After Charles left Tony Stark's beachfront villa, back at Stark Industries, Obadiah Stane sat in his office with a grim expression. He glared at the personnel reporting to him and angrily asked, "What did you say?"
"No information at all? That's impossible. How can one person have no information available?!"
The person reporting lowered his head and timidly replied, "We can't find any information on him. There's no data online either. We couldn't match his face to any known corporations."
"The surveillance footage also has issues. The audio inside has been tampered with, and we can't hear their conversation clearly, but it seems to be related to the reactor since that person watched and touched it."
As he listened to the report from his subordinate, Obadiah's blood pressure was rising. How could he not know about the reactor?
He couldn't go to that place just for simple communication. Moreover, he had gone to Tony's seaside villa with him as well. Obadiah was very familiar with that villa. Aside from being a residence, it was also Tony's private laboratory.
Tony must have taken that person to see his latest research, the miniaturized Ark Reactor.
"Get out and continue searching! There has to be some information. If it's not on the internet, then use other channels."
"No one just appears out of thin air. Even government agents leave traces. Use all the resources of the group, and I want to know who he really is."
After ordering his subordinates to continue the search for information on Charles, Obadiah Stane stood by the huge floor-to-ceiling window, gazing outside.
He muttered, "Tony, since you can come back alive and bring me a new golden egg, it means you have luck on your side. But if you want to leave Stark Industries behind, don't blame me for being ruthless."
…
On the other side, Alexandra, Bakuto, Sowande, and Murakami, along with their respective subordinates, had made their way to New York through special channels.
In a massive conference room, the four of them were accompanied by small suitcases, and their personal guards stood around them.
They exchanged glances, and Alexandra spoke up, "Did you all bring your dragon bones?"
Murakami was the first to respond, "In this operation, despite the collective strength of The Hand, there's still a certain level of danger."
"If there are casualties, having the dragon bones on hand will allow our subordinates to recover our bodies and resurrect immediately. I don't want to end up like Madame Gao, turned into ashes."
The others nodded in agreement. Without dragon bones, it would be impossible to revive if something went wrong, and the risk of cremation was their greatest concern.
Alexandra saw everyone's determination and continued, "Based on the information we've gathered, one week ago, Charles Doyle purchased a piece of land in Hell's Kitchen and started excavation work. During this time, a minor earthquake occurred at that construction site."
"Furthermore, a skirmish took place on that site between the Chaste and Charles Doyle's High Table. The outcome is quite clear – the Chaste was annihilated, and Charles didn't suffer significant losses."
Hearing that their long-time adversaries, the Chaste, had failed so simply, the others were surprised.
The fact that they had been able to oppose them for so long without being wiped out indicated the Chaste, under the leadership of Stick, was quite formidable. To see them fall so easily and without causing much damage to their opponent was unexpected.
"However, I've already notified Stick's disciple, Elektra."
"I'm sure Elektra, who is currently in Greece, would be very willing to avenge her mentor."
Seeing the serious expressions on everyone's faces, Alexandra spoke again, "In addition to informing Stick's disciple, for this operation, we need to change our approach."
With a gesture from Alexandra, several of her subordinates brought in a few boxes.
Under her guidance, they opened the boxes one by one to reveal their contents.
The first wooden box contained RPGs and several grenades.
The second box contained an entire crate of hand grenades.
The third box held an extravagant-looking sniper rifle, the Croatian RT-20 20/14.5mm anti-material rifle.
The fourth box contained a Gatling machine gun, the M134, along with a box of ammunition.
"Gentlemen, times have changed. Dealing with certain individuals can no longer be done by sending a few ninjas armed with short swords and shurikens for assassinations."
"Even standard handguns and assault rifles don't provide enough firepower. During the Hell's Kitchen battle, there were sounds of firearms and grenade explosions on the scene."
"In that case, we need more powerful weapons to completely destroy Charles Doyle and his agency."
Hearing Alexandra's confident words, Bakuto exclaimed, "Are you planning to start a war with these weapons?"
"These weapons might be effective if used in Hell's Kitchen, where we could hide the evidence. But Charles's agency is in Queens."
"Do you really think the New York government will turn a blind eye when you use heavy weaponry there?"
Listening to Bakuto's concerns, Murakami and Sowande pondered for a moment before nodding. Murakami said, "Alexandra, that place is not a war zone after all..."
In response to their advice, Alexandra wore a confident smile and replied, "No need to worry. I've already arranged everything. Someone will seal off Forrest Hills, 71st Avenue in Queens for us."
"After midnight, that area will be ours. As long as we withdraw before daybreak and clear all traces, this won't have any impact on us."
"As for the price I paid, it was Madame Gao's position."
"The other party will become another one of our fingers. Of course, the benefits we gain won't be limited to this. We'll have the support of all of America and even more countries and regions."
"This is part of our cooperation. I assume no one objects to this deal?"
Hearing Alexandra's words, Murakami spoke up, "If you want to join us and become one of the Five Fingers, it's not impossible. But you need to tell us who you have in mind to replace Madame Gao."
"Alexandra, if you want someone to take Madame Gao's position, it requires the unanimous agreement of our entire group."
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