Chapter 105: Enemy Situation
"Uh, you guys are all really something else."
Yang Le looked at the results from the Omnitrix scan, a black line appearing on his forehead. Good heavens, there were only two normal Humans in the room: Pepper and Hawkeye.
As for Tony, while he was also a Human, his body was too unhealthy, the kind the Omnitrix didn't even want to bother with.
But Yang Le didn't need to worry about that. He knew Tony would have the shrapnel removed eventually.
And he, of course, had the genes of an Asgardian, Odin's direct bloodline. All of Asgard couldn't find a more superior gene.
Yang Le showed everyone the scan results, demonstrating the Omnitrix's Scanning Ability and confirming their identities.
"Mr. Upgrade, could we be equipped with badges like that?" Steve asked. Having witnessed Yang Le's Disguise Ability, he was understandably eager for the method of countermeasure Yang Le possessed.
"I'm very sorry, Mr. Steve," Yang Le said apologetically.
"The Omnitrix, while it's the most common piece of equipment for Plumbers, every member has one, it's also the ultimate Crystallization of Wisdom of the Plumbers. We can't just give it away."
The Omnitrix, how could he possibly give that away?
Besides, even if he made a Scanning Device based on the Omnitrix's Scanning Ability and gave it to the Avengers, Tony Stark would probably have it figured out in a couple of days, and then SHIELD would have them for everyone.
If SHIELD had one for everyone, then Hydra would too. Eventually, these things would be everywhere. What if Yang Le wanted to use his Goop form for infiltration in the future and got scanned? Wouldn't that be shooting himself in the foot?
"My apologies, I was being presumptuous." Steve, seeing this, didn't press the issue. After all, you couldn't expect someone to help you without any reservations.
"After all this commotion, shouldn't we get to the point?" Tony clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. After the scan, he'd sent a still-shocked Pepper away and taken a quick trip to the Toilet. He'd just returned.
"About Thanos, all we know so far is his goal. We know nothing about him personally. Can you tell us about him?"
"No problem, that's what I'm going to talk about next." Yang Le nonchalantly pulled out Upgrade.
Guided by Tony, Yang Le inserted Upgrade into the Port. Just to be safe, he instructed Upgrade to remain inactive for now. After all, Stark Tower had Jarvis, and he planned to learn from Ultron and take action at night.
A projection of Thanos's model appeared, and Yang Le began his introduction.
"Thanos is an Eternal born on Titan. His Strength is terrifying."
Speaking of Thanos, Yang Le couldn't help but look solemn. Even though it was a weakened Movie Universe version, he wasn't someone an ordinary Alien Hero could just brush aside. Yang Le would need to be careful dealing with him.
"Terrible? How terrible?" Thor asked with a smile, clearly not taking Thanos seriously.
Yang Le glanced at Thor, thinking, 'Don't pretend. If it weren't for that Divine Weapon, you'd be toast.'
"Even all of you together wouldn't be able to win," Yang Le said slowly.
"Upgrade, are you sure you're not kidding?" Tony clearly didn't believe him.
"Or are you not counting Hulk? Right, you probably haven't seen Hulk when he's really lost it."
"I can hear you," Bruce Banner said with a frown. Bruce Banner still hadn't fully accepted the Hulk, so he was a bit sensitive to Tony's words.
"Sorry, Doctor Banner," Tony apologized casually.
"Actually, I know the Power of the Hulk," Yang Le said.
"Before coming here, I consulted the Information of the Plumbers. I was curious about my future teammates and wanted to understand your Strength, which is why I made that assessment."
"Thanos's physical Strength is incredible. Ordinary Weapons can't even scratch him. He's a master martial artist and even a strategist."
"I advise you all, you shouldn't measure Thanos by the enemies you've faced before," Yang Le said seriously, looking at everyone.
"We will," Steve nodded. Tony's expression also turned serious. He'd originally thought Thanos's Strength lay in his army, but now it seemed his personal Strength was also considerable.
'We need an army too.' The idea had sprouted in Tony's mind as soon as he'd seen the Chitauri Fleet. Now it was growing strong, just waiting to blossom.
"Not only that, Thanos also has four generals under his command." Yang Le then brought up the models of the Black Order. Even though they were based on his Memory, they should be pretty accurate.
"Corvus Glaive, bloodthirsty by nature. Countless beings have died by his blade."
"Proxima Midnight, highly skilled in martial arts and proficient with a spear."
"Ebony Maw, the most cunning of the five generals, possesses powerful Telekinesis."
"Black Dwarf, his Skin is impenetrable and he also possesses Super Strength."
"Sounds like you're describing the Hulk," Tony quipped, and everyone agreed.
"These are Thanos's four strongest generals. Oh, and he also has two adopted daughters. They don't have any special Abilities, but they're still quite capable."
Yang Le then brought up images of Gamora and Nebula.
"But I've heard Thanos doesn't have the best relationship with his daughters."
"That's truly a failed Father," Tony, who had reconciled with his own Father, commented.
"The enemy is far stronger than we imagined," Steve said, looking at everyone with a serious expression.
"We don't have Time to waste."
"What do you think, Captain?" Natasha asked.
Steve thought for a moment and said, "We don't have enough Manpower right now. We need to recruit more. And then there are the Infinity Stones. Since we know there are two more Gems potentially on Earth, we need to find them. That way, we can seize the initiative."
"That's exactly what I was thinking." Nick Fury stepped out of Tony's private Elevator.
"I distinctly remember saying that was a private Elevator, right?" Tony said, looking at Fury with exasperation. His private Elevator was becoming public property.
"Is Stark Tower a public Toilet now? How does everyone just walk in?"
"Looks like Director Fury overheard our conversation," Yang Le said with a wide grin, looking at Fury. There was no way to make the expressions of a Goop subtle, so he had to exaggerate a bit.
Fury didn't say anything, just turned his head, revealing the Earphone in his Ear. The meaning was clear.
(End of Chapter)