A special observer's arrival, a delicate balance between old and new powers
The meeting ended, but the atmosphere White Bone Hall did not lighten.
The image of that Bilateral Memorandum still floated above the long table, its soft light like a heavy lead weight pressing on everyone's hearts.
A "Cross-Dimension Coordination Office" dominated by Negative Zone.
A substantial power capable of changing the entire situation.
This should have been a political victory to celebrate, but Lynn's final announcement of personnel arrangements complicated the taste of that victory.
A Special Observer surnamed "Kang".
Hela sat motionless in her seat. Her lifeless eyes were fixed on Lynn, as if trying to glean his true intentions from beneath his calm expression.
The Scarlet Mist at Wanda's fingertips had dissipated, but the air around her seemed to have undergone a subtle distortion; any light that approached was invisibly swallowed up, revealing absolute darkness.
Jean Grey closed her eyes again, but her Psychic Power was even more solid than before.
Only Gwen Stacy stood up, walked to Lynn's side, and asked in a low voice for permission.
"Director, the Liaison Office needs clear instructions regarding the reception protocol and security Contingency Plan for this Observer."
Her voice broke the silence.
Lynn's gaze swept across Hela and Wanda's faces, finally settling on Gwen Stacy.
"We will receive you according to the A-3 level overseas expert standard."
Level A-3 is a standard level of diplomatic reception, neither too high nor too low, which reflects the importance attached to the matter while strictly adhering to the rules, leaving no excuse for the other party to make a fuss.
"Regarding security, the Stability Maintenance Office is responsible for perimeter security; contact will be avoided unless absolutely necessary," Lynn added. "All procedures will be strictly implemented in accordance with the ' Negative Zone External Personnel Management Regulations,' and no one may overstep these boundaries."
He emphasized the words "anyone".
Hela snorted coldly, which was taken as tacit acceptance of the arrangement.
"When will she arrive?" Wanda asked, her voice devoid of emotion.
Lynn looked at Gwen Stacy.
Gwen Stacy immediately replied, "The Liaison Office just received an arrival notification from TVA. Their transmission beacon will be activated at C-7 Physical Portal in ten minutes."
They arrived very quickly.
This in itself constitutes pressure.
Lynn stood up.
"Let's go greet this 'colleague'."
He didn't specify who should go, but as soon as he finished speaking, Hela, Wanda, and Jean Grey all stood up. Sylvie, sitting at the end of the table, hesitated for a moment and then also stood up.
Lynn did not stop her.
He knew that this meeting was not just a reception, but also an on-site release of internal pressure. Letting them see this new "Observer" with their own eyes would be more effective than any reassurance.
Ten minutes later, in the Reception Hall One Negative Zone No. 1.
Unlike the somber atmosphere of the White Bone Hall, this place is simply and quietly decorated, filled with a standardized sense of order.
A slight ripple appeared in the space, and a golden beam of teleportation, without any concealment, was precisely projected onto the designated landing point in the center of the hall.
As the light faded, a figure appeared.
It was a woman wearing a well -Pruning TVA-style suit, but the color was not ordinary gray; it was a darker, almost black, charcoal gray, with very fine gold thread embellishing the collar and cuffs.
Her expression was calm as she glanced at Lynn and his group, showing no sign of the awkwardness of a newcomer. Instead, she seemed to be surveying her own territory.
Her appearance was somewhat similar to that of the "He Who Remains," but her features were softer, while her eyes held the same ancient and indifferent gaze.
This is "Kang" from the cut-out Timeline.
"Director the Negative Zone Management Committee, Lynn." Lynn stepped forward and spoke first, his tone businesslike and indifferent.
"Special Observer, Ravonna Renslayer," the woman announced her name and position.
She used the name Ravonna, but her surname was K. The message conveyed by this is intriguing.
Lynn didn't pay attention to this detail and simply nodded in a formulaic manner.
"Welcome, Observer Renslayer. According to the memorandum signed by both parties, your arrival will facilitate the smooth establishment of the Coordination Office."
"My task is to ensure smooth coordination." Ravonna looked at Lynn and cut to the chase. "To do that, I need to understand the operational processes, core functions, and staffing of all departments within the Negative Zone."
Her demands were direct and sharp, making no attempt to conceal her intention to dismantle the company from within.
Hela's gaze darkened.
The darkness surrounding Wanda seemed to intensify.
Lynn's expression remained unchanged as he turned to introduce Ravonna.
"This is the Director Liaison Office, Gwen Stacy Stacy. She will be fully responsible for your onboarding and job placement."
He cleverly passed the ball to Gwen Stacy.
Gwen Stacy stepped forward, holding a Data Pad in her hand, a professional smile on her face.
"Hello, Renslayer Observer. According to Article 17, Paragraph 3 of the ' Negative Zone External Personnel Management Regulations,' your position will be temporarily assigned to the Management Committee Liaison Office, and your job title will be temporarily set as 'Special Consultant.'"
Ravonna's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
She never expected that she would be directly assigned to a specific execution department.
"Before you officially begin your work," Gwen Stacy continued, giving the other person no chance to interrupt, "You will need to complete a 72-hour compliance training course, comprehensively studying 312 internal regulations, including the Confidentiality Regulations, the Data Security Law, and the Asset Declaration Procedures. Here is a list of training materials; please sign for it."
With that, Gwen Stacy handed over the Data Pad.
The Data Pad covered with a dense list of entries, stretching as far as the eye can see.
Ravonna did not answer.
She stared at Lynn: "Director, my authority was granted by the He Who Remains himself. These cumbersome procedures seem unnecessary."
"Precisely because of your special authority, we must ensure that all our actions are compliant and legal." Lynn's tone was gentle, yet authoritative. "This is for your sake, and also for our own. We cannot allow our colleagues at TVA to find fault with us on procedural matters."
He disguised "red tape" as "protection" and distorted "restriction" into "responsibility."
Ravonna fell silent.
She glanced at Gwen Stacy, then at Sylvie standing behind Gwen Stacy with a playful expression.
She instantly understood Lynn's plan.
Instead of refusing or hindering her, they used the logic of the system to confine her, this "imperial envoy," to her office, exhausting her energy with endless meetings and paperwork.
This is a war without gunfire.
"Very good." Ravonna suddenly smiled, reaching out to take the Data Pad. "I look forward to this training."
She signed her name.
Gwen Stacy put the Data Pad back, her smile still flawless.
"Then please come with me, I'll take you to the office. The relevant training courses have already been arranged."
Gwen Stacy led Ravonna away, turning towards the administrative office area on the side of the hall. Sylvie followed, glancing back at Lynn before leaving, her eyes filled with utter admiration.
Hela watched their figures disappear at the end of the corridor before Hela spoke, her voice full of disdain.
"It's just a nail."
"A nail driven into paperwork," Lynn said casually.
He knew this was just the beginning.
A person with the surname Kang would never be content to sit in the office studying regulations.
Sure enough, in less than half a day.
Gwen Stacy's figure appeared hastily at the entrance of the White Bone Hall.
She strode to the Throne and presented Lynn with a Data Pad. For the first time, her expression turned serious.
"Director."
"That Observer just submitted her first job application."
Lynn took the Data Pad.
The title of the application letter reads "Application for Compliance Spot Check of Core Accounts of the Technology Integration Department".
In the section for details of the request to access the information, a line of text was clearly written:
"Special Audit of Chaos Energy Income, Expenditure and Loss."