Jessica Today. Miss Jones got up early, put on a rare make-up, straightened her hair, which had recently been neglected, and changed into a rather formal outfit.

Her boyfriend and partner, the Divine Man Luke. Cage was the same, wearing a black suit and a shirt with his muscles braced, looking like a thug in a suit.

The two of them arrived at the Trident Mansion at 8:30 a.m., where they were received by Merlin's assistant, Agent Sharon.

But it's a pity that Director Merlin, who is never late, is rarely late today.

"Sorry, I'm a little late."

Merlin stepped out of the light of the Transfiguration Charm, he stood in his office, waved his trench coat on the hanger, he moved his arm, and said to Jessica and Cage, who were sitting in the office:

"I'm looking for you two today because I have something to tell you. But before we get to that, let's take a look at this. ”

Merlin took out a stack of freshly printed documents from his pocket and handed them to Jessica, who took them in his hand, and just looked at the cover, and couldn't help but raise his head:

"Sir, Superhero Registration Act? Are you serious? ”

"Do you think I'm joking?"

Merlin sat in his office chair, and he crossed his fingers and said to Jessica:

"It's no secret that there are an endless stream of superhumans, they are very restless, and theoretically, you and Cage are actually superheroes, and they are the first to appear. Did you hear about what happened yesterday in Hell's Kitchen? ”

"Well, I've not only heard about it, I've seen it with my own eyes."

Jessica handed the file to her boyfriend, then pulled out a cigarette and smuggled around Merlin's office, saying to Merlin:

"The bomb exploded not far from my new office, and I heard a noise and asked Cage to go and take a look, but the police were there. I've heard that 17 people died, and it was because two young people didn't control their abilities? ”

"Yes."

Merlin nodded, and he said:

"This is not the first time that such a thing has happened, those new superhumans lack control and awe of power, if the previous S.H.I.E.L.D. could quickly discover them and absorb them into the system, cultivate and train them as if they were absorbing you, but now, they appear too fast, and there is no trace, and the original monitoring and search mode is no longer applicable."

"This bill is what I prepared for this situation."

"That's normal, sir."

Jessica let out a puff of smoke, and the private detective, who had a very social personality, said to Merlin:

"Rookies are always hairy and like to show off their strength, and when they are beaten up by society, they will learn to restrain themselves. Just like me at the beginning, I thought I could do anything, but I met an evil scumbag... I almost lost myself. Alas, by the way, speaking of which, sir, why haven't you seen Miss Elsa for some time? Isn't she your girlfriend? ”

"She's busy."

Merlin answered the question casually, he looked at the Divine Power Man who was looking at the document carefully, and he said:

"Cage, do you think the terms of this bill are harsh?"

"Well, aside from carrying a recorder and personal surveillance, there isn't much to contradict in the past, after all, it's obviously better for newcomers to get official training than to risk dying in battle to learn to fight."

The Divine Man touched his fierce bald head, and he said to Merlin:

"And it's a lot better than S.H.I.E.L.D.'s entry terms. But I have a question, sir. ”

Luke. Cage placed the file on the table, he reached out and tapped the text of the document, and he said to Merlin:

"This says that superheroes need to be registered, that is, if it is implemented, it means that the identity information of superheroes will be recorded by S.H.I.E.L.D.'s large database, in case... I mean, what if they leak? ”

"In this day and age, identity leakage is a serious issue, and superheroes will always have enemies, and the consequences of being known by the enemy are also terrible."

"That's a good question, Cage."

Merlin reached out and pushed the frame, and he said to his subordinates:

"If anyone can break through the database firewall made by four of the smartest people in the world, get a 7-layer encrypted physical lock key, and can also obtain those data files with identity information under the protection of 24-hour uninterrupted advanced AI and the monitoring of the world's best data engineers, then I will admit it."

He said to the Divine Man:

"We've designed this list with some extra insurance, as soon as the database where it is stored is forcibly breached, it will immediately execute a self-deleting procedure, which is a last resort controlled by a trustworthy artificial intelligence. With so many layers of insurance, if it still leaks, then I can only say that our luck is too bad. ”

"But that raises another problem."

Jessica is worthy of being a private detective, although her living habits are not very good, but her brain is really useful, she snuffed out her cigarette and said to Merlin seriously:

"The transhumans involved in the registration will inevitably wonder if this list will be misused by the higher-ups, such as threatening a hero with private information to do something less righteous, after all, a single superhuman is too weak compared to the behemoth of S.H.I.E.L.D."

"And, there's a very important question, sir."

Jessica stared at Merlin as she asked:

"What are you going to do with those who don't want to sign papers, who don't want to quit the superhero stage, who don't want to shut up, who suffer from persecution paranoia?"

For Jessica's question, Merlin had a plan, and he answered seriously:

"First of all, the private information of the superheroes is only kept in S. L.D.'s large database of occult affairs, we are only responsible for keeping it, and its secrecy level is 9! The direct management of this list is in the hands of the World Security Council, in other words, as long as you don't tell the world about your identity, no one will take the initiative to publish it. ”

"And we don't plan to publish this list in society, we're not that stupid yet. In the unlikely event that someone's identity is compromised, S.H.I.E.L.D. will immediately provide full protection, and if necessary, wizards and colleagues from another agency will assist us in erasing the leaked memories. ”

"And then there's the second question."

Merlin flicked his fingers, and he said to the two subordinates in front of him:

"We will not harm the uncooperative superhumans, unless they have a power that is dangerous to the entire civilization, they can still continue to live as 'protected ones'."

"It's not difficult to reconstruct a person's memories when necessary."

Merlin breathed a sigh of relief, he spread his hands and said to Jessica and Cage in front of him:

"The bill I'm showing you is only a preliminary version, and I'm not even sure if it will pass, but if it has to be implemented in the future, then there will definitely be a whole more complicated system of safeguards."

"Again, this is a secret agreement. I also understand what kind of problems arise when such agreements are delegated to various government officials. ”

"We used to hurt each other with bullets and knives, but now it's worse..."

Merlin looked at his finger and said:

"We ourselves are weapons, and some of us, even more lethal than nuclear bombs. I believe this list is also a protection for transhumans. If superheroes are allowed to continue their unregulated activities, then a new round of arms competition will inevitably arise between countries, and in fact there are already rudiments of such competition between countries, which is not good. ”

He said:

"As Jessica said, in the face of official power, it is difficult for a single superhero to resist, and I don't think you want to be forced to become a superweapon here in North America one day, right?"

"So it's actually a very simple thing..."

Merlin held out two fingers and said:

"Lose the freedom of the rules, and then get the freedom to be protected."

"Everyone can continue to be chivalrous, but there are rules to protect them, and there are rules that protect those who may be harmed by them, and we will provide training and teaching to set them on the path of true guardians, without even paying them extra."

"To be honest, I personally think it's a good deal."

Jessica and Cage looked at each other a few times, and Jessica spread her hands, the private investigator who had been harmed by another superhuman said to Merlin:

"Well, you've convinced me, sir. If it does, I'll sign it. ”

"Where's Cage?"

Merlin looked at the Divine Power Man, the muscular bald head was a little hesitant, this seemingly reckless guy was actually a wise person, and he had his own thoughts on many things.

After a few seconds, he said to Merlin:

"Sir, I very much agree with the benefits this agreement brings to the chaotic superhero circle and to every ordinary person, but to be honest, I think it is necessary to take into account the relevant safeguards, if it is not perfect, if it has loopholes, if it falls into the hands of traitors, it is a real disaster."

Cage looked at Merlin seriously, and he said:

"As you said, powerful superhumans are no less dangerous than nuclear bombs, and I feel tingling in my scalp at the thought of a swarm of nuclear bombs that could explode at any moment in the hands of careerists."

"Okay."

Merlin was not angry, he took the preliminary version of the bill agreement from Cage, he clapped his hands, and said to the two subordinates in front of him:

"What you say is very reasonable, and your comments are very constructive, which makes me feel that I need to add to this bill before it is submitted. But let's talk about the serious things that came to you today. ”

"Smack"

Merlin snapped his fingers, like a sign of calling, and a black energy appeared strangely in the office, like a dark door being opened, and the next moment, Tyrone. Johnson and Tandy. Bowen appeared in Merlin's office.

This is Tyrone's ability, he can walk in the shadow dimension, and he can also take people through space, but ordinary people can't withstand the power of the shadow dimension, and Miss Tandy is not an ordinary person, she can manipulate the power of light, just and Tyrone are just two extremes.

"These two little ones."

Merlin pointed to Tyrone and Tandy, who were masked, and he said to Jessica and the Avatars:

"They are two beginners, they got into a lot of trouble and are now trying to atone for their crimes, I postponed their trial and I feel they still have a chance to be saved. And I need two experienced seniors to guide them, so starting today, Dagger and Cloak will be joining the two of you in the 'Defenders' group. ”

"That's why I came to you two, I can't find anyone more experienced and trustworthy than you two in the field of street heroes."

"Dagger? Cloak? ”

Jessica looked at the two young men in front of her, one black and one white, a man and a woman, and she poked her face with her fingers and said to Merlin:

"Wasn't it yesterday..."

"Yes, it's them."

Merlin Says:

"The weight of 17 lives is on their shoulders, and this sin can only be washed away with constant help and salvation, and this road is difficult to walk, but I want to have faith in them."

"The current chaotic order in Harlem is also disgusting."

Merlin said to Jessica and Cage:

"I'm giving you three months to restore order to an acceptable level in that neighborhood, and as an attempt at a new model for street heroes, your experience will serve as a valuable lesson for those who come after you, so I hope you can leave some audio and video materials when fighting evil."

"It's hard to build a system from scratch, but it's worth it."

Merlin Says:

"I'm sure the Defenders won't let me down, and as an observation and information-gathering project that lasts for 3 months or more, I'll approve an additional amount of funding for operations that you can use at your disposal... The initial amount is about $2 million. ”

"Say no more, sir!"

Jessica stood up with a serious face, she patted her chest, and said to Merlin:

"As a conscious superhero, it is our duty to protect the neighborhood, protect the people from being threatened and harmed, and teaching newcomers the experience and skills of fighting is also what we should do as heroes of the older generation."

"We took this job, and after 3 months, a few gangsters entrenched in Harlem will definitely not be a problem!"

By Jessica's side, Luke, the Divine Man. Cage covered his eyes in despair, knowing that his girlfriend had jumped into Merlin's trap again.

Jessica is a trouble-scared person, she should have said no, but the money given by Merlin is really... It's too much.

"Very well, you two are really good role models of heroes."

Merlin gave Jessica a thumbs up, he took a bank card from the drawer, handed it to Jessica, and said:

"But remember our code of conduct... Don't get bloody, I mean, it's best to end peacefully. ”

"If you can't... Let's keep it neat. ”

"Uh-huh"

Jessica probably didn't hear what Merlin said, her eyes kept on the bank card in her hand, wow, a windfall is flying, the debt can be paid off, and there is still a sum of money left.

I can buy a lot of wine again...

"As for the two of you."

Merlin looked back at Tandy "Dagger" and Tyrone "Cloak" and said:

"Everyone deserves a second chance, and I hope you don't waste it."

"You won't be disappointed."

Tyrone whispered in response, and Miss Dagger's gaze was a little evasive, she was afraid of Merlin, not only because Merlin had said very unkind things to her before, but also because she realized her mistake

She is a little simple, but not stupid, not evil, in fact, she is a very kind girl, but a little inexperienced and responsible.

Merlin has decided to give Tyrone a chance to redeem himself, and after the anger in his heart has subsided, Merlin has also decided to give Miss Tandy a chance to do the same.

By the way, use these two guys to try whether their own set of "Registration Bills" can create the heroes that the world needs.