A sudden incident of overstepping enforcement authority, the Stability Maintenance Office and the Technology Department's
The container holding the energy crystals still retained a trace of warmth in Wanda's palm.
This is not just physical evidence, but also political capital enough to wash away all the stains on her resume and regain Lynn's approval.
However, this impending joy was instantly frozen by a sudden, deathly chill.
The shadows at the street corner writhed like living things, and the Undead Soldiers that emerged from them were silent yet carried a suffocating sense of oppression. They spread out in perfect unison, surrounding Wanda and her technical team in the center, forming a circle of death.
Wanda's eyes turned cold.
She didn't need to turn around; she knew who was coming.
A tall, slender figure slowly emerged from behind the Undead Legion, his steps elegant and his demeanor arrogant. Hela's specially made black uniform had epaulets that reflected a cold light in the afternoon sun.
"Minister Wanda, thank you for your hard work."
There was no trace of gratitude in Hela's voice, only a condescending scrutiny.
According to Article 7, Section 3 of the "Asgard Stability Affairs Office Emergency Response Contingency Plan," the Office of Stability Maintenance Office should take over the site of any emergency involving high-risk energy reactions immediately to conduct physical clearing and risk control.
She spoke slowly and deliberately, each word like an official document stamped with a red seal, brooking no argument.
"Now, please hand over the High-Risk Evidence you have to our department. The subsequent sealing and disposal will be the sole responsibility of the Stability Maintenance Office."
Hela reached out as if it were a matter of course, as if he were simply asking a subordinate for a routine filing.
The technical staff behind Wanda instinctively tightened their grip on their equipment, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.
Wanda smiled.
She gently weighed the container in her hand, and Scarlet energy flickered faintly at her fingertips.
"Minister Hela, let me remind you, this is a reconnaissance site for the Technology and Order Integration Department, not a firing range for your Stability Maintenance Office."
Her tone was equally calm, yet carried a hint of dangerous sharpness.
"According to the latest division of responsibilities within the leading group, the extraction, analysis, and tracing of technical evidence are the core responsibilities of our department. Your current actions of forcibly intervening with your personnel constitute a typical overreach of authority."
"Our survey work is not yet complete, and the on-site data has not been backed up. Your request for handover now is procedurally irregular," Wanda said, looking at Hela and enunciating each word clearly.
Hela's smile faded, and a faint glint of dark green light flickered in her eyes.
"Procedure?" She chuckled, her tone laced with undisguised sarcasm. "Minister Wanda, you seem to have forgotten that maintaining stability is the top priority. The energy fluctuations at the scene that your Technology Division cannot analyze constitute a significant security risk. As the head of the Stability Maintenance Office, I have the authority to take all necessary measures to prevent the situation from escalating."
As soon as she finished speaking, the Undead Soldiers around her stepped forward in unison, pointing the blades of their Long Halberd at Wanda's technical team.
"I'm cleaning up the mess for you, so you don't repeat Sokovia's mistake and disappoint the leadership." Hela lowered her voice, her tone laced with threat.
"You!"
Wanda's pupils suddenly contracted, Scarlet Chaos Magic erupted violently, causing a ring of fine cracks to appear on the ground beneath her feet.
Sokovia's mistake was the deepest thorn in her heart. Hela's bringing it up now was tantamount to publicly reopening her wounds.
This is a blatant provocation and humiliation.
"What? You want to make a move here?" Hela's lips curled into a cruel smile, and the Death Force gathered around her. "Perfect, I also want to see just how much the Department of Technology, which has been criticized by the leadership, has actually declined in its professional capabilities."
Two Skyfather-level forces collided silently on the streets of Manhattan, the air seemingly frozen. Ordinary people around, isolated by Chaos Magic, were completely unaware of this, while the subordinates of both sides at the eye of the storm found even breathing incredibly difficult.
Just as conflict was about to erupt, a cool and rational voice rang out unexpectedly in their ears.
"Ministers, please calm down."
Wanda and Hela were both startled and looked in the direction of the sound.
Before anyone knew it, Jean Grey was already standing not far away, wearing the same uniform as the Mutants Management Committee. She had no attendants with her, but just standing there quietly, she exuded an undeniable presence.
"Chairwoman Qin, this is none of your business." Hela frowned, her tone unfriendly.
"No, quite the opposite. Our Management Committee has no choice but to take charge of things here." Qin's tone was calm, but her words were firm.
She took a few steps forward, her gaze sweeping over the tense scene.
"According to records, the area around Sixth Avenue in Manhattan is one of the major Mutants communities in New York City. Whether this unexplained high-energy incident has caused any adverse psychological or physical effects on unregistered potential Mutants within the area requires immediate intervention and a specialized safety assessment by our Mutants Management Committee."
Qin's reason for giving the same flawless excuse. "Official business."
"Before the Management Committee's special assessment report is officially issued, any unilateral disposal of key physical evidence by any party constitutes a violation of regulations and is inconsistent with the spirit of the Joint Conference of the leading group."
Hela's face darkened.
Wanda remained silent.
Qin's move only muddied the waters further. She neither supported Hela nor sided with Wanda, but instead, as a third-party oversight, forcefully intervened and froze the entire situation.
"So, Chairman Yiqin, you mean this matter is just going to remain at a stalemate?" Wanda asked coldly.
"Of course not." Qin smiled slightly and offered a seemingly fair solution.
"To ensure the absolute security of the physical evidence and to prevent further escalation of conflicts of responsibility between departments, I suggest that I temporarily utilize the Psychic Network to isolate and seal the evidence at the highest level."
"During the sealing period, the energy data of the physical evidence can be shared in real time by all three parties for their respective analysis and judgment. As for the final ownership and disposal rights of the physical evidence, we will submit them to the leadership for a decision after all three parties have submitted their respective reports."
"This way, we won't disrupt our work, and we'll also follow the rules. What do you two think?"
Hela and Wanda's expressions turned somewhat grim.
Qin's suggestion, which sounded like a compromise between the two sides, actually allowed her to reap the benefits. Once the physical evidence entered her Psychic Network, the initiative would be completely in her hands.
But right now, they can't refuse either of them.
Refusing implies that you are in the wrong and that you are trying to steal credit rather than work.
Just as the two were weighing the pros and cons and hesitating to make a decision.
A barely perceptible glint of Dark Gold light flashed in Qin's eyes.
She didn't even wait for their agreement.
An invisible yet incredibly powerful Psychic Power instantly enveloped the container in Wanda's hand. Wanda felt her palm go empty; the Vibranium container had vanished into thin air and reappeared in front of Jean, firmly enveloped by a ball of Dark Gold energy.
"You!"
Wanda and Hela both roared in fury.
This is outright robbery!
The raging Chaos Magic and the deathly still Death Force could no longer be suppressed, and they erupted with a roar, soaring straight into the sky.
However, the violent clash between these three forces on the street instantly triggered a higher-level early warning mechanism.
The sky over Manhattan suddenly darkened.
An indescribable, supreme will, like an eternally unyielding glacier, descended with a deafening roar.
That will carried a clear hint of irritation and displeasure at having his tranquility disturbed.