Shadow of the Beautiful World

After Logan's visit, Merlin's life went back to normal.

The addition of a child in the family did not affect the rhythm of Meilin's life. Although Laura's situation is a bit special, Teacher Xuanlan said that it is not a problem for her to take care of one more child, and Mei also likes Laura very much, just as she likes Same as the other kids in the family.

With the help of Xuanlan and Mei, Merlin doesn't need to worry too much about Laura's new life, and other things are progressing in an orderly manner.

After the World Security Council passed the Illegal Test Prohibition Treaty, S.H.I.E.L.D. has one more responsibility. They need to start processing test applications from all over the world, especially those large-scale tests that will cause dangerous consequences. This was the job of Fury's public-facing operatives, vetted by the World Security Council.

And looking around for those illegal experiments that are still going on, and intervening, this is the work of Merlin's secret agents who always do some shady work.

This made Merlin's agents busy again, and the Sky Eye Society, which had completed data sharing with s.d.o.l.d., seemed to be interested in these tasks, so Merlin handed over some work to them.

The limited cooperation between the two departments is a good thing for both parties, at least if there is no direct conflict of interest at this stage, it is a good thing.

Director Merlin, Dr. Reed and his fiancée are visiting.

On a certain day in September 2005, when the hottest season of the year was fading, Merlin had just completed inspections of several dangerous object containment bases, and when he returned to the office, Merlin heard a request from his assistant, Sharon.

Merlin pressed the communicator on the table, he said:

Bring them in.

Moments later, Sharon brought Dr. Reed Richards, the smartest person in the world, and his beautiful fiancée, Dr. Susan Stone, into Merlin's office.

I haven't seen you for a few months. Dr. Reed seems to be in a good mood.

Merlin put his hands on the table and joked:

It's like glowing, Ms. Susan is still as beautiful as before, it seems that you two have a good time this time... But I guess, you also brought something to make me feel happy, right ?”

You still speak so directly, Merlin.

Dr. Reed sat on the sofa, pointed to the suitcase in his hand, and said to Merlin:

But it is true. We have completed the design of the omnic center required by the omnic plan and the 'enlightenment' program that runs inside.

He said to Merlin:

This is thanks to the newly joined Dr. Banner. His research and novel ideas in the field of artificial intelligence have greatly improved our progress.

Really? So fast?

A hint of surprise flashed in Merlin's eyes. The omnic plan has been carried out so far. The construction of the omnic industrial zone on the Nigerian prairie has long been completed. The hardware facilities are in place, and even the external publicity is ready. But the most important omnic center It is still the biggest problem hindering the progress of the plan.

Merlin originally thought that it would take several years for this complicated design to be completed, but now it seems that he underestimated the creativity of the scientists.

He took the suitcase that Reid handed over and opened it. Inside was a set of heavy blueprints, and a chip packed in a small box, probably due to the use of Cybertron technology. The chip shone blue. The light looks very futuristic and sci-fi.

Merlin unfolded the design drawings. He couldn't understand these designs, but Icarus could.

Accompanied by the physical scan, soon, a simulation map of a large-scale manufacturing center appeared on Merlin's lens. Icarus needed to conduct a theoretical test on this model, which would take a little time, so Merlin temporarily turned his attention away from the blueprint. Moving away, he looked at Reed and Susan in front of him, and he said:

The design is completed, which means that the work of the two of you has also come to an end. I'm curious, what are you two going to do next?

Merlin says:

Are you going to get married? Don't forget to send me an invitation.

No no no.

Dr. Susan brushed her hair, she said to Merlin very gracefully:

Reid and I have no plans to get married yet. We are still quite young, so we plan to spend our time in our respective research fields. Some research that was previously interrupted by the sudden omnic project can now continue.

Um.

Reed held his fiancée's hand, and he said to Merlin:

Next, Susan and I, as well as other people in the laboratory, are going to go to outer space.

???

Merlin's eyes widened, and he asked:

Outer space?

Yes, an integrated research project that includes many sub-projects.

Reed pointed to the sky, and he said to Merlin optimistically:

“And we have found people who are willing to invest in these projects. If everything goes well, our spacecraft will be launched in a few months. We will stay in outer space for about 2-3 years, so you may be very happy. Won't see us again for a long time, Mr Merlin.

I don't doubt that you can design a spacecraft that stays in outer space. After all, the things you smart people have in their heads are amazing.

Merlin replied:

But 2-3 years, isn't that too long?

That's an optimistic estimate, Merlin.

Reed has a good temper, and he patiently explained to Merlin:

Our own projects, as well as the projects that investors need us to carry out, may add up to more than 200 large and small projects, some of which need to enter deep space to carry out. The investors of the 'Life Foundation' also hope that we Launch the exploration ship they designed in space to explore comets outside the solar system.

The beautiful female doctor Susan then said:

According to their original design, that plan would take at least five years. With the help of Cybertron technology, Reed transformed the ship so that it could travel faster than the speed of light for a short time, but even so, the research The exploration ship of the project will also take at least 2 years to return.”

If you need funds, S.H.I.E.L.D. can help.

Merlin moved his fingers, and he said to Dr. Reed and his fiancée:

The Omnic Project will soon enter a new phase. To be honest, I don't feel very relieved to let you stay in space for so long... You can give up the investment of the Life Foundation. If this allows you to come back sooner, then I would like to help you get enough money.

No, it's not just about investors, Merlin.

Reed declined:

I am also very interested in that project, and I am also looking forward to discovering new and curious knowledge among the stars. I have too many ideas that need to be implemented, and many of them cannot be placed in our The world is going on. As for the scientific problems that may be encountered in the omnic project, I believe that whether it is Tony, Luthor, or Dr. Banner, they can help you solve them on our behalf.

Oh I see.

Merlin pushed his glasses, and he heard a hint of overtones from Dr. Reed's words, he said:

It seems that you have lost interest in the omnic project, are you not going to participate in it anymore?

Reed and his fiancée looked at each other, and a few seconds later, the smart man said to Merlin calmly:

That's true. Now that the science and technology part of the Omnic Project is over, the next things to be promoted are more like sociology and politics, which I'm not interested in. Maybe saying that will make you feel impolite, But for me, my time is precious and I don't intend to waste it on these things.

Reed looked at Merlin, and he said seriously:

I believe that you can handle the next thing.

All right.

Merlin looked at the determination in Reed's eyes, and he knew that no matter how much he tried to redeem, this wise man had already made up his mind.

He nodded and said to Dr. Reed and Susan:

I will approve your resignation from the project, our cooperation is very pleasant, but I still have to remind you, about the content of the omnic plan...

We know the rules.

Reed smiled at Merlin:

If you are worried, you can use 'magic' to clear our memory. I know you have this ability, and I have taken the time to study it, but unfortunately, the nature of those energies is something I have never seen before. Maybe I It takes more time and enough samples to study the mysteries of magic.

There is no need to clean the memory.

Merlin waved his hand, and he said frankly:

For extraordinary intelligence like you, memory erasure is just a farce that can be restored at any time. Maybe you have already prepared some special devices before you come here. You only need to shine a light on it to restore your memory... I know how terrifying your intelligence is, but I also believe that you have enough sense to persuade you to keep this project a secret.

Merlin says:

I think I can trust you guys.

Reed nodded, looking relieved too. His fiancée, Dr. Susan, reached out and held Reed's finger, and she said to Merlin:

There are still a few months before we go to outer space, Director Merlin, this should be enough for the prototype of this design to be produced. If there are any problems, we will be happy to help you solve them as after-sales service.

It appears to be working perfectly.

Merlin looked at the ongoing data simulation on the lens, and said:

But we really have to wait until the prototype is finished to see if there is a problem...Speaking of which, I've heard some other things recently, which don't have much to do with you, but maybe you can help me clear up.

Merlin found a document from the European branch in his drawer, looked at the contents of the document, and said to Reed and Susan:

You two, do you know a man named Victor von Doom? According to the information we found, he and Reed were classmates at the State University of New York, and he seems to be Reed's rival in love...

Merlin glanced at Susan, whose face changed slightly, and said:

He seems to have a crush on you, Miss Susan.

I knew Doom, but that was a long time ago.

Reed didn't evade the embarrassing question, he shook his head, and said:

Dum is not a person who can make people feel comfortable. He does things very extreme. I guess, he can appear in the file of the deputy director of S.H.I.E.L.D. probably because he has made something that can be called 'Crazy' thing, right?

It depends on how you look at it.

Merlin looked at the event record in the file, and he said:

Your Excellency Dum appeared in Latvinia, a small country in Eastern Europe two years ago. Where is his hometown, a small backward country surrounded by Hungary and Serbia, with no sense of existence, where the feudal system is still maintained. When he returned to his hometown A week later, a coup took place in Latvinia, the former king was killed, the cabinet was brutally purged, and the whole country fell into chaos for half a month.

But soon, a shadow government was established, they elected a new prime minister, reorganized the government structure, quickly ended the war, but closed the borders to the outside world, expelled all diplomats... guess what , who is behind this coup?

Merlin put down the file, looked at Dr. Reed, and said:

And according to some of my friends in the magic world, Latvinia is one of the important gathering places for wizards in Eastern Europe, and that Lord Doom seems to be a powerful spellcaster, too. During the coup, our agents detected the remnants of a wide range of psychic spells unleashed.

What I want to ask, Reed, was he a wizard during the years you and Doom have known each other?

this...

Reed said to Merlin with some hesitation:

I don't know, because I hadn't been exposed to magic at that time, but now that I think about it, when we were students, some strange situations did occasionally appear around Dum, and when we were not enemies, I I heard Doom say that he left his hometown and came to New York just to learn the power of technology and save his mother's soul...

He said his mother's soul fell into the hands of a great demon.

Reed shook his head:

I just thought it was a nasty joke, and now that I think about it, it might have been true. But I misunderstood him ... Doom paid a terrible price for my recklessness.

Maybe, I should have been more sensible at the time, not so young and energetic.

The smartest man in the world looked up at Merlin and said:

Doom and I are not friends, but we were competitors, and after something unfortunate happened, we became enemies, and Doom disappeared. What you just said, is what I have been doing for so many years. , the first to hear about Doom.

Then tell me.

Merlin glanced at the conclusion of the data simulation on the lens, and he made a please gesture to Dr. Reed and Susan, and said:

Tell me about the Victor von Doom you know. We know too little about him. Any information is very important.

And I am also very interested in the wizard king of Latvinia.