Washington, D.C., SHIELD headquarters building.
"Is this the trident that can control the weather and cause tsunamis?"
Like a curious baby, Howard stared at the golden trident on the table, his eyes full of interest.
"Its energy readings fluctuate greatly and are very unstable. It feels like a bomb that will detonate at any time. Refer to the changes in readings... The energy source of the Trident should rely on the weird words engraved on the surface. They are like solar panels absorbing The thermal energy is then guided by complex circuits to the top."
Howard held a homemade energy reading machine and scanned the trident isolated in a layer of solid glass.
If Luke hadn't specifically warned him not to have casual contact before he left, he would have been ready to start research.
The military tycoon is always enthusiastic about new things.
The temporary silence of the Cosmic Cube has caused Howard to lose his goal in the short term.
Namor's golden trident is a good new choice.
"Luke said it comes with... magical power, which is very dangerous."
Carter reminded.
"Magic... Haha, that's just another form of science."
As a talented scientist, Howard is undoubtedly a staunch materialist.
He didn't believe that there really were any mages, wizards, vampires and werewolves in this world.
Those are all fantastic creatures imagined by third-rate writers to satisfy people's desire for the unknown.
"I used to think so, until Luke told me that beneath the surface of the world, there is a fantasy society where mages and devils coexist, and werewolves and vampires coexist."
Carter shrugged. As the commander of SHIELD, she was naturally qualified to know the existence of the three major temples and Kama Taj.
Moreover, he also witnessed Luke conjuring a ball of fire out of thin air.
This made Carter once wonder whether the rumored negative distance relationship between Superman and many sorceresses was true.
Luke, who originally wanted to explain what magic was, ended up shooting himself in the foot.
He had to reiterate that he was not a demon hunter, that he had no scars on his face, that he would not be stabbed to death by a pitchfork, and that he would not jump to his death from a height of three meters.
"If you have the chance, you can ask him to take you to see it and satisfy your curiosity."
Listening to what Carter said, Howard was dubious.
Although he often teased Luke with the title of sorceress pile driver, he never thought that the Aryan demon with horns on his head, covered in flames, scantily clad, charming and enchanting sorceress really existed.
But if he had to choose, he hoped the former was false and the latter was true.
"I would like to see what those sorceresses who play with other people's emotions and indulge in carnal desires are like."
Howard snorted lightly and said with an upright look.
It just doesn't have the words "Come and seduce me, I'm easily attracted to women" written above it.
Carter rolled his eyes and said he didn't want to get involved in the topic.
She glanced at the trident surrounded by lightning, and said in a serious tone: "I want to sort out the information on Atlantis, and you'd better not move around. I don't want to wait for Luke to come back and find that SHIELD's chief scientific research consultant, It turned into a ball of coke.”
Carter knew very well that every time Howard discovered something new, he couldn't help but want to study it.
Moreover, it is still the kind of research mode that boldly seeks death.
Before SHIELD was reorganized, it was called the Strategic Science Corps.
This self-proclaimed genius and clever arms tycoon was almost killed because he was testing the energy balance of the Rubik's Cube.
"I'm not a naughty kid who's ready to cause trouble when my parents are not at home."
Howard curled his lips and pretended not to care.
"The Cosmic Cube is my best toy, and this harpoon can only be ranked second."
"Really? Why did I hear that your research on the Cosmic Rubik's Cube has made no progress and you have started to conquer other projects."
Facing Carter's ruthless expose, Howard looked a little embarrassed.
Because the Cube was motionless and unresponsive, like a cold brick.
Howard, who temporarily lost interest, has turned to building nuclear fusion reactors.
To this end, he and Luke teamed up to get another wave of wool from the budget committee.
Those congressmen who usually had their money stuck in their pockets and refused to let go easily were now frightened when they heard the name of S.H.I.E.L.D.
There was nothing they could do, they really didn't have any left.
"By the way, where's Luke? What did he do?"
Howard changed the topic and said seriously: "To be honest, I've been a little interested in marine biology recently."
Carter rolled his eyes at him, "Do you want to study marine life?"
I'm obviously bored and want to have some exciting fun!
Luke had told her very early on that Howard was a guy who loved taking risks and was unwilling to be ordinary.
Only scientific research could make him somewhat bearable to loneliness, and nothing else, not even women.
After all, the male tradition of the Stark family is that before getting married, changing bed partners is more diligent than changing clothes.
"At this time, Luke should go to the White House."
Carter lifted his hanging hair and said softly: "This matter is not over yet. The emergence of a marine civilization is enough to trigger heated discussions around the world."
"Testing, inquiring, and collecting information... Facing unknown civilizations, various countries will use methods. Moreover, Luke defeated Namor Mackenzie and proved the power of the land world through a battle, but this does not mean that Asia Atlantis will choose to live in peace."
"No matter what, we are ready for war. SHIELD should be very busy next."
Howard scratched his head, thinking about the war between ocean civilization and the land world. Wouldn't Stark Industries have to receive another large wave of orders
…
…
White House, Oval Office.
The sofa was full of people, the president, the chief of staff, the generals from the Pentagon, the boss of the FBI...
If a missile fell from the sky and wiped out everyone present, it would paralyze the country in an instant.
"This mess was caused by S.H.I.E.L.D. They were searching for mutant freaks everywhere, and they also created a Weapon X plan to bring in those dangerous elements and perform various tasks... which led to what happened next."
Edgar Hoover of the FBI was the first to speak out. The president called them here to discuss how to deal with Atlantis.
"According to the information provided by Major General Cavill, the king of that ocean civilization, Namor Mackenzie, is also a mutant. He upholds justice for his compatriots. This is a legitimate reason and there is nothing worthy of condemnation."
"So, I think we can make appropriate compromises, such as ending SHIELD's plan to recruit and house mutants. This can give the United States a chance to breathe. I'm sure none of you here want another war."
Hoover's analysis was sound. He looked at the frowning president and continued: "We will not get any benefits from this war. First of all, the people will be resistant. World War II has just ended. Who would want to carry it again?" Gun, go fight with a bunch of marine races?"
"Secondly, we don't know the military strength of Atlantis yet. But judging from the strength shown by Namor Mackenzie, it shouldn't be much worse. They can live underwater, create tsunamis and Hurricane puts the battlefield on the sea, and the aircraft carrier fleet is naturally in a weak position and can only be passively attacked. "
The generals of the Navy Department nodded. The two aircraft carriers of the Atlantic Fleet were helpless in the face of Atlantis' sudden attack.
Those blue-skinned undersea people are like smaller, more stealthy mini-submarines, elusive and hard to detect.
The vast sea area is their territory.
"However, Major General Cavill defeated Namor Mackenzie. The Atlantean who threatened our retreat by taking the lives of more than seven million people in New York was defeated."
said a senior Army officer.
"Since ancient times, there has never been any talk of a winner compromising or retreating! I am opposed to any opinion put forward by the capitulationists."
Hoover looked gloomy and said coldly: "General, no one has said that we want to surrender..."
"Before the war begins, those who want to settle conflicts through compromise are the capitulators! If you take one step back, there will be a second step. Do we have to be like the French and directly raise the white flag in the face of threats and aggression?"
Senior officers belonging to the Army faction speak without mercy.
This serious accusation made the smell of gunpowder in the office even stronger.
Seeing that the boss of the FBI was being sprayed, the Navy Department stepped forward and began to confront the enemy.
"Anyway, Director Hoover is right. The trouble in Atlantis was ultimately caused by SHIELD. The Atlantic Fleet lost two aircraft carriers, and Anna Maria Island was hit by a tsunami. We The losses are huge and someone needs to be held responsible.”
"Haha, you must have forgotten who pushed the Lincoln and Stennis back to the dock."
A big boss in the Army Department was angry and sarcastically said: "Without Rear Admiral Cavell, the Atlantic Fleet would not only lose those two aircraft carriers, but we might even lose control of the sea and have no choice but to shrink back to the mainland. By then, your navy will have to face being destroyed. The consequences of dissolution.”
"That's ridiculous! If the navy is disbanded, what future will the country have? Expanding its territory, striving for interests, and radiating influence... Can your army do that?"
A big guy in a white military uniform retorted.
"Damn it, Fuck! When I was fighting, your navy was still following the British guys!"
The number of people on the line continued to increase, and the white military uniforms and the green military uniforms were clearly distinguishable, directly squeezing Hoover aside.
The quarrel in the office became louder and louder. Seeing that the two groups from the Navy Department and the Army Department were about to roll up their sleeves and fight with their fists, the president covered his face, coughed twice, and banged the table hard.
"You are all generals of the United States, but you have no regard for dignity and act like street gangsters! The issue of accountability for the Atlantis incident has passed."
The president acted as peacemaker and prevented the confrontation from continuing.
"Major General Cavill stopped Namor's plan to flood New York. Not only was he blameless, but he also had merit. According to him, Atlantis was able to set off tsunamis because of the trident held by the king. That weapon has been seized. , is kept in SHIELD and does not pose a threat for the time being.”
"What we are discussing now is how to deal with the existence of Atlantis. The Pentagon knows nothing about it, and the only information it has is from SHIELD."
"Whether it's war or peace, there should be a plan."
Hoover, who had been criticized before, jumped out and rolled his eyes: "Mr. President, with all due respect, in order to improve the efficiency of intelligence work, S.H.I.E.L.D. should share information with the FBI and the CIA. Only sincere cooperation , in order to reduce information errors.”
"Haha, Director Hoover, in order to increase the birth rate of Americans, why don't you share your mistress with everyone... and cooperate sincerely."
The War Department's vulgar remarks caused a roar of laughter, and even the old enemy the Navy Department could not hold back.
The Oval Office was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
It can be seen that when quarreling, the third way is generally the most effective.
Extending from parents and wives to eighteen generations of ancestors, the damage output is directly maxed out.
The docile "his mother's love" has no lethality and can't even break the defense.
Hoover's face turned red with anger, and he resisted the urge to curse and said: "This is the White House, generals should be careful with their words."
When had this FBI boss ever been wronged like this
"Well, gentlemen, keep your manners."
Mr. President, who was holding back his smile, stepped forward to smooth things over.
"Director Hoover is also dedicated to the public good and wants to increase the way to obtain intelligence. There is nothing to blame. It's just that SHIELD is responsible for abnormal events, such as mutants, Atlantis, etc., and must ensure confidentiality. sex."
SHIELD, and the young director, have proven their worth.
Facing the threat of Atlantis, the United States must rely more on Superman.
As for the FBI
Just go to a cooler place and stay.
"Mr. President, Major General Cavell has arrived."
When a group of people couldn't come up with any results, the ivory phone on the table rang.
The president sat up straight and wiped his lenses.
The generals who had been arguing with each other with red faces just now also tidied up their messy military uniforms and looked calm.
Half a minute later, the tall figure opened the door and walked into the Oval Office.
"Everyone, a war is coming."
he said. (End of chapter)