Neos did not hesitate. He stepped into the portal first.
Light and shadow shifted, and the scene before them changed in an instant.
No longer were they looking at the ruins of the Avengers base, but at the outer perimeter of a base temporarily transformed into something like a steel fortress.
Towering alloy walls stood layer upon layer, faint blue energy barriers shimmering above them. Several cordons and temporary fortifications had been erected outside the walls.
Armed personnel in different uniforms stood guard, every face taut, their eyes sweeping vigilantly over the surroundings—especially the tightly sealed alloy gate.
When Neos and his group appeared at the edge of the security zone, they immediately triggered a fierce reaction.
"Alert! Unknown personnel approaching!"
"Stop! Identify yourselves!"
Dozens of firearms and energy weapons rose in unison, aimed at the uninvited group.
The atmosphere tightened abruptly, ready to ignite at any moment.
A woman in a S.H.I.E.L.D. senior commander's uniform strode over from beside a command vehicle, one hand resting on the holster at her waist. Her gaze was sharp as she spoke rapidly into her earpiece.
Just as she was about to step forward and demand answers, Steve Rogers's urgent but clear voice came through the earpiece. "Hill! Let them through! They're... here to deal with the rift! Allow them inside. Don't stop them. Give them every necessary assistance!"
Hill paused, surprise flashing across her face, but years of professional discipline allowed her to suppress her questions at once.
She raised a hand and signaled her tense subordinates to lower their weapons, then said quietly into her communicator, "Understood."
She turned to a technical officer beside her. "Open the main gate."
The officer immediately began operating his portable computer.
Yet a few seconds later, his expression changed. His fingers tapped frantically at the