Iceland, Vought International Private Geothermal Resort.
Steam rises, like a dream.
Carol immersed her body in the warm, sulfurous spring water, leaving only her shoulders and head exposed.
The cold night air of Iceland brushed against her cheeks, but instead of making her feel cold, it created a wonderful balance with the warmth underwater.
She had never had such an experience before.
During her six years in the Kree Empire, the liquids she came into contact with most were the nutrient solution in the training pods, the circulating water used to rinse her body after battles, and the disinfectant that stung her wounds.
Warmth is a strictly regulated luxury.
Relaxation is an emotion that is explicitly forbidden.
But now...
She looked into the distance and saw Monica riding on an inflatable unicorn in a shallow pool designed for children, giggling and splashing hot spring water onto her mother.
Maria, with a doting expression, pretended to dodge, then launched a "sneak attack" from behind when her daughter wasn't looking.
The mother and daughter's laughter was crisp and melodious, echoing through the empty resort.
Everything here is so quiet, peaceful, and beautiful it seems unreal.
The fierce battles in the desert and the carnage of alien races seem like scenes from a black-and-white movie from the last century.
"Hey, what are you thinking about?"
Wei's voice came from the side.
She glided over like a fish, carrying a tray that was floating on the water.
On the tray were two glasses filled with ice, the crystal-clear liquid swirling within, with a few slices of green lemon floating in them.
"Want to try some?"
Wei pushed one of the glasses towards Carol.
" Vought Special, Absolut Vodka. Brewed with glacial meltwater, strong, but not intoxicating."
Carol looked at the glass of wine.
Tiny water droplets condensed on the cup's surface, standing out prominently in the steam of the hot spring.
She hesitated.
I don't drink alcohol.
In the Kree, alcohol was seen as a poison that numbed the will of warriors.
"Regulation?"
Wei raised an eyebrow.
"Habit."
"Then let's change our habits."
Wei shoved the wine glass into her hand.
"This is Earth, not your Kree Empire. On Earth, winning a battle means popping champagne, but if you don't have champagne, vodka is just as good."
She picked up another glass, tilted her head back, and took a big gulp, letting out a satisfied sigh.
"Ha--! That's awesome!"
Carol looked at Vi.
The pink-haired girl had a flushed face from drinking, and her eyes looked somewhat dreamy in the misty air, but more than anything, they exuded a sense of inner relaxation and contentment.
She's always so indifferent.
Whether facing questioning from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or being besieged by the Kree Starforce.
Wei looked like she was at a boring party, ready to leave early and find something else to do.
"You..."
Carol finally voiced her confusion.
Aren't you worried at all?
"Worry?"
Wei took another sip of her drink.
"What are you worried about? Are you worried about those blue-skinned aliens coming back? Or are you worried about those green-skinned ones transforming everywhere?"
"Yes, they all are."
"Ha!"
Wei laughed out loud.
"That's the company's concern, not mine."
She held up one finger and pointed to the night sky above.
"See those eyes in the sky? There are more eyes than stars. Vought's satellite network is watching every corner of this planet 24/7."
She then pointed to the group of buildings in the distance that were lit up.
"Those smart people in suits sitting in their offices, figuring out how to turn one dollar into a hundred dollars every day, they'll analyze the aliens' genes, crack their technology, assess their threat level, and devise a hundred ways to deal with them."
"As for those shapeshifters..."
Wei pursed her lips.
" Dr. Phineas has probably already cut that Skrulls corpse into thousands of pieces. It won't be long before he creates a kind of mirror that can instantly reveal them. Then, Vought will sell this thing to governments all over the world and make a fortune."
Wei's tone was relaxed.
But the information revealed in her words sent a chill down Carol's spine.
A vast, sophisticated, and frighteningly efficient business empire has brought everything under its control.
Military, scientific research, intelligence, public opinion...
All-encompassing.
And what about you?
Carol asked instinctively.
What are you responsible for?
"I?"
Wei smiled.
She swam to the edge of the hot spring, rested her arms on the smooth obsidian-polished pool wall, and looked up at the night sky, which was devoid of the aurora borealis.
I'll take responsibility for winning.
Her voice was soft, yet exceptionally clear.
"In Vought, strength is not for suffering and sacrifice."
She turned her head and looked intently at Carol.
"Power is for enjoying all of this."
Wei stretched out her hand and drew a large circle.
"Our job is to take down the enemy in front of the camera or in a corner where no one can see us. Our job is to win, to win beautifully, and to win decisively."
"The company will take care of turning our victory into headlines, into approval ratings, into soaring stock prices, and into countless dollars."
She paused, picked up her wine glass, and gestured towards her surroundings.
"Finally, turn those US dollars into this."
In Carol's mind, the Kree Empire's grand narrative of dedication, honor, and "fighting for the Supreme Intelligence " seemed utterly ridiculous in the face of Vi's simple and brutal business acumen.
To whom should it be offered?
What did we get in return?
In return, they received six years of lies, a stolen life, the sacrifice of comrades, and the betrayal of their commander.
And Wei...
She fought for the Vought International, and then contentedly enjoyed all the rewards of victory.
Her strength and confidence, her cynical attitude, stemmed from her recklessness or foolishness.
On the contrary.
It's because she has an all-powerful company behind her that has taken care of all her worries.
All she needs to do is... win.
Carol looked down at the glass of vodka in his hand.
Some of the ice had melted, and water droplets on the glass slid through her fingers and dripped into the warm spring water.
She thought of Dr. Lawson.
That gentle yet resolute woman protected the core and the hope of the Skrulls with her life.
She did it.
She obeyed the doctor's dying wish, destroyed the engine, and stopped Yon Roger.
Then what?
What should she do then?
Wei didn't say anything more.
She simply sipped her wine quietly, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.
Monica was tired from playing and was lying on Maria's back, yawning.
Maria gently patted her back, humming an unknown tune.
The scene was as warm as a dream.
A dream she once possessed, but which was cruelly taken away from her.
Wei is right.
Carol slowly raised her hand and brought the glass to her lips.
She tilted her head back and drank the wine in one gulp.
The spicy liquor burned like fire from her throat all the way down to her stomach.
But the burning sensation made her more awake than ever before.