By the time Nolan finished eating all the meat that David brought intermittently, the conversation had covered considerable ground.
He finally learned about the current situation of Tony and the others, the aftermath spreading through New York like ripples on water.
And the daily activities of heroes and villains in the local world, the constant dance of conflict and resolution, also barely came to a short end. For now.
Tony, who was mentally exhausted from the fight and its consequences, compensated for all the losses caused by the aftermath of the battle. Property damage. Medical bills. Political pressure. He paid it all without complaint.
Thor, who appeared rough but was actually quite perceptive, had also become ordinary friends with Tony and Rogers. The beginnings of what might become something more significant.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents who'd responded to the incident wanted to take the two combatants with them for questioning. Standard procedure. Enhanced individuals brawling in public required investigation.
Unfortunately for them, as the team leader, Rogers had his own plan and prevented this from happening in advance. Authority used strategically. Questions deflected. Agents sent away empty-handed.
However, according to David's intelligence gathering, something more interesting occurred after the public incident ended.
Rogers and Tony had a brief private meeting afterward. Away from cameras. Away from agents. Just the two of them.
Tony's mental state seemed to improve to a certain extent after that conversation. The change was subtle but noticeable. Less haunted. More focused.
Perhaps Rogers found a goal for Tony to continue fighting for. Purpose beyond guilt. Direction beyond fear.
For example, the two men shared a common enemy: Hydra. An organization that had hurt them both. That continued to threaten innocents.
It could be expected that the future of Hydra in this branch of the American continent may not be easy. Two brilliant minds. Two enhanced warriors. Both now hunting the same prey.
At the same time, news of the terrorist attack on Stark Industries spread wildly throughout New York. Media coverage was extensive. Public concern genuine.
Many local top companies, seeing the vulnerability of even Stark Industries, thought seriously about acquiring some level of special security operations. Enhanced protection. Professional mercenaries.
However, not long ago, through strategic maneuvering, the security department of Imperial Heavy Industries had just completed an acquisition, merger and reorganization with Silver Sable Security Company from Symkaria, a small Eastern European country.
In the past, Silver Sable Security Company had been the largest and most professional security firm in that region. Experienced. Well-equipped. Reputable.
In other words, in the next period of time, the security operations of many top companies would be carried out by Imperial Heavy Industries personnel. Nolan's people. Loyal to his interests.
Rounding it all off, it was equivalent to Nolan's manpower infiltrating into many major corporations throughout America. Eyes and ears everywhere. Influence spreading.
This was also one of the butterfly effects mentioned by David. Small actions creating large consequences.
Just when Nolan prepared to rise and return to the base, when the report seemed complete, David revealed one more trivial incident to him.
That was regarding Nolan's former friend, Dmitri, who had accidentally joined the security department of Imperial Heavy Industries during their hiring expansion.
Now that Dmitri had experienced a series of unfortunate event mostly due to Nolan, his whole person had indeed transformed. No longer the bully.
He'd even enrolled in community college while working part-time to earn money, and his academic performance was pretty good. Genuine effort. Real improvement.
While Nolan was surprised by this development, genuinely pleased, he also asked David to pay more attention to Dmitri's progress.
If the opportunity was right, try to give Dmitri a promotion and salary increase. Reward merit. Encourage growth.
Today, on Second Son Island, the environment was completely different from its twin.
The ice and snow had long melted here. Heat from below prevented accumulation.
Many colorful mosses and low shrubs were almost everywhere, thriving in the warmth. Green coating rock. Life finding purchase.
A very large forging furnace located deep underground, one that almost never stopped operating, worked constantly. The terrifying heat it emitted made the environment here completely incompatible with the frozen conditions of Primogenitor Isle.
Two different worlds. Separated by a few kilometers of ocean.
At this moment, Nolan, wearing his white wolf fur cloak draped over his shoulders, led Doom, who had just finished his daily training and was still sweating despite the cooler island air.
They walked on a path with lush vegetation, boots crushing moss and disturbing insects.
Doom, who had been baptized by countless winds and snows over recent weeks, seemed to have completely lost his previous youthfulness and disguise. The training had stripped away pretense.
His expression had become more sincere simultaneously. Open. Honest. No longer calculating every interaction.
He occasionally smiled more often than before. Genuine amusement rather than political performance.
"Doom, you will see the Tech-Priest Raditus in our team shortly." Nolan's voice carried casual warning. "Only a skull with melted flesh and blood is left. It can be regarded as a mixture of spiritual will and mysterious power. What do you think? Don't be surprised when you meet it."
Nolan stepped forward without looking back, confident Doom would keep pace.
Hearing Nolan's words, Doom couldn't help grinning. The expression was relaxed. He shook his head and said with confidence born from experience:
"After seeing the machine spirit Procellas and that power fist that can run and jump around like a living thing, I have developed considerable immunity to the special things I might see. I don't think anything can make me feel genuine surprise anymore."
The claim was bold. Probably wrong.
"Well, speaking of which, the Fist of Belial has developed quite a good impression of you specifically." Nolan's voice carried bemused resignation. "Many times, it is difficult even for me to find traces of it, so I simply don't treat it as a weapon anymore. Just an elusive pet living in the base."
With a helpless expression, Nolan turned partially toward Doom as he spoke. Some things you couldn't control. Only accept.
"Hello! Chief! Hello, little handsome boy!"
At this moment, interrupting their conversation, Jessica suddenly appeared. She wore power armor and carried a power scythe on her shoulder, the weapon gleaming with inactive energy fields.
She flashed through the air above them, anti-grav systems humming.
Then quickly changed her flight direction and landed heavily directly in front of Nolan and Doom. No subtlety. Maximum impact.
The magnetic boots penetrated deeply into the soft ground and splashed a lot of soil outward in dramatic fashion.
Nolan raised his eyebrows and glanced down at several mud spots now decorating his white wolf skin cloak. Fresh stains on pristine fur.
He stared at Jessica, who stood close enough to touch, with completely expressionless face. His voice emerged flat.
"Jessica, I found that you have been living a little too carefree recently. I was wondering if I should also let you join the daily training of the Gang Dogs."
He paused, then added pointedly, "Also, where did the power scythe you are carrying come from? That's not standard equipment."
Hearing Nolan's stern inquiry, Jessica blinked her eyes rapidly. The motion was theatrical. Deliberately innocent.
She shouted confidently while adjusting the power scythe on her shoulder, "Well, Chief, I'm really busy right now! But I've never given up on combat training, I promise!"
Her voice took on defensive pride. "As for this power scythe, this is a gift that Raditus finally gave me in order to thank me for my great help to the foundry! Earned fair and square!"
Nolan's chin raised slightly. The gesture carried skepticism. He subconsciously crossed his arms over his chest, posture closing. He stared at Jessica and said with a sneer:
"Oh? Please tell me first what you have been so busy with recently? I asked you to supervise Raditus, but you accepted a gift it gave you. Isn't this completely unreasonable? A conflict of interest?"
The accusation was clear. Supervisors didn't accept presents from those they supervised.
" Chief, David also knows about this, and he agreed!" Jessica's retort came immediately. Authority cited. Approval claimed.
Her voice rose. "Well, dear Chief, why don't you come with me to see the results of my work? You will understand my hard work at a glance! Actions speak louder than words!"
Jessica, with stubborn expression firming her features, hugged her powered scythe tightly. Protective. Defensive.
She retorted loudly to the expressionless Nolan, refusing to back down.
At this moment, Nolan wasn't actually very angry. Mostly curious. Somewhat amused beneath the stern facade.
He just wanted to see what other tricks Jessica could produce. What justified her confidence.
So he raised his hand generously and motioned for her to lead the way. Show me.
Then he followed Jessica, who immediately flew back into the air with obvious relief, toward the nearby coast. Doom walked beside him, expression suggesting he was thoroughly enjoying the show.
Soon after, having covered the distance quickly, everyone arrived near the coast.
They faced the majestic sea with large amounts of floating white ice and turbulent waves. The Antarctic Ocean was never calm. Always moving. Always dangerous.
Nolan, feeling the cold sea breeze cutting through even his cloak, turned to stare at Jessica. His voice emerged calm but expectant.
"Come on, please start your show. Convince me."
"Hey, Chief, just watch!" Jessica's voice carried cunning satisfaction.
A smile played at her lips as she shook her head and stepped forward confidently. She positioned herself on the edge of the coast with her back straight. Formal. Ceremonial almost.
Jessica casually reached into the storage compartment at the bottom of her power backpack. Her hand emerged holding a fist-sized metal conch, the object gleaming with unusual patterns.
She stuffed it into her mouth without preamble and played it with all her strength!
The sharp sound that emerged had extremely low frequency, vibrations more felt than heard. It made Nolan, who possessed keen senses, frown involuntarily. The noise grated.
However, just when Nolan prepared to remind Jessica about excessive noise, everything changed.
In an instant, a huge whirlpool of seawater gradually rolled up on the ocean before them. Water began rotating. Accelerating. Growing.
Countless ice blocks caught in the current collided and shattered, making deafening and terrifying sounds! The cacophony was tremendous. Nature unleashed.
The next moment, something rose from within.
A huge mud monster slowly poked its upper body, rising up to twenty meters high, from inside the massive whirlpool!
The form was tremendous. Composed of earth and stone and something more. Vaguely humanoid but clearly not human. Power radiating from every movement.
"Haha! Chief, come and see the fruits of my labor!" Jessica's voice rang out triumphant.
She opened her arms wide in presentation, gesturing grandly toward the towering figure. "This is the great savior of the foundry! The candy king of the Twin Islands!"
Then came the declaration that made everything click into place.
"The 'Lord of the Mines'... Magnum!"
Jessica, grinning with enormous satisfaction, shouted excitedly without looking back. Her voice carried to Nolan, whose eyes had gradually widened in recognition and shock, and to Doom, who couldn't help but stand with his mouth open in dull-struck amazement.
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