Marvel: Chapter 137

Chapter 137: Searching for Answers

Kang stood before a picture of Markus, examining the features of the man. 


"He is young." Kang commented. 


"He is the son of the deceased Marcellus Hanley, a philanthropist and a revolutionary." Explained a minion. 


"Oh, was his father a mutant or someone with superpowers?" 


Kang's question made the minion shake his head in denial. "Negative. He was a businessman, a normal human. Or that's what these articles say."


"Interesting." Kang frowned. 'I don't see any Markus Hanley in other timelines, at least not ones that are this guy. And the only Marcellus I could find, died before the age of twenty… How is that possible?'


Kang wondered. 'Was his father an anomaly too? That might explain it.'


He read the information on Markus but there was very little he could find on him. 


"He is a mutant with strong abilities and grew up away from the public eye." Kang's frown grew deeper. "Is that all?"


"Unfortunately, yes sire." The minion's response made Kang stare at the screen. 


"Markus Hanley… I need to find out more about you. For the TVA to scout you… I wonder what you did."


…

…


[[Nathaniel Essex]]


I had seen countless men, each coming with promises to get me to help or work for them. But the only man to keep his words has been the one standing before me. 


Marcellus Hanley, or Markus… As he goes by now. 


"Are these the designs?" He asked, looking at the blueprints with amazement. "You never disappoint me, Nathaniel."


"They are." I answered. "Just as you instructed, I designed them to break down tech when it's shot. This does not necessarily cause physical harm to living beings but disables most of the technology known till date… and even the samples of technology that you provided."


It wasn't easy but I knew he needed them for a reason. And the reason was not a simple one. 


"So, you are not taking those kids with you?" 


He shook his head. "I ain't. As much of a selfish person I am, I am not willing to sacrifice them in warfare. I know they can handle themselves well but a war against a warlord is not easy." 


"Despite that. You can win." My statement made him nod. 


"I can. But how many countries or even continents do you think would be destroyed if I went headfirst into the battle?" His reasons were honourable. 


"How are you going to seclude the army?" 


"I will need the army to be engaged to be able to pull that. For that, I am going to have the Inhumans fight his army." He answered.


"And you are willing to let them die?"


He laughed. "I have always been a hypocrite, Nathaniel. But aren't we all? Everyone wants to protect the ones close to them even at the cost of others." He said, leaning on the wall. "I am no different. I was a normal guy, remember? I was also someone who once wanted to have a degree and wanted to get a high paying job, have a loving wife and settle down."


True. He was a teenager when I met him, now he is someone capable of leading billions. 


"So, some of those traits stayed with me. The traits of being a normal human who cared for his family and friends over others." He said. "And now given the choice of my people or theirs… You already know which one I chose."


"What about your reality manipulation? Can't you make Kang disappear?"


"Not possible." He immediately answered. "I can erase him but my reality manipulation is not of the level to do it without backlash. The cosmic entities would notice and the authority above us would definitely interfere. And the countless ripples it would create by removing Kang is not something I can handle, not without consequences."


"So, a war is a must?" I sighed. "What about altering his memories, emotions and personality?"


"He has countless ruthless and war-hungry soldiers under him. If I did that, it would result in them going against Kang, which would…" He shook his head. "Result in another war and Earth might suffer from it."


"You have a lot to consider." 


"I do." He said and put on a soft smile. "But forget it. I will handle all of it, somehow. But how is your wife and your kid?"


The question made a smile bloom on my face. "Oh, they are doing fantastic. It took Rebecca a while to get a hang of the current technology and my little guy is a natural when it comes to these things. He says he wants to be an engineer when he grows up."


Markus listened to the tales with a smile on his face. 


"Reminds me of the days with Peggy and when Magnus wanted to be an athlete." He mumbled. "Ah, shit. I didn't want to get all nostalgic."


A chuckle left my mouth without realisation. "It's alright. Memories are what keeps a man awake at night. Good… bad. It doesn't matter."


"Yeah. You are right." He agreed. "After this war, and dealing with another issue that is soon to follow. I am thinking of…"


"Thinking of?" 


He took a deep breath. "Look into my dad's past."


"Now, that's interesting. Any specific reason?" That was quite surprising. 


"I feel like there are some things that I don't know about him and maybe even mom didn't." He explained. "Well, I'll figure it out… soon."


"Good Luck." Putting down the designs, I looked towards the other room. "Well, Rebecca should be done with the food. You will be surprised by her carbonara, she still has her cooking skills."


"Oho." Markus grinned. "Now you have raised my expectations, Nathaniel. I hope you don't disappoint."


"Taste and judge for yourself."


"You bet I will."