I Created a Sanctuary in Marvel

Chapter 236 Symbiote??

Earth, New York, S.H.I.E.L.D. Triscurve Wing Headquarters.

Alexander Pierce stared at the image on the holographic projection, his brow furrowed.

In the footage, in a desert in New Mexico, several charred craters are arranged in a bizarre geometric pattern, with some kind of viscous substance scattered around them.

"Have you found out what it is?"

Pierce's voice sounded tired.

The current director of S.H.I.E.L.D. is nominally Ye Feng, but that old man is basically a hands-off manager.

Apart from initially teaching the cultivation methods of "Qi" and "Microcosm," he remained elusive and rarely seen.

After handing over the entire inheritance system to Wanda and Pietro, Ye Feng has been missing for almost a month.

Nobody knows where he went or what he's doing.

The Avengers—now called the Illuminati—are independent of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s agent system and are jointly led by Wanda, Steve, and Tony.

As a result, all the daily chores and various troublesome reports piled up on Pierce's desk.

Sometimes Pierce wonders what he was after in the first place when he took Nick Fury down.

Just to deal with all this trivial stuff every day?

"The sample analysis results have just come out."

"This is a highly complex alien organism with symbiotic characteristics."

"Database comparison shows that it matches the symbiote sample recorded in the 1984 Sky Sword Project archives with a 91% match rate."

The assistant pulled up another set of data, and the molecular structure of the black substance was displayed on the holographic image.

"A symbiote?"

"You mean those alien life forms that need a host to survive?"

Pierce frowned.

"Yes, sir. According to the records, the symbiote can enhance the host's physical abilities, but it also amplifies the host's aggression and desires. What's more troublesome is—"

"We've discovered that these symbiotes appear to be actively seeking out hosts. Three ranches in New Mexico have reported missing livestock, and the traces left at the sites match the activity patterns of these symbiotes."

The assistant switched the screen, displaying several blurry infrared images of the scene.

Pierce tapped his fingers on the table: "Any news from the Life Sciences Foundation?"

"They submitted an application for research on extraterrestrial biological materials two weeks ago, but we rejected it at the time."

17

"Now it seems they may have obtained the samples through other channels."

The assistant paused, then continued, "Should we send someone to the foundation to investigate?"

"No, let's not alert them yet."

"Organize the information and send it to the Illuminati. Director Ye Feng instructed that all incidents involving the supernatural side are to be handled by them."

Pierce waved his hand.

"clear."

The assistant rapidly operated the console, packaging and encrypting the data before sending it to the Illuminati Building in Manhattan. (Send interface shown.)

The red indicator for "Priority: High" keeps flashing.

The Illuminati Building, top-floor laboratory.

Tony Stark and Bruce Banner are surrounding a translucent energy container.

Inside the container, countless points of light are moving along complex algorithmic trajectories, sometimes converging into human shapes, and sometimes scattering into a galaxy.

What's Jarvis's upgrade progress?

Banner adjusted his glasses and recorded a set of data.

73%.

""

"The core logic framework has been reconstructed, and it is now loading the security protocol module provided by His Majesty. To be honest, that protocol is ridiculously complex. I suspect that he simply copied the firewall of some advanced civilization."

Tony stared at the screen.

"He did say that when the time is right, professionals will help us improve artificial intelligence."

"I'm curious who he's referring to."

Banner smiled.

Just then, Tony's phone vibrated. He glanced at it, his expression turning serious.

"New mission. S.H.I.E.L.D. has discovered traces of symbiote activity in New Mexico."

The holographic projection popped up automatically, displaying the scene Pierce had just seen.

Almost simultaneously, Wanda's voice rang out from the lab's communication system: "Everyone, assemble in the conference room, there's an emergency."

Five minutes later, the core members of the Illuminati gathered in the round table meeting room.

Wanda sat in the main seat.

This is the default arrangement when Ye Feng is not around.

Floating in front of her was all the data sent by S.H.I.E.L.D., with close-up shots of the black symbiote slime slowly rotating.

"Has everyone seen the information?"

"S.H.I.E.L.D. has confirmed it's a symbiote, and this is not an isolated incident. Signs of activity have been detected at at least three locations in New Mexico."

Wanda glanced around.

Steve Rogers was the first to speak: "I've seen records about symbiotes in the S.H.I.E.L.D. files from after World War II."

"In 1984, the Sky Sword Project recovered a meteorite sample from outer space, which contained symbiotic spores."

"If I remember correctly, that thing is extremely dangerous. It doesn't just parasitize; it also distorts the host's consciousness."

"Distorted consciousness?"

"How is it distorted?"

Clint Barton raised an eyebrow.

"Amplify negative emotions and incite violent tendencies."

"According to the experimental records at the time, the parasitized organisms exhibited strong aggression, and even cannibalistic behavior. What's more troublesome is that the symbiotes seemed to be able to sense each other and form a kind of collective consciousness."

Natasha Romanov accessed the historical archive page.

Tony leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers on the table: "I analyzed the molecular structure diagram that S.H.I.E.L.D. sent me."

"This thing is highly adaptable and can mimic the characteristics of any biological tissue."

"In theory, given enough time and a powerful host, it could evolve into a terrifying ability."

"I'll handle it."

"I haven't had many missions lately, and my cultivation of my sixth sense has reached a bottleneck. I need real combat experience to break through. Also, I'm quite familiar with the symbiote's historical records."

Steve stood up.

Tony stood up too: "I'll go too. Jarvis's upgrade has entered the auto-loading phase, so there's no point in me watching it."

and----"

He flashed his signature smile.

"My new armor needs to be tested in the field. The Mark 47 is equipped with an air-based energy conversion system, which theoretically has an output 400% higher than the previous generation."

"High-temperature and sonic weapons should be effective against these slimy alien creatures."

Wanda nodded, then turned her gaze to the others.

"Natasha and Clint will continue handling the day-to-day operations at S.H.I.E.L.D., while Pietro will be in charge of rapid response—get there immediately if any location requests assistance."

"Dr. Banner is proceeding according to his own research schedule. Also, I have some news to share—"

She spoke at a steady pace, clearly accustomed to her commanding role.

She paused, then gave a meaningful smile: "The two princes of Asgard, Thor and Loki, have officially joined the Illuminati."

"However, they work in shifts, with one person staying on Earth for a period of time. According to news from Asgard, it's Loki's turn this time, and he should arrive no later than tomorrow."

"Loki?"

"That god of trickery? Is he reliable?"

Tony raised an eyebrow.

"His performance in the War of the Nine Realms was evident to all."

"Moreover, His Majesty personally approved his joining."

"According to Asgardian time, Loki has been cultivating his cosmos for over half a year, and his strength has greatly improved. More importantly, he knows more about all kinds of creatures in the universe than we do—including symbiotes."

Wanda said calmly.

Steve pondered for a moment: "If that's the case, I suggest we wait until Loki arrives before taking any action."

"Symbiotes are not ordinary alien life forms; they possess intelligence, can learn, and can evolve."

"Having one more expert who understands them greatly increases our chances of winning."

"Then it's settled."

"The mission is tentatively scheduled to depart tomorrow. Tony, Steve, you two handle the preliminary preparations. Once Loki arrives, I'll have him come directly to you."

Wanda made the decision.

Banner then interjected, "Wait, I need to remind you of something."

"If you want to collect samples, you must use a Class IV biosafety sealed container."

"Symbiote can spread through extremely small contact; even a drop of mucus adhering to the skin can initiate the parasitic process."

"It's all ready."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. has sent a batch of specially made containers, with a vibranium coating on the inside and an energy barrier on the outside. But Banner, are you sure you don't want to come with us? You're a biology expert."

Tony pulled up the equipment list.

Banner shook his head with a wry smile: "I'm afraid my going would have the opposite effect. If they manage to combine with the Hulk, things will get really messy."

This reason is convincing enough.

Everyone remembers the scene where Hulk tore Muspelheim's demon apart during the War of the Nine Realms. If that power were parasitized and controlled by a symbiote, the consequences would be unimaginable.

At 10 a.m. the next day, a beam of seven-colored light landed precisely on the rooftop of the Illuminati Building.

As the light faded, Loki appeared in the center of the rooftop.

Instead of his iconic Asgardian armor, he wore a well-tailored dark green suit with a matching tie, making him look more like a nobleman from an ancient European family.

"Welcome back to Earth, Loki."

Wanda was already waiting there, with Pietro following behind her.

"Ms. Wanda."

"I've already reviewed the mission data. Symbiotes—they really are troublesome things."

Loki bowed slightly, his demeanor impeccably elegant.

Wanda handed over a metal bracelet: "This is the standard communication equipment of the Illuminati. Your biometric information has already been entered."

"In addition, Earth's identity documents, credit cards, and cell phones are all inside. Tony prepared them, saying: 'Even God has to learn to use a smartphone.'"

Loki took the bracelet and put it on his left wrist.

The bracelet automatically conforms to the skin, its surface shimmering with a subtle light.

"Please thank Mr. Stark for me."

"Well then, I'll set off now. The symbiote won't wait for anyone."

He smiled.

In the underground parking garage, Tony's Audi R8 e-tron GT was already running.

Steve sat in the passenger seat, dressed in casual clothes, but with his shield at his feet.

"Seriously, couldn't you have chosen a more understated car?"

"We're going to conduct an investigation, not to participate in a car race."

Steve looked at the streamlined car body.

"Keep a low profile?"

"Captain, this is already my most discreet car. Do you want to drive a S.H.I.E.L.D. official vehicle? Those Chevrolets' acceleration performance is an insult to internal combustion engines."

Tony leaned out of the car window.

As they were talking, Loki stepped out of the elevator.

He glanced at the sports car, then at the cramped space in the back seat, his expression somewhat subtle.

"Mr. Stark, is it possible—that we could get a car with more space?"

"Get in the carriage, Your Highness."

"This has been modified. It's a bit cramped, but it's still better than squeezing into a taxi."

Tony pressed a button, and the roof section of the rear seat slid back and unfolded, creating an opening just big enough for an adult to sit in.

Loki sighed and climbed into the back seat in a manner completely out of character for his elegant image.

Tony pressed the button, and the roof returned to its original position.

"Fasten your seatbelts, gentlemen."

Tony stepped on the accelerator, and the sports car silently glided out of the garage and into the Manhattan traffic.

On the way, Steve raised a crucial question: "Loki, how much does Asgard know about the symbiotes?"

"Enough to make us aware that we need to handle things carefully."

"Symbiote are not products of natural evolution—at least not as we understand nature."

"According to ancient Asgardian records, they were originally created as biological weapons by a powerful being."

.

"But Asgard has no records of why it evolved in this way."

"Moreover, the existence of the symbiote involves a divine artifact that even the gods must fear!"

"If what I suspect is true, then perhaps this matter is not so simple."

Loki's expression turned serious.

Tony glanced at Loki in the rearview mirror: "Biological weapons? So their behavior of finding hosts and enhancing their abilities is pre-designed?"

"Furthermore, there are actually divine artifacts in the universe that even the gods fear?"

Tony and Steve were both curious.

The power of the gods has been fully revealed in the war of the nine realms.

They can even destroy planets at will.

There are even divine artifacts that even the gods fear.

They don't even consider the Infinity Stones a threat.

"You could say that."

"But after thousands of years of mutation and evolution, the current symbiote is very different from the original version."

"The most troublesome thing is that they possess collective intelligence."

"That artifact is taboo among the gods; hopefully, it hasn't appeared yet."

Loki looked out the window.

He didn't finish speaking, but the other two people in the car understood what he meant.

"Asgard has not detected any symbiotes entering the Nine Realms."

"Heimdall should be able to see this."

Steve pointed out.

"That's the problem."

"Symbiotes can spread in a variety of ways, such as through meteorites, interstellar dust, or even by attaching themselves to the hull of passing spacecraft."

If the number is small and the animals are dormant, they can indeed evade routine monitoring.

Loki stretched out his hand, and a green halo appeared in his palm, with star-like patterns shimmering within it.

He clenched his fist and dispersed the aura: "The more likely scenario is that someone deliberately brought them to Earth."

"Symbiotes are in high demand on the cosmic black market; there are always some lunatics who believe they can control them."

"But the propagation of symbiotes is a big problem, and Earthlings are an excellent medium."

"But as far as I know, symbiotes haven't appeared for a long time."

A brief silence fell over the car.

The sports car had already left the city and entered the highway leading to New Mexico.