Chapter 134: The One Appointed by Thanos

From the woman's ruthless and decisive killing technique, it was clear she was a formidable character. The spear, capable of manifesting three tracking beams of light, left a particularly deep impression on Luke. Someone wielding such a weapon was certainly no mere small fry.

Unfortunately, the video footage was blurry, and the woman’s face was visible for only a fleeting moment. He could only form a rough conjecture in his mind.

After a moment of silence, Luke spoke up: "Assistant, will this affect our progress?"

"The remaining iridium is sufficient for one thermonuclear fusion reaction," Christina provided a piece of good news.

"Good. Halt all research projects immediately, mobilize supercomputers worldwide, and go all-out on the fusion reactor. As soon as the artificial sun is created, launch it!"

"Understood, Master!"

After ending the call, Luke looked up to find Tony and the others watching him.

"What, something happened?" Tony had keenly overheard the mention of iridium and the fusion reactor, and seeing Luke’s current grim expression—looking like someone who had just ruined his good mood—he grew suspicious.

"There’s been another issue at the research facility," Luke sighed. "I imagine Nick Fury has received the news as well."

Sure enough, no sooner had he finished speaking than a figure entered the laboratory—it was Fury.

"The kid’s research facility has just been attacked again, and all the agents I sent have lost contact. Do you have anything to say?" Fury’s gaze swept across the room, lingering pointedly on the "kid."

In all of S.H.I.E.L.D., only Fury dared to address Luke like that.

"The attackers stole the iridium," Luke said, spreading his hands.

"Iridium again?" Fury frowned. "What purpose does that thing serve? Was this done by Loki’s accomplices? How many more of them are out there?"

*It would scare you to death if I told you,* Luke thought.

He pondered for a moment before saying, "Iridium is a key material for producing antiprotons. If the Tesseract can open a portal to bring Loki to Earth, then antiprotons would expand that portal hundreds of times and stabilize it."

"What did you say?! Are you trying to tell me that Loki intends to bring more people to Earth?" Fury’s eyes widened.

"Regardless, Loki’s plan is nearing fruition. The person who stole the iridium is extremely strong—no weaker than anyone present here. We can no longer catch up to them."

As Luke spoke, he projected the video.

Consequently, everyone present watched in astonishment as the eerie woman and her black glowing spear appeared.

Fury’s face turned livid.

He had dispatched three full teams, yet they had been completely wiped out! Including the team of scientists and the security detail lost tonight, S.H.I.E.L.D. had suffered heavy losses.

"Do you have any idea where Loki intends to carry out his plan?" Fury asked, looking at the group gravely.

Tony and Banner exchanged glances, lost in thought. Steve Rogers shrugged; he was not the one to ask, as he was still barely familiar with this era.

The group's gazes eventually settled on Luke.

Luke looked helpless: "Why is everyone looking at me? I don’t know either."

He couldn't exactly say he knew everything; that would be too suspicious. However, it was necessary to reveal some information at this point.

Luke chose his words carefully: "If it were me, I would definitely choose a place with high elevation. And it would have to be somewhere that could highlight my status."

"The kid makes a fair point," Fury nodded. "Loki is a prince of Asgard; he is arrogant and conceited. Since he plans to invade Earth, he surely wants everyone to witness him. Therefore..."

After saying this, Fury’s one eye fixed on Tony.

"Stark Tower? That tall, ugly..." Captain America swallowed the rest of his sentence.

Tony realized it too, and was momentarily stunned.

If the portal really opened right above his head, that would be a disaster!

Fury spoke lowly into his earpiece: "Hill, change course. We’re heading back to New York..."

Just then, a sudden change occurred.

*BOOM!*

A loud explosion rocked the Helicarrier, causing it to shudder violently. Caught off guard, everyone fell to the floor. Immediately, the ground beneath them tilted sharply, and items on the laboratory tables tumbled to the ground.

Alarms blared throughout the ship. After scrambling to his feet and steadying himself, Fury asked urgently into his earpiece, "What’s going on!?"

"Sir, we’ve been attacked! Source unknown!" Agent Hill’s anxious voice replied. "One engine is down, and we are losing altitude."

At that moment, another deafening blast echoed.

*BOOM!*

Luke felt the ground shake again. He stayed flat on the floor, protecting his head, thinking to himself, *According to the original plot, the attackers were brought in by Hawkeye, but I already captured him. Could it be...*

Everyone began to stand up, and Captain America helped Luke up from the floor.

Fury told them, "We are falling from tens of thousands of feet. I have ordered everyone to evacuate. Now, it’s up to you."

Captain America nodded immediately.

Tony said, "I’m going to try to repair the engine."

Banner stood there, lost and unsure whether he should transform. But he noticed Luke had already sprinted out first.

By this time, the agents on the bridge were doing their best to stabilize the Helicarrier, but they couldn't stop the descent. Fury’s evacuation order had been issued, and people were running through the corridors.

"The General has arrived."

When Luke found the Four Roses, the four girls were standing calmly together. Beside them were Peter Parker and the snowman, Christina.

Little Spider-Man jumped up, eager to help: "Hey, buddy, is it our turn?"

"Don't be impatient, let’s go out and see what's happening first," Luke smiled faintly.

The group reached the deck and found the situation dire. The deck was tilted severely, and the wind was fierce as the carrier plummeted; it was nearly impossible to stand.

Fortunately, the Warlord and the four Gale mechs were secured by deck-mounted hooks and hadn't fallen off.

Without waiting for Luke’s command, Christina had already activated the five mechs.

The mechs detached their hooks and flew toward them. The small group scrambled into their respective cockpits.

Meanwhile, Iron Man flew out of the carrier, and Captain America followed him to inspect the damaged engines.

Thor’s main concern was Loki; fearing he might escape, he rushed to the containment cell. However, the muscle-brained god was tricked by one of Loki’s tired old illusions and was locked inside the cell instead. Loki had escaped.

Phil Coulson was on his way, carrying a prototype laser gun from the lab.

Combat teams were setting ambushes all over the ship, yet no one had seen any signs of an intruder attempting to board.

Unlike the original plot, it wasn't Hawkeye leading a rescue team, but a woman wielding a spear.

From inside the Warlord, Luke spotted the attacker.

He recognized her instantly as the woman from the video who had stolen the iridium.

She walked across the deck with a leisurely gait, completely unfazed by the powerful wind, a strangely shaped spear emitting a faint fluorescent glow in her hand. Her expression was emotionless, but her words sent a chill down Luke's spine.

"I am Proxima Midnight, one of the Black Order. I have been ordered by Lord Thanos to take you. Apostle, Lord Thanos has specifically requested to see you."