Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics Chapter 5723 - 4746: X Royal Family: Fierce Battle (13)

In most comic narratives, the Three Great Empires are more than mere settings. Not only do we witness the Skrull Empire's covert incursions, but the Kree Empire also features prominently within the cinematic universe. The Shi’ar Empire remains somewhat enigmatic, largely due to the absence of Professor X's romantic entanglements in the cinematic adaptations concerning Mutants. It is worth noting that the Mutants once stirred considerable unrest within the Shi’ar Empire, featuring figures as intrinsically linked to the Shi’ar as Dou Jian.

In stark contrast, the Skrull and Kree Empires make no pretense, openly declaring their intentions to invade Earth and dominate the Milky Way. While the Shi’ar Empire exhibits a more civilized demeanor, this does not preclude them from orchestrating covert disturbances.

Ironically, within Marvel Comics, the US Government, gripped by a fear of overlooking any potential threat to Earth, seems to embrace all calamities and mysterious dangers with open arms, extending an equal welcome to all parties involved.

Upon discovering that the Red Orchid Factory did not solely rely on human technology, Stark began to harbor suspicions. It's not that alien technology is inaccessible to humans; indeed, Earth holds a significant position in this cosmos, making participation in the Interstellar Society unsurprising. The exchange of valuable technology with extraterrestrial civilizations is commonplace.

The crux of the issue lies in the specific function of the Red Orchid Factory. You see, this facility is dedicated to the production of super weapons, specifically designed to combat Mutants. Given the formidable power of Mutants, any super weapon capable of subduing them would undoubtedly be unparalleled throughout the cosmos. The question then arises: how could the technology for such a production line be readily available for purchase?

This situation mirrors the dynamics among Earth's governments. While the sale of aircraft and tanks is common, the sale of nuclear weapon manufacturing plants is unheard of. Such assets are not transferable, not even by the authority of the Three Great Empires.

Consequently, an alternative explanation emerges. This weapon factory might exclusively target Mutants, with its manufactured products affecting no other entities, thereby posing no threat to anything else. Only under such specific conditions could such technology realistically become accessible to humanity.

However, if a civilization has had no prior contact with Mutants, it is virtually impossible for them to possess such specialized technology. The original source of this technology must possess an intimate understanding of Mutants and have dedicated substantial resources to researching methods of their annihilation; otherwise, such technology simply would not exist.

Stark recalls the infamous incident where Phoenix, in a fit of uncontrolled power, annihilated an entire star system belonging to the Shi’ar Empire. This event serves as a critical turning point for Mutants, a recurring theme across various universes. Yet, due to Professor X's diplomatic intervention and his refusal to hold Phoenix accountable, the Shi’ar Empire ultimately could not enact retribution upon the perpetrator.

It is highly probable that the Shi’ar Empire, having learned from this devastating experience, has invested heavily in the research and development of weapons capable of annihilating Mutants. This endeavor would be unique to them, driven by their profound and deeply ingrained animosity towards Mutants.

Furthermore, if the Shi’ar Empire is supplying the technology and materials, they would undoubtedly maintain absolute control over the factory. Without such oversight, they could not guarantee the factory's successful construction or ensure that the resulting Robots would exclusively target Mutants as intended.

After all, humanity has a reputation for unreliability, often failing to complete tasks successfully. While the failure of the factory's construction or an explosion would be one matter, any malfunction leading to indiscriminate slaughter would plunge the Shi’ar Empire into chaos. Therefore, they must have incorporated a failsafe or backdoor mechanism within the factory.

Stark had subtly indicated on multiple occasions the suspicious circumstances surrounding the factory's construction. Yet, neither Dr. Greger and his research team, the human government, nor the Mutants themselves expressed any concern, resting secure in the belief that alien technology was merely an enhancement, with full reliance placed upon human ingenuity.

Stark possesses a degree of familiarity with the Shi’ar Empire. He understands that this nation, unlike the other two, is not rigidly authoritarian and, as a noble republic, is more susceptible to internal subversion. While this action could be construed as mere retribution, pure revenge seems improbable.

The expenditure of such significant resources and personnel solely for the sake of a long-standing grievance would be illogical for any nation. At present, the annihilation of Mutants offers little tangible benefit to them, unless they stand to gain other advantages through this strategic plan.

Upon learning that the enigmatic Crystal material exhibits distinct properties at varying temperatures, Stark could formulate a general understanding of the Shi’ar Empire’s objectives. After all, this particular empire, within his known universe, excels in Teleportation Technology, and it would be uncharacteristic of them not to leverage such an advanced capability.

At consistently high temperatures, the Crystal functions as a vital conductor, offering solutions to complex energy transmission challenges. When subjected to extreme heat, the Crystal transforms into a Flash capable of retaining consciousness. This leads to the intriguing question: might the Crystal possess other functionalities at different temperature ranges?

For Stark, the answer was indeed affirmative. Reviewing the structural blueprint of the Red Orchid Factory, he discerned that the prominently featured 'Mother Module' was merely a diversionary tactic, containing only a fraction of the critical components.

In contrast, the circular framework supporting this module consumed a vast quantity of Energy Crystals and bore a striking resemblance to the external ring of a Teleportation Portal. It was a near certainty that, under specific circumstances, this structure could facilitate the activation of an immensely large Teleportation Portal.

However, this significant detail had, thus far, eluded discovery by anyone else.

Stark, despite his intense frustration with the general populace’s slow uptake and lack of awareness, maintained his silence.

This was not a departure from his principle of intervention; rather, it was a strategic pause. He believed that if handled correctly, this knowledge could potentially lead to the resolution of profound cosmic issues.

Consequently, Stark conveyed to the local Spider-Man his readiness to intervene should events spiral into uncontrollable chaos, such as the factory going rogue. This assurance was deemed a substantial concession, and the local Spider-Man did not press for further commitments.

With this promise secured, the human administration commenced its operations. They activated the external defense systems, granting The Avengers access to the factory’s central core.

At this precise juncture, a contingent of mutants had already assembled above the Mother Module. Magneto, leading the formidable mutants he had gathered, positioned them near the main structure. This group possessed the extraordinary ability to traverse the void and withstand solar radiation without the need for any spacecraft.

Their collective power far surpassed that of the initial strike team. Simultaneously, they exhibited considerable caution, refraining from any immediate assault on the colossal 'head' structure.

"Do you truly have no desire to commandeer the factory?" Apocalypse inquired.

"My sole objective is to evacuate the people," Magneto responded. "I am acutely aware that excessive avarice leads to ruin."

Apocalypse offered no visible sign of displeasure but remained taciturn. The other mutants similarly refrained from speaking, as the proximity to the Mother Module instilled in each of them a palpable, bone-chilling sense of impending danger.

Magneto, his gaze fixed upon the 'head,' mused that it resembled a slowly pulsating heart rather than a mere structure. An unsettling premonition suggested the Mother Module had awakened, breeding a catastrophic threat that could precipitate the mutants’ extinction.

This overwhelming sense of crisis nearly compelled him to abandon their original strategy and obliterate the factory entirely. Ultimately, however, he exercised restraint, gesturing for his companions to proceed.

Their advance commenced towards breaching the outer defenses. An immense number of automated patrol craft and weaponry lay in their path, yet they proved utterly ineffective against Magneto’s might. The true adversaries were the hundreds of Sentinel Robots; while not all were primary models, each possessed formidable capabilities.

Magneto, it was evident, had been extensively analyzed. His repeated encounters had left no doubt about his powers. The Sentinels deployed not conventional ordnance, but molecular stasis fields – akin to a potent, albeit less enduring and stable, form of dense ice, and undeniably Magneto’s kryptonite.

Magneto found himself in a precarious situation. Just as he repelled one Sentinel, another, enveloped in a force field, seized him from behind by the neck. His attempt to counter with his powers was thwarted by the field's containment. Fortunately, Apocalypse intervened with a powerful blow, forcing the Sentinel to disengage. Magneto adjusted his cape, extricating himself with noticeable difficulty.

"You cannot rely solely on ranged attacks," Apocalypse advised. "Discipline your close-quarters combat skills from time to time."

"My effectiveness in hand-to-hand combat is even further diminished against them," Magneto stated grimly. "These Sentinels possess a truly excessive capacity to counteract my abilities."

Apocalypse, lacking the time for further discourse, directly confronted an approaching Sentinel, contemptuously tearing off its head and discarding it. "This is the extent of their capabilities," he declared.

The other mutants faced significantly less resistance than Magneto. Their lower profile and the human government's underestimation of them meant insufficient combat data had been compiled for the Sentinel Robots. Even the advanced Sentinels faltered before this group of mutants. Before long, they successfully penetrated the external defenses, gaining entry to the central system, with the imposing 'head' structure directly before them.

"Proceed to confront them," Apocalypse instructed, folding his arms. "Swiftly, I suspect these cunning humans have further stratagems prepared for us."

Magneto advanced slightly, but moments later, several figures emerged from the surrounding structure.

"The Avengers!" Magneto exclaimed through gritted teeth."Didn’t expect to see us here, did you?" Thor’s hammer was raised as he proclaimed, "The strike team’s failure was entirely your doing. You schemed to send your consciousness into the factory system, intending to seize control of the Mother Module and reconfigure the Nimrod Robots. We absolutely will not permit you to succeed!" Upon hearing Thor’s accusation, Magneto realized he had been entirely misunderstood. However, arguing seemed futile. The transfer of consciousness was Charles Xavier’s specialty; Magneto himself even harbored suspicions that Professor X might have orchestrated this. After all, the X-Men followed his lead, and he certainly possessed the necessary capabilities. Acknowledge Magneto's claim to be there for extraction, and the Avengers would simply dismiss it. They would likely assume he was attempting an inside-and-out collaboration to dismantle the Mother Module. Words held no value now; it was time to engage in combat. "You go," Apocalypse instructed Magneto, "I shall deal with them." As Magneto prepared to depart, Thor attempted to intercept him. However, Apocalypse’s eyes narrowed, and in a flash, he transformed into a streak of light, violently slamming Thor against the colossal ring structure behind him. With a resounding crash, the ring vibrated intensely, and Thor coughed up a mouthful of blood. "THOR!!!!!!"