Servo-Skull Reditus took half an hour to fully process the crucial information that it was now in an unknown, alien world.
However, just when Zaire thought the machine would fall into despair, Reditus instead burst into hysterical laughter, its excitement echoing through the base. It began flying back and forth in the main hall, chattering incessantly about artificial intelligence and various forbidden technologies—ones that Zaire had never heard of but were clearly considered heretical within the Mechanicus.
Left with no choice, Zaire once again drew his plasma pistol and made a set of ironclad rules for Reditus:
Any forbidden technology that could possibly, potentially, or even remotely endanger humanity or Terra was strictly off-limits for research.
Violation = Death.
Any forbidden technology that could threaten the base or its personnel had to be reported in advance and approved by at least three people before research could begin.
Violation = Still death.
As a compromise, the ever-generous Zaire allowed Reditus to pursue research on artificial intelligence—after all, Earth was already flooded with such technology. Besides, if Reditus was willing to help Iron Man David develop a knockoff version of Terminator power armor, Zaire would consider granting it access to one relatively harmless forbidden technology.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Reditus swore by the Omnissiah and the Emperor that it would abide by these restrictions.
Zaire was delighted to have a Tech-Priest on his side.
But soon, he found himself with a new headache.
Reditus and Iron Man David did not get along.
Reditus constantly mocked David's initial designs for power armor, insisting that he had no understanding of what such a sacred machine—one that had allowed the Astartes to dominate the galaxy for millennia—truly represented.
David, on the other hand, was not one to back down. He frequently pointed out the flaws of Imperial technology and ridiculed the Mechanicus' fanatical beliefs, each time infuriating Reditus to the point where the skull would float around in rage, screaming about challenging David to a duel.
In the end, Zaire found a temporary solution to stop their endless arguments:
He let Reditus browse the internet.
It needed to learn new languages, study Earth's technology, and find the best blueprints for the knockoff power armor project.
Before long, Reditus became completely immersed in the online world.
It even set up multiple social media accounts and gradually built a persona as a mad scientist. Quickly, it absorbed and analyzed Earth's technological advancements.
For the first time in a while, Zaire could finally enjoy some peace.
Drinking beast milk, reading books, occasionally visiting his aunt for a chat—life was simple and satisfying.
But just as Zaire was settling into this routine, Iron Man David approached him once again, having just completed the construction of the new laboratory.
Zaire narrowed his wolf-like cyan eyes, staring at David with a helpless expression.
"David, what dumb thing did Reditus do this time? Did it send another selfie to someone?"
"Uh… As much as I dislike that floating skull, I have to defend it this time."
David shook his metal head, his eye sockets glowing faint blue. His mechanical voice was laced with amusement.
"This time, Reditus was just up against an elite-level internet troll—someone capable of pissing off anyone. It had no understanding of human sarcasm or online social rules."
Zaire sighed and set down the heavy book in his hands.
"Well, if it wasn't Reditus' fault this time… then what happened?"
David straightened up and began his report.
"My lord, after the collapse of Roxxon Industries' board of directors, Terra's corporate elites have all been scrambling to claim a piece of the pie. During that chaos, I found a human lawyer online—"
"A broke, struggling young man who still believes in justice. His name is Foggy Nelson. I hired him at several times the market rate and funded the establishment of his law firm, gathering a group of, well… 'legal mercenaries.'"
"Their job is simple: to make sure that, until you fully control this country—or even this planet—you have every legal advantage available."
Zaire cracked his neck slightly, his sharp, metallic fingertips clicking against one another, producing a faint sound of grinding steel.
"David, this plan is solid. I have no objections."
David's blue optics flickered again as he continued.
"With money and legal maneuvering, nothing in human society is off-limits. You now own one-third of Roxxon's domestic assets, and even Vought Entertainment is under your indirect control."
"I recently found the location of Roxxon's most important laboratory, which contains a large stockpile of Compound V and its production equipment."
"I had planned to acquire everything legally, but certain parties refused to play fair. They assassinated the original creator of the compound and even tried to intimidate your lawyers."
"So now, I wonder… do you feel like stretching your legs a little?"
David bowed slightly.
Zaire narrowed his cyan eyes, a sharp grin creeping onto his face, revealing glinting fangs.
"S.H.I.E.L.D.? Or Hydra?"
He asked softly, his sharpened fingertips now grinding against each other at an increasing pace.
"Both."
"Some Hydra-backed thugs broke into the law firm, threatening Foggy to drop your claim on Roxxon's assets… but Madam Gao's men have already taken care of those nobodies."
"As for S.H.I.E.L.D.… They wanted to protect the original scientist and obtain the formula, but Hydra got to him first. His assassination ruined my plan to buy them out."
"Recently, I intercepted some of their communications. Both sides are sending forces to the laboratory, and their target is your property."
David's glowing eyes projected a video feed—footage of a car explosion captured by surveillance cameras.
Zaire examined the footage closely.
In the corner of the frame, he spotted a long-haired man wearing a black mask… and a gleaming silver metal arm.
"Aha… the Winter Soldier?"
Zaire exhaled slowly, speaking to himself.
David immediately analyzed the data.
"One of Hydra's assassins. A pathetic tool. Based on his build and facial structure, he is a 100% match with Bucky Barnes, the fallen war hero from World War II."
"This time, Hydra's team is led by him."
David continued projecting images and video logs.
"A Hydra assassin. A broken weapon. If the opportunity arises… I'll try to capture him alive."
"The fall of Hydra will begin with him."
Zaire slowly rose to his feet, his gaze settling on David.
"David, prepare Valkyrie."
"The hunt begins."
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