Chapter 23: A New Era Begins

Stark Industries was among the first to acquire War Machines from Blade Industries, with Obadiah Stane eager to crack the technology. He believed that if Stark Industries could reverse-engineer it, they'd remain competitive with Blade Industries, which had taken the world by storm with its advanced tech. The War Machines' potential for both air and ground combat was undeniable, and even the blind could see the value it held. If they could copy it, Stark Industries wouldn't lose out in the arms race.

However, as Tony Stark and his team began dismantling the machine, the unexpected happened.

A catastrophic explosion.

The blast radius reached 500 meters, obliterating everything in its path. Tony barely managed to escape, but Stark Industries' weapons department wasn't so fortunate. The explosion caused severe casualties and extensive damage to the facility.

In response to Stark Industries' complaint, Blade Industries coolly referenced the manual that came with the War Machines: Unauthorized tampering would trigger self-destruction, and Blade Industries would not be held responsible for the consequences. It was clear that Zod Heath, CEO of Blade Industries, had anticipated this very scenario and taken precautions to protect his technology.

While Kryptonian technology and Earth's engineering were fundamentally different, Tony Stark was determined to understand it. But Zod, knowing the dangers of his advanced tech falling into the wrong hands, had built in safeguards. Each War Machine came equipped with a self-detonation mechanism to ensure that no one could reverse-engineer it.

Across the globe, others met similar fates when attempting to dismantle the War Machines. Only one nation—the cautious and methodical Rabbit Nation—stopped just before triggering the self-destruct sequence, thanks to their careful reading of the manual.

OsCorp, another prominent player in the weapons industry, faced heavy losses as well. With the advent of the War Machine, their military contracts for the Super Soldier Serum were canceled. The project, which had cost OsCorp nearly 10 billion dollars, was abruptly halted, leading to shareholder backlash and significant financial strain on the company.

The military was quick to recognize that the War Machine rendered super soldiers obsolete. While super soldiers were once valued for their ability to fight with the strength of a hundred men, the War Machine outclassed them in every respect. Agile, powerful, and self-sustaining, the War Machine could achieve the same results without the need for transportation, logistics, or specialized care. It wasn't just one man against a hundred—it was an entire platoon packed into one unstoppable weapon.

As a result, a new arms race began. The world's militaries scrambled to acquire the War Machine technology, and many long-standing defense companies went bankrupt, unable to compete. Overnight, Zod Heath became the top target of several underground organizations, with a bounty of $500 million placed on his head.

Despite these threats, Blade Industries continued to thrive. The U.S. government even offered to send military forces to protect the company, but Zod declined. Instead, he was granted gun and kill permits, allowing his private security—Blade Security Company—to protect the industrial base. Mercenaries armed to the teeth patrolled the grounds, while inside, genetically engineered animal soldiers stood ready to defend against any intruder. Even someone as formidable as Captain America wouldn't stand a chance against these defenses.

Meanwhile, Zod's reputation as the greatest scientific mind of the century continued to grow. But instead of focusing on groundbreaking weapons, he was now working on something more mundane, yet equally profitable.

"Powerful Cockroach Remover," he said with a smirk, presenting the product to Urd. "Spray it at home, and you won't see a cockroach for a week."

"Mosquito and Fly Killer," he added, holding up another product. "One month without pests."

"Universal Rat Poison. Effective for a month against all types of rats and voles."

Though these products seemed insignificant compared to his previous achievements, they sold at an astonishing rate. The market for pest control was massive, and the profits from these three items alone exceeded $100 million per month, with no sign of slowing down. Urd was astounded by the numbers.

"The more mundane the product, the greater the hidden profits," Zod explained with a knowing smile. "Think about it—over six billion people worldwide. If they all use our products, how much money do you think that would generate?"

Zod's logic was sound. Just like Tony Stark in another universe, who became a billionaire through beauty products and fertilizers, Zod understood the value of everyday necessities. His pest control products weren't about eradication, but expulsion—keeping pests out of homes while allowing them to thrive in their natural environments. As long as cockroaches, mosquitoes, and rats stayed out of people's homes, the vast sewer systems and streets could house them all.

With a constant influx of cash and growing global influence, Blade Industries reached new heights. Zod finally gained access to advanced precision instruments that were previously reserved for national agencies—rare, high-tech equipment that only a handful of governments possessed. While crude by Kryptonian standards, Zod made do, slowly building toward his larger goals.

Unlike Superman, who had relied solely on his physical prowess and neglected Kryptonian technology, Zod was determined to master both. His strategic use of Kryptonian advancements ensured Blade Industries' rise to global dominance.

In the meantime, Zod recruited Dr. Connors, who had been leading OsCorp's Super Soldier Serum project. After a brief "conversation," Dr. Connors was brainwashed into becoming a loyal scientist within Blade Industries. Together, they resumed their research on animal soldiers, with Zod setting his sights on acquiring the Hulk's genetic material. If he could combine that power with his animal soldiers, the possibilities were endless.

New York's Dark Underbelly

Late at night, in the shadows of New York, an underground bar buzzed with activity. The streets were filled with chaos and crime, but inside, it was business as usual.

That is, until three black Chevrolet SUVs pulled up outside. Fifteen men in black combat gear stepped out and approached the entrance.

Before the guards could react, they were swiftly subdued. The leader of the group, his voice cold and mechanical, asked, "Is this the place?"

One of the men behind him responded, "Heat signatures confirm. This is it."

"Move in."

The guards, their faces suddenly contorting with fangs, revealed their true nature—vampires. But even in their monstrous forms, they were no match for these men. With unyielding precision, the team kicked down the door and entered the bar.

Twenty minutes later, silence fell.

A large truck, camouflaged as "Optimus Prime," rolled up. The men in black began loading unconscious vampires into the back. Within minutes, the truck drove off, headed straight for Blade Industries.

What Zod had in store for these vampires was anyone's guess, but one thing was certain: the future of warfare—and the world—was now in his hands.