Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 928 Cosmic Food Chain (Second Update)

Secret Warfare Phase One: The First Ten Days

Although Nick Fury was granted permission to move freely, the restrictions imposed on him by the Immortal City remained unchanged. Not only was his prized pager locked in a safe by Salomon, but an electronic collar was also fitted around his neck for constant monitoring—the former director of S.H.I.E.L.D. chuckled self-deprecatingly—these were all methods S.H.I.E.L.D. had used on others; he never dreamed he would one day suffer the same fate. However, compared to the Skrull prisoners, he was incredibly fortunate. He hadn't endured much suffering or faced many restrictions. Aside from the prohibition against contact with Skrulls, he could roam freely throughout the Immortal City unless he encountered restricted areas.

For example, the Ministry of the Interior building, the Sisterhood Abbey, research departments, arsenals, power plants, virus laboratories, biological weapons laboratories, and the attached buildings of the above-mentioned structures... this is almost half of the Immortal City. However, there are many other interesting attractions outside the restricted area, such as the observatory and library open to the public, a bar run by wounded veterans, a museum displaying some of the Brotherhood of the Shield's relics, Leonardo da Vinci's manuscripts, the first draft of the Mona Lisa, the first edition of the book left behind by Isaac Newton when he deduced universal gravitation, and other collections and artworks that would drive any collector crazy. In addition, there are geothermal hot springs and an empty opera house. When building this underground city, the Brotherhood of the Shield tried its best to showcase all the wisdom of humankind throughout history. The brilliance of science and art still shines on those buildings that have not been destroyed.

Nick Fury looked up, squinting. The pitch-black rock dome, like a vast ocean of eternal night, shimmered with stars made of jewels. A colossal shadow, like a giant whale beneath the surface, silently swam by, its head, tail, and midsection flashing red and green lights, resembling the mythical Leviathan. If one ignored the airships patrolling everywhere, the city was practically perfect.

"Damn it, I smell war." The former director of S.H.I.E.L.D. walked under the orange streetlights, like a dog soaked by the rain. Although he couldn't see the whole picture, he could still deduce the course of events based on his rich experience. The only piece of information still shrouded in mystery for him was the true strength of the Immortal City—ever since the S.W.A. space station was captured, Nick Fury had been raising Salomon's potential in his mind. He had read the first half of the report on the Finnbowent campaign, which included a record of Salomon facing an extradimensional monster several meters tall alone. The outcome of the battle was in the second half, and he knew the result without even reading it: Salomon was alive, standing there unharmed, and full of energy, eager to cause trouble for others.

Nick Fury sat down on the deserted side of the street.

Aside from the passing cleaning robots, this place is rarely frequented, as almost all the staff of the Immortal City are busy with their duties. Apart from the women rescued by the Sorority, no one wanders the streets of the Immortal City after work. Those women have all received basic military training and know how to use firearms and daggers.

He wasn't without feelings for those Skrulls; after all, they had lived together for many years.

He leaned against the lamppost, closed his eyes, but the memory of that conversation still rushed in.

Betrayal always strikes unexpectedly. Even though the Skrulls believed they were merely making things easier for their own kind, it still crossed a line for Salomon and indeed, for the entire human race. This wasn't about accepting refugees from war zones; it was about two races vying for resources and even social dominance—a congressman in Washington was assassinated because he was a Skrull, while the real congressman was already buried six feet underground. This was also Nick Fury's greatest fear: that the Skrulls intended to control human society by controlling secular governments.

"What would happen if one day a Skrull touched the nuclear launch button?" Salomon said. "This time the Skrulls are very close. I don't believe that Skrull became a member of Congress just to live a good life."

"Nuclear winter." Nick Fury sighed, finally answering Salomon's question.

"Do you still have a problem with my attitude towards the Skrulls?"

"No, that's all. But I still hope you can differentiate between the Skrulls; not all Skrulls support the idea of ​​colonizing the Earth."

"Whether they have this idea or not makes no difference to me. What I care about is whether the Skrulls have the ability to destroy humanity. The answer is yes, so I will not place the hope of the continuation of the human race on the mercy of other species. Have you ever seen a horned bull hoping to be eaten by a crocodile? Have you ever seen a herd of cattle hoping to be killed by a butcher's blade? All species capable of causing the destruction of humanity must be exterminated. Knowledge will become human knowledge, planets will become human planets, and survivors will only be locked in zoos for people to watch." Salomon didn't even bother to raise his head. "If we're lucky, there might be an extraterrestrial protection law in the future, but not now. Only after my wish is fulfilled will humanity have a space and a necessity to exist. Only when I become the only lion on the savanna will humanity have the right to sleep soundly and pity those weaker races. Even if it means shattering planets and detonating stars, I must complete my work. Nick Fury, don't let me see a coward who calls himself the protector of humanity; that will only make me laugh. If possible, I'd like to hear you tell similar jokes, as long as you don't find it offensive."

"There will always be people who oppose you, Salomon. You can't please everyone. How do you plan to deal with your opponents?"

"The Immortal City once experienced a minor betrayal."

"Then?"

"If you have the chance, remember to visit the people who work at the reactor."

Nick Fury felt the streetlights burning beneath his eyelids. He could never forget that nightmare.

Bizarre muscles, created through biochemical modifications, are attached to human bodies, and rough metal plates are embedded in cancerous skin. Their brains have been removed and replaced with mechanical and electronic components; their blood has been drained, and their internal organs removed and replaced with nutrient solutions, engine oil, electrolytes, and mechanical devices. In the most dangerous underground power plant at the heart of the Immortal City, plasma pools continuously emit massive amounts of radiation; no one can survive long there, except for those transformed into half-human, half-machine monsters.

Those were the rebels, the rebels bewitched by Dr. Whitehall. Most of the rebels who weren't turned into monsters became experimental subjects; by comparison, death was a pretty good ending, and their final fate was probably to have their skulls placed on the bookshelves in the Interior Ministry office.

"A cruel era is coming." Nick Fury rummaged in his large pocket for the liquor he'd bought with Immortal City currency from the bar run by the wounded veteran. He raised the bottle and rubbed the skin chafed by the electronic collar—Immortal City products never considered the user's feelings, from small electronic collars to large assault transport ships and sky battleships—he first took a sullen sip of cheap whiskey, the alcohol seeming to choke him, and for a moment he couldn't think of a toast.

"May we all survive." He clicked his tongue, making sure he had nothing more to say. "Did you hear that? That's it. Tell your master for me."

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)