"You're right, Tony."
That wasn't an accident.
Tony's body tensed, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms.
He never expected the answer he wanted to be so direct and affirmative.
Lynn walked up to him and met his gaze.
"But the official report must be an accident. Because the truth is far more terrifying than a car crash. Your father's talent was his greatest glory, and also his most fatal curse. In this world, too many people yearn for his wisdom, and too many people fear his very existence."
He carefully considered his words.
"This flawed accident report isn't for the world to see, Tony. It's a protective veil. You must stay behind it until you can lift it. Otherwise, those hyenas hunting your father will pounce on you without hesitation."
What should I do?
Tony's voice was a little hoarse with excitement.
"Grow up."
Lynn's answer was the same as before, but this time the word was given a completely new meaning.
"Become smarter and stronger than your father. Strong enough that all enemies lurking in the Shadow will have nowhere to hide in your light. At that time, you won't need to seek the truth; the truth will come to you."
He reached out and gently placed his hand on Tony's shoulder.
"I will help you; I will be your strongest shield until you are ready."
Tony looked at the man before him, his wariness and suspicion replaced by a stronger goal.
He needed power, and this man promised to give him power.
"I understand, Uncle Lynn."
Lynn nodded with satisfaction and turned to leave.
Four years have passed in the blink of an eye.
1995.
The world has long been accustomed to the "new order" defined by Vought.
Tony Stark has transformed from a sorrowful orphan into a charismatic and brilliant super-genius.
His name frequently appeared on the covers of science magazines and in the headlines of gossip news, but no one knew that beneath that unruly exterior lay a heart burning with a vengeful spirit.
Lynn's appearance remained unchanged.
He sat in his office listening to his personal secretary Tifa, give him a report.
"Boss, an energy anomaly has been detected over Los Angeles. Data models indicate it's neither a meteoroid nor a spacecraft crash. The energy signature doesn't match any known Metahuman in our database."
On the screen, a dazzling band of light crashed into a point on the ground.
"The impact site was in Los Angeles, at a video store called Blockbuster."
" Blockbuster Audio-Visual Store?"
Tifa Lockhart stood by with her hands at her sides, awaiting instructions.
"Have Amanda Waller and Ada Wong come to my office."
Lynn gave the order.
Within two minutes, Amanda Waller, head of the Superhuman Ethics and Threat Level Assessment Department, and Ada Wong, head of the Intelligence and Infiltration Department, walked into the CEO's office one after the other.
Amanda Waller is a robust Black woman with a serious, unsmiling expression.
Ada Wong wore a fiery red, form-fitting long dress, swaying gracefully with every step.
"Boss."
The two greeted each other in unison.
Lynn didn't stand on ceremony and immediately turned the screen towards them.
" Los Angeles, what just happened."
On the screen, Spectrum graphs of the energy readings and satellite images of the impact site are playing in a loop.
Amanda Waller gave her initial assessment after just one glance.
"A high-energy Cosmic Rays aggregate, its origin and properties are unknown. However, its decay rate is extremely fast, and it is not a natural phenomenon."
"A visitor who fell from the sky."
Ada Wong picked up the conversation, her voice carrying her characteristic languidness.
"Interesting. The S.H.I.E.L.D. should be arriving soon."
I don't want them to get here quickly.
"I want our people to be the first to arrive."
He looked at Amanda Waller.
"I need to know everything about this visitor. Her energy composition, physical characteristics, weaknesses, and most importantly, her threat level."
"Clear."
Amanda Waller nodded.
Lynn turned to Ada Wong.
" Ada, I need your people to seal off the scene. Not physically, but informationally."
"At the same time," Lynn added, "Send your elite task force over there. The objective is not combat, but assessment and contact. If possible, bring her back. Remember, I want her alive and well."
"My second-in-command, Nina Williams, happens to be dealing with a minor problem on the West Coast involving a 'wild hero' who's not up to the task."
Ada Wong provided a perfect candidate.
"She'll handle it."
"Very good."
Lynn leaned back in her chair.
"Go ahead, I want to see the first report before dawn."
Blockbuster video store in Los Angeles.
A blonde woman in a strange green uniform stood blankly amidst a mess of videotapes and posters.
who I am?
Why am I here?
Outside the store, the first police car had just come to a stop when two officers drew their guns and cautiously approached.
"LAPD! Everyone inside, raise your hands!"
Their warnings were drowned out by an even more piercing screech of tires.
Three unmarked cars aggressively pulled up beside us.
The car door popped open, and a dozen soldiers Vought black tactical uniforms filed out in unison.
Ignoring the two dumbfounded police officers, they quickly established a new cordon at the scene.
When the policeman saw the familiar Vought symbol on the soldier's arm, he swallowed the rest of his words.
The crisp sound of tactical boots stepping on shards of glass was exceptionally clear in the noisy environment.
Nina Williams walked in.
She wore a dark purple combat suit, her long golden hair tied in a high ponytail, and every step she took exuded a deadly elegance.
Nina's gaze was fixed on the blonde woman.
[Energy reading off the charts. Unknown uniform material, environmentally adaptable. Muscles taut, highly alert, befitting an elite soldier's combat stance.]
Her mind completed an initial assessment within 0.5 seconds.
[Conclusion: This is not any of the Metahuman registered on Earth.]
Who are you?
The blonde woman who descended from the sky focused her gaze on Nina and cautiously took a half-step back.
"I am Vers, an elite member of the Kree Empire's Starforce."
" The Kree Empire?"
"A rural place I've never heard of before. What is your purpose in coming to Earth?"
"I'm hunting down a dangerous shapeshifting race called the Skrulls."
Vers's gaze gradually turned serious.
"They can disguise themselves as any creature; they have already infiltrated your planet."
Skrulls?
penetration?
Nina's facial expression remained unchanged, but she had already raised the threat level in her mind.
This is not an ordinary supernatural event; it's an invasion of species.
Without making a sound, she synchronized the information to the top floor of the Vought Tower via an encrypted channel in her headset.
"The target identifies himself as an alien warrior from the ' Kree Empire,' codenamed ' Vers.' He is hunting a shapeshifting race known as the ' Skrull.' It is recommended to activate the highest-level 'First Kind Contact' contingency plan."
Amanda Waller Waller's eyes gleamed with an almost greedy excitement.
alien!
This opened up a whole new dimension for her superpower threat assessment system.
" Ada."
Lynn's voice broke the silence.
"I've changed my mind; I'm not bringing her back."
Ada Wong was about to ask a question.
Lynn continued, "Help her."
"Help her?"
"Yes, help her find that Skrulls."
Lynn's fingertips tapped lightly on the table.
"I want to see what kind of drama these two extraterrestrial bugs can pull off. And I also want to see how our old friend S.H.I.E.L.D.. will handle this situation."