148 Back to Earth

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"Do we have to serve him for ten years without compensation? It's too embarrassing," said a Ravager standing next to Stakar.

Stakar rolled his eyes angrily. "Do you think we still have a choice? Not to mention that with his strength, he could easily kill us. Even if he doesn't trouble us, do you think the forces wiped out today will let us go? His spacecraft destroyed them and surely won't dare trouble him. We would become their punching bag. We can only use Shaw's power to deter them and save our lives. I even have doubts. Is Shaw deliberately creating this situation to force us to align with him?"

"Damn it, he is too cunning. I wondered why he was so generous and unconcerned about us robbing him. It turns out he was waiting," a group of looters reacted. One by one, they couldn't help but curse.

"Be content! It's not bad to have such a result. If we weren't useful, he would have killed us. In the next period, we must be careful and equip those escape forces. Who knows when they'll be in our hands? If necessary, I'll join Mr. Ivan after ten years. Whether you choose to stay or not, think it over during this time." When Stakar said the last sentence, he looked at his subordinates seriously.

Seeing their boss's demeanor, the ravagers quickly assured, "Understood, we know what to do, and we won't entertain other thoughts in the future."

While driving the spaceship, Ivan hummed a minor tune in a good mood. The plan to conquer Stakar was a success.

Ivan has always been troubled by the number of mutants on Skull Island. As time passes, the number of mutants on the island exceeds 10,000. Although Skull Island houses them, the problem is that more mutants will come in the future, and one day, it will reach its limit.

Managing many mutants on Skull Island was naturally troublesome. Some are inevitably unruly. Although boredom could be suppressed, it will arise over time. Unwilling to integrate their memories into human society, the contradictions become more acute as time passes.

Since finding a solution on Earth is difficult, entering space seemed inevitable. The mutants possess various abilities, and Ivan has developed mutant suits based on the Mystique genes, making them even more formidable. Why not send a group of mutants into the galaxy to become mercenaries? Earning money through mercenary tasks and gradually developing into a powerful, valuable force to him?

However, to implement Ivan's plan, a problem must be solved first: finding a local guide familiar with the forces in space. Although Ivan could ask Asgard for help, owing favors would be troublesome in the future. He had to find someone else. Stakar conveniently came into Ivan's hands, and Ivan naturally seized this opportunity.

Morag remains quite distant. Ivan left control of the spaceship and then went to its internal warehouse. Various materials were extracted from the backpack to craft a set of space shuttles capable of opening wormholes. Given the Earth's considerable distance, Ivan couldn't feasibly fly back in the spaceship to retrieve the mutants. This method could have been more efficient; hence, opting for the quicker alternative of using a space shuttle.

Unbeknownst to him, seven days had passed. After Ivan installed the final part and adjusted the space shuttle, he received news of arrival at Morag.

However, Ivan's satisfaction waned as a faint purple energy floated on the surface of Morag. His expression soured, "Jade Rabbit has detected energy. Red Queen, assist in analyzing."

"As ordered, Dr. Ivan!" echoed the voices of the Red Queen and the Jade Rabbit simultaneously. The Celestia emitted a beam, initiating the analysis.

The Red Queen's analysis proved swift, presenting the findings, "Dr. Ivan, this is high-level energy. Though sparse, it's exceptionally pure. Even your body can't absorb much. As you approach the planet, the energy concentration increases. Ordinary individuals will instantly die. You, too, should avoid excessive exposure; survival is limited to one hour in this environment."

Ivan wore a displeased expression. Despite the potential unavailability of the Power Gem, he remained reluctant to give up, inquiring, "Queen, can you scan the planet? I need to find something."

"Regrettably, the violent energy shrouds the entire atmosphere, impeding any detection. However, the peculiar energy is dissipating; it should vanish within thirty years."

Ivan chuckled bitterly, realizing the ease with which Star-Lord obtained the Power Gem decades later. Someone must have known its location before but failed to retrieve it due to the protective energy layer. Star-Lord seized the moment when the energy dissipated during his mission to secure the cosmic spirit ball.

"Let it be. My luck might grant success, but risking my life isn't worth it. I'll attempt later to see if I can acquire it."

Accepting the situation, Ivan maneuvered the spaceship away. Choosing a desolate, uninhabited planet, he landed and placed the spacecraft in a silent state. Entering the warehouse, Ivan examined the space shuttle he crafted, particularly the groove atop the machine capable of accommodating over a dozen space energy crystals in three positions, sighing helplessly.

"I thought the space energy crystals from the Tesseract would suffice, but I was overly optimistic. Long-distance transmissions across the galaxy consume over 30 pieces each time, and I have fewer than 3,000 left. It seems prudent to conserve them for the future."

Ivan pondered. Although the Tesseract remains on Earth, it's under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s protection. While Ivan could obtain, doing so would require aligning with Hydra, a path he vehemently rejects. Despite nominally belonging to Hydra and controlling its research department, Ivan maintains a strained relationship with other Hydra factions.

This might sound incredulous, but it's true. Initially, Ivan cunningly took away most of Hydra's scientific research members, acquiring numerous black technologies alongside alien technology from the Kryptonian spacecraft. However, Ivan kept these from other Hydra factions. To gain technical support from him, others had to exchange significantly higher-value items, leaving Hydra leaders disgruntled. Despite their grievances, they had to endure, recognizing the advanced technology in Ivan's possession. Ivan's actions led to intense animosity among Hydra leaders, who would readily criticize him if given the chance, but they dared not confront him.

Currently, Ivan remains patient. When the Avengers' plot begins, the cube will inevitably appear. He could borrow it from Thor and extract additional energy crystals if need be.

With a plan in mind, Ivan stopped dwelling on the issue. After loading the space energy crystals into the groove, he activated the space shuttle device. A blue beam shot out, creating a space wormhole several meters ahead. Ivan entered immediately, and the wormhole vanished.

Upon passing through the wormhole, Ivan found himself in an empty room. The only occupants were a space shuttle machine akin to the spaceship and a blue-beaded platform.

He had returned to Earth, specifically a room in the underground laboratory on Skull Island. The blue bead on the space shuttle represented a space coordinate.

Anticipating potential adversaries with spatial control abilities, Ivan prepared the coordinate to navigate through space turbulence. This foresight proved valuable during this instance.

Ivan assessed Skull Island's status through his mental power, finding everything normal and relieving him. He then communicated with the star whale on the seabed, which exhibited a temperamental reaction, causing stormy waves. Ivan took time to soothe it before leaving the laboratory.

Outside, Ivan promptly summoned the genius doctor and instructed him to gather all the mutants. In their presence, he expressed his desire to explore the universe and provide a way back for mutants. He encouraged active participation and presented compensation conditions.

Participating mutants would receive a set of mutant suits with transformative abilities. Additionally, they would carry three special life-healing potions for emergencies. Task completion would earn contribution points exchangeable for valuable items like eternal youth potions, longevity elixirs, and protective magic items.

The universe's development remained for the mutants' benefit, and Ivan granted a seven-day consideration period. Mutants could sign up during this time. After seven days, Ivan would lead them to space, with a second recruitment planned upon their return.

After explaining, Ivan delegated the registration task to the doctor and used Apparition to return to the farm. The anger needed to be vented, so as soon as he returned to the farm, Ivan comforted the three children, picked up Tina directly, and went into the room.