Inside the flawless cube, as perfect as the purest crystal, the steady ice-blue light flickered for the first time.
Just as the Tesseract was about to give way under the force of James's five fingers closing around it, his furrowed brow suddenly relaxed. He tossed the cube from hand to hand a few times, then started toying with it, intrigued.
"Sir."
Hank McCoy came hurrying into the great hall on all fours, wearing a researcher's white lab coat that left his muscular, blue-furred chest bare. He adjusted his glasses, placed a hand over his chest, bowed his head, and greeted James.
"Take it with you. Energy engine research is your specialty, and Project Pegasus has a solid foundation. We need to master extraterrestrial—and even interstellar—travel as soon as possible."
A Winter Wolf warrior stood to one side, holding a black, specially made briefcase. As he spoke, James put the Tesseract inside and handed it to Hank.
The Howlett Group's scientific team, led by Dr. "Beast" McCoy and accompanied by several researchers and Wolf Pack guards, would join S.H.I.E.L.D., the U.S. Air Force, and NASA in advancing the Light-Speed Engine Project, "Pegasus."
They hoped the technology would truly break through the limits of the endless starry expanse, allowing humanity to reach out into the unknown cosmos and set foot among the stars.
Hank solemnly accepted the alloy briefcase containing the Tesseract. He scratched his thick mane, then asked in a muffled voice, with some concern:
"Sir, the Tesseract is of great importance. Shouldn't we assign more people to guard it?"
James waved a hand and laughed, utterly unconcerned, as if this priceless treasure meant nothing to him.
"No one on this little planet is brave enough to try taking something from me right now. But I'm looking forward to a pleasant