Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 907 Space Station Agreement (First Update)

The dungeons of the Immortal City were more crowded than ever before. To comply with the order to separate humans and Skrulls, the dungeons of the Sisterhood Monastery were also cleared out to hold some Skrulls. Compared to those unfortunate souls, Nick Fury was treated much better; at least his food wasn't salted porridge, and he had a private toilet. Stephanie didn't want to spend too much money on the prisoners. To meet Salomon's almost endless war needs, she had to cut back on unnecessary expenses. Therefore, cells that could only hold two people were crammed with five, and she even threw in handmade blankets from her stockpile that she had bought from Eastern European women who couldn't join the Sisterhood.

Salomon allowed the women to exchange their labor for money, and his offer was several times the market price. This money would be given to them after they decided to return to secular society, allowing them to survive outside—this was what Stephanie found most perplexing; in her view, these women should dedicate themselves entirely to the Immortal City, because her monarch had given them life, freedom, dignity, and even the opportunity for higher education. However, Salomon was unwilling to explain much, only stating that no one's value should be underestimated—surprisingly, so far, apart from a few women who wanted to return to secular society, most of the liberated Eastern European women wanted to stay and work in the Immortal City.

The monarch of the Immortal City was somewhat incredulous upon learning of this, but he subsequently instructed Stephanie to select talented individuals from among those women to fill positions in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, thereby expanding the administrative staff to meet the growing power of the Immortal City. The temporary school for those selected Eastern European women was located next to the current academy, and was part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs' annex complex.

"That little bastard (Mother Fucker) really did build a utopia. Women who used to cost less than twenty pounds of beef are now wearing suits and running multi-million dollar corporations! He gave people respect, and they repaid him with everything, even though they'd never seen him!" Nick Fury exclaimed, his face full of wistful emotion. Even in prison clothes, his spirits remained high. He spoke to Victoria Hand through the armored glass on the phone, "The question is, can he expand this utopia to the whole world? I don't think so, V. All I see is iron and blood. You're closer to him; you should know how terrible the wars he wants to wage are."

"Yes, I know, but peace can only be obtained through war," Victoria Hand said calmly. "In his ideology, all of humanity should unite to face the dark future. The world, currently controlled by tycoons and ambitious individuals, must be completely liberated. Only in this way can humanity survive in the terrifying universe. He told us that humanity should not stop at Earth; we should go out and colonize other planets to establish contact with lost human civilizations. To achieve this goal, bloodshed and sacrifice are necessary, and the Immortal City is an organization established for this purpose."

"Even if there is the blood of innocents in it?" Nick Fury did not question the "lost human civilization" because he knew that Victoria Hand would never reveal information he did not know.

"Aren't there innocent people bleeding right now? Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Somalia... dying from war, starvation, honor killings... Do I need to give more examples? The Immortal City has established order in several small countries on the African continent, but it's not enough, it's insignificant compared to his ideals," Agent Hand said. "I can tell you the truth, if it weren't for the monarch's appreciation for human life and the expertise of those agents, the Immortal City would have already launched missiles and shot down that space station."

"I admit the world isn't good enough right now, but Salomon's ideals need more blood to be filled."

"Yes, that is an undeniable fact. Not only will the blood of the rebels be shed, but we ourselves will also pay the price." Viduria Hand nodded. "For unity and lasting peace, these costs are worthwhile. The monarch knows some will say he is masking his ambition to rule all mankind with the grand ideal of liberating all mankind, but I know his true thoughts. He would rather stay home and have afternoon tea than do his current job, but there are some things he must do."

"I've given up trying to persuade you, Hand. If you're willing to work for a dictator, then go ahead," Nick Fury shrugged. "Can I ask him what he plans to do to my baby? That's my life savings from all these years."

"Visiting time is over for today." Victoria Hand stood up, straightened her clothes, and said, "If there's anything you need to know, I'll let you know."

Repairing a space station is not cheap, even for an immortal city with highly advanced aerospace technology.

The Mars Foundry modified assault transport craft to adapt them for maintenance operations in space. This resulted in Mars-type transport craft that removed much of their weaponry to reduce weight, and featured two dexterous robotic arms controlled by a co-pilot via neural links. In addition, they carried numerous large unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for maintenance. Furthermore, these maintenance craft needed to be equipped with electromagnetic shields to block high-speed debris from the previous assault on the space station. Maintenance personnel meticulously used plasma cutting flames to cut through the wreckage of the space station using cameras connected to the robotic arms via neural links, before welding it back together with materials brought in by other maintenance craft.

As for the internal electronic equipment, that's a matter for later. According to the plan, this space station will be expanded into an armed platform, hangar, and supply depot. Given the combined production capacity of the Immortal City and the Martian foundry, it will take about six months to bring it to initial combat capability. Only then did Shuri realize the reason for the Immortal City's sudden mobilization of its military. Shortly after, Shuri and T'Challa were invited to board the orbital space station—unlike the dictatorship Nick Fury imagined, Salomon didn't mind his allies getting involved. Salomon needed the Wakanda to undertake part of the construction of this orbital platform. Although this attitude seemed to treat Wakanda as a tool, it was undeniable that the existence of an orbital space station would also benefit Wakanda.

Moreover, King T'Chaka will soon deliver a speech at the United Nations, revealing some of the true state of Wakanda to the world. To create an armed deterrent against other nations and prevent a war driven by the plunder of vibranium, Wakanda needs to venture into space—and as the old saying goes, when the US thinks you have weapons of mass destruction, you'd better actually have them. An orbital space station with powerful delivery capabilities and firepower can bring the US-led Western countries to the negotiating table; this is a decision any intelligent person would make. The Immortal City and Wakanda signed a joint exploration pact based on this space station and the Wakandan royal bloodline. The Wakandans can use the space station, but only if its engineering, personnel, and resupply requirements are met.

"You will be Wakanda's eternal ally, Salomon." The young Prince T'Challa smiled broadly as he shook the sorcerer's hand. The contract was signed in the hangar of the space station, with the Queen of Wakanda and other members of the royal family present to witness it. Only Shuri was still sulking in a corner because Salomon had concealed the Immortal City's military operations.

"I've always advocated for win-win situations, T'Challa. Now is a time of rapid expansion, a good time to help each other," the arcane mage said calmly. "I need Wakanda, and I believe Wakanda needs me."

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)