Anton had never forgotten the Transformers card.
After all, the Transformers franchise predates the Marvel series, and the levels of power within it, along with the shock of its popcorn movie effects, had a significant impact on Anton early perceptions of American blockbusters.
In fact, in the world of Transformers, the Marvel Cinematic Universe doesn't have absolute dominance.
One civilization is elevated through technology the other is a chaos of demons.
After the initial events involving the Transformers, Anton sent them away.
Since then, he hadn't really worried about Earth experiencing the plot of Transformers second, third, fourth, or even fifth installments—those long and tedious stories.
The origins have been sent away how could the Transformers have the face to return?
Under the power of the Allspark, Cybertron was rebuilt, and the Autobots wandering in the universe returned to Cybertron.
The Decepticons lost their leader, Megatron, and were annihilated by the Autobot leader, Optimus Prime.
Now, the situation for the Autobots was excellent, and the Cybertronian civilization was gradually reestablishing itself in the universe.
Anton had a certain understanding of this.
His communications with the Transformers weren't completely severed.
Although after obtaining advanced technological data from Cybertron, his contacts with the Transformers gradually decreased—even the Allspark stored in the war fortress storage room was left at the Transformers disposal—but the Autobots were indeed trustworthy and never caused trouble for Anton.
They even used Cybertronian technology to reinforce the already formidable war fortress, making it even more genuine.
The friendly relationship between the two parties led Anton to disregard the limits he had initially placed on the Transformers.
In this event, Anton hadn't planned on involving the Transformers.
He didn't need to.
Besides, Anton had other considerations.
The reason he had rallied Earth was also to take this opportunity to truly step into the space age.
Today Earth was vibrant and lively. Looking at the major civilizations of the universe, humanity was still a nascent civilization. Although progressing rapidly, it was somewhat timid in the face of the vast universe.
Anton wanted to use the threat posed by Thanos to make the nations and humanity itself realize that although Earth is the home of humans, it was no longer their only stage.
However, the Autobots were honorable.
Upon receiving news that Earth was in danger, or rather, about to face a threat from Thanos forces, Optimus Prime took the initiative to contact Anton, planning to send Autobot warriors to assist.
Anton refused.
It wasn't that he thought the Autobots unreliable, but rather that he believed Earth problems should be resolved by Earth itself.
This was also aligned with his goal of having humanity venture beyond Earth.
Moreover, he had already prepared enough surprises for this war that even the imminent Thanos would be shocked.
The Autobots weren't necessary.
Of course, to ensure nothing went wrong, he still accepted the goodwill of the Autobots.
Cybertron had a special technology that could rapidly construct a city within a short time, similar to the ancient Great Wall of the East.
Anton called it the "Iron Great Wall."
Simply put, it involved creating several templates which, when assembled, could form the Iron Great Wall.
Much like the prefab houses seen on construction sites.
Of course, these templates must be used in conjunction with a special memory metal, otherwise, while effective, they couldn't achieve an utterly indestructible effect.
Anton didn't need to worry about any of this from the ground up.
Optimus Prime had already arranged everything.
Truly trustworthy Autobots.
The next evening.
A spaceship landed at a secret base near New York.
Numerous figures emerged from the ship.
Leading them was a blonde woman, followed half a step behind by a black man and a... green person?
No, a group of green people.
The three people at the front were naturally the returning cosmic hero Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers, and the former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury.
By their side was Thanos adopted daughter who had joined Carol camp, or rather the Earth faction, and now estranged from Thanos, Gamora.
As for the group following them, the S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel, especially agents led by Coulson and Hill, were very familiar with them.
They were the Skrulls, whom they once despised to the bone.
However, their disdain was directed at those Skrulls who stayed on Earth and wreaked havoc, not this group that had left Earth with Nick Fury to wander the cosmos.
This group of Skrulls could be considered more inclined to integrate with humans, so they were not detestable.
Coulson gaze swept over them and finally settled on Nick Fury face.
"Nick, you're finally back."
He stepped forward to embrace Nick Fury, exhaling deeply, showing a rare sign of weariness, yet his eyes couldn't suppress the joy.
Carol then approached her old friend, Maria Rambeau, who was now nearly sixty years old with graying hair.
"Maria, long time no see."
Carol smiled broadly, her expression gradually showing a hint of sorrow as she looked at her old friend.
Maria Rambeau, excited yet somewhat melancholic, responded softly,
"Yes."
She whispered, "I've gotten old, while you're still young."
After a pause, she perked up, her smile returning, "Let not talk about idle matters. Have you come back to prepare for the upcoming war?"
"Exactly."
Carol nodded solemnly, "It seems Superman has done well you're all prepared."
"Superman?"
Coulson snapped back to reality, shaking his head, "We haven't seen Superman yet.
He always comes and goes without trace, only a few in the Justice League know where he is...
But at the World Security Council meeting yesterday, Anton said Superman has returned to Earth... He has no reason to deceive us."
"Anton?"
Carol was curious, "Is that the spokesperson for the Justice League?"
"Yes."
Coulson replied, "Rather than saying he the spokesperson for the Justice League, it more accurate to say he the caretaker of the Justice League...
Everything big and small related to the Justice League is connected to him. Besides, Wayne Enterprises, backed by Anton, has now subtly become the world leading company, even the president is close to them...
The power and status the Justice League enjoys on Earth now is beyond any of our imaginations."
As he spoke, he seemed somewhat bewildered.
As he said, without realizing it, the Justice League had amassed such vast influence and status.
On one hand, no one on Earth today has the power to threaten the Justice League.
On the other hand, Anton is essentially the Justice League "white glove," allowing Wayne Enterprises to legitimately penetrate politics and the military, becoming an almost unique company in America... subtly surpassing both Stark Industries and OsCorp.
Unstoppable from both directions.
"Oh?"
Carol was not surprised.
She and Nick Fury had previously discussed the Justice League.
Frankly, for such an organization to emerge and reach this stage on Earth, although not easy, was also not very difficult.
"In that case, I must meet him."
Anton currently had no intention of meeting Carol.
He had finally started to "get busy."
Busy, as in going to work.
As the leader of the Men in Black and the overall in charge of the lunar base, though he delegated the base construction to the "reformed" and "worldly wise" Tony Stark, to reassure the nations of the World Security Council, Anton finally had to start working under the watchful eyes of the leadership.
These days he was sitting at the Men in Black headquarters daily, literally sitting until his butt was calloused.
Don't ask why he wouldn't get calluses in the DC office is his own home the same as the company?
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door of Anton office.
"Director, the lunar base just detected a spacecraft entering Earth..."
Z walked in hurriedly, his eyes ringed with dark circles, evidently lacking sufficient sleep for several days.
The life of a worker is just that humble.
"The spacecraft sent us a signal, it appears to be Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers, and her party."
Z said, "The World Security Council sent a message, they hope to convene another meeting."
"What the meeting for?"
Anton didn't even bother to lift his eyelids. "Didn't I already say everything that needed to be said? I've started working don't they trust that?"
"They want to get first-hand information about the universe from Carol Danvers," Z said.
"You know, although we can gather some intelligence through the interstellar network, it really just basic public information, nothing worth calling a secret."
"Carol Danvers, having been mingling in the universe for so many years and having made a significant name for herself despite her hostile status with the Kree, must know some things that aren't available on the interstellar network, like deeper insights into Thanos..."
Hearing this, Anton thought about someone close to Carol who indeed knew Thanos better than anyone else.
"That fine."
He nodded, "Pass this task onto S.H.I.E.L.D. head don't bother me with it. Now that Carol is back, Nick Fury must be too, and he better suited to deal with the World Security Council inquiries."
"Nick Fury?" Z was surprised.
It wasn't strange Nick Fury was still a wanted man.
Moreover, he was the first person on Earth to be convicted of crimes against humanity for colluding with aliens.
Nick Fury is back?
"Yes, you should have seen the paper files in the S.H.I.E.L.D. secret database. Carol Danvers had contact with S.H.I.E.L.D. in the 1990s, and the first person to establish contact with Carol Danvers was Nick Fury."
Anton finally looked up at Z, half-smiling, "Otherwise, why would Nick Fury, who was just a hot-headed fighter back then, catch the eye of Alexander Pierce, a Hydra member who had been lurking in S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Z, although knowledgeable, didn't realize how interconnected these matters were.
"Understood."
He thought for a moment and nodded in response, "I'll reply to the World Security Council right away."
Z left after closing the door.
After passing the message to the World Security Council and contacting S.H.I.E.L.D.,
Coulson, who had just received Carol and others from the spaceship and caught up with old times, picked up the phone call from Z.
"This is Coulson."
"Hello, I'm Z, the Deputy Director of the Men in Black."
Their conversation was very amicable.
Neither of them were of a difficult disposition. Knowing Z intentions, Coulson pondered for a moment, glanced at Carol and others who had overheard his conversation with Z, and gave an inquiring look.
Carol nodded.
"Alright."
Coulson then replied, "I'll arrange it right away."
After hanging up,
"Do you really have special intelligence?"
Coulson asked proactively, "Concerning this war, we indeed need more useful information. Otherwise, it feels like there a constant unease."
"Yes."
Carol nodded, gesturing to Gamora beside her.
"She is Thanos adopted daughter, knows many secrets of Thanos forces, and a lot about Thanos himself."
She paused, then added, "But actually, the most critical thing isn't just that, but rather the timing of Thanos forces arriving on Earth..."
"Timing?"
Coulson, understanding Carol implication, looked concerned.
"In fact, we don't have much time."
Carol slowly said, "We received a message that Thanos forces are mobilizing, and they will reach the Milky Way in half a month."
"Half a month?"
Coulson was shocked, "That soon?"
"Not just that."
Carol continued, "I know you're building a base on the moon, planning to meet Thanos and his army there, but there a problem—we can't stop Thanos from entering Earth."
"What do you mean?"
Coulson asked in surprise, "We plan to use overwhelming firepower and the threat of Superman to force Thanos to change course and battle us on the moon. Could this plan fail?"
"The premise of this plan is that Thanos would proceed through space and enter Earth via the atmosphere..."
Gamora, beside Carol, spoke up, "But you haven't considered that Thanos actually has more than just the option of entering Earth from space."
"If not from space, then how?"
Coulson was increasingly puzzled.
But he felt a chill inside, as Carol and Gamora reminders made him feel as though he and Anton might have overlooked something.
"Magic, teleportation magic."
Gamora said, "Though three of the Black Order are dead, the remaining one, Ebony Maw, isn't the strongest, but he the most difficult to deal with...
After reaching the Milky Way, he can enhance his teleportation range with technology and some magical artifacts, especially near Earth, opening a spatial gateway that lets ships and troops pass through to Earth. It not difficult."
Hearing this, Coulson drew a sharp breath.
He had indeed overlooked this.
Magic was a realm he had never touched, so he hadn't considered that Thanos might resort to such means.