17: Change of Plans
Mark looked at his father and spoke.
"if you're going to take him you're going to need a ship." Everyone present looked at him, perhaps expecting him to argue more or continue refusing.
But he wasn't going to do that. Time, time was valuable, and if his father sought to give it to him, then he wasn't going to refuse anymore.
Perhaps he would have continued insisting if Nolan were going alone.
But with Pitt by his side, his safety would undoubtedly be greater. Together, Mark believed they could survive and return.
It wasn't a baseless belief; he had fought with Pitt and felt his strength. He was a total beast. For him to fight on Earth was dangerous, but fighting in space? On some insignificant planet?
That was fine with Mark.
And if he were honest, he didn't care much if Pitt died, as long as he took two or three Viltrumites with him. It was an acceptable price.
He turned to look at Eve, who still seemed somewhat tired but in much better shape than before.
"Eve, I'm sorry for asking this, but I need your help."
It was time to put all that stolen Flaxan knowledge to the test.
She looked at him with some confusion but also with determination. She clenched her fist and nodded, ready to help him.
Seeing her initiative, Mark smiled and turned back to his father.
"Give me half a day."
With Eve's help, he could undoubtedly achieve what he sought in that time.
Cecil frowned from one side. It seemed everyone had opted to ignore logic. He sighed. Well, he knew this would happen when he suggested forming the team. There was a reason he preferred not to deal with beings like Pitt.
"There's an empty hangar. You can use it," Cecil said, beginning to leave. He felt that if he stayed, he would have more headaches.
In their discussions to form the team, Mark had shared some of his experiences in Flaxan. Not the truth, of course, but the lie he had fabricated with his father.
While doing so, he made sure to mention that he had "acquired" technological knowledge from Flaxan. This was done with the intention of obtaining resources and manpower without question.
He didn't say how much he knew or how deep his knowledge was. While he could share some things, it was best to keep his own cards hidden.
This was why no one knew about the Speed Force, at least for the most part.
Allen had been the only one to see something, but just a part. He wouldn't let his trump card be exposed until the right moment, the decisive moment.
Or when he was forced to use it, which he didn't think would happen soon.
Before Cecil left completely, Mark spoke.
"Alright. By the way, where is Robot? I could use some of his help." He hadn't forgotten about his "friend." In fact, he had considered including him in the team from the beginning; he just hadn't said it directly yet.
He needed to change that.
.
.
.
"It's amazing. I didn't expect their engines to work this way," Robot said, looking at the space warp drive Mark had finished building with Eve's help.
"What do you say? Should I steal the design and patent it?" Mark joked.
Robot looked at him silently for a moment before speaking.
"Too late. I've already done it," he said in a flat voice, and Mark blinked in confusion.
"He's joking," Eve said from the side, her attention focused on several sheets Mark had made.
On all of them, diagrams and models were presented, each explaining in detail the atomic structure and composition of different alien materials.
Eve could modify and manipulate matter, but even she needed to know its molecular composition before doing so.
If she had never seen a brick, she could never make one appear out of thin air. She wasn't a god.
Knowing this, Mark had noted down for her the composition of the different important materials that the Flaxans used for their technology.
While replacing them with Earth materials was possible, it was also complicated and would take a long time to find the best matches. It was best to work with what was familiar, and to Mark's knowledge, the familiar materials were those made by the Flaxans.
Hearing Eve's response, Mark looked at Robot and snorted.
"Remind me to get you a joke book for Christmas."
Robot stayed still for a second before responding.
"I've noted it down."
Mark couldn't tell if he was serious.
He shook his head and looked at Eve, who seemed quite absorbed in the diagrams he had given her.
"How are you feeling?" He hadn't forgotten her previous state. Apparently, using her powers excessively came with consequences. He hadn't asked much about it, but seeing her run to the bathroom when they returned to the GDA base was a clear indication that something was up.
Eve looked up and smiled reassuringly.
"Much better. Doing this is less complicated than it seems."
Mark nodded. He would have to discuss her abilities with her later. For now, he finished making the last adjustments and easily hoisted the last of the four engines onto his shoulder.
The refrigerator-sized object was carried to the side of the futuristic-looking ship under construction.
For the most part, the basic structure was finished. Several staff members were making some final adjustments under Mark's directions, and it would soon be ready.
Robot approached, and together they began to properly install the engine. After all, it was the most important part of the ship.
"I heard from Cecil that a new group of Guardians is being formed," Mark said.
Robot didn't stop working and nodded.
"The world is in chaos and needs a group of heroes willing to help. The Guardians have always been that group. I think they need to continue being that."
Well, there was some truth to that.
"I think the same. That's why I believe you should join my team," Mark said directly. There was no need to beat around the bush, not with someone like Robot.
Robot paused for a moment and "raised" his gaze, his green eyes looking contemplatively at Mark's face.
"Cecil must have told you that he wants me to lead the new Guardians. Why invite me to your team then?" he didn't refuse immediately but instead asked with doubt.
Mark thought about his next words before speaking.
"Cecil thinks having two teams is the best approach. I don't think that's the case. Earth faces too many threats, and dividing our forces that way will only create unnecessary friction. While a team full of heavy hitters isn't bad, I believe we need more than that if we want to win."
Mark wanted to have it all, whether heavy hitters or "normal" members.
He wasn't going to underestimate anyone as long as they were useful.
"Are you suggesting we should merge the teams?" Robot asked.
"Yes and no. Whether it's my team or the new Guardians, neither is officially formed yet. I think we should simply focus on creating one team and combining our forces."
Robot seemed to think deeply for a few moments.
"It makes sense, but it will be complicated," he finally said with clear tentative acceptance.
"It doesn't have to be. Our team will be the largest and strongest superhero team this world has ever seen. We'll undoubtedly have a lot of support."
Maybe at another time, some people might complain, but with the great Viltrumite threat looming over their heads, Mark didn't think anyone on Earth would really have a problem with it now.
Instead, all humans would praise them because they would be their "shield."
Soon the engines were installed. Then the final adjustments were made, and with Eve's help, the ship was finished in less time than expected.
"What do you think?" Mark said, and Nolan, now standing beside him, looked at the spaceship with some astonishment.
"You're smarter than I thought." He knew his son had learned a lot, but he didn't expect it to be this much.
Although, thinking about it, he should have expected it. This was the same kid who created a dimensional door using the remnants of a dead civilization, after all.
Timmy whistled and approached the ship with a bag over his shoulder, looking like a man prepared to go camping, with nothing but a bag of clothes in his hands.
"Please tell me it doesn't have a name yet." His blue eyes looked at Mark with clear excitement.
Mark smiled and responded, "This girl was just born, of course she doesn't have a name."
"Then I'll give her one!" Timmy didn't hesitate and began to circle the ship thoughtfully.
Nolan raised an eyebrow at the blonde man. The contrast between him and Pitt left him somewhat perplexed, even now.
"Are you sure about this?" Mark asked one last time in a serious voice.
He was reluctant to admit it, but a part of him didn't want Nolan to leave.
Nolan looked at the ship with deep thoughts and nodded with determination.
"Yes, I must do this. Once I'm gone, you need to prepare yourself. I know I've told you everything, but if you have any doubts, you must read them," he said, and Mark knew what he meant.
Who would have thought his father actually took the time to hide some interesting secrets in everything he wrote?
He wondered if that was part of some plot or something, but it didn't matter now. He didn't need them; he remembered all the information perfectly.
"I've prepared supplies for at least five years if you're frugal. If you're wasteful, they should last at least six months," Eve said loudly, stepping out of the ship with a slightly tired face so that Nolan and Timmy could hear.
Mark stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder with a grateful smile.
"Thank you very much, Eve. You've worked too hard. I'm sorry if I pushed you a bit, I'll make it up to you," he said seriously, looking directly at her.
She smiled, although a bit tired she did not complain,. Having her hands full helped her a lot, and learning about new materials was extremely interesting.
Feeling Mark's warm palm on her shoulder, Eve blushed a little, and without being able to stop herself, responded with a bit of boldness.
"Make it up to me? Well, I know a place—"
"Perseverance! That'll be its name!" Timmy came running, not realizing he had interrupted Eve, at least until she gave him a less-than-pleasant look.
"Uh, is something wrong?"
Eve sighed, that small spark of bravery vanished, replaced by embarrassment. What was she doing? She had just broken up with Rex a few days ago, for God's sake!
Mark noticed Eve's red face and decided to change the subject for now but didn't forget what she tried to say. Maybe taking her out for a meal later would be appropriate, once he wasn't so busy.
"Perseverance? I guess it's a good name," he said, looking at the ship.
He wondered if he would see it in one piece again, though probably not.
Soon the final preparations were made, and everything was ready; it was time for them to depart.
Since there were only two passengers, there wasn't much to do. Eve inspected the ship with her powers one last time before giving the go-ahead. It had been Mark's suggestion for her to check, just in case. While even if the ship were destroyed mid-flight, it wouldn't pose a danger to Nolan or Pitt, it would still be unpleasant.
They took the ship out of the hangar and placed it in an open area, an improvised "runway."
In that place, Nolan and Timmy prepared to board. Timmy said goodbye to Mark and Eve, and enthusiastically climbed the few steps the ship had, eager to fly in it. He seemed to really like the "space" theme.
He even asked Eve for a customized astronaut suit. It wasn't a real astronaut suit, of course. It was less cumbersome and easier to wear. Eve had even made it from an extremely elastic yet durable fabric.
At least Pitt wouldn't be walking around naked.
Nolan prepared to board as well, nodding toward Mark, but before he did, he seemed to hear something. He turned around to see his wife arriving and walked toward her without thinking, meeting her face-to-face.
"It's time," Nolan said, and they both looked at each other in silence for a moment. This could be the definitive goodbye after all.
Not far away, Mark watched them, Eve beside him looking contemplative, and she asked a question.
"Do you think they can ever fix it?"
Mark looked at her and responded with some hesitation, "If he comes back? Maybe." In truth, he didn't know.
Eve couldn't help but think of her own parents as she watched Nolan and Debbie, so different...
Nolan reached out his hand, wanting to embrace her, but before he could, she stepped forward. Her arms wrapped around his body with all her strength, a strength that should have been insignificant but felt different to Nolan.
He patted her back, then pulled away. What needed to be said had been said; it was time to face his "destiny"
Debbie swallowed, tears threatening to fall, but she forced them back. It wasn't a time to be weak.
"Take care of her," Nolan made a request before boarding the ship. Mark looked at him and nodded; it didn't need to be said, he would do it.
Seeing Mark nod, Nolan didn't hesitate further and entered the ship.
It was large, the size of a bus, with two bedrooms, a command room, a small storage room, and a rudimentary kitchen.
Nolan went straight to the command room where he found Timmy already ready to take off.
Of course, Nolan would be piloting the ship. He already had the necessary knowledge and experience, so without hesitation, he took the main seat and began to check the systems.
Mark had created the software with Robot's help, making it easy to manipulate, and soon everything was ready.
For the last time, Nolan looked through the glass at his wife and son, nodded to them, and initiated the launch. The space warp engines roared to life, the ship's lights came on, and in less than a second, it began to rise into the sky.
"Seems like everything's working fine," Robot said, watching as the ship launched into space.
"Did you doubt it?" Mark replied somewhat arrogantly; after all, he had designed the ship.
Robot didn't respond, causing Mark's smile to slightly fade.
This guy was hard to read.
Soon, the ship disappeared from view, and there was a small flash of light.
It seemed the engines had worked as well; from the ground, Mark felt space bending in the distance.
The Flaxans had used a technology to travel faster than light by bending space, exploring their entire home dimension.
What did they find? Nothing—a completely dead universe where only they existed.
That's why they began exploring other dimensions.
"Let's go, time to go home," Mark said, placing his hand on his mother's shoulder.
She looked at the sky for a few more moments before nodding and going to collect her things.
Mark let her go ahead before looking at Cecil, who had been silent until now.
It was time to talk about the change of plans. Robot approached, and the two walked toward the man.
"It seems like you have something to say. Speak quickly; time is of the essence," Cecil said.
"I think you already know," Mark wasn't stupid; this place was his base and probably had listening devices everywhere.
He had probably stolen their design for the warp engine and a few other things. Mark didn't really care ; this world had faced dozens of alien invasions before; they probably had more technology stored than they could analyze.
Cecil clicked his tongue. The kid was smart, though that was more than obvious at this point.
"You know I won't take No for an answer," Mark said, seeing that Cecil had been silent for too long.
Cecil grunted, glanced at Robot for a moment, and sighed when he saw he said nothing.
"Fine, but I'll warn you—if you step out of line, global threat or not, the GDA won't support you anymore,"
"Fair enough," Mark replied with a smile.
It was time to recruit more people.
.
.
.
Note:
I decided to change the plans a bit. Many have pointed it out, and I think they're right—Robot is definitely more than needed in the team. At the same time, I don't see him being on two different teams.
On the other hand, there are several characters from Invincible that it would be a shame to leave behind, so there will be many more team members. Not all of them may be heavyweights, but I think they can all be useful in one way or another. Also, ladies, I need more ladies or this will be a sausage fest.
To conclude, I'd like to thank all my donors on Patreon and Ko-fi. You guys are awesome, and I'm really glad to have your support. The update schedule that won the Patreon vote with 78% of the votes will begin soon.
I'll do my best to meet it.
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