Stark looked curiously at the two kids whom Shiller brought when Venom was crouched pitifully in the corner, covering his mouth. He scrutinized Harley and Barry, then said: "I thought you were going to get Batman for backup. I didn't expect it to be two kids. How can they help?"
"You'll see." Shiller gave a universal answer. He looked up at the navigation map inside the Star Devouring Engine and said, "Let's go back to the Time Management Bureau first. We need to discuss our battle strategy."
The Star Devouring Engine was once a weapon created by the League of Murderers of the Metaverse to invade other universes. But Stark felt that turning a god's head into a weapon was a bit of a waste.
A weapon is either sufficiently massive or precision-based. But Star Devouring Engine occupied neither trait. The intensity of the light waves it can emit depends on its energy level. The targeting precision requires manual control. Considering the cost, it's not cost-effective at all. Any one of the Three Great Empires could easily replace it, just lacking the fright factor.
But, if we utilize the natural benefits of its celestial traits, it would become an irreplaceable weapon.
Typically, living creatures within the universe need dimensional jump equipment to cross dimensions and need to build portals to cross the interstellar barrier. But, that's not enough. The most difficult part is navigation.
A civilization cannot traverse to a universe without coordinates. Yet, to know the universal coordinates, one must first visit that universe. But to do that, one needs coordinates first. It's a classic catch-22.
However, the bodies of the five great deities have a natural advantage; they exist in every universe. They are universal coordinates, so they can travel between different universes anytime they want.
Thus, the Star Devouring Engine is, in fact, a perfect space vehicle for universal family use. Though it's fuel-guzzling, it is equipped with a Multiverse positioning system, capable of locating any universe and drive directly to it.
There are, however, exceptions. For instance, it couldn't recklessly rush into the two entangled Zombie Universes, as it might cause cosmic destruction. But once the Observer breaks the delicate coexistence of the two universes by maintaining a cosmic cycle, Stark could just drive the Star Devouring Engine out directly.
Stark had done in-depth research on the Star Devouring Engine, converting the universal positioning contained within the Planet Devourer's body into a visible navigation system. With a simple tap, it could automatically drive to a universe or manually activate the jump function to instantly reach a certain point.
But this handy space vehicle comes with shortcomings. Inherited from Planet Devourers, it's a gas-guzzler; every drive would gulp down a galaxy. Plus, Stark didn't specifically develop its weapon function. Though defensively robust, it doesn't have a strong offense except for crashing.
On the way home, those who had a big adventure in the Zombie Universe, like Helen, Eddie, and Spider-Man, retired to their quarters to sleep. Shiller and Stark took turns watching the navigational map to prevent any mishaps. Barry and Harley were playing chase in the lobby.
Not long after, Shiller went to sleep, then Stark. The two kids quieted down and boredly browsed the experimental data on the lab bench.
The Engine ran smoothly, and soon they arrived at the destination. The employees of the Time Management Bureau had never seen such a large entity and gathered outside the base to watch.
Shiller, stretching lazily as he exited, hugged Nick, who came to greet him, and said, "Your good days are coming, cyclops. The Time Management Bureau probably needs a bigger port. You know who to tax."
"Don't say that, I'm not a tax vampire. However, if any of the Three Great Empires of a universe are willing to donate resources for the construction of the Time Management Bureau's base, we are more than happy to help them with their time-related problems—a little help, all within legal and reasonable bounds—you know."
Shiller gave Nick a thumbs up. Stark walked up and grumpily said, "You must have known that Shiller was going to lure me into another universe. You didn't even bother to give a heads up! Once I go back, I will have Pepper cancel next quarter's donation to S.H.I.E.L.D!"
"Dad, cut it out." Helen, eyes still sleepy, walked out and said: "Even if you cancel the donation, the spending of the next quarter won't be reduced. You'll still need to pay an extra 20% of Doctor Schiller's consulting fee."
Stark turned, hoisted her up, pinched her cheek, and said grumpily, "Whose fault is that? Don't you know that all of this property is yours in the future?"
Helen rolled her eyes and said, "Jarvis was right. You really are not good at doing business, Tony. Have you considered this: the less the property, the less the tax. Say, I invested 20% in medical fees at the end of each quarter. At the beginning of the quarter, Doctor Schiller donates 15% back to me, then I can save at least 175% in taxes every year?"
Before Nick could be stared down by Stark's murderous glare, he said, "Don't look at me; I didn't teach her.... Come over, sweetie, do we have laws against child labor in New Jersey?"
At that time, Shiller went over to Eddie. Eddie smiled and said, "The help you've found is quite powerful. Venom said his tongue was almost ripped off."
"Didn't his time in Gotham teach him not to frighten people at random?" Shiller shook his head and said, "Let's not talk about that for now. I have a plan that needs your help..."
The group arrived at the office of the Time Management Bureau. Spider-Man bid everyone farewell. His universe, resurrected after Thanos's snap, has a lot of messes that he needs to handle. He quickly left through the Time Management Bureau's portal.
While Stark was off taking a break, three members of the Unscrupulous Quartet huddled together, a new plan was obviously brewing.
When Stark woke up, he found that many people had come to the Time Management Bureau.
Natasha, bored to the core, was braiding Harley's hair, while Thor and Loki were listening to Barry talk about another cosmos. Captain America and the Winter Soldier were inspecting the Time Management Bureau's conference room under Dr. Shiller's guidance, while the Black Panther, Spider Man and Dr. Banner were taking pictures of the massive Devourer Engine docked at the Time Management Bureau's harbor.
"Hey, Tony, long time no see." T'Challa strolled over with a smile and lightly punched Tony on the shoulder. Tony yawned and rolled his shoulders, "What's going on? How did so many people get here?"
"Nick said he has a plan, so he brought us all here. Reed and Pym were also supposed to come, but they're preoccupied with some unfinished experiments, so it's just us."
"Mr. Stark, I sent you a message on the Spider App, why didn't you reply?" Spider Man had ambled over while he was talking. Stark, quickly recognizing that this is the Peter from his universe, said, "I might have gotten mixed up, I thought you were a different Peter."
"Alright, don't be upset, kid, I'll put you on my special Spider Man focus list, it's not that I didn't think of doing this before, I just don't know how to use your app."
"What's this all about?" Stark spread his hands as he approached Nick, "Is this an Avengers reunion?"
"Speaking of which, when's the last time you all had a holiday?" asked Nick, glancing at the various superheroes in the room. Everyone looked back with a "how dare you ask" expression.
"S.H.I.E.L.D decided to organize a collective trip where our staff can visit several parallel universes. The main emphasis is on sightseeing, with the secondary focus on experiencing the new universes. Anybody want to join?"
One by one, people start to excuse themselves.
"Hey, hold up!" Nick banged on the table. "Show some respect, say you're eager to go!"
Loki held up a hand and retorted, "Who knows where you're planning to sell us to, this trick is getting old."
"Alright, superheroes, now several parallel universes need your benevolent intervention. Who wants to join?"
Everyone stopped in their tracks.
"No, Nick, you can't do this." Schiller stepped up to Nick. "Tomorrow is the day of the superheroes' psychological evaluation. If they go on a long trip, they'll miss the assessment. I believe they all care about their mental health..."
Suddenly, a blurry black shadow appeared behind Nick, gripping his shoulder and spinning him round. The shadow took Nick's hand and started waving it emphatically.
Natasha looked at Nick and said, "Traveling is the best way to relax and exercise. I can't wait to go on a long trip with so many good partners. Hurry up and start the journey, Director. I can't wait!"
"Yeah, Nick, we urgently need such a team building activity to enhance our cohesion." Dr. Banner also chimed in, "All present here are the hope of humanity. Increased interaction and communication would be beneficial."
Thor glanced at Shiller, then at Nick, and back at Shiller again, before stealthily taking a step to stand behind Nick, aligning with Loki's movement.
Nick then turned to Shiller and said, "How can the Avenger's team building activities not require a doctor's presence? You'll come with us, Shiller. We can discuss the psychological assessment afterwards."
"But we didn't evaluate last month, this time we can't again..."
"I'm the S.H.I.E.L.D Director, I make the rules. Constant psychological examinations don't exactly make for fun times either. Come on, friends, let's get lit! Tony, floor the gas, we're off!"
The sound of celebratory music filled the room, the lights suspended above the Devourer Engine hall flashing brightly. As the superheroes' drinks clinked together, the light made the bubbles reflect a dazzling array of colors.
Meanwhile, in the ominous silence of the cosmos, the massive engine, remodeled from the skull of the Planet Devourer, flared up to its maximum capacity, heading toward a blinking point in the vast universe.