Chapter 53
S.H.I.E.L.D. Underground Base 084 Special Containment Center
In the pure white giant testing field, the Autobots stood in perfect formation, their metallic bodies gleaming under the cold lights.
Lockdown stood alone on the other side, his single optic flickering slightly, looking out of place.
Coulson stood on the rising platform, slowly ascending until he was eye-level with Optimus Prime.
Behind him, dozens of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and researchers held their breath, staring up in awe at these mechanical giants from another world.
"First, on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D., I welcome all of you."
Coulson's voice echoed throughout the testing field via loudspeaker.
"Starting today, you will officially become our special operations unit."
Optimus Prime gave a slight nod, his optics glowing gently: "Thank you for your trust, Agent Coulson. We are honored to contribute to the protection of Earth."
"Before official operations, we need to conduct a simple evaluation."
Coulson opened his holographic data pad: "Could you please detail the range of your individual abilities?"
Optimus Prime stepped forward, chest plates rising and falling slowly.
"As the leader of the Autobots, I possess both ground and aerial combat forms."
With a series of mechanical transformation sounds, he instantly shifted from robot to a red-and-blue heavy truck, then back to robot form in the next second.
"Equipped with ion impact cannons and thermal weapons. Armor can withstand conventional thermal weaponry."
Jazz leaped forward nimbly and transformed into a sleek sports car.
"Reconnaissance and infiltration specialist. Silent mode top speed reaches 800 km/h."
Ratchet displayed his medical modules: "Battlefield medic unit. Equipped with nano-repair systems and holographic diagnostic instruments."
Ironhide's heavy cannons deployed with a clack-clack: "Fire support specialist. Ammunition reserves sufficient to destroy a city."
Bumblebee cheekily played a segment of rock music on his radio, then transformed into a Camaro and performed a flashy drift, making several agents burst into laughter.
The three mechanical dinosaurs refused to be outdone.
Grimlock's Tyrannosaurus form bit clean through a test armor plate.
Slug's Triceratops ramming horn pierced straight through a three-meter-thick alloy wall.
Swoop soared beneath the ceiling, demonstrating supersonic flight capability.
Coulson recorded the data with satisfaction: "Very impressive."
His gaze turned to the silent Lockdown: "And you? What special abilities do you have?"
Lockdown's single optic coldly swept over the group: "A little stronger than them."
"Ha!"
Ironhide immediately mocked: "Besides running away and ambushing, what else can you do?"
Dangerous red light suddenly leaked from Lockdown's armor seams: "Want to find out, old-timer?"
"Enough."
Optimus Prime's deep voice cut in, carrying unquestionable authority.
Lockdown remembered that man. His optic flickered once, and he reluctantly restrained his hostility.
"My ship carries a quantum weapons system." Lockdown said sullenly—everyone knew he was referring to the ship Yang Jian had taken.
"Personal armaments include phase-disruption cannon, gravity anchor, and molecular-level cutting blade."
He paused, then added: "And the most complete species database in the universe."
Coulson raised an eyebrow: "Sounds like you specialize in solo operations?"
Lockdown said flatly: "I specialize in hunting."
After recording the final entry, Coulson closed the holographic panel: "Evaluation complete. Over the next few days, our tactical teams will conduct joint training with each of you and formulate combined operations plans."
Optimus Prime nodded solemnly: "We stand ready at any time."
As the meeting ended, agents began guiding the Autobots to their respective hangars.
Coulson took one last look at these mechanical giants, the corner of his mouth curving upward slightly.
With this alien strike force, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s power would reach unprecedented heights.
...
Seaside Villa – Late Night
Yang Jian opened his eyes.
He gently moved Wanda's arm from around his waist and slipped out of bed without a sound. Moonlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the bedroom in silver.
Mikaela and Helen slept soundly on the other side. Helen unconsciously curled deeper into the warm blankets.
Yang Jian put on a robe and walked out to the villa's open-air balcony.
The night breeze was cool. He lay on the comfortable lounge chair, eyes piercing through Earth's atmosphere to gaze at the starry river tens of thousands of light-years away.
"Origin, play some music." he said softly.
Gentle jazz immediately filled the surroundings.
Yang Jian picked up the drink beside him and took a sip, savoring the rare moment of tranquility.
Suddenly, his movements froze.
A sensation of being watched crawled up his spine.
Yang Jian sat bolt upright. Super vision instantly swept every corner of the globe.
New York streets, S.H.I.E.L.D. bases, Wakanda's royal palace, even Kamar-Taj's sanctum.
Everything appeared normal—no abnormal energy fluctuations.
"Strange." He frowned.
"I clearly felt someone watching me."
"Origin, pause music."
Silence once again enveloped the balcony.
Yang Jian narrowed his eyes; a faint red glow appeared in his pupils.
Suddenly, his head turned to the right at a speed impossible for a human.
Riiip—
It was as if an invisible comic page had been torn open in the air. A girl's head poked through the tear.
She had long hair dyed red and yellow, big curious eyes staring at Yang Jian as if observing a comic book character.
The moment their eyes met, the girl jumped in fright.
"Whoa! He can actually see me!"
The tear instantly closed, as if it had never existed.
Yang Jian's interest was piqued: "Interesting."
...
Meanwhile, in a room filled with comic-book style.
Gwen Stacy—otherwise known as the girl just now—was clutching her flat chest and panting heavily.
"Holy shit! He could actually see me?! That's not scientifically possible!"
She grabbed a soda from the table and chugged it: "Could he be another character who can break the fourth wall? But there's no such person in the Marvel database!"
The soda bottle suddenly froze in mid-air.
Gwen Stacy's pupils slowly dilated—because in the reflection of the comic poster on the opposite wall, she saw a tall figure standing right behind her.
"Whoa!"
She spun around dramatically, her hair nearly whipping Yang Jian in the face.
The man in front of her was more than a head taller than her. Beneath the black T-shirt, the faint outline of perfect muscles looked like they had stepped straight out of a superhero comic.
"How did you get in here?!"
Gwen Stacy circled Yang Jian excitedly like a starstruck fan.
"This is my private dimensional space! Oh my God, oh my God—are those muscles real? Can I touch them? Do you have a girlfriend?"
Yang Jian let the girl circle him, answering calmly: "Followed you in the moment you closed the window."
He looked down at Gwen Stacy, who only reached his chest: "As for girlfriends—I have several."
"Wow! That's awesome!"
Gwen Stacy didn't back off at all—in fact her eyes shone even brighter: "Mind if there's one more? I'm really good at breaking the fourth wall!"
Yang Jian couldn't help laughing: "We'll have to evaluate that."
He looked around and noticed the walls were covered in various comic panels; even the furniture looked like it had been cut-and-pasted from comics.
"So you've been using that ability to spy on me?"
Gwen Stacy blinked: "Professional habit! I'm Gwen Stacy—professional fourth-wall breaker!"
She suddenly leaned in close, her nose almost touching Yang Jian's chin.
"What's your name? New character from which universe? When did the writer create you?"
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