"Be more detailed." Luke couldn't even pay attention to the research at hand for a moment. He cast his gaze on the screen and looked at Nick on the other side of the screen.
"Just as you understand, she only wants to see the three of you." Nick Fury emphasized.
"Are you going to meet all three of us at the same time? Or?" Luke frowned.
"Any one of you will do. All three of you can go at once." Nick's face was not looking good. Although he had been mentally prepared for this for a while, he had never expected that there really was such a profession as a mage in this world! Especially since they were hiding so deeply under the nose of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
SHIELD had discovered aliens, vampires, other dark creatures, and many other strange supernatural life forms, but they were fooled by the Master. In Nick's opinion, this was SHIELD's dereliction of duty!
"What are your thoughts?" Luke was a bit unsure. Although he had planned to meet with the Ancient One, the Sorcerer Supreme, sooner or later, the best time wasn't now. Besides, meeting Stephen Strange was a good idea, as was Tony Stark; after all, both of them had the potential to become the Sorcerer Supreme.
But what does it matter if there's one more person like me among three people?
Could it be that Ancient One wanted him to be his successor?
Luke respectfully declined!
While the Sorcerer Supreme was indeed renowned across the various dimensions, Luke had his own plans for the future. A future dimensional deity, yet now the Sorcerer Supreme? And barring any unforeseen circumstances, upon his death, whether through life or an accident, everything would belong to Vishanti. Luke simply couldn't accept that.
Let Dr. Stephen perform the duties he is supposed to perform.
Of course, not being the Sorcerer Supreme did not prevent Luke from becoming interested in the Sorcerer Supreme's magic books and magical items.
"My advice is, if the other party's purpose is unclear, it's best for both you and Stark not to go." Nick gave an answer that fit his personality perfectly: "I'll have someone arrange for Dr. Strange to go on a long journey. For example, there's a very wealthy person at the destination who needs him to use his medical skills to save his life. What do you think of this excuse?"
"Have you asked Tony?" Luke asked.
"I can't get through to him right now. He must have upgraded his smart system." Nick's tone was not good. "The only way I can contact him now is through Pepper Potts. Or I can go there in person."
"What do you think of that doctor?" Luke asked again. He didn't believe Nick hadn't researched Dr. Stephen before notifying him. Perhaps even before this call, everything he could gather about the doctor, from childhood to adulthood, lay on Nick's desk. Perhaps a few agents skilled in psychological profiling had thoroughly analyzed his personality and laid it out before Nick along with the intelligence.
"Who? Strange? From the information I have collected so far, I can only say that he is an egoist. The only person he cares about with a little emotion may be his ex-girlfriend Christine." Nick quickly gave his conclusion.
"Do you think we can win him over?" Luke asked cryptically, "A deep connection?"
"That depends on how deep the binding is." Nick glanced at Luke sensitively, as if thinking about something.
"Well, I'll go with him. If Tony's willing, all three of us can go." After some thought, Luke finally decided to go. After all, many of his plans required a discussion with the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One. Of course, he also needed to make the necessary preparations before going. At least if you want to gain someone's trust, you have to prove that you're not just talking nonsense.
The reason why he brought Dr. Strange with him was to serve as his shield at the critical moment. After all, compared to doctors, Stephen was also very talented in the profession of Supreme Sorcerer.
"Are you sure?" Nick raised his eyebrows and hesitated at Luke's decision.
"Of course I'm sure." Luke nodded.
"You know, I don't want you to take any risks. If something goes wrong with you, the cooperation between Hebron and S.H.I.E.L.D. will be in turmoil. There will be a lot of trouble." Nick's face was serious. He still had a strong sense of wariness towards those mages, or rather, he had the same vigilance towards anything unknown.
"It's not a risk." Once Luke makes a decision, he won't change it easily.
"Can I know why you went to see the Sorcerer Supreme?" Nick felt Luke's determination and asked in confusion.
"A negotiation that may concern the future way ordinary people and wizards get along with each other." Luke thought for a moment and gave an answer that made Nick frown.
"That's not something you'd say." Nick couldn't help but laugh. "If you tell me you're going to negotiate business with the wizard, maybe that would convince me more."
"That's your prejudice against me. I simply want to help mages better integrate into human society," Luke said. The primary reason mages can remain above the human eye is their sense of belonging, or rather, their lack of need for humanity. Simply put, ordinary people and human society have little to offer them.
They maintain world peace, protecting Earth from invasions by demons from various dimensions, but their purpose isn't to protect humanity. As long as humanity survives extinction, no matter how dire the situation in the human world is, as long as it's not related to the demons, they likely won't intervene. This condescending attitude isn't what Luke wants.
He wasn't satisfied with this situation. What he needed was at least a close relationship of interests between the two parties. Mutual contributions, equal trade, etc. Only then would the relationship be stable and valued.
"If you've made up your mind, then get ready. I'll arrange Dr. Strange's itinerary." Nick didn't intend to continue dissuading Luke. Since he had already made up his mind, he could only accept it. After all, he wasn't his subordinate; he could just give the order, forbidding him from going. He wasn't an official either; Nick could use his connections to find his superiors and stop him.
Luke is the soul of a top company, a person that many senior executives want to make friends with, and a core partner of S.H.I.E.L.D. In terms of status, he is equal to Luke.
"Two days, maybe. In two days, Dr. Strange and I will go see the Sorcerer Supreme. If Tony doesn't go then," Luke gave the time. During these two days, he could make some final technical preparations.