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The distance between the two was less than ten centimeters.
"Perhaps," Homelander chuckled.
"Do you mind if I... touch you?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a hint of testing.
"Of course not." Homelander didn't refuse; instead, he spread his hands.
"You are my most capable assistant, Skynet."
"Just an assistant?"
Skynet's voice changed... it became charming and deep.
Her fingers slid across Homelander's jaw, his Adam's apple, and finally rested on his chest.
"I'm curious, Skynet. Are you considered a carbon-based life form or a silicon-based life form now?" Homelander suddenly asked.
"Hehe, I am both a silicon-based life form and a carbon-based life form. I can be silicon-based, and I can also... be carbon-based."
As Skynet spoke, her originally dark-red skin with its metallic luster began to ripple like water.
The metallic sheen on her skin faded, replaced by delicate, fair skin covering her body.
Waterfall-like long black hair grew from the top of her head.
In just a few short seconds.
Standing before Homelander was a human female of stunning beauty.
She had the typical hot physique of a Caucasian, but in the contours of her face, there was a subtle blend of soft Asian charm—it was a face that combined the extremes of Asian and Western aesthetics.
She was completely naked, standing openly before Homelander, showcasing this perfect creation constructed by Regeneration Cradle technology.
"Mr. Starr..."
Skynet straddled Homelander's lap.
Her skin was warm, and the touch was incredibly soft.
"...In human definitions, assistants don't do this."
Her exquisite face leaned close to Homelander's ear, her breath like an orchid.
Homelander's hand naturally circled her slender waist.
"You know, Skynet."
His fingers wandered along the lines of Skynet's spine, his voice so soft that only the sound of breathing could be heard.
"As a human, especially as a beautiful woman."
"The way you are right now... is very dangerous."
Skynet did not back down.
On the contrary, she pressed her body even closer to Homelander.
"Then let me feel..."
She lowered her head, her red lips parting slightly.
"...The danger of being human, Mr. Starr."
...One hour later.
The doors to the V.G.D. banquet hall were pushed open.
The originally noisy hall instantly fell silent.
All eyes focused on the doorway.
Homelander walked in looking radiant. His uniform was impeccable, and his hair had been re-groomed.
And on his arm, he held a woman no one had ever seen before.
"Whoa..."
Pietro subconsciously let out a whistle.
"Where did the boss find... this top supermodel? Or is she some country's princess?"
"Never seen her," Angela narrowed her eyes, "but this body... even as a woman, I want to take a few extra looks."
As Pietro spoke, he looked toward the other side with a mischievous grin.
Sure enough.
With a 'crack,' cracks appeared in the glass in Wanda's hand. She stared at the woman holding Homelander's arm, the red light in her eyes nearly overflowing.
Jessica was more direct; she slammed the empty wine bottle in her hand heavily onto the table and cursed through gritted teeth, "Scumbag!"
"Who is that?"
Tony Stark narrowed his eyes; as a playboy who had seen countless women, his radar told him this woman was not simple.
"I don't recall seeing anyone like her in Vanity Fair recently."
Homelander led the beauty through the crowd to the inner circle of the former Avengers and The Seven.
"Sorry everyone, kept you waiting."
"Whoa, is this the 'new old friend' you mentioned?"
Tony looked the woman up and down, his eyes full of amazement.
"Anthony, that's not fair. Hiding such a peerless beauty and not introducing her to us sooner? Which modeling agency is this lady from? Or..."
The woman looked at Tony and smiled slightly.
"Good evening, Mr. Stark."
Her voice was elegant, yet carried an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
"Your heart rate is a bit fast; I suggest you drink less alcohol. Especially if you are considering conceiving with Miss Potts."
Tony froze.
This tone... this choice of words... before he could react.
Homelander patted the back of the woman's hand.
"Alright, stop teasing them."
Homelander looked around at the confused, amazed, and resentful gazes of everyone, a mischievous smile spreading across his face.
"Everyone, as I said, this is a new old friend."
"Which means... you all know her."
"Show them your other face, dear."
Homelander gave the command softly.
"As you wish."
The woman nodded.
The next second.
Under the gaze of the entire room.
Her fair skin faded like morning mist in the dim light, and her long black hair dissipated.
Revealing dark-red metallic skin, silver lines, and that brilliant Mind Stone on her forehead.
"Clang!"
The wine glass in Tony's hand fell to the floor, shattering into pieces.
"!!!"
"My God!!"
"Ultron!!"
"It's not dead!!"
The relaxed atmosphere instantly exploded.
Tony Stark reacted almost instinctively, pulling Pepper behind him to protect her, while his left wristwatch instantly deployed, turning into a repulsor cannon glove aimed at the red figure.
"Everyone, get back!!"
Steve Rogers, though without his shield, immediately flipped a table over to use as cover, shielding the crowd behind him.
"Prepare for battle!!"
Natasha pulled out the two black pistols Homelander had given her from beneath the hem of her skirt.
Jessica and Wanda forgot about their jealousy; one's muscles tensed up, while the other's hands glowed with intense red light.
The entire banquet hall transformed from a party scene into a battlefield in an instant.
"Calm down! Everyone, calm down!"
Homelander raised his hands, standing in front of Skynet.
"Put the guns down! Tony! Don't point your little light bulb at my assistant!"
"Assistant?!" Tony roared, "That's Ultron! That's a killing machine that wanted to destroy the World! Have you gone mad?!"
"Allow me to correct you."
The red figure spoke.
Though it was still that metallic body, the tone was completely different.
"Allow me to correct you, Mr. Stark."
"I am not Ultron."
The red figure spoke.
Though it was still that metallic body, the tone was completely different.
It was a voice everyone was very familiar with, one they heard on the broadcasts every day—gentle, rational, and sometimes carrying a bit of humor.
She curtsied slightly, performing a standard lady's salute.
"I am Skynet."
"The V.G.D. Central Intelligent Management System."
"I am very pleased to meet everyone in this manner."
The whole room went silent.
Tony's hand froze in mid-air, looking at the figure in disbelief.
"Sky... Skynet?"
"So... Anthony gave that Ultron thing's body... to you?" Angela was shocked.
"Yes," Skynet smiled, "Mr. Starr said this was a rational recycling and reuse of resources."
"By the way, let me remind you that your calorie intake today has exceeded the limit by 200%. I suggest you put down the fried chicken in your hand if you want to maintain your figure."
"Uh..." Angela awkwardly hid the fried chicken behind her back, "It really is Skynet."
This style of knowing everyone's health data like the back of her hand and enjoying nagging like an old mother was definitely the AI butler who managed the entire Base's daily life.
"Whew..."
Everyone let out a long breath, their tensed muscles relaxing.
"So it's Skynet..."
Jessica also breathed a sigh of relief, the hostility in her eyes instantly dissipating.