When Dragon Balls Descend Upon Marvel

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

Eddie and Anne had both officially joined Capsule Corporation, and in their new positions they quickly made their mark.

Yet at home, they still followed news about the Life Foundation. Through Fox, they learned that investigations into the company were ongoing and nearing conclusion. When the final results came, Eddie would be invited to witness Drake's downfall.

With that reassurance from Fox, Eddie calmed down, quietly waiting for judgment to arrive.

Meanwhile, Smith Dole, between training sessions, often made time to visit S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. He would dig into the Avengers' fund usage or audit some project just to turn Nick Fury's face stormy.

······

Elsewhere.

At the Life Foundation's San Francisco laboratory, the 36th life interaction experiment was underway.

Dr. Dora Skirth explained to Drake:

"Two different organisms undergoing symbiotic interaction—the key is they require an oxygen-breathing host. If successful, they can survive for long periods in Earth's rich-oxygen environment."

Drake, watching the experiment, raised a question:

"Then why do hosts show such violent rejection?"

Dr. Skirth answered:

"We're still investigating the exact cause."

The machine beeped, signaling the next stage. The symbiote slithered into the test rabbit's body.

"The bonding process has begun."

Moments later, the instruments stabilized.

Dr. Skirth smiled.

"The reaction is stable."

Both turned their eyes to the sealed chamber. The rabbit behaved normally, alive and well.

Drake's face broke into an excited grin.

"But why? Why does it work on the rabbit, when the previous thirty-five tests all failed?"

Dr. Skirth explained:

"It's a bit like an organ transplant."

"You mean the donor and recipient must be compatible?" Drake asked.

She nodded.

"Exactly."

Drake's excitement grew.

"Then think of it this way: if these organisms can survive here when bonded, then under the same conditions, we can survive in their world."

At first, Dr. Skirth nodded in agreement—then her eyes widened.

"You mean… us?"

Drake nodded firmly.

"Yes, us!"

"If they can live on that comet, then once bonded, that world can become our new habitat. A planet free of industrial pollution, rich in resources. Even if only partly habitable, it could be a stepping stone to other worlds."

Understanding dawned on her.

Drake gave his order:

"Begin human trials."

"Too soon," Dr. Skirth protested. "If the match fails—"

Drake cut her off sharply.

"Doctor Skirth, we're on the edge of a breakthrough. I need you to be brave."

"But the ethics—"

"Think of the next generation!" Drake barked.

"Earth's environment is collapsing. Think of your child. Don't you want them to have a future?"

At that, her resistance crumbled. She had joined the Life Foundation to find humanity a new home, a new environment.

"Begin human trials," Drake repeated, and left the lab.

In his office, gazing out at the night skyline, his thoughts had already shifted to preparing the launch of his second spacecraft.

······

Meanwhile.

S.H.I.E.L.D. had made progress of its own. Under Coulson's command, a recovery team combing near the wreckage site of Captain America's crash uncovered something extraordinary—his shield.

When Coulson saw it, he was overwhelmed. As a lifelong Captain America fan, laying eyes on the shield was like meeting his idol in person.

In Nick Fury's office:

"Director, if we've recovered the shield, then Steve must have crashed nearby. If we keep searching, we'll find him. As the first superhero and the leader of the Howling Commandos who shattered Hydra's schemes, bringing Steve back still carries immense meaning."

Fury's lips curled into a rare smile.

"Coulson, your persistence always pays off. Now that we have Steve Rogers' shield, I believe you'll find him before long."

Whether they recovered his body alive or not, politically it was invaluable. Even his corpse would be a treasure.

Steve had fallen into icy seas and glaciers. If his shield was preserved in ice, so too might his body be.

He was the only soldier to survive the Super Soldier Serum. To Fury, even a corpse meant priceless research. The military and corporations alike had dabbled in recreating the serum with partial results. With Steve's body as a sample, a stable and effective serum might finally be possible.

Though not equal to Smith Dole's strength, an army of super soldiers would still be a world-shaking force. In today's world, where battle power could be measured, even reaching 8—the human peak—was rare.

Fury gave his order:

"Coulson, assign more personnel to the search. With the shield recovered, Steve won't be far. Run simulations of the shield and body falling together—search those projected zones."

"Yes, Director," Coulson replied firmly. "With the shield as a reference point, finding Captain America will be much easier."

With one last glance at the shield on Fury's desk, Coulson left the office, determined.

······

(End of Chapter)

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