But what G'iah said next was the real bombshell.
"Skrulls are built differently from humans. We can survive intense nuclear radiation without suffering any effects."
G'iah's voice was quiet, but every word cut like a knife.
"Gravik once declared his ultimate plan: to blanket this planet in nuclear radiation, wipe out every fragile human, and make Earth our new New Skrullos."
This time, even the usually composed President Ellis could not stay calm. A fine sheen of cold sweat formed on his forehead.
The senior officials present were all intelligent people. The moment G'iah said "radiation," a horrifying conclusion had taken shape in every mind.
"So..." the secretary of defense asked, his voice trembling slightly, "this whole campaign to seize power isn't just about controlling governments. It's about getting the launch codes for every nuclear weapon in the world?!"
"They want to use our own weapons to send us to Hell?!"
If that was true, humanity would not even have a chance to fight back. Humans would die out in a nuclear winter, while the Skrulls rebuilt civilization on the radioactive wasteland.
"No. It's not that simple."
Jessica's voice cut through the officials' spiraling speculation.
"Think about it. If Gravik only wanted to destroy humanity with nuclear weapons, he wouldn't need to go to all this trouble."
"He'd only need to target the leaders of the few major powers with nuclear arsenals. Why go to such lengths to replace politicians in small countries that can't launch nuclear strikes?"
"Ms. Jones is right." President Ellis rubbed his brow. "If they aren't planning to blanket the world with nuclear strikes, what is all this for?"
"I don't know." Jessica shrugged. "Maybe they're afraid of someone's retaliation and don't dare go that far. Or maybe they've gained some new advantage and think they