Lock knew Ivan was going to make a move.
It was a pity that villains always chose the worst possible timing to act.
If Ivan had called just a bit earlier, before Tony synthesized the new element, the battle's outcome would've been uncertain. Ivan might even have had a chance at victory.
But now… Lock and Tony shared a glance and both smiled.
With the new element powering Iron Man, Ivan's so-called "dual-cycle arc reactor" was a joke.
Then Tony suddenly froze. "Oh no—Hammer's weapons conference starts in forty minutes. Pepper and Natasha went there. They're in danger."
Even without foreknowledge like Lock, Tony could sense that something disastrous would happen at that event. He immediately suited up.
"Lock, this one's for you," Tony said, pointing at another armor case. "It's tuned for speed and long-range support, with light weapons. Try it out."
Lock grinned. "Then I won't be polite."
The new suit compressed neatly into a suitcase—far more portable than earlier models. Not as miraculous as the nano-tech armor Tony would one day invent, but a step forward.
Close-combat weapons weren't necessary. With Lock's raw strength, he only needed long-range support like micro-missiles and laser emitters.
Iron Man's armor gleamed gold and red, sleek and eye-catching. Lock's was sky blue. He hadn't chosen the color for style—it simply helped him blend better against the sky when flying.
The two suits blasted into the air, leaving the Stark villa behind.
"Full acceleration," Lock ordered his AI.
"Fwoooosh—"
Blue flames roared from his thrusters, swelling, then vanishing into a white cloud as the armor cracked the sound barrier.
Sonic boom!
From zero to supersonic in seconds. Any sports car looked like a child's toy compared to this.
This brutal acceleration would rip apart a normal body. Only Lock's enhanced physique could handle it, his weight pressing down but nothing more.
Tony, in his armor, wouldn't dare try it—the g-forces would shatter his organs.
But Lock kept pushing.
Mach 2.
Mach 2.5.
Mach 3.
Finally, at Mach 3.5, the suit hit its limit.
Lock nodded in satisfaction. Much faster than leaping across rooftops.
He still had some time before reaching Hammer Industries. Flipping on the comms, he called Yinsen. "Did you bring back the bird from Siberia?"
"Yes, Mr. Lock," Yinsen replied. "But the climate here isn't suitable. I built it a mini-fridge cage and imported its native feed. It's doing well."
"Well done," Lock said.
Scientists always pay attention to details. If he'd gone himself or sent SHIELD agents, the bird probably would've died from climate change
"Take it to the botanical garden in the city," Lock instructed. "Find somewhere hidden. Be careful. There may be a fight there."
According to the original plot, Ivan was supposed to be beaten down by Iron Man and War Machine in a botanical garden. Even if things had shifted, it was best to prepare.
"Understood," Yinsen replied without hesitation. He had grown up in the Middle East, hardened by real war. A skirmish like this was nothing to him.
At Hammer Industries, the weapons launch was in full swing.
CEO Justin Hammer strutted proudly on stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, the future of defense—Hammer's Iron Drones!"
Rows of armored machines marched out in formation, divided into Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine models. Each category carried specialized functions.
The towering machines drew gasps and applause from the audience.
Lock, however, knew the truth. Hammer's tech wasn't refined enough. Unlike Tony's modular, flexible designs, Hammer had to lock his drones into rigid categories. Or maybe it was just a cheap marketing ploy. Either way, the "ex-wife" micro-missile fiasco from War Machine had been proof enough of his shortcomings.
Finally, Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes appeared on stage in his modified Iron Man armor. Hammer shamelessly announced it as his company's "War Machine prototype."
Everyone knew it was an old Stark suit, painted over and armed with clunky weapons. Rhodes didn't contradict him. With Tony refusing to make weapons for the military after his Middle East trauma, Hammer was the only option left for the Army.
Pepper Potts and Natasha Romanoff sat in the audience. Normally, competitors wouldn't be invited to such an event, but Hammer had deliberately sent Stark Industries an invitation, eager to flaunt his "superiority."
"Now, we'll begin the Q&A session," Hammer announced smugly. "Any questions?"
Before anyone could speak, a streak of blue light crashed down from the sky.
BOOM!
Lock's sky-blue armor landed hard on the stage, shaking the floor. The air blast almost knocked Hammer flat on his face.
"Iron Man! Iron Man's here!" the crowd roared.
Hammer's face darkened. Tony had stolen his spotlight again. But he couldn't lose his temper—not after sending the invitation himself.
"Welcome, Tony," Hammer forced a smile. "Still love stealing the show, I see."
He had no idea it wasn't Tony inside. Neither did Pepper, Natasha, or Rhodes. Everyone knew Stark never lent his armor out.
Lock switched to the loudspeaker. "Everyone, evacuate immediately. This place is about to get dangerous."
But the crowd didn't move. To them, it just looked like Iron Man crashing Hammer's party. Entertainment.
Hammer sneered. "No need to worry. My drones can fly at subsonic speeds. If there's danger, they'll protect everyone."
"Subsonic?" Lock said coolly. "Pathetic. I just hit Mach 3 in five seconds."
The audience murmured in disbelief.
"Impossible!" Hammer barked. "No human could survive that kind of acceleration. It would crush you!"
"Impossible? Or just beyond your imagination?"
Rhodes stepped forward, uneasy. "Tony, don't do this here. We're not forcing you to make weapons for the military, but you can't stop us from buying elsewhere."
Lock didn't reveal himself. "Rhodey, ask Hammer—who designed these drones? Does he even control them?"
The words had barely left his mouth before the drones' eyes lit up. Weapons powered on, barrels rotated, and the entire formation aimed into the audience.
From his hidden location, Ivan smirked. Lock had exposed him, so there was no point hiding anymore. He activated the override.
"Oh no! I can't stop them!" Hammer screamed, jabbing at his laptop as the drones moved on their own.
The trap had been sprung.