Gotcha

The field was now a grim battlefield, scattered with the corpses of Cantel aliens. Stark stood among the lifeless forms, his helmet's sensors sweeping over the area for any clues. Most of the Cantels had fallen quickly to his precise attacks, while others had resorted to taking their own lives the moment they realized capture was inevitable. Their collective willingness to die rather than reveal any information painted a stark picture. 

"They're hiding something big," Stark muttered to himself, surveying the aftermath. 

No clues could be gleaned from the bodies, but the extreme reactions of the Cantels only solidified Stark's suspicion: he was close to uncovering something significant. Activating his thrusters, he shot back into the air, leaving the grim scene behind. 

He followed the direction the group had been traveling, his suit's advanced sensors fully engaged. The planet's barren landscape stretched endlessly below him, its muted grays and browns occasionally broken by jagged rock formations. Stark wasn't entirely sure where he was headed, but he trusted his instincts—and his suit's technology. 

Moments later, his efforts paid off. A new cluster of heat signatures appeared on the edge of his radar. Stark adjusted his trajectory, descending cautiously toward the source. 

Nestled within a narrow, inconspicuous valley was a hidden camp. Stark hovered above, his HUD scanning and recording every detail. The camp was bustling with activity, with dozens of Cantel aliens moving between makeshift buildings constructed from a glossy, gum-like material. 

The camp was well-hidden, far from the temple and even further from any major routes. Most groups established their strongholds as close to the temple as possible, openly declaring their intentions. This camp's remote location and the secrecy surrounding it suggested something different—something worth hiding. 

"This isn't just another group of temple seekers," Stark mused, narrowing his eyes behind the helmet. "What are you hiding out here?" 

His suspicion deepened as he watched the Cantels move about the camp. Their movements were efficient, purposeful, and cautious. It was clear this wasn't a random collection of travelers; this was an organized operation. 

"Could the Shenyin Legion commander be here?" Stark thought. The idea wasn't far-fetched. If the rumors about the temple's seal being lifted were true, it made sense that the commander would want to be close by. The secrecy of this camp only added weight to the theory. 

Reactivating the holographic module in his armor, Stark shifted his appearance once more to mimic a Cantel alien. The nanomaterials flowed over his suit, transforming it into a perfect replica of one of the aliens he had encountered earlier. 

From his vantage point, Stark studied the layout of the camp. Friday, his onboard AI, mapped the entire area, marking the central building as the most likely place for a leader to be hiding. With a clear goal in mind, Stark descended to the camp's edge, blending seamlessly into the crowd of Cantels. 

He moved cautiously, his gait mimicking the awkward shuffle of the aliens. The disguise held as he approached the central building, but just as he neared his target, a figure stepped out from one of the surrounding structures. 

It was another Cantel, but this one was different. It was massive, with a thick, muscular frame that stood in stark contrast to the slender, agile builds of the other aliens. Its arms were bulky, its stance solid, and its presence intimidating. 

"Password," the alien demanded in a deep, gravelly voice. 

Stark froze for a moment, caught off guard. A password? He hadn't anticipated this level of security, especially not after the disorganized behavior of the previous group. 

His mind raced. What could he possibly say? Should he try to bluff his way through? 

"Uh… long live Hydra?" Stark said, his tone a mix of sarcasm and hope. 

His hand hovered near the control wheel to switch his suit back to combat mode. He had little faith that his ridiculous response would work, but he had to try. 

To his shock, the large Cantel alien nodded. "Hmm," it grunted, before turning and walking away. 

Stark blinked in disbelief. "Wait… what?" 

He barely had time to process what had just happened when the large Cantel approached a pair of gatekeepers stationed near the entrance to the central building. 

"Password," one of the gatekeepers demanded. 

The large Cantel puffed out its chest, standing tall. "Long live Hydra!" it declared proudly. 

The gatekeepers froze. Their eyeless faces twitched in confusion before both of them shouted, "Intruder! Intruder alert!" 

The camp erupted into chaos. Cantels poured out of nearby buildings, yelling and rushing toward the large Cantel. 

Stark watched from the sidelines, his helmet's HUD tracking the commotion. "That escalated fast," he muttered. 

The large Cantel, now under attack, let out a guttural roar. Suddenly, its back split open, revealing a hidden, much larger figure inside. 

From the hollow shell of the Cantel emerged a towering black giant. Its obsidian-like skin gleamed in the dim light, and its massive frame exuded raw power. 

The black giant wasted no time. Its massive hand grabbed a charging Cantel and hurled it into a nearby group, scattering them like bowling pins. The shell of the large Cantel lay discarded on the ground as the giant fully emerged, standing taller than anyone in the camp. 

"Fake passwords?" the giant growled, its deep voice dripping with contempt. "You think I'd fall for that nonsense? Pathetic!" 

The giant launched itself into the fray, its punches and kicks scattering the Cantels like ragdolls. Despite their numbers, the Cantels were no match for its sheer strength and size. 

Stark remained in the shadows, watching as the giant tore through the Cantels. "Well, that's one way to cause a distraction," he said. 

The chaos presented an unexpected opportunity. With everyone focused on the black giant, Stark could move through the camp unnoticed. 

Taking advantage of the distraction, Stark navigated his way toward the central building. His disguised form blended into the background as he slipped past the fighting Cantels. 

But when he reached the central building, it was empty. 

Stark's eyes narrowed as he scanned the room. The place was too clean, too untouched. Whoever had been here had left in a hurry. 

"They're running scared," Stark muttered. "Figures." 

Switching gears, Stark deactivated his disguise. Flames shot from his boots as he ascended into the air, scanning the area from above. His sensors quickly picked up movement—a small group of Cantels sprinting away from the camp, heading toward the northwest. 

The HUD zoomed in on the fleeing group, highlighting them as they disappeared into a narrow trail. 

Stark smirked beneath his helmet. "Gotcha." 

With a burst of speed, Iron Man rocketed after them, determined not to let his quarry slip away. Whatever secrets the Cantels were guarding, Stark was ready to uncover them.