Kapitel 305: Chapter 305: Alignment of Nine Stars
With an emotionless gaze sweeping over the two formidable figures, Nebula calmly asked, "By the looks of it, you two didn't specifically come for me, did you?"
By now, Nebula was almost certain that these two weren't here to deal with her, as their relationship with Thanos was equally terrible. However, she couldn't figure out whether their intentions were benign or malicious.
Instinctively, she still wanted to keep her distance from them.
"The cosmic thief, Nebula?" Starfox said with a slight smile, "You guessed right. We did indeed come specifically to find you."
Nebula was taken aback, listening as Starfox continued, "Our only purpose in seeking you out is to discuss how we can deal with Thanos together."
"There's no need," Nebula responded with a gentle shake of her head. "I've already found partners to collaborate with."
"If you consider Clark Lee as a partner, he would indeed be an excellent choice. However, if you're talking about cooperating to deal with Thanos…" Suddenly, another voice interjected, and a slender purple figure stepped out from the light beam projected from the spaceship, saying, "I believe we would be better partners for you than Clark."
The newcomer shared the same purple skin and chin as Thanos but appeared much younger and thinner.
Under Nebula's wary gaze, the purple youth continued, "Let me be frank, I believe Clark Lee isn't afraid of Thanos. Should anything happen to you, he would not hesitate to confront Thanos. However, without any external factors, I assure you, he would not invest his efforts in dealing with that mad dog."
"It could even be said that unless Thanos directly provokes him, he wouldn't actively seek trouble with that mad dog."
With a genuine smile, the purple youth said, "But us, each of us bears an unending grudge against Thanos. Therefore, when it comes to opposing Thanos, we are your best partners."
As the purple youth finished speaking, Starfox and the Champion subtly moved to encircle Nebula.
Their stance was clear.
Should Nebula dare to refuse them today, these three wolf-like men would not allow someone who knew some inside information to leave this place alive!
...
In a gazebo within Carter Manor, England, Clark sat opposite the elderly Captain America, with a pot of tea brewing on the wooden table between them.
Clark courteously offered to refill the elderly hero's cup, casually saying, "This situation really has to thank you for the quantum battle suit. Otherwise, starting from scratch would have taken who knows how long."
"A single misstep can lead to many, and if I hadn't made a breakthrough in another timeline before Hela's appearance, dealing with Hela wouldn't have been so easy."
"Anyway, thank you."
With a light chuckle, the elderly Captain America took a small sip of his tea, then smiled, "I thought you, being Chinese, would be fond of tea. It turns out I've been the only one drinking. Had I known, I would have served coffee instead."
"I do like tea," Clark said, also taking a sip, then adding, "I'm just not fond of the way the British process their black tea. Chinese tea emphasizes whole leaves and a beautiful, resilient leaf base, while the British tend to crush the leaves. Though it doesn't affect the flavor much, there is still an impact. More importantly, I'm not thirsty."
Clark's comment, tinged with national pride, was met with a light smile from the elderly Captain America, who offered no objection.
Changing the subject, Clark said, "I don't like owing people favors. You've helped me twice, and I'm willing to offer some assistance within my means. Steve, if I'm not mistaken, Peggy's health is failing."
Pausing briefly, Clark then winked, "Would you like her to live a bit longer?"
Captain America was stunned, "You have a way to extend someone's life?"
Clark shook his head slightly, explaining, "There are ways to extend life, but I can't provide too many at once. At most, she can live another decade or two, like you. Essentially, I can offer her a serum that guarantees success, akin to the super-soldier serum."
Impression points from Steve Rogers +66666!
Facing the astonished Captain America, Clark continued, "However, I brought back Thanos's body from my trip to another timeline. He's one of the few surviving Eternals, with nearly perfect genes. If Dr. Banner can successfully research it, it might significantly extend your lifespans, possibly to rival Thor's."
Impression points from Steve Rogers +66666!
Overwhelmed, Captain America still shook his head, "Peggy and I have lived a lifetime together, and that's enough. Although she will leave me first, we've lived together, and aging together is enough. The Carter family has used all conventional medical means to extend her life, and that's sufficient for us."
With a relieved smile, the elderly Captain America added, "Sharing a lifetime of love is a blessing from heaven. Why chase after a longer life?"
Clark wasn't surprised by Captain America's refusal but was taken aback by his next words, "However, Clark, I've heard you brought back many alien technologies, even Thanos's body, and tasked Banner with its research. Forgive my bluntness, but your actions could potentially bring trouble, even disaster, to Earth."
Clark disagreed with the elderly man's conservative view, arguing, "Everything has two sides. We can't avoid danger by shunning or sealing ourselves off. The universe isn't limited to Earth alone; if we don't develop while others do, humanity's fate is predictable."
The elderly Captain America responded, "I'm not against human development, just against rushing things."
"Rushing things?"
Not surprised by Captain America's correct use of the idiom, Clark replied, "Whether it's rushing or helping humanity better adapt to the universe might need time to prove. How about we play a game to prove that your view might not always be right?"
Nodding, Captain America signaled for Clark to explain the game.
After reheating his tea with a hint of divine power, Clark began, "I've heard a sensational story called 'Girls Should Be Cautious About Whom They Befriend'."
Seeing Captain America's intrigued expression, Clark continued, "The story is about a girl who made some friends behind her father's back. Those friends wanted something from her father, so she led them into his house, intending to take it by force."
Captain America frowned, clearly thinking the girl had gone too far, as had her friends.
"But perhaps the father also failed in his education?" Clark mused, then detailed a brutal scene where the girl's friends overpowered her father, leading to bloodshed and murder.
Impression points from Steve Rogers +67899!
Outraged by such atrocious behavior, Captain America clenched his fists, wishing he could teach those lawless youths a lesson.
"Until then, the group revealed their motive and the item they sought, which, due to special circumstances, was no longer in the girl's father's possession. How could he give what he didn't have?" Clark sighed, then added, "The particularly temperamental among the girl's friends, without a word, be
headed her father!"
Impression points from Steve Rogers +99999!
Slamming the table, Captain America exclaimed, "Outrageous!"
"Do you feel angry?" Clark asked with a sly smile. "That means you often let subjective narratives influence your judgment instead of analyzing objectively."
"But the story isn't over yet. There might be more to it, right?"
Stubbornly, Captain America shook his head, "Even if there's more to it, that girl and her friends shouldn't have acted that way. It's not only illegal but inhumane!"
Looking directly at Clark, he challenged, "So tell me, what could possibly justify their actions? If you can convince me, I'll admit my way of seeing things might be flawed."
Clark smiled subtly, about to respond when his phone rang. It was a message from Hank Pym:
The alignment of the nine stars is imminent. Dr. Erik has made accurate predictions, and Jane Foster has already headed to a potentially affected location to investigate.
The alignment of nine stars was happening?
And Jane Foster's involvement felt like a prelude to disaster?
Quickly texting back, "I'll be there soon," Clark was about to put away his phone when another message arrived, this one from Nebula.
Clark's high-tech communicator, far superior to any on Earth and akin to Captain Marvel's, allowed interstellar messaging.
Nebula's message read:
Mr. Clark, I've encountered some complications and might not return to Earth as soon as expected.
Clark frowned, texting back, "Are you in danger?"
Nebula: No danger, just some troublesome folks. They mean no harm, but I need some time. I'll turn off my communicator after this message. Don't worry, I can handle it.
It seemed Nebula had run into trouble, but from her tone, her safety wasn't an immediate concern.
First, handle the Dark Elves and secure the Reality Stone, then find her.
Seeing Clark's worried look, the elderly Captain America patiently said, "Clark, if you have things to do, go ahead. As for the story, we can talk more next time."
Next time?
Clark shook his head, "Why complicate things that can be explained in a sentence?"
A sentence?
Captain America couldn't imagine what powerful reason could justify such a horrific story and change his perspective on the aggressors and the victim.
Even if the girl's father was a villain... No, as Captain America, he shouldn't entertain such distorted thoughts.
Smiling, Clark finally revealed the answer Captain America had long awaited, "The girl's name is Nebula, and her father... is Thanos."
Impression points from Steve Rogers +99999!
Hearing these names, Captain America felt a burning sensation on his face.
Painful!
And as he looked up to respond, Clark had already teleported away using the Space Stone.
Leaving Captain America alone in the wind, tangled...
Because he, the embodiment of justice as Captain America, was also one of those lawless friends who stormed into the girl's father's house, ready to maim and kill.
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