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[Frog] Chapter 246: The ATCU Inhuman Organization
🕑 Added 2024-12-31 16:09:15 +0000 UTCEarly in the morning, Alan was awakened by the Red Queen’s voice. She informed him that, according to intelligence from Zola, after his disruption of Pierce’s plan to seize the helicarriers, Pierce seemed intent on finding a new approach.
The place Pierce intended to visit was called ATCU, short for Advanced Threat Containment Unit. In the Marvel Universe, this organization was originally under S.H.I.E.L.D. and tasked with handling the threats posed by the release of Terrigen material, which created the so-called Inhumans—people with superpowers.
Alan jolted upright from his bed. If Pierce managed to recruit those Inhumans, the resulting threat would be even greater. While those Inhumans might not pose a direct challenge to Alan, the potential collapse of S.H.I.E.L.D. would significantly impact the subsequent storyline of the Avengers. Alan had no intention of witnessing the emergence of the "Serpent Society" storyline from the comics.
He donned his belt, and his armor instantly enveloped his body. Without hesitation, he flew out.
Meanwhile, Coulson wore a troubled expression. His informant had just told him that ATCU had been attacked, and some Inhumans had escaped. Battling Hydra on one side and dealing with Inhumans on the other left him with little hope.
Alan instructed the Red Queen to send him Pierce’s location. Simultaneously, he contacted Tony Stark.
Stark Tower, Underground Garage.
Jarvis’s voice came through the earpiece.
“Pierce plans to release the Inhumans to seize the helicarriers and execute the Insight Protocol.”
A cryptic message left Tony stunned.
“Who sent this? Who could bypass my network?”
Jarvis projected an image—a picture of the mysterious Emperor. It was evident this was the work of the Red Queen.
Seeing the Emperor’s image, Tony immediately stood up, excitement lighting up his face. The enigmatic man had appeared once again!
“Quick, contact the others and head to—”
Just as Tony was about to give instructions, he paused mid-sentence, thinking deeply. Then he said, “Send the others elsewhere. The Emperor wouldn’t want us storming over in numbers to find him.”
Jarvis sent out the message, and the Avengers, upon receiving it, dispersed across the city.
Following Tony’s reasoning, since the Emperor had decided to confront Pierce, there was no need for them to interfere. After all, the Emperor could handle it on his own, and their presence might only complicate matters. Tony, as always, proved himself a sharp thinker.
As Alan descended from the sky, a chilling wave hit him even before he landed. The ATCU base was blanketed in ice and snow, radiating an ominous cold.
“Is this an Inhuman’s ability?” Alan muttered, drawing his Aurora Sword.
Although the Inhumans in ATCU weren’t as formidable as the X-Men mutants, some had bizarre and dangerous abilities. Watching through surveillance, Pierce’s eyes burned with fury. He slammed his fist onto a nearby console in frustration.
“Again! Why is it always him? How many of my plans does this Emperor intend to ruin?”
Pierce had no idea that Zola had been compromised by the Red Queen. To him, the Emperor’s timely arrivals made him feel as if he were playing on an open book.
“Send everyone after him! I refuse to believe one Emperor can handle so many Inhumans!”
His orders echoed through the communication channels, reaching the various squads. Bucky and Bartok mobilized simultaneously, joined by several Inhumans emerging from the base, all heading towards Alan.
Dark clouds loomed over New York as if heralding an impending battle.
Elsewhere, Gwen, who was on patrol, was still pondering why Hela had suddenly appeared before her. Then, at a subway station ahead, she saw a man. He punched through the crowd and charged out into the open.
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