Kapitel 59: The General's Resolve #59
Tony Stark's solemn assessment of the situation hung heavily in the room. "That's not entirely impossible, but it will take time—time we don't currently have," he reiterated, his head shaking slightly to emphasize the urgency of their predicament. "I can't give you a specific time frame, but it will probably take more than a day..."
General Huntley absorbed Stark's words, his fingers absentmindedly stroking his chin as he contemplated their options. "In other words, we can rely on force if we are to stop that machine here..." he murmured, his gaze distant as he delved into deep thought.
He recognized the limitations of his own soldiers and the commissioner's police force in the face of such an overwhelming threat. "My soldiers and the commissioner's cops won't be of much help, but if we bring in the big guns, we might be able to provide a measure of assistance..." he reasoned aloud, almost as if pondering his own musings.
A sense of self-reflection permeated his words as he acknowledged the formidable nature of their adversary. His voice carried a measure of resignation, and yet, beneath it all, a firm belief in the capabilities of the gathered heroes lingered. "But at the end of the day, it will be up to you super-powered folk to save the day..." He concluded, his tone resolute.
Evan didn't share the general's optimism, and he offered a sobering perspective. "I'm afraid things won't go so smoothly this time around," he began, his words a stark reminder of the ever-evolving threat they faced.
He elaborated on the Sentinels' remarkable ability to rapidly mend themselves, a capability that had confounded their previous efforts. Evan's explanation underscored the uniqueness of the Sentinels' vulnerabilities, particularly the exposed energy sources hidden behind their formidable armor.
Yet, his revelation held a chilling implication. "Now that we know their weaknesses, there's nothing stopping the Master Mold from altering the Sentinels to erase this weakness..." Evan concluded, his voice tinged with a sense of foreboding.
Forge continued to contribute his perspective. "With the Sentinels' ability to adapt and manipulate their inner components, it isn't far-fetched to assume they'd work to mend their vulnerabilities..." he observed, his tone marked by a thoughtful nod.
Stark concurred with a furrowed brow. "It's more of a certainty, really," he asserted, his expression betraying a sense of concern. "That thing, the Master Mold— it's very clever. Not only did it create a new network, but it's also building new Sentinels within its body. You can be sure the new machines won't have the same weaknesses," he added, his words punctuating the gravity of the situation.
A heavy silence descended upon the room, punctuated only by the quiet hum of ambient machinery that resounded across the city. His frustration evident, General Huntley broke the silence with a pointed question. "All I'm hearing is problems. Where are the solutions?"
Evan took a moment to gather his thoughts before delivering an equally sobering response. "I'm afraid there are no clear solutions," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret.
He allowed the weight of his words to hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "We can only fight the Master Mold and hope to overpower it, otherwise..." Evan's voice trailed off, the unspoken implications resonating in the room.
"You should consider the nuclear option," he concluded, his voice firm.
Stark's eyes widened in disbelief at Evan's suggestion. "The hell are you talking about? I already prevented this city from a nuclear catastrophe during the Chitauri invasion, and now you're proposing a repeat performance?!" He exclaimed, the memories of his near-death experience during the Battle of New York flashing vividly in his mind.
The mere thought of another nuclear catastrophe was enough to send a shiver down his spine.
Xavier, the wise and empathetic professor, weighed in somberly. "I agree. Nuking our own city is a bit too much. The loss of life would be immeasurable," he stated, his disapproval evident.
Evan, ever the pragmatist, remained resolute in his stance. "That's why the citizens must be evacuated as soon as possible. I don't like this idea any more than any of you, but we need to stay realistic..."
He asserted, his voice carrying a sense of conviction. "Make no mistakes-- I'll be in the thick of the action. However, if we fail, the fallout won't be limited to just New York—the entire world will suffer."
Forge voiced the grim reality they all faced, his brows furrowing with concern. "As much as I hate to admit it, the possibility of failure is sky-high, and the price we'd pay would be astronomical."
"I agree with our friend here," he continued, casting a somber glance around the room. "This is more than just us or a single city; it's about the survival and freedom of all humanity."
General Huntley's expression darkened further. "Unfortunately, this decision doesn't rest with us," he stated solemnly. "It's in the hands of the World Security Council, and they're already locked in heated debates over whether to resort to extreme measures."
He paused, his gaze sweeping the room, landing on Tony Stark, whose expression soured at the mention of the council—after all, they had been the ones to authorize a nuclear strike during the Chitauri invasion.
Apart from Stark, nobody in the room felt at ease entrusting their future and the city's safety to a self-serving politician. Evan, in particular, had strong reservations, well aware of Hydra's infiltration into the World Security Council's ranks.
"That said," General Huntley continued, his tone resolute, "my words still carry weight as the commanding officer and government representative in this operation."
"If at all possible, I wouldn't want to go down in history as a man who permitted the very nation he pledged to protect to be subjected to a nuclear strike..." General Huntley began, his voice heavy with the weight of the impending decision.
"I'll exhaust every option to buy time," he vowed, his commitment evident. However, his words hung in the air, unfinished, leaving the unspoken consequences of his potential choices looming over them.
He looked around the room, meeting the eyes of each hero assembled there. "But if I find myself having to make an impossible choice between our lives, this city, and the destiny of the entire world..." He paused, his gaze unyielding. "Then may god have mercy on our souls..."
...
After intense deliberation about the Master Mold's threat and the grim contingency plan, Evan made his way out of the commandeered restaurant, trailed by Black Widow.
The atmosphere inside had been heavy with the acknowledgment that they might need to resort to a city-wide nuclear strike as a last-ditch effort to thwart the colossal menace.
While not everyone had embraced this chilling possibility, particularly Tony Stark, they had reluctantly conceded its necessity as an ultimate safeguard. Now, their focus turned to the crucial preparations required before launching their assault on the Master Mold.
Black Widow, walking alongside Evan, couldn't help but remark on his swift suggestion of such a drastic measure. "You didn't waste any time suggesting a nuclear option," she observed, her raised eyebrow betraying her curiosity. A hint of jest entered her tone as she continued, "You and Nick Fury might have more in common than you think, given how far you're both willing to go..."
Evan chuckled in response, a touch of wryness in his voice. "Somehow, I doubt that. We're both too paranoid for that to happen."
His words held a measure of truth; a shared penchant for expecting and preparing for the worst from people had a way of shaping their outlook on the world. But unlike Fury, Evan trusted others, expecting the best from them despite his first instinct to doubt everyone.
Black Widow's arching eyebrow betrayed her curiosity as she responded to Evan's remark. "You don't strike me as the paranoid type...but I suppose that doesn't matter..."
She stopped walking, her expression shifting ever so slightly. "Anyway... how do you plan to spend the next couple of hours?" She asked, her inquiry holding a hint of intrigue.
Genuinely perplexed by the sudden interest in his plans, Evan couldn't help but question, "What do you mean?"
She leaned in slightly, her hand gently reaching for Evan's shoulder. Her words, though cloaked in casual conversation, carried an unmistakable undertone. "Well... the next couple of hours might be our last..." Her hand came to rest on his shoulder, her intentions clear. "I don't know about you, but I could go for some stress relief right now..."
Evan couldn't help but internally chuckle at the proposition. He was uncertain if Black Widow's offer stemmed from genuine interest, the accumulating stress, or if she harbored some ulterior motive-- either way, it didn't matter.
A faint, regretful smile crossed his lips as he declined her invitation. "I'm sorry, but I'll have to refuse..." His gaze shifted to Ororo, who was deeply engrossed in coordinating the efforts of the mutants around her. "I already have someone I wish to spend the next couple of hours with..."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein