Pain. Alex had never experienced such pain. Now, lying on the bottom, crushed by something heavy, his thoughts were confused. The last memory was of a rocket explosion and an attempt to close himself off from it with a water shield. He partially succeeded, first of all, his head was protected, everything else was residual. Therefore, the pain from the fact that his arm and both legs were now regenerating, practically creating a new limb, due to many wounds, almost his entire body glowed blue. Thanks to his abilities, manipulating water, he could buy himself time so as not to suffocate while his body restores lost limbs. Alex promised himself to thank Maya for coming to him with her developments and for the two of them being able to finalize this technology. Of course, after they finished, the technology was tested and sent back for revision. Not all testing ended well, but the technology of healing in this way itself was not ready for use by the general public, and also major players around the world will do everything possible to make all the drawings and witnesses "disappear". Maya Hansen is a brilliant scientist, but she is naive in her vision of the world, so she had to be convinced not to divulge any information. That is why the next person who received these abilities was himself and it has already brought him benefit. Alex, coming to the mansion, assumed that there would be an attack on Tony, but he himself was not ready for it so immediately.
After waiting for his body to recover, Alex began using water to move objects that could prevent him from getting out and sent himself to the surface with one push.
Having risen to the surface, he stuck his head out and took a big gulp of air. Having looked around, he did not see any battle. There was silence and a lot of debris of different equipment around. Realizing that there was no need to prepare for battle immediately upon surfacing, he wanted to go look for Stark if he was somewhere nearby, but then his gaze was attracted by a scarlet glow near the shore. The glow turned out to be a man who seemed to be burning from the inside. Alex could compare what was happening to him and who it could be. This was a mercenary from the former employer of Dr. Henson Aldrich Killian.
Standing on the water, he looked at the mercenary, or rather at the work of regeneration. Before the serum's work ended, he decided to make himself known.
A huge icicle appeared in the mercenary's chest, piercing his chest and causing another attack of pain.
- Look, we have a survivor here - having found a target for releasing all the negative emotions, Alex was very pleased - will you tell me what I want to know yourself or shall we test the limits of your regeneration?
The mercenary realized that his abilities are nothing new to him and he knows what will happen to him if he regenerates forever. If he heals a lot, his body will not withstand it and he will simply become a living bomb.
- Looks like your answer is no. - after which he dispersed several liters of water so quickly that the water acquired the function of a saw - well, patient, get ready for an autopsy.
Realizing that even if he survived this encounter, it would not end well, the involuntary patient bit a specially designed capsule that was in his teeth. This capsule would cause him to overload, and he would explode. He had already given such capsules to some people, so he knew that the effect would be 100%.
The mercenary's body began to heat up sharply and melt the block of ice in his chest, and a triumphant smile made Alex understand that there would probably be no interrogation. Deciding not to play the mad scientist and watch the process live, Alex moved away so as not to be in the affected area.
A bright scarlet glow and a loud sound unlike any explosive resounded throughout the area. After which steam rose from the heating of nearby water. According to Maya Hensen's description , a person raised his temperature to 2500 degrees, after which the body could not withstand it and lost stability. Watching this process from the side, Alex's thoughts were spinning, making plans on how to prevent this from happening to himself.
While he was thinking about how to avoid accidentally becoming a walking bomb even after the serum had been improved, he didn't notice how Tony, who had returned, began to hover above him.
-You're alive, I can't believe it. - A satisfied Tony looked at the very healthy member of the Avengers team, on whom hung scraps of fabric that used to be his clothes.
- Damn, I just want to become the Hulk and go smash everything - sitting on the shore, the two of them looked at the remains of the mansion, the debris of which fell into the ocean. Alex was disappointed with the situation. And the situation was really ugly. One of the surviving pilots did not resist much when Tony asked him questions and told him everything he knew. An order came to the aircraft carrier on which he served to begin the attack, the pilots did not know who they were going to attack, and when they realized it was too late and the command ordered them to eliminate the target and they had nothing to do but obey, which cost the lives of two other pilots. Having learned everything he needed about the ship and its command, Tony went to look for Alex's "body", but then an explosion of a mercenary was heard, which attracted his attention. Alex himself told Tony about AIM, Aldrich Killian and that he had a grudge against Stark. And when Tony asked where he got this information from, he had to mention Maya Hansen and that she used to work for Killian, whose work he was not very happy with, even though it was her project " Extremis " with the help of which he managed to survive the explosion. Tony wanted to ask about this project in detail , but now was not the time, so Alex promised that he would be one of the first to know when the serum was ready and tested to the end.
Having discussed what had happened, they realized that their only direct lead was the aircraft carrier from which the planes had flown, and that they could find out who had given the order to attack. There was no point in going to Killian now, because the head of AIM himself could not order an attack from an aircraft carrier, so they had to look for someone who was covering for him and who might benefit from it.
- Before we go and smash expensive American equipment, can you let me make a phone call? - gesturing at his clothes, or rather their scraps, and the fact that his phone clearly didn't survive the adventure.
The ship was on alert, the entire crew was at their combat stations. The control team was deciding how to deal with the coming problem, but they had never encountered anything like this before.
A huge whirlpool formed right in the path of the small American fleet. The command tried to avoid it, but found itself in a stalemate. The destroyers that were covering the aircraft carrier were able to move aside and avoid danger, but the aircraft carrier itself had to drop anchor with its reverse engines running so that the ship would not be sucked into the funnel.
The team was on edge because they were afraid for their future, and the command was afraid because they could guess the reasons for their current situation. The admiral did not like the situation from the very beginning. The order to attack the national hero came from the very top and it was impossible not to obey, but the fact that the Water Man would also end up with the Iron Man ( Water man ) was not specified. The admiral was not a fool and was glad that his pilots could not carry out the order, even if he felt sorry for his people. He did not want to start the third world war, and the murder of a Russian hero would certainly not please another nuclear state.
While the admiral stood on the deck and looked at the whirlpool, a small flying object appeared on the radar. Realizing who was approaching them, he ordered no matter what happened not to open fire and went to the flight deck.
Iron Man was supposed to please the entire crew, but where the three planes went and did not return became known to everyone on the ship, so many were afraid of possible wrath.
The red and gold suit approached the runway and began to land. The look on the Iron Man's helmet was always blue, but it seemed to the admiral that right now the look was much harsher and did not encourage peaceful communication.
- What, you won't even shoot once? - the sarcasm in Tony's voice was very audible - because I'm not in the mood right now because of the attempt to kill me.
Some sensors in the suit increased the glow of the eyes, which alarmed the sailors even more, and some even began to reach for their weapons.
- Mister Stark, I am ready to fully accept responsibility for what happened, these people were just following orders, they are not guilty.
The glow of the eyes weakened a little, and the admiral also relaxed a little, realizing that they would not destroy them all right now.
- I hope that when I leave this ship I will be happy, otherwise my friend will intensify what is happening now - pointing to a whirlpool nearby.
- Of course I'll tell you everything. - Not only his life is at stake, but the lives of hundreds of his subordinates.
The wait was driving Natasha crazy. Sitting in the spacious office of the company, she scolded herself for agreeing to do anything for Alex at all. Her goal was to keep an eye on him, and while she went to get information, he flew to America, where now he and Stark were listed as missing after a well-armed attack. As soon as she appeared on the cameras in the city, a few minutes later an armored premium car drove up to her, in which important people usually travel, and a man got out and politely asked to go with him, introducing himself as a security officer who was ordered to pick her up after completing the mission. There was no point in refusing, so she sat down.
Initially, her and Alex's plan was for her to steal the data he needed and show up in a couple of places, and then people would wonder what she was doing there and go looking for her, where they would meet him and intercept them for a conversation, but now the situation has changed, at any moment people with weapons could arrive here with orders to eliminate her as a spy. Of course, even in her thoughts, Natasha did not expect such an outcome where they would succeed, but the situation would not be very good for international relations.
- Miss Romanov, please follow me - the secretary who came for her did not surprise Natasha much, because she heard her approaching steps. Walking along the corridors, she was led into the conference room, where Anna was already sitting with her assistants on one side of a large table and several people on the other side. She identified the main watch of the guests as a man in glasses who was sitting opposite Anna, some were in civilian clothes and two were in uniform, which confirmed part of her thoughts. Natasha sat down in one free seat next to the head of the company, which for the people who were sitting opposite made it clear that nothing good would happen for them.
- Natasha, these people have arrived today to talk to you about the theft that took place in the governor's house when he was receiving guests - Anna was behaving in a businesslike manner - so I ask you to help these gentlemen and answer their questions " only the truth ", but in order not to drag things out, let's get straight to the point. - The last was said to the law enforcement officers.
- Major Zaitsev, the guest introduced himself, - I understand you and I also want to finish this as quickly as possible, so let's get started. What did you do the night before from one to five in the morning?
- I was at the governor's house when he was receiving guests. - This answer caused a stir among the investigators; no one expected such an answer, but Anna's tone clearly made it clear what was needed from her.
- What were you doing there? - the investigator was a little worried by her answer.
- I walked around, looked at collectibles, watched TV - with each answer Zaitsev's tension only increased because all this was said casually, as if it should be that way - and also rummaged through documents and downloaded a lot of interesting information.
Silence hung in the office. The investigators did not expect such answers, and Anna's assistants were instructed not to interfere in what was happening and were there more as extras.
Hmm hmh – the major cleared his throat – then I will have to arrest you for…
-Wait, - Anna intervened, - what exactly were you looking for there?
- Data on the disappearance of more than 600 million rubles that "did not reach" the tax office. - the answer that was heard forced all the investigators to review with each other.
- So, Major Zaitsev, - Anna took the floor, - out of more than 1 billion in money that we paid in taxes, more than 600 million were "lost", and considering that this is only a small part after all the deductions that the company has. Do you understand what I'm talking about?
I'm sorry but we are here...
I asked if you understood what I was talking about – you could feel a strong tension in the room.
Yes, I can understand...
I hope – the owner of this office was clearly trying to crush these investigators – I didn't like this situation, so Doctor Ledov and I asked Natasha to find them. You found them, right? – to which she received an affirmative nod from the spy – so we will pass on the data we received to the right people.
understand everything , but it's not within my competence…
- Of course, you can take her now and arrest her - Anna interrupted the major, nodding at Natasha - but what will happen tomorrow? And I will tell you what will happen, the common people will simply destroy you all when they understand that it is much easier for American agents to find corrupt officials, and your fate will be even more unenviable, because to everyone you will look like someone who protects people who rob the common people.
The situation could really backfire on the police if they acted rashly, it would be impossible to hide the arrest of a member of the avengers team that most of the world knows. In any case, the situation is bad for Zaitsev and his people, if he doesn't detain her when she confesses, his superiors won't pat him on the head, and if he does detain her, it will reflect on everyone and not in the best way.
Almost a minute of waiting and the major, as the senior, made the only decision in his case.
-Until further notice, I would ask Miss Romanoff not to leave the city, we may have questions for you.
And Zaitsev began to get ready, and after him all his other subordinates, some with condemnation that the arrest had not taken place, and some with hope for a peaceful outcome.
-Before you go, know that you will be better off dealing with me. - A bright smile could be seen on the business lady . - Because if Alexey were here, you would leave this building through the window.
The investigator did not know whether to believe or not believe what had just been said, but he certainly had no desire to find out.
I hope to see you soon - Zaitsev looked at the satisfied blonde and wanted to express himself, but did not - because if you do not come to us, then we will come to you.
A clear hint that if the money is not found, they will post their information and then it will be too late to do anything.
Nodding in confirmation, the police officers left, causing all the assistants to relax and also begin to get ready.
- At some point, I already started planning how to escape from here - left alone in the office, Natasha and Anna could start a conversation a little more friendly - but I don't quite understand why this was necessary.
- It was just a test - Anna's gaze burned with determination - if we hadn't passed it, they would have started to pressure us even more brazenly, but this will shake up a little everyone who is mired in their own swamp and will be an answer that we cannot be ignored.
- So what now?
And now you can't leave the city, - to which the blonde winked at the redhead, - so I'll find you some things to do.
Large windows opened up a beautiful view of the center of Moscow. An adult man with a small bald spot on his head, which he tries to hide with glasses, stood and watched the flow of cars located not far from the reception area. A phone ring distracted the observer.
- Hello - a small phone without a touch screen was placed to the ear.
It was impossible to hear what the other person was saying over the phone.
- It's a pity of course, but it's not critical, she can tell a lot of things.
Again the speaker interrupted his interlocutor.
- It doesn't matter anymore. They can't do anything to us yet. We'll follow the plan.
And again silence. Until a phrase was spoken quietly enough that no one but the person on the other end could hear.
"Heil Hydra"
After which the call was interrupted. And the office was again in silence until one of the assistants entered.
- Mr. Minister, here you are, the President is waiting for you, he quickly said and began to wait to escort him to the office, which he had already been in more than once.
Of course I'm ready.