Beyond Earth, there were planets teeming with life, and these extraterrestrials were far more powerful than humans!
It sounded unbelievable, but when spoken by Kyle, the Symbol of Peace, it became an undeniably credible truth.
After Kyle had answered the previous questions, the representatives of various agencies were pale-faced and restless in their seats. They seemed eager to leave and return to their respective departments to convene meetings for further discussion.
As if sensing their intentions, Kyle raised his hand and said, "Let's call it a night here. I also need some rest."
"Mr. Kyle, please be sure to visit the CIA when you have the time. We will extend the highest courtesy to you," The CIA representative quickly stood up and spoke with a look of deference on his face.
"The FBI welcomes Mr. Kyle for a visit as well," The FBI representative followed suit without hesitation.
"As for our military..." Rhodes began to speak but was promptly interrupted by Natasha.
"Alright, you all need to calm down," Natasha huffed, speaking frankly, "Don't forget that Mr. Kyle is the chief consultant of SHIELD. If you have any concerns, please contact SHIELD for any further communication."
The representatives of various agencies fell silent after hearing those words. It was a known fact that Symbol of Peace Kyle had held the honorary position of Chief Consultant in the newly established SHIELD over sixty years ago, as recorded in the archives.
"When you leave, please take the surviving terrorist with you and send someone to clean up the scene," Kyle said.
"We will investigate this matter thoroughly and provide you with an explanation."
"For them to lay a hand on the Symbol of Peace, I think those behind this have had enough time to live!" Several representatives agreed, their malicious gazes converging on the man tied to the chair. The leader of the terrorists remained unconscious but shivered suddenly, sensing something was amiss.
After the representatives of various departments left, Elle couldn't contain her urge to return to the news company.
Kyle looked at her and offered a meaningful reminder, "You should know what can be reported in the newspapers and what cannot be disclosed to the public. I won't say more."
"I understand," Elle nodded obediently, her expression reminiscent of a chicken pecking for food.
She was well aware that certain topics, such as the return of the Symbol of Peace, the existence of life-bearing planets beyond Earth, and the new era of extraterrestrial warfare, could be openly reported. However, the mysterious organization that Kyle belonged to was better left unsaid.
After Elle left, Kyle's gaze settled on Tony, who still seemed somewhat dazed. He spoke calmly, "Tony, as you've just learned, there are many life-bearing planets beyond Earth. Your father, Howard, has a high probability of being alive on one of those planets!"
"In the future, I will venture into outer space again to find them. If you have the same intention, then strengthen yourself and acquire the necessary skills for self-preservation at the very least."
Kyle's words carried a deeper meaning, piercing into Tony's heart.
Clasping his fists tightly, Tony stood up from his seat and met Kyle's gaze, his words tinged with confusion, "Godfather, I don't know if what I'm going to do in the future is considered right by others."
"Why care about what others think?" Kyle smiled and raised his left hand. He lightly tapped the Arc Reactor on Tony's chest and spoke. "Be bold in your actions, Tony. Regardless of societal norms, do it as long as you believe it's the right thing to do! Besides, in the future, only the strong will have choices. The weak won't."
"I understand," Tony nodded, his gaze growing resolute. "Godfather, I have something to attend to. I'll take my leave."
"Go ahead," Kyle patted his shoulder. Tony immediately walked out of the ballroom without looking back.
As Kyle watched his retreating figure, he faintly saw a trace of Howard in him.
Like a determined will forged from scrap, he would become the unyielding Iron Man!
"Iron Man, it's your time..." Kyle muttered softly to himself. He then turned around, and by now, Fury and Natasha had approached him.
Fury looked at him with surprise and curiosity, asking, "Kyle, why did you reveal the extraterrestrial information? Once this news spreads, it will likely cause a worldwide sensation tomorrow, leading to panic and social unrest."
"Because it's the truth," Kyle chuckled lightly. "Only an ostrich would face imminent danger and willingly bury its head in the sand, deluding itself that— I am not an ostrich so I am safe."
He paused for a moment and continued, "Instead of allowing the world to experience despair and suffering when extraterrestrial warfare arrives, learning from it only afterward, I'd rather break the world's outdated framework of understanding. I want them to be prepared and vigilant ahead of time."
Fury and Natasha nodded, seemingly understanding his intentions, and looked at the man before them with even more respect and admiration.
If Kyle was once the eagle in the sky, breaking free from the constraints of Earth and gazing down at the stars and seas from the heavens.
Now, Kyle was like a dragon soaring freely in the sky, casually reaching down to break open the well's mouth, allowing those inside to catch a glimpse of the stars and seas.
---
**The Next Morning**
In the bustling city, tens of thousands of people, following their monotonous routines, dressed in formal attire and left their homes early. They bought breakfast from roadside stalls and picked up a newspaper at the corner shop.
However, when they arrived at the newsstand, they unexpectedly found many office workers gathered around the entrance, each holding a newspaper, and reading with grave expressions on their faces.
"Boss, give me a copy of The New York Times!" Curt, an ordinary office worker, habitually called out as he approached the newsstand, carrying his briefcase.
"The New York Times? Sold out, there were a thousand copies, and al of them just sold out!" The owner replied.
"Sold out?" Curt was astonished.
"Don't you know? Something big happened! The New York Times for today is basically sold out everywhere!" The owner sighed as he spoke. The fact that the newspapers were sold out didn't bring him any joy; instead, his face looked grave.
"What's going on..." Curt asked in surprise. He leaned closer to a youngster next to him who was holding The New York Times. When his gaze fell on the newspaper's headlines, it sent a shiver down his spine.
"'Symbol of Peace Kyle Returns, looking Young as Ever!'"
This was just the subheading, and it was already enough to shock anyone. However, the even more astonishing and perplexing news headlines were yet to come.
"'The First Man in Earth's History to Step Beyond Earth and into the Stars!'"
"'Symbol of Peace's Extraterrestrial Statements— Advanced Extraterrestrial Life Beyond Earth!'"
"'Legendary Hero Declares: Humanity's Greatest Foe Will Come from Outer Space!'"
Every headline was bold and eye-catching.
"My God, what's going on!" Curt exclaimed with a wide-eyed look on his face. He wished he could snatch The New York Times away and read it carefully.
The New York Times was an authoritative newspaper in the industry; it wouldn't spread fictional information without reason.
If the news headlines were indeed true...
"Times are changing," Curt gasped, unable to hide his shock.
**(End of this chapter)**