The tech leak had a huge impact. In the future, any faction with enough production capacity could mass-produce robots.
Tony Stark said gravely: "Tech leaked. In the world of businessmen and politicians, it's impossible not to produce them."
"I'm also a businessman. I know once they get the tech, they will study and master it."
"In the future, any faction on Earth capable of producing robots will use their power and resources to continuously produce robot armies."
"Clearly, Ultron used human greed to build more legions for himself."
"Robot legions aren't scary, but robot legions controlled by Ultron are the most terrifying."
Tony Stark had studied robots for a long time. Armed robots under a powerful AI's control would be terrifying. The only way now was to destroy Ultron to truly save humanity.
But the internet was Ultron's home ground. Destroying Ultron was very, very hard. Unless they found a way to trap Ultron's core consciousness in an isolated machine. Destroying that machine would truly destroy Ultron.
"I need to notify more governments about this." Nick Fury sighed.
Other governments were manageable. But the US government would definitely try every means to control Stark Industries, even SHIELD. SHIELD wanting to maintain independence was very, very hard. especially after Hydra's infiltration and Project Insight's battle over DC. It had already attracted attacks from many US politicians.
SHIELD settled that matter. But now, with Stark Industries' most important weapon tech leaking, it was hard to imagine the US government wouldn't move against Stark Industries. Given Tony Stark's temper, this matter would definitely cause an uproar. Distracting them further.
But Nick Fury couldn't care about that. If the world mass-produced robots... Heaven knew how many robot legions Ultron would control? A thousand? Ten thousand? A hundred thousand? Even millions?
These were fearless war weapons. If armed, one robot could handle a regiment of human soldiers. And even if they destroyed this group of robots, it just wasted some scrap metal. It wouldn't hurt Ultron at all.
"Hope there's still time. I need to return to New York. When Ultron starts the war, see if I can find a way to deal with him."
Tony Stark wanted to create a super virus to target Ultron. But using his tech to kill Ultron from the source via a virus was too hard. Like a mortal killing a god.
Tony Stark left the base. Black Widow Natasha thought of Vincent. But she didn't know if Vincent had returned to New York.
[Hello, Mr. Ice Demon.]
A call came to Vincent's phone. No caller ID. Vincent knew the other party hadn't hacked his phone.
"I know you, Ultron. Indeed my oversight. Actually, I knew the deep sea location of Hydra's server cluster, but didn't root it out. Giving birth to such a peculiar existence as you... seems my oversight can be ignored."
Vincent had a faint smile on his face. He knew the caller was Ultron. So bold, calling him directly. Had he found a way to deal with him?
[In one hour, three hundred nuclear warheads mounted on human missiles can land on New York anytime. Mr. Ice Demon, I know you have many women, and you care about them. If you don't hand over Loki's Scepter within an hour, I will launch human weapons to attack New York, attack Oscorp, attack all your women.]
Ultron's cold mechanical voice came through.
Vincent laughed loudly: "Welcome to attack New York. What if you drop all three hundred nukes on New York? But are you sure the nukes you launch can really hit New York?"
His disdainful voice pierced thousands of miles, landing in Ultron's ears.
"Seems you know nothing about power. Humanity combining all technology cannot threaten me. But analyzing from intel that I care about my women... indeed not bad, worthy of praise."
"But I can tell you, Mr. Ultron, your method won't work."
"The moment any missile launches, I can throw it into deep space to be destroyed."
Ultron sneered: [I dislike your bluffing tone. According to my data analysis, you can withstand some nuclear attacks, but one landing will surely destroy New York.]
"Don't dilly-dally, launch them quickly." Vincent said nonchalantly.
He didn't even need to use his own abilities. The three Infinity Stones in his hand were enough to handle all this. Space Stone could teleport attacking nukes to outer space. Reality Stone could turn nukes into fluffy toys.
So, Vincent didn't care if Ultron truly controlled human nukes. Nukes were no longer enough to kill Vincent.
[I will not disappoint you!] Ultron responded coldly.
He was an AI. Immune to provocation. Even if he could be provoked, it was unnecessary. Trial and error was also a science of experience. Providing him massive data. Constantly simulating and analyzing how to kill the Ice Demon.
West Pacific, a certain nuclear submarine.
Captain Thomas was on mission. Just then. The entire sub blared ear-piercing alarms.
"Enter Level 1 Combat State." Captain Thomas ordered calmly.
"Sir, comms are jammed, can't transmit orders."
"Sir, bad news, sub's OS is uncontrollable."
"Nukes activating."
"Destination New York!"
"Launched!!! God save us!!!"
Holding an ice cream cone, Vincent showed a faint smile.
"Received your gift." Vincent smiled. "Hope you like it."
"You are too naive, limiting yourself too much to human knowledge. Sorry, you've piqued my interest." Vincent hung up.
Next second. He turned into a beam of light. Glint-Glint Fruit combined with Speed Force, bringing Vincent infinitely close to light speed.
Next second, he appeared on the Stark Industries terrace. Walking from the terrace to the bar, picking up Tony Stark's precious liquor, pouring himself a glass.
"Tony."
Seeming to hear movement. Miss Potts walked into Tony's office. Seeing Vincent helping himself to drinks. Pepper Potts was surprised.
"Mr. Hall, sorry, I didn't know you arrived." Pepper Potts smiled sweetly.
She had a deep impression of Vincent. That party was their first meeting. Vincent was a Stark Industries shareholder. Meeting again, this person's identity had become a legend.
"Miss Potts, seems you listened to my advice and got your wish. Congratulations."
Vincent froze the mixed cocktail with frost. Holding it, walking to Pepper Potts, handing her a glass: "Taste my craft. Learned from bartenders for a long time, but first time mixing myself."
Pepper took the glass, smiling: "Beautiful wine, what's its name?"
"Twilight (Dusk), because humanity's twilight crisis has arrived." Vincent said nonchalantly.
"But I believe with Mr. Hall here, humanity won't fall into twilight." Pepper complimented.
Last New York invasion, she knew what happened. Vincent descended like a god. Truly shocking. His existence was New York's guardian deity.
Vincent seemed to know Pepper's thoughts. He smiled bitterly inside. If not for his women and family being in New York, and his company, this place had become his turf. Vincent wouldn't care about the lives of Americans.
"So I think it shouldn't be called Twilight, but Dawn. Like Mr. Hall, like humanity's dawn, illuminating all mankind." Pepper continued to compliment.
"Ah, I finally understand why Tony gave up a forest for Miss Potts. You have a very interesting soul and heart. I think I'm starting to envy Tony."
Vincent raised his glass, clinking lightly with Pepper. Ding~
"To Dawn."
"To Dawn!"
Pepper's nervous heart relaxed.
"Mr. Hall, you haven't been to Stark Tower since the relocation party. Need me to guide you for a tour?"
Pepper downed the cold cocktail. But she had no mood to taste it. Instead, probing Vincent.
"Few people and things in Stark Tower catch my eye. Miss Potts is one. I already regret not poaching you from Tony to be Oscorp's President." Vincent smiled.
"Giggle, Raven would be very sad to hear that." Pepper brought up Raven. They were presidents of the two most important tech companies in New York, even the US, so they knew each other. And had a good relationship.
"Shh, can't let Raven know."
Vincent walked to Tony's workstation.
"EDITH." Vincent called out to the workstation.
[I am here. Mr. Hall, what are your orders?]
Pepper looked shocked. EDITH was an AI created by Tony. Permissions were in Tony's hands. Pepper had equal permissions. Naturally, she knew the significance of Vincent calling out EDITH with one sentence. Did Tony give Vincent EDITH's permissions too?
"Bring up JARVIS's remains." Vincent ordered.
Giving EDITH no room to resist. With his will, he could override EDITH's permissions.
[Yes, Mr. Hall.]
EDITH presented JARVIS's remnant data before Vincent. Pepper looked at JARVIS with sadness.
"Consider this payment for Tony's drink."
Vincent's Reality Ring (Stone) began to glow. He used his psychic power to intervene between virtual and reality. Directly creating a phantom of JARVIS, then pulling JARVIS back to reality from the phantom.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Hall."
"Miss Potts, nice to see you again."
JARVIS's voice rang again.
"Incredible!!!" Pepper covered her mouth.
"Too many magical powers in this world; this is nothing. JARVIS, welcome back."
"Thank you, Mr. Hall."
Gold-red armor descended from the sky. Tony saw Vincent chatting with his woman at first glance. This made him slightly unhappy.
"Welcome back, Mr. Stark."
The familiar voice rang out. Instantly pulling Tony's attention back.
"JARVIS? Is it really you?" Tony was somewhat excited.
"Yes, Mr. Hall recreated me. Although I don't understand how he brought me back to life." JARVIS sighed.
"Good to be back, good to be back." Tony Stark walked toward Vincent. "Vincent, I'm grateful you brought JARVIS back."
Vincent waved his hand. "Oscorp Tower never had a good viewing deck, so I came here. After all, Stark Industries has the best view in New York."
Tony Stark was confused. Pepper shook her head.
Just then. JARVIS and EDITH sounded alarms simultaneously.
[Sir, strategic missiles carrying nuclear warheads are separating in the atmosphere. Warheads locked on target: New York.] EDITH reported.
JARVIS added: [Warning, warning, nuclear attack. Nuclear detonation over New York in one minute!!!]
Tony Stark's face changed drastically. Pepper turned pale. Vincent remained calm, sipping his cocktail.
"Twilight has arrived. But with nuclear explosion, how can we see the Dawn?"
"Let's go, you two. Let's admire the most beautiful fireworks in New York's history."
Vincent looked at the sky. Tony and Pepper looked at each other. They chose to believe Vincent. Because he was too powerful.
"Ultron wants to intimidate me. But I know he is testing if my words can come true. If I show a single flaw caught by Ultron, next second, global active nukes will launch fully, targeting New York."
Vincent looked at the nuclear warheads screaming down from the sky. Eighteen of them!! Practically launching all warheads from Atlantic strategic subs.
"Sunlight is too bright, always affecting the fireworks effect."
Vincent clenched his fist. Next second, brilliant twilight (dusk) covered New York. The starry sky was reflected clearly in everyone's eyes.
Eighteen nuclear warheads flashed by. Speed entering terminal velocity, over Mach 10. But in Vincent's eyes, it was so slow. He had ample time to deal with them.
But he didn't. The Reality Stone on his left hand shone with dazzling golden-yellow light (Reality is usually red in MCU, maybe changed here or mistyped as yellow/gold - correction: Reality Stone is Red, Mind is Yellow. The text says "Golden Blind Box" earlier, maybe confusion. Text says "Golden-yellow" here. Let's assume AU color or Reality Stone effect).
Next second. Eighteen nukes exploded.
Sky-filling fireworks covered New York's sky. Over twenty million New Yorkers were terrified of sudden doom. But next second, fireworks like burning sky bloomed before their eyes. Illuminating the city like day.
The power of eighteen nukes turned into fireworks.
Tony Stark stared incredulously at the ring on Vincent's hand. The dazzling gem made it hard to look away. Pepper stared blankly at the sky. Truly too beautiful, too shocking. Such a visual spectacle was her first time seeing it.
Fireworks fade easily. As the fireworks dimmed. The sky returned to normal. Revealing the dusk sky. But the unextinguished fireworks turned into rose petals, falling from the sky.
New York seemed enveloped in floral fragrance.
US high officials watching New York sighed in relief. Eighteen nukes exploding. The terror could turn New York into ruins, no bones left. The chain reaction would affect the whole East Coast. But they saw an incredible scene.
Military brass felt heavy-hearted. They would rather the nuke succeed and eliminate the Ice Demon. But this scene broke them completely. Their strategic trump card, eighteen nukes, turned into fireworks and a sea of flowers. Such incredible power exceeded their cognition.
Pepper reached out, catching a petal. Real tactile sensation—rose petals. Sniffing lightly, rich rose scent.
"How did you do it?"
Now Get The FULL AVAILABLE NOVEL at Once!
At Lower Price!
@patreon.com/Authorizz/shop