After hearing Arthur's answer, Tony fell silent for a few seconds, then said softly, "Thank you."
Before Arthur could reply, the communication cut off in the very next second.
Arthur glanced at Pietro standing right beside him, then smiled. "In this world, there are always some things where we have to make our own decisions. Not every decision is about following someone else's arrangements."
"Is that… cool?" Pietro wasn't entirely sure.
Arthur nodded. "Very cool."
Switching communication channels, the connection was quickly established. Arthur bade farewell to Pietro and said as he walked, "I need to know exactly what happened."
After Natasha retold the entire incident in full detail, Arthur realized he didn't even know what kind of attitude or emotions he should use to face it.
Things hadn't developed into the worst possible outcome. Both of them were still alive, and as long as they were alive, maybe that was already the best result. As for Tony and Bucky shaking hands and making peace the moment they met, Arthur hadn't even entertained such a thought.
And if Tony had remained overly silent, then what followed might have been the beginning of a violent storm. Having it explode directly like this instead actually made things feel a bit easier to bear.
"This is probably the best outcome," Arthur said.
Natasha replied, "It's just hard to say whether Tony can keep it up…"
"We have no right to demand anything of him," Arthur said. "And right now, his demand is to wipe out Hydra. Natasha, from this moment on, the intelligence division is to operate at full strength. All intelligence related to Hydra is to be made available on the personal terminals of the combat personnel. Not just the few of us—we need large-scale coordination."
"Understood," Natasha said. "There's something else… S.H.I.E.L.D. has been dissolved."
"Dissolved?" Arthur froze for a moment, as if countless images blinked before his eyes. Finally, he frowned. "When did this happen?"
"Three hours ago," Natasha replied. "Of course, although the name is still being retained, the overall structure has already been dismantled."
"Even Fury would have trouble pulling that off," Arthur said. "Unless he's been preparing for this for a very long time."
"Probably," Natasha said. "That's why I now suspect that the intelligence line Fury gave us may also have some unexpected variables."
"Very possible." Arthur immediately understood what she meant. After pondering for two seconds, he continued, "Verify the reliability of that intelligence line as quickly as possible. If Fury trusts it, then perhaps from today onward, all the secrets that S.H.I.E.L.D. once controlled will end up in our hands."
"That's what I was thinking too. And as for our current situation…" Natasha smiled. "Captain and Hawkeye are now unemployed. Should we do some work on Hawkeye's side?"
"I will leave it to you," Arthur said. "When I get back, our team might have grown again."
"We're always growing," Natasha said with a smile.
Arthur, however, couldn't quite bring himself to smile. He let out a soft sigh. "I'm more worried about Tony."
"He's very strong," Natasha said. "I believe he'll get through this."
"That's my sincere hope as well," Arthur nodded seriously.
"Then that's it?" Natasha said. "Oh, right… Lily should be coming back in a few days, right?"
"Uh…" Arthur calculated the time and felt that it was indeed about right, while their own voyage was only just past the halfway point…
"I think she must be hoping that, this time when she returns, you'll be there to welcome her," Natasha said. "Come back early. I think, just like me, she only has one wish for you… that you come back safely."
Arthur looked at his own face reflected in the spaceship's glass, gently rubbed it, and said softly, "Alright."
The communication ended. Arthur stood there in a daze for a while, then walked toward the far end…
…
…
No matter how distant space travel might be, it would eventually reach its destination.
"Up ahead is the Vormir Star you mentioned."
Banner, who was piloting the spaceship, looked at the images fed back on the display and said to Arthur beside him, "Do we jump straight down and shout 'We're here, let's dance together,' or do we hold a combat meeting first?"
Arthur pulled his gaze back from the deep, boundless void of space and activated the cloaking device. "Notify everyone to gather in the meeting room."
Five minutes later, the spaceship temporarily halted its movement. In the meeting room, Arthur looked at everyone present.
Including Mordo, no one spoke. All of them quietly watched Arthur.
"The destination has been reached. At most, we'll be landing on Vormir Star in two hours. Everyone, do you all have your things with you?"
During this long journey, not all the time had been spent searching for entertainment. For much of it, Mordo had gone to great lengths to prepare an amulet for each person.
Intricate magic arrays were carved into them, said to be capable of protecting the soul.
This was mainly meant to deal with the Soul Stone.
As for the exact effectiveness, even Mordo didn't dare guarantee it would absolutely work.
But at this point, there seemed to be no other way to guard against it.
"Of course. I wear it even when I sleep," Spiderman raised his hand and said. "So can we set off now?"
Arthur let out a breath. "Honestly, with so many of us facing just one person, under normal circumstances, there's basically no need for a pre-battle meeting…"
As he said this, he glanced at Steve.
Steve shrugged, looking at the powerful team gathered in the meeting room. "Right now, I feel like we're the villains."
All along, the battles had usually been against enemies with vast forces, while the superheroes were few in number—one person charging into battle, ultimately dismantling the enemy's grand plot to destroy the world.
But now…
It really felt like a party teaming up to grind a boss.
"That's good. At least it helps solidify our resolve and our goal," Arthur smiled. "Then, protect your souls well… let's move out!"
The order to land was given. In the next second, the spaceship adjusted its trajectory and plunged toward the atmosphere.
There wasn't much to say about the process. Once they crossed into the atmosphere, Arthur had already activated the Eye of Horus and begun searching for Red Skull's whereabouts.
Two hours later, the spaceship landed.
Arthur led everyone, fully geared in their combat suits, as they set foot on this planet steeped in mystery!
(End of chapter)
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