"What did you say?!" Nick Fury looked at Black Widow in front of him, stood up from his office chair, walked around the table, came to her front, then said, "The mutant from the raid team didn't die and their consciousness infiltrated the factory's system?!"
Main Universe Black Widow nodded and said, "I've already sent you the relevant evidence, you can find professionals to evaluate it. But you should know, we have no reason to lie about this matter."
Nick rubbed his face hard, "Can they control the Mother Module?"
"To be honest, we don't know," Black Widow shook her head and said, "But mutants are always stronger than we imagine, just how they survived in such a situation and uploaded their consciousness, no one can figure it out. Maybe that's their plan?"
The last sentence obviously struck Nick hard, his face darkened, and he said through gritted teeth, "This must be Professor X's conspiracy, only he can do it."
Black Widow also thought the same, after all transforming from a physical human into a consciousness and invading a system seems to be Professor X's area of study. The entire human race has been played by him.
"I'll notify The Avengers," Nick said, "You two should sit down and talk properly, stop the fighting and killing. After all, if it's really too late to save, you may have to join forces to save Earth."
"It's not that bad yet," Black Widow said, "The Mother Module is not so easy to control, maybe they're still in a tug-of-war, we still have a chance to eliminate those consciousnesses."
"Hope so." Nick shook his head.
After a while, The Avengers from the two universes sat together, speechless. Main Universe Captain America cleared his throat first and said, "Let's talk about this action..."
The opening wasn't great, but it was okay, since the only thing they could discuss was this action. The local Avengers were obviously still unconvinced and not keen on cooperation. But they also knew that if mutants silently gained the upper hand where they weren't focused, they would have to cooperate to level the playing field.
This news also spread quickly within the human government - mutants are very likely using the consciousnesses from the raid team to gain control of the Red Orchid Factory, the most terrifying news they've heard recently. Because, natural reserves have been established.
Initially, mutants suffered heavy losses, posing no threat to Earth or the human government anymore, letting them build a nature reserve for their own amusement was no big deal. But recently, mutants have been active, recruiting new members and shouting slogans like "Don't abandon any mutant."
This was no big deal at first, after all they suffered significant losses, even if they were constantly recovering, it would take a long time to turn things around, they were no longer the most important enemy.
But who knew, not only did they not suffer losses, they already gained an advantage where humans were unaware, combined with the progress they've made on Earth, they've suddenly become the most terrifying enemy again. What else is there to say? We unite!
The human government is like this, scattered sand without external enemies, eager to strangle others; but once faced with strong external pressure, they instantly united, starting to think of new plans against mutants.
Attacking domestically, is indeed a method, but it doesn't prevent the dire consequences of the Red Orchid Factory being controlled. Even if all mutants on Earth were killed, those in the factory system could still avenge them, so the only way is to find a way to eliminate those in the factory.
However, earlier to compete for the factory, the laboratory's coordinates were sold out, all researchers disappeared, the newly recruited ones weren't ready to take over the work. Which means, currently the factory is actually uncontrolled, humans can do very little.
"Open the external defense device's permission!" Main Universe Iron Man slammed the table, said to Nick Fury, "We must first enter the internal system to kill those mutants."
"The risk is too high," Nick frowned and said, "How do you ensure you won't seize control of the factory?"
Main Universe Iron Man's plan was just that - after eliminating mutants, he'd control the Red Orchid Factory himself. But of course, he wouldn't say that, he paused briefly, then said, "It's just opening the external defense permission, not shutting down the Mother Module's security protection completely. Now the enemies are inside, what's the value of the external defense permission anymore?"
The local Avengers also agreed with this viewpoint. Now it's like a house invaded by cockroaches, a chaotic mess inside, yet the door is locked tight, and the people outside can't rescue.
Moreover, mutants aren't cockroaches, more like Godzilla. At this moment, the door holds no meaning, if not opened quickly, should they let Godzilla feast inside?
No one present had a correct understanding of how strong the Mother Module is, after all, they weren't mutants nor had they attacked the Red Orchid Factory. Even the two tech-savvy Iron Mans could not accurately judge without core data what the situation inside the factory system was. They could only guess at the worst.
The strength of mutants is well-known, not to mention this time they sent experts. If based on their previous assumptions, this is Professor X's conspiracy, then they came prepared, maybe they're already striking at the Mother Module. If help is delayed, prepare to collect the remains of the Mother Module.
Of course, Magneto's commotion was also seen as a diversion - like rescuing consciousnesses, not giving up any mutants, just delaying the Earth's allied forces' time.
Previously, they publicized the failure of the raid team, then played the victim at the United Nations General Assembly to establish a nature reserve, all in an effort to stall time for the real conspiracy. Do they think we'll fall for it again?
The more commotion the mutants make, the more Earth's alliance thinks they're just putting on a show. They might even take advantage of the rescue to help those consciousness entities, capturing the Mother Module from inside and outside. We absolutely cannot give them that opportunity.
In urgent situations, Nick no longer opposed and said, "I'll apply for it, and I think it won't take long to get approved. However, you both must go together."
He was referring to the two Iron Men, because they could monitor each other and prevent one from seizing the Mother Module. The two of them were like fire and water; if they saw the other making a move, they'd definitely act as well. It would be much safer this way.
This plan gained support from most people. However, the human government obviously thought further, and shortly after Nick submitted the application, the State Lord's office immediately called.
"This still isn't secure enough," the person on the other end said, "I hope you can contact that other Iron Man who appeared that day, the one in blue and white armor. He can suppress the other two Iron Men. If it's the worst scenario, let him control the Red Orchid factory to prevent the Stark Group from acquiring more technical data."
Nick was also pondering over this issue. His allegiance was towards The Avengers, but it was a different matter if it involved the Stark Group. The military and government have always been repressing the Stark Group, worrying about any breakthrough Iron Man might make in technology, disrupting the normal order of common human society. Necessity now forces us to use him, but we must prevent him from gaining technological upgrades from the Red Orchid factory.
Having another Iron Man to guard against him isn't enough, given that their technological levels seem even. If he isn't stopped, America could have a rising sun. The government and military clearly can't accept that, hence stronger external aid is needed.
"I'll try to contact him," Nick said. He knew that the military and government excel in double losses; if things don't go their way, they might not hand over the key, preferring mutual destruction over letting the Stark Group obtain everything.
After hanging up, Nick had another headache—how to contact that Iron Man was a problem. Listening to the Avengers from the Main Universe say that special Iron Man is in Clarkia, but the plan was devised to deal with the mutants, should we make a call to Clarkia to find someone?
The Avengers from the Main Universe stayed on Earth, and S.H.I.E.L.D. arranged another dormitory for them. After they left, the local Avengers discussed it.
"Those people from the Main Universe are really annoying," local Iron Man said angrily, "I have no idea what the hell they're bragging about."
"Let it go. If we were the Main Universe, we'd probably be pretty arrogant too," Winter Soldier shook his head and said.
Captain America sat holding his Shield on the chair, pondering something with furrowed brows. After a while he spoke, "Where did their Doctor Strange go?"
"Maybe he didn't come?" Spider Man speculated, "Last time I went to Clarkia, I didn't see him. Perhaps he didn't come from the Main Universe at all; someone has to stay and guard, right?"
With that being said, everyone's eyes fell on his face. Spider Man rolled his eyes and asked, "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
"You went to Clarkia?!" Hawkeye looked confused, "When did you go?!"
"It was earlier. I know Iron Man from the Central Universe, I wanted to chat with him, so I called the number on Clarkia's official website, saying I wanted to visit. After filling out the identity information, they let me go up."
Black Widow couldn't help but cover her forehead and lament, "One dares to apply, and one dares to agree."
"Don't make fun, he is Spider Man," Dr. Banner said, "He can go anywhere in the world, and no one would doubt him."
At this moment, Nick rushed in and looked at Spider Man, "You know that Iron Man of the Central Universe? You've met him? And talked with him?"
Spider Man nodded and said, "Yes. Because I think letting him obtain control of the Red Orchid factory is the best choice—the technological level of the Central Universe is very high, he doesn't need the factory's technology, and he isn't a person who likes to interfere with other universes. Letting him control the factory is the safest."
Nick couldn't help but widen his eyes; Spider Man's thinking was too forward-thinking, it was exactly what they were trying to do now. He thus asked eagerly, "So what did he say?"
"Of course, he refused." Spider Man propped his elbow on his leg, flipped his hand, then said, "He said this couldn't solve the fundamental problem; the contradiction among our Avengers, the Main Universe Avengers, the human government, and mutants can't be eliminated through his strong control, technology cannot solve all problems."
"Wait a moment." Captain America extended a hand and said, "Are you sure you're describing Tony Stark? Is their universe's Iron Man really not something else..."
"Steve!" Iron Man shouted unhappily.
"But it doesn't sound like you," Doctor Strange critiqued from the side, "If someone came to find you at this time, you'd probably go crazy, wouldn't you?"
Iron Man folded his arms and turned his head away, saying nothing.