If it weren't for the call from Nancy this morning, Sidney might still be unaware that her best friend had decided not to go with her.
Lance merely smiled faintly. "You won't have to wait long. Nancy will definitely leave in ten days... at the latest, half a month."
In his heart, Lance actually felt that Nancy didn't need to go to SHIELD. Where Lance was strong enough to protect the girl. In fact, being with Lance was much safer than being in the bureaucratic system of SHIELD. But Nancy had her own opinions. After a lifetime of being trained to be a killing machine, Nancy now wanted to breathe easy—explore the world from a different perspective, learn new things that truly piqued her curiosity.
SHIELD Academy is not just a place to train field agents, but also a hub for world-class scientists, engineers, and thinkers. Although it is not as popular as prestigious universities, its graduates are more sought after. For Nancy, who doesn't have a diploma, the academy is a sensible opportunity.
As long as Nancy holds the White Lantern Ring, no one can truly endanger her.
"That's good news!" Sidney said, patting Nancy's shoulder. However, Sidney's tone suddenly became more serious. "But, Nancy... I'm also here to convey something important."
Nancy immediately furrowed her brow. "What is it?"
Sidney stared at Nancy, his eyes reflecting a rare concern. "You know my friend, Raz, right? That guy is incredibly annoying and half-crazy, but there's no doubt that Raz is one of the best hackers in the world. Even in the notoriously brutal Rising Tide, Raz was made a leader."
Sidney glanced at Lance for a moment before continuing, "After we got caught up in the witch case, I'm worried someone might be hunting us. So I asked Raz to monitor all digital channels that could be used to track us. And this morning... Raz found something."
Sidney took a deep breath. "There's a very mysterious force digging up everything about you. Information about the unit you used to serve in, the house you used to live in, your tax transactions over the years... it's all being meticulously gathered. They're trying to find out everything."
Nancy's face immediately turned pale. Her gaze froze, and her lips trembled.
"AIM...?" Nancy murmured softly, almost inaudibly.
That was the only name that crossed Nancy's mind—a nightmare from the past, now seemingly rising again from the darkness.
Sidney looked serious, his voice firm yet filled with concern. "I think so too. Their power is hidden so deep, and their methods are very secretive. Coincidentally, Raz found some clues and discovered that they have already locked onto you. I think they must have ill intentions. And while it may seem unrelated to the witch incident, I believe... oh no, actually, it's the witch incident that brought our names to the attention of those interested. That's what caught that group's attention. So, you should be careful."
Nancy remained silent, her face frozen. She clenched her fists tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white. The deep fear of AIM had seeped into Nancy, as if it had become an inseparable part of her.
Lance, standing beside Nancy, gently placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to offer some comfort. "Don't forget, you're not the same person you used to be. Now you have the power to protect yourself, and you're not alone anymore. AIM won't be able to do anything to you."
Nancy paused for a moment, listening to Lance's words. Her eyes, usually filled with anxiety, began to show determination. Suddenly, Nancy grasped Lance's hand tightly, her voice loud yet filled with conviction, "You're right. I shouldn't be afraid of AIM anymore... The best way to eliminate fear is to face it head-on. I won't wait for them to find me. I will seek them out."
Sidney frowned, clearly worried. "Do you need my help?"
Nancy smiled faintly, a smile full of confidence. "No, you still have to report to S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, so don't worry about this. Besides, I have Lance here to help me. So you don't need to worry about me not being able to handle it."
Sidney pondered for a moment, then nodded slowly. "In that case, I'll leave you Raz's phone number. Contact Raz if you need anything. Sometimes, that guy can be reliable."
"Thank you," Nancy replied, her voice lighter.
"You're welcome," Sidney said, and they exchanged a fist bump. However, before parting, Sidney looked at Lance with a doubtful expression. "Seer, the last time you read the future... did you see anything else?"
Lance smiled faintly, his eyes remaining calm. "What do you want to know?"
Sidney took a deep breath, his expression suddenly hardening. "I want to know who killed my son." Sidney's voice was hoarse, yet filled with controlled anger. "At that time, I was working as an agent in the DEA, and I got caught by that group. They tied me up in a warehouse, shot me three times in the stomach, and left me to die. I was lucky to survive, but my son... my son died before he could be born. I want to know who did that to me."
Lance fell silent, Sidney's eyes staring far ahead, as if searching for answers in the empty space. Lance took a deep breath before saying, "I cannot see through time. I can only read a few clues from your river of fate. So... I do not know who killed your child. However, I can give you a few words."
Sidney looked at Lance with hopeful eyes, "What words?"
Lance spoke in a low, meaningful voice, "The person you love the most is the one who will hurt you the most."
The words hung in the air, heavy and full of meaning. Lance could not see who had hurt Sidney, but he knew that it must be someone very close to her. Sidney's expression changed instantly. Initially confused, she slowly turned pale, as if the entire world was collapsing around her.
------------------------------
[Announcement: A New Novel Has Been Added!
The Puppet Maker in the World of Naruto
A man who is a scientist, researcher, and expert mechanic in robotics dies in a massive explosion that occurs in his laboratory while developing an advanced robot project. However, instead of experiencing death as he thought, the man awakens in another world—a strange place with vast stretches of desert.
There, the man is surrounded by people who can jump high, calling themselves ninjas. The confusion he initially felt grows as he realizes that this world is not unfamiliar to him. This is the world of Naruto! However, there is one thing that surprises him.
"Isn't this Sunagakure? Why am I not in Konoha? This poorest village... Oh my God, this is serious!"
Now, in the midst of a new life filled with danger and uncertainty, the scientist must find a way to survive in Sunagakure, a harsh place full of limitations. With his robotic knowledge, can the man change his fate in this ninja world, or will he fall along with the village?]
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