Avengers, Tony! (Bonus Chapter)

On the churning sea, a massive wave suddenly rose. Mark 7 burst out from the depths and shot into the clouds in the blink of an eye.

Five fighter jets streaked across the sky, missile after missile launching.

Mark 7 was equipped with the latest electromagnetic jamming technology, making it extremely difficult to lock onto. Besides, at full power, it could reach Mach 5, even faster than conventional missiles. Even if they locked on, they could not catch up. How were they supposed to hit it?

Mark 7 abruptly came to a stop, curled a finger at the Quinjet, then turned and fled.

Come catch me!

Among all weapons under heaven, nothing could break speed; only speed could not be broken.

Whoever was fastest held the initiative in war.

Five aircraft closed in from all sides, but Mark 7 was like a slippery loach, like a lightning-fast falcon. It constantly doubled back and weaved through the sky, attacking with the vast arsenal built into its body.

Micro armor-piercing rounds, target the fuel tanks, fire!

Triple-barrel laser weapon, target the wings, fire!

Air-to-air satellite missiles, target the cockpits, fire!

Fly beneath the aircraft and hug it close, chest cannon, fire!

Every weapon was deployed, including the spare weapons in the detachable backpack.

The first Arc Reactor was soon drained. Switch to the second one.

Thanks to Old Wang’s advice and the virtual technology he had provided, the current Mark 7 was far more powerful than the Mark 7 from "Iron Man 2." While being pursued by five fighter jets, it turned the tables and swiftly transformed from prey into hunter.

"J.A.R.V.I.S., nicely done!"

Tony watched from the sidelines while sighing with some regret. "Fine, I’ve decided not to smash you after all!"

He was not controlling it at all.

J.A.R.V.I.S. was the one controlling it.

Tony himself had little combat experience, but J.A.R.V.I.S. did… acquired through analyzing thousands of war cases.

Although it had not yet fully mastered the Darkhold’s virtual technology, merely integrating the portions it had already understood into J.A.R.V.I.S. had increased its performance tenfold and its AI capabilities a hundredfold.

It was naturally still many levels away from an intelligent lifeform like Vision or Ultron, but at least it would not be inferior to the J.A.R.V.I.S. from "Avengers: Age of Ultron" a few years later.

"A wise choice, sir," J.A.R.V.I.S. said.

In the blink of an eye, two F35 fighters had already been shot down, greatly reducing J.A.R.V.I.S.’s pressure.

However, it had expended quite a few weapons, while the Quinjet was faster than Mark 7. The battle soon fell into a stalemate.

A full six missiles were chasing Mark 7’s ass without letting up.

Watching Mark 7 grow ever more distant, the Hydra members aboard the aircraft were completely despairing and ready to cry.

It was not that they were weak. The problem was that the enemy had a Gundam!

There was no way they could explain this when they got back!

Suddenly, Mark 7 slowed down, and the distance between them steadily narrowed.

Th-this was not normal!

One of them suddenly had a flash of insight and slammed a hand on the console. "It’s out of energy! It has to be out of energy!"

Everyone came to their senses, their eyes lighting up.

Right! What did speed matter? Endurance was the key!

You might be small, lean, and fast, but damn it, you were already done after just five minutes. What use was that?

"He fired so many missiles, plus a chest cannon shot. The energy consumption must have been enormous. Even the Arc Reactor can’t handle it!"

"Quick, launch the missiles and take him out!"

The Hydra members hurriedly achieved infrared lock and fired.

Another three missiles, added to the six already chasing it, made nine in total.

They drew beautiful arcs through the sky. Mark 7 was like a big bad wolf being chased by nine little sheep, utterly tragic.

"Closer, even closer! The fastest missile is less than five kilometers away from Tony Stark!" someone shouted excitedly.

Five kilometers was nothing for supersonic missiles—just a matter of seconds…

Even accounting for relative velocity, it would not take more than fifteen seconds.

The mission was about to be completed!

"Huh? Huh? Huh huh huh?"

Suddenly, three decoy flares emerged from behind Mark 7’s ass and exploded.

The next moment, seven missiles exploded in succession.

"Damn it, they were decoys!" A Hydra member’s face turned extremely ugly.

That bastard still had weapons?

Amid the flames filling the sky, Mark 7 shot upward, raised both arms, and fired triple-barrel laser beams and air-to-air micro missiles simultaneously, taking out the remaining two missiles.

Then it made a dazzling turn and flew back at tremendous speed.

It was actually counterattacking?

Wasn’t it out of energy? Where did it get the energy?

Damn it, they had been fooled!

At that moment, the same thought surfaced in every Hydra member’s mind:

People who played with technology were truly devious!

"J.A.R.V.I.S., you’re truly devious." Inside the suit, Tony wore a look of disdain.

It was not him operating the suit. J.A.R.V.I.S. had done all of it!

"This tactic was formulated after analyzing Master Wang’s combat footage." J.A.R.V.I.S. did not dare take credit, making it clear that all the credit belonged to Master Wang. The devious one was not it, either, but Master Wang.

"Mm, martial artists are all devious."

Tony agreed, then muttered to himself, "Mark 7 still has flaws. Radar invisibility alone isn’t enough. It needs Visual Invisibility Technology."

Some time ago, he had researched Visual Invisibility Technology for Master Wang. Unfortunately, the equipment was too large. Installing it on a Quinjet was no problem, but Mark 7 could not carry it.

If it had Visual Invisibility Technology, this battle would not have been nearly so troublesome.

He had to find a way to miniaturize it.

Though it would be difficult, it was not impossible.

He could also consider adding thermal interference, infrared interference, and laser interference. Those would be much easier.

Mm, he would ask Master Wang later what else could be improved.

Strange. Why were that guy’s ideas for the Mark series more comprehensive and more advanced than his own?

Who exactly was the designer here, him or me?

Tony was confused. His opponents were terrified.

How were they supposed to fight an exoskeleton armor loaded with high-tech weapons, faster than missiles, and absurdly durable?

Waiting online. This was urgent!

The pilots hurriedly reported to the command center and asked for advice. The command center fell silent.

What use was asking us?

That thing had radar invisibility. They could not even "see" it!

"Retreat." A senior agent gave the order with a dark expression.

In the end, the Quinjet abandoned the four F35 fighters, entered stealth mode, and fled in disgrace.

Watching the burning F35s fall from the sky, watching the City of Freedom villa that had been completely reduced to ruins, Tony fell into thought.

Who had attacked him at a time like this?

Terrorist organizations he had attacked before?

The Department of Defense or military that disliked him?

Or mercenaries bribed by other arms dealers?

No!

F35 fighters were the mainstay of the United States military. Each cost nearly two hundred million dollars, and they were never sold abroad.

As for the Quinjet, only S.H.I.E.L.D. had them. Other than Master Wang’s three, none had ever been sold.

Could S.H.I.E.L.D. really be behind the attack?

That bald black bastard couldn’t get his way softly, so he was trying force?

Tony sneered.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that you’re black and I’m white, and you look tougher than me. If we really dropped our pants and compared, you might not be harder than me!

Just as he was thinking that, J.A.R.V.I.S.’s voice suddenly sounded. "Sir, there is an unknown communication request."

"Put it through."

A cold-faced beauty appeared on the display inside his helmet.

"Mr. Stark, I’m Agent Romanoff from S.H.I.E.L.D."

Black Widow spoke quickly. "We received intelligence that Hydra intends to attack the City of Freedom. They have dispatched four F35 fighters and one Quinjet. Please be careful."

Tony remained expressionless. "You’re too late. My villa has already been destroyed."

"…I’m sorry." Black Widow observed three seconds of silence, then said, "I’m glad you’re still alive, Mr. Stark."

"How do I know it was Hydra attacking me and not your S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Tony snorted.

"Hydra attacked multiple S.H.I.E.L.D. bases, while also attacking Master Wang’s Azeroth Laboratory and specialty store."

Black Widow said, "You can ask Master Wang. Also, we need your help. If Hydra succeeds, the entire world will fall into apocalypse. Hydra has a Project Insight, designed to eliminate millions of dangerous individuals around the world in one precise strike. You are on the list as well!"

"Yes, sir."

J.A.R.V.I.S.’s voice sounded. "Five minutes ago, satellites detected five missiles exploding less than fifty kilometers from Azeroth Laboratory. Also, we just received a warning text from Miss Skye. Master Wang asked whether you were… dead yet. If not, make a sound… Those were his exact words."

"Tell him I won’t die."

Tony snorted, though warmth surged in his heart.

Master Wang was still the one who cared about him!

He looked at Black Widow and asked, "Tell me. How do you want me to help?"

"I’ll send you a set of coordinates. The coordinates of Triskelion Headquarters."

Black Widow said, "That is S.H.I.E.L.D.’s headquarters, and also Hydra’s headquarters. Mr. Stark, the war of vengeance has begun!"

"Let me make this clear first, I never agreed to become any kind of Avenger."

Tony muttered, then said, "J.A.R.V.I.S., destination Washington D.C. Let’s go!"

This chapter makes up for the first.