第7章 神盾的谈判,空间宝石的悸动

Life in the safe house remained peaceful for several days.

Once Dr. Banner was certain this place was absolutely safe, his taut nerves finally relaxed somewhat. Most of the time, he shut himself inside the top-tier biology laboratory Remy had simulated for him, tirelessly studying Hulk's blood samples and the [Gamma Energy Preliminary Analysis Report] Lin Ye had provided.

Many of the report's theories and data left him utterly astonished, as though they had opened the door to a new world. For the time being, he forgot his fears and immersed himself in the mysteries of science. His exchanges with Lin Ye also became more frequent. Though he remained cautious, the focus and passion of a genius scientist were slowly returning.

Meanwhile, Lin Ye familiarized himself with the newly acquired [Advanced Biological Energy Stealth Technique] while monitoring the turmoil outside through Remy.

As expected, General Ross had gone quiet as a mouse. The detailed report on the Brooklyn incident was tightly sealed away, leaving only the vague explanation of a "military experimental accident." But S.H.I.E.L.D.'s patience was clearly running out.

That afternoon, the doorbell rang.

Not through an electronic device, but an actual physical doorbell. That meant the visitor had broken through part of Remy's outer electronic shielding, located the physical entrance, and announced their arrival in a polite yet impossible-to-ignore manner.

"They're here." Lin Ye's Mind Network had long sensed who stood outside. He signaled Remy to unlock the door.

The door opened, revealing Agent Phil Coulson. He still wore that professionally friendly smile, and he carried a paper bag printed with the logo of a well-known dessert shop.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Lin. I hope I'm not disturbing you." Coulson smiled and raised the bag. "A small gift. This shop's donuts are quite good."

"Agent Coulson, does S.H.I.E.L.D. always have such distinctive ways of saying hello?" Lin Ye stepped aside and invited him in. He noticed that Black Widow had not followed Coulson.

"For people worthy of respect, we always pay special attention to etiquette." Coulson entered the living room, his gaze quickly and inconspicuously sweeping over its simple, high-tech decor. He lingered briefly on several spots that might have been sensors or defensive devices.

"Have a seat. Coffee or tea?" Lin Ye walked toward the coffee machine in the open kitchen.

"Coffee, thank you. Black is fine." Coulson placed the donuts on the coffee table and sat upright.

Lin Ye ground the coffee beans with his back to Coulson and asked casually, "Nick Fury finally couldn't hold back? Did he send you to deliver an ultimatum?"

Coulson's smile stiffened for a moment before naturally returning. "You misunderstand, Mr. Lin. The Director sincerely hopes to establish a mutually beneficial partnership with you. You possess great power, while S.H.I.E.L.D. possesses global resources and an intelligence network. Our goals are the same: maintaining world security."

"Maintaining world security?" Lin Ye placed a cup of black coffee in front of Coulson, then took one with sugar and milk for himself and sat across from him. "Or maintaining the 'security' defined by certain people? For example, locking up people like Dr. Banner for research?"

Coulson took a deep breath. "Dr. Banner's situation is highly unusual and dangerous. The way he was handled in the past may have been controversial. But we've noticed that, with your help, he seems much more stable. S.H.I.E.L.D. is willing to provide all necessary medical care and support to ensure he doesn't lose control again and endanger the public."

It sounded nice, but at its core, they still wanted to place Banner under supervision.

Lin Ye took a sip of coffee without commenting. "Just say it, Coulson. What does Fury want, and what can he offer? I don't like beating around the bush."

Coulson set down his cup and leaned forward slightly, his expression turning serious. "Mr. Lin, we have detected that Earth is facing an unprecedented potential threat from the depths of space. We need to gather every possible force to deal with it. The Director hopes that, when a crisis occurs, you will stand on humanity's side."

"As compensation," he continued, "S.H.I.E.L.D. can provide you with official identity conveniences, a certain degree of intelligence sharing, and... tacit acceptance of and noninterference with your and Dr. Banner's current situation. Of course, if you are interested, we also have certain special 'items' and 'projects' that may help improve your abilities."

A cosmic threat? That was practically an explicit hint about a Chitauri invasion. S.H.I.E.L.D. had indeed sensed something through the Tesseract long ago.

[Ding! S.H.I.E.L.D. has formally proposed cooperation and indirectly revealed information related to the Tesseract.]

[Critical choice triggered:]

[Option One: Accept cooperation, join S.H.I.E.L.D. (or the Avengers Initiative), become an official force, and participate in handling future crises. Reward: [S.H.I.E.L.D. Level Seven Agent Clearance], [Helicarrier Pass], [Teamwork Skill (Beginner)].]

[Option Two: Limited cooperation. Maintain an independent identity, accept intelligence sharing and resource support, but retain operational autonomy and act only during major crises. Reward: [Preliminary Tesseract Energy Fluctuation Detection Ability], [Partial Access to the S.H.I.E.L.D. Technology Database (Limited Uses)].]

[Option Three: Refuse cooperation. Insist on acting alone and rely on your own strength to handle everything. Reward: [Greatly Reduced Presence], [Independent Crisis Response Module Activated].]

As the options appeared, Lin Ye almost instantly ruled out Options One and Three. Option One came with too many restrictions, while Option Three was too isolating. Limited cooperation under Option Two best served his interests. He could obtain intelligence and resources while retaining his freedom. Besides, the reward of [Tesseract Energy Fluctuation Detection Ability] was extremely useful.

I choose Option Two.

[Choice confirmed. Reward pending collection.]

Lin Ye set down his coffee cup and looked at Coulson. "I can agree to act when one of your so-called 'major crises' occurs. But I have several conditions."

"Please, go ahead."

"First, Dr. Banner and I are independent. We will not accept any orders or supervision. Second, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intelligence sharing must be timely and truthful, especially information regarding cosmic and supernatural incidents. Third, I want all non-core materials in your database concerning energy weapons, alien technology, and... the Cosmic Cube." Lin Ye directly named the Tesseract's other designation, displaying his "right to know."

Shock flashed through Coulson's eyes. Not only did the other man know about the Tesseract, he even knew S.H.I.E.L.D.'s codename for it! Coulson barely maintained his composure. "I can agree to the first two on the Director's behalf in principle, but the third concerns the highest level of confidentiality..."

"Then let someone who can make decisions come negotiate." Lin Ye cut him off. "Or I can go take a look myself." A threatening arc of electricity flickered at his fingertips.

Coulson's scalp went numb. He immediately pressed his earpiece and made a few quick, quiet requests for instructions. A moment later, he let out a breath of relief. "The Director agrees. Access to the relevant files will be activated for you as soon as possible."

"Good." Lin Ye nodded in satisfaction. "Then, happy cooperation, Agent Coulson."

"Happy cooperation, Mr. Lin." Coulson rose and politely took his leave. This meeting had been tremendously stressful, but he had completed his basic task. As he reached the door, he seemed to remember something and turned back. "Oh, Agent Romanoff asked me to send you her regards. She has an assignment out in the field and couldn't come."

Lin Ye smiled. "Tell her I'm looking forward to seeing her next time."

After seeing Coulson off, Lin Ye immediately tested his newly acquired ability.

[Tesseract Energy Fluctuation Detection Ability]!

He closed his eyes and combined his Observation Haki with the new ability. The perception of his Mind Network seemed to connect to an entirely new dimension. Energy flows throughout New York and even farther beyond became clearer, and deep within countless chaotic energy signals, he vaguely caught an extremely faint yet incomparably profound fluctuation containing limitless spatial energy.

It was located deep underground somewhere in New York, concealed behind layers of shielding facilities. Yet the nature of that power was so noble and formidable that, like a beacon in the darkness, it could not be completely hidden.

The Tesseract! S.H.I.E.L.D. had already activated it for research!

The instant Lin Ye's mental power lightly touched that trace of perception—

Bzzzz!!!

Far beneath a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. base, the Tesseract, securely contained within a special vessel, suddenly began to hum violently without warning. The azure cube blazed brightly, and immense spatial energy spread outward like ripples, causing a momentary fluctuation in the entire base's power systems.

"What's happening?!" The researchers responsible for guarding and studying it were horrified.

"The energy readings are rising sharply! Cause unknown!"

"The stabilizers are about to overload!"

At the same time, at the New York Sanctum.

The Ancient One, who had been meditating, opened her eyes once more. She looked in the direction of the S.H.I.E.L.D. base, then toward Lin Ye's safe house. A hint of understanding and faint concern flashed through her golden eyes.

"The Space Stone has been stirred ahead of time... The course of fate has accelerated."

In the vast universe beyond Earth, inside an enormous living mothership shaped like a whale.

Thanos, seated upon his throne, slowly opened his eyes. He felt that distant yet familiar spatial fluctuation. It had come earlier than he expected.

His deep voice echoed through the empty hall:

"It seems... the plan must be moved forward."

"Go to Earth. Bring back the Tesseract."

Loki, standing below him, curled his lips into a wicked, expectant smile. The Mind Scepter in his hand flickered with an eerie yellow glow.

"As you wish."

An invisible storm had already begun to gather.

Inside the safe house, Lin Ye opened his eyes as well, an excited curve forming at the corner of his lips.

"Finally... is it about to begin?"

The prelude to the Battle of New York had quietly begun because of a single act of perception from him.