Cross-border enforcement at an abandoned portal, the committee director's bottom line
The air in the Maintenance Room became viscous the moment that red light appeared.
The light wasn't dazzling, but it carried a deep-seated malice, emanating from the inconspicuous device on Sylvie's wrist, pulsating rhythmically beneath her skin like a heart from another land.
The woman, who had just moments before carried a hint of a gambler's desperate gamble, was now taut like a bowstring drawn taut. The composure she had cultivated over years of licking blood off the blade had vanished in an instant, leaving only the primal terror of being targeted by her natural enemy.
"They've found me."
Her voice was hoarse, as if an invisible hand was choking her.
Lynn's gaze shifted from her terrified face to the flashing red light.
What is that?
"The Time Reset Marker." Sylvie's voice trembled uncontrollably. "TVA's hounds have locked onto my coordinates."
The flashing frequency of the red light suddenly increased.
Lynn didn't ask any more questions.
His expression remained unchanged, as if this sudden turn of events was part of some kind of Contingency Plan scenario.
His gaze swept quickly across the cramped Maintenance Room, finally settling on a heavy metal cabinet in the corner. It was equipment left over from the old S.H.I.E.L.D.. era, used to store highly sensitive energy samples; the cabinet door still bore faded lead protective markings.
"Go in."
Lynn's voice was calm, devoid of any emotion, yet it carried an undeniable weight.
Sylvie paused for a moment, then understood Lynn's intention. Without hesitation, she slipped into the Shielding Cabinet that reeked of old metal.
Lynn stepped forward, closed the heavy cabinet door himself, and turned the physical lock valve.
After doing all this, he slowly raised his left hand and turned on the Personal Terminal on his wrist.
The icy blue light reflected on his serene face.
His fingers moved rapidly across the virtual screen without pausing. A command was quickly drafted, bypassing all conventional approval processes, and issued directly to the Stability Maintenance Office's combat readiness system with the Director's Highest Access Privileges.
The instructions are very simple.
A high-intensity energy leak has been detected in C-7 Zone. The Level One Emergency Response Contingency Plan has been immediately activated, involving a complete physical cordon and clearing of the area. Exercise codename: Dusting.
The moment the command was issued, Lynn shut down the terminal.
The entire abandoned server room fell silent once more.
Only the tightly closed lead cabinet door proved that what had just happened was not an illusion.
Time seemed to stretch out.
Thirty seconds.
Perhaps even shorter.
The air in the center of the server room began to distort abnormally. A blinding orange circular light portal suddenly tore through space, rotating and expanding.
Immediately afterwards, several armed personnel, carrying peculiar club-shaped weapons and wearing heavy uniforms, filed out of the portal. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, their eyes cold, and as soon as they landed, they immediately dispersed into tactical formations, pointing their guns in all directions, clearly a well-trained professional team.
The captain, who was in the lead, raised the device on his wrist, glanced at the flashing red dot on it, and then locked his gaze precisely on Lynn.
However, his gaze lingered on Lynn for only half a second before abruptly turning towards the entrance to the server room.
There, before anyone knew it, the place was already filled with people.
It wasn't a scattered crowd, but a steel Defense Line composed of cold armor, eye sockets burning with eerie green flames, and sharp Long Halberd.
Hela, stood right in the center of the Defense Line.
She wasn't wearing the magnificent robes she wore in the White Bone Hall, but rather a form-fitting black War Armor, the hilt of the Night Sky Sword in her hand. Behind her stood a full squad of Undead Guard, having already erected the highest level of security, completely sealing off the abandoned server room in C-7 Zone.
These TVA Time Hounds seem to have stumbled into a pre-arranged hunt.
The air froze.
On one side are mysterious law enforcers who have traveled across time, and on the other is an absolute violent apparatus in the Negative Zone.
The Stability Maintenance Office Office's efficiency far exceeded TVA's expectations.
Lynn's orders transformed a cross- Dimension arrest operation targeting an individual into a well- Contingency Plan security lockdown within the Management Committee.
The Hound Captain's brow furrowed deeply.
He clearly hadn't expected that a Variant who should have been fighting alone would have such a large armed force by his side. Moreover, judging from their posture, they didn't seem to be hastily responding to a battle, but rather were carrying out official duties.
"We are the Enforcement Team of the Time Variance Authority." Hound Captain stepped forward, his voice cold and authoritative. "We are currently pursuing a Class A Variant poses a serious threat to the Sacred Timeline. Unauthorized personnel, step back immediately."
Hela stared at him coldly, without saying a word.
The Undead Guard behind her all took a step forward, holding their Long Halberd.
The synchronized clanging of metal was particularly jarring in the empty server room.
This is a silent answer.
The Hound Captain's face darkened.
He pulled a square Data Pad from his waist, on which appeared Holographic Image of Sylvie and a line of official documents marked in bright red font.
"By order of the Chief Judge and in accordance with the Sacred Timeline Fundamental Law, we hold a warrant with the Highest Access Privileges." His voice rose a few decibels. "Any obstruction of law enforcement will be considered a blatant provocation against TVA. I'll say it again, get out of the way!"
A cold, mocking smile curled at the corners of Hela's lips.
She seemed to feel that saying even a single word to the person in front of her was a waste of time.
"This is the jurisdiction of the Negative Zone Management Committee."
A calm voice came from behind the hounds.
Lynn walked over slowly and stood between the captain and Hela, separating the two sides from the tense atmosphere.
"What you are doing is an unreported and illegal cross-border law enforcement operation." Lynn looked at them, his tone flat, as if reading a routine work report. "According to the Management Committee's Safety Regulations, we have the right to detain you on the spot."
The Hound Captain seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world.
"Detain us?" He waved the arrest warrant in his hand. "Look carefully, this is an order from the TVA! It has authority over local agencies like yours!"
He stopped wasting words and gave the order directly.
"The target is in this server room, search it! Anyone who resists, eliminate them!"
Several Time Hounds immediately stepped forward, their Pruning Baton gleaming dangerously, ready to force their way in and search the room.
A murderous glint flashed in Hela's eyes.
Her grip on the Night Sky Sword tightened suddenly.
Even before the sword was drawn, an Aura of Death, so solid it seemed to solidify, caused the surrounding air temperature to drop several degrees.
Conflict is imminent.