"For now… we're on our own."
Peter turned toward Banner and the others, his tone calm but decisive.
The U.S. military wouldn't recover anytime soon. With the Pentagon—the command center—and the White House—the administrative core—both crippled, it would take time before any coordinated counterattack could even be organized.
Hill understood that perfectly.
After watching the footage, her gaze instinctively shifted to Peter.
She didn't hesitate.
After a brief moment of thought, she strode over, dismissed the nearby agents, and spoke in a lowered voice.
"Can you lead a team there?"
Her tone was unusually gentle.
Almost… pleading.
"I know this mission is extremely dangerous. But if we can shut down the portal and capture Loki… we still have a chance."
From every angle, this was the only viable plan.
But the difficulty—
Was beyond extreme.
That battlefield was a sea of enemies. Just as Peter had predicted earlier, Loki hadn't appeared alone—he had brought an army.
To send a small team charging into that storm…
Was no different from suicide.
"I'll go."
The voice didn't belong to Peter.
Before he could respond, Steve Rogers stepped forward.
His expression was resolute. His gaze unwavering.
"I'll lead the team."
He looked toward the tactical screen, where Loki stood surrounded by countless alien soldiers, laughing arrogantly.
"I've been thinking… there must be a reason I woke up."
His voice was steady, carrying a quiet conviction.
"I slept in ice for seventy years… only to awaken in this era. That can't be meaningless."
He clenched his fists slightly.
"This—this is why I'm here."
There was no fear in his eyes.
Only determination.
Peter looked at him for a moment, then reached out and patted his shoulder, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Cap… I respect the spirit."
He paused.
"But your strength…"
The rest didn't need to be said.
Back in World War II, Steve Rogers had led the Howling Commandos on countless deep-strike missions behind enemy lines.
But back then—
He had been among the strongest.
Now?
This was a different era.
Being a symbol didn't mean you could ignore the gap in raw power.
"Director," Steve said, ignoring Peter's remark entirely, "let me go. I have the resolve—and the confidence."
Hill looked at him for a long moment.
Then—
She hesitated.
And finally…
Her gaze shifted to Peter.
That single motion hit harder than any words.
For the ninety-year-old soldier, it was a silent answer.
Was he… already outdated?
Peter let out a small sigh.
"You two are making this feel like a stage play."
He rubbed his temples, then waved a hand dismissively.
"I'll go."
He glanced at Steve.
"You're coming too. Stick with me—you'll be useful."
A decapitation strike on Loki?
That sounded just fine.
With the Tesseract currently being used to sustain the portal, Peter didn't believe Loki would have the luxury of escaping again.
And if Loki fell—
The Mind Stone would be within reach.
Of course…
That was assuming he could carve his way through an entire alien army.
"I want all the Avengers," Peter continued. "And I want full fire support."
His tone grew sharper.
"And you—"
He looked directly at Hill.
"As the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., I want you to request international support."
He didn't give her time to react.
"Whether we succeed or fail, those aliens aren't stopping here. If you don't want Earth turned into scorched ruins… you'll need everyone."
Hill frowned slightly.
The first part was fine.
But the latter…
As an American, she naturally believed the U.S. military was the strongest force in the world.
International aid?
Would any other nation's army really be stronger?
And even if they had hidden capabilities—
Would they truly risk everything for the United States?
But this wasn't the time to argue.
After a brief hesitation, she nodded.
"Understood."
Peter's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Good."
"Give me one hour to prepare."
…
The moment Hill agreed, Peter sprang into action.
Steve, who had seemed momentarily shaken before, quickly regained his composure and followed closely behind.
For once—
He was unusually cooperative.
"Captain Rogers," Peter began as they walked, "your mindset is admirable. But your strength… isn't enough for this kind of fight."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a vial filled with a deep purple serum.
"This is Umbrella's latest product."
He held it out.
"If you're willing—"
Before he could finish, Steve had already extended his hand.
"I was the test subject for the Super Soldier Serum once."
His voice was calm.
"I don't mind being one again."
Peter paused for a moment… then nodded slightly.
There it was.
That unwavering willingness to sacrifice.
Admirable.
"Relax," Peter said with a faint chuckle. "This won't kill you."
He gave the vial a light shake.
"It's a universal formula—no need for genetic customization. As for the effects…"
A glint flashed in his eyes.
"You'll find out soon enough."
He wasn't about to charge into a battlefield like this only to babysit Captain America.
If Steve was coming—
He needed to level up.
…
"Dr. Banner."
Peter turned his attention to the other man.
"Care to join us?"
Banner let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair.
"…Feels like saying no isn't really an option, does it?"
Peter smiled.
"If you don't want to, no one's forcing you."
But both of them knew—
That wasn't entirely true.
At this point, the available forces aboard the Helicarrier were limited.
Peter.
The Hulk.
An enhanced Captain America.
And Sona as support.
As for Natasha and Hawkeye—
Peter had no intention of bringing them along.
In a frontal assault like this, their effectiveness wouldn't even match that of a tank.
But even this lineup…
Wasn't enough.
Without another word, Peter pulled out his phone.
And made two calls.
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T/N:
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