Chapter 81: False Memories

Chapter 81: Chapter 81: False Memories

Carol walked into the grand hall.

At the center of the chamber, countless silver-white filaments extended across the floor from beneath her feet, climbing up until they connected to her temples.

In the next instant, her consciousness entered a vast white space.

Every time she came to meet the Supreme Intelligence, she was struck by the same strange feeling of familiarity. It was as if she had experienced something like this before, long ago.

But she was certain of one thing. It wasn’t because she had met the Supreme Intelligence before.

Carol slowly opened her eyes. Within the endless sea of white light, a figure emerged and walked towards her.

He was a tall man with golden hair like her own. His face was sharply defined, handsome, and his powerful physique radiated strength.

Dressed in a dark blue combat suit with a flowing red cape billowing behind him, he carried an indescribable aura of authority.

He was the man she kept seeing in her dreams.

’Who is he? Why is he the person I remember most clearly?’

’Why does he feel... so familiar?’

’Like... family?’

The man continued walking towards her, his cape fluttering gently behind him.

’He’s incredibly powerful,’ Carol thought instinctively.

"Vers," the man said.

"Supreme Intelligence."

"Your commander has informed me that you’re ready to participate in missions."

The man formed by the Supreme Intelligence smiled warmly. For some reason, that smile made Carol feel as though she were standing beneath the warm rays of...

’The sun?’

The word suddenly appeared in her mind.

’The sun...’

’What is that?’

"Yes."

The harder Carol tried to recall her past, the more painful it became. The Supreme Intelligence looked at her calmly.

"You’re struggling. You’re trying to control your emotions... trying to bury the painful memories of your past."

As he spoke, holographic projections materialized beside them. Planet after planet floated through space.

"For hundreds of years, the Skrulls have expanded relentlessly, threatening the very survival of Kree civilization."

"You are merely one of their countless victims."

"Your family... your friends... everything you once had was destroyed by the Skrulls."

Sorrow filled the man’s expression.

"They infiltrate worlds by disguising themselves as others. They hide among the population before taking entire planets from within."

The projection changed. Skrull soldiers appeared, aiming their weapons directly at Carol. The image vanished.

The Supreme Intelligence continued, "You must let go of the fear born from your past."

"Use your courage."

"Use your anger."

"Protect the Kree Empire."

"And at the same time..."

"Avenge yourself."

Carol lowered her head, a deep sadness welled up inside her.

’Did I... really lose everything?’

For some reason, her heart ached. She looked back up at the Supreme Intelligence.

"My past is completely blank."

"If your appearance reflects the person closest to me..."

"...then why can’t I remember anything?"

The Supreme Intelligence smiled gently.

"Perhaps that is a blessing."

"It has allowed you to forget your painful past and become a purer Kree."

"The needs of the Kree Empire will always outweigh your individual desires."

Every word was carefully chosen, subtly reshaping Carol’s thoughts.

"We granted you extraordinary power."

"So that you could fight for the future of the Kree people."

Behind Carol’s neck, the inhibitor chip embedded in her skin began glowing faintly. Her eyes gradually became resolute as she clenched her fists.

"I long for battle."

"Then learn restraint."

"Remember your team, so do not rush ahead by yourself so recklessly again."

"We gave you this power so you could serve the Empire, not throw your life away."

"The Empire has endured centuries of invasion by the Skrulls.

"Every resource is precious, so you must devote your worth to the Kree civilization."

"And never forget, the power we bestowed upon you...can also be taken away."

Orange-gold energy ignited around Carol’s fists.

"I won’t disappoint you."

"You have a new mission, now complete it with honor and excellence." The Supreme Intelligence said with a smile.

"Yes!"

The white world faded and Carol’s consciousness returned to reality. She slowly opened her eyes, and a faint smile appeared on her face as she turned and walked out of the grand hall.

...

Carol boarded a Kree transport alongside the rest of her squad. They were members of Yon-Rogg’s unit.

"A new mission?" one of the soldiers asked.

"I’m guessing the Skrulls are causing trouble somewhere again."

"There could be danger."

"So what?" a middle-aged man with long hair laughed. "We’ve got Vers. She’ll handle everything."

They had gone on countless missions with Carol. Honestly, aside from being a little too reckless, she was exceptional in every other respect.

Everyone in the squad got along well. They were comrades who had fought together through many battles, and Carol’s easygoing personality made her easy to be around. As long as she wasn’t trying to drag them into another sparring match, everyone was happy.

Carol seemed to crave fighting every waking moment. The best part, though, was how easy missions had become. Most of the time they could practically sit back and watch, as Carol always solved every problem.

Of course, there were moments that made everyone nervous. She would suddenly disappear in the middle of combat, leaving no one able to find her. Then, when they finally caught up to he, she’d be sitting on top of a pile of enemy corpses, happily eating something.

That was another thing everyone remembered about Carol. She loved to eat, and she always seemed to have food in her hands.

Even during battles, she’d have candy in her mouth, and whenever she spoke over the communication channel, her words often came out muffled because she was still chewing.

"Hmph."

The female sniper beside them snorted with obvious disdain. She was one of only two women on the team, and the only person who consistently treated Carol coldly.

Carol didn’t mind in the slightest. Maybe the woman was just jealous that she was prettier... and stronger, after all, she had stolen all the spotlight.

Amid laughter and casual conversation, the transport finally lifted off. After making a jump through a wormhole, they arrived at their destination.

Torfa.

Before the squad disembarked, Yon-Rogg gathered everyone together.

"Our objective is to rescue the Kree intelligence operative, Soh-Larr."

"The Skrulls have occupied another border world."

"Ronan’s fleet will provide cover by bombarding the southern region."

"Our job is simple."

"Find Soh-Larr, rescue him, and withdraw before the Skrulls have time to organize a response."

He looked around at the squad.

"Understood?"

"Understood."

"Got it."

"No problem."

The atmosphere within the team remained relaxed. Some people even cracked jokes, as it was their way of relieving the pressure before combat.

After all, when fighting Skrulls, one careless mistake was enough to get you killed. The previous member of their squad had died in battle, and that was why Carol had joined the team.

Since her arrival, however, they hadn’t suffered a single casualty. Every mission had been completed smoothly. Still the pressure before battle never truly disappeared. Yon-Rogg raised his voice.

"Everyone."

"This mission cannot fail."

"Soh-Larr possesses a great deal of classified Imperial intelligence, and if that information falls into Skrull hands the consequences will be catastrophic."

"So, stay focused."

"No carelessness."

He clapped his hands once.

"As for Torfa’s native inhabitants, leave them alone."

"Avoid unnecessary contact. We have no way of knowing whether they’re actually civilians...or Skrulls in disguise."

Seeing the seriousness settle over everyone’s faces, Yon-Rogg nodded with satisfaction.

"All right."

"Move out."

"For the Kree!"

"For the Kree!"

Just before everyone left the transport, Yon-Rogg stopped Carol.

"You haven’t fought the Skrulls very often."

"You don’t have much experience dealing with them."

"This time don’t be reckless and be careful. They’re nothing like the enemies you’ve fought before, so you must work with your team."

"I know."

Carol answered lazily. She had absolute confidence in her own strength.

Besides... Yon-Rogg said the same thing before every mission. And hadn’t she completed every single one flawlessly?

’Just stay behind me and relax.’

’I’ll take care of everything.’

She kept that thought to herself. If she actually said it out loud, Yon-Rogg would probably lecture her for another ten minutes.

"Move out!"

One after another, the members of the squad jumped out of the transport.

-------------

Guys, if you liked the Chapters, leave some comments and stones.

And if you want some extra Chapters, be sure to check out my Patron page, it’s 30 Chapters ahead of webnovel and the Chapters are also long so you can check it out.

p at reon . com / NovaScribe

(Just remove all spaces and then search)