A Top-Level Closed-Door Strategic Simulation: The Acting Chair Faced a Cross-Border Test

Negative Zone, the White Bone Hall.

The atmosphere was solemn around the enormous conference table.

Gwen Stacy Stacy sat in the seat that had originally belonged to Lynn. Her posture was impeccable, her back ramrod straight, with only a glass of water and a routine work log in front of her.

This marks the twenty-sixth hour since Lynn announced the closed-door strategic simulation of the "Abyss Protocol."

As required by the Director's Order, she was put in charge of the daily work of the Management Committee.

"I've reviewed the report submitted by the Department of Technology regarding the optimization plan for the energy distribution lines in C-12 Zone." Gwen Stacy's voice was clear and steady, carrying a particularly strong tone in the hall. "The plan is feasible, but the implementation period is too long. Please Liaison Office coordinate with the Department of Technology again to come up with a specific construction process that can be compressed to within twelve hours, and report it to me before the end of the day this afternoon."

Wanda, sitting to her left, simply nodded slightly upon hearing this, without saying a word.

Hela sat on the right, her fingers unconsciously stroking the edge of the table, looking somewhat bored. For her, this kind of purely administrative meeting was more mentally taxing than fighting on the battlefield all day.

Jean Grey sat next to Wanda, looking down at an assessment report on the emotional stability of the Mutants community.

Everything was in perfect order, strictly following the rules and procedures set by Lynn before he left. The entire Negative Zone was like a sophisticated machine; even with the top leader temporarily absent, all components continued to operate efficiently on their predetermined tracks.

Just as Gwen Stacy was about to announce the next item on the agenda, the Alloy Door of the hall slid open silently.

A Communications Officer from the Liaison Office strode in, a hint of nervousness on his face. He went straight to Gwen Stacy, leaned down, and whispered a few words.

Gwen Stacy's gaze sharpened instantly.

She raised her hand and gently tapped the table, interrupting everyone who was reviewing their documents.

"Temporary Situation Report"

Hela's eyes lit up.

"An unorganized TVA squad has just appeared on the outer buffer zone of the C-7 Physical Portal." Gwen Stacy spoke at a measured pace, as if reading a trivial official document. "Their stated reason is to conduct a routine 'joint inspection'."

"Inspectors?" Hela sneered. "Lynn barely left, and they're already showing up at the door. Their scheme is so elaborate, the whole Multiverse can hear it."

She looked at Gwen Stacy, her eyes clearly conveying a sense of defiance. "Do you need me to take some men and ' Sweep them up'? The Stability Maintenance Office Enforcement Team is practically rusting from boredom lately."

"No." Jean Grey put down the report in her hand, her brows furrowing slightly. "They're using the 'inspector' guise, which is standard terminology within the system. If we directly use force, we'll be at a disadvantage, essentially putting the label of 'armed resistance against law enforcement' on our own. They're just looking for an excuse."

Wanda also looked up, a Data Stream flashing in her Scarlet eyes. "I didn't detect Ravonna or Mobius's access keys in their communication signals. This team's origins are unknown; they're likely another faction within TVA."

The atmosphere inside the hall instantly became heavy.

All eyes were focused on Gwen Stacy, who was in the main seat.

This was the first real external pressure test they faced after Lynn left.

Gwen Stacy didn't make a decision immediately. Her fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as she quickly reviewed the contingency Contingency Plan Lynn had left behind.

Plan A addresses routine diplomatic frictions.

Plan B is for armed conflict.

Plan C targets the highest level of direct intervention initiated by the He Who Remains.

The current situation is somewhere between A and B. The other party is using compliance as a pretext to conduct armed probing.

"Director Hela," Gwen Stacy began, her gaze sweeping over Hela.

"Yes," Hela replied.

"Immediately mobilize the first and third squadrons of the Undead Guard to seal off the inside of C-7 Portal and establish a level-two isolation zone. All personnel must wear heavy protective gear, ostensibly to 'prevent the importation of an unknown cross-dimensional biological virus.'"

"Good." Hela's lips curled into a satisfied smile. This order suited her taste.

"Director Jean." Gwen Stacy then looked at Jean Grey.

"I am here."

"Immediately issue an emergency notice to all departments in the name of the Management Committee Office, informing them that a 'high-level epidemic prevention and security drill' is underway at C-7 Portal, and that all non-essential personnel are prohibited from approaching during the drill. Stabilize the situation internally and avoid causing unnecessary panic."

"Understood." Qin nodded.

"Director Wanda."

"Um."

"Initiate the highest level of environmental monitoring in the C-7 Portal area, focusing on scanning all equipment carried by the other party, and analyzing energy composition and data characteristics. I need a detailed report."

"Can."

Gwen Stacy and methodically gave out her instructions, and then stood up.

"I'll go to the scene myself." She looked at everyone. "Since they insist on following the rules, then we'll accompany them and explain the rules thoroughly."

C-7 Physical Portal, Entry Hall.

This place has been temporarily converted into a heavily guarded biological quarantine station. The Undead Guard, dressed in ghastly white heavy protective suits and carrying Death Energy rifles, stood in two rows inside and outside the quarantine zone, creating a somber atmosphere.

Gwen Stacy was also wearing a white protective suit and a transparent mask, standing behind an energy light screen.

On the other side of the screen was TVA's so-called "Joint Inspection Team." Leading them was Proctor, the representative of the Adjudication Office. His expression was grim.

"Director Stacy, I'll repeat myself: we are conducting a joint inspection and have the highest priority. Your actions are blatantly obstructing the TVA's normal law enforcement!" Proctor's voice was filled with suppressed anger.

"Mr. Proctor, please understand as well." Gwen Stacy's voice, amplified through the loudspeaker, was businesslike and devoid of emotion. "The Negative Zone has just experienced an 'extreme weather disaster,' and the ecological environment within its jurisdiction is extremely fragile. To prevent secondary pollution from external pathogens, we must strictly enforce the ' Interdimensional Biosafety Quarantine Regulations.'"

She raised her hand and pointed to the huge text of the regulations projected on the wall to the side.

"According to Chapter 3, Section 7 of the regulations, all personnel and vehicles arriving from ' Non-Trusted Safe Zone ' must undergo at least 48 hours of quarantine observation in a designated quarantine area before entry."

"During this period, all personnel are required to submit a detailed travel history for the past 72 hours, a health declaration, and undergo full-spectrum energy information sampling by our technical staff."

"All equipment brought in must be sealed and stored together, and then disinfected and rendered harmless by our team before it can be brought in."

With each point Gwen Stacy made, Proctor's expression grew increasingly grim.

The TVA agents behind him exchanged bewildered glances. They were there to find fault and test the waters, not to sit in quarantine.

"Ridiculous!" Proctor finally couldn't hold back any longer. "We are TVA, not ordinary Dimension travelers! Our bodies and equipment have undergone the highest level of Purification; it's impossible for us to carry any viruses!"

"Rules are rules, Mr. Proctor," Gwen Stacy said calmly. "This is to protect the lives of hundreds of millions of residents in our jurisdiction, and also to ensure your safety. Procedures must be followed."

"You!" Proctor was speechless with anger.

He looked at the impeccably dressed woman behind the screen, then at the guards around him, their armor shrouded in Aura of Death. For the first time, he understood what it meant to "encounter a scholar with soldiers." No, more accurately, it was a bureaucrat who wielded a trivial authority encountering another group of bureaucrats who understood the rules better.

He knew that forcing his way in today was impossible. The other side had played the procedure card perfectly.

Just when the two sides were deadlocked and the air was almost frozen.

Proctor suddenly let out a cold laugh. He seemed to have given up arguing and instead took out a square Data Pad from his pocket.

He attached the Data Pad to the energy light screen.

"Director Stacy, I think this document should allow for a little more flexibility in your quarantine procedures."

On the Data Pad, an official document was activated, emitting a golden light.

At the top of the document is the TVA's Highest-Level Eagle Insignia.

The title, in bold, eye-catching letters, reads, "Specially Approved Pass for the Joint Inspection Team to Enter the Negative Zone for On-site Investigation."

Gwen Stacy's gaze slowly moved down to the very bottom of the document.

The signature of any TVA judge or department head was not found in the signatory's section.

There is only a conceptual imprint there.

A slowly rotating, ominous hourglass made of countless golden sands and sharp swords.

That was the Personal Seal of the "He Who Remains".