Chapter 280: Against God
"Space Gate stable. The Space Defense Base has been notified, and they haven't detected any Intruder!"
"Initiate energy scan—"
Piercing alarm sounds echoed throughout the Base. Over a dozen small airships quickly arrived near the Cosmic Cube.
A group of Soldiers set up Caution Tape around the Cosmic Cube. The Pope, the Black Person Colonel, and Michael, who had a dazed expression, were asked to leave.
From the airships, over a dozen Experts from various countries, wearing White Coats, descended and gathered around the Cosmic Cube, using various Instruments to conduct testing on it.
"Dr. Banner? What do you think?" an Austrian physicist said, holding the recently analyzed fluctuating Gamma Ray data and handing it to the Middle-Aged White Person beside him.
Dr. Banner, wearing a White Coat over a patterned plaid shirt, bit on the tip of a pen as he reviewed the value changes of the Cosmic Cube from five minutes before and after. He looked around the Cosmic Cube with Doubt.
The surging arc fluctuation of these values looked exactly like the activity when they attacked the Cosmic Cube's Energy Barrier during the Chitauri invasion.
Dr. Banner's wary gaze swept over the area near the Cosmic Cube. He waved a signal, calling over a Federation Military Officer stationed at the Base and whispered a few words in his ear.
The White Person Military Officer first looked at the area near the Cosmic Cube in surprise, then nodded in understanding towards Dr. Banner, and led two Soldiers away.
Since the TV Tokyo Yamata no Orochi Disaster incident, Captain, Black Widow, and Hawkeye had successively died from a serpent's kiss, and Thor had returned to Asgard. The Avengers could be said to exist in name only.
Furthermore, the newly appointed S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Maria Hill had a considerable rift with the Avengers for certain reasons.
Dr. Banner, invited by the Federal Government, cough, Minister of Defense General Ross, became a Research Expert within this Military Base, primarily responsible for research on the Cosmic Cube.
As Dr. Banner, who possessed the identity of the Hulk, in addition to being the top physicist and specially appointed Professor at the Military Base, he was also an important guard force within the Base.
As for receiving a salary and holding multiple positions, if you're coveting someone else's daughter, don't blame the father-in-law for treating you like a workhorse.
Michael did not pay attention to the petty moves of these human ants. He circulated the Divine Power within him, wanting to break through the surrounding barrier of the Cosmic Cube and get his hands on this Space Stone.
As Michael's Holy Spirit exerted increasingly stronger power, the blue energy barrier radiating from the Cosmic Cube flashed more intensely.
When the Energy of both reached its peak, the Blue Light and White Light intertwined. In the end, the people on the Ground could even clearly see a pure white humanoid image reflecting the Blue Light.
A pure white figure, with ribbon-like wings behind his back, and a golden halo above his head.
"Oh, my God! Is that an Angel?"
"An Angel!"
"This is an Angel!" Many people near the Space Gate looked at the figure in the sky suspected to be an Angel, turning their heads and looking at each other, discussing animatedly.
For these Federation, Europe white people, whether they were religious or not, the Influence of Catholicism and Christianity ran through their entire lives.
Even the elite Special Operatives selected through rigorous screening hesitated and did not open fire when facing this seemingly angelic creature.
Compared to them, some yellow-skinned Soldiers, under the command of their Officer, successively raised their Assault Rifles and aimed at the white light and shadow suspected to be the Intruder.
God! Angel!
Sorry, influenced by ancient Eastern civilization, in the Pan-East Asian cultural sphere, God and Angels are far less important than ancestors.
"Open fire!"
Facing the Intruder, a tough-looking Chinese Military Officer leading the group gave the order. Swish swish swish swish, bullets shot towards the Intruder overhead like rain.
"God said: All blasphemers will eventually be punished!"
Michael's Holy Spirit light and shadow lowered his gaze. As he chanted softly, the copper-plated steel core bullets shot towards him all stopped simultaneously, then reversed direction at several times the speed and shot towards the guard force below the Space Gate.
Swish swish swish swish!
Accompanied by screams, the guard Soldiers from various countries wearing combat uniforms instantly fell down in a heap under the dense hail of bullets.
"Enemy attack!"
The Military Officer called away by Dr. Banner quietly pulled the lever for the Base's Level 1 alarm, signifying external enemy invasion. Accompanied by the piercing alarm sound, over a dozen small airships in the sky changed direction. Their bow weapon bays opened, and various missiles and Energy Pulse Weapons successively aimed at the white light and shadow, tens of meters tall.
"Target locked, Energy Pulse Laser Cannon ready!"
"Authorization confirmed, Space-Based Weapon will enter predetermined Orbit in three minutes and twenty-five seconds!"
"Operation Jade and Stone Burning Together initiated, requesting authorization, authorization not approved, Defense Plan Two in progress, all Passages are being locked down—"
"Federation Third Air Squadron has taken off, will arrive at the designated location in two minutes and thirty seconds!"
How much importance the World Security Council placed on the Space Gate? Let's put it this way: this Space Gate was the only bridgehead on the entire Earth capable of crossing the Solar System and directly facing the Universe.
For the safety of the Space Gate, to prevent the Alien Fleet from directly attacking Earth's homeland through the Space Gate, this Leon Base could be said to have gathered the world's strongest defense forces. The moment the Base alarm sounded, all entry and exit Passages of the entire Leon Military Base were completely sealed off by two-meter thick Alloy metal doors.
The hardness of these Alloy metal doors far exceeded the Protective Armor of the Federation's Active Service Tanks. While sealing off the entry and exit Passages, the metal doors were immediately connected to ultra-high levels of Electric Current and Voltage.
Even the sky extended a blue tortoise shell-shaped Energy Protection Layer. This Vibranium Technology from Wakanda completely sealed the Leon Base into a blue birdcage.
The only area connected to the outside world was only a small area above the Space Gate.
And this patch of sky was immediately sealed off by Wakanda's Vibranium Jets and the Base's airships. At least twenty Satellites in the sky were remotely aimed at this location.
This area was also reserved for near-Earth Orbit Satellites in the sky to launch Space-Based Weapons.
During the TV Tokyo Yamata no Orochi Disaster, although the Federation's "Rod of God" couldn't achieve complete success in one go, the lethality and destructiveness displayed by the "Rod of God," and its cleanliness, unlike Nuclear Weapons, made it the preferred choice for Satellite Weapons in various countries, even triggering an Armament race for this purpose.
"Pope! This?" The Black Person Colonel nervously looked at the surrounding walls and overhead. Half-meter thick Alloy steel plates closed with a series of clanging sounds, completely turning this Base into a cage.
In mid-air, everywhere were Flying Speeder Bikes equipped with Energy Weapons speeding past. On the Ground roads, large numbers of Fully Armed Soldiers, riding in Armed Hummers, swarmed towards the Base's core area.
The Black Person Colonel looked at the old Pope beside him, cold sweat soaked his back. He had a bad feeling; the Base's sudden alert should be related to these two people beside him.
Clearly, he wasn't the only one who thought this.
The Base's Security System, the moment the alarm sounded, checked the Personnel List of everyone entering and exiting the Base and locked onto forty-seven suspicious Targets.
The Surveillance Cameras densely distributed throughout the entire Base immediately locked onto the locations of these forty-seven people. Several airships resembling Chitauri Flying Speeder Bikes stopped in front of the three people. Seven or eight Soldiers wearing simple Exoskeleton Armor walked down from the airship and surrounded the three people.
"Gentlemen, the Base is currently in lockdown. We need to verify everyone's Information. You cannot stay here any longer. Please come with me!"
The thick muzzles of the Guns in these Soldiers' hands were aimed at the three people. A Military Officer politely gestured to the three people and said.
The old Pope looked back at the Angel light and shadow near the Space Gate in the distance, sighed, and whispered softly, "Mortals, how can you contend with God!"
"God!"
Dr. Banner, looking at the white light and shadow in the sky, shrugged his shoulders and scoffed, "This kind of Creature, I've beaten up more than one!"
Rip!
Dr. Banner's White Coat was torn open by his surging muscles. A ragged Hulk leaped up, jumping dozens of meters high, with a roar of "Hulk!".
Hulk's palm, as big as a cattail fan, directly slapped towards that white light and shadow.
Whoosh!
Hulk's palm, containing dozens of tons of Force, slapped out, as if slapping the air, completely missing. His entire Body was carried forward and stumbled, directly falling down from a height of dozens of meters.
Bang! Hulk landed heavily, his feet stomping several deep cracks into the solid Ground.
"Hulk!?" The Hulk raised his arm in confusion, looked at his big palm, and then looked at the white light and shadow in the sky, letting out a roar.
"A somewhat brutish ant!"
Michael looked with a Cold Laugh at the human Weapons aimed at him all around, and the seemingly strong green Giant on the Ground.
He was currently in a Holy Soul state, capable of switching between a soul body and an Energy Body. With human Weapons, how could they possibly touch him in his soul body form, unless Humanity used the black hole Weapons of those Higher Civilizations from Knowhere.
The Defense System within the Military Base activated. Various light and heavy Weapons, Energy Weapons, continuously launched Attacks towards Michael, but these Weapons either passed through the white light and shadow like Hulk's palm or were bounced back, causing considerable Casualties among the guard Soldiers.
"The Intruder seems to have no physical body! Suspected to be some kind of Energy Body, Superpowered crime!"
"Notify S.H.I.E.L.D., retrieve records of suspected Superpowered criminals, take targeted measures!"
"The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier is heading towards the Base, will arrive above the Base in twenty-seven minutes!"
"The Utopia Mutant Patrol has arrived above the Base, Clearance connecting, open access Passage!"
As the Heaven Vice-Regent, Michael naturally knew about the several Infinity Stones representing the Universal Origin. Among them, the Space Stone fell into the hands of the Aesir of Asgard. In their legends, it was called the fruit of Yggdrasil, the Dragon Jewel swallowed by the World-Destroying Dragon.
In the divine war between their Heaven and Asgard over the Reality World, the Aesir used this "Dragon Jewel" to develop the Rainbow Bridge / Bifrost's teleportation Ability. Relying on its mobility, they could be said to have gained the upper hand in the divine war. This was also the Reason why the Lord later created the Gate of Heaven.
Michael also didn't expect to actually see this Divine Artifact, called the Dragon Jewel by the Aesir, here. When he saw the Cosmic Cube, he chose to act directly without the slightest hesitation.
As for the so-called Plans considered by the shepherds and those Mortal Tycoons, they had long been thrown to the back of his mind. The Dragon Jewel, that was a treasure no less valuable than a complete Paradise Mountain.
This was like seeing a piece of Gold in an ant nest. Anyone would think about this Gold and wouldn't care about the ants' thoughts.
Only Michael didn't expect the power of the Cosmic Cube was so sturdy. Even if he used all his Strength, he still couldn't break through the Energy Barrier around the Cosmic Cube.
"The Energy Layer surrounding the Cosmic Cube is not something Ordinary Persons can shake. Give up, this is a treasure of all Humanity! Even a God cannot easily snatch it away!"
Just as Michael and the Cosmic Cube were in a stalemate, a powerful stream of Consciousness suddenly appeared in Michael's mind. A voice of earnest teaching advised Michael.
"Mortal! Get out!"
Michael's mind felt a moment of confusion, but he instantly reacted. A Human with powerful Consciousness actually dared to try and control his Ideology.
Michael let out a cold snort. In his Sea of Consciousness, he revealed his True Body. Hundreds of pairs of white light feathers behind his back spread out, emitting endless light and Warmth. The power of Holy Light cleansed all impurities in his Consciousness.
A moment later, the buzzing teaching voice in Michael's mind disappeared. Just as he thought he had annihilated the Consciousness of that overconfident Mortal, in his mind, a Bald Head old man sitting in a Wheelchair suddenly appeared clearly. Those eyes that seemed to see through people's hearts stared at him with a smile.
"Angel, another person who wants to become a God. Many years ago, I met a Mutant who called himself a God. He was very powerful, attempting to rule the entire World. Unfortunately, he underestimated Humanity's desire for freedom. In the end, he failed!"
"What is your purpose, obtaining this Cosmic Cube, or destroying the Interstellar Gate? Young man, you are making an enemy of the World!"
On a black bat-shaped Fighter Jet, Cyclops was pushing a High-Tech Wheelchair. Professor X, wearing a metal cerebro amplifier on his Wheelchair, muttered to himself, seeming to be advising someone.
Although Professor X successfully entered Michael's Sea of Consciousness relying on his Mutant Ability, because Michael's Consciousness was too powerful, he couldn't read Michael's Consciousness. He clearly didn't realize that the person before him was not a Superpowered individual or Mutant as he previously knew, but a genuine, undiluted "true" Angel.
"Eh!"
Professor X felt the Intruder's Consciousness space. The vast Consciousness Energy was absolutely no less than that of "Apocalypse". Moreover, in his Sea of Consciousness, there seemed to be another Consciousness present. He could feel the Intruder's reverence and awe towards that Consciousness.
Professor X tentatively probed towards that Consciousness that seemed to be in Slumber.
"Report, suspicious Target locked. Based on the time the Cosmic Cube emitted Gamma Rays, currently the suspect locked onto target Fang Jige!"
"The 265th Pope of the Vatican The Church!"
"No processing Clearance, the situation has been reported to the World Security Council!"
Leon Military Base has more than one complete Security System. Among which are hundreds of thousands of Surveillance Cameras spread throughout the entire Base, making this Military Base, jointly managed by various countries, have no secrets at all.
The Security System designed by Tony Stark, the former President of Stark Industries, and top Computer Experts and Security Experts from various countries, determined the old Pope's Identity immediately.
Pope of the Vatican! Although in Modern Society, the Pope's actual power is almost non-existent, his Influence, however, spans the entire Western world. A suspected Angel Energy Body and the Pope, this inevitably leads to certain associations.
The Base's Command Authority was directly transferred to the World Security Council. Within the Council, six High-level Staff from various countries at the ministerial level began remote commanding the Scene through the real-time Video feeds within the Base.
"Mr. Fang Jige, we need to know the Intruder's true Identity. We hope you won't make things difficult for us!"
In a Meeting Room within the Base, a steaming cup of Coffee was placed in front of the old Pope. The Entrance and the surroundings were filled with Fully Armed Soldiers. Several remote virtual humanoid image projections were on several Seats in this Meeting Room. A blond, somewhat bald White Person old man stared intently at the old Pope before him, with a serious look.
The old Pope, through the white Steam rising from the Coffee cup before him, glanced around at the few people with a sneer.
"True Identity? This gentleman, haven't you heard a proverb? Mortals cannot look directly upon a True God!"
"God!? Merely some Aliens with strong Individual Life Force. How much stronger is the God you believe in compared to that Thor from Asgard? We Humanity are currently entering the Interstellar Age. Deity, will eventually be swept into the trash heap!"
From The East, a certain ministerial-level High-level Staff responsible for liaising with the World Security Council, looked at the Pope with disdain.
"Heretic! You are blaspheming the Deity!" The old Pope heard the words of the Middle-Aged Man before him and was so angry that a pure white Holy Light rose from his Body. The Holy Light was emitted from the Silver Cross on his Neck and instantly enveloped his entire Body.
Clatter! The abnormal phenomenon on the old Pope's Body immediately triggered an overreaction from the Soldiers stationed in the Meeting Room. A sound of slides being pulled back rang out.
Large-caliber Exoskeleton Machine Guns and Energy Rifles all simultaneously pointed at the old Pope. In the four Corners of the Meeting Room ceiling, several suspected Gatling Machine Guns slowly began to rotate, their muzzles aimed at the Pope, entering a warm-up state.
"Pope, You have a strong Influence in the World. However, the Space Gate formed by the Cosmic Cube is the Property of the entire World, concerning the interests of all Humanity. Let alone The Church, even if that Intruder is truly a Deity..."
The blond White Person old man didn't finish his sentence, just gave the old Pope a meaningful gaze.
The old Pope's heart tightened. He naturally knew the blond old man's subtext. Even during The Church's peak in the Middle Ages, it was impossible to resist the entire World, let alone in Modern Society with Humanity's rapidly developing Technology.
Actually, he was also secretly feeling bitter. Originally, according to the Plan they had discussed with the Freemasons before, The Church was responsible for taking Action to get Control of that Beast Hide Scroll. Who would have thought that Archangel Michael would actually directly try to take that Cosmic Cube.
Even though he, this Pope, is claimed to be God's representative in the Mortal Realm, facing the actions of Michael, this Heaven Vice-Regent, what Method could he possibly have?
He simply held the Cross with both hands and began to pray with his eyes closed.
"King of God's messengers; excellent messenger; powerful Six-Winged Angel; You are one of the seven Angels before God's throne; brave and fearless challenger, Your holy voice echoes in the vaults of Heaven: "As God!"
You are God's appointed Guard; glorious Christian victor under the new law; You successfully protected Women and children; subdued the Evil Dragon and locked away his Strength; You are the Leader of the Holy Light Spirit."
Listening to the old Pope's chanting and praying, except for the High-level Staff from The East and the representative from Wakanda, the faces of the council representatives from the other four countries became exceptionally grim, as if their own mothers had died.
"Can someone explain the meaning of this hymn to me?" The representative from Wakanda couldn't help but ask.
"That was composed by a Priest from The Church, a poem used to praise Michael's radiance and glory!"
The France representative, a short-haired old lady, sighed and looked at the others. "Michael? Gentlemen! It seems we are going to make an enemy of God today!"
(end of chapter)