Chapter 273 the Establishment of the Men in Black

"Oh, what the matter?"

Anton became increasingly surprised and asked, "What could possibly need my involvement? Are you guys contacting Batman for a White House medal ceremony again?"

"No."

John Kler smiled and said, "It not good to talk in detail over the phone. We need you to come to Washington immediately, we'll discuss the specifics in person. Don't worry, it definitely good news."

"Alright, I'm on my way."

Anton hung up the phone, pondered for a moment, and then took out his mobile phone to contact Betty.

A few hours later.

A plane took off from New York and soon arrived in Washington.

At the airport.

Kler personally greeted him, and they drove towards the White House.

"This formal?"

Anton said, "I have a feeling this isn't good news."

"If this isn't considered good news, then your standards are too high," Kler replied.

"What exactly is it?"

Anton was genuinely curious he really didn't understand what benefit there could be for him in this.

"You know, aliens have visited Earth long before the 21st century, and of course, your Justice League probably knows this fact better than we do," Kler changed the topic abruptly. "Since the last alien invasion by Lang, it become a well-known fact that aliens are around, and after the recent battle in New York, we've realized that Earth is entering a new era. The constant visits from aliens have put Earth in a very precarious situation…"

Anton interrupted, "Wait a minute, what does any of this have to do with me?"

"It very much related," Kler said. "We were planning to establish a special department, indirectly governed by the military but directly accountable to the White House, to handle extraterrestrial crises and even act as a direct intermediary between humans and aliens."

Anton narrowed his eyes, a lightbulb going off, somewhat enlightened: "So, you're planning to invite me to join this department?"

"Yes," Kler confirmed. "We were planning to invite you to head this department."

Anton eyes widened now he was truly surprised.

"Wait a minute, you just said that you were planning to do this. What changed now?"

He regained his composure, catching the past tense in Kler words, which sounded off.

"As you said, the situation has changed, but it doesn't affect you you are still our choice for the head of the department," Kler continued, paused for a moment, and then spread his hands, adding, "However, when the World Security Council was discussing how to handle SHIELD, china learned about our plans in advance. Therefore, along with a few other permanent members, they wanted to intervene and transform this organization from a national to a United Nations format."

"In other words, this department no longer belongs to the United States but to the United Nations… or perhaps, to the World Security Council?"

Anton understood now, quite astonished: "Doesn't that mean I'll be colleagues with SHIELD?"

"In a way, yes," Kler nodded. "But don't worry about SHIELD they no longer pose any danger to you. Your authority is much higher than SHIELD, not on the same level."

"Our authority is that high?" Anton caught the implication, raising an eyebrow.

"It not that your authority is high, but that SHIELD authority has been forcibly reduced."

Kler explained, "In fact, the World Security Council initially wanted to disband SHIELD, but considering some responsibilities SHIELD handles, they withdrew that decision. Of course, punishment was inevitable. The final decision of the World Security Council was to revoke most of SHIELD powers, retaining only their law enforcement authority in various countries to deal with the Hydra organization lurking around the world."

After a pause, he added, "Moreover, the Avengers have been confirmed to disband. They and everyone around the world mostly agree that the Avengers are an uncontrollable factor."

"This indeed is good news."

Anton showed a smile.

Although he felt that SHIELD wouldn't be missed even if it were disbanded, he had to admit that dissolving SHIELD wasn't practical.

SHIELD was annoying, yet they bore some responsibilities.

In other words, they were a hassle.

If SHIELD were dissolved, who would take over these hassles?

From John Kler words, one could understand that SHIELD had most of its powers taken away by the World Security Council. From now on, SHIELD wouldn't be able to meddle in many matters. Their main task now would be to clean up their own past messes, like the Hydra organization.

Of course, the dissolution of the Avengers didn't surprise Anton at all.

The current Avengers didn't have uniqueness.

The Justice League could completely replace the Avengers in protecting Earth.

Additionally, the U.S. military special forces were originally intended to counter the Avengers and some of SHIELD functions.

Thus, the existence of the Avengers, in some respects, was rather a burden.

A burden despised by all.

Being dissolved was considered "no great loss."

"I was planning to let you learn about this from the news tomorrow since SHIELD and the Avengers existence is no secret to the public. But seeing your curiosity, I don't mind telling you in advance."

Kler laughed, "The World Security Council ruling on SHIELD and the Avengers is basically as stated. After all, SHIELD brought this upon themselves."

Anton asked, "Has SHIELD accepted this?"

Kler replied, "They have caused major incidents one after another, and even the World Security Council is unwilling to continue protecting them. If they don't accept this punishment, then dissolution is the only path left of course, they have no say in this."

"You're right they brought this upon themselves."

Anton pondered, then said, "Speaking of which, with the Avengers disbanded, haven't you thought about bringing Captain America back into the military? Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, has already been handed over to you, right? Haven't you thought about using Bucky to lure the Captain?"

"That a bit troublesome we haven't completely removed Hydra brainwashing from Bucky."

Kler smile faded, and he spoke seriously, "However, there indeed is such a plan. Captain America is our military iconic figure we can't let him be driven by SHIELD all the time."

As he spoke, the car stopped.

"We've arrived."

Kler said, "This is the new department office from now on, this new office belongs to you. But you can rest assured, this is just your office in Washington. For various reasons, we're planning to set up the headquarters in New York."

Anton looked up.

UFO Police Force.

"That name doesn't sound very appealing."

Anton commented.

"The name has already been decided. We have prepared special uniforms for you, a set of black suits using new technology with strong protective features. Moreover, wearing these suits on the street, you'll look like a business person, perfectly blending into the crowd without attracting any attention."

Kler continued, "For this purpose, there are also many high-tech devices at your disposal. The annual budget is enough for you to spend freely."

Black suits?

Anton suddenly found this scene very familiar.

"Men in Black?"

Anton pondered for a moment, taken aback, "Isn't this just like MIB?"

Kler paused, then laughed, "Men in Black, that a good name."