Chapter 75: What a Massive Mine! Finder's Keepers
The underwater volcano erupted violently, shaking the entire ocean floor. Molten lava surged from both the seafloor and the newly formed volcanic peaks.
The ocean floor collapsed dramatically, sending tsunami waves over a hundred feet high crashing in all directions. Five massive mountain-sized forms slowly emerged from the depths of the Indian Ocean.
Ryan removed his Ten Rings and handed one to Sersi. She immediately began running toward the nearest volcanic emergence point. The remaining Eternals gathered in a circle around Ryan.
Thena, Sprite, Druig, Kingo, Makkari, and Ryan himself all channeled their cosmic energy into the Ten Rings.
A tremendous surge of power flowed into the artifacts, manifesting as brilliant golden cosmic energy that formed a direct transmission line, instantly connecting to Sersi's ring on the distant shore.
BOOM
Before Sersi could reach her destination, the ground beneath her feet suddenly gave way, revealing a gleaming golden surface stretching beyond the horizon.
She was standing directly on the palm of the Celestial Tiamut—a vast expanse of divine flesh extending as far as the eye could see.
With determination, Sersi pressed both hands against the golden surface, instantly unleashing her matter transmutation abilities.
As cosmic energy from the other Eternals flowed through the rings, Sersi's transmutation powers amplified exponentially, rapidly converting Tiamut's hand from living tissue to solid stone, then spreading the transformation throughout his entire massive form.
Tiamut's golden hand, which had been pushing skyward, gradually turned white under Sersi's transmutation power, its emergence from the ocean floor grinding to a halt.
But Sersi didn't cease her efforts. More energy poured through the connection, and the petrification effect flowed down Tiamut's arm toward the Earth's core, finally reaching the Celestial's enormous head that had begun breaking through the surface on the opposite side of the ocean.
Just as the group was about to succeed in their desperate mission, the Alpha Deviant Kro, who had escaped their previous encounter, silently appeared behind them.
He glared at them with malevolent, predatory eyes, then charged at maximum speed.
"ROAAR!" Kro leaped high into the air, ready to interrupt the critical ceremony.
Suddenly, with an answering roar, Blonsky transformed into the Abomination, launching himself upward and slamming Kro aside with tremendous force.
Ryan had anticipated this possibility and wasn't caught unprepared. Moreover, there wasn't just one enhanced operative protecting them.
Steel Payne and Death Blade Anthony, accompanied by nearly thirty super-soldiers, emerged from concealed positions in all directions, surrounding Kro in a coordinated assault.
Ryan, still channeling energy through the rings, turned and shouted, "Take him alive!"
Half of Tiamut's massive head had already broken through the ocean surface. Sersi continued pouring concentrated cosmic energy into the Celestial, steadily petrifying his entire planetary-sized body.
Moments later, the divine light in Tiamut's enormous eyes gradually faded, and the crisis threatening Earth's very existence was finally averted.
The exhausted Eternals collapsed to the ground, completely drained from their efforts.
Ryan gestured casually, and Sersi's Ten Ring instantly flew back to rejoin the others on his wrist.
"I'll handle that creature," he announced.
With a single powerful leap, Ryan bounded over a hundred meters, and in two additional jumps, arrived before the captured Alpha Deviant.
"GRAAAHH!"
Kro roared defiantly, shoving aside the Abomination. Just as he was about to rise and continue fighting, Ryan landed directly in front of him.
Clad in golden cosmic energy armor, Ryan clasped both fists together and delivered a devastating blow to Kro's forehead.
CRACK
The Alpha Deviant's four eyes rolled back in his skull as he was knocked unconscious.
"Secure him with vibranium restraints!"
Deviant specimens were invaluable experimental subjects, and this particular Alpha Deviant—having absorbed the cosmic energies of both Ajak and Gilgamesh—represented an unprecedented research opportunity.
Ryan then contacted his communications officer via encrypted channel.
"Is everything prepared as requested?"
The response came immediately: "The Navy has dispatched three carrier battle groups to establish a security perimeter around this region."
Ryan nodded with satisfaction. "Inform General Ross that this area is now under my direct authority. Tell him to deploy specialized mining teams immediately. I'm relocating my primary research facility here, and he'll provide the necessary equipment and construction resources."
Ryan didn't know the exact composition of Celestial physiology, but he understood that after Sersi's transmutation process, Tiamut's remains had been converted into Adamantium—one of the most indestructible metals in the universe.
The sheer quantity of Adamantium now available was staggering, and its strategic value was immeasurable.
Whoever could secure access to significant Adamantium reserves would possess decisive influence in shaping the future global balance of power.
Three months had elapsed since the Celestial Emergence crisis.
During this period, several major developments had occurred. First, General Ross had successfully won the presidential election, bringing the organization he had founded—the Eternal Order—to unprecedented heights of political influence.
Second, international disputes over the ownership of Celestial Island were intensifying, though no foreign power dared attempt an actual landing.
Initially, several nations had tried to establish footholds on the island, but their forces were subsequently thrown into the ocean by Ryan's chief enforcer, the Abomination.
The most serious incident involved a military confrontation with India. Ryan personally led a strike team of thirty super-soldiers and annihilated an entire Indian naval fleet, instantly forcing India to abandon all territorial claims.
Third, Ryan had relocated his primary research complex to Celestial Island and constructed an industrial-scale mining operation specifically designed to extract Adamantium from Tiamut's remains.
Ryan arrived at Celestial Island via military helicopter, observing the palace complex under construction rising in the distance.
"Ryan, it's time for us to say our farewells," Sersi approached with the remaining Eternals.
Thena and Sprite would remain with Ryan until his research facilities were completed, at which point he would address their medical conditions as promised.
Kingo would return to Mumbai to continue his career in Bollywood entertainment. Druig and Makkari would pilot the Domo spacecraft to search for other Eternals scattered across distant planets.
Sersi would return to London to spend the remainder of her extended lifespan with her boyfriend, Dane Whitman.
"I'm entrusting Thena and Sprite to your care. Contact us immediately if you require any assistance."
Ryan nodded diplomatically. "Until we meet again."
After seeing off Sersi and the departing Eternals, Ryan proceeded to his newly constructed laboratory complex, which housed all of his experimental materials—including the still-living Alpha Deviant Kro.
Having absorbed the cosmic energies of both Ajak and Gilgamesh, Kro had evolved into a fully sentient being with enhanced intelligence.
He sat quietly within his reinforced containment cell, staring intently at Thena outside.
Ryan approached, and Thena—without turning around—whispered grimly, "This abomination killed Gilgamesh. You should allow me to execute it."
Ryan chuckled softly. "Don't worry. I'll grant your request for vengeance, but it requires patience."
A living specimen would naturally provide far greater research value, and since this was an Alpha Deviant, Ryan intended to study it exhaustively.
Thena didn't object to the temporary delay. Gilgamesh had been her companion for thousands of years, helping her manage her Mahd Wy'ry condition. To think he had lost his life in those final moments—Thena wanted nothing more than to tear Kro apart with her bare hands.
"Simply monitor the containment and ensure it doesn't escape or die. Beyond that, the creature is yours to watch over."
Thena's Mahd Wy'ry wasn't yet curable, but with regular applications of the neural inhibitor Ryan had developed, episodes were now virtually preventable.
Ryan proceeded to his private research section, unlocking the twenty-centimeter-thick titanium door with biometric and password authentication.
Inside, he approached a climate-controlled cabinet filled with various blood samples, experimental serums, and test tubes containing specialized compounds.
All equipment from the military laboratory, along with the serums and even the immortal test subject Calvin Hollis, had been relocated to Celestial Island.
Surveying his accumulated resources, Ryan felt a surge of professional satisfaction.
After extensive effort, he had assembled an impressive collection of enhanced genetic materials.
He extracted a blood sample from Ikaris and prepared for analysis, hoping to uncover genetic markers related to the Eternal's flight capabilities.
However, the research proved more complex than Ryan had anticipated—nearly impossible with current technology.
Beep, beep, beep
The laboratory intercom activated, followed by Death Blade Anthony's distinctive voice.
"Doctor, President Ross requests an immediate meeting."
"Understood. I'll be right there."
Ryan removed his laboratory coat and exited the research facility. Outside in the central plaza, President Ross waited with an entourage of federal officials.
"Dr. Ryan," Ross greeted him with a diplomatic smile.
"Allow me to introduce my colleagues. These are cabinet ministers and key members of our Eternal Order."
The federal ministers nodded respectfully toward Ryan.
Ryan acknowledged them with a slight nod, then gestured. "Let's discuss matters over there."
They were standing at the heart of Celestial Island's construction zone. To the east rose the palace complex under development. North stood Ryan's research and development center. Directly south, facing the laboratory, were temporary residential quarters for his personnel.
West of the palace stretched a broad thoroughfare extending to the temporary harbor facilities. Numerous temporary structures had been erected along both sides of the road.
Observing this architectural layout, Ross immediately understood Ryan's intentions: he was treating Celestial Island as sovereign territory under his absolute control.
Ross also recognized many familiar faces throughout the facility—the thirty super-soldiers enhanced with his experimental serums, Emil Blonsky in his Abomination form, and the two volunteer test subjects, Payne and Anthony, whom he had personally assigned to Ryan's research program.
These individuals were either conducting security patrols or supervising construction operations.
Ryan, noticing the expression in the new president's eyes, smiled diplomatically. "I'm only temporarily utilizing these personnel. They'll be returned to military service when appropriate."
This explanation was intended to preserve the president's dignity, though everyone understood the likelihood of their actual return.
Ryan couldn't develop Celestial Island single-handedly, and Ross had been instrumental in providing support during his rise to the presidency, making continued cooperation mutually beneficial.
They proceeded to a temporary administrative office and took seats. Ryan spoke first: "Mr. President, you've traveled here with your entire cabinet—surely this isn't merely a social visit?"
President Ross nodded and cleared his throat. "International disputes regarding Celestial Island's sovereignty continue escalating. I'm here primarily to discuss your position on these matters."
Celestial Island actually consisted of two distinct landmasses: one containing Tiamut's head and the other containing his right hand. The remainder of the Celestial's body lay buried beneath the ocean floor and deep underground.
Despite stringent security measures, information about the Adamantium deposits had inevitably leaked to international intelligence agencies.
As one of the most valuable materials in the known universe, Adamantium was naturally coveted by every major power. Whether utilized for industrial applications or military purposes, it would undoubtedly provide decisive technological advantages—potentially elevating nations to entirely different levels of capability.
The strategic gap would be comparable to that between Wakanda and the technologically primitive nations surrounding it.
Several private corporations had attempted underwater mining operations. Any vessels caught in the area were confiscated and their crews sent to Celestial Island as forced laborers.
Currently, portions of Celestial Island were managed by contracted mining companies, while the remaining workforce consisted entirely of captured Indian military personnel.
Ryan, understanding that Ross was also interested in securing Adamantium access, responded calmly: "I'm willing to share Adamantium resources, but not immediately. Let's revisit this discussion after we've fully established our operations here."
Developing Celestial Island required more than personnel—electricity, fuel, population, food supplies, and countless other necessities all depended on external support. Without assistance from President Ross and federal resources, Celestial Island couldn't have reached its current level of development so rapidly.
Since Ross had made the journey personally, Ryan couldn't allow him to return empty-handed.
"I've prepared some samples for your research teams. You can transport them back for analysis."
Ryan's gesture preserved Ross's political standing. The president accepted graciously, exchanged diplomatic pleasantries, then transitioned to discussing additional matters of mutual interest.
End of Chapter 75
If you enjoyed this chapter, leave a Power Stone or Review!
P@atreon/Soulforger (45+ advanced chapters)
Buy me coffee - ko-fi*com/soulforger01