Umbrella.
Trevor Slattery, tied to a chair, slowly woke up. Seeing the unfamiliar room around him, uneasiness crept into his face.
"Is this… the headquarters of superheroes?"
Trevor glanced around nervously.
"You're awake?"
A calm voice echoed.
Trevor looked toward the door as it swung open. Electro walked in. Trevor forced an awkward smile and whispered, "Could I… maybe get a glass of rum?"
Electro raised his hand—lightning flickered between his fingers.
Trevor instantly widened his eyes and gave a stiff grin.
Electro observed him with a hint of amusement in his gaze. Then he lowered his hand and smiled faintly, as if he could feel Trevor's fear and tension.
"Rum? Interesting request. But we're not here to drink." Electro said. "You remember what you told me about those Extremis soldiers, right?"
Trevor nodded and began to speak.
"Yes, yes, I'll fully cooperate to expose the Extremis conspiracy. Their plan is to overthrow the government, gain control of the world, and build a new order where only those they approve of can survive. I was hired to play the Mandarin—to spread their terrorist messages through global media and create chaos and fear. They threatened to kill my family, so I had no choice but to cooperate. But I never knew their full plan… or who the real leader is." Trevor spoke truthfully.
Electro listened silently, eyes fixed, as if examining his soul.
"You're only telling me half," Electro said.
Trevor shrugged. "Well… I'm divorced. I'm just a washed-up actor now. Family isn't exactly a concern."
Under Electro's piercing stare, Trevor sighed and added helplessly, "Okay, okay—there's one more thing. They planned to assassinate the President."
Electro remained silent for a moment, then said calmly, "I'll verify everything you've told me. If it's true…"
Trevor exhaled in relief, visibly relaxed.
"But before that, you stay here. You'll be protected. Those lunatics won't let you leave alive."
"No problem—I'll cooperate," Trevor quickly agreed.
While Trevor continued to receive protection within Umbrella, Tony Stark was in his lab, upgrading the Iron Man suit and developing countermeasures against the Extremis soldiers.
After tireless research and testing, Tony successfully developed multiple technologies to fight Extremis users and the Extremis virus. The Iron Man suit was upgraded with far stronger defenses, higher attack potential, and significantly improved heat resistance—capable of withstanding the intense temperatures generated by Extremis subjects.
Tony also created a special injector: once the needle pierces an Extremis user, it immediately neutralizes their high-temperature reaction.
In addition, he embedded specialized anti-Extremis code into the suit, allowing it to pierce the heat-based defenses of Extremis fighters.
After long hours of effort, Tony achieved a major breakthrough.
"Finally done!" Tony said proudly, admiring the upgraded armor.
...
Aldrich Killian stood in Viper's office with a satisfied smile. Under his direction, the Extremis project had achieved incredible progress.
"Viper, I did it! Our first fully enhanced Extremis super-soldier was a success!" Aldrich reported excitedly.
Viper nodded, seated behind her desk. "Excellent, Aldrich. Your work hasn't gone to waste. Tell me about these empowered Extremis subjects."
Aldrich replied proudly, "The enhanced Extremis soldiers possess incredible fire-control abilities. Their bodies contain a specialized strain of Extremis infused with highly concentrated fire-element energy. Once activated, they can control flames, generate extreme heat, and use fire offensively or defensively. They can form a fire barrier that ordinary weapons can't penetrate."
Viper nodded knowingly—she was well aware of the power produced by Extremis mutations.
"Additionally," Aldrich continued, "their physical capabilities surpass that of ordinary Extremis subjects. Their skin can withstand extreme heat, and they can absorb flame energy to strengthen themselves. They possess enhanced strength, resilience, and reaction speed. Fire is their most stable and easily controlled energy source."
A glint of excitement flashed in Viper's eyes. "That means we finally have a force capable of opposing the Hawk Group's superheroes. These empowered Extremis soldiers… can they truly match them?"
Aldrich nodded confidently. "Yes. Their power absolutely rivals that of the Hawk Group's superheroes. And we have more under development. Once the entire batch is completed, we'll have a superpowered army capable of destroying the Hawk Group."
Viper smiled with satisfaction. "Excellent. Continue the development. We must accelerate production."
As Aldrich left, Viper's eyes burned with desire—the desire to conquer.
Under her direction, the final phase of the empowered Extremis soldier project advanced rapidly. Soon, the first full batch of enhanced Extremis soldiers was complete.
Viper arranged for rigorous training and testing. The soldiers needed to master their abilities and learn how to unleash maximum power in combat.
One day, Viper personally inspected the first completed unit.
Standing on a high platform overlooking the training ground, she watched as a squad of heavily equipped Hydra super-soldiers assembled in perfect formation. Their presence was imposing.
"Empowered Extremis—you're the backbone of this project. You are our hope of defeating the Hawk Group's superheroes and overthrowing this corrupt government. With your strength, we will dominate the world!" Viper declared, her voice echoing across the field.
The desperate super-soldiers, thoroughly indoctrinated, felt renewed determination. They knew they carried heavy responsibility.
"Now… show me your true power!" Viper commanded.
The training ground erupted into fiery chaos as the enhanced soldiers unleashed their abilities. Flames roared. Heat washed across the field like hellfire.
They dashed across the training ground with inhuman speed, releasing fire blasts that obliterated every target.
Viper nodded with satisfaction. Their power exceeded her expectations.
"Excellent. Your strength is greater than I imagined. Continue training—our battle with the Hawk Group's superheroes will come soon. They will not show mercy, so neither can we. Prepare yourselves with everything you have!" Viper said with a sinister smile.
Under her lead, the empowered Extremis soldiers underwent harsher and harsher training, driven by ambition and desperation.
They knew: to defeat the superheroes of the Hawk Group, they would need nothing less than absolute power.
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