Melinda May's piloting skills were exceptional, but the Bus was no defenseless transport plane. Nor were the agents onboard mere desk workers. As Solomon listened to the muffled explosions outside, the violent tremors of the plane even woke up Father Moru. Finally, Agent May entered the cabin with her usual stoic expression, delivering a report on the skirmish.
The technical jargon flew right over Solomon's head. Terms like "Predator-C drones" and "manufacturer investigation" didn't interest him in the slightest. While the others discussed strategy, he slipped out of the office and made his way to the medical bay. There, his android companion stood guard over the boy and Johnny Blaze, ensuring they didn't mysteriously vanish—after all, no one could predict the devil's tricks. It was better to have surveillance than none. Meanwhile, Nadia, the boy's mother, was still handcuffed to a bed after being sedated to calm her agitation.
Solomon gestured for the android to unlock one of her cuffs and forcibly freed her. "Good morning, madam. Here's some breakfast for you."
However, his kindness wasn't met with gratitude. "What do you want to know?" Nadia snapped. "That Homeland Security or whatever—they already interrogated me. I told them everything I know. When can I see my child?" Dark circles under her eyes had smudged her makeup, leaving a messy streak. "I just want him!"
"Calm down, madam." Solomon pulled a chair over and sat next to her bed. "What I'd like to ask about is your pregnancy—was it through natural means or… something more unusual, like a dream?"
"I already told them!" Nadia slammed her fist against the bed's railing, her voice hoarse. "I told them everything! Can you just tell me how Danny is doing?" Solomon turned to his android.
"Master," the android replied, holding the medical report from the bedside table, "the effects of her sedative wore off a while ago. The medical staff didn't administer much."
"Well, that's at least some good news," Solomon said. "At least I have someone lucid to talk to." He placed the breakfast plate aside. "Are you sure you won't talk about it with me? I'm quite curious about conception through… unconventional means. Apologies, it's a personal research interest—I need the details."
"Not unless I can see Danny," Nadia replied, gradually calming down as she realized Solomon might be someone she could reason with. "Let me see him."
"Madam, he needs proper rest. Your lifestyle doesn't exactly prioritize 'rest.' He's right in the room across from you. As soon as he wakes up, you'll be able to see him." Solomon tapped his fingertips together. "So, can we talk now? I have so many questions about your pregnancy."
"Is this it?" Solomon muttered as he slowly descended from the rear ramp of the transport plane. Having been in the air for so long, stepping onto solid ground gave him a sensation not unlike that of a sailor returning to land. The stark difference between stable earth and the constant vibrations of a long flight was something Solomon always noticed. Whenever he mentioned this to others, they'd tease him for being overly sensitive and even suggest medication—illegal ones included.
As he stepped onto the ground, the scene that greeted him was both desolate and bustling. A barren desert stretched endlessly, but it was filled with agents in black tactical gear armed to the teeth, surrounded by military equipment, including a few desert-camouflaged grenade launchers.
"This seems a bit much," Solomon commented to Nick Fury, gesturing at the overwhelming display of force. "Sure, it's not quite as excessive as the Old Bridge Town incident during Thor, but don't you think this is overkill for some mercenaries and arms dealers?"
"It's not enough," Fury replied as they walked toward the site Father Moru had marked. Agents had already secured the area. It was a monastery carved into the rocky cliffs—a place where ascetic Catholic monks of the flagellant order had lived. According to Father Moru, this was where the purification ritual could take place. Solomon was certain that with the boy's usefulness to Mephisto waning, the devil's forces would soon be desperate. An attack was imminent.
"You saw it yourself—we were attacked," Fury continued, walking alongside Solomon. "Those two drones? They were Predator-C extended-range UAVs, manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. In case you didn't know, that company is a subsidiary of General Dynamics, an American corporation. This means the devil's influence has already infiltrated the U.S. government. I can't guarantee that our next wave of enemies won't include American troops or other unexpected forces. Do you understand? I have to prepare for both the supernatural and the mundane."
"Or maybe you just want to blow both Mephisto's earthly and supernatural forces to smithereens," Solomon said, glancing behind them at the boy, his mother, and the android trailing behind. He had already extracted the answers he wanted from Nadia—answers that resolved some of the questions that had been haunting him.
"As long as the supernatural forces you mentioned aren't as strong as Thor, we'll be fine," Fury said, pointing to a military tent ahead. "Captain Rogers is here, too. He'll help."
"What about Stark?"
"He's busy working on a new Iron Man suit. You should know this—you've worked with him before." Fury waved at Captain Rogers, who was stepping out of the tent to greet them. After the Battle of New York, Rogers' uniform had undergone a redesign, shedding its vintage 1930s cartoonish look for something more modern and functional.
Captain Rogers approached them. "I've spoken to Stark," he said, continuing the conversation. "He looks exhausted. I think it's best he doesn't join this operation."
"I wasn't planning to involve him. He'd just create more problems. You've read the briefing, Captain, so I won't introduce everyone individually," Fury said. "How's it looking in there?"
"Agent Romanoff convinced the monks to stop resisting," Rogers replied. "But they still refuse to let us search the reliquary—there are too many fragile relics stored there. Oh, and we found a large stash of wine in the cellar."
"This monastery has a history spanning over two thousand years," Father Moru chimed in. "These monks have been making wine since then. They're my brothers—I hope they weren't treated harshly."
"We won't harm them as long as they don't resist," Fury said, waving at May and Rogers to escort the boy and his mother away. "Get ready for the purification ritual, and have the strike team on standby. We might face unexpected enemies. Where's Solomon? Has anyone seen him?"
"Vishanti! Dana, look at this!" Solomon exclaimed, carefully holding up a curled, yellowed parchment. In the dim light of the reliquary, the text on the parchment was faint, but the mystic could still make out its content. "You won't believe what I've found. This is an original copy of The Golden Legend, written by Jacobus de Voragine, the Archbishop of Genoa in the 13th century! It recounts the story of Saint Martha taming a dragon after Christ's death. And this—this details the martial art of the Iron Fist Maiden, a technique said to be powerful enough to destroy angels, supposedly created when Jacob wrestled with an angel!"
Handing the parchment to his android, Solomon turned to pick up another relic.
"And this… this is the Kabbalah."
"What are you doing in here!?" Agent Romanoff suddenly burst into the room. "Several people saw you sneaking in here. Get out now! The attack has already started—we need you!"
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! Only $5 per novel or $15 for all!!] [www.p@treon.com/Mutter]
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]