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Compared to the Skrulls' grating attempts at persuasion, what truly shook Carol Danvers was the voice of her closest friend.
Maria Rambeau said softly, "Do you remember? The doctor once said that what she was researching wasn't meant for war—but to end war."
General Talos immediately seized the opening. "Exactly. Mar-Vell—who you called Dr. Lawson—agreed with that, which is why she chose to help us.
"You know the Kree's methods yourself. At the very least, when I said the devastation of Torfa was carried out by Accuser Ronan, you didn't refute me. Because you know it's exactly the sort of thing the Kree are capable of.
"If you were willing to trust Dr. Lawson, why not try trusting us as well? Ms. Rambeau, I also thank you for speaking frankly—your judgment wasn't clouded, even with what happened to your daughter.
"Of course, regarding the girl's injury, I offer my deepest apologies. She was never our real target. If there is anything we can do to make amends, please say so."
For the sake of winning Carol Danvers over, the Skrull general had lowered his posture considerably.
Even Maria Rambeau—who by all rights should have been furious over her daughter being injured—found herself unconsciously shifting her stance and choosing to support the Skrulls on this matter, regardless of whether she still intended to settle that score later.
Perhaps the fact that the Kree had deceived and exploited her closest friend, and made her believe that friend had been dead for six years, weighed far more heavily in her heart.
No one knew what Nick Fury was thinking, but he made no move to interfere with Carol Danvers' decision. He simply allowed the others to continue persuading her.
His attitude, in turn, influenced Barbara's. The young woman, fresh out of school, walked over with barely contained excitement to the Kryptonian whose identity had just been exposed.
"Henry, the Skrulls are basically cosmic refugees now—driven out and hunted everywhere. The Kree, on the other hand, spread violence everywhere, even brainwashing and controlling Lieutenant Danvers. It looks like we should help the Skrulls and fight the Kree together. Will you join us too?"
Sitting on the grass with his back against a tree, Henry was enjoying the sunlight filtering through the leaves while absentmindedly rubbing Katie's massive tiger head.
Hearing the invitation, he simply stood up, brushed off his backside, and asked in return, "Why should we join a war that doesn't belong to us?"
Nick Fury walked over and answered him. "Because we've already been dragged into it. If Earth doesn't have the power to knock both sides flat, then the only choice left is to help one side resist the other."
The conversation among Fury, Barbara, and Henry drew the others closer. Even Carol Danvers was curious—would this man who traveled with a tiger choose to join them?
It wasn't a question of underestimating his combat value. Earth's gunpowder weapons might not pierce his defenses, but out in the cosmos there were far stronger individual weapons—more than enough to punch through what a backward civilization might mistakenly believe to be invincible.
Seeing the Skrulls approaching as well, Henry made no effort to hide his displeasure. "Ms. Vers… or rather, Ms. Danvers."
"Just call me Carol."
"Looks like you've accepted your new identity—or rather, recovered your old one. But I don't know how much you remember about Earth. Do you remember World War II?"
"World War II?"
"The Second World War, from 1939 to 1945. Sixty-one countries took part, over two billion people were affected, and around 110 million directly participated. The largest war in Earth's history, in terms of both scale and manpower."
Carol Danvers frowned, then relaxed. "I remember now. But why are you bringing this up?"
"Near the end of the war, Berlin and Tokyo were bombed by the Allies. In the end, those two Axis nations surrendered and became the defeated powers. Do you think the German and Japanese people of that time deserved sympathy?"
"Of course not!" Carol replied without hesitation. "Whether in Europe or East Asia, their invasions caused unimaginable loss of life and economic devastation. Why should the aggressors be pitied?"
"Exactly. That's my answer too." Henry shrugged, utterly unconcerned.
"Kryptonian, what are you trying to imply?" Talos snapped angrily, pointedly emphasizing that Henry wasn't an Earthling either. "Are you saying the suffering of my people is a lie?"
"I never said it was fake," Henry replied calmly. "I just don't know whether you're innocent—or whether that suffering was earned."
Talos bristled. "I can state this responsibly: the war began because the Kree coveted Skrull technology. After stealing our starship and weapon designs, they turned around and invaded us.
"Our homeworld was destroyed, our people slaughtered. The Kree even hunted down those kind enough to help us. Even toward innocent planets and neutral powers, their approach has always been conquest—not peace.
"Look at your own kind—no, not your kind. Just look at what happened to Lieutenant Danvers. Do you really think other Earthlings would receive kinder treatment from the Kree?
"If you don't rise up and resist, today's fate of the Skrulls will be Earth's fate tomorrow. Anyone with common sense shouldn't harbor any illusions about that militaristic empire."
A slow, sarcastic clap echoed from Henry's hands. "Well said. Truly. Then let me ask you this—Carol, you served in the Kree forces. Do you know the real reason for this war?"
Struggling internally, unsure whether she should repeat words she no longer fully believed, Carol Danvers finally spoke.
"The Skrulls believe it's their duty to conquer and rule every planet in the universe, claiming that this brings peace. Using their racial abilities, they infiltrate worlds and overthrow governments from within.
"In the end, they either establish colonial rule… or destroy the planet. The Kree are the ones resisting all of that—the saviors. Are you saying the Kree's narrative is true?"
Henry answered flatly, "That's something I don't know. All I know is this—it isn't my war."
At this, Talos exclaimed heatedly, "I admit that I've done terrible things in this war. But so what? The reality now is that the Skrulls are being hunted and exterminated like insects—and it's the Kree who are doing it!"
Henry met his fury head-on, unflinching. "You lost. You were driven out like homeless dogs by the Kree, so you have your reasons to resist.
"Carol Danvers was brainwashed and controlled by the Kree—so her rebellion after waking up is only natural. But what about me?"
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