Floating Island Incident (Part 1)

"Truly a city powered entirely by solar energy." Looking at the numerous solar panels in the distance, Shen Fei remarked with some emotion as he drove. Terragrigia Island could be called the only city in the world to rely completely on solar power. Above the city, a Solar Matrix Satellite orbited in constant sync, and it was thanks to this satellite that Terragrigia never experienced power outages, regardless of the weather.

Many scientists were overjoyed at the birth of this technology, as it represented a huge leap forward in humanity's application of solar energy.

The energy problem had always been a major global issue. Whoever controlled energy controlled the future—that was no joke. Even though this world had plenty of black-tech energy solutions, oil remained a top priority for every nation.

Because oil was far too important. It wasn't just about refining fuel. Even if future energy could be extracted entirely from wind, sun, or various elements, oil's significance wouldn't diminish much.

Shen Fei knew this because the pharmaceutical industry also required oil.

"The FBC under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s control shouldn't have any problems, right?" To most people, that Solar Matrix Satellite was just an energy satellite, but Shen Fei knew it wasn't just an energy satellite—it was also a satellite weapon.

"So Hydra's Project Insight is really just copying someone else's homework." Shen Fei was certain that if the Solar Matrix Satellite weren't too slow to activate as a weapon, Project Insight might not have launched Helicarriers at all—it would have been all Solar Matrices.

Looking up at the sky, Shen Fei couldn't help but sigh. Hydra hid so deeply, its internal rules so strict, but its upper ranks were all short-sighted fools.

Even if Project Insight succeeded, it wouldn't last. Where there was oppression, there would be resistance. Project Insight was essentially just harsh rule by law—all things the Celestial Dynasty's ancestors had already tried and discarded. Back then, Shang Yang's laws were so severe, and in the end, Great Qin still fell apart.

Governance required balance—tightening and loosening in turns. A string kept taut would eventually snap.

Alexander Pierce was an idiot, and that so-called orthodox Hydra leader Malick wasn't any smarter. For centuries, all they wanted was to bring back the Hive and rule the world without paying the price, just sitting back and reaping the rewards of the Hive's power. Hah. In that regard, Malick was even worse than Pierce—at least Pierce had been putting in the effort.

Over the years, besides studying and training, Shen Fei had also tried to recall everything related to Hydra. They were perfect patsies—even if they got taken, they wouldn't dare make a fuss.

Especially the Malick family. They controlled the passage to another planet—a world suitable for human life, and probably not far from Earth.

If the Malicks had spent centuries trying to kill the Hive and take over that planet instead of welcoming it back, they might have already developed a foothold on that alien world. Even if the planet was a bit barren, it was still a planet.

If Shen Fei were confident he could kill the Hive right now, he'd probably go seize the Malick family's Black Stone and open the Gate over there. For Kamar-Taj's sorcerers, opening a Gate was a simple matter.

For future development, Shen Fei had drawn up a five-year plan and a ten-year blueprint, all based on the major events in his memory. Whether he could reap benefits from them would depend on circumstances.

It was just that he couldn't leave Earth yet. Otherwise, going to Knowhere might even let him get his hands on an Ancient Celestial's DNA.

"Sherry, long time no see." At the agreed-upon restaurant, Shen Fei met two people who surprised him. One was Sherry Birkin—years had passed, and she had grown into a striking beauty. The other was a red-haired woman, Natasha, the legendary Black Widow.

Shen Fei soon learned that Sherry was Natasha's partner—more accurately, Sherry was learning from Natasha how to be a proper agent.

"Is Sherry going to become an Avenger?" After hearing Sherry's introduction, Shen Fei couldn't help but think.

Then he thought it over and realized Sherry really might become an Avenger one day. After all, she carried the power of the G-Virus inside her, giving her instant regeneration and physical abilities far beyond normal humans. If Black Widow trained her, she'd definitely become Fury's trusted agent.

"Maybe even the next Captain America—a female Captain America." Shen Fei's imagination ran wild.

"This is a rare treasure. We're lucky today." When Natasha saw the wine Shen Fei had brought, she immediately started explaining its background to Rebecca.

A top agent—especially a female, ace agent—needed more than just good looks. She needed a vast amount of knowledge. Looks came first because most men let their guard down around a beautiful woman.

"So this wine must be really expensive?" After Natasha's explanation, Sherry was a bit surprised.

"Not just expensive. Some people couldn't buy this even if they had the money. This is from Premier Cru Supérieur Château d'Yquem. Most people haven't even heard of the place," Natasha said.

Premier Cru Supérieur Château d'Yquem—compared to that, the world-famous Lafite was a grade lower. In wine classification, Lafite was only Premier Cru.

"A gift from the Stark Group. I have some business dealings with them." The cooperation with the Stark Group wasn't something that needed to be kept secret, so Rebecca and Sherry already knew about it—he had told them before.

"That playboy isn't a good person. Don't learn from him." Sherry didn't seem to like Stark much. That was normal—before becoming Iron Man, Stark was just a playboy image.

"I don't have that kind of capital. Besides, I've barely met him a few times." Stark was too busy chasing women to bother with him. In Stark's eyes, Shen Fei was barely an adult.

After that, they talked a bit about the old days in Raccoon City.

"This wine..." After taking a sip of the fine wine from Premier Cru Supérieur Château d'Yquem, a flicker of surprise passed through Natasha's eyes.

She then took a closer look at the bottle and excused herself to the restroom. Inside, she took out a container and spat some of the wine into it.

Why did Natasha do this? Simple—she had drunk this wine before, but this bottle tasted very different from what she remembered. An ordinary person wouldn't think much of it, but Natasha was an ace agent. Plus, with Shen Fei's cooperation with Stark, S.H.I.E.L.D. had already investigated his background.

"Nick Fury's impressive—he's already made Sherry see S.H.I.E.L.D. as her home." After Natasha left, Sherry didn't talk much about her work at S.H.I.E.L.D., probably due to regulations. But from her tone, Shen Fei could tell she was proud to be a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.

Sherry was a kind person. Especially after learning that her parents were partly responsible for the Raccoon City disaster, she had been trying to make up for the harm they caused the world. Working at S.H.I.E.L.D. let her fulfill that wish.

Shen Fei didn't know what to say, so he just told Rebecca and Sherry to be careful.

When Natasha returned, the four of them had a pleasant conversation. Shen Fei had great respect for Natasha. If nothing else, sacrificing herself for the Soul Stone was worthy of anyone's respect.

"He seems interested in you." After the meal, they parted ways. Natasha and Sherry got into a car, and Natasha said this.

"Don't be ridiculous. We're just friends. He's just looking out for me," Sherry replied.

"Just friends? Well, in this line of work, it's hard to find someone you can stay with for long," Natasha said with a hint of emotion.

The spy profession had the highest divorce rate—too dangerous, and too often apart.

"Alright, let's go rest."

"Help me check what's in this." After sending Sherry off to rest, Natasha went alone to a lab on the island and handed the wine she had spat out to a researcher.