Chapter 132: Target, Ross Before Red Hulk
2022-10-19 Author: Great Demon Spirit
Tony walked into the conference room with an air of indifference, his aloof gaze sweeping over all the officials present. The projects Ross was responsible for meant he could not wield absolute power, especially given his problematic past. The Authorities would inevitably dispatch numerous personnel for surveillance and record-keeping.
Proactively cooperating with Ross meant exposing himself to the scrutiny of The Authorities. His every move would be watched even more closely, and every micro-expression would be captured and analyzed by those hidden in the shadows.
However, Tony had carefully calculated this step; it was currently the best plan, one that could maximally curb the Military's malice towards him, divert their attention, and give him more opportunities to lay out his schemes.
More attention meant less room to maneuver, but the closer he got, the more opportunities he would have to make his move.
General Ross had to die.
Tony's first step in the plan was to win over Ross, who harbored apprehension and dissatisfaction towards him, alleviating this malice as much as possible. To this end, he did not hesitate to offer Dionesium Factor Technology as bait, expressing feigned goodwill to draw closer, even if just a little, then find the right time to kill him.
At the very least, he had to kill Ross before Ross transformed into the Red Hulk.
Yes, the birth of the Hulk was not a complete failure, nor did it mean the Military couldn't use Hulk's blood to create a weakened version of Hulk. The Abomination, whom Tony had killed, was a successful attempt. It was just that Blonsky, the prototype, was an unruly individual. Becoming the Abomination amplified his character flaws; the sudden surge of Super Power he gained was unmatched by his inner fortitude, so it would have been a miracle if something hadn't gone wrong.
According to the development of the Timeline, General Ross would transform himself into a new, red-skinned Hulk in the near future. Although his Potential would be far inferior to the green Hulk, as he was modified from just a bit of Hulk's blood, if Ross were given time, he would still be a melee-type Quasi-Level Four Combat Power at worst, even reaching the level of a regular Level Four, which was no exaggeration.
Unfortunately, Tony's biggest advantage was his familiarity with the Timeline's development. Unless he lost his mind, he would certainly kill Ross ahead of schedule, using appropriate methods to avoid triggering a Military uprising.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we welcome a new collaborator for the Super Soldier Program, Mr. Tony!" Ross announced, spreading his arms wide.
The people in the conference room, however, were less enthusiastic. Aside from a very few who clapped along, many hesitated, looking at Tony with confusion.
They hadn't received any prior notice, meaning Ross had personally decided to bring Tony in.
"General Ross, are you sure there's no problem bringing an outsider into such a confidential project? Did the White House approve this?" a female official asked bluntly.
In a different setting, Tony appearing at a Government Organization would have been cause for celebration. Tony was a rare Superhuman who didn't cause trouble, and his strength was astounding. But he shouldn't be involved in something as important and sensitive as the Super Soldier Program.
While some Superpowered Individuals worked for The Government, their Combat Power was truly worrying; they were useless when major incidents occurred. Level Three and Level Four Combat Power represented significant thresholds, genuinely difficult to cross. Level Three Combat Power was already rare globally, and Level Four was as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns—a being capable of shaking a continent.
Perhaps some radicals would vehemently oppose Tony, but against Tony, who possessed Level Four Potential, such voices were inconsequential. The Authorities could list him as auxiliary personnel, sending him to the front lines when trouble arose and maintaining him like a pampered pig when there was none. It was that simple.
As for various classified information? Sorry, you have no right to participate.
This was the coldest, most realistic, and cruel truth.
"In fact, this Super Soldier can be mass-produced," Ross suddenly declared, his words astonishing. "This is a Technology, a mature and complete Technology, capable of mass-producing Super Soldiers with even more formidable physiques and astonishing regenerative abilities! We can possess these soldiers in vast numbers!"
There was one thing he didn't say: this Technology was completely in Tony's hands. No matter how they negotiated, Tony absolutely refused to compromise.
"My apologies, General, but I will bring this matter to the White House. Rashly revealing Military secrets to a Mutant—I cannot help but question your professional integrity, Ross," the female official said slowly.
A cold glint flashed in Tony's originally indifferent expression. In a flicker, he appeared before the female official, pressed down on her head, and slammed it onto the table!
It was too fast, and no one expected Tony to dare to strike so boldly in such a setting!
With a bang, the female official shrieked.
"Does my race displease you so much?" Tony enunciated each word, gradually increasing the force, grinding her head little by little against the table like crushing beans.
"What are you doing?!"
"Stop him now!"
Many people clamored, their faces showing alarm. They couldn't believe Tony actually dared to do it. This was a Military Camp; how could he?!
The female official screamed, her eyes, barely open, revealing venomous hatred: "You can't kill me, or you'll never leave this Military Camp! Let go of me, I..."
Bang!
Tony's response was cold and direct. He grabbed her hair and slammed her head onto the table again. This time, a pool of blood appeared on the table, and the female official fell silent. The immense force had rendered her unconscious, and blood profusely gushed from the wound on her head, making others' scalps tingle.
That Super Soldier's expression flickered; his rapidly increasing strength had made him somewhat arrogant, and he charged directly at Tony without even waiting for Ross's command!
The other officials subtly revealed expressions of anticipation. At such close range, how would a Super Soldier fare against a Mutant who wasn't proficient in close combat?
Tony tossed the female official aside like garbage, without ceremony. Facing the Super Soldier's rapidly incoming punch, Tony didn't even consider dodging; he met it directly with a punch of his own!
Bang! Snap!
"Aah!!!" The Super Soldier shrieked. His arm was instantly shattered, his entire arm driven into his body by Tony's punch, mingling with his internal organs.
"You are a soldier created using my Technology. That woman is an idiot, but who gave *you* the courage to strike at me? You artificial trash, you laughable cannon fodder."
Everything happened in a mere one or two seconds. The Super Soldier was utterly defeated by Tony. Everyone else was terrified. Such a powerful Super Soldier, facing a control-type Mutant who wasn't skilled in close combat, was actually so vulnerable? Were Mutants too strong, or were Super Soldiers too weak?
General Ross's face was stern as he rebuked, "That's enough, Tony. These people will all be your colleagues in the future, so don't throw a childish tantrum!"
Tony frowned, revealing an unwilling yet angry expression, which was perfectly timed for everyone to notice. Then, he grudgingly walked over to the authoritative General Ross.
Everyone else was stunned, looking at the reluctant yet compliant Tony with surprise and uncertainty. Had General Ross truly subjugated Tony? From now on, would Tony be General Ross's capable subordinate?
This was a startling signal: Tony, such a powerful Mutant with astonishing Potential, had actually become a subordinate of General Ross!
Tony stood beside a self-satisfied Ross, observing the officials with their varied expressions. A thought arose in his mind: It was time to showcase his acting skills. The better he performed, the greater the chance of success.
After all, he had coveted the Hulk Serum for a long time as well.
(end of chapter)