"Shadow Council?"
"If it is really the Shadow Council behind this surveillance, then they must know that we are dealing with Attuma, but why did they not come to help Attuma escape? I think it should not be a difficult thing for the Shadow Council to give Attuma some assistance at that time?"
Listening to Reed's words carefully, Sebastian nodded thoughtfully and said, "Maybe to some extent, they have given up on Attuma as expendable, or maybe they themselves threw Attuma out as bait to lure us. The Shadow Council is different from us in their operations. They not only use each other for their goals, but also guard against each other constantly. If the benefits of giving up a member as bait are huge enough, I do not think they will hesitate to give up that member."
Reed agreed completely with Sebastian's words. He nodded and said, "If that is the case, then I understand their strategy. When I go back to my laboratory, I will find a way to conduct a reverse investigation with Tony. If the two of us join forces and combine our expertise, we should be able to find out who the owner of this surveillance device is sooner or later."
The issue of the monitor came to an end for now, and Tony ended his communication call.
He first looked at Black Bolt and said, "Black Bolt, this shipment of supplies will be delivered to you on the west coast of the Inhuman Nation in three days as planned."
Black Bolt nodded slightly in acknowledgment, expressing his understanding of the arrangement.
Seeing this, Tony patted Black Bolt on the shoulder in a friendly manner and turned to Sebastian. "The person I just spoke to was Steve Rogers. He wants you to reconsider leaving the Avengers just because of a momentary anger. He said you are a valuable member of the Avengers, and it would be a shame to leave because of internal discord and disagreements."
"Tony, what do you think about this situation?"
"I think you can leave if you want to. The Avengers are not the only organization in this world dedicated to world peace and protecting people; the Illuminati are doing the same work as well.
Besides, the Avengers are growing in number now, and their ideologies are diverging in different directions. They are no longer as pure and unified as they once were. In fact, if I did not have some unfinished things to deal with within the Avengers, I might have chosen to leave as well.
And you are already drifting away from the Avengers, are you not?"
Sebastian smiled and nodded in agreement. After all, Tony understood him better than most people.
Sebastian did not continue discussing the issue about the Avengers organization. Sebastian looked at Tony and said, "You heard what Reed said just now. I always feel that this whole matter is a bit strange and suspicious.
Especially Carol's attitude and style of doing things. Although there is not much difference from her behavior before, I always feel that she is too reckless and eager in her actions. I think there must be something wrong here that we are missing.
From now on, you and Reed should secretly investigate among the Avengers members, not only Carol, but also Medusa and Raina. I think there seems to be something wrong with the three of them specifically."
"Okay, I see what you mean."
As soon as Tony finished speaking, Reed spoke again with an announcement, "I am sorry, Stark, but you may need to investigate this matter yourself. I have just decided that the Fantastic Four will become independent and no longer participate in the activities of the Avengers organization.
However, we can maintain a cooperative relationship with the Avengers to a certain extent. The Fantastic Four will let Susan participate in some activities of the Avengers as a non-staff member, which can be regarded as our connection and liaison with the Avengers."
"Are you guys quitting too?"
Tony was genuinely surprised by Reed and the Fantastic Four's departure announcement. Reed and the others actually got along quite well with the Avengers members, especially Reed, who was considered the Avengers' second brain after Tony and had been incredibly helpful with strategy. Therefore, the Avengers held Reed in high regard and respect.
Shrugging, Reed said, "As Stark said, the Avengers are not the only organization maintaining world peace; the Fantastic Four are doing the same as well.
Furthermore, many of the Avengers' current affairs have taken up too much of our time and energy, impacting some of our own research and scientific plans negatively.
We also genuinely dislike Carol's style of work and decision-making. It is best to separate now to avoid future conflict, as even cooperation would be impossible if tensions escalate."
With a frustrated sigh, Tony said, "We initially thought Carol would strengthen the Avengers significantly, but it seems their overall strength has not increased. In fact, it is weakened compared to when they fought Ultron. I do not know if letting her join was a good thing or a bad thing."
No one continued that conversation, but at that moment, Black Bolt spoke through their telepathic connection to all of them.
"I have not seen Medusa in ages. The few times I have seen her, I have noticed some strange changes in her personality and behavior. I just do not know the reason behind it."
Upon hearing Black Bolt's words, Sebastian and the other two exchanged glances, each seeing a solemn and worried look in their eyes. If it were simply Carol's increased recklessness and inability to distinguish right from wrong, then they could attribute this to their previous lack of understanding of her character. However, Medusa, who spent every day with Black Bolt and shared his bed with him as his wife, had also undergone a change that Black Bolt had clearly noticed. Perhaps the issue here was far more complex and sinister than they thought.
"I will secretly investigate their situation discreetly. If anything happens or I discover something, I will notify you immediately."
Sebastian and Reed looked at Tony and nodded in understanding of the plan.
...
Meanwhile, at Avengers Headquarters,
Raina stood on a balcony, gazing at the distant scenery with a blank expression. At that moment, her consciousness was suddenly pulled by some mysterious force into a new dimension beyond normal reality. Raina here was no longer the hideous, ferocious figure with quills covering her body that she appeared as in the real world. Instead, she possessed a breathtaking beauty and a sense of detached holiness that made her look almost angelic.
At this moment, Raina gently brushed her long black hair and bowed slightly in respect to the consciousnesses of Doctor Doom, The Mandarin, and Baron Mordo who appeared before her in this mental space. She said, "The arrival of the three of you means that the plan has changed, right?"
"As we agreed in our previous deal, we gave you greater precognitive power, a new, perfect appearance, and a beautiful body, and you were to complete our plan in return. Now things have changed with the Illuminati's interference. We want you to speed up the process and divide the Avengers as soon as possible, making them oppose each other, or even outright hostile to one another. Otherwise, under the pursuit of the Illuminati, you will not have time to slowly advance the mission."
Hearing this command, a solemn look appeared on Raina's face. She nodded slowly and said, "Okay, I will speed up the progress immediately. However, the lack of proper groundwork must be compensated by medicine. Please tell M.O.D.O.K. that I need three times the dosage of that mind control medicine. Only then can Carol and the others obey me completely!"
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