Shi'ar Empire is a powerful interstellar civilization known for its military glory, strict social hierarchy and expansionism. Its territory is vast, and it is in a state of competition and friction with the Kree Empire all year round. Any news that can cause Kree to suffer will quickly arouse the interest of the Shi'ar intelligence department.
At the "Sharp Eye" outpost located in the border star field, Commander Valera (Valera) - a Shi'ar woman with bronze skin, hair tied back like silver wires, and sharp eyes like an eagle - is carefully reviewing the intelligence briefings compiled by her subordinates.
The briefing content covered the "Leviathan Echo" broadcast clip, the abnormal energy pulse record of the Kree reconnaissance ship, the last image before the assault ship's signal disappeared (a chaos and huge penetrating damage), and the faint engine signature remaining during the hasty retreat of the Korath reconnaissance ship.
All clues point to a third planet in a remote galaxy and an unknown individual labeled "Extremely High Energy Reaction".
"Earth..." Valera's finger crossed the inconspicuous bright spot on the star map, "A civilization that has not yet entered the interstellar era can actually force Kree's sharp knife team to retreat? Even losing a 'Phantom' class assault ship?"
She called up the Earth's civilization assessment report: internal divisions, low technological level (only preliminary mastery of nuclear energy and application-level artificial intelligence), rough energy utilization efficiency, and the existence of multiple competing political entities. A standard backward planet that needs "guidance" or "protection."
But on such a planet, there is an individual that even Kree Empire has to avoid the edge for a while?
"Analyze the data of that energy individual." She ordered.
The technical officer immediately operated, and the Xiao Han energy simulation diagram reconstructed based on the broadcast and Kree fragment data was displayed on the holographic screen, with various readings that could not be fully analyzed scrolling next to it.
"The energy signature cannot be classified, Commander. Its intensity fluctuates greatly, but the baseline level is far beyond the standard battleship main gun. The way the Kree assault ship was destroyed... is suspected to have suffered some kind of space cutting or energy Oblivion attack. It was completed instantly and cannot be defended."
"Space cutting?" A trace of surprise flashed in Valera's eyes. This technology is a high-level military secret even in the Shi'ar Empire, and is usually only equipped on the top battleships or performed by powerful supernatural warriors.
"Yes, Commander. And according to the monitoring of the Kree reconnaissance ship before its retreat, this individual seems to be extremely sensitive to covert reconnaissance behavior, and can instantly clear all monitoring units in an incomprehensible way."
An unknown individual with great power, zero tolerance for prying, and the ability to fight back instantly. Valera fell into deep thought.
This is completely different from the tradition of open challenges and glorious duels advocated by the Shi'ar Empire. It is more like... Guardians in the absolute realm? Or, in other words, an isolationist with terrifying power?
"Commander," the adjutant reminded, "according to "Interstellar Civilization Contact Protocol", for lower civilizations with unknown high-risk individuals, it is usually recommended to observe or isolate them to avoid direct conflicts."
Valera nodded. Although Shi'ar Empire is warlike, he is not stupid. Faced with an incomprehensible threat, acting rashly is a stupid thing that Kree barbarians would do.
But giving up like this is not in Shi'ar's interests. A planet that can make Kree suffer may contain huge value. That unknown individual is a threat, or it may... be an opportunity.
"Formulate 'Far Observation Plan'." Valera made the decision, "Send a 'Silent Speaker' reconnaissance ship to the earth. Mission: ultra-long-distance observation, establishing an individual energy behavior model, assessing its relationship with local civilization, and... whether there is a possibility of contact or utilization."
She emphasized. "Any form of close reconnaissance or active provocation is absolutely prohibited. Maintain the maximum safe distance, and use stellar gravitational lenses and long-range sensors for observation. I want to know what that existence is, and... can we make a deal with him, or with the people on Earth?"
"Understood, Commander!"
A dark gray reconnaissance ship with smooth lines and a shape like the national bird of the Shi'ar Empire - Razor Eagle - quietly left the outpost and entered the hyperspace channel, its destination: the edge of Solar System.
This time, Watchers from Shi'ar quietly approached with a far more cautious and politically purposeful vision than the Collector.
Earth, Malibu.
A few days passed, and everything was calm. Since Xiao Han cleared away those invisible prying eyes, no new and unpleasant noise appeared. The continuous "Leviathan Echo" seemed to be habitually filtered by the brain into a real background sound.
Tony·Stark could not relax. He almost lived in the laboratory, frantically analyzing the weak signal characteristics of the alien spies that he had previously captured (although most of the data came from the little abnormal fluctuation before Xiao Han took action), as well as the energy fragment data that escaped when the Kree assault ship exploded.
"Friday, reconstruct the mathematical model of Kree invisible force field! We need to find its weakness, or at least discover it!"
"We are trying, boss. Insufficient data, progress is slow."
"Then increase the computing power! Use all idle resources!" Tony's eyes were bloodshot, pointing to the incomplete energy structure diagram that was constantly rotating on the holographic screen, "We can't act like a blind man every time! We must have our own eyes!"
"Yes, boss." Friday executed the order silently, and the laboratory's cooling system hummed higher than usual.
Pepper·Potts looked at him worriedly. "Tony, you need to rest. Your body will collapse if this continues."
"Rest?" Tony didn't even raise his head, "Pepper, you don't know how passive we are right now! Enemies are flying around above our heads, throwing spy equipment, and what about us? We even have to... rely on his movements to swat flies to determine whether there are enemies! This is a shame!"
Pepper sighed. She knew how much pressure Tony was. She gently put down the food she brought. "At least eat something. You are one of the smartest people on earth, but you are not invincible."
Tony finally stopped what he was doing, rubbed his face, and took the food. "The smartest person? Haha, in front of real cosmic-level technology, I feel like a primitive man holding a wooden stick."
At this moment, the Friday alarm sounded again, but this time it did not come from external space.
"Boss, an abnormal data flow has been detected on the Stark Industries satellite network. The abnormal data packets are disguised as system log updates, trying to bypass the firewall, and the target is... the data backup related to Battle of New York, Ultron Incident and all data related to Mr. Xiao Han in your private server."
Tony raised his head suddenly. "What? The internal network? Has it been invaded?"
"The intrusion source is being tracked... the signal has jumped many times and finally points to the direction of...Wakanda."
"Wakanda?" Tony was stunned. That isolated African country known as an agricultural country?
He immediately realized something was wrong. He knew that Wakanda had information about Vibranium and technology far beyond what the outside world imagined (Black Panther T'Challa had limited information sharing with him after the United Nations explosion). But why did they steal data about Xiao Han?
"Intercepted?"
"It has been intercepted and reverse tracked. The other party seemed to be aware of our defense and actively cut off the connection. The specific source could not be located."
Tony frowned. Wakanda... Are they also interested in Xiao Han? Do they want to assess the threat? Or do they have other purposes?
He felt that a more complex network was tightening. Alien forces were watching with eager eyes, and there seemed to be forces inside the earth acting secretly.
He glanced at the still calm beach outside the window, and the sense of urgency in his heart became stronger. He had to improve his skills faster, and he had to figure out what these forces with their own agendas wanted to do.
At the same time, S.H.I.E.L.D. also monitored this short and secret network intrusion attempt, and the source also pointed to Wakanda. Fury's one eye narrowed.
"Wakanda... can they finally sit still?" He whispered to himself. Fury has always paid close attention to this deeply hidden technological power. Their sudden actions must have deep meaning.
He connected to Hill: "Strengthen the monitoring of all known external communication nodes of Wakanda (although he knows that this is likely to be in vain). In addition, prepare an assessment report on the technological strength and potential intentions of Wakanda, with the highest level."
"Yes, sir."
The undercurrent inside the earth begins to surge due to cosmic pressure.
At the far edge of Solar System, Shi'ar Empire's "Silent Speaker" reconnaissance ship has quietly arrived at its predetermined location, hiding in the shadow of the frozen celestial body outside the orbit of Pluto.
It didn't have any intention of approaching, but slowly unfolded a huge, thin energy sensing array, aiming it at the inner Solar System, especially in the direction of the earth.
The captain is an experienced Shi'ar officer. He strictly follows the orders of Commander Valera: "Absolutely observe from a distance and prohibit any active detection that may be discovered."
Huge sensors began to work, collecting electromagnetic waves, gravitational distortion, neutrino flows... all data that may carry information that came from the direction of the earth and spanned several hours of light travel.
Due to the extremely long distance, the data they obtain has a high delay and is relatively blurry, but it is better than safety. They are like hunters hiding in the deepest part of the forest, observing the distant camp with high-power telescopes, patiently waiting for the appearance of prey, and trying to understand the social structure of the camp.
Xiao Han moved his ears slightly.
A new, extremely weak, but with a certain sense of order, "sense of observation" came from an extremely distant direction. This feeling was different from the previous aggressive snooping of Kree, and also different from the all-pervasive and meticulous snooping of the Collector. It was more like a... systematic scanning with a polite distance.
The distance is so far that it is almost negligible, and the scanning method is restrained enough to produce no unpleasant noise.
He didn't bother to care. As long as he kept his distance and didn't make any noise, he didn't care how many pairs of eyes were watching from a distance. The universe was so big that he couldn't dismantle all the observatories looking towards the earth.
He turned over and continued to enjoy his sunshine.
On the Shi'ar reconnaissance ship, the sensor captured the energy distribution map of the earth, as well as the energy signature that stably exists in the Malibu area and is as dazzling as a small sun.
"The energy reading is stable, with a single pattern, and it is suspected to be in a dormant or energy absorption state." The technical officer reported, "No signs of aggressive behavior or large-scale energy output have been detected."
The captain looked at the amazing energy display, which was still so clear and powerful even across such a long distance, and a trace of awe flashed in his eyes.
"Continue to observe. Record all energy fluctuation patterns. Analyze any signs of correlation with the activities of civilization within the planet." He gave the order.
Shi'ar Empire's observation began in absolute distance and silence.
The earth is like an actor who suddenly stands in the center of the stage, forced to accept sights from all over the universe with different purposes. But the most dazzling existence in the center of the stage just wants to close the curtain and take a nap.
The focus of conflict has already formed.