Passing through the Gate of Death, Garus returned to the Mutant Academy. The students here were still living and studying as usual when Wanda approached him.
"Director Osborn has invited you to H.A.M.M.E.R. He says there's something important to discuss."
They must have discovered that the Silver Surfer's surfboard had been continuously transmitting signals to Galactus, drawing him towards Earth.
It was time to pay them a visit. The Silver Surfer should currently be at H.A.M.M.E.R. He likely didn't know another Herald of Galactus had arrived, but he would certainly be familiar with Stardust.
H.A.M.M.E.R.'s headquarters occupied the former Triskelion building of S.H.I.E.L.D. Though most of the structure had been destroyed in the great battle, many advanced facilities remained intact. Under Osborn's directive, the building was repurposed as the base of H.A.M.M.E.R.
A dark spatial gate appeared at the entrance of the H.A.M.M.E.R. facility. The guards raised their weapons, fearing yet another alien invasion—such incidents had become all too common recently.
"Wait! This is Mr. Garus."
Agent Hill was present. Recognizing Garus's Death Gate, she quickly signaled the guards to lower their weapons. The last thing she wanted was an unnecessary battle caused by a misunderstanding.
"Mr. Garus, Director Osborn is waiting for you inside."
Garus was surprised to see Hill welcoming him. He admired her efficiency and competence but couldn't understand why she had joined H.A.M.M.E.R. when Coulson's team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents was still operating in the shadows.
"Agent Hill, why did you join Osborn's H.A.M.M.E.R.? I would have thought Coulson needed your help more."
The once-mighty S.H.I.E.L.D. had crumbled in the wake of recent events—a loss Garus found regrettable. Only Coulson's small squad of agents remained, barely numbering a dozen across logistics, combat units, and support personnel.
"I trust Coulson to lead what's left of S.H.I.E.L.D. Honestly, I always thought he was more suited to be director than Fury." Hill's dissatisfaction with Fury and the World Security Council was no secret. To her, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s dissolution might not have been entirely a bad thing.
The surrounding ruins had been largely repaired. This was Garus's second visit to the Triskelion, but the atmosphere had completely changed. Osborn had turned the place into something more akin to a corporate office.
"Everyone's waiting for you. We've received some bad news," Hill added. "By the way, where's the surfboard?"
"On the moon. Tony is studying it." Garus replied nonchalantly.
Hill said nothing further as they reached their destination. She opened the door. "We'll discuss the rest inside."
The laboratory was filled with experimental equipment. Osborn, Dr. Reed Richards, and Victor von Doom stood inside. A metallic vertical bed stood at the center, binding the weakened Silver Surfer.
Dr. Richards's voice was urgent. "Mr. Garus, where is the alien spacecraft you took?"
"I know what you're thinking. The board is transmitting a signal to Galactus. It won't be long before he arrives."
Osborn's eyes narrowed. "If you know that, why take the board? Do you have a solution?"
Of the three, only Dr. Richards fully believed the Silver Surfer's warnings. Osborn and Doom were more interested in the board's potential power.
"I have some questions for Norrin."
"Norrin?" Richards asked. "Are you referring to the alien?"
"His name isn't the point," Osborn interrupted. "We need that board."
Garus ignored them, stepping toward the Silver Surfer. "What do you know about Stardust?"
The mere mention of the name made the Silver Surfer's eyes flicker with hatred.
"Of course I know him. A ruthless butcher. He even slaughtered his own people. It was he who led Galactus to my world."
Without his board, the Silver Surfer's mind had slowly begun to clear as Galactus's influence waned.
Garus frowned. "He's here. Do you know why? Galactus doesn't need two heralds to locate a planet."
The Silver Surfer's surprise was evident. The four heralds of Galactus rarely crossed paths—never at the same time or place.
"No, that's impossible. There's no need for two heralds in one location."
Garus projected a holographic image of a glowing figure. The Silver Surfer's disbelief melted into grim acceptance.
"I don't know why he's here… but you should cherish your final days. This world is doomed."
"Who is he? Why would he say that?" Osborn pressed, eyes fixed on the radiant projection.
The Silver Surfer hesitated. "He's a pure energy lifeform… a destroyer of countless worlds."
"What are his abilities?" Garus interrupted.
The Silver Surfer's head bowed. His silver skin became transparent, revealing a swirling cosmic expanse within. The projection displayed Stardust locked in combat with Beta Ray Bill—hammer in hand—amid the devastation of a dying planet.
The battle raged fiercely, beams of light and crackling lightning carving through the sky. Starships attempted to flee, only to be obliterated by the chaos. In the end, Stardust opened a spinning dimensional rift that consumed everything in its path.
"Stardust cannot die," the Silver Surfer murmured. "Even if shattered, he will reform. My powers are useless against him. At his command, he can unleash black holes that devour all."
Exaggeration or not, Stardust was undeniably powerful.
"If that's true… this is catastrophic." Richards's mind raced, trying to comprehend the scale of the threat.
A heavy silence filled the lab. The universe was proving far more dangerous than any of them had ever imagined.
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