Bruce couldn't care less about what Jessica had said. Regarding this matter, it was the least of his concerns.
Even though the nuclear missile had already been launched.
Nations had gone to great lengths to ensure their nuclear missiles couldn't be easily intercepted or disabled by others.
Some had even gone to the extreme of installing not only remote control systems but also mechanical timers that activated upon launch.
Everything was designed to ensure the missile would detonate as planned.
Unless, of course, the missile's launch wasn't truly intended for nuclear destruction.
At this moment, Bruce's full-face visor once again concealed his features completely.
Through the visor, he could now see inside the nuclear warhead.
This inspiration had come from someone who had always been both his friend and a potential adversary.
After all, Superman's X-ray vision was an ability many envied.
But Bruce had already theorized his own explanation for it.
He preferred to refer to Superman's X-ray vision as "X-ray spectrum vision."
Otherwise, there was no logical reason why Superman couldn't see through lead.
Perhaps his vision extended across an extremely broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum—
from long radio waves to X-rays and gamma rays.
Maybe he could discern the molecular structure of objects or perceive different wavelengths of light and sound, allowing him to observe how they interacted with matter and reflected off surfaces.
Using this understanding, Bruce had managed to develop a gadget that mimicked Superman's X-ray vision to some extent.
As Bruce examined the mechanisms inside the nuclear missile, he immediately dismissed Jessica's earlier statement.
He was nowhere near as reckless as the higher-ups in Texas.
Those lunatics hadn't just installed remote control systems—they had also implemented mechanical timers.
Even if someone obtained the remote control codes, it wouldn't be enough to disable the warhead.
Using an EMP on this missile could potentially trigger an early detonation.
At this altitude, that would still be deadly.
Bruce took a deep breath. He could only rely on himself now.
"Jessica, the missile has a mechanical timer." Bruce informed her of the situation.
Inside the Batcave, where she was monitoring everything closely, Jessica froze upon hearing those words.
A mechanical timer—on a nuclear missile.
She knew what that meant.
If Bruce wanted to disarm it in this situation, it was practically impossible.
"Jessica, try to contact S.H.I.E.L.D. and inform them of the situation. Also, prepare the space shuttle." Bruce had to prepare for the worst.
"But the shuttle doesn't have a return program yet—it's only a prototype!"
Jessica knew exactly what Bruce was referring to.
The shuttle could be launched, but it was incomplete. The life support systems weren't even fully operational yet.
"My suit can sustain me in outer space for an hour. That's enough. Just get it ready."
Bruce's tone remained completely steady as he retrieved a small laser cutter from his utility belt.
He needed absolute precision.
The laser cutter couldn't touch anything inside—not even by a fraction of a millimeter.
He had to be utterly focused.
Jessica knew there was no convincing him otherwise.
The only thing she could do was relay the situation to S.H.I.E.L.D.
Fortunately, for the Batcave, connecting directly to S.H.I.E.L.D. was simple.
Before leaving S.H.I.E.L.D., Bruce had already implanted a backdoor in their systems.
A way to access their networks and databases at will.
Jessica wasted no time in contacting Carol, the current head of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Carol was watching the missile streak toward New York, her palms already drenched in sweat.
At this moment, a voice suddenly came through her communication channel.
"Ms. Danvers, the nuclear bomb you're focusing on doesn't just have a remote operating system—it also has a mechanical timer."
Perhaps spending too much time with Bruce had influenced her; Jessica was now using a voice modulator when she spoke.
Carol was puzzled about who was sending her this message, but regardless of its source, it was a bombshell for them.
No one had expected there to be a mechanical timer on it.
"Someone is already working on it, but we have no way to guarantee the outcome," Jessica said, unable to hide a trace of unease.
But this was her duty.
After delivering the message to the Trinity, Jessica withdrew from their system.
However, just as she was pulling out, perhaps due to some pre-set program by Batman, their main screen briefly flickered with the Bat symbol.
Carol, of course, knew exactly who that symbol represented.
That guy was already a legend in New York City.
But now was not the time to dwell on that. They needed to get this information to the Ultimate Team immediately.
"Captain! The nuclear bomb has passed over West Virginia and is rapidly approaching!" Carol first relayed the message to Captain America.
"We're on it, Carol," Captain America replied while simultaneously issuing an order to Hawkeye. "Hawkeye, mark them!"
"And there's more bad news," Carol hesitated, unsure how to phrase it.
Captain America was about to ask what had happened when Carol spoke up again.
"The nuclear bomb has a mechanical timer."
With that, Carol fell silent.
Even Captain America couldn't help but curse the moment he heard those words.
"SON OF A BITCH!"
"That's not like you, Cap," Iron Man chimed in.
"The nuclear bomb has a mechanical timer!" Captain America's voice was now completely on edge.
Even Iron Man, who was engaged in battle with the War Machine squad, froze for a moment.
"Tony!" Thor shouted as he smashed an enemy war machine that was about to ambush Iron Man.
"Tony, if you're sure we can trust that talking tumor in your head, then make sure Anthony is online and ready. Have him disable that damn mechanical timer while he's at it!" Captain America was now desperately hoping that the AI in Iron Man's head was as omnipotent as it seemed.
But Iron Man remained silent.
Back in Europe, Anthony had been able to convince the sentient city because it was an intelligent lifeform connected to the network.
But a mechanical timer on a nuclear bomb?
No one understood that kind of tech better than Iron Man.
That thing wasn't networked at all. It operated purely on mechanical transmission. Even if Anthony wanted to override it, it would be impossible.
"Cap..." Iron Man didn't finish his sentence, but Captain America had already grasped the gravity of the situation.
He didn't say anything more to Iron Man.
Instead, he steeled himself and commanded the Ultimate Team, "Let's cut off those bastards' remote control first!"
On the nuclear bomb, Bruce stared intently at the section he was cutting.
Through his enhanced vision, he could clearly see how deep the laser cutter had penetrated the outer casing.
But so far, he had cut less than a third of the designated area.
And there were only 2 minutes and 8 seconds left.
(Tomorrow, another thousand words will be added!)
(End of Chapter)
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