After this small interlude.
Under the slightly strange gazes of the surrounding sentry soldiers, the two finally stood before the composite metal door leading to the prison.
"Identity confirmed. S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Makima, Level 6 clearance. External consultant Reze, temporary authorization."
An electronic voice rang out in the wind and snow.
Accompanied by the roar of hydraulic transmissions, the half-meter-thick composite iron door slowly slid open to both sides.
Makima tidied her collar, which had been ruffled by the wind, and took the lead into the darkness.
Reze unhappily rubbed her sore backside from the fall earlier, muttering an indistinct curse in Russian.
Then she shuffled after her... Deep within the cryogenic cells, the Special Containment Area.
This was the heart of the prison and the most heavily guarded area.
A massive cryogenic stasis pod stood in the center of the room, connected to countless complex pipelines.
Several technicians in hazmat suits were tensely debugging data.
The person in charge of guarding this place was a Colonel named Burckhoff.
He was a typical career soldier, with graying hair at his temples and a resolute gaze.
At this moment, he was frowning, staring at the document in his hand that bore the signatures of both Alexander Pierce and Nick Fury.
"This doesn't follow our Military's rules."
The Colonel looked up and stared at Makima. "Emil Blonsky is no ordinary criminal; he is an extremely dangerous biological weapon. General Ross has issued strict orders forbidding any form of awakening unless a large-scale war breaks out."
"Rules are fixed, but people are flexible, Colonel."
Makima stood high on the control platform, hands behind her back, looking down at the steaming cryogenic pod below. "The World Security Council now wants to evaluate his value. This is a top-secret initiative, the specifics of which—"
As she spoke, she turned her head, seemingly casually glancing into the Colonel's eyes, and a sense of superiority and pressure spontaneously arose.
"At your level, you have no right to know, so your job is only to cooperate with me."
"Is that understood?"
Colonel Burckhoff's gaze froze for a moment.
A certain defensive line deep in his brain quietly collapsed, and his originally firm resistance mysteriously dissipated.
In its place was a sense of obedience—that 'obeying superior orders is a soldier's duty.'
"Fine... since the documents are in order, let's begin."
The Colonel waved his hand. "Initiate thawing procedure! All units, enter Level 1 combat readiness! Open the suppressors!"
Sssshhh—!!!
The high-pressure valves opened, and white liquid nitrogen mist gushed out like a tsunami, filling half the containment room in an instant.
From within the long-silent cryogenic pod came the heavy sound of machinery operating, as if some giant beast were awakening.
In the corner, Reze had already shed her bulky coat, her slim figure outlined by a form-fitting black combat suit.
This was specially customized for her by S.H.I.E.L.D., woven from high-strength heat-resistant fibers.
It allowed Reze to transform without needing to worry about being naked on the spot, thus avoiding the need to intentionally lower the power and frequency of her explosions.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was quite considerate in this regard, Sumire had to admit.
Reze leaned lazily against the blast-proof glass wall, her eyes always alertly watching below.
She had fought the Abomination before.
Back in Harlem, this big guy was thick-skinned and tough; he was indeed difficult to deal with when he went berserk.
If this guy suddenly erupted like the Hulk did last time and launched a sneak attack that seriously injured Reze, it would be trouble.
However, Sumire had already prepared in advance.
Lying quietly in the inventory were four newly exchanged 'first aid blood packs,' plus the unused stock she had bought before, making a total of six.
This was equivalent to Reze having six extra lives.
These things cost 10 simulation values each, and their effect was no different from ordinary blood packs.
The cost-performance ratio wasn't high, but they were convenient because they could be kept in the 'inventory' and taken out whenever needed for emergencies.
It saved Reze from having to randomly find a passerby to bite if she got desperate.
A few minutes later.
The white mist gradually dissipated.
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