On the deck of the massive oil tanker, white smoke filled the air. Adam stood silently, watching the scene unfold through the imaging system in his helmet.
He had severely underestimated Extremis. The virus not only allowed rapid regeneration but also produced heat levels that seemed to defy the laws of physics. Despite using hundreds of kilograms of liquid nitrogen to freeze Killian, it had taken longer than expected to suppress him.
Even the Hulk might have been frozen solid under such extreme temperatures, but Killian had endured.
Adam narrowed his eyes as he watched the towering figure trapped in reinforced restraints. Two powerful water jets, drawn from the sea, continued dousing Killian. The fire within him began to weaken, leaving his charred body encased in a thin layer of frost.
It wasn't until Killian's entire body was frozen solid that Adam allowed himself to exhale.
This enemy had proven to be the toughest he had ever faced—not because of raw power, but because of sheer resilience. Killian's ability to regenerate and withstand damage was unnerving.
Even as Adam stared at the frozen figure, he took no chances. The suit's arm cannon fired a concentrated energy blast, shattering Killian into blackened fragments.
"Plot objective complete. New technology extracted."
"Acquired: Extremis Bio-Modification Technology."
Adam paused as the system notification rang in his helmet. He looked down at the scattered remains of Killian, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face.
"That counts as contact?" Adam muttered under his breath.
For a moment, he wasn't sure whether to be amused or disturbed. If Killian were still conscious, he definitely wouldn't have appreciated being reduced to spare parts in the process of Adam acquiring his technology.
But there was no time to dwell on it. Adam's attention shifted back to the oil tanker looming around him.
"Skynet, scan the tanker."
"Scan complete."
"Total length: 400 meters. Width: 58.6 meters. Depth: 32 meters. Total height: 72 meters. Load capacity: 198,000 tons."
Adam's lips curled into a faint smile. The numbers were impressive.
This wasn't just a ship—it was a fortress at sea. And now, it belonged to him.
His thoughts were interrupted by Skynet's alert.
"Master, hostile forces are attempting to detonate the tanker."
Adam's eyes darkened.
"Who?"
"Remaining AIM operatives detected. Planting explosives across multiple compartments."
Adam's face twisted in frustration. He had secured the deck, but it seemed there were still enemies below.
"You're really trying to blow up my ship?" he muttered coldly.
"Skynet, shut down the tanker's power grid. Block all radio communications and isolate their detonators. Deploy armor squads and move to neutralize threats."
"Acknowledged. Emergency lockdown engaged."
The ship's systems flickered as Skynet took full control, cutting off any outside signals.
But before Adam could advance, Skynet interrupted again.
"Master, they've begun executing hostages."
A video feed appeared in his helmet, showing AIM operatives mowing down crew members and researchers. The brutality sent a chill down Adam's spine.
"Damn it."
"Skynet, mobilize the Iron Legion. Breach the compartments and secure the hostages. Prioritize casualties."
Steel-armored units descended on the lower decks, cutting through reinforced bulkheads with laser cutters. But even as they moved in, Adam's mind raced.
Who was behind all this?
AIM wasn't just some second-rate terrorist organization. Their weapons were too advanced, and their tactics too coordinated.
"Skynet, pull up intel on AIM. Who's funding them?"
The AI responded quickly.
"AIM is a weapons research and development group funded by multiple international conglomerates. Ownership is distributed through shell companies and cross-shareholdings, including ties to Wayne Enterprises."
Adam's eyes narrowed.
Wayne Enterprises?
Of course. Big corporations often invested in weapons manufacturers to diversify their portfolios. It wasn't unusual.
But AIM wasn't just building weapons—they were conducting illegal human experiments and supporting terrorists.
"Skynet, identify the controlling stakeholders."
"Ownership is fragmented. No single entity holds majority control."
Adam's fists clenched.
This wasn't going to be as simple as taking out Killian. Whoever funded AIM had covered their tracks well, hiding behind layers of corporate red tape.
For now, he would deal with the immediate threat. But this wasn't over.
Adam stormed into the lower decks, joining the Iron Legion as they fought through the remaining AIM operatives.
Bullets sparked harmlessly off the armored units, while plasma beams and concussive blasts tore through the defenders.
"Take them down! Secure the hostages!" Adam's voice echoed through the comms.
The battle raged on, but Adam's thoughts were already moving ahead.
AIM wasn't just some rogue faction. It was a front—part of a larger game he couldn't yet see.
And whoever had placed Killian on the board had just made their first move.
"Skynet, flag AIM and their affiliates. We're going to tear this network apart."
Adam's eyes burned with determination.
This was far from over.
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