Chapter 9: Cosmic Cube

The group hurriedly took the elevator to the underground level, their steps quick and anxious, indicating that something terrible had happened.

"Four hours ago, Dr. Selvig detected a surge of energy from the Cube," Phil Coulson said, closely following Nick Fury.

"The doctor wasn't authorized by the space agency to conduct any tests," Nick Fury's tone revealed his displeasure.

"He didn't conduct any tests," Phil Coulson quickly explained. "He wasn't even in the room. It activated on its own."

"It activated by itself?" Maria Hill, who was walking behind, found it hard to believe.

"What's the energy level now?" Nick Fury didn't have the patience to answer Maria Hill's question. He quickly turned to Phil Coulson to get an update.

"It's increasing," Phil Coulson intended to answer Maria Hill's question, but Nick Fury bombarded him with a series of questions, so he had to respond to his superior first. "After Dr. Selvig determined that it couldn't be shut down, we ordered an evacuation."

"Director, what secret research is your S.H.I.E.L.D. organization conducting?" Tony Stark, who was watching the video, couldn't help but frown. "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"

"It's more than just a feeling. Something is bound to happen," Natasha Romanoff asked Nick Fury, "I've never been to this underground base. What exactly are they researching inside?"

"I genuinely don't know yet. Do you believe me?" Nick Fury had an innocent look on his face.

"I can't stand you people who are always researching this and that, spending taxpayers' money without any results. You can't even figure out a piece of dog poop!" Tony Stark vented his frustration.

"Stark, you, someone who spends all day in the basement developing armor, aren't qualified to criticize others, are you?" Nick Fury retorted lightly.

"You're comparing me to those idiots?" Tony Stark laughed on the spot. He walked up to Nick Fury, taking strides. "There's a fundamental difference between my research and your so-called scientific research. Do you know what it is? I'm a genius, and you're not! The armor I develop protects the people! It brings peace to the world! What about you? You can't come up with anything worthwhile, and most of the time, you end up causing trouble! I remember that big guy who destroyed a street in New York. He was born in a military laboratory, right? Fury, what are you planning to create this time? A big gray monster?"

"Perhaps it will be an arrogant, self-important behemoth who never takes others into consideration. Who knows?" Nick Fury shrugged.

Tony Stark and Nick Fury continued their argument, while in the video, Phil Coulson turned around to evacuate the personnel, and Maria Hill walked down a long staircase with Nick Fury.

"Sir, maybe evacuation won't be effective," Maria Hill said as she quickly descended the stairs, holding onto the iron handrail.

"So, should we send them back to take a nap?" Nick Fury's response was filled with dark humor.

"If we can't control the energy of the Cosmic Cube, I believe hiding anywhere won't help," Maria Hill said.

"I want you to ensure the safe transfer of the Phase 2 prototype," Nick Fury said.

"Sir, isn't it time to prioritize other things?" Maria Hill expressed her dissent.

"Unless doomsday has arrived, our days will continue," Nick Fury turned around and stared at Maria Hill with his one eye. "Start inventory immediately and load all relevant equipment onto the vehicles."

"The Cosmic Cube?" Tony Stark caught the keyword from their conversation. "Fury, is this what you've been secretly researching? What is this thing?"

"I don't know either," Nick Fury sighed lightly.

"Don't play dumb!" Tony Stark was somewhat annoyed. "Didn't you hear what your agent said? If we can't control the energy of this Cosmic Cube, hiding won't help anywhere! That means one day in the future, I might die without knowing anything, just because of your research! So, this is not just your matter, it concerns all of us!"

"Stark, even though the Cube is in my hands, I truly don't know what it is."

"Every time someone tries to research something they have no clue about, chaos ensues," Tony Stark said. "Fury, if you really don't know what the Cube is, then it's best not to touch it."

"Stark, would you like me to tell you something you don't know?" Nick Fury shrugged. "Do you know who initially entrusted the Cube to S.H.I.E.L.D.? It was your father, Howard Stark!"

"What? My father? Why was I never informed?" Tony Stark was taken aback by the revelation, never expecting it to involve his deceased father.

"There are plenty of things you don't know," Nick Fury continued, "I'm the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. now, but do you know who founded S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

"Are you saying..." Tony Stark's eyes widened.

"That's right! It was still your father! Howard Stark was one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D.," Nick Fury looked at Tony Stark's expression and couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

"What's going on? Doctor?" Tony Stark was shocked by the received news and couldn't find words to respond. Then Nick Fury's voice echoed, not the Nick Fury from the quiz show, but the Nick Fury in the video.

"The Cosmic Cube is not behaving properly," Dr. Selvig said.

"Now is not the time for jokes, is it?" Nick Fury walked briskly to Dr. Selvig's side.

"I'm not joking. The Cosmic Cube is not only active but..." Dr. Selvig paused for a moment, thinking of a word, "it's self-willed."

"Did you try unplugging it?" Nick Fury asked.

"It's a power source itself. We turn off the power, and it turns back on by itself," Dr. Selvig looked worried. "If we let it reach its energy peak..."

"But isn't that our objective?" Nick Fury interjected. "To draw energy from the universe."

"We're not ready yet." Dr. Selvig walked over to a computer and helplessly looked at Nick Fury. "My calculations still need some time. It keeps emitting interference and radiation. It's not harmful, very low levels of gamma radiation."

"Which bogus university did this doctor get his degree from?" Tony Stark was shocked to hear this. "He actually said gamma radiation is harmless? Didn't you tell him the story of a big green guy who nearly demolished a street in New York?"

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(End of this chapter)