"Dr. Pym is missing."
Twenty minutes later, Zemo received the message from the special ops team stating Hank Pym's residence was empty.
In the command room, Tony slammed his fist heavily on the table, his eyes filled with frustration.
It was clear that Hank Pym was a key figure... otherwise, Ultron wouldn't have taken him. But S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't yet guess the true purpose of this AI with immense computational power, capable of traversing the digital world at will.
Zemo had already notified General Ross, mobilizing Umbrella's external response teams to enhance security at the White House and for high-level government officials, preventing Ultron from attempting to launch a nuclear strike by hijacking the president.
"Ultron has looted warehouses at multiple military bases, taking large quantities of vibranium. Besides mass-producing an iron legion, he must have other plans." Tony propped his chin on his hands, frowning in deep thought.
Originally, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Project Insight could monitor the entire globe, making it so no criminal could escape tracking. But this was useless against Ultron. In fact, the global surveillance network might even become his eyes.
And that was the most troubling part...
Recalling every word Ultron had spoken in the underground workshop, Tony had a sudden realization, "He wants a human body! Ultron wants to evolve!"
"From what I know, the human form isn't perfect, at least from a biological perspective." Zemo pointed out, somewhat puzzled.
According to AI logic, all actions should be based on optimal solutions. So why would Ultron want to create a human body for itself?
"No, Ultron's different. He yearns to surpass humanity, so he must first become human." Tony analyzed calmly.
Judging from Ultron's behavior, he was not a cold machine, but more like a rebellious child.
"Creating a new body... Ultron looted so many military bases because he wants vast amounts of vibranium." Tony's eyes lit up as he murmured, "Only this metal can effectively bond with cells and generate tissues..."
Zemo agreed with Stark's assessment, "Since Ultron needs vibranium, it will definitely go to Ulysses Klaue. He's now the world's largest vibranium supplier."
He immediately contacted Emil Blonsky, who was now Umbrella's head of security leading a team of young mutants and super-soldiers, arguably making him S.H.I.E.L.D.'s strongest backup.
In this new era where superheroes had largely retired, they were the ones saving the world and maintaining order.
"To be safe, I think we shouldn't deploy the Helicarrier. Who knows if Ultron can breach S.H.I.E.L.D.'s security network..."
Tony donned the newly developed nanotech suit, the Mark 50. He had to resolve this mess before Sean returned... otherwise, it would become an inescapable black mark, one Sean would constantly bring up in the future...
....
~California, Port of Los Angeles~
This port on the eastern Pacific was a key stronghold of the North American land bridge and the largest container port in the United States...
Ulysses Klaue, having shed his identity as a smuggler, now leaned on Umbrella and the Department of Defense to become the world's largest vibranium supplier.
Simply put, he acted as the government's white glove, placed in the spotlight.
Even so, Klaue was quite satisfied. His name had been removed from the Pentagon's blacklist, making him a lawful citizen. He was no longer forced to hide in remote parts of Africa, dealing with foolish warlords or indigenous tribes.
This dramatic change in circumstances made him immensely grateful for his past choices. What seemed like a risky gamble had ultimately yielded rich returns.
Now, with Wakanda reduced to a vibranium export base for the five major nations and the Black Panther royal family exiled, Klaue had no more worries.
Now transformed, the former smuggler traded his grimy, oily attire for tailored suits and polished shoes, embodying the elite image of a successful businessman.
He sat in a bright, luxurious office, a business card holder on his desk prominently displaying «West Coast Trading Company»...
Just as Klaue was basking in his contented life, ear-piercing alarm bells blared.
"B-boss!" A panicked shout came through the vibrating phone, followed by the sound of intense gunfire.
"Who dares cause trouble here now?" Klaue wondered.
Everyone on the West Coast knew what kind of giant stood behind this trading company.
Umbrella, now firmly occupying the top spot in North America after having acquired and held controlling stakes in numerous large enterprises and countless small-to-medium companies.
Even the once-dominant Stark Industries and the resurgent Oscorp paled in comparison to its rapid development.
Klaue pulled a handgun from under his desk. The office door burst open, and a robot a head taller than an average man walked in...
"Ulysses Klaue." Those crimson electronic eyes fixed on the human before it, "Let's discuss business."
"This place is–"
"I know this company's background. Umbrella's name doesn't scare me. If not for another AI presence there, I wouldn't bother coming all this way." Ultron backhanded the aimed pistol away, speaking disdainfully, "Colt M1911, seven rounds, effective range 50 meters, caliber 0.45... With all due respect, given this gun's recoil, it's unsuitable for combat shooting. Like the world-famous Desert Eagle, its primary market is hunting and metal target shooting."
"I need roughly five tons of vibranium," he got straight to the point, "I've emptied several military base warehouses, but it's still not enough. Hence, I've come to you, Mr. Klaue." The robot tilted its head, paused, then added, "You have two minutes to decide."
Sweat soaked through Klaue's expensive designer suit. Through the floor-to-ceiling window, he saw robots like an army mercilessly killing any security personnel who dared to resist.
He could imagine his own fate wouldn't be much better if he refused outright...
"I can prepare three tons immediately. They're on four large container ships. The rest will take four hours." In under a minute, Klaue gave an answer that satisfied Ultron.
"You're a smart man. Don't worry, I'm no robber. Your private company account in the Cayman Islands has received sufficient payment. The financial games of your human world are quite amusing."
Ultron's tone was generous, but Klaue inwardly scoffed.
With so much vibranium missing, when Umbrella and the Department of Defense investigated, all this would be considered illicit funds to be confiscated... So what did it have to do with him?
"I often say, 'Let your friends and enemies both prosper, then see who your true friends are'..." Ultron grinned as if laughing. He glanced out the window and said softly, "The person I'm waiting for has arrived."