Chapter 105: The Second Phase of the Rubik’s Cube Project

Although she was American, Hill cared deeply about her reputation and did not want rumors spreading about her sleeping with Michael. Hill began trying to break free from her restraints. As a female agent, she had been trained in escape techniques, but Michael had tied the knots in a peculiar way—no matter how she struggled, she couldn’t break free.

Earlier, she had observed the room and found no sharp object to cut the ropes. Finally, she thought of her shoes. Inside them were blades. After Michael threw her onto the bed, he took off her shoes and even used one to smash the light switch.

She struggled silently off the bed and groped in the darkness, trying to find her shoes. Like a cocoon writhing on the floor, Hill crawled toward the door and finally found her shoe. Carefully, she took out the blade and slowly cut through the ropes.

Putting her shoes back on, Hill glared at Michael with gritted teeth, unable to bear the humiliation. “I really want to slap your face, mess up your appearance—are you even a man? Damn you. Gwen will dump you sooner or later, you bastard.” After cursing softly, she quietly opened the door and slipped out.

She feared Michael would get up and tie her up again. After what had just happened, she knew her combat skills were no match for his. Moreover, seduction was useless—she couldn’t even fool a kid like him. She’d need to seek advice from Natasha in the future.

But she absolutely would not admit that she lacked charm; it was definitely Michael being too cunning.

Hearing the door open and footsteps, Michael chuckled to himself.

Back in her room, Hill’s anger grew, but she was helpless and could only accept her misfortune. Eventually, she reported the incident to Director Coulson.

Nick Fury acknowledged the report, assuring her that no matter what happened, as long as they were here, no trouble would arise. Seeing Fury’s confidence, Hill warned him to be cautious; Michael’s close-combat skills rivaled Captain America’s and he possessed special abilities like teleportation.

Fury frowned, then pulled up a video clip and asked, “Is this the ability you mean?”

Hill watched a black-clad figure fighting the Green Goblin and nodded, confirming, “That’s the ability.”

Fury frowned deeply. Now he understood why Jin Bing had submitted to Michael without any retaliation—not because he didn’t want to, but because he couldn’t.

***

In the early hours of the next day, the group gathered together.

Michael yawned and asked Banner, “How was last night? Did you sleep with the female agent?”

Banner’s eyes flickered nervously. “What female agent? What are you talking about?” He admitted to developing some feelings, but nothing had progressed beyond that.

Michael smirked, then turned to Tony. “What exactly is the second phase?”

“Using the Tesseract to make weapons,” Tony replied.

Steve pulled out a case and opened it to reveal a weapon resembling an M16, though the barrel was thick, more like a cannon.

“This is the weapon they produced in their second phase,” Steve explained.

Michael picked it up, examined it, and began disassembling it with some tools. Tony watched with interest, and Banner joined them as others gathered around.

Soon, Michael finished taking it apart.

Max analyzed, “The small barrel on top looks like an electromagnetic pulse device or something similar.”

Tony added, “That should be an energy pulse stabilizer, which makes the projectile more stable when fired.”

Banner used a device to scan a clip resembling a battery, saying, “Gamma ray fluctuations match the Tesseract’s energy signature. We can confirm this weapon is powered by Tesseract energy.”

Michael commented, “A crude weapon—it looks like a rifle combined with a grenade launcher, but it’s more like a shotgun or a hand cannon from a video game.”

“It draws energy, focuses it, then fires, able to blast large holes in walls, but probably can’t shoot very far,” Michael said.

As a weapons expert, Tony nodded, “Long charge time, short effective range, might perform worse than modern weapons in real combat, but its power equals about ten grenades. Still, it’s pretty trash.”

Tony looked around the group and then at Steve. “Comrades, our suspicions were right—they are indeed using the Tesseract to make weapons. Their purpose is definitely not simple; they already have some prototypes.”

Though Thor didn’t fully understand, he grasped the gravity of the situation.

“Looks like you owe Loki thanks, otherwise you’d still be in the dark. Who knows when the war might break out.”

Nick Fury entered just then. Everyone looked up in unison, making Fury feel like he was being watched.

“Glad to see such unity,” he remarked.

“Sir,” Steve said with some disappointment, “are you hiding something?”

Michael picked up a laser sight detached from the weapon and pointed it at Fury. “You have the right to remain silent, but everything you say will be used as evidence.”

Fury was puzzled but cooperated, raising his hands. “What’s wrong, guys? What am I hiding?”

Tony pulled out a laptop and asked, “What is the second phase of the Cosmic Cube project? Tell us.”

“You hacked into our system?” Fury asked.

“That’s irrelevant. Fury, I found the weapons you made in your warehouse,” Tony said.

Fury looked at Steve, exasperated. “I’m supposed to supervise and lead them. How did you all get so assimilated? Following them and causing chaos.”

Fury tried to defend himself. “Gentlemen, we’re collecting everything related to the Cube, but that doesn’t mean we’re making weapons with it.”

“Cut the crap, Fury,” Tony interrupted.

He pulled up blueprints of weapons designed by S.H.I.E.L.D. and showed them to Fury. “Nothing’s changed, Director Fury.”

With solid evidence, Fury had no choice but to stay silent.

At that moment, Thor and Natasha entered. Natasha had used her skills to extract from Loki that he planned to use the Hulk.

Seeing Natasha, Banner felt betrayed. The talk of saving the world was just a cover—they had lost a critical weapon and were now searching the globe for it.

Summoning courage, the usually timid Banner stepped forward. “You know about this too?”

Natasha sensed Banner’s mood but tried to comfort him; otherwise, they’d fall into Loki’s trap.

“Doctor?” she prompted.

Banner cut her off. “I was in Calcutta; this has nothing to do with me.”

Michael noticed Banner’s unusual agitation. He shouldn’t be this upset. Had Loki already cast mind control on him? When did that happen?