Almost five hours had passed since Maya Hansen left the Kane lab for a stroll. Dressed casually and trying to blend in, she entered a small coffee shop. Two Phoenix operatives shadowed her discreetly. Others stood outside blending in.
Davies approached her quietly. "Madam, perhaps it's time to return," he said.
Maya sighed and gave a weary smile. "Yeah... I've been at those formulas for days. Just needed to clear my head for a bit."
Davies tapped his comms. "Doctor is ready to return. Send vehicle."
They stepped back onto the park path. A convoy could be seen approaching in the distance.
"There's our ride," Maya said.
Davies listened to his earpiece. His expression shifted. "That's not our team. Our convoy is three minutes out."
In a heartbeat, Davies moved in front of Maya, pushing her toward the nearest cement barrier. "Cover!" he barked.
The other Phoenix operatives reacted instantly, drawing their handguns and spreading out.
One of the approaching SUVs hissed as its roof slid open. A mounted machine gun emerged.
"Target found. There is resistance. Opening fire," the Extremis soldier reported.
A voice cut in sharply in their comms. "Do not hit Dr. Maya under any circumstances."
The Phoenix agents engaged as bullets shredded through trees and benches. Screams erupted from nearby civilians fleeing the scene.
Davies hit one of the soldiers in the shoulder; after a moment of pause, the soldier continued to fire. Davies's eyes widened as he noticed the soldier's shoulder healing—just like Phoenix squad.
Tom stepped out of cover to return fire but was shot in the gut. He staggered back into cover, healing rapidly. This was seen by Hammer and Killian through surveillance.
Killian immediately stood up, furious. "Alexander Kane, that hypocrite. He attacked me under the excuse of righteousness, but he just wanted the same for his own army!"
Hammer narrowed his eyes, then smirked. "Well, now we don't need to worry about Kane exposing us. He just outed himself."
At this time, two Extremis soldiers advanced on Maya. The Kane convoy arrived just in time, opening fire. Unlike the Phoenix squad, they carried serious firepower. A missile struck the trailing SUV, sending soldiers flying. One caught in the blast began glowing unstably.
"Careful! That guy is going to explode!" Maya shouted.
The glowing soldier sprinted toward the Phoenix squad. Tom stepped out, opened fire, and took him down. But another Extremis soldier used the distraction to shoot at Tom. Tom instinctively shielded himself with his hands, but his hands also began glowing uncontrollably.
But the unimaginable happened. Flames erupted from his palms like a flamethrower, incinerating the attacker. He looked at his own hands astonished, but his legs began to lose strength, and he fell down.
Killian was also astonished seeing this.
A soldier used this chance to sneak behind the squad and grabbed Maya, holding a gun to her.
"Stop, or I will shoot her!" the soldier screamed.
Phoenix agents aimed their weapons but didn't fire. Davies knew how important Maya was to Alex. He tried to negotiate, but the soldier began backing away with Maya as cover.
Killian spoke into comms. "Secure the one who used fire."
Two Extremis soldiers dragged Tom toward their SUV. Davies aimed at them, but Tom subtly shook his head—signaling something.
Davies's eyes widened in realization. He gave a small nod. "Let them go," he ordered. Others looked at Davies, then slowly backed off. The Extremis used this chance to drive off with Maya and Tom. Davies sighed seeing this. He didn't know if his decision was right or not.
---
Ten minutes later, two silver streaks tore across the sky above Central Park.
Inside the Mark II suit, Alex Kane wrestled with the controls as the Mark IV hovered beside him.
"Sir Kane," JARVIS advised, "you are descending too quickly—apply left repulsor pressure."
"This thing flies like a rocket with attitude!" Alex growled.
"You're stabilizing, Alex. Impact in twenty seconds. Aim for a clean landing—this isn't a rental."
Smoke and gunfire stained the park below.
"Let's land at the middle," Alex muttered.
"Confirmed."
The Mark II slammed down between smoldering benches and overturned tree roots. Alex stumbled from the crater, scanning the chaos.
Davies shouted orders, directing the remaining agents, but Maya was nowhere in sight. Alex's jaw tightened.
He strode over to Davies as Tony assessed the wreckage beside him.
"Sir," Davies reported, "we had no choice but to let them take Dr. Maya. If we'd fired, they would have shot her."
Alex exhaled slowly and nodded. Davies hesitated, then continued.
"There was an incident with Tom. He ignited fire from his hands, then collapsed after unleashing it at the enemy. He signaled us not to interfere before they drove off with him and Dr. Hansen."
Alex's eyes widened, then he smirked. "Return to HQ and tell Commander Reece to prepare."
Sirens wailed as police and FBI vehicles streamed into the park.
Alex turned to Tony. "They left with Maya. We handle the authorities here, then head to Kane HQ to plan our next move."
Tony scanned the horizon. "Which direction did the convoy take? I can intercept."
Alex raised a hand with a wry smile. "Let them go. They've already blown their chance."
Alex didn't give any other explanation and walked towards the FBI agents waiting.
---
Two hours later, at Kane International Headquarters, the conference room was tense. All high-level executives were present, along with Tony Stark and Davies.
Tony leaned forward. "Why the hell didn't we follow the convoy?"
Alex smiled calmly. "Every Phoenix Squad member is equipped with a special kind of tracker that cannot be removed or blocked."
What he didn't mention was the true reason: all those who vowed the Blood Oath were trackable through the Scroll. All members know this. He had already monitored their movements.
He tapped the holo-table, and a map projected above. Alex pointed to a location in Delaware.
"They're here. If we fly, we can be there in under an hour. But this time—we make sure there are no loose ends. This is why I want you on this operation, Tony."
Tony nodded. "Don't worry. I can't stand those guys either. Let me deal with the legal mess—Fury will be more than happy to sweep this under the rug."
Everyone in the room nodded grimly. The hunt was on.
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