Shifting the Timeline
Following his calculated encounter with Agent Hill, Jax decided it was time to leverage his future knowledge to secure the Tesseract before Loki could fully exploit S.H.I.E.L.D.'s mistakes. His timeline wasn't about to be shattered by an avoidable alien invasion.
"AI, initiate full resource allocation to monitoring the S.H.I.E.L.D. Tesseract research facility. I need real-time data on their energy output and personnel movements," Jax commanded while enjoying his breakfast—a stack of pancakes that required the caloric input of a small army.
"Acknowledged, Mr. Ryder. Utilizing the encrypted data access key provided to Agent Hill. The Omni-Tool Key (Noble Phantasm) has created an undetectable, reverse-engineered link to the S.H.I.E.L.D. network. I am now monitoring the Joint Dark Energy Mission Facility—the J.D.E.M.F."
Jax ate another pancake. "I love the sound of bureaucratic initials in the morning."
A few weeks passed in a blur of intense 50G training and strategic social manipulation. He had several successful 'neighborhood patrol' dates with Janie Carter, increasing her trust and admiration, and he spent hours in video calls with Dr. Lily Chen, feeding her perfectly calibrated hints about cosmic constants and Ki pathways.
The Panic Button
One quiet evening, the A.I.S. flashed a critical alert.
"Critical Alert, Mr. Ryder. J.D.E.M.F. Energy Signature Spiking. Dr. Erik Selvig is attempting to stabilize the Tesseract's output. Projected energy discharge is reaching critical mass. This is the timeline precursor event to the Tesseract portal opening and Loki's arrival."
"They're going to breach the damn dimension early," Jax cursed, jumping up. "I don't have time to put on the Aether suit. AI, prep a non-lethal, high-impact asset from the Gate, and set Instant Transmission for a discreet drop point near the J.D.E.M.F. perimeter."
"Asset selected: The Anti-Magic Stabilization Net (AMSN). Drop point confirmed: Three hundred meters from the facility's main core."
Jax didn't even use the traditional finger-and-forehead position. He simply focused his Ki, and with a silent flash of power, he vanished.
He reappeared behind a cluster of equipment racks inside the facility, the humming, terrifying glow of the Tesseract visible in the distance. The air crackled with uncontrolled cosmic energy, and Jax could feel the dimensional tear beginning to widen. If he was too slow, the portal would open, and Loki would appear.
Jax channeled his Ki into a massive, telekinetic thrust. The effort was exhausting, but it propelled the Anti-Magic Stabilization Net—a shimmering web made of pure anti-magic weave—across the distance.
The AMSN slammed into the Tesseract's containment unit. The blue glow of the cube flared violently, then, instead of bursting into a portal, the energy began to retract, forced back by the counter-energy of the net. The cosmic roar of the unstable dimensional tear sputtered and died.
[A.I.S. Quest Complete! Objective: Prevent Precursor Dimensional Breach.]
[Reward: 75,000 System Points, Item Unlock: Tesseract Data Access (Non-magical, theoretical knowledge).]
Jax immediately activated Instant Transmission again, returning to his loft just as the frantic S.H.I.E.L.D. alarms began to sound across the J.D.E.M.F.
The Scientist's Deduction
Later that evening, Jax received a frantic call from Dr. Lily Chen. She hadn't even waited for a secure line.
"Jax, you won't believe this! The Tesseract almost blew up! But just before it did, there was a massive energy sink—a counter-reaction that completely nullified the kinetic discharge! It was instantaneous! Someone... or something... saved the facility!"
Jax played it cool. "Sounds like your classified S.H.I.E.L.D. tech finally worked, Doctor."
"No! That's the point! S.H.I.E.L.D. tech failed! This signature—this nullification pulse—it matches the Primordial Ki resonance data you gave me! It's the same energy profile as the one that displaced Thor! You know who did this, don't you? It was Aether!"
Lily's voice was vibrating with a potent mix of terror and scientific exhilaration. "I need to see you, Jax. I'm not just asking for a grant anymore. I think I've figured out how to measure the dimension the resonance is coming from. I'm hosting a small gathering tomorrow night—just a few colleagues and me. Please come. We need to talk about multiversal physics—in person."
Jax knew this was a critical pivot. Lily was no longer just intrigued; she was actively trying to understand his power source.
"I'll be there, Doctor," Jax said smoothly. "Wouldn't miss a good theoretical discussion for the world."
[A.I.S. Harem Quest Progression: Intellectual Confession.]
[Dr. Lily Chen's Relationship Status: Overwhelming Scientific Fascination (60% Intellectual Partnership / 40% Deep Personal Reliance). New Quest Unlocked: Attend Lily's Salon (Goal: Become her scientific anchor).]
The Trust Fund Look and the Final Piece
Jax spent the next day preparing. He wasn't going to a party; he was stepping into a den of intellectual vipers who might accidentally trigger his cover identity.
He chose an outfit that projected relaxed, immense wealth: a tailored Italian jacket over a simple, high-quality dark T-shirt and expensive jeans. He looked like the kind of person who owned the island he vacationed on.
Before leaving, he focused on one final preparation.
"AI, I need to know the exact timeline of Loki's inevitable arrival now that the Tesseract event has been delayed. And I need a new, strategic asset from the Gate."
"The Tesseract is now contained, but the event was delayed, not averted. Loki will now arrive via an alternate, more direct dimensional jump—estimated within four to six weeks. This compressed timeline requires immediate action, Mr. Ryder."
"Asset recommendation: Noble Phantasm: The Asgardian Mind-Cloak of Subtle Persuasion. A low-level, continuous psychic energy emission designed to subtly alter the perceptions of anyone focusing on you, making them less likely to question glaring inconsistencies in your stories."
Jax materialized the asset—a faint, invisible silver necklace that instantly wrapped itself around his neck. He felt a mild, psychic pushback on his mind, a layer of effortless charisma settling over his persona.
He took one last look in the mirror, adjusted the invisible Mind-Cloak, and grinned. The clock was ticking, but he was prepared. The night was for physics, charm, and anchoring himself firmly in the brilliant mind of Dr. Lily Chen.