for all kinds of situations."

He casually answered while brushing honey water onto the sizzling beef in the oven. However, to the witch, his words sounded more like a perfunctory response than an explanation, as they undoubtedly involved hundreds of interconnected plans, ranging from a small robbery to large-scale trade between two nuclear-armed nations. Sometimes Bayonetta was curious about his ability to guide and manipulate the situations of certain countries, but when the results were revealed, they seemed rather unremarkable. She could deduce from the documents that his so-called manipulation of the situation simply involved replacing certain high-ranking Skrulls with shapeshifting assassins. Using seemingly small forces to move a much larger boulder was the most cost-effective method available to the then-weak Yugoslav Federation (despite possessing nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles).

"The waves behind the veil are gradually subsiding; supernatural events are unlikely," Bayonetta licked her lips. She and Joan of Arc had each consumed over a kilogram of brisket, yet they still had room to eat. While the island residence's cold storage wasn't as abundant as that of the Oxfordshire manor, the existence of a fixed portal solved most of the supply problems. Furthermore, the witch and emperor's habit of converting their ingested "life force" into psionic energy rather than actively absorbing external dimensional energy meant that no amount of food could satisfy their appetites. "In fact, you could dump all the work on your regent. After all, your role is equivalent to a nuclear weapon; showing up occasionally to demonstrate your presence is enough. Is it really necessary to participate in the recovery of the Pegasus Project's artifacts?"

"Those behind the veil have eternity; they can make mistakes constantly, while we only have one chance."

"You were having a pleasant conversation with Lady Butterfly and Lady Styx. Does that violate your principles?" A reproachful gaze pierced through the smoke rising from the charcoal fire, landing on the witch who was enjoying her beef ribs, making her giggle. "Alright, I know that's not your principle. But it's certainly irresponsible of the Sorcerer Supreme to leave you with such a mess."

"That's a thousand years. The last time you spent five hundred years, you were sleeping in a coffin at the bottom of a lake."

Bayonetta raised an eyebrow with interest. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Laura Crawford emerge from the long, warmly lit staircase, her face flushed as if from the lingering glow of a sunset, her skin glistening with sweat. Clearly, the alchemical ointment was at work. "Well, what did you do this time?"

"It was just planting a bomb in the hangar at the Houston command center."

"I hope you can read this document."

“I know about Project Pegasus.” Tony Stark waved his hand, refusing the file folder the general offered. “The last time I saw Project Pegasus, the folder was much thicker, and the contents weren’t altered this much. Clearly, the Department of Homeland Security believes that not everyone can see Project Pegasus.”

The general handed the file folder to his assistant, ignoring Tony Stark's sarcasm. Standing beside the general was the security chief for the operation, a Marine Corps colonel, who greeted Colonel Rhodes privately. Tony Stark, however, focused his attention below—they were positioned above the command center, with a clear view of the screens in front of each technician. The large screen on the stage was currently playing a demonstration of satellite orbits—Tony Stark saw the signal team that had greeted him earlier and began working.

"I don't know what information S.H.I.E.L.D. has given you, but I'm assuming you have access to some details of Project Pegasus, such as the New Territory spaceship and its design purpose. This will save us some time. You should know that Project Pegasus doesn't specify the technical principles and manufacturing process of the hyperspace engine. We don't know what technology Dr. Lawson, who led the development of the hyperspace engine, used, nor do we know why she disappeared. Project Pegasus has left us with only mysteries."

The general's expression was serious, and he demanded that Tony Stark listen attentively. A few years ago, Tony Stark might have been more flippant, but now he still showed some respect for institutions of power and their representatives. The relationship between Stark Industries and the White House was far less amicable than it once was, and Howard Stark's connections were no longer available to him. "This matter involves Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D.," the general said. "Back then, Nick Fury was a station chief, and afterwards he rose through the ranks with astonishing achievements, eventually leading Project Pegasus. It's hard to say whether the man known as the King of Agents' true aim wasn't Project Pegasus, or some sub-project within it; we know nothing."

Are you implying that I know something you don't?

"This is just a reminder, Stark," the general said calmly. "We need a hyperspace engine, and the technology used in it. The Pentagon suspects that the Yugoslav dictator used hyperspace engine technology when he stormed the UN headquarters in New York. Of course, there might also be high-speed engine technology, but we have to break his aura step by step and bring him down from his pedestal."

Tony Stark nodded with a strange expression.

"If all you need is for me to reverse engineer the hyperspace engine, why should I be here now? You know where I live; I can just drop by when I'm delivering meat next time... Don't be so joking, it was just a joke. I don't understand why there's no clear connection between my presence and reverse engineering."

"This is important, Stark," the general said. "We need a Secretary of Defense of our own."

(End of this chapter)