When Antony called out to him, the raccoon didn't even turn his head.
"Don't call me 'Mr.' Every time you do, it means trouble!"
"This time it's good news," Antony replied with a grin. "I need your technical support."
"I need a communications system capable of transmitting real-time high-definition video across half the galaxy, ignoring spatial distance entirely."
"Interstellar livestreaming?"
Rocket finally turned around.
His mouth stretched into a grin, revealing sharp teeth.
"Now that sounds interesting."
"That would require a high-power quantum entanglement array… and we'd probably need to hack into the Kree relay network…"
Antony smiled at him.
"You can do it."
"After all, you're the smartest genius in the galaxy, right?"
"Hah!"
Rocket snorted with contempt.
"Of course I can!"
"Something this simple? I could build it out of scrap metal!"
"But…"
Rocket rubbed his paws together greedily.
"This is high-end work."
"Extra pay."
"No problem."
Antony waved casually and pointed toward Thor.
"Put it on his tab."
"PFFFT—!"
Thor nearly spat out the Vought energy drink he had just taken a sip of.
"Why is it always me?!"
But he quickly recovered and passed the burden upward.
"Put it on Odin's account!"
"Asgard has enough money to buy half the galaxy!"
"Deal!"
Rocket jumped excitedly.
One more job like this and he'd finally have enough money to buy a new spaceship.
Everyone watching the scene burst into laughter.
But there was no mockery in it.
Only warmth.
Steve shook his head with a smile and said to Natasha:
"Sometimes he's really narcissistic… and loves showing off."
"But I have to admit…"
"In moments like this, he actually feels…"
"Kind of adorable?" Natasha finished with a faint smile.
"Maybe that's why everyone's willing to follow him."
"At least he isn't hypocritical."
Everyone knew Antony loved attention.
Loved the spotlight.
But so what?
He was actually doing things.
Actually protecting the world.
A hero with a bit of vanity and a few flaws was far more likable than a flawless statue.
"Alright!"
Antony clapped his hands.
"Preparation phase complete."
"Skynet, notify the media."
"I'll give a final speech before departure."
"Jessica, go find Dave for intensive combat filming training."
"Rocket, build your equipment."
"Everyone else—carry out your assignments."
Antony walked to the window.
He looked out at the endless sky.
"Destination: Ego's Planet."
"Let's go beat the hell out of that bastard."
Notification! Special Popularity +5000!
(From Jessica Jones)
Notification! Special Popularity +3000!
(From Steve Rogers)
Notification! Special Popularity +3000!
(From Natasha Romanoff)
Notification! Special Popularity +—
-----
On the Other Side of the Earth
Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
Under a lead-gray sky, the abandoned city of Pripyat stood silently amid radioactive dust.
A forbidden zone for humanity.
But paradise for the Skrulls.
New Skrullos.
Two figures walked through the ruined city square toward a massive cooling tower.
Talos entered a complex code.
The seemingly abandoned concrete wall slowly split open, revealing a hidden elevator descending underground.
"I hope your people will listen to reason," Fury said as the elevator doors closed.
"My patience—and time—are running out."
"They will listen," Talos replied, straightening his collar as if reassuring himself.
"I'm their general."
…
Inside the underground base, tens of thousands of Skrulls had gathered.
All eyes were fixed on the central platform.
Two figures stood there.
One was Talos, the current Skrull leader and long-time advocate of the moderate faction.
The other—
Nick Fury.
To avoid unnecessary explanations, Fury had used a Widow's Veil disguise device to restore his original Black appearance.
"This is our decision."
Fury's voice echoed through the loudspeakers, firm and unyielding.
"All infiltration operations will stop immediately."
"All replaced humans will be released."
"And then…"
"…we surrender to humanity."
"…and to Homelander."
The words dropped into the crowd like a bomb.
For ten seconds—
Absolute silence.
Then the explosion came.
"Surrender?!"
An enraged voice shattered the quiet.
"Surrender to a human?!"
"We are proud Skrull warriors!"
"We've conquered star systems!"
"We've fought the Kree Empire!"
"And now you want us to beg forgiveness from a human in tights?!"
The crowd erupted like a volcano about to explode.
"Talos! Have you lost your mind?!"
"This is your plan? Surrender?"
"Fury is a traitor!"
"He lied to us before and he's lying to us now!"
Talos stepped forward, raising his hand.
"Brothers and sisters, listen to me!"
"This isn't surrender—it's survival!"
"Homelander already knows we exist!"
"You've seen his power on television!"
"If we resist, there is only one outcome—extinction!"
"Fury has bought us a chance."
"If we cooperate… if we prove we mean no harm…"
"We can survive on this planet!"
"I refuse!!"
A furious roar echoed through the vast hall.
"Survive?"
"Like rats?!"
A younger voice filled with hostility cut through Talos's speech.
The crowd parted.
A tall young Skrull stepped forward.
Gravik.
Leader of the radical faction.
Hero of the younger generation.
He walked beneath the platform and looked up at Talos and Fury.
Ambition burned in his eyes.
"Talos…"
"You're old."
His voice was cold and sharp.
"Your spine was broken during decades of running and hiding."
"You only know how to beg."
"How to compromise."
"And you believe the words of this human liar?"
He pointed at Fury with open contempt.
"He deceived us for twenty years!"
"He promised us a home!"
"And now he wants to sell us to an even more dangerous human!"
"So your grand plan is what?"
"To wag our tails like dogs for a new master?"
"Gravik!" Talos shouted angrily.
"Watch your words!"
"This is for the survival of our species!"
"Survival my ass!"
Gravik suddenly leapt onto the platform and snatched the microphone.
"My fellow Skrulls!"
He faced thousands of eyes and raised his voice.
"Why should we fear humans?"
"We are stronger!"
"We have better technology!"
"We can become any one of them!"
"This planet…"
"…belongs to the strong!"
He spread his arms wide, presenting his vision.
"I have a better plan."
"No begging."
"No charity."
"No submission."
--------------
T/N:
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