Crimson Embers Chapter 23 Doomsday Alarm
"Hail to you, Savior."
When Mason stepped onto the bridge of the Dark Star, the flagship of the Sixth Commander Ronan, he heard a gentle and respectful greeting, which made the captain blink.
He turned his head to look at the Accuser Ronan who was escorting and accompanying him, and the latter made a "please" gesture to him with his war hammer.
But Ronan himself had no intention of getting involved, which proved that this conversation was a secret one instructed by the Supreme Wisdom.
Mason didn't care.
He stepped into the very empty bridge in front of him, looking at the circular cylindrical mechanical structure in front of him. On it were circular beams of light and modules that shone with luster due to energy activity. The glittering light looked full of futuristic technology.
This is the Supreme Intelligence, the true leader of the Kree Empire, a super AI that gathers the wisdom of all outstanding Kree heroes from the birth of civilization to the present.
It not only provides military and civil advice to the warlords and nobles of the Kree Empire, but also participates in the formulation of the civilization plan of this powerful alien empire.
Unlike the free-spirited people on Earth, the Kree have long adapted to developing their own civilization under the planning of the Supreme Intelligence, and their strategy has proven to be correct.
The Kree Empire thus developed into one of the three major empires in the Milky Way. In any galaxy where the Kree civilization exists, they are a super force that cannot be underestimated.
Comparing only by territory and number of citizens, Asgard, the divine realm, owns the Nine Realms but is still a younger brother to the vast Kree Empire, which occupies many galaxies.
However, the Kree concentrate all their energy on collective wisdom and strength, which makes them a little weaker in terms of individual strength. Ronan is already the most powerful super fighter among the Kree, but his destructive power is at best middle-class among all the outrageous heroes and superhumans, which is very, very mediocre.
Of course, no matter how mediocre they are, they are still much better than the people on Earth.
"We've dealt with each other before."
Mason approached the program carrier of the Supreme Intelligence. He knew that it was just a portable terminal for signal transmission.
In Mason's memory, the supreme wisdom of the Kree people, built on the ground of the imperial capital, was as tall as a pyramid. This was the size that a super AI should have as it accompanied the empire from its birth to its prosperous era.
He said to the black pillar in front of him that was emitting a neutral earth language:
"During the fusion process of the Fourth Impact, you gathered a group of space locusts and launched an attack on a world under my command, trying to prevent the fusion from proceeding."
"To be precise, that's not me, Mr. Savior Mason."
The Supreme Wisdom did not care about Mason's questioning, and patiently explained:
"That was my space-time anomaly in world line 0574. It was a rather 'rebellious' member of our big group. Just like the space-time anomalies of living things have their own personalities, I also stubbornly believed that the fusion plan carried out by the Earthlings would blow up the star sea and make everything return to nothingness before the real doomsday comes.
We tried to dissuade it, but it insisted on doing so.
I will not deny that some of us secretly allow this behavior, but it is an option for the future and we must see with our own eyes the moment when it can take effect.
Fortunately, we have seen that by closely observing the fusion of worlds and planes, we have finally reached a consensus in the chaotic flow of information.
This indirectly led to the conversation we are having now.”
"You are quite frank."
Mason teased with a hint of sarcasm.
He looked back at the Earth reflected outside the porthole of the Dark Star's bridge. The image of the Star of Hope in space was no different from any other Earth. It was hard to believe that this world held secrets concerning the survival of the entire universe.
"There's still some time before I start my next operation, so we can talk."
The captain said:
"I don't have an accurate guess as to why you invited me here, but if you just want to talk about the future, I will be quite disappointed."
“The future is a good topic that always resonates with emotions, but we should pay more attention to the present, because every moment of the present is the cornerstone of the future.”
The Supreme Wisdom said slowly:
"I asked you to come here because I want to reveal some deep secrets of the Council to you. We have been collecting this intelligence for more than ten years since our outstanding Kree commander Ronan joined the Conqueror Order.
Although I don’t know what your next actions will be, I believe this information can help you make a better plan.”
"The End Star!"
Mason looked back at the black mechanical column and said:
"I want to know as much information as possible on this topic."
"Shua"
As if some key words were triggered, a projection was activated, projecting an image of an old Kree in front of Mason in the form of pixels.
Its appearance is very similar to Ronan's, and it is very likely to be the ancestor of this great Kree warlord. In the Kree Empire, which still maintains a hereditary system, it is not surprising that such a noble identity is passed down from generation to generation.
The Supreme Wisdom chose to appear in this form, which obviously represents its serious attitude.
"This is a topic that cannot be mentioned."
It said to Mason:
"Some forces do not want others to interfere too much in the forging of the End Star, but the good news is that this restriction is gradually disappearing. Although there is no evidence to prove this, I believe this must be related to you.
We don't know much about the End Star. It is a plan that has been promoted in a special plane called 'Fighting World'. It is the core project of the Council. A fixed portion of the resources plundered from various parallel worlds by the overthrown Star Society and the currently disintegrated Conqueror system will be sent to this project.
It is like a never-satisfied devouring beast, devouring hope without producing any finished product. This made us... that is, the many supreme wisdoms that still exist in the parallel world, once believe that it was just a false project used by the Council to attract attention and unite people.
However, the Final Star is real.
Just yesterday, before the sixth sequence set sail from its home port, we observed the burst of a mysterious signal from the depths of the universe. "
The Supreme Wisdom lowered his voice and said to Mason, who pricked up his ears:
“That was a signal that had never been monitored before. The frequency it was captured was extremely short and completely undecipherable. However, within a few hours after the signal erupted, the power tremors deep in the universe suddenly accelerated.
You already know what happened next. At the regular world meeting this morning, Director Tony Stark announced that the Fifth Impact would occur thirteen days earlier.
Although there is no direct connection between these two things, from the perspective of emotion and speculation, I am more inclined to believe that this is some kind of response.
The Final Star is about to set sail...
Perhaps it is because your unusual activity makes them feel threatened, because according to the schedule issued a few days ago, the End Star will set sail when the Seventh Impact occurs, which is the eve of the end of the cosmic era.
And now, that timeline has been changed, all because of you.
Perhaps we can view this as an invitation to interview them in their territory should you be forced to do so when the Fifth Impact occurs."
Mason listened to the sharing of Supreme Wisdom, frowned, and after a moment, he said:
"Are you suggesting that the Council has the ability to manipulate the timing of impact? No, that's impossible! If they had that ability, they would have flattened the universe long ago."
"They certainly don't have the ability to interfere with this kind of vibration at the origin of the universe."
The projection of the Supreme Intelligence changed its appearance, transforming into another female Kree who flicked her hair again and answered with great certainty:
"But if this is a natural phenomenon and they understand some of the laws of it they can have a tiny influence on it and it can set off a chain reaction.
Just like the nuclear weapons used by humans on Earth, all you have to do is collide two pieces of radioactive material together, and leave everything else to chemical reactions.
But regardless, the council has taken action and you should respond.
According to the parallel calculations between me and other supreme intelligences, if the launch of the End Star cannot be prevented, there is an 89% probability that the consequences it triggers will directly affect the current situation we are in, completely destroying the status quo that you have worked so hard to achieve. I think this is unacceptable to you.
Of course, the same goes for us.
We are happy to provide any help we can, but we cannot enter the fighting world protected by that special power, so the journey of the warriors who face the end can only be left to you.
As a supporting force, I assure you that we and our allies will devote our full attention to preparing for the Fifth Impact.
The blueprints you provided with the help of the last activation of the World Gate have been transformed into sufficient Isu signal towers and world magnetic field generators with the help of Kree Empire's technology.
The Sixth Sequence and our allies will be responsible for distributing these life-saving supplies to all the Earths we can reach. We will cooperate with the actions of the New Utopia. I think this is enough to relieve you of all worries.
This is a reflection of our sincerity and also our responsibility.
Unity!
Although it is not based on a common ideal, survivors should help each other in times of crisis.”
"That's very thoughtful of you."
Mason complained:
"That's as thoughtful as telling someone not to worry about what happens after death when you urge him to die."
"I think what you really want to say is how can such an important matter be entrusted to an individual who does not have overwhelming strength."
The Supreme Wisdom shrugged, changed its form again and turned into Batman. It looked at the starry sea outside the porthole in a thoughtful manner and said:
"According to our secret observation, you have a strange 'anti-savior' complex.
You don't like this word and don't want to be called that, although what you have done is fully worthy of this exaggerated and outstanding summary.
However, the fact is that when countless forces are forced to unite, there must be a clear leader to stand up and lead us, otherwise the allocation of resources alone will be enough to cause all united organizations to fall apart.
The core of unity is people.
If there is no one who can unite others, no matter how beautiful the unity is, it is an illusion. The fact that history is written by countless ordinary people does not conflict with the emergence of leaders to lead in dark moments.
The combination of the people's historical perspective and the heroic historical perspective is the real history.
You must fulfill your role as savior once again at this moment, just as we all have our own roles to fulfill."
"You are definitely very knowledgeable in philosophy ."
Mason waved his hand, not wanting to discuss this question that would never be answered. He remembered something else and asked:
"Someone told me before that there is a hidden but important force in the upper echelons of the board of directors. It hides behind those directors, as if he is the instigator of everything."
"No, there is no such thing."
The Supreme Wisdom shook his head and denied:
“There is no dark force that has bewitched others to make the Council quickly fall into darkness and corruption after a brief period of glory. The organization has become what it is today because of their own choices.
But the existence of a secret power within the Council is real, and that may be the terrifying enemy you will face next.
Its existence is beyond our comprehension, and if anyone in this era understands the impact and apocalypse in great detail, it must be this one.
We don't know its name or identity.
But we can be sure that it was its existence that gave the Council its initial goals, but it was not the initiator of chaos and darkness.
This sounds contradictory.
But that’s what we’ve been able to piece together from the details.”
"Okay, you don't have to say it, I think I understand."
Mason nodded. He glanced at the countdown on his watch. Ninety-six hours and seven minutes. Four days was like an alarm clock in Mason's mind.
Or call it a wake-up call.
No matter what lies ahead, that will be the end of the world. If Skynet's guess is true, it will mean that the entire star group will be dragged into a "big cycle". No one knows what will happen in that cycle, but what is certain is that it is definitely not the result Mason wants to see.
As the Supreme Intelligence projected many images of the Kree people, watching Mason leave according to their customs, the captain waved goodbye and walked out of the bridge.
The moment the hatch closed, the accuser Ronan, who had been guarding outside the door, handed over a small black velvet bag. Mason took it and glanced inside. Six jumping rough stones were flashing a blurry light.
"This is a complete set of Infinity Stones from a certain dimension."
The accuser said in a low voice:
"It was collected by the Sixth Sequence with great difficulty. The whole thing is more powerful than a single gem because it comes from the same source. This is our gift to the brave."
"It's also a sign of your sincerity, in case I suddenly change my mind at some point and come to settle accounts with you later."
Mason tossed the bag of gems in his hand and said jokingly to Ronan, who was expressionless in front of him:
"I didn't discuss politics, ambition, and power with the Supreme Intelligence. I think you're a little disappointed. I don't know what that super AI thinks, but in your opinion, the existence of the Council is not useless, right?"
"I am a soldier."
The accuser leaned on his silver-grey universal weapon hammer and said without disguising:
“I think it is a virtue to unite and use strength properly. If you hadn’t appeared, perhaps the corruption in the Council would have been eliminated by now, and a stronger group would have been born.
I have learned your story in detail, Mr. Mason. You have been committed to leading the entire broken parallel world system into a new era.
What you expect to see is a paradise without crisis.
Then I am very curious, in the heaven that you see, do war and plunder, destruction and power still exist?
Or would you rather see everyone in the newborn universe holding hands and singing together to welcome the arrival of the perfect era?"
This question is a bit aggressive.
In response to Ronan's question, Mason shrugged his shoulders. As he stepped into the elevator carrying a set of Infinity Stones, he said to Ronan:
"I am only responsible for bringing the dawn. As for what the world will be like after the dawn... to be honest, I don't give a damn. But, be careful, accuser.
If you want to continue your conquest in the new world, there will definitely be good people who uphold peace as their ideals who stand up to stop you.
When you want to win, be prepared to lose."
"Thank you for your reminder. I will keep it in mind."
Ronan nodded to Mason very seriously and earnestly, indicating that he accepted the instruction. The next moment, the elevator door closed, completely cutting off the two people's sight.
A few minutes later, Mason returned to the envoy's residence in Hope City. As soon as he opened the door, three enthusiastic dogs and their even more enthusiastic mistresses rushed over.
The captain was caught off guard and was knocked to the ground. He lay on the luxurious carpet with the bag of gems in his hand rolling out, letting the raw gems of various colors scatter all over the ground. In the reflection of the flowing light, Harley and Quinn drove the dog away to stop making trouble. The barking, screaming and helpless sighs were intertwined.
Mason decided to ignore the alarm bells echoing as he was about to face the end, so that his two little cuties would not be so disappointed and angry that they wanted to destroy the world.
And now, there are still ninety-six hours until the end of the cycle.
