In Carol's current understanding, even her ability to release energy pulses from her hands was something granted to her through the Kree's infusion of their advanced technology.
This was a gift from the Kree Empire, granting her the right to fight as one of them.
At the heart of the Empire, where the Supreme Intelligence resided, Carol connected her consciousness to the AI and stepped into a vast virtual realm. There, she was met by a humanoid figure, a representation of the Supreme Intelligence's chosen form.
The Kree believed that individuals were bound to make mistakes. Since that was inevitable, they decided to let an AI rule their civilization instead.
The Supreme Intelligence was that AI.
Born from the collective wisdom of the Kree, its every action was dedicated to ensuring the empire's continued survival. By merging their greatest minds into a single entity, the Kree not only created a powerful overseer but also tied its fate to their own.
If the Kree fell, the Supreme Intelligence would cease to exist.
Over time, obedience to the Supreme Intelligence had become second nature to the Kree. And undeniably, the system worked; the Kree Empire had grown into one of the most powerful civilizations in the galaxy.
Even their age-old enemies, the Skrulls, had been forced into hiding, relying on shapeshifting and infiltration to disrupt the empire's fringes. In fact, ordinary Kree citizens hadn't seen a real Skrull for a long time.
As Carol stood before the Supreme Intelligence, she saw an elderly woman with white hair.
But she didn't recognize her.
Each individual who connected to the Supreme Intelligence saw a different image—because an AI had no true form of its own.
What they saw was the person they respected most. But Carol had no idea who this woman was.
Her past was a blank slate. If this figure truly represented the person she admired most, then why couldn't she remember their relationship?
The elegant, composed woman before her—what history did they share?
Gazing at her, Carol voiced her uncertainty. "My past is a complete void. You're supposed to be the person I respect most, yet I don't even know who you are."
Carol had no memory of her real name. Among the Kree, she was called Vers, a title that felt hollow, as if it didn't belong to her. It constantly gnawed at her, making her long to uncover her true identity.
That was why she asked. She wanted an answer from the Supreme Intelligence.
But the Supreme Intelligence didn't provide one.
"Perhaps this is for the best," it replied instead.
"It spares you from unnecessary suffering. It allows you to devote yourself fully to your purpose: to place the needs of the Kree above your own. We have given you a great gift, the opportunity to fight for the empire."
Carol frowned. Not only had it avoided answering, but it had deliberately deflected her question.
That wasn't normal.
If she were truly Kree, then the person she admired most should also be Kree. So why wouldn't the Supreme Intelligence tell her who this woman was?
Doubt crept into Carol's mind, but her loyalty still took precedence. Energy surged through her fists as she declared, "I want to serve!"
Yet the Supreme Intelligence seemed to sense the suspicion in her heart. Its gaze darkened, and the device implanted at the back of her neck began to glow ominously.
"Then you must learn control! What is given can just as easily be taken away!"
Its words carried a veiled threat, but beneath that—fear.
Fear of the power Carol held.
If this power was truly a gift from the Kree Empire, then why was the Supreme Intelligence afraid of it?
But years of brainwashing, hypnosis, and the influence of specialized devices prevented Carol from recognizing this contradiction.
She then accepted the mission given to her in the name of the Kree Empire.
Her destination was the planet Torfa.
According to an informant's report, Skrulls had infiltrated the planet, and the agent's cover had been compromised. Their objective was twofold: rescue the informant and, alongside Accuser Ronan, eliminate the Skrulls.
Leading the team was Yon-Rogg.
Aboard a Kree warship, they passed through an interstellar jump gate, instantly crossing the vast distance from the empire's core to the outer rim.
Above Torfa, Ronan's fleet loomed in orbit, ready to rain destruction upon the enemy.
Carol and her squad deployed in smaller crafts, descending swiftly through the planet's atmosphere under the cover of bombardment.
The devastation caused by Ronan's initial strike threw the Skrull stronghold into disarray, providing the perfect cover for Carol's team to infiltrate undetected.
Approaching through the seabed, they made their way toward a temple where their contact, the Kree spy Soh-Larr, was supposedly hiding.
Carol took the lead, advancing alone to find the informant.
However, as she moved forward, a heavy tension filled the air.
Before the team realized it, they had been encircled by the native inhabitants of Torfa, the Torfans.
Speaking in a language incomprehensible to the Kree, the natives' voices carried unmistakable anger.
Fury at the destruction of their home.
Uncertain whether these beings were Skrulls in disguise or simply enraged Torfan civilians, the Kree team hesitated to attack.
Though the Kree Empire was dominated by Kree, it was still a vast, multi-species empire. Opening fire without confirmation and accidentally killing Torfan civilians could create unnecessary complications.
But the moment the Torfans got close enough, everything changed.
The one leading them suddenly drew a weapon glowing with a vivid purple light, preparing to strike. Before he could act, however, a hidden sniper took him down in an instant.
As the body hit the ground, its true form was revealed—a Skrull.
The battle erupted in an instant.
All the surrounding "Torfans" shed their disguises, shifting into their Skrull forms. Weapons in hand, each radiating the same eerie purple glow, they launched their attack on the Kree squad.
The Skrulls had amassed a considerable force for their ambush, but their weapons and armor were vastly inferior to those of the Kree elite squad.
Every shot of a Kree rifle claimed a Skrull life.
Even as the Skrulls unleashed their weapons at full blast, they barely scratched Yon-Rogg's energy shield.
Years of war had cemented the Kree Empire's dominance over the galaxy.
For the Skrulls, it had only meant decline.
Now, they could no longer stand against the Kree in open battle. Even their so-called "weapons" were little more than metal rods with energy-emitting attachments.
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