An Approaching Sense of Crisis (3K Words)

Tony coughed violently several times, interrupting the irresponsible discussion between the two of them:

"Fine, let’s set aside the artificial intelligence issue for now. We need immense computing power…

But I have a question."

He pointed at the Mind Stone inside the detection instrument:

"Why can’t we directly use this… Mind Stone as the core of the computer?

If this thing really possesses infinite energy, wouldn’t that make it the most powerful computer in the entire universe? Could it even possibly simulate the whole universe?"

"But it would draw the endless coveting of the entire universe."

Oaks shook his head lightly, while Banner fell into thought:

"Like the Tesseract? S.H.I.E.L.D.’s research into the energy leaking from the Tesseract attracted Loki and the Chitauri. If we used the actual Stone as computing power, it would also create powerful energy fluctuations and attract other invaders!"

"That’s right, but a replica based on it wouldn’t have that problem."

Oaks pointed at Tony.

"For example, your Arc Reactor. You haven’t forgotten its connection to the Tesseract, have you?"

"An isotope of the Space Stone…"

Tony silently nodded. Indeed, an Arc Reactor forged using an isotope of the Space Stone would never attract the attention of aliens the way the actual Space Stone did, no matter how it was used.

By the same logic, if they created a supercomputer based on the structural principles of the Mind Stone, they would not repeat S.H.I.E.L.D.’s mistake.

"Besides, strictly speaking, the Mind Stone has an owner."

Oaks’ words drew both Tony and Banner’s attention. The two exchanged startled looks, and a name blurted out:

"Loki?!"

"No. Loki also obtained the Mind Scepter from someone else. Asgard did not keep the Mind Stone.

They believed that two Infinity Stones should not be stored too close together, so last time, they sent away the Aether, the Reality Stone.

Asgard should now only have one Space Stone, the Tesseract."

Oaks looked at the Mind Stone. He could not yet reveal its original owner, but that did not stop Tony and Banner from feeling chills run down their spines.

"Loki was acting on someone’s orders… But he had a cooperative relationship with the Chitauri at the time, so there was another, more powerful force that gave Loki the Mind Stone!"

Tony finally understood what lay behind it all. His expression stiffened with gravity.

"So Loki received Odin’s forgiveness…

That means Loki and the Chitauri not only failed in their last invasion, but Loki himself betrayed his former master?

Ha! That guy will be held accountable, won’t he?"

"But as long as Odin lives, that will not happen… And Odin only has a few years left."

As the person who had personally treated Odin’s injuries, the information Oaks revealed was absolutely reliable.

Banner’s eyes widened.

"So once Odin’s lifespan runs out, that force behind everything will probably settle accounts with Loki, then set its sights on the Mind Stone!"

"Perhaps not just the Mind Stone…"

Oaks sighed.

"You have to remember, when the Chitauri invaded last time, Thor said that the Tesseract, the Space Stone, was the payment Loki offered those people!"

"So what that being behind Loki truly needs is the Space Stone!"

Tony’s voice was cold as ice.

"He’s collecting the Infinity Stones!"

"Even Asgard was unwilling to keep two Infinity Stones together. Yet he’s collecting so many…"

Banner wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and gave a bitter smile.

"So we need to settle this as soon as possible, then send the Mind Stone off Earth?"

Oaks spread his hands helplessly.

"At the moment, that seems to be the case.

Asgard will probably remember sooner or later that the Mind Stone is on Earth, but I’m confident I can delay them for a while longer."

He could hardly say, sorry, there was another Infinity Stone on Earth. Whether they sent the Mind Stone away or not, Thanos would come eventually.

Besides, if the plan succeeded, would they really need to fear Thanos?

Using computers to analyze the Mind Stone’s characteristics, creating a data conversion interface between the Biological Computer and existing systems, and devising new algorithms suited to the Biological Computer were not Oaks’ strengths.

So the design work for the new Biological Computer was handed over to Tony and Banner, the two smartest people on Earth, while Oaks took responsibility for building the physical unit afterward.

Regarding the Life Sanctuary Project and the situation the three had discussed, Oaks convened a meeting of all the Avengers.

After all, the Life Sanctuary Project was not merely a scientific project. It could also be called a true global early-warning system led by Earth itself.

It was just that the system itself had no active defensive capabilities.

But that could be addressed through Tony’s Iron Legion and Oaks’ Nature Magic.

This plan, which sounded wildly fantastical yet genuinely seemed achievable, was unanimously approved by all the Avengers, just as expected.

Even Steve, whom Tony always criticized for being stubborn and old-fashioned, agreed to the plan.

On one hand, it was because he trusted Oaks. On the other, his years of work with the Benevolence Society had made Steve deeply aware of environmental issues—

In seventy years, humanity had damaged the world into this state. What about another seventy years from now?

Modern wars were fought for resources.

Having carefully studied the history of world wars since the end of World War II, Steve understood very well that this small Earth probably… truly could not withstand humanity’s continued ravaging for another seventy years.

Oaks’ proposal was an excellent way to shift internal conflicts. Once humanity had the ability to expand outward, it would truly unite as one in the face of threats from the unknown universe.

Just as the Allied Forces had done when faced with the threat of NC.

Steve was looking at things from a strategic perspective, so he had no reason to oppose the plan.

Moreover, Steve did not trust the governments of various nations, nor the organizations entangled with political factors.

He placed greater trust in the Benevolence Society and Oak Environmental Technology Company led by Oaks, as well as the Avengers Alliance taking the lead in this matter.

Thus, the Life Sanctuary Project would proceed smoothly as a secret plan that truly concerned the future of all humanity for the foreseeable future.

As for the other key point of the plan, manifesting the Gaia Hypothesis and simulating an ecosystem, that would be a vast undertaking.

Oaks would need to contact the Gaia Hypothesis while empowered by the Mind Stone and directly guide it to "descend" into the data system.

But with Oaks’ current "Friendly" reputation, he was still far from capable of doing that.

That was something only "Revered" might accomplish.

Therefore, the environmental data the Benevolence Society had been collecting from around the world could now be put to use.

It would be a gradual process of refinement.

Thus, in the second half of the year, Oaks had other plans to help carry this out.

To advance that supporting plan, Oaks needed to complete the Benevolence Society’s globalization process as quickly as possible.

So another week passed. After dealing with a mountain of matters, Oaks finally called Dane Whitman back.

"Dane, you’ve done quite well in Sokovia recently."

In the Nature Guardian’s conference room, Oaks looked at the somewhat uneasy young man across from him and smiled faintly.

"Have you been getting along well with Baron Zemo?"

"Uh, President Oaks, I have to say, Baron Zemo really is an impressive man!"

Dane had prepared a whole stack of mission reports. After Oaks returned from Sokovia, he had entrusted Dane with the important task of liaising with Baron Zemo.

As Dane Whitman came from an old aristocratic family, he was quite suited to dealing with a noble like Zemo.

Perhaps compared to Zemo, Dane was somewhat lacking in intellect, but he was young, highly motivated, and extremely conscientious—almost to the point of being stubbornly rigid.

That suited Zemo’s tastes perfectly. Zemo had his own calculations regarding how to handle the domestic situation. The people sent by the Benevolence Society only needed to do their own jobs well.

"The first phase of the Root pilot program has progressed much faster than expected."

Dane took out a data report, looking somewhat excited.

"Although Sokovia is small, its forces can be mobilized very quickly.

After Baron Zemo secured the right to speak, all preparations were completed in less than a month!"

"As of yesterday, Root Four has been planted on a trial basis at Yang Slope, the largest logging site in Sokovia. Its growth has met expectations—

Using the stumps left behind from logging as anchor points, we transformed all the bare ground at the logging site into moss substrate. The first batch of Abundance No.4 seeds suitable for Yang Slope has already been planted on a trial basis.

With Abundance No.4’s growth cycle of only three months, we’ll see results soon!"

Dane could not help but praise him.

"President Oaks, Sokovia may be small, but it has vital transportation routes leading to nearby countries. If it can stabilize with our help, the regional situation will improve enormously!"

"Mm, that would be even better. Baron Zemo will not regret this—

Our help will only further consolidate his influence, perhaps even take it a step further."

Oaks smiled and nodded. Zemo was highly efficient, and Dane had done his work thoroughly. It was time for the next step of the plan.

"Dane, hand the follow-up work over to your assistant. I have something more important for you to do—

Come to London with me tomorrow."

"London?!"

The smile on Dane’s face instantly collapsed.

"President… Did my uncle say bad things about me again?"

Dane Whitman knew that his uncle was in contact with Oaks. In fact, after some communication over the past two years, his relationship with his uncle had improved somewhat. They no longer refused to speak to each other as they once had.

So privately, he was actually very grateful to Oaks.

"No, that isn’t it. I truly have an important mission for you."

Oaks looked at Dane’s slightly panicked expression, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

"I intend to have you take over as the president of a Benevolence Society branch, overseeing the construction and management of the Benevolence Society’s Europe Branch in London!"

"…"

Dane’s eyes flew open, and his mouth gradually fell agape.

"Huh?"

"What, no confidence?"

"Uh… no, no, no. Ah, that’s not what I mean, I mean…"

Dane began sweating immediately, so nervous that he even stood up.

"Chairman! I mean, I haven’t been with the Benevolence Society long enough. There are many people more suitable than me—Secretary-General Zhang, Manager Matt, even Jack is more qualified than I am…"

"They all have their own tasks. As for Europe, especially London, you’re a local."

Oaks waved his hand, and Dane felt an invisible force press him back into his chair.

"The Europe Branch is extremely important. Besides, it’s time for you to have a proper talk with your uncle."

"…"

Dane remained silent for a long while before determination finally appeared in his eyes.

"Alright, Chairman. I accept this mission!"