"…Their locations are distributed with extreme strategic significance: beneath the New York Sanctum's underground pipeline network (abnormal energy disturbances), the Siberian permafrost zone (an ancient ruin awakening), the heart of the Sahara Desert (a spatial distortion point), deep within the Amazon rainforest (life energy being devoured), the Mariana Trench in the Pacific (a newly formed abyss rift), beneath the Antarctic ice sheet (an unknown building complex detected), and… London's city center (wide-scale reports of mass mental abnormalities)!"
Every location that was read out made the agents' expressions turn uglier by the second. These places were either densely populated metropolises—or regions so extreme they were nearly impossible to enter.
"According to this…" Fury's gaze shifted to the Watcher's projection.
"You may call me 'Watcher,'" the mysterious figure said calmly.
"…According to the Watcher's intel, and the files we just recovered," Fury continued, "the Abyss Throat has deployed powerful dark guardians at each node, and they may already be carrying out the final activation ritual. Our objective is clear: before they fully activate and form connections, we destroy every node—stop the Shadow of Nothingness from descending!"
He rapidly pulled up a deployment chart.
"We don't have time. We split up!"
"Natasha, Barton—you take a team to Siberia! The environment is brutal; we'll need your survival and infiltration skills."
"Hill—you're responsible for the Sahara. Mobilize the desert rapid-response units to support you."
"Melinda—the Amazon is yours. Watch for biological abnormalities in the rainforest."
"Fitz, Simmons—you provide technical support across the board. At the same time, analyze London's anomaly and find the source of the mental control."
"Rumlow—Crossbones—you take an assault unit to the Mariana Trench. Equip the Crystalglow deep-sea detection suits."
Fury's gaze finally landed on Saitama and Phil. In his single eye, resolve flashed cold and sharp.
"As for the node with the highest readings—the most complex situation—and the place most likely to encounter the Abyss Throat's core forces… the New York Sanctum's underground node…"
"Saitama. Phil. You two will lead an elite squad and take responsibility for it. I'll prioritize the latest energy-suppression gear and heavy firepower for you."
"Understood!" Phil accepted the order.
Saitama nodded, concise as ever. "Leave it to me."
"Watcher," Fury said to the projection, "your power and knowledge are vital to us. Can you—"
"I will go to Antarctica," Watcher cut him off. "Beneath that ice sheet is an important Abyss Throat research base and an energy amplifier. Destroying it will sever the energy linkage between the other nodes. I will act alone."
His tone left no room for argument.
Fury didn't object. "Fine. Stay in contact. Operation codename: 'Dawn Break'! Remember—we're racing against destruction! Move out!"
The order went out, and all of S.H.I.E.L.D. began moving like a perfectly tuned war machine.
Saitama and Phil didn't rest for even a moment. They headed straight for the armory.
A squad of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most elite field agents was already assembled—faces grim, checking their energy weapons and specialized protective suits.
"Underground New York…" Phil said as he quickly strapped on his tactical vest, glancing at Saitama. "Those pipes are a maze, the space is sealed tight, and dark cultists and monsters could be everywhere. Saitama-san… this might be even nastier than the seafloor."
(End of Chapter)
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