"Frank!"
"Coming, sir."
Old Man leaned close to Frank's ear and whispered something.
Frank walked over to Coulson. "Coulson, questions about the universe are priced individually. Are you sure you want to ask?"
Coulson adjusted his collar and hesitated for a moment, as though he had received a message. "I'm sure."
"Mr. Cheng, what powerful factions currently exist in the universe?"
Old Man discreetly held up three fingers to Frank. Frank nodded in understanding, took out a card, and quoted Coulson a figure.
Once Frank confirmed the transfer, he nodded.
"Powerful factions, huh? In the past, the three universally recognized great empires were the Skrull Empire, the Kree Empire, and the Shi'ar Empire. For certain reasons, the Skrull Empire has effectively fallen, with only a handful of remnants scurrying around."
Listening from the other side of the monitor, Nick Fury grew more wary of the Skrulls.
The survivors of a fallen, unified empire-did they really have no ulterior motives?
Were they merely fleeing persecution?
No. Even in the nations of Blue Star, some people were firmly committed to restoring their fallen countries. How much more so for the Skrulls, whose empire had spanned multiple planets?
"Of course," Old Man added, changing tack, "that's just what I've learned from books. In reality, there are far more powerful factions than those."
"If they're recognized as the three great empires, doesn't that make them the strongest?" Coulson asked, puzzled.
Frank was about to take out the card again when Old Man stopped him.
This question was practically an extension of the previous one. Charging twice wouldn't be quite right.
Old Man still had his principles.
Old Man shook his head. "Of course not. Or rather, when you say 'strongest,' in what respect? If you mean technology, the current Kree Empire is certainly powerful.