Chương 30: Chapter 30

"Again, the suit data confirmed its accuracy. I opened my helmet, driven not only by the presented evidence but also by my own physiology, which didn't require oxygen. My team barely had time to react before I stood on the lunar surface with my helmet off.

"It's true," I declared firmly. "There's air here."

My companions looked at me as if I were crazy. Their reaction was understandable; who could have guessed that there was a breathable atmosphere on the Moon?

After my words and the subsequent confirmation by the scanners, my teammates also opened their helmets.

"But how is this possible?" Susan whispered, unable to believe her eyes as she surveyed the lunar landscape.

"That's what I'm eager to find out," I replied, and it was the absolute truth.

I was genuinely curious to unravel the mystery of the Blue Area of the Moon. This place, shrouded in numerous secrets in comics and stories, served as the setting for many pivotal events in Marvel lore.

I knew that the Blue Area was not a natural creation. It was made by the Kree, an ancient alien race whose technology and knowledge far surpassed human capabilities. Their goal was to observe humanity and experiment with creating Inhumans, beings that straddled the line between human and something extraterrestrial.

"Let's explore, but don't wander off," I warned my team as I activated the drones. These small mechanical explorers took to the air, beginning their scan of the vast, mysterious landscape of the Blue Area.

Sue immediately began collecting lunar rock samples for further analysis, understanding the uniqueness of this opportunity. Meanwhile, Ben and Johnny diligently worked on capturing photos of this enigmatic place, images that could only be dreamed of.

I vigilantly monitored the execution of our plan, my primary goal being to uncover the location of the Inhumans. Moreover, if the opportunity presented itself, I intended to obtain DNA samples from one of their most powerful members.

The drones, like little messengers from another world, sent updates on their discoveries every few seconds, allowing me to observe their findings with exceptional precision. Within minutes, one report caught my attention — it contained an image of a forest.

"Well, that's unexpected," I couldn't help but comment.

Johnny, Ben, and Sue turned to me instantly, sensing the change in my tone. I quickly shared with them what the drones had seen, and together we witnessed the surprising discovery.

"Are my eyes deceiving me?" Ben asked incredulously.

"If you're talking about the forest, then no, your eyes are fine, big guy," Johnny responded humorously, lightening the mood.

"The surprise seems less shocking when you consider we're in a place where air isn't a rarity," Sue pondered, lost in thoughts about the marvels of this place.

"Do I detect a thirst for adventure in your voices?" I asked, grinning from ear to ear, anticipating the upcoming discoveries.

—= Some Time Later =—

As the drones ventured deeper into the unknown, we were granted the opportunity to explore this area, which, according to their data, was safe for us to traverse.

After several dozen minutes, we reached the edge of the forest, standing in stark contrast to the lunar landscape surrounding us until now. This forest was awe-inspiring in its lushness and exotic nature, so different from anything we'd ever seen on Earth.

"It feels like we've stepped into another world," Johnny remarked in amazement.

Sue devoted herself to studying the vegetation of this unusual forest. When her research began to yield results, she shared her findings:

"These plants aren't entirely alien, in the literal sense. My thorough analysis reveals they share elements with Earth's flora."

"So, you're saying these plants are cosmic pioneers?" Ben interrupted with a smile.

This joke elicited genuine laughter from Sue and me, envisioning the amusing image of astronaut plants.

"In a way," Sue smiled back. "It seems someone transplanted them here millions of years ago, explaining their uniqueness compared to Earth's flora."

At that moment, the drones discovered exactly what we had embarked on this journey for. They found Attilan, the mysterious city of the Inhumans.

"I think I know who might be behind all this," I mused aloud, reviewing the data sent by the drones.

The information confirmed my suspicions. Maximus, the mad brother of Black Bolt, hadn't noticed my drones operating in enhanced stealth mode. I suspected he used a special algorithm to create a defensive barrier, and my assumptions were correct.

"This is simply incredible..." Johnny whispered, barely containing his awe.

"I couldn't agree more," Ben added, echoing the team's amazement.

—= Attilan =—

In the throne room of Attilan, where every stone breathed history and the might of the Inhumans, Black Bolt, Blackagar Boltagon, stood in all his silent majesty. The ruler of silence, his power vibrated in the air like a quiet thunder, filling the space with a heavy anticipation. Kneeling before him was an Inhuman, whose fate was now inextricably tied to the king's will.

Medusa, the embodiment of dignity and unwavering calm, stood beside the throne like a guardian of ancient traditions. Her voice, filled with unshakable confidence and gentleness, addressed the messenger:

"You are here by the king's command to complete the mission your predecessor failed. Retrieve Crystal, who was lost on Earth."

The Inhuman, whose massive figure epitomized steadfastness and strength, spoke firmly without lifting his eyes:

"The order will be fulfilled."

Black Bolt's face showed no hint of emotion, though an untrained eye might think otherwise. But Medusa, knowing him better than anyone, caught the subtle tremor at the corners of his mouth — a sign unnoticed by most but meaningful to those who understood the king as she did.

"We believe in you, Gorgon," she said, her voice carrying not just support but an unshakeable belief in the mission's success.

—= Reed Richards =—

Understanding the logic of the programming language created by the Inhumans was not particularly difficult, and soon enough, I had a vast database on every Inhuman in Attilan at my fingertips.

"Johnny," I called out.

The moment was perfect to set the stage.

"Yes?"

"Crystal is from Europe, right?" I asked.

"Yes... Why? Did something happen?" Johnny responded, puzzled.

"In a way," I said, showing everyone Crystal's dossier.

—\\—

The data I extracted from the Inhuman database revealed a stunning truth: they maintained detailed information about each of their kin within the Solar System. This database, to which I gained access, contained comprehensive data on every inhabitant of Attilan — from basic biographical facts such as height, weight, name, age, and lineage, to an overview of the unique abilities possessed by the Inhumans.

Among the pages of this massive repository of information stood Crystal Amaquelin — the youngest child of the renowned Inhumans Quelin and Ambur, who held her place in the royal lineage of Attilan.

Like her elder sister Medusa, Crystal underwent the transformation through the Terrigen Mist at a young age, which granted her mental abilities far beyond ordinary imagination.

Johnny, visibly astonished, raised his eyebrows so high they almost touched his forehead.

"Well, a city on the Moon is probably a bit farther than Europe," he quipped, his voice tinged with playful humor.

His words elicited a mix of surprise and confusion in our glances directed at him.

"What?" Johnny responded, bewildered by our reaction. "I believe Crystal. She must have had serious reasons to hide the truth from me."

"Your words carry surprising wisdom for you..." Sue remarked gently, her voice a blend of astonishment and amusement.

"Looks like space travel had a strange effect on me," Ben pondered, his brows furrowed in thought. "Can't imagine Johnny speaking so wisely..."

Provoked by such comments, I couldn't stay out of it and began examining Johnny for any anomalies. My actions drew everyone's attention. Johnny stared at me with slight bewilderment, his gaze full of questions.

"I'm just checking, just in case," I explained as I conducted a medical diagnosis. "Strange... everything seems normal."

"You know what, go to hell," Johnny said, his voice filled with clear irritation but also hidden amusement.

After such words, holding back laughter became impossible. All four of us burst into loud laughter, enveloped in the atmosphere of camaraderie and mutual understanding that always accompanied us in the most unpredictable situations.

I then proceeded to a more detailed study of the data on Crystal. In the comics, I was more interested in mutants than Inhumans, so I had only a vague idea of why Crystal was on Earth.

"I think I understand why Crystal didn't tell us the truth," I said as I found an interesting detail in Crystal's dossier. "It's likely due to this point."

The Inhumans had a practice of genetic selection to maintain the desired level of genetic diversity and abilities. One of the programs of such selection revolved around Crystal and Maximus.

"How could she be forced to marry him?!" Johnny exclaimed, his anger so powerful it seemed to materialize in the air, filling the space with a heavy pressure of disappointment and rejection.

Silently, I delved into the search for information about Maximus, the younger brother of Black Bolt. Known for his borderline madness and genius, Maximus was the architect of many of Attilan's defense systems and technological marvels. But in the dossier I discovered, there was something that made me look at Maximus from a completely different angle. The depth of his madness and cruelty was astounding.

When Johnny saw the information about Maximus, his emotions erupted so fiercely that his figure was literally enveloped in flames — a vivid expression of his inner turmoil. Thanks to the isolating barrier surrounding us, we remained unnoticed.

Despite the initial outburst of anger, Sue's younger brother quickly regained his composure, standing before us as the embodiment of determination and willpower.

"I won't let that bastard get near Crystal," Johnny declared with unyielding confidence, a vow forged from the very essence of his soul.

"We won't let that happen," I said firmly.

I was about to add more, but at that critical moment, my artificial intelligence broke through the Inhumans' surveillance camera defenses.

Programmed to respond to certain keywords, the AI relentlessly drew my attention to an urgent notification.

My eyes quickly scanned the information presented, formatted in such a way that I could absorb it as efficiently as possible.

"It seems we'll have to expedite our return," I said slowly, finishing my analysis of the data.

Sue, Johnny, and Ben exchanged looks full of confusion and concern.

"What happened, Reed?" Sue asked worriedly.

"The king of Attilan has sent his hound to retrieve Crystal," I replied, starting to set up the teleportation device to return home.

As soon as the words about the impending threat were spoken, each of us instinctively prepared for the inevitable confrontation.

"I would have preferred to return home on our ship..." my words carried a note of regret and pragmatism, knowing that time was against us. Completing the final adjustments, I realized that every second was precious.

The next moment transported us, my team, directly to the Fantastic Four's building. All the collected samples, our ship — everything was now on Earth, leaving only a few drones on the Moon as our eyes.

Meanwhile, Johnny clung to the last hope of contacting Crystal, but when he couldn't reach her, his frustration found an outlet in throwing his phone.

"Damn it!" he exclaimed, releasing the device into the void.

Using magnetism, I halted the smartphone mid-flight and calmed him down:

"Don't take it out on the phone. It did everything it could."

Johnny's bewildered gaze shifted to me, but in response, I merely displayed a map of New York before him, with a bright red dot glowing on it.

"I found her," I said, providing hope with my discovery.

—= Crystal Amaquelin =—

To Medusa's younger sister, Crystal, the past few days might have seemed so incredible they bordered on fantasy. In the shadows of Attilan's walls, she had always been under the oppressive presence of Mad Maximus, his dark intrigues and unbridled lust for power blanketing her daily life with a heavy veil of anxiety. But here on Earth, she had found something akin to the freedom to breathe, as if for the first time in a long while she could take a deep breath, filling her lungs with the fresh air of hope and change.

And that was not even considering the sudden appearance of Johnny Storm in her life, who had burst into her existence like a comet, illuminating it with the bright colors of unexpected emotions and adventures. His boundless energy, fearless courage, and eternal optimism ignited a spark of joy in her heart, a joy long forgotten in the dark corridors of the royal palace.

Even though Crystal knew it wouldn't last long... she wanted to enjoy this beautiful dream a little longer.

"Princess Crystal," came the voice of someone Crystal had noticed a few dozen minutes ago. After all, iron hooves did not help with stealth.

"You must return with me to Attilan."

The young woman looked at the city that had given her such a beautiful fairy tale... Then she met Gorgon's gaze.

"Alright."

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Chương 31: Chapter 31

From my observations, the Fantastic Machine possessed impressive speed, but even it faced insurmountable time constraints.

When we reached the location marked by Crystal's smartphone, we found no sign of her. Instead, we were met with an empty apartment and a lone smartphone, its screen filled with missed call notifications from Johnny Storm.

"He beat us here," Sue said quietly, looking at her brother with regret in her eyes.

At that moment, a flame of anger ignited in Johnny's eyes, as if he was ready to burn the whole world with his fury.

"We'll save her," Ben stated confidently. "Right, Reed?"

"Yes," I nodded. "I've figured out what happened here."

Teleportation traces were discovered much more easily than one might expect, especially given my experience with such technologies.

"We need to return to the Moon," I said, meeting Johnny's gaze. "This time, we'll be fully prepared."

—= Some time later =—

What can be done in a couple of hours? If you have a device that can accelerate the flow of time, you can create many interesting gadgets to complicate your enemies' lives.

With a certain amount of information about the abilities of the Inhumans, I began to prepare for our encounter with them.

"Where are your toys?" Ben asked when I emerged from Chronos.

I simply nodded and showed a small box in response.

"Wonderful," Ben said.

"Are Johnny and Sue already in place?" I asked, my question hanging in the air like a prelude to the upcoming adventure.

Ben nodded in response, his eyes reflecting readiness for action.

"Then let's not keep them waiting," I said, feeling the anticipation of the adventure electrify the air.

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Ben replied, a spark of a smile curling the corner of his lips.

We headed to the ship, already waiting for us, ready to explore the cosmic expanses. This ship was more than just a means of transportation; with the latest improvements, it had capabilities that once seemed unattainable, making the journey not only more comfortable but infinitely more exciting.

Inside the ship, Johnny and Sue were already in their seats, their gazes full of determination and focus on the upcoming mission. Ben confidently took his place at the helm, and I settled next to him, ready to assist.

"It might be a bit bumpy," I warned, activating the teleportation system, preparing for an instantaneous transition through space.

—= The Moon =—

In a moment, our ship sliced through the silence of the lunar void. Upon entering the lunar atmosphere, the ship instinctively adapted to the new conditions, gently activating its engines to prevent an uncontrolled descent onto the silvery surface.

"What's our course?" Ben asked, his voice filled with anticipation.

In response, I activated a map created by my drones, revealing the lunar landscape with unprecedented detail.

"Got it," Ben replied concisely, catching my hint.

Our engines roared, accelerating the ship towards our destination with such speed that time itself seemed to warp around us.

"Where exactly are we headed?" Ben persisted, a note of curiosity in his voice.

Thanks to the cutting-edge technology embedded in every atom of the ship, we sped towards our goal, ready to reach it in just a few minutes.

"We're heading for a meeting," I said as we arrived at our destination, where we were already expected.

Our engines fell silent, and the ship stopped before two figures standing on the lunar surface with majestic calm. These individuals were not just important; they were key players in our story.

Before us stood Black Bolt, King of Attilan, and his wife Medusalith Amaquelin Boltagon, Queen of Attilan.

"These are the ones we need to meet."

—= Some time ago =—

The path to rescuing Crystal could not lie through a battlefield — invading Attilan would destroy any hopes of establishing peaceful relations with the Inhumans. This truth was as clear to me as day, for the Inhumans possessed power that could pose significant problems. Understanding that confrontation would only lead to unnecessary bloodshed and destruction compelled me to seek alternative solutions.

Deep in my consciousness, I realized that the key to resolving the situation lay in the very nature of the power that Maximus so desperately sought. His eyes burned with a manic fire aimed at Black Bolt's throne, at the power that could overturn everything in Attilan. His ambitions were not merely a thirst for power; they were captives of his own madness and genius, making him a dangerous adversary and an unpredictable ally.

In this mosaic of power and ambition, I saw an opportunity for diplomacy that could lead to a peaceful resolution. It was necessary to use his desires as a key to the solution, subtly manipulating the circumstances to ensure Crystal's safety and pave the way for a more peaceful future for all.

After countless hours of analysis in the depths of Chronos, examining every byte of information extracted from Maximus's secret archives, I finally found what I was looking for. What could have driven Maximus to create such an extensive collection of data — his immeasurable madness or cunning calculation — remained a mystery. However, among other things, I discovered detailed information about the plots that swirled in the shadows around Black Bolt.

Having verified the authenticity of the gathered information, I understood that it was time for action — time to make contact with Black Bolt.

With a deep understanding of Inhuman technology, establishing direct contact was far less difficult than it might seem at first glance.

"Greetings, Blackagar Boltagon," I said. "My name is Reed Richards, and we need to meet..."

—= Present time =—

"Reed, explain what you're planning?" Johnny Storm's question came with a note of confusion and concern. He couldn't imagine how to solve this problem without direct conflict.

I met his gaze, which held as many questions as it did concerns.

"You see," I began, choosing my words with particular care, "the best solution here is diplomacy. We can't afford to brazenly invade their territory."

Johnny opened his mouth to protest, but I preempted him with the following words:

"Trust me, Johnny. I've thought everything through down to the smallest detail."

His gaze met mine, and after a few moments, he nodded.

"Didn't expect this," Ben said as we exited the ship.

"But it's the best solution," I replied. "I have something that will help us get Crystal out of her predicament."

The meeting place was relatively close to the palace. However, there were no guards nearby, which made sense since Black Bolt himself was a powerful being.

"Greetings again, Blackagar," I said. "It's a pleasure to meet you in person."

Black Bolt nodded.

"My name is Reed Richards, this is Benjamin Grimm, Susan Storm, and Johnny Storm. These are the people most dear to me."

Black Bolt's gaze met that of his wife, and she spoke:

"My name is Medusalith Amaquelin Boltagon, and this is my husband Blackagar Boltagon. We prefer not to beat around the bush."

I smirked and pulled out the necessary data.

"I assume this is the start of negotiations?"

—\\—

Tension hung in the air as Medusalith and Blackagar, two legendary figures of contemporary fantasy, faced off with our equally formidable group. Their combined presence was so powerful that even the wind seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the outcome of our meeting. The negotiations were arduous; it took considerable effort to achieve terms acceptable to both sides.

"I hope our future interactions will continue in this constructive spirit," I said, extending my hand to Blackagar, sincerely wanting to solidify the agreement we had reached. My words were met with a nod from Black Bolt, signifying his assent.

"We hope so too," Medusa added, her voice soft yet imbued with unwavering confidence. The glance exchanged between the royal couple was filled with unspoken words and emotions. After this meaningful look, Black Bolt, exchanging a significant gaze with Medusa, withdrew, leaving us alone with her.

"Since we have some time, I'd like to learn more about you, especially your relationships," Medusa said, addressing Johnny, the fiery spirit of our team. Despite his previous antipathy towards the royal pair, his expression now was more cautiously interested than hostile.

"You want to know about your sister, not about me," Johnny instantly surmised, his voice steady and eyes glinting with perceptiveness. Medusa sighed heavily but nodded, acknowledging the truth of his words.

As Johnny began to recount Crystal's story, the rest of us decided to follow Blackagar. It was clear that the upcoming conversation would be far more personal and private than anything that could occur in our presence.

Black Bolt, meanwhile, was observing the surroundings. Judging by his gaze, it seemed rare for him to have such moments of simple contemplation. He noticed us with the slightest tilt of his head.

"What is the punishment for the situations Maximus has created?" I asked him.

Black Bolt looked at me, and his eyes conveyed a multitude of thoughts. He couldn't use telepathy due to the protective equipment we were wearing. Instead, he resorted to sign language.

"Death penalty," Black Bolt signed.

Ben raised an eyebrow. While he wasn't fond of the death penalty, he could accept it due to his military background. Sue, however, frowned.

"But you're planning to do something different, aren't you?" I asked. Black Bolt nodded. "Because he's your brother?"

"No. It's more complicated than that," Black Bolt signed, sadness deep in his eyes.

I wasn't a fan of Black Bolt, but I had some knowledge of his biography from the comics. Piecing together the necessary picture with these and other gathered data wasn't too difficult.

Most likely, it was related to the guilt Black Bolt carried for killing their parents in childhood.

"You're the king; it's your decision," I said succinctly, noticing Johnny and Medusa heading in our direction. "But you should keep in mind that you'll need a very secure prison because if Maximus escapes, it will cause a lot of problems."

—= Some time later =—

The royal palace of Attilan didn't greet us with splendor and magnificence but with shadows and silence, as if the place itself guarded our secret. The intricate corridors and halls, normally gleaming with marble and gold, now seemed like cold passages hiding us from prying eyes. This reception was as mysterious as it was strategically planned, for our mission required absolute secrecy. We were ghosts among walls that had to remain unnoticed by both Maximus's followers and Black Bolt's allies. As the saying goes, if two people know a secret, it's no longer a secret.

We weren't led here by chance but by the need to penetrate a place unknown even to the king of Attilan. Among the shadows and whispers, hidden from curious eyes and ears, we sought the entrance to Maximus's laboratory. This was the repository of his schemes and weapons against Black Bolt, hidden so deeply that even the thought of its existence here seemed unbelievable.

"He really built it here," Medusa's barely audible words reflected our collective amazement. We stood before a door as inconspicuous and ordinary as it could be, had we not known what lay behind it. It led to the heart of the conspiracy, to the laboratory where Maximus stored his inventions and plans against his brother.

"Are you surprised?" my voice was barely above a whisper, mingling with the faint click of internal mechanisms as I began to work on the door with unseen precision and skill. My attention was entirely absorbed by the task, but I couldn't help feeling the eyes of my companions on my back, sensing that each of them—whether it was Black Bolt with his power, Johnny with his fiery energy, Ben with his unbreakable strength, or Sue with her impenetrable shields—could have breached this barrier without a hint of effort. But here, in this shadowy vestibule, where every step could be the last, where every sound could attract unwanted attention, silence was our most valuable ally. Hence, I chose the path of the craftsman, not the brute.

My thoughts wandered to the nature of the technologies we were trying to circumvent. The electromagnetic wave, this invisible and all-pervading agent, was at the core of my musings. Abilities like those Magneto possessed, to manipulate almost the entire spectrum of electromagnetic waves, seemed beyond the comprehension of an ordinary person. Waves that carried light, heat, even messages through the air, were now under my control, as if I had found a way to communicate with the very essence of the universe.

Thanks to this power, I disarmed the task before me swiftly.

"Done," I said, slicing through the silence with unexpected finality as the door opened with a soft whisper, revealing a room filled with machines and devices, each a testament to Maximus's genius and madness. "All traps are neutralized. We can enter."

At my invitation, the others followed me, stepping into the laboratory with cautious curiosity. The air vibrated with invisible energy, as if each device, each instrument still held a part of its creator's soul.

"What exactly are we looking for?" Medusa asked, her voice slicing through the charged silence. Her question wasn't just about searching but about choosing among the myriad possibilities laid out before us.

Scanning the equipment, I found the necessary items for our task. Each of Maximus's gadgets was incredibly dangerous, but given our plan, we needed a specific set of tools.

As I examined the equipment, I felt the potential each of these "artifacts" created by Maximus held for both creation and destruction. Some of them exuded such power that even the air around them seemed electrified. But our mission required selecting specific instruments perfectly suited to our goals. In the end, my attention settled on several items, each possessing unique properties essential for our plan. These "toys," as Maximus mockingly called them, were far more than mere devices. They were keys to his dreams... and nightmares.

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