Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics Chapter 5736 - 4759: X Royal Family: Fierce Battle (26)

"How is the situation on the front lines?" The local Captain America sat up from the hospital bed. He rapidly removed the bandage from his head, which had indeed been injured, but had already healed before he even left the operating room.

"Which front line are you inquiring about?" Nick asked. "Manhattan is currently stable. All roads have been repaired. As for the Solar System..."

Nick shook his head, and Captain America understood the gravity of the situation. Engaging in combat in the cosmos is vastly different from fighting on Earth. Space is a three-dimensional realm. The so-called Jupiter Line is not truly a line, but rather the entire orbital path of Jupiter. It represents a three-dimensional zone surrounding the Sun. To establish a blockade against incoming armies across such an immense distance requires unimaginable strength.

The primary reason it was feasible was the formidable power of the mutants, alongside Stark’s covert infiltration and deployment of his mechanical army to counter the opposing mechanical forces, thereby creating a stalemate.

However, the persistent issue lies with the continuous influx of the Shi’ar Empire's forces through the teleportation gate. At this rate, no defense can be sustained. While the Solar System may appear vast, it is not difficult for an army of this magnitude to physically occupy it. By then, not only Jupiter but even the Moon would be swarming with invaders. It would be a truly irredeemable disaster.

Therefore, the most pressing objective now is to swiftly shut down the Sun's teleportation gateway. This task, however, seems nearly insurmountable. Firstly, they cannot even manage the Sun itself, let alone venture into its core. Secondly, they possess no knowledge of how to deactivate the teleportation portal.

Captain America closed his eyes, contemplating for a moment from his position on the bed, and then stated, "I believe it should still be The Avengers..."

Nick grasped his unspoken intention. After a brief pause, he responded, "You can serve as the final line of defense, the last resort. But prior to that, I think we might explore alternative strategies."

Captain America looked at him, and at that very moment, Black Widow entered, followed by the other Avengers. They had convened to hold a brief meeting within the hospital room.

"Is the Shi’ar Empire as unyielding as a fortress?" Nick initiated the discussion with this question.

The local Iron Man shook his head, replying, "They are the antithesis of solid; they are in disarray. While the other two of the Three Great Empires are highly centralized military powers, the Shi’ar operate under a decentralized structure."

"What form of governance do they employ?" Spider-Man inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"It's a noble republic. Nevertheless, the Emperor retains significant authority. The overall system is essentially..." Iron Man gestured expansively, "a constant state of flux."

"Understood," Black Widow nodded. "In that case, are the interests of the Emperor and the nobles currently aligned for this operation?"

"I fear they are, indeed," Hawkeye sighed, offering his analysis. "This is not a hastily conceived plan. From the dispatch of resources and technology, to the activation of the teleportation gate, and the subsequent advance of their army. Had there been internal discord or conflict, it would have surfaced by now. The fact remains that they have achieved their objectives."

"Precisely," Nick concurred, nodding. "I am convinced that as long as they have not yet succeeded in conquering Earth, their interests will remain unified. While I am uncertain about the specific allure of Earth, the fact that numerous alien civilizations desire it suggests they too share that ambition."

Captain America comprehended the underlying implication. "So, this alignment holds true *before* they seize control; what about *after*?"

"That would certainly not be the case," Hawkeye interjected. "A system so fragmented would scarcely be able to unite over spoils of war. They would likely engage in fierce disputes, vying aggressively for larger shares."

"Hold on," Black Widow said, turning her gaze to Nick. "Are you proposing we allow them to take Earth first, and then incite infighting amongst them? What kind of preposterous strategy is that?"

Nick shook his head. "You misunderstand. Securing the spoils requires prompt action; the sooner, the better. If you delay in claiming the rewards, there may be nothing left to claim."

"You individuals are certainly adept at such maneuvering," Winter Soldier commented. "If you hadn't intended to secure the Red Orchid Factory, the mutants would have already claimed it by now."

The local Iron Man averted his gaze. He understood Nick’s point perfectly. There is, in fact, a paradox at play here, widely recognized as the "Picking the Peach" theory.

The idiom "popping the champagne halfway" is often used to describe prematurely celebrating a victory before its final realization. However, in a competitive scenario, if one is not the first to reap the benefits, how can they establish their connection to the triumph?

Within the framework of multi-party competition and negotiation, the extent of effort invested is secondary; what truly matters is who is perceived to be enjoying the fruits of that endeavor.

In times of conflict, the scramble for territory is fierce. The apparent victor isn't always the one who engaged in the most battles, but rather the one who claimed the most significant land. This concept, akin to consequentialism, holds substantial weight in the realm of game theory.

To put it more simply, it's a race to 'pick the peach.' The identity of the planter is irrelevant; what truly matters is who ultimately plucks and relishes the sweet, ripe fruit.

For the freshest, most delectable peach, one must act swiftly. Delay until the fruit matures, and it will be too late. Some will pluck while the peaches are still green, others when they are merely small, and a few even when they are no bigger than a thumb.

This often leads to a scenario where, had everyone patiently waited for the peaches to fully ripen, a bountiful harvest could have been enjoyed by all. However, solely for the sake of being the first to claim a peach, they strip the tree bare of immature fruits, thereby ruining what should have been a naturally successful outcome.

The incident at the Red Orchid Factory serves as a stark example. Following the demise of the assault team, the Mother Module's consciousness had predominantly awakened. All that was required was to await the completion of Nimrod's production, which would have sealed the mutants' doom.

Regrettably, the allure of the factory's spoils proved too tempting for all. Anticipating your every move, I must act before you do. In such a headlong rush, any consideration for the broader reality is impossible. Even if the mutants merely lose a raiding party instead of facing total annihilation, the persistent threat compels them to act blindly, to disregard the prevailing circumstances in their haste to seize an advantage.

"The Shi'ar Empire would undoubtedly adopt a similar approach," Nick remarked. "The nature of intelligent life is remarkably consistent. In the absence of unity, the advantage invariably lies with striking first. To wait until they have already conquered Earth would simply be too late."

Captain America pondered for a moment before responding, "So, if we can create the illusion that victory is within their grasp, that Earth is no longer a significant concern, and that the time has come to discuss the division of the Solar System, they might turn on each other?"

Nick nodded in agreement. "Precisely. At that juncture, the Teleportation Portal transforms from a potential obstacle for us into a death sentence for them. An army commanded by multiple factions is incapable of cohesive action. When they subsequently utilize the Teleportation Portal for troop deployment and signaling, it will devolve into utter chaos. Perhaps we can then proceed to dismantle this force piece by piece."

"However, this strategy hinges upon the assumption that the Shi’ar Empire lacks internal cohesion," Black Widow interjected. "If they operate as a totalitarian regime, wouldn't this plan be rendered ineffective?"

"They are not," Iron Man stated. "While their Emperor may project an image of immense power, he is, in reality, subject to the constraints imposed by the nobility..."

Before he could elaborate further, he appeared to receive an incoming communication. After excusing himself for a brief period, he returned, his face ashen, and declared, "A rebellion has erupted within the Shi'ar Empire, and their Emperor has been slain."

A wave of alert spread through the group, and Captain America rose to his feet, exclaiming, "They are in disarray? Could it be that they have already made a move to seize control?"

Iron Man painfully squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head slowly. "A General serves under D’Ken has seized power. He has systematically eliminated most of the nobility and has proclaimed himself Tyrant."

"How could such a thing happen at precisely this moment..."

Iron Man paused, considering the situation. "The precise details remain unclear, but I suspect this might also be an instance of preemptively claiming the fruits of victory. It's simply not a conflict between the Emperor and the nobles, but rather a move orchestrated by the previously suppressed military forces."

"Heavens, are they going to transform into a Military State?"

"It's difficult to say," Iron Man sighed, continuing, "Although the military may indeed harbor ambitions of conquering Earth, perhaps we could attempt to send an envoy to negotiate with this new leader. After all, he has only recently ascended to power and is likely to be unstable. We might be able to strike a deal for their withdrawal."

Nick had clearly arrived at a similar conclusion. Regardless of the nature of this rebellion, its eruption served their interests, signaling a potential shift in the status quo and presenting a renewed opportunity.

"What sort of individual is this new Emperor?" After Nick departed, Hawkeye turned his gaze to Iron Man, inquiring, "You seem to have omitted some crucial details, haven't you?"

Iron Man appeared utterly dejected. He sank onto the edge of the bed, leaning his back against the wall, and responded, "My knowledge of his identity is quite limited. However, the two individuals serving under his command are truly beyond belief."

"Tell us," Black Widow urged,

The assembly regarded him, and Captain America voiced, "My previous statement stands. The Shi’ar Empire's grasp of the Avengers' operational patterns is peculiar. While a mole is a possibility, comprehensive intel of this magnitude indicates prolonged observation or intimate knowledge of our core members. This suggests a pivotal figure within our ranks is responsible."

"This entire conflict, from its inception, was orchestrated as part of certain individuals' machinations," Captain America elaborated.

"What is their ultimate objective?" Hawkeye inquired, his gaze narrowed. "What is the purpose behind all this chaos?"

"Several possibilities come to mind," Dr. Banner stated, adjusting his spectacles. "Primarily, the eradication of the Red Orchid Factory is paramount. This device, conceived for genocidal purposes, must cease to exist. Its complete destruction, leaving no remnants, is the only acceptable course of action. No one should entertain the notion of adapting its components for a second iteration."

As he spoke, Banner’s eyes flickered towards Iron Man, who promptly shifted his gaze away, avoiding direct contact. With a subtle roll of his eyes, Banner continued, "Furthermore, this crisis serves to forge greater unity amongst us. At the very least, the two major alliances should consolidate their efforts. If Superheroes cannot collaborate, resorting to individual actions or even mutual sabotage, then what is the significance of Multiversal communication? We must not falter in our outward exploration due to a lack of cohesion at this juncture."

This sentiment resonated with the majority present. Their involvement across two universes, neither minuscule nor grand in scale, requires a successful resolution. A failure could lead numerous observing universes to perceive the Multiverse as a perilous, predatory environment, prompting them to either isolate themselves entirely or adopt aggressive tactics. Such a reality would be profoundly disturbing.

Having achieved so much, they are obligated to set a positive precedent. The Shi’ar Empire's incursion presented an opportunity for unified action, and their response was commendable. This demonstration, at the very least, signals to the Multiverse that despite internal disagreements, confronting a significant external threat compels them to consider the broader implications and act with appropriate prioritization, rather than succumbing to fear and retreating.

"Naturally, my personal conviction is that this event elevates the standing of Mutants, compelling the Human Government to recognize them as a vital bulwark for the Solar System's defense. At the very least, this warrants granting Clarkia due deference."

"I concur that this covers the primary motivations," Black Widow added. "My greater concern lies with the immediate resolution of the current predicament, especially given Magneto's demise."