Eric stumbled out of the wreckage, his legs shaky, his mind racing. The arc reactor embedded in his chest pulsed faintly, its energy surging in rhythm with his heartbeat. His jacket hung loosely around him, the zipper torn in his desperate attempt to understand what had just happened.
The world outside the collapsed sublevel seemed painfully ordinary. The streets bustled with the noise of the city—honking horns, chatter, the distant wail of a siren. For a moment, Eric thought about heading straight home and pretending none of this had happened. But the reactor in his chest hummed, a constant reminder that his life had irrevocably changed.
He needed answers.
Eric reached into his pocket and retrieved a small, battered smartphone. His fingers trembled as he searched for any mention of Stark Tower's sublevels, hidden labs, or "Prototype Omega." Nothing. Frustrated, he pocketed the phone and glanced back at the rubble. No way he could go back there—the security guard had probably already called for reinforcements.
He felt a sudden, sharp jolt in his chest, like static electricity snapping against his skin.
"Ow!" Eric winced, clutching at the arc reactor. The pain subsided, replaced by a peculiar warmth. Then he heard it—a voice, soft but clear, emanating from within his own mind.
"Interface initiated. Synchronization at 30%."
Eric froze. "What the hell?" he muttered.
"Do not panic," the voice continued. It was calm, precise, and unmistakably artificial. "You are experiencing a neural-link calibration. This process is essential for optimal performance."
"Performance? What performance? Who are you?" Eric demanded, looking around as if the voice had a physical source.
"I am the Omega AI, a sentient construct designed to interface with the Prototype Omega reactor. Your biometrics indicate compatibility, making you the default user."
Eric groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Default user? I didn't sign up for this."
"Your preferences are irrelevant. Synchronization will complete in T-minus 72 hours. During this time, you may experience physiological and cognitive enhancements, as well as unintended side effects."
"Side effects?" Eric snapped. "Like what?"
The AI paused, as if considering its response. "Side effects may include heightened reflexes, accelerated healing, and increased neural activity. Additional anomalies may occur depending on environmental stimuli."
"Great," Eric muttered, rubbing his temples. "Just what I needed."
He ducked into an alleyway, away from prying eyes. His breathing was uneven, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and panic. He lifted his shirt to inspect the reactor again. The faint blue glow seemed to grow brighter with each passing moment, as though responding to his anxiety.
"Alright," he said aloud, addressing the AI. "Let's say I believe you. What am I supposed to do now? I'm not a superhero. I'm not… Stark."
"Your disbelief is irrelevant," the AI replied. "The reactor's activation will not go unnoticed. Hostile entities may attempt to acquire this technology. Your primary objective is survival."
"Survival?" Eric repeated, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "Fantastic. Any chance you've got a manual for this thing?"
Before the AI could respond, a deep rumble shook the ground beneath him. Eric instinctively pressed himself against the brick wall of the alley, peeking around the corner. Down the street, a sleek black SUV screeched to a halt. Four figures emerged, each dressed in tactical gear, their movements precise and purposeful.
"Crap," Eric muttered, ducking back into the shadows.
"Hostiles detected," the AI announced. "Energy signatures indicate advanced weaponry. Avoid confrontation."
"Yeah, no kidding," Eric whispered. He scanned the alley for an escape route, spotting a fire escape ladder a few feet above him. He leapt, his fingers grazing the bottom rung. To his surprise, his body moved faster than expected, and he grabbed the ladder with ease.
"Huh," he muttered, pulling himself up. "Maybe those side effects aren't so bad."
Climbing quickly, Eric reached the rooftop just as the tactical team entered the alley. From his vantage point, he watched as they fanned out, scanning the area with handheld devices. One of them knelt, examining the faint blue glow left on the ground where Eric had inspected the reactor.
"He's been here," the operative said, his voice muffled by a helmet. "Residual energy readings match the Stark prototype."
Eric's stomach dropped. They knew exactly what they were looking for.
"Orders?" another operative asked, his grip tightening on a high-tech rifle.
"Capture," the leader replied. "Lethal force authorized if necessary."
Eric's pulse quickened. He couldn't stay here. The AI's voice cut through his panic.
"Recommend immediate extraction. Use enhanced mobility to evade pursuit."
"Enhanced mobility?" Eric asked, but his question was answered when his legs tingled with the same warmth as the reactor. Without thinking, he sprinted across the rooftop, each step faster and more fluid than he'd ever experienced. The wind whipped past his face as he leapt to the next building, clearing the gap with ease.
Below, the tactical team spotted him. "Target on the rooftops! Engage!"
Bullets whizzed past him as he ran, but his newfound agility kept him ahead of the gunfire. Adrenaline surged through his veins as he navigated the cityscape, his mind racing alongside his body.
He didn't know who these people were or why they wanted the reactor, but one thing was clear: his life had just become a whole lot more complicated.