Plumber Headquarters
Ben listened attentively as Caiera delivered her comprehensive report on everything that had transpired during his absence, her authoritative voice carrying the weight of command as she summarized the space conflict's most recent developments.
The Plumbers had performed admirably throughout this multifaceted galactic war, proving their worth as an interstellar peacekeeping force despite facing overwhelming odds on multiple fronts.
The organization's rank-and-file members had grown progressively stronger through continuous technological advancement and strategic development. Even the most junior Plumber agents now possessed individual combat capabilities that would have been considered extraordinary just months earlier.
Earth heroes like Captain America, who had been among the first to fight alongside Ben during the organization's formative period, had received exceptional treatment and resource allocation in recognition of their loyalty and sacrifice.
While there hadn't been further enhancement of the Super Soldier Serum itself, the distribution of advanced combat suits and the systematic integration of specialized energy sources had resulted in dramatic improvements to their battlefield effectiveness.
"The Special Operations Thunderboltz performed with particular distinction," Caiera acknowledged with obvious pride in their accomplishments.
However, she was also realistic about the limitations they faced in expanding their enhanced capabilities.
Not everyone possessed the genetic or spiritual compatibility necessary to awaken Mana abilities, and many individuals couldn't sense Mana even when equipped with properly attuned Genesis Keys.
Steve Rogers, for example, represented one of those individuals who remained unable to access natural energy despite his enhanced physiology and tactical brilliance.
Beyond the core Plumber membership, numerous planets and entire civilizations that had joined the organization's expanding sphere of influence had contributed forces to the war effort, becoming integral participants in the fight against chaos and the defense of space civilization.
The Nova Corps, the Space Knight Symbiote Alliance, and various warrior contingents from New Asgard had all distinguished themselves in combat...
Technically speaking, the Asgardian fighters didn't belong to the Plumber organization proper. They were now residents of Ben's Genesis dimension, far removed from the conflicts of the material universe.
However, the warrior spirit that defined Asgardian culture made it impossible for many of them to remain passive observers. Substantial numbers had volunteered to follow Thor and Loki in maintaining universal peace and stability.
"Nebula and Gamora are both serving on the front lines with exceptional dedication, and Princess Looma appears to be thoroughly enjoying the warfare," Caiera reported with the systematic efficiency of someone conducting a military inspection.
It was remarkable that the Plumbers were successfully fighting on multiple fronts against three or more enemy factions simultaneously, and everyone was managing to fulfill their duties despite the overwhelming pressure.
Beta Ray Bill deserved special recognition for his unwavering commitment to duty.
He had consistently proven himself the most dedicated and reliable field commander in the entire organization.
Bill had taken the former Sakaar gladiators and the Plumber warriors from the Korbinite fleet to engage any forces that attempted to invade territories under Plumber protection, and his tactical record remained flawless.
Ben nodded with genuine approval and satisfaction.
Despite facing coordinated attacks from multiple directions, the Plumbers had maintained their effectiveness and strategic coherence in his absence. This was exactly what he had hoped to achieve when establishing the organization.
He had always been concerned that the Plumbers might become a dysfunctional entity that would collapse without his direct oversight, and current evidence suggested his fears had been unfounded.
"How are the preparations for the Galactic Conference proceeding?" Ben asked, shifting focus to the diplomatic initiative.
Caiera consulted her tactical displays before responding. "The Kree Empire and the Skrull Empire have both formally accepted our reconciliation invitation, and the Incursean Empire has also agreed to participate."
Ben raised his eyebrows in genuine surprise at this unexpected development.
He wasn't particularly shocked that the Kree and Skrull Empires were willing to consider peaceful resolution. Although both civilizations harbored considerable anger toward each other and their manipulator, they were ancient, sophisticated cultures with long histories of diplomatic engagement.
Negotiation and compromise were fundamental characteristics of advanced civilization, after all.
But the Incursean Empire's apparent eagerness to participate in peace talks seemed completely out of character for their species and political culture.
Based on his extensive knowledge of Incursean psychology and behavior patterns, those amphibian supremacists were absolute tyrants who derived genuine pleasure from destroying and enslaving other sentient beings.
While Vilgax might initiate space wars for strategic domination, Emperor Milleous launched conflicts purely to satisfy his pathological need for worship and to force more populations to grovel before his golden statues.
Moreover, this particular species was notorious for their complete unreasonableness and rejection of diplomatic solutions.
Every despicable adjective in the space dictionary could be applied to Incursean culture without exaggeration.
"Something feels wrong about this," Ben observed with growing concern.
"Do you suspect they're feigning agreement while planning treachery?" Caiera asked, her tactical mind already analyzing potential scenarios.
"Think about it logically," Ben explained, his voice taking on the analytical tone he used when dissecting complex political situations. "The Kree Empire and the Skrull Empire became involved in this conflict through manipulation and accident. But the Incursean Empire, as the primary instigator of the war, has been devouring the corpse of the Shi'ar Empire like scavenging hyenas. How could they possibly accept mediation before satisfying their endless greed?"
"In that case, should we cancel the conference entirely?" Caiera asked, her hand already moving toward the communication controls.
Ben shook his head, and a predatory smile began spreading across his features.
"No. This actually represents a perfect opportunity to discover exactly what those amphibian toads are planning."
He had some very interesting ideas about how to turn their treachery against them.
Earth - Wakanda
Tony Stark and his fellow heroes sat together in the advanced briefing room, their expressions carrying the weight of impossible decisions and moral compromise that had become their new reality.
After the first collision crisis had been resolved without widespread public awareness, the interdimensional catastrophes hadn't ceased, in fact, they had accelerated at an alarming rate.
The infinite multiverse resembled a massive, intricate model constructed from countless interlocking pieces. Once several critical components were removed or destroyed, the entire structure became increasingly unstable and prone to cascading failures.
It was exactly like a space domino effect that, once initiated, became nearly impossible to halt.
"Don't be so pessimistic about our situation," Tony said, forcing himself to project confidence and optimism despite his own gnawing doubts. "At least we have reliable annihilation weapons now. No matter how many collisions occur, we can handle them without major complications."
T'Challa glanced at him with obvious skepticism but chose to remain silent rather than voice his concerns.
"Are you struggling with guilt over our decisions?" Tony asked directly, his voice carrying the kind of forced casualness that indicated he was fighting his own internal demons. "Come on, T'Challa. You didn't actually kill anyone, we all witnessed the situation. There wasn't a single living being on that alternate Earth, not even microbial life forms!"
"You know that's not the point, Tony," T'Challa replied with a heavy sigh that seemed to carry the weight of kingdoms.
Although he hadn't technically committed genocide against an inhabited planet, he had certainly made that decision in his heart and mind. He felt no regret about the choice and would undoubtedly make the same decision again under similar circumstances.
Even if the inhabitants of another planet were on their knees begging him to spare their lives, T'Challa wouldn't hesitate to activate the annihilation device if it meant protecting his own people.
Because he was the prince of Wakanda, future heir to the throne and protector of his nation.
His fundamental mission was to safeguard Wakandan lives above all other considerations!
He could afford to show mercy when the stakes were low, but the price of compassion could never be paid with his people's blood.
"In that case, what else is there to discuss?" Tony said, spreading his hands in a gesture of pragmatic acceptance. "Before abstract justice comes concrete loyalty! Our moral standards aren't elevated enough to demand self-sacrifice for the benefit of strangers."
"We're all well aware of our compromised moral positions," T'Challa observed with bitter self-awareness. "The fact that we're able to gather here and function as a team demonstrates that none of us possess the ethical purity we once imagined."
His words carried a tone of grim self-deprecation that none of them could deny.
Asking these individuals to sacrifice their own lives to save the world was entirely possible, they had proven their heroism countless times.
But asking them to choose the lives of strangers over the survival of their own Earth's population was a fundamentally different moral calculation.
"I'm not particularly interested in philosophical discussions about moral standards," Tony said, producing a bag of snacks from somewhere and stuffing food into his mouth with mechanical efficiency. He pointed toward E.U.N.I.C.E. with obvious concern. "I just want to know if Ben has returned yet. It would be beneficial to explain our current situation to him as clearly as possible."
"I've already provided Ben with a comprehensive briefing on our circumstances," E.U.N.I.C.E. replied without prompting, her advanced AI naturally anticipating the need for updates.
"He indicated that someone has attempted to address the multiverse collision crisis at its source."
"Resolution may require considerable time to implement."
"We don't have the luxury of waiting," Otto interjected with scientific precision. "Based on our calculations, the next collision event will probably occur much sooner than anticipated."
This acceleration shouldn't be happening!
According to their original mathematical models, at least several months should pass before any new collision events manifested.
But the second crisis had occurred almost immediately after the first, as if some external force were deliberately accelerating the cascade of dimensional instability.
"Once again, how are we supposed to handle this accelerating pattern?" Tony asked with obvious frustration.
E.U.N.I.C.E. spoke with unwavering determination.
"That's exactly what Ben suggested we should do!"
Her tone carried the absolute confidence of someone relaying orders from the highest authority.
Outside Time and Space
In a barren desert that existed beyond the normal flow of temporal causality, an energy tore open a dimensional portal with crackling intensity.
Two familiar figures emerged one after another, their forms solidifying as they stepped from interdimensional travel into this strange realm.
Thor raised his head and squinted against the alien sun hanging in the impossible sky above them, his divine senses struggling to process this environment that defied conventional reality.
"This is outside the universe itself? Another timeline entirely?" he asked, his voice carrying both wonder and concern at the space implications.
Loki, wearing his characteristic green coat that seemed to absorb light from their surroundings, surveyed the landscape with calculating eyes that missed nothing.
"Let me locate myself first," he said with the precision of someone who had extensive experience navigating alternate realities and temporal anomalies.
"As long as we can successfully eliminate the Maltruant that Ben mentioned, resolving this crisis shouldn't present insurmountable difficulties."