S.H.I.E.L.D., Triskelion Headquarters, highest-level secret meeting room.
The heavy bulletproof glass door slowly slid open.
Alexander adjusted his suit cuff, a politician's impeccably sorrowful and resolute expression on his face, and strode in.
Inside the room, two men, dressed in highly distinctive African ethnic attire that subtly exuded a high-tech feel, had been waiting for a long time.
The elder one was King T'Chaka of Wakanda. The younger man standing behind him was Prince T'Challa.
"King T'Chaka, Prince T'Challa."
Alexander extended his hand, his tone filled with just the right amount of respect and gratitude. "In this darkest hour for Earth, to meet friends from Wakanda is not only an honor for S.H.I.E.L.D. but also a hope for all humanity."
If Alexander didn't win an Oscar, it would be a loss for the acting world.
However, T'Chaka was not in the mood for pleasantries. His expression was solemn, and he did not shake Alexander's hand, merely nodding slightly in acknowledgment.
"Secretary Pierce, let's skip the pleasantries."
T'Chaka's voice was deep and powerful. "Although we live in seclusion, it doesn't mean we are blind or deaf. The man who calls himself Frieza, his actions in New York, and his declaration of viewing all living beings as ants—we have seen it all."
T'Challa stepped forward and added, "This is no longer a crisis for a single nation, but a cataclysm targeting all of Earth's civilization. If we don't unite, Wakanda will not be able to remain unscathed."
A glint flashed in Alexander's eyes. He withdrew his hand, pushed up his glasses, and said in a deep voice, "You are absolutely right. Director Fury unfortunately perished in the line of duty, and now is the time we need to unite all forces. That demon's power simply does not belong to this dimension."
T'Chaka looked directly into Alexander's eyes and said, "Therefore, Wakanda has decided to step forward."
"We will provide Wakanda's most advanced technological support, as well as Vibranium. On this planet, perhaps only weapons forged from Vibranium can possibly break through that monster's defenses."
Upon hearing the words "Vibranium," Alexander's heart gave a sudden leap. That was the strategic resource Hydra had always dreamed of.
But on the surface, he maintained his righteous demeanor.
"Thank you for Wakanda's generosity. I thank you on behalf of all humanity."
"Don't thank us so quickly."
T'Chaka looked around. "Where is Tony Stark? I hear he's one of the smartest minds in the world."
Alexander replied, "Stark is still in the strategic conference room, in a... well, a rather anxious state."
"Are you looking for him?"
"Yes." T'Chaka nodded.
"Wakanda has Vibranium, but Stark has the talent to transform materials into ultimate individual combat power. If we can custom-build an 'Anti-Frieza Armor' for him using Vibranium, combined with our energy shield technology, perhaps we might have a fighting chance."
An Iron Man suit made entirely of Vibranium?
Alexander gasped. How strong would that be?
This would absolutely be Hydra's ultimate weapon for conquering the world.
"That's an absolutely brilliant idea." Alexander suppressed his inner ecstasy, a relieved smile appearing on his face.
"However, since this is for all humanity, I hope Wakanda can coordinate these technologies and Vibranium through S.H.I.E.L.D.'s channels..."
"That is to say, share them with S.H.I.E.L.D."
T'Chaka and T'Challa exchanged glances, a flicker of understanding in both father and son's eyes.
Even at a time like this, this politician was still thinking about gaining benefits and technology.
But looking at the sky outside the window, which seemed on the verge of collapsing at any moment, T'Chaka sighed.
"Alright. For survival, we can share."
"Excellent."
Alexander even wanted to pop open champagne to celebrate.
He immediately called out to the agent at the door, "Quick! Go and invite Mr. Stark over. Tell him we have a trump card that can turn the tide."
...
Meanwhile.
On the highway from Manhattan to Frieza's Private Island, a black extended Rolls-Royce Phantom was cruising smoothly.
The interior of the car was extremely luxurious, with a starlight headliner emitting a soft glow, and leather seats as soft as clouds.
Frieza swirled a glass of Bordeaux red wine in his hand, looking at the fleeting night scenery outside the window, in a rather good mood.
Loki, sitting opposite him, still wearing his utterly embarrassing uniform, sat upright, his hands neatly placed on his knees, like a newly enrolled elementary school student.
"Loki."
Frieza took a sip of wine and spoke unhurriedly.
"Yes! Master! I'm here!" Loki shivered and responded reflexively.
"Don't be so nervous." Frieza smiled and waved his hand.
"Actually, I've always been very generous to my subordinates. You see, even though the employees in that building earlier were just some Earth monkeys with no power, as long as they were willing to work, I was still willing to pay them and support them."
"After all, as the Emperor of the Universe, I can't do everything myself, can I? Someone has to do the chores like sweeping, cleaning windows, and piloting spaceships, right?"
"Master is benevolent." Loki quickly flattered him.
"To be able to sweep for you, that's their good fortune accumulated over several lifetimes."
"You too."
Frieza's scarlet eyes stared meaningfully at Loki. "Your current power level, in my eyes, is no different from those Earth monkeys with guns. But..."
"You are a god, after all, and your mind is quite clever."
Frieza extended a finger and wiggled it in front of Loki.
"As long as you are loyal enough to me, put away all your little schemes, and obediently be my watchdog, once I conquer these Nine Realms, and even break through this universe, I wouldn't mind bestowing that small Asgard upon you to manage."
"Even crowning you 'King of Asgard' isn't out of the question, you know."
King of Asgard!
That was the position Loki had dreamed of, it was his lifelong obsession.
He could even imagine the scene: him sitting on the throne, his always arrogant brother Thor kneeling at his feet.
Loki's breathing instantly quickened, and his eyes, which had been filled with fear, now held a hint of fanaticism and greed.
"Master, are you serious?!" Loki's voice was distorted with excitement.
"Do I need to lie to an ant like you?" Frieza sneered.
"Of course, the premise is..."
He pointed to his temple. "You understand."
"Understand! I understand!" Loki nodded frantically, his eyes fervent.
"I, Loki, swear by my godhood as the God of Lies, from this day forward, I am your most loyal servant. Anyone who dares oppose you, I will stab them."
At this moment, Loki understood.
Working for Thanos meant being threatened, and working for Frieza also meant being threatened, but Frieza was generous. He actually gave territory.
...
Night fell.
The moon was dark, and the wind howled.
The lights in the manor gradually extinguished, leaving only a few streetlights emitting a dim, yellow glow.
Second-floor master bedroom.
Frieza took off his expensive suit and casually hung it on the clothes rack by the bed. He changed into a silk robe, just about to lie down.
Suddenly, his movement paused for about 0.01 second.
A playful glint flashed in his originally calm eyes.
"Oh?"
Frieza tilted his head slightly, his gaze penetrating the wall, looking towards the main entrance of the manor.
In his perception, three faint "Ki" signatures, like mosquitoes, were stealthily approaching. They were as conspicuous as three large lightbulbs in the dark night to him.
"Oh, beauties are delivering themselves so soon?"
A cruel yet elegant curve appeared at the corner of Frieza's lips.
Appearing uninvited at such a late time.
How interesting.
"I was planning to get my beauty sleep early, but it seems there's some entertainment tonight."
Frieza didn't alarm anyone, not even Loki downstairs. He simply walked leisurely to the bed as if nothing was amiss, pulled back the covers, and lay down.
He closed his eyes, and his breathing became even. Like an unsuspecting rich young master, sound asleep.
—
Outside the manor.
Maria, Natasha, and Sharon were lying in the bushes.
"The guards at the entrance have been dealt with." Natasha whispered, putting away her tranquilizer gun.
"They were Loki's illusions, a bit troublesome, but handled."
Maria said, glancing at the thermal imager on her wrist, which showed the terrifying heat source motionless, "The target is still in the master bedroom, vital signs stable, in deep sleep."
"Move."
The three of them, like ghosts in the night, gracefully scaled the second-floor balcony using grappling hooks and landed silently.
Maria took out a high-tech cutter, drew a circle on the French window glass, and gently pushed.
The glass fell silently.
The three entered in single file, holding their breath, each step taken cautiously, afraid of making any sound that might awaken the demon.
By the moonlight from outside the window, they saw the suit hanging on the clothes rack by the bed.
Maria used a scanner for a quick sweep, and her eyes immediately lit up with surprise.
"There."
She gestured to her companions.
Inside the suit's pocket, two extremely powerful energy fluctuations were emanating.
Those were the Space Stone and the Mind Stone.
It came so easily.
Natasha and Sharon exchanged glances, then immediately split up, raising their specialized weapons and aiming at the bulging figure on the bed, ready to fire at any moment.
If Frieza dared to move, they would pull the trigger without hesitation.
Maria took a deep breath, gripped the Vibranium dagger in her hand, and crept towards the suit.
Closer.
Even closer.
Five meters... three meters... one meter...
Her fingers had even touched the suit's expensive fabric.
As long as they took the Infinity Stones, their mission would be complete. Earth would be saved.
Just as Maria's hand was about to reach into that pocket.
"Oh dear..."
A lazy, mocking, yet bone-chilling voice suddenly echoed in the silent bedroom.
The voice wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderclap, exploding in the ears of the three female agents.
Maria's hand froze in mid-air.
Natasha and Sharon's hearts almost stopped beating.
On the bed.
The supposedly "sleeping" Frieza had, at some unknown point, opened his eyes. His scarlet eyes, emitting an eerie glow in the darkness, were looking at Maria, who had reached the clothes rack, with a half-smile.
"Not sleeping in the middle of the night, three beautiful ladies secretly sneaking into my bedroom..."
Frieza slowly sat up, leaning against the headboard.
"Instead of coming to me on the bed, you're so interested in my clothes?"
"Or rather..."
Frieza extended a finger and pointed at Maria's frozen hand.
"Do you really think, with your childish infiltration skills, you can steal something from the Emperor of the Universe?"
It's over!
They've been discovered!
Only one thought remained in Maria's mind.
"Attack!!!"
She roared, grabbing at the pocket, while simultaneously thrusting the Vibranium dagger fiercely towards Frieza.
Bang! Bang!
Natasha and Sharon pulled their triggers at the same instant.
However—
"Too slow."
Frieza sighed, his voice full of disappointment.
"What a bunch of suicidal rats. It seems you need to be developed by this great Emperor, ohoho..."