Chapter 146 - 142 The Existence Of The Magical World, The Secretary Who Made A Fool Of Himself.
Washington, D.C., S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters Building.
"This is the trident that can manipulate the weather and set off a tsunami?"
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 seems like a bomb that could detonate at any time. About the change in readings … the trident's energy source… It should be relying on the strange words inscribed on the surface. Like solar panels, they absorb energy. Then, guided by complex circuits to the top."
Howard took a self-made energy reading machine and scanned the trident isolated in a solid glass layer.
If Luke hadn't specifically told him not to touch at will before he left, he would have set out to study it.
The weapons tycoon is always enthusiastic about new things.
The temporary silence of the Tesseract has left Howard without a target in the short term.
Namor's golden trident is a great new option.
"Luke said it was attached with … magic power. It's very dangerous."
Carter reminded him.
"Magic … haha, that's just another manifestation of science."
As a gifted scientist, Howard is undoubtedly a staunch materialist.
He doesn't believe that there were magicians, witches, vampires, and werewolves in this world.
Those were fantastical creatures imagined by third-rate writers, satisfying people's longing for the unknown.
"I once thought so until Luke told me that under the surface of the world, there was a magical society in which sorcerers and demons coexisted, and werewolves and vampire clans coexisted."
Carter shrugged her shoulders.
As the commander of S.H.I.E.L.D, she was naturally entitled to know the existence of the Temple of the Three and the Karma Taj.
Besides, she saw Luke conjure up a fireball out of thin air.
This led Carter to wonder if the rumor that Superman and many female warlocks have a 'super friendly relationship' was true.
Luke, who originally wanted to explain what magic is, ended up smearing his image.
He had to affirm that he wasn't a demon hunter repeatedly, no scars on his face, wouldn't be stabbed to death by a pitchfork, and wouldn't jump from a height of 3 meters and then fall to his death.
"If you have the opportunity, you can let him take you to see it and satisfy your curiosity."
Hearing Carter says this, Howard felt dubious.
Although he often makes fun of Luke by calling him a warlock pile driver, he never thought that any kind of horned, flaming Aryan demon, scantily clad, glamorous, and charming female warlock existed.
But if he had to choose, he would like the former to be false and the latter to be true.
"I'd like to see what a female warlock who plays with other people's emotions and indulges in carnal pleasures looks like."
Howard said with a slight hum and a straight face.
It's almost like writing 'Come, seduce me; I'm easily seduced by women,' on his forehead.
Carter rolled her eyes. She didn't want to get involved in this topic.
She swept a glance at the trident surrounded by electricity and said in an agitated tone, "I have to organize the information on Atlantis; you'd better not touch it. I don't want to wait for Luke to come back and find that S.H.I.E.L.D's chief research consultant has turned into a lump of charcoal."
Carter knew perfectly well that every time Howard discovered something new, he couldn't help but want to study it.
Moreover, he had that 'too bold he could die' aggressiveness.
Before S.H.I.E.L.D. had been reorganized, it was called the Strategic Science Reserve.
This gifted and intelligent weapons tycoon was almost killed because he was testing the energy equilibrium of the Tesseract.
"I am not a brat who's ready to make a mess when my parents aren't home."
Howard curled his lips and acted as if he didn't care.
"The Tesseract is my best toy, and this pitchfork is only the second best."
"Is that right? Why do I hear that your research on the Tesseract is going nowhere, and you're moving on to other projects? "
In the face of Carter's relentless breakdown, Howard's face was a bit embarrassed.
Since the Tesseract was motionless and unresponsive, it only looked like a cold block of steel.
Howard, who lost interest at the moment, had gone through building a nuclear reactor.
To do so, he and Luke teamed up and pulled another wave of funding from the budget committee.
The councilors who usually held onto their money bags and refused to let go of them easily were now scared when they heard S.H.I.E.L.D. 's name.
There's no way out; they didn't have a single drop left.
"By the way, where's Luke? Where did he go?"
Howard digressed and solemnly said, "To be honest, I've recently become interested in marine biology."
Carter gave the other party a blank look. 'You, interested in marine biology?'
It was obvious that he was bored and wanted to do something interesting!
Luke told her a long time ago that Howard was an adventurous and unusual guy at heart.
Only scientific research could make him tolerate loneliness a little, but nothing else, not even women.
After all, it is a Stark family tradition for men to change their bed partners more often than their clothes before getting married.
"At this time, Luke should be in the White House."
Carter tossed her hair and whispered, "This isn't over yet. The emergence of a marine civilization is enough to spark a heated debate around the world."
"Testing, inquiring, collecting information … Faced with an unknown civilization, each country pulls out all the stops. Moreover, Luke defeated Namor McKenzie and proved the power of the land world through a battle, but this doesn't mean that Atlantis would choose peaceful coexistence."
"In any case, we're all ready for war. From now on, S.H.I.E.L.D. will be busy."
Howard scratched his head, thinking about the war between marine civilization and the land world. Then Stark Industries will receive another wave of orders, won't it?
…
…
White House, Oval Office.
The couch was filled with people. The President, the Chief of Staff, the generals from the Pentagon, the head of the FBI …
If a missile fell from the sky and destroyed everyone here, the country would be instantly paralyzed.
"This mess was caused by S.H.I.E.L.D. They searched everywhere for mutant freaks and also made a Weapon X program to pull in those dangerous elements to perform various tasks … which led to the later events."
Edgar Hoover of the FBI took the lead in speaking out. The President called them here to discuss how to deal with Atlantis.
The King of that marine civilization, Namor-McKenzie, a mutant, is doing this to get justice for his compatriots. This is a legitimate reason and nothing to be condemned."
"So, I think we can compromise appropriately, for example, by ending the S.H.I.E.L.D. recruitment and housing program for mutants, which will give the United States a chance to breathe. I'm sure no one here wants another war."
Hoover's analysis was clear-headed. He looked at the frowning President and continued, "We won't get any benefits in this war. First of all, there will be resistance among the people. World War II had just ended. Who would want to carry a gun and fight a bunch of marine people?"
"Secondly, we still don't know Atlantis' military strength. However, judging from the strength demonstrated by Namor McKenzie, it shouldn't be any worse. They can live underwater, make tsunamis and hurricanes. If the battlefield is on the sea surface, the carrier fleet would naturally be in a weaker position and could only be beaten passively."
The Admirals of the Navy Department nodded their heads. The two carriers of the Atlantic fleet were defenseless against the surprise attack from Atlantis.
The blue-skinned undersea people were like smaller, stealthier micro-submarines, unpredictable and hard to look out for.
The vast expanse of the sea is their territory.
"However, Major General Cavill defeated Namor McKenzie, the Atlantean who had threatened the lives of more than 7 million people in New York with a tsunami, and was defeated."
A senior officer of the Army Department said.
"Since ancient times, there has never been a compromise by the victor! I am opposed to any idea put forward by people wanting to surrender."
Hoover looked sullen and said coldly, "General, no one said to surrender …"
"Before a war begins, you want to settle the conflict by compromise. This is surrendering! If we take a step back, there will be a second step. Do we have to raise the white flag directly in the face of threats and aggression like the French?"
A Senior military officer belonging to the Army Department spoke without mercy.
This serious accusation made the office a little more heated.
Seeing the FBI boss being blasted, the Navy Department stepped up to the plate and began choosing sides.
"Anyway, Director Hoover is right. S.H.I.E.L.D causes trouble with Atlantis. The Atlantic Fleet lost two aircraft carriers, Anna Maria Island was hit by a tsunami, and we suffered heavy losses, and someone needs to take responsibility for that."
"Haha, you must have forgotten who pushed the USS Lincoln and the USS Stennis back to the dock."
A bigwig from the Army Department said sarcastically, "Without Major General Cavill, the Atlantic fleet would have lost more than just the two carriers, and we might even have lost our sea position and been forced to retreat home. At that time, your Navy will have to face disbandment in the end."
"What a joke! If the Navy is disbanded, what future does the country have? What can your Army do to expand the country and fight for its interests and influence …?"
A big man in a white uniform retorted.
"Motherfucker! When I was in World War I, your Navy was still following behind the Brit's ass!"
The number of opposing people continued to grow, with a clear line between white and green uniforms, pushing Hoover directly to one side.
The quarrel in the office was getting louder and louder. Seeing that the Navy Department and the War Department were rolling up their sleeves, ready to fight with their fists, the President coughed twice while covering his face and banged on the table.
"You are all soldiers of the United States; how could you have no regard for decency and act like street thugs! The issue of accountability for the Atlantis incident has passed."
The President acted as a mediator to stop the confrontation from continuing.
"Major General Cavill prevented Namor's plan of flooding New York, which wasn't only without fault, but also with credit. According to him, Atlantis could set off a tsunami with the trident held by the King. The weapon has been seized and kept in S.H.I.E.L.D, which is not a threat for the time being."
"What we are talking about now is how to deal with the existence of Atlantis. The Pentagon knows nothing about it, and the only information it has is from S.H.I.E.L.D."
"Whether it's war or peace, there should be a plan."
Hoover, who was scolded before, sprang up, and said with a twinkle in his eye, "Mr. President, with all due respect, to improve the efficiency of intelligence work, S.H.I.E.L.D. should share information with the FBI and the CIA; only through sincere cooperation can information errors be reduced."
"Haha, Director Hoover, to improve the fertility rate of Americans, why don't you share your mistress with everyone … and cooperate sincerely? "
The vulgar words of the Army Department caused a great burst of laughter; even the Navy Department didn't hold back.
In the oval office, there was a lively atmosphere.
Thus, when quarreling, speaking cheekily was generally effective.
Hoover turned red with anger and resisted the urge to swear, saying, "This is the White House. General, you should pay attention to your words."
When did the head of the FBI suffer such injustice?
"Yes, gentlemen, keep your manners."
The President, who was holding back his laughter, stepped forward to intervene.
"Director Hoover is also committed to public service and wants to increase access to intelligence, so there' s nothing wrong with that. It's just that S.H.I.E.L.D is responsible for unusual events, mutants, Atlantis, and so on and must ensure confidentiality."
S.H.I.E.L.D, as well as the Director, have proven their value.
Faced with the threat of Atlantis, the United States relies more on Superman.
As for the FBI?
They should just go to a safer place and just stay there.
"Mr. President, Major General Cavill has arrived."
The ivory phone on the table rang when the group couldn't come up with anything yet.
The President sat up straight and wiped his glasses.
Those generals who had been quarreling with each other just now had also tidied up their messy military uniforms and showed a steady appearance.
Half a minute later, the tall figure pushed open the door and walked into the oval office.
"Gentlemen, there's a war coming."
He said.
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