Chapter 22: War Machine

At that moment, a flame appeared in the distance, rapidly approaching.

"Is that a missile?" someone in the crowd shouted, sparking immediate panic among the guests. However, as the flaming object drew closer, the searchlights illuminated it, revealing not a missile but a flying... Iron Man?

The figure landed dramatically on the exhibition platform with a superhero landing, causing an uproar. Even Tony Stark, attending the event, was struck with disbelief, unable to process what he was seeing.

As murmurs filled the room, people stood up, craning their necks for a better look. Suddenly, a series of robotic arms extended from the stage, breaking down the Iron Man suit piece by piece, revealing Zod underneath.

"Welcome to the Blade Technology Industry exhibition, everyone. I'm Zod Heath," he greeted with a charismatic smile. Tall, handsome, and radiating confidence, he immediately captivated the room. But despite his charm, most were still in shock over what they had just witnessed.

Even Uuld, his secretary, was taken aback. She had no idea that this was the cross-age weapon Zod had been hiding from her. It truly was revolutionary.

"I know you're not here for the formalities, so let's get straight to the point," Zod continued. "What you just saw is the subject of today's exhibition. The BTI Cross-Age Weapon—a marvel that will redefine the battlefield for the next century. It's agile, fast, heavily armed, and highly precise. Think of it as a flying tank or a mobile combat unit."

The robotic arms reassembled the suit onto a mannequin that rose from the ground, showcasing the advanced technology in all its glory.

The audience was awestruck. Zod's brief flight had demonstrated the impossible, leaving even weapon experts and military scientists in a state of amazement. If Zod had simply walked out in the suit, it might have been impressive, but the fact that he flew in with it was a game-changer.

Zod continued, "The suit can fly at speeds up to Mach 2, its surface is coated with anti-radar materials, and it's made from a steel alloy composite armor. Powered by a palladium arc reactor, the suit can function for 24 hours before requiring a palladium replacement. It can lift between 3 to 5 tons, and its defense is strong enough to withstand anti-material sniper rounds. You'll need armor-piercing or depleted uranium rounds to penetrate it."

He paused for effect as the audience absorbed the information.

"Equipped with ten anti-tank missiles, a range of 300 meters, laser and heat-source locking systems, and an energy cannon capable of penetrating 40mm steel plates at 100 meters, this suit can shift into a three-burst firing mode, making it adaptable to various combat situations," Zod concluded.

While the suit wasn't loaded with excessive weaponry, its combination of anti-tank missiles and palm-mounted energy cannons made it more than formidable on the battlefield.

Staring at the Iron Man suit and its arc reactor, Tony Stark was struck with a sense of defeat. The arc reactor design, a breakthrough he had not yet achieved, was fully realized by Zod and incorporated into a functioning weapon. This was beyond anything Stark had expected. The implications of this cross-age weapon were staggering.

One of the U.S. military representatives abruptly stood up. "Mr. Heath, let's cut to the chase. How much does it cost?"

"The War Machine is priced at 400 million dollars, but it can be upgraded to include secondary Krypton for an additional cost," Zod responded.

Though the price was high, Zod quickly added, "Don't think of this as expensive, gentlemen. This is a weapon system unmatched in both air and ground combat. It's a strategic investment."

The audience fell silent, contemplating the immense value of this weapon. Even though Zod quoted 400 million, he originally planned to charge double that amount. However, this price would spark competition among the world's military powers.

The plan was simple: sell the War Machine at 400 million for the first iteration, then raise the price to 800 million for the second model, and eventually to 1.6 billion for the third. This gradual increase would build demand while fostering military competition. If the U.S. acquired War Machines, other countries—China, Russia, the UK, and France—would follow suit to keep up.

The five superpowers, being the pillars of global military influence, would lead the way. Once they demonstrated the War Machine's combat effectiveness, others would scramble to buy it. Countries could save money on tanks and other outdated equipment by investing in this more mobile, more powerful alternative. Even wealthy individuals like Fisk could potentially buy one, adding to the demand.

After the presentation, Tony Stark sought out Zod, determined to discuss the arc reactor technology. He couldn't bear the fact that Zod, a much younger man, had already surpassed him. However, Zod had already instructed Uuld to decline any meetings with Stark. Blade Technology Industry had entered a new era, one where it was no longer necessary to compete with Stark Industries.

Zod had produced two groundbreaking technologies that would change the century, and Stark had fallen behind.

The War Machine, developed by Anton and Ivan Vanko under Zod's guidance, was a product that required little oversight after Zod provided the technology. While the Vankos initially wanted to install heavier firepower, Zod had told them to save those upgrades for the War Machine 2.

As Uuld watched the grand event unfold, she realized that Blade Technology Industry had forever changed. Like the introduction of secondary Krypton, the War Machine would revolutionize the world.

Countries that ordered the suit for research soon found that it couldn't be replicated. Though its structure was simple, the core technology—Zod's miniature arc reactor—was impossible to recreate. The built-in AI system and advanced shock absorption technology—adapted from Zod's Kryptonian suit—were just as irreplicable. The shock absorption alone reached levels unheard of, providing unparalleled durability.

Faced with this reality, the U.S. government slashed many of its military contracts, redirecting funds to purchase War Machines instead. Companies like Hanmer Industries were hit hard, while Stark Industries was also affected.

The failure to keep up with Zod led Obadiah Stane to grow increasingly frustrated with Tony Stark. In comparison to Zod, Stark was no longer the unrivaled genius he once was in the defense industry.