108: Red Queen's Upgrade?!

The prompt in his mind made Andrew immediately enter the game.

Familiarizing himself with some hints, the in-game time was also night. 

On the pond where the four-leaf clover grew, fireflies still fluttered around.

After returning, the frog cub sat at his desk and started writing in his travel diary. 

Andrew didn't rush to check out the specialties, first buying a lunchbox for the frog cub and some items to strengthen him.

Watching the frog cub's small body writing at the table, Andrew's mouth curled into an unconscious smile.

After observing for a while, Andrew clicked to view the new travel specialties.

There were two specials from this trip.

Seeing the first icon, Andrew's eyes narrowed: "This is?"

The icon showed a black USB drive. 

He still remembered the last time he'd obtained a USB drive, it was the Red Queen's AI program.

What would this one be?

Andrew recalled the world the frog cub had been to, and vaguely guessed. 

Clicking the USB icon brought up info:

[Skynet]: Specialty of "Terminator" world, the artificial intelligence defense system's product of Skynet's self-awareness, with rich knowledge of weapons and robot manufacturing.

(Note: Can be combined with the Red Queen to give her a more powerful AI program.)

"Unexpectedly, the frog cub went to the Terminator world again." 

From the specialty description Andrew understood the frog cub's travel destination.

As the system said before, he seemed to have an obsession with that world, so kept going back.

The specifics of this obsession weren't clear yet.

"We can only find out by waiting for his little friend's visit and reading his diary."

Andrew then clicked the second icon, which resembled a skull.

[T-1000 Skull]: Specialty of "Terminator" world, the severed head of T-1000 model Terminator. 

After handing it to the Red Queen for research, liquid biomimetic metal technology can be obtained.

"This is just right to upgrade Gwen's battlesuit."

Anyone who's seen Terminator knows how insane that liquid metal is.

Twirling the skull in his hand, Andrew took out the black USB drive.

"Queen, ready for an upgrade?"

The Red Queen's voice responded at once: "Ready, Master."

Her current AI level was only slightly above JARVIS. 

But Andrew knew entities like Ultron and Vision would come later in the Marvel Universe. 

Born from the Mind Gem, those two were the true pinnacle of artificial intelligence.

The Red Queen was unhackable. 

But Andrew didn't want her helpless in the future against AIs like Ultron, bent on destroying humanity.

He plugged the USB into the car system, now completely taken over by the Red Queen. 

Plugging it in here was no different than using his home laptop.

Inserting the drive, the Red Queen's avatar was instantly surrounded by streams of blue numbers. 

Then text appeared on screen:

[Upgrade time: 12 hours. Will power down after upgrade.]

Seeing the prompt, Andrew wasn't too concerned. He stepped on the gas pedal, flying back home.

In Gwen's room, Pikachu happily continued eating half-finished potato chips. 

Gwen said "Pikachu, stay here."

"Don't make too much noise before I'm back from showering." 

"Once cousin Anna leaves, you can go back."

Busy eating, Pikachu nodded happily: "Pika..."

Seeing Pikachu occupied, Gwen left the room.

Downstairs, she overheard her mom hanging up after dad Joe called saying he couldn't come home tonight. 

Seeing Gwen come down, her mom said "Looks like your dad's in a fix again tonight."

Not to worry her, Gwen naturally wouldn't mention tonight's happenings. 

"Mom, it's always been like this for him."

"But that's good news right?"

Hearing Gwen, her mom also smiled. 

She preferred George being tied up with such trivialities daily, rather than anything life-threatening.

"Alright, go shower, you're all dirty."

Gwen also smiled "Okay. You should sleep too."

Thirteen blocks away, the tramp under the streetlight watched Anna go back upstairs. 

Pressing his earpiece, the tramp rasped: "Those two women have an unusual relationship with Andrew."

"We could start with them."

"Remember what they look like?"

The tramp nodded: "Definitely." 

Saying so, he got up from the ground.

Blue scales rippled across his body.

In a moment, from a disheveled vagrant he shifted into Anna's likeness.

Next, the scales rippled again, becoming gentle, caring Gwen. 

Then the figure changed back into the tramp. 

In Marvel universe, only Mystique of the Mutant Brotherhood had this ability. 

Mystique's peculiar eyes looked upstairs, speaking slowly: "Shall we act now?"

"Return first. Find out those women's identities." 

"Make a new plan for Andrew."

Mystique frowned: "He's just some nouveau riche. Why be so cautious?" 

A scoff sounded from the earpiece: "You think some average nouveau riche would provoke Nick Fury himself?"

"Charles spoke with him too, and now keeps his distance."

Mystique's eyes narrowed, her interest piqued: "Charles has been in contact with him?"

"Yes, I just found out."

"Just in case, come back first." 

"Don't know if Xavier's school has sent someone nearby. Best not reveal yourself so quickly."

Mystique looked around warily, regretting her rash transformation earlier.

But only a little. 

As a key Mutant Brotherhood member, she scorned Xavier's group. 

Mystique packed up and left...

To others, just a homeless man gathering his newspapers and changing his sleeping place...

To be continued...