Crisis Begins

In the struggle for supremacy between the United States and the Soviet Union, neither Alex nor S.H.I.E.L.D. could do anything but stand aside and watch as the two nations, egged on by Sebastian Shaw, continually mobilized their forces. The entire world was shrouded in the shadow of war. Some desperately tried to prevent the two countries from clashing, while others kept urging them toward war. Everyone had a different stance.

However, none of this had anything to do with Alex anymore. He continued searching for Medusa with Crystal. It was not that Alex did not care; he simply had no power to intervene. The contest between great powers was not something a small figure like him could influence.

Alex could put everything aside to accompany Crystal in searching for Medusa, but Nick Fury, Howard, and others had no choice but to focus their attention on this major event that could affect the future.

At S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury leaned back in his executive chair with his hands clasped behind his head, staring at the young clerk across from him. A profound light flickered in his one eye, and his expression was somewhat stiff. After a long silence, Nick Fury finally said quietly, "All right, I understand. You can leave now."

As he watched the young clerk walk out, the tension in Nick Fury’s nerves suddenly eased. He let out a long sigh, his face filled with helplessness.

Just then, Howard pushed open the door and walked in, leaving Nick Fury no time to change his expression.

The moment Howard saw Nick Fury’s expression, his heart skipped a beat. His voice trembled slightly as he asked, "What happened, Nick?"

"The Soviet warships have set sail." Seeing that it was Howard, the tension on Nick Fury’s face immediately faded, though his smile became even more bitter. The Soviet fleet carrying missiles had already headed for Cuba. The Soviet Union had made its position clear. The United States had no choice but to go to war with the Soviet Union.

Howard froze for a moment before reacting, disbelief written all over his face. "Really?!"

Nick Fury said nothing. He merely nodded, his movements somewhat stiff.

Howard likewise fell silent. He unconsciously walked over to the sofa and sat down, his head hanging so low it nearly touched the floor. After a long while, Howard finally raised his head and looked at Nick Fury, who had turned toward him upon noticing the movement. His expression became extremely serious. "What does S.H.I.E.L.D. plan to do?"

Given the current situation, there was a great possibility that a conflict would erupt between the United States and the Soviet Union, one that could then develop into a Third World War spreading across the entire globe. As one of the world’s foremost intelligence organizations, S.H.I.E.L.D. occupied a rather special position. No one did not want S.H.I.E.L.D.’s assistance, yet everyone also wanted S.H.I.E.L.D. to disappear.

"A country is a country. Humanity is humanity!" Nick Fury’s face darkened as he stared at Howard and said each word distinctly, "S.H.I.E.L.D. exists only to protect all humanity!" This had been S.H.I.E.L.D.’s founding purpose, and it was also the only hope in the hearts of Alex and the others, who had just endured the wounds of World War II.

Not long after Nick Fury received the news, the US Government also learned that Soviet missiles were about to be transported to Cuba. After a brief meeting, the US Government dispatched the Seventh Fleet as well. On one hand, it would impose a comprehensive armed blockade on Cuba; on the other, it would intercept the Soviet fleet.

As the fleets of the United States and the Soviet Union set sail one after another, the global situation grew increasingly tense. Even the mutants of the Savage Land were affected.

"What’s going on?" Alex frowned at the young man before him, his expression extremely stern.

After Emma’s repeated persuasion, Alex had ultimately resumed his position as the combat instructor at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Besides helping Crystal search for her sister Medusa, he also made time to teach these students, including quite a few who were already official X-Men members.

The young man before him was none other than Remy, the former "Tarzan." He was now not only a Hollywood superstar, but also a member of the X-Men, and he regularly underwent combat training. Of course, his main responsibility remained making films and promoting mutants.

Yet during the training session just now, Remy had clearly been distracted. Alex had thrown him several times in a row, leaving even his increasingly handsome face bruised and swollen.

Hearing Alex’s voice, Remy suddenly snapped out of it. He lowered his head awkwardly and muttered nothing.

"Tell me, what exactly is going on, Remy?" Alex had known Remy for ten years and understood his temperament well. Though Remy was usually somewhat carefree and unserious, when it truly mattered, he was always extremely focused. His performance today was far too abnormal.

Remy raised his head and secretly glanced at Alex. After hesitating for a long time, he finally asked, "Are the United States and the Soviet Union really going to fight?" Remy had spent most of his life in the United States, and the tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union affected every aspect of American life. This was especially true in Hollywood, the benchmark of the entertainment industry, where nearly everyone was discussing the matter.

Alex had not expected Remy to lose focus over something like this. He looked at Remy, torn between laughter and tears. "What does this have to do with you? So what if they really do start fighting?"

Of course, Alex knew the United States and the Soviet Union would not go to war, whether in the real world or the comic world. If it really came to that, Alex would definitely act and nip the war in the bud. After being tempered by World War II, Alex despised all wars, whether righteous or evil.

Alex’s retort left Remy speechless. He stammered, unable to say anything.

Seeing Remy like that, Alex chuckled, patted him on the shoulder, and comforted him as if nothing had happened. "All right, don’t worry. They won’t fight!"

After reassuring Remy, Alex did not immediately go to find Crystal. Instead, he used Teleportation to arrive at S.H.I.E.L.D.’s new office.

"Why are you here?" Howard was in Nick Fury’s office when Alex suddenly appeared, and he looked utterly surprised. A teasing glint showed in his slightly raised eyes. "Weren’t you out wandering around with your new girlfriend?" Alex had been leaving early and returning late with Crystal these past days, making Emma and the other women extremely displeased, so Howard used it as a joke.

Alex naturally knew Howard was teasing him, so he did not argue. He turned to Nick Fury instead. "What’s the situation now?"

"After learning that the American military had intervened, the Soviet Union dispatched additional fleets to escort the ships." Nick Fury casually tossed out a sheet of paper listing the Soviet fleet’s strength in detail. It was an extremely formidable force.

"I expected that." Alex shrugged, showing no emotional reaction to the news. His expression remained casual. "When will the Soviet fleet reach the waters near Cuba?"

From the current situation, both the United States and the Soviet Union had reached the point where there was no turning back. Alex had to find a way to prevent this war from beginning, just as in the movie.

"The American fleet has established a warning line at sea to caution the Soviet Union." Nick Fury pulled a photograph from a pile of documents beside him. It showed a rolling expanse of ocean, with several buoys bobbing up and down on the waves. "In three days, the vanguard of the Soviet fleet will reach this warning line."

Alex’s brows furrowed slightly. After pondering for a moment, he repeated, "Three days?!" As he spoke, Alex was already quietly considering countermeasures.