Chương 224: First step into the new world -219
Steve, Peggy, Bucky, Bruce, and Lena all nodded in agreement, the gravity of the situation sinking in. The Captain's words served as a reminder that they were about to step into the unknown, and whatever awaited them on the other side of the portal would require their full attention and cooperation.
"Let's get moving," the Captain said, his tone brisk and authoritative. "Gear up and meet at the portal entrance in five minutes. We're on a tight schedule."
…
Not long after, when they all gathered together near the cave entrance that served as the portal to another world, Steve, Peggy, and Bucky almost thought they were under attack when they were greeted by the sight of three robots.
Thankfully, though, before they could attack, the robots revealed the fact that they weren't robots at all, but instead, it was Captain and his two men in mechanical suits of armor.
Now, Steve might still be behind on much that had been going on for the past seventy years, and even with Peggy trying to catch him up, he had to admit he still didn't understand much.
He did however recognize what he was seeing, after all, Tony Stark was the son of his dear old friend Howard Stark, and as such he kept an eye on him, not to mention that it was hard not to know about him since he was just as active in the media as his father had been the newspapers back in his days.
It had been even more impossible not to notice the whole Ironman thing that had happened; after all, Tony was now the most popular superhero in the world, even if Steve wasn't totally sold on it all just yet.
"Those suits, they are like Starks! They are Ironman suits aren't they?" He couldn't help but exclaim loudly.
The Captain, encased in his advanced suit of armor, turned to Steve, his expression hidden behind the sleek helmet but his voice clear through the suit's external speakers. "Similar, yes," he acknowledged with a nod. "But these aren't Stark's suits. These are Foundation-made. We've taken inspiration from his designs, but we've made some modifications to better suit our needs."
Bucky, standing beside Steve, eyed the suits with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "You Foundation guys sure don't mess around, do you?"
Peggy, ever the tactician, took a step closer to one of the armored operatives, examining the suit with a critical eye. "And what modifications are we talking about? What makes these different from Stark's suits?"
The Captain just snorted at her question. "That's highly classified information, and you aren't anywhere near allowed to know such things, but rest assured, this suit is far better then Stark's early models which you are all familiar with."
He said, not really explaining anything about his Suit other than that it was better than what they knew about Tony Stark's Ironman suits and that apparently, he had made great improvements to his suits since his most public appearances with it. Which told them that the Foundation either worked with Stark, or kept a close eye on him, both being a possibility.
Steve, Peggy, and Bucky exchanged glances, processing the Captain's cryptic response. The Foundation's secrecy was nothing new, but it was always unsettling when they were reminded of just how much information was kept from them. Still, they knew better than to press the issue further.
Bruce, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up, trying to ease the tension. "If these suits are anything like Stark's, then we're in good hands. We'll need every advantage we can get on the other side."
Lena, her curiosity still piqued, couldn't help but ask, "How do these suits handle against anomalous threats? I assume they're designed with more than just conventional combat in mind?"
The captain's helmeted head turned slightly toward her, the reflective visor giving no hint of his expression. "These suits are equipped with countermeasures specifically designed for dealing with SCPs and other anomalies. They can adapt to a wide range of threats, both technological and biological. That's all you need to know."
Lena nodded, satisfied with the answer; after all, she wasn't all that interested in such suits or technology at all; her interest lies with the anomalous and, in particular, the living creature type of objects.
After the initial surprise over the suits, they quickly got to move once again, making their way through the cave, which had once been little more than a cave but was now a highly secured checkpoint.
Blast door after blast door and airlock after airlock, they slowly made their way through the gauntlet that the Foundation had set up to prevent anything or anyone from moving across from the other side and into their world.
They wouldn't even have been able to notice the moment they had passed the threshold from their world and into the other if it wasn't from a line painted on the floor. It all felt very anticlimactic.
At that point, more blast doors followed, and when they finally left the tunnel, they could have been fooled into believing they had somehow been turned around and returned to where they started.
Everywhere the Foundation was setting up shop, newly constructed buildings stood or were currently undergoing construction. People moved about, be they researchers, security personnel, or D-class.
If they looked beyond that, or behind them for that matter, they were quickly proven that this was not the same place they had come from. Gone were the dense jungle, and instead, they had a mountain looming over them.
Peggy couldn't help but be relieved that they didn't have to be alone in this strange new world without at least a place to operate from, so she was happy that the Foundation had already built up their forward command post.
This would make their own operations far easier since they had some level of support and infrastructure to fall back on.
"This is impressive," Peggy commented, her tone reflecting her approval. "The Foundation doesn't waste time, do they?"
"Efficiency is key," the Captain replied, his voice still emanating from his suit's speakers. "We've learned that the faster we establish control, the better our chances of survival in these environments."
Bucky, always the cautious one, kept his gaze on the horizon, scanning for any movement. "What kind of threats are we expecting out here? Besides the robots, I mean."
The Captain's helmet turned slightly toward Bucky. "We don't know for sure. The robots are just the beginning. There could be other anomalies, biological or otherwise. That's why we've established this base—to give us a foothold while we gather intel. Now, follow me."
He and his two silent comrades then led them through the place, showing them all the facilities they were allowed to use and know about. Making sure that while they were here in their base, they would be able to take care of themselves without his oversight.
The Captain led them through various sections of the base, pointing out key areas they would need to be familiar with. "This is the medical bay," he said, gesturing to a large tent where several medics and doctors were preparing equipment. "Fully stocked and equipped to handle anything from minor injuries to severe trauma."
Next, they were shown the armory, where an impressive array of weapons and equipment were stored. "Standard firearms won't be enough out here," the Captain explained. "We've got energy weapons, EMP grenades, and a few other surprises that should help level the playing field against any anomalies we might encounter."
Lena's eyes widened at the sight of some of the more experimental equipment. "I'm not much of a weapons expert, but these look like they could take down just about anything," she commented.
Bucky, the person most interested in weapons followed tightly by Peggy couldn't help but nod his head in agreement, that armory looked stocked for war, though perhaps that was also what the Foundation expected, or at least feared.
He had to agree that it didn't hurt to be prepared, though he suspected that Steve might have wanted to believe in the good of others. And expect peace over war. Then again, Steve was clearly a one-of-a-kind type of person.
"Here is the communication center," the Captain announced, leading them into a room filled with monitors and communication equipment. Technicians were busy monitoring various data streams and adjusting frequencies. "We're keeping a close watch on the surrounding area. If anything moves out there, we'll know about it."
Peggy studied the setup with a critical eye, noting the redundancy in the systems. "You've covered every angle," she commented. "Good. We'll need every bit of information we can get."
The Captain nodded in agreement. "Intelligence is our first line of defense. We can't afford to be caught off guard."
Bruce, who had been quiet for most of the tour, finally spoke up. "What's the protocol if we encounter something… unexpected? Something that isn't in our databases?"
The Captain's expression, though hidden behind his helmet, seemed to harden. "If we encounter anything outside of our current knowledge, containment is the priority. Neutralization if necessary. The Foundation's motto is 'Secure, Contain, Protect' for a reason."
Steve, always the strategist, asked, "And if we encounter sentient life? What's the plan for first contact?"
"Observe and report," the Captain replied. "Engagement only if absolutely necessary. We're here to gather information, not to start a war."
The tour concluded at the command center, a reinforced bunker equipped with large screens displaying maps, tactical information, and real-time updates from drones and scouting teams. The Captain turned to the group, his tone serious. "This is where we'll coordinate our operations. You'll have access to all the information we gather, but remember, everything here is classified. Nothing leaves this room without my authorization."
Peggy nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Understood. We're here to work with you, not against you. The more we know, the better we can help."
As they prepared to move out, the reality of their mission began to set in. They were about to step into the unknown, and while they had the backing of the Foundation's advanced technology and resources, they knew that anything could happen. It was a mission that required not just skill and bravery, but also trust in each other and the organization that had brought them together.
With the final preparations complete, the Captain addressed the group one last time. "We're on the brink of a major discovery, or possibly a major disaster. Stay sharp, follow protocols, and trust your training. We'll move out in an hour. Be ready."
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