Chapter Summaries

Arthur and Carl settled into a shabby motel room, where Arthur identified their destination as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He reported his findings and a proposal to Captain Macha, then warned Carl that New York would face an alien invasion the next day.

• Arthur and Carl inspected their dirty, cramped motel room and made do with it for the night.
• After showering, Carl noticed Arthur's focused expression reminded her of William, whom she regarded as a father figure.
• Arthur used the tablet's internet connection to identify their universe from a report about Captain America reappearing in Germany beside Loki.
• Arthur told Carl he had reported their discovery and his proposal to Captain Macha through his encrypted communicator.
• Arthur said the report meant New York would face an alien invasion the next day.

Arthur explained that the Blood Raven Battle Group should wait until the Avengers were struggling against the Chitauri before intervening, both to save civilians and to gain leverage with Earth’s leaders. Carl agreed to prepare for the battle, but rebuked Arthur after he teased her about liking him more than Ivan and William.

• Arthur told Carl that the Chitauri would invade New York the next day and argued that the battle would cause many civilian casualties.
• Arthur proposed that he, Carl, and the agents protect civilians while the Avengers fought, then have Captain Macha send two warships to rout the Chitauri when the Avengers were in danger.
• Arthur explained that a limited show of force would earn the Blood Raven Battle Group supplies and cooperation without making the Avengers and the United Nations Security Council fear them.
• Carl understood Arthur’s plan and laughed when he insisted that otaku could not lose at war if it were a game.
• Arthur teased Carl by asking whether she liked him more than Ivan and William, so Carl tapped him on the head and ordered him to have Captain Macha notify the other agents for the New York operation.

Arthur and Carl gathered Umbrella agents in Brooklyn and seized a Hammer Industries warehouse as their temporary base. The next day, the Battle of New York began, and Umbrella's agents drove toward the fighting before traffic forced them to stop on Forty-Second Street.

• Arthur and Carl drove to Brooklyn and arranged to meet the agents arriving in New York.
• The agents gathered at Prospect Park, acquired vehicles and supplies, and searched Brooklyn's port warehouses for a base.
• At Arthur's suggestion, the agents seized a sealed Hammer Industries warehouse and concealed their people and vehicles inside.
• The next morning, a Vortex Tunnel opened above Stark Tower, and Tony Stark attacked the Chitauri as they poured into Manhattan.
• Umbrella's agents drove against the fleeing traffic toward Midtown, but congestion stopped their convoy on Forty-Second Street.

Arthur led Umbrella’s agents into the Chitauri attack on 42nd Street, where they swiftly brought down the enemy airships and prepared to rescue civilians. He and Carl then headed toward Stark Tower, leaving the agents to protect people and promote Umbrella as Manhattan’s defender.

• Arthur, Carl, and the agents arrived on 42nd Street as Chitauri airships began attacking civilians.
• The sergeant ordered the agents to fire, and they destroyed several airships with Gauss Rifles.
• Arthur told the sergeant to protect civilians while making clear that Umbrella—not the government—was helping them, and to criticize the government and the United Nations Security Council.
• Arthur and Carl left for Stark Tower, while the sergeant ordered the agents to continue the operation.
• In an alley near Sixth Avenue, Carl admired Arthur’s change in standing as they approached Stark Tower and the Vortex Tunnel.
• Arthur grabbed Carl’s forearm and asked if she was ready to make a dazzling entrance.

Arthur and Carl entered the Battle of New York, waiting to intervene when the Avengers were in desperate straits. After Carl destroyed a Leviathan and Arthur cleared the Chitauri around them, they charged onto the overpass and found Captain America and Black Widow.

• Thor struck the Chitauri airships and a Leviathan with lightning near the Vortex Tunnel.
• Arthur explained that they would wait until the Avengers were desperate before intervening, while Carl condemned Hulk's destruction of civilian buildings.
• A Leviathan flew past Arthur and Carl, deploying Chitauri soldiers near Captain America and Black Widow on the overpass.
• Carl shot the Leviathan with her Gauss Sniper Rifle, splitting it in half, while Arthur killed the nearby Chitauri with his Gauss Rifle.
• Arthur and Carl fought their way onto the overpass, where Captain America threw his Vibranium Shield toward a Chitauri soldier in front of Arthur.

Arthur Russell and Carl fought alongside Captain America and Black Widow against the Chitauri, while Natasha grew wary of Carl’s powerful Gauss Sniper Rifle. After Stark warned that a nuclear missile was headed for Manhattan, Arthur called in reinforcements, and two Umbrella Corporation warships emerged through new portals and turned the tide of battle.

• Arthur caught Captain America’s Vibranium Shield, used it to kill a Chitauri soldier, and then fought alongside Carl to clear the overpass.
• Arthur and Carl introduced themselves to Captain America and Black Widow as more Chitauri poured through the Vortex Tunnel.
• Carl destroyed a Leviathan with her Gauss Sniper Rifle, and Natasha continued sniping the largest threats while keeping watch on Carl.
• Stark told Captain America that a nuclear-armed F-35 was approaching Manhattan and that he was going to intercept it.
• Arthur contacted Macha, and two more Vortex Tunnels opened above Manhattan.
• Two Umbrella Corporation warships emerged and unleashed their Gauss Point Defense Cannons, overturning the battle’s balance.

Umbrella’s escort ships and Blood Raven Marines broke the deadlock in Manhattan as Freedom intercepted the nuclear bomb and carried it through the portal to destroy the Chitauri mothership. Rogers and Natasha watched the Astartes overwhelm the enemy, and the Chitauri suddenly collapsed.

• Two Umbrella escort ships arrived over Manhattan, deployed aircraft, and landed Blood Raven Marines to fight the Chitauri and protect civilians.
• Twenty Blood Ravens landed near Arthur, cleared the overpass of Chitauri, and stunned Rogers and Natasha with their strength.
• Freedom intercepted Tony Stark’s nuclear bomb, protected it with an AT Energy Shield, and flew through the portal toward the Chitauri mothership.
• Freedom released the nuclear bomb, which destroyed the mothership, and the pilot reported the successful mission to Arthur before returning to Manhattan.
• The Blood Ravens continued slaughtering Chitauri on the overpass until the remaining Chitauri suddenly collapsed.

Arthur and the Blood Ravens joined the Avengers after helping stop the Leviathans in Manhattan, then worked with them to close the Vortex Tunnel. The chapter ended with the immediate crisis resolved, while Arthur still looked for a chance to demonstrate Umbrella’s strength.

• Arthur told Rogers that the Manhattan battle plan had worked and suggested they deal with the Vortex Tunnel.
• Arthur, Carl, and the Blood Ravens met Rogers and Natasha on a transport bound for Stark Tower, where Thor, Hulk, Stark, and Hawkeye gathered.
• The Blood Ravens aimed their weapons at Stark when he approached Arthur, prompting Hulk and Thor to prepare for a fight.
• Rogers, Stark, Arthur, and Carl calmed both sides and restored a wary truce.
• Natasha urged everyone to close the Vortex Tunnel before talking, and the group found Erik Selvig and used Loki’s Scepter to seal it.

After Loki was taken away by Thor, Arthur ordered the Blood Raven forces to withdraw from Manhattan and began preparing to negotiate with S.H.I.E.L.D., the US Government, and the UN Security Council. He assumed command of the frigates and considered his overwhelming military strength while staying cautious about the Infinity Stones and future events.

• Loki awoke, and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s assault team took his Scepter without Arthur interfering, despite his knowing the team were Hydra operatives and the Scepter held the Mind Stone.
• Alexander Pierce failed to seize the Space Stone from Thor, who took Loki back to Asgard, then demanded that Arthur withdraw his troops from Manhattan.
• Arthur ordered the Blood Raven units to return to their warships and agreed to discuss his origins with Pierce in a negotiation meeting.
• Two days after the Chitauri attack, Arthur returned to the Paris with Carl and twenty Blood Raven Astartes while the rest of the force remained aboard the frigates.
• Arthur contacted Macha, Gabriel, and Vadim on the Back of the Moon, and Macha and Gabriel transferred command of the two frigates to him.

Arthur and Carl arrived at the Triskelion Building under a show of force from US fighter jets, while Arthur explained why Umbrella would avoid interfering with Hydra before its main forces arrived. The DR-7 Transport Boat landed on the building’s helipad as they prepared to meet the planet’s leaders.

• Thirty F-22s joined the Freedom MS and Viking Fighters in escorting the DR-7 Transport Boat toward Washington.
• Arthur laughed at the US Government’s display of force, and Carl reminded him to behave during the upcoming negotiations.
• Carl offered to kill Hydra’s leader, but Arthur told her to wait because Hydra had not yet exposed itself and Umbrella’s main forces had not arrived.
• Arthur explained that the Blood Raven Battle Group could reshape Earth’s balance of power but needed to remain restrained and serve as his bodyguard and secretary.
• The DR-7 Transport Boat landed on the Triskelion Building’s helipad.

Arthur arrived at the Triskelion with Carl and twenty Blood Ravens for a meeting with SHIELD, the US Government, and the Security Council. After the attendees gathered in the conference room, Alexander Pierce began the discussion.

• Arthur arrived on the Triskelion landing platform aboard the DR-7 Transport with Carl and twenty Blood Ravens.
• Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff welcomed Arthur, and Natasha offered to show him the local sights while Carl told her to keep her distance.
• Rogers led Arthur, Carl, Natasha, and SHIELD Agents into the conference room, leaving the armed Blood Ravens outside.
• Arthur entered the room and saw Alexander Pierce, Nick Fury, Tony Stark, General Thaddeus Ross, Security Council representatives, and US military officers.
• Pierce announced that the distinguished guests had arrived and that they could begin discussing the main matter.

Arthur explained Umbrella’s power and claimed he and his forces came from another universe, while Stark offered a parallel-universe theory that the officials reluctantly accepted. Ross challenged Arthur over entering US airspace and carrying unregistered weapons, but Nick Fury countered by condemning the Security Council’s order to launch a tactical nuclear bomb at Manhattan.

• Pierce questioned Arthur about Umbrella’s origins, strength, and his identity, and Arthur described it as a vast independent company and himself as its chairman’s second son.
• Arthur claimed that jump turbulence had brought him and his guards from the edge of the Milky Way to the Solar System, while secretly revealing that Macha had moved the Blood Ravens Fleet to Jupiter’s orbit.
• Stark proposed that Arthur and Umbrella came from a parallel universe, and the officials reluctantly accepted his explanation.
• Arthur said his forces had arrived in New York and fought the extraterrestrial invaders to help humanity.
• Ross accused Arthur of violating American airspace and carrying unregistered firearms, and Nick Fury defended the intervention and confronted the Security Council over its nuclear strike order.

Arthur negotiated with Nick Fury, Pierce, and Ross for Umbrella’s permission to trade and move freely, while the officials’ attempts to gain his weapons stalled. The meeting ended with Ross insisting that Arthur sell weapons to the US Government.

• Nick Fury reminded the meeting that the Security Council and US Government had ordered the nuclear strike on Manhattan, leaving the attendees silent.
• Pierce urged Ross to drop his complaints about Arthur’s territorial violations, and Ross reluctantly acknowledged that Arthur and his guards had helped save Manhattan.
• Arthur told Pierce he wanted the Security Council’s permission to trade and move freely, and explained that he could buy supplies with gold.
• Ross interrupted to demand that Arthur sell Umbrella’s weapons to the US military, while Pierce objected that Arthur was negotiating with the Security Council.
• Ross ended the discussion by insisting that Arthur must sell weapons to the US Government to obtain permission for free trade and movement.

General Ross and Pierce tried to force Arthur to sell Umbrella's Super Soldier technology and weapons, then threatened to detain him and seize access to his warships. Fury, Natasha, Stark, and Rogers moved to help Arthur, while the Astartes outside began fighting the ambushing soldiers.

• Ross asked Arthur to sell Umbrella's soldier-modification technology, and Arthur mocked the request with an exorbitant price.
• Ross demanded Umbrella's electromagnetic sniper weapons and access to its warship engines, then threatened to detain Arthur and force his company to comply.
• Rogers challenged Ross, while Fury ordered Natasha and Stark to help Barton get Arthur out.
• Natasha and Stark sided with Fury, and Rogers tore off his rank insignia and refused to help detain Arthur.
• The Astartes fought the soldiers outside the conference room, shrugging off gunfire with their energy shields as the attackers screamed for help.

Arthur and the Blood Ravens seized control of the conference room, turning the hostage plan against General Ross and the other officials. The Mark VII arrived to bring Stark into battle but was badly damaged by friendly fire, leaving Arthur to offer compensation.

• Twenty Blood Raven Astartes broke into the conference room and stood behind Arthur and Carl, and their Corporal called Carl "Mother."
• Arthur appeared behind Ross, revealed that he had anticipated the hostage attempt, and restrained him before returning to Carl's side.
• The Blood Raven Corporal reported that the soldiers outside had been dealt with, and Arthur said Ross could cover their medical expenses.
• The Mark VII crashed through the window and came under Bolter fire before J.A.R.V.I.S. completed Stark's transformation into Iron Man.
• Stark complained that the Blood Ravens had damaged his armor, and Arthur offered to pay for its replacement.

Arthur secured agreement from Ross and Pierce that he and his forces would receive permission to move freely on Earth, then left the conference room with Carl and the Blood Raven Astartes. He headed back to the DR-7 Transport Boat, while Ross and Pierce finally relaxed.

• Clint Barton led S.H.I.E.L.D. agents into the conference room, and Arthur said they counted as friendly forces.
• Ross proposed that he and Nick Fury work together to capture Arthur, but Fury refused to fight the Blood Raven Astartes.
• Carl warned Ross and the representatives that Umbrella Corporation could destroy the US Government and that nuclear weapons would not stop them.
• Ross ordered his subordinates to quiet down and asked Pierce to approve Arthur's freedom of movement on Earth.
• Pierce agreed to discuss the arrangements with representatives from other countries, and Arthur accepted the wait.
• Arthur left with Carl and the Blood Raven Astartes to return to the DR-7 Transport Boat, leaving Ross and Pierce relieved.

After Umbrella demonstrated its overwhelming military power, Nick Fury urged S.H.I.E.L.D. and the government to pursue cooperation with Arthur Russell rather than try to capture him. The leaders accepted that they could not defeat Umbrella, but Fury and Stark still planned to acquire its technology, while Rogers left in disgust.

• Fury ordered Natasha to establish a strong relationship with Mr. Russell, whatever it took.
• Stark explained that Umbrella’s portable Gauss Rifles and warship-mounted electromagnetic cannon far outclassed Earth’s weapons and could devastate Washington.
• Fury argued that the government should cooperate with Arthur rather than attempt to detain him, since Umbrella was too powerful to resist.
• Ross objected to relying on Arthur, but Fury said they could earn his trust and eventually obtain Umbrella’s weapons and technology through Stark.
• Rogers saw the officials’ continued pursuit of advanced weapons, clenched his fists, and left the conference room.

Arthur explained that Nick Fury had helped the Blood Raven Battle Group to gain their trust and steal Umbrella technology, while warning Carl that they could not take over Earth before stronger forces arrived. When Natasha tried to seduce Arthur and offer him a tour, he called Carl his girlfriend to turn her down, leaving Carl astonished and Natasha retreating.

• Arthur told Carl that Nick Fury had helped them in hopes of obtaining Umbrella's weapons and technology.
• Arthur explained that powerful heroes and The Ancient One made taking control of Earth too dangerous until Shia and the main forces arrived.
• Natasha approached Arthur and offered to show him around Washington, while the Blood Ravens initially aimed their weapons at her.
• Carl stepped between Natasha and Arthur, and Arthur called Carl his girlfriend to refuse Natasha's advances.
• Carl squeezed Arthur's hand in surprise, and Natasha awkwardly wished them a pleasant time before leaving.

After Arthur and Carl returned to the Paris-class frigate, Arthur pretended his injured hand still hurt to get close to Carl, then confessed that he wanted her to be his girlfriend. Carl postponed romance until the fleet’s urgent needs were addressed, but offered to consider a date if Arthur succeeded in several tasks.

• Arthur and Carl left the hangar for the medical bay after Carl crushed the bones in his hand, which healed within seconds thanks to his Self-Healing ability.
• Arthur stopped pretending to be hurt and deliberately pressed against Carl, prompting her to push him away and rap his head.
• Carl asked what Arthur meant by calling her his girlfriend, and Arthur confessed that he truly liked her and wanted her to be his girlfriend.
• Carl said the fleet’s supply problem and gathering information about the universe came first, but promised to consider a date if Arthur completed those tasks or helped Earth’s humans adapt to Umbrella.
• Arthur and Carl returned to the bridge and contacted Macha through an encrypted channel to report the situation and their plans.

Arthur built trust with Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe while the Blood Raven Battle Group secured supplies, and Umbrella continued containing anomalies in the main universe. William visited the Astartes training site on Minos Island and learned that the passage to the Marvel universe would reopen in two days.

• Arthur obtained Earth identification documents and accepted Rogers and SHIELD Agents monitoring him during his surface activities.
• Arthur told Rogers embellished accounts of Umbrella's containment operations, winning Rogers's trust and inspiring his interest in joining Umbrella.
• Arthur aimed to gain Captain America's influence for Umbrella and planned to maintain close ties with Rogers and Carl.
• Umbrella continued operating under Ivan, containing anomalies including the Tickle Monster and Siren Head.
• William visited Minos Island to watch Astartes and Ghost Agent trainees while waiting for Athena and Ivan.
• The system informed William that the dimensional passage to the Marvel Cinematic Universe would reopen in two Earth days.