27: The Storm

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"Superman! Who's that?" Nick Fury's eyes narrowed, and then... he looked confused.

"Director, Superman is a superhero from DC Comics. He has super strength, super speed—"

"Wait, you're saying this is a character from a comic book? One of those superheroes who wear pajamas, mask their faces, and save the world?"

"Technically, Superman doesn't wear a mask, Director. He has a bioelectric field that prevents people from remembering or photographing his face!" Coulson explained enthusiastically.

Nick Fury looked closely at the satellite footage. "It really doesn't capture any facial details... You seem to know a lot about him?"

"I'm a fan of Superman, and also a fan of Captain America!" Coulson said, a bit excited to talk about his interests.

"So, how do you think we should handle this Superman?" Nick Fury leaned back in his chair, hands crossed. "It seems like he doesn't want his real identity to be discovered."

"According to the storylines in the comics, he stands for justice and would stop any unjust violence. So, maybe we could try to make contact." Coulson suggested.

"That's in the comics, Coulson. In reality, this is just an impersonator. Besides, what he's doing right now is using violence!"

"That... seems to be the case. The Superman in the comics doesn't kill; he has a no-kill rule, even more strict than Cap—"

"Enough with your comics, Coulson!" Fury tapped the desk. "Take Barton and head to Afghanistan. Try to investigate this individual."

"Yes, Director!" Coulson concluded his report and left the room, heading out to carry out the new assignment.

As he reached the door, Fury's voice called out again with another order: "And bring me a set of those Superman comics!"

... 

At the same time, a similar scene was unfolding within the military.

However, unlike Nick Fury, who had a deeper understanding of extraordinary powers, the military command center was in complete chaos.

As the colonel of the weapons development department, Rhodes was the first to step forward and explain that the figure in the video was a living person, not a humanoid weapon.

A major from the missile unit suggested that if even the Jericho missile couldn't harm this enemy, they might need to consider using nuclear weapons.

A naval captain stated that they were unable to deal with a person who could fly.

An Air Force lieutenant colonel added that it would be very difficult for airborne missiles to hit a target that was moving so fast and was so small.

Finally, General Ross slammed his hand on the table and made the decision: for the time being, they would not intervene but would keep monitoring the situation. If the individual did not display hostility, they would attempt to negotiate and ideally get him to cooperate in research, potentially creating a super soldier for the United States, again.

After that, the meeting was adjourned, and preparations for potential conflict were ordered.

...

That morning, while various major departments were in turmoil and chaos, Stark's mansion on the coast of Los Angeles was peaceful and leisurely.

Tony was awakened from his sweet dreams by J.A.R.V.I.S., using a recording of Lyon playing the suona, which he had recorded earlier.

"Good God!! J.A.R.V.I.S., what are you doing!?"

Tony got up from the floor, clutching his blanket, after being startled out of bed by the sudden blaring of the suona. The intense melody, reminiscent of galloping horses, made his heart race, making him feel as if someone was about to trample his soft bed.

"Sir, Master Lyon just instructed me to wake you up and play this video for you."

With that, J.A.R.V.I.S. controlled the holographic projection equipment, displaying the footage Lyon had recorded on his phone in front of Tony.

On the screen.

Thousands of guns fired in unison, hundreds of grenades rained down in a blanket bombardment, and vehicle-mounted missiles and Jericho missiles followed one after another. 

The screen was filled with flames, massive explosions, and even bigger explosions, leaving Tony dumbfounded. 

He didn't even have time to worry about Lyon, who was amidst all these dangerous weapons, before the progress bar reached the end.

"What is this? A promotional video Lyon made overnight? Where is he now?"

"Master Lyon is currently in Afghanistan, eliminating the Ten Rings, sir. The footage you just watched was recorded live for you ten minutes ago."

"He's in the Middle East? My God, when did he leave? And now it's... Oh, ten o'clock already."

Tony glanced at the bright sun outside and rubbed his face. "So he actually went ahead on his own... But why did he send me this video?"

"Master Lyon wanted you to take a good look at the Stark weaponry in the video, sir."

"Stark weaponry... well, they must be the once they got before Ob—" Tony's expression froze.

He rewound the video to the beginning and watched it again, his face growing darker with each passing moment.

"What the Fuck! They're all Stark weapons. And why are Jericho missiles in the Ten Rings' base!?"

Tony's face remained expressionless, but the twitching of his cheek revealed his disturbed state of mind.

"I only sold those missiles to the military myself. How did these people get their hands on them? Was it the military? Or was it Obadiah?"

"Sir, there has only been one batch of Jericho missiles produced, the ones you sold," J.A.R.V.I.S. responded.

Tony's face remained stoic as he fell silent.

A few seconds later, he threw on a shirt and pushed open the door.

"J.A.R.V.I.S., control Lyon's suit and come with me to the Middle East—ah, and West Asia as well."

"Understood, sir. Also, do you think you'll be able to sleep tonight?"

"Why are you asking that?" Tony frowned.

"Master Lyon asked me to inquire about this and to relay your answer back to him promptly."

"..." Tony opened his mouth, wanting to say something but stopping short.

Finally, he took a deep breath, exhaling through his nose. "Tell him that when I can't sleep, I'll make sure he can't sleep either!"

With that, he spread his arms wide, and the Mark III suit immediately assembled around him.

"Follow me, J.A.R.V.I.S."

He controlled the suit and took off, followed by the J.A.R.V.I.S.-controlled Super Mark I.

Super Mark I was a name Lyon had come up with himself.

That boy's ridiculous competitive streak even extended to naming things.

...

While it was morning in Los Angeles, it was night in Afghanistan.

And this night was destined to be anything but peaceful.

The flames of gunfire erupted across the land, shooting skyward.

If viewed from high above, it would look like one lamp after another flickering on and then quickly extinguishing.

Starting in the northeast corner of the map, one by one, until everything in the southwest corner was plunged into darkness.

"Tell me the time, J.A.R.V.I.S.," Lyon said as he looked down at the last Ten Rings base, now reduced to ruins and shrouded in smoke.

"It is currently 11:08 PM local time," J.A.R.V.I.S. responded.

"Hmm... I got delayed a bit, took eight minutes longer than planned."

For some reason, every time he saw the Ten Rings using missiles, Lyon couldn't resist waiting a moment.

—Waiting for the missile to be launched, then blowing it up right in front of the terrorists.

At that moment, even the most devout and stubborn members of the Ten Rings would be so filled with despair that they would be scrambling in fear.

Killing the body and breaking the spirit~ Heh.

Lyon even thought he might be going a bit too far.

But he couldn't deny that it felt incredibly satisfying.

Especially when he looked down at the terrified thugs, who were crying and snotting themselves, and said something like, "Is this all you've got? Truly disappointing."

That felt even better~

It just took up a bit of time.

"Master Lyon, what do you plan to do?"

"Well, the weapons my brother made are now in the hands of these terrorists. That means US is supplying them to create ruccus in the first place. So, I need to display power and destroy the weapons, that's all. After all, the decision-makers are higher up; the ordinary soldiers are mostly just following orders and might not all be eager to start a war."

"Your choices have always been wise... Master Lyon, Mr. Stark has just entered the Afghan border. He's trying to contact you. Shall I connect him?"

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(~￣³￣)~Give me some PowerStones~

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