MD-Chapter 289 The Next Topic & MD-Chapter 290 Pack Up and Take Away

"Why call it 'black technology' when it comes from you?" Tony asked, clearly frustrated. "Why not call it 'divine technology' instead?"

"Divine... 'TM' technology?" Arthur blinked, confused.

"I feel like there's something off about what you just said," Tony remarked, glancing at the paper in his hand, which featured a teleportation array. "If we had enough energy, could we set up a remote, even interstellar, teleportation array? Wait a minute, this gives me a brilliant idea!"

"An idea about what? I didn't come here to discuss your brilliant ideas today," Arthur replied, feeling a bit exasperated.

"No, no, no! This all fits together perfectly," Tony insisted. "If we can utilize these teleportation arrays through technology, we could establish temporary bases all over the world, each with one of these arrays underneath. When needed, we could appear anywhere on the globe. And if conditions allow, interstellar teleportation could become a reality!"

"So, you're just going to overlook spaceships in space?" Arthur raised an eyebrow.

Tony set the paper down and looked at him. "Why not?"

"Alright, this could be your next research project, but shouldn't we be heading out now?"

"Come on, hurry up and start your performance," Tony urged, excitement evident in his voice.

Suddenly, a teleportation array materialized on the floor. Tony paused for a moment and said, "So, you just used this to pop up in my house? When did you leave this here?"

"When you weren't looking," Arthur replied, stepping onto the teleportation array. "Should I change first? I'm in pajamas..."

Before he could finish, they found themselves in a vast, empty space filled with countless old-fashioned computer cases. An elderly man stood in front of a computer, typing commands but getting no results.

Tony's unfinished thought slipped out: "...That's a bit outrageous, don't you think?"

Everyone turned to stare at the two of them, but as soon as they recognized Arthur, they quickly averted their gazes in unison.

Before arriving, they had been given clear instructions: cooperate in cracking the system and maintain strict confidentiality.

For the sake of the rewards, everyone was behaving quite obediently.

Arthur was puzzled. "Why aren't you all asleep?"

Parker emerged from the crowd, first staring at Tony in shock, then moving closer to Arthur to whisper, "Professor Mark instructed us to start up the computer tonight. But so far, the program hasn't been activated."

Tony had already walked behind Professor Mark, glancing at the screen. "Oh, a special and interesting system?"

"Yes." Professor Mark frowned. After a moment, he typed another command, but the computer screen still displayed "FAIL" in bold letters.

He hesitated to try again. "I've already failed twice. If I fail a third time, it could trigger some special programs."

"Wise choice," Tony agreed.

Professor Mark shot Tony a puzzled look. "Who are you?"

"Nice to meet you..." Tony shook hands with Professor Mark, then moved over to the computer, inspecting it closely before crawling under the desk for a better look.

He was thorough, examining everything from the monitor and camera to the main CPU case.

"Interesting," Tony said as he stood up and walked back to Arthur. "Let's head back for now and let everyone get some rest. I need about an hour to crack the computer's startup program. Of course, I don't plan to stay here all night. Just come by tomorrow to check in with me."

Arthur didn't say much, but seeing Tony's confidence, he didn't argue. After giving Parker a subtle nod, he led Tony back to his house.

"So convenient," Tony remarked, looking around and confirming it was indeed his home. "This ability is perfect for facilitating human travel. By the way, do you think there will be issues with energy tracking? If someone notices, could they trace your destination based on the energy trail?"

"I can't say for sure," Arthur replied.

"Alright, if you're unsure, let me take a crack at it," Tony said, moving over to the workbench. "The computer you showed me isn't as simple as I thought. It'll require quite a bit of technology, but fortunately, I see it has a port set up, which will allow us to delve deeper into the system's inner workings. However, I need a small piece of equipment to do that, and it'll take me about an hour to build it. Like I said, you can come by tomorrow to pick it up."

"An hour isn't too long or too short. I'll wait here," Arthur said. "The researchers at Camp Lehigh probably won't want to sleep soundly without making any progress, right? Or do you think it's already too late?"

Tony checked the time, continued working at the bench, and asked Arthur, "What's the origin of that computer? Camp Lehigh? That name sounds familiar... I feel like I've heard it somewhere before."

"Probably from your dad," Arthur replied casually.

Tony paused, then nodded seriously. "That sounds right! So, Camp Lehigh... Is that where SHIELD was first established?"

At this point, he turned to Arthur. "What are you doing? Investigating SHIELD?"

"Want to hear a story?" Arthur smiled.

"Of course." Tony turned his head back and continued working, while saying, "But even if it's a SHIELD investigation, I don't trust them much."

"Actually, it's not an investigation into SHIELD," Arthur clarified. "It's Hydra."

"I'm listening!" Tony's hand paused mid-motion.

"After returning from Kamar-Taj, I met with Fury. We came to an agreement..."

To tell a story, you start from the beginning.

Tony didn't mind Arthur elaborating, and while staying busy, he listened to the entire story.

Finally, after installing the last piece of equipment, Tony handed Arthur something resembling a USB drive and said, "So, your goal is to control SHIELD, that's quite ambitious!"

(End of Chapter)

You can read ahead up to 70 chapters on my patreon and I've also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/GGS6395

Arthur glanced at the small device in his hand. "It doesn't look that impressive."

"It's all about the essence," Tony replied earnestly. "Have you been busy investigating them lately?"

"Investigating, capturing people, interrogating... Honestly, you wouldn't believe what I've been up to recently."

Arthur shrugged, the weight of his recent experiences settling on him.

"That time when you and Dr. Banner were attacked outside— was it them behind it?" Tony asked, reaching for the bottle of unfinished wine and pouring another glass for Arthur. "Tonight, their people went to... hmm, Camp Lehigh? This is really important. After their failure, they're probably going to try again, right?"

"Yeah," Arthur nodded.

A sudden smile broke across Tony's face. "You didn't come here just for me to crack the secrets of the computer, did you? You need my help with some fighting, right?"

"If I say no, will that hurt your pride?" Arthur winked.

"Not at all!" Tony grinned.

"Well, then, yes, I do need your help!"

"Honestly, as an old man, only you could lower yourself to ask for help like this," Tony said, his expression turning serious. "What we need is probably not just the data in the computer, but also more people on our side."

"Yeah, the first time they came in a hurry, and I was rushing too, so I could only avoid leaving any survivors. But next time, I plan to give them a surprise."

Arthur took a deep breath. "But the stuff in that computer is key. How long will it take?"

"I can't be sure, but if there are no surprises... three days!" Tony replied. "Unless something unexpected happens, three days should be enough!"

"Alright..." Arthur finished his drink and asked, "By the way, do I just plug this thing in?"

"Of course," Tony said. "It may need some assistance, but I think that old guy can handle this. Once he sees it, he should know what to do."

"I'll head out now," Arthur said. "I probably won't have time to sleep these next few days."

"Be careful; you might die too early..." Tony yawned. "And as a life winner, I'm going to go cuddle my girlfriend..."

Before he could finish, Arthur was already gone.

Tony shook his head, a smirk on his face. "Old people who refuse to accept reality are always so stubborn."

...

Arthur arrived at Camp Lehigh and handed the device Tony had created to Professor Mark.

After that, he returned to Rumlaw's house.

After changing his appearance, it was almost dawn. On his way to SHIELD, Rumlaw's phone rang.

A video file came through from an unmarked number.

When he opened it, Arthur saw 'Star-Lord' wielding a sword and going on a killing spree. The demeanor, the style... it didn't resemble Star-Lord at all.

When he was in character before, it hadn't seemed strange, but now it felt off.

Especially the line, "Why am I killing? Hmm, because you're in my way." It made him cringe.

But once he thought about it being Star-Lord's face saying those words, his heart felt a bit more balanced.

"They really managed to maintain the synchronization?" Arthur blinked, then noticed another message from the number, which was longer.

"Code name: Star-Lord."

"Suspected extraterrestrial species."

"Unknown reasons, sabotage of the 'recycling' plan."

"If discovered, capture at all costs!"

"Highest command! Capture at all costs!"

After reading the information, Arthur fell into deep thought with a smile creeping onto his face.

Releasing The Eye of Horus to observe the surroundings, he suddenly slammed the accelerator and sped off. When he turned around a camera and entered a road's blind spot, he leaped out of the car and dialed a team member's phone: "I found 'Star-Lord', the target's location..."

At that moment, he crushed the phone in his hand.

Leaning against the wall, Arthur exhaled slowly. "So, what will happen next?"

Various thoughts swirled in his mind, but his breathing grew calmer and more composed.

The Eye of Horus hovered high, and all the surrounding information was clear in his mind. His body began to change, transforming into 'Star-Lord's' appearance.

"Rumlaw, if needed in the coming events, can simply 'disappear.'"

"If..."

Arthur's eyes glinted with determination as he waited silently.

It didn't take long— fifteen minutes at most— before Arthur detected someone holding a gun at the three o'clock position, aiming at him from a distance.

At the same time, people were waiting in ambush on the opposite rooftop and at the corners of the alley.

He tightened his collar and walked deeper into the alley.

However, at that moment, gunfire erupted.

Arthur quickly turned, grabbing something in his hand— a tranquilizer dart!

"Are they underestimating me?" He muttered, feeling a surge of anger. Not only he but even the real Star-Lord wouldn't be taken down by something like this. Did they really think the Half Celestial was a joke?

In an instant, several smoke grenades fell from above. Before they hit the ground, Arthur dashed forward with incredible speed, kicking each one back.

On the opposite rooftop, smoke billowed, creating a mystical scene.

The people hiding at the alley corner had planned to rush in and capture him when the smoke grenades landed. However, with the grenades gone, they rushed out only to find Arthur standing right in front of them, looking extremely awkward.

Arthur blinked, grinned, and casually pulled out another smoke grenade, throwing it to the ground. The smoke engulfed the area, blocking the sniper's line of sight. He then charged directly toward the members of the 'SHIELD Rapid Response Team.'

As the smoke cleared, a sniper in a building 800 meters away suddenly realized that both his target and his teammates had vanished.

His heart raced as he turned to leave, but as he looked back, he saw 'Star-Lord's' large face.

This sinister 'Star-Lord' bared his teeth and flashed a wicked grin... The next second, the sniper lost consciousness.

"This rapid response team, from the Captain to the members, has all been 'packed up and taken away' by me."

Arthur arrived at the window and saw that the alley he had been in earlier was once again surrounded by combat personnel armed with weapons.

"Every day they point guns at me, do they really think I don't know how to use one?"

(End of Chapter)