American comics: Starting with Luke the Maker

Several Quinjets lifted off from the deck of the Helicarrier, ascending vertically towards the base that had lost contact. Twenty minutes later, Nick received a report from Natasha and her team.

"What's the situation?" Nick asked.

"The base personnel are attacking us!" Intense gunfire traveled through the communicator from Natasha's side to Nick's.

"What do you mean?" Nick asked, stunned.

"They're all being controlled!" Natasha and her team watched as the agents attacked them fearlessly, even using some of the base's secret weapons. Among them was a prototype energy weapon belonging to S.H.I.E.L.D., one that should never have been exposed!

These were byproducts of research into the Tesseract, but undeniably, their power was considerable. At least on their side, the only ones who could withstand a shot without dying were Thor, Captain Steve Rogers, and Frank Castle. Thor due to his own godly power, and the Captain and Frank because of the mind rings they wore, which provided powerful protection.

They hadn't expected to be attacked with weapons by people within the base, so they were caught off guard.

"Damn it, can you control the situation?" Nick had wanted to arrange for reinforcements, but mobilizing personnel and getting them there would take time. He could only hope that the lightning-wielding prince, the Captain, and their old friend could control the situation.

And the three didn't disappoint Nick. Only ten minutes later, Nick received the good news from Natasha that they were safe again, but the bad news was that a timed explosion had been set in the base before they arrived.

In just one day, S.H.I.E.L.D. had lost two bases and the agents stationed there because of Loki and his group.

After Phil brought them back, Nick and the others waited for Natasha and her team in the Helicarrier's conference room.

"This is the device they used to control the base's personnel," Natasha said, placing a simple, folded metal stand on the conference table.

"This device has the ability to control people's minds?" Tony curiously approached it, poking the Eiffel Tower-shaped metal equipment under everyone's gaze. "It just looks like a stand. What's at the top? Is that the main body or the power source? It looks like it's run out of energy."

"Mass control," Nick thought grimly, realizing a terrifying possibility.

"Yeah, if they made more of these devices, we'd be in trouble," Steve said, still shaken. He had seen how crazy the controlled agents were. Seeing them was like seeing mortal enemies.

"Is it the scepter's doing?" Nick thought of Loki's scepter, which could control people.

Hawkeye Clint, stared at by his superior officer, pitifully raised his hand. With so many intelligent minds, why ask a combatant?

"What about all the surveillance footage from Base XX and the surrounding area today? Hasn't it been found yet?" Nick asked impatiently into the communicator.

"All the footage has been damaged or avoided," the personnel on the Helicarrier responsible for collecting and gathering intelligence reported helplessly to their superior officer.

"Damn it! Someone must be helping Garrett and his team! Otherwise, they couldn't have taken down a base in such a short time and left so easily." Nick instinctively sensed the anomaly. Even if Garrett was experienced and knew S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secrets and personnel distribution very well, he couldn't have easily captured a base with just a few people, not even giving them enough time to provide support! Nick preferred to believe that someone, or some force, was cooperating with Garrett, and that person or force knew S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secrets very well, or was simply an insider.

"What did they want to get by attacking the base?" Banner, the model student, also raised his hand to ask.

"Some equipment was lost from the base, as well as some rare and precious materials such as iridium. We compared the missing items with Dr. Selvig's shopping list, and most of them matched. In other words, these instruments and materials can all be used to test and research, and to stimulate the power of the Tesseract," Natasha said, glancing at Nick, and with his permission, answered Banner's question.

"Doctor, now that they've obtained the equipment and materials, they'll definitely experiment with the Tesseract. The gamma radiation will be quite active then. You need to optimize your algorithm as soon as possible and find the Tesseract before they do anything," Nick demanded of Dr. Banner.

"Stark and I can help," Luke patted Tony's shoulder, signaling him to come with him.

…

"Well done, this will greatly speed up our progress. I thought it would take some time to collect all the materials and equipment he needed. You are an excellent subordinate, don't worry, I know what you want, everything about you is exposed to this scepter. When I become king, I will give you the reward you desire," Loki said, smiling contentedly as he looked at the equipment and materials that Garrett had brought back, promising Garrett.

"Our allies contributed greatly to this," Garrett didn't take credit. "To gain their support, I promised them something on behalf of BOSS you."

"It doesn't matter, I'm not a stingy person, as long as they submit and obey," Loki smiled contemptuously. "When that army outside is teleported in, this world will inevitably be conquered by me. If they can recognize reality, there will always be some rewards for meritorious officials when the new king ascends the throne. If anyone chooses to resist, then we'll just wipe them all out."

"The doctor's work still needs a little time, we need to find something for S.H.I.E.L.D. and Nick to do. We can't let them focus all their attention on us," Garrett suggested to Loki.

"Good idea, their attention is on me, do you want me to come forward to attract their attention and buy you time?" Loki thought of his foolish brother always taking the lead when encountering problems, and then attracting everyone's attention and admiration, a wicked smile outlining his lips.

"Are you sure?" Garrett looked at Loki.

"You shouldn't question me," Loki said, displeased at first, then asked: "Where is this country's palace? The new king's ascension always requires the fall of the old king. I'd like to have a rehearsal here first."