Chapter 39: Hank Pym
No stones?
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Chapter 39: Hank Pym
"So, Have You Decided?"
Inside the Dark Avengers' Base
Nick Fury glanced at Howard, who was standing in front of the console, and posed a question, "What is it?"
Without turning around, Howard fixed his gaze on the console screen and responded, "Jacques' funeral."
Jacques Duquesne, also known as the Swordsman, was a fallen member of the Dark Avengers, and his demise in previous battles.
"Clint is very sad."
The relationship between Hawkeye and the Swordsman was complex, with Jacques serving as Clint's mentor and teaching him combat skills. Therefore, the swordsman's death had dealt a significant blow to Clint.
Silence filled the room for a few moments before Howard replied in a hoarse voice, "Place a bouquet of flowers in front of the grave for me."
Nick Fury commented, "You're too detached, Howard."
For Howard's response, Nick Fury remained unfazed, merely fixing his gaze on him with his one good eye. After a brief moment of silence, he spoke, "Maybe you can try to come out, after all…"
Unfazed by Nick Fury's remark, Howard responded in a cold tone, "I know what I'm doing."
Realizing Howard's resolute stance, Nick Fury acknowledged, "Alright, I understand."
After Nick Fury's departure, an atmosphere of tranquility permeated the entire base hall. In the stillness, Howard raised his right hand and smoothly slid his fingers across the screen of the console.
Curious, a young voice broke the silence, "What are you doing, Dad?"
Howard's attention remained fixed on the image playing before him as he replied, "Creating a key that can lead to the future."
The young voice inquired further, "For whom?"
A hint of tenderness crept into Howard's voice as he answered, "For you..."
Within the empty base, the sound of a child's voice echoed. Howard stood before the console, his gaze focused on the moving images, and a faint blue light flickered in the eye socket of his mechanical eye.
…
Hydra Tower
"Zemo!"
Hank Pym arrived at Helmut's office and confronted him, "What is the meaning of this?"
Helmut, with a composed expression, raised his head from the screen in front of him and calmly inquired, "Dr. Hank Pym?"
Placing the information he held on the table, Pym locked eyes with Helmut and questioned him, "Why did you activate Ultron without notifying me?"
Correcting Pym with an indifferent demeanor, Helmut glanced at the information presented by Dr. Pym, stating, "First and foremost, Ultron does not belong to you, Dr. Hank Pym. It is a product of Hydra Biotechnology, and Hydra possesses full rights to its utilization."
Helmut continued, "Furthermore, I hope that next time you come in, you'll have the courtesy to knock on the door in advance."
Undeterred by Helmut's response, Pym rebutted, "Without the brainwave pattern I designed, you wouldn't have been able to create Ultron at all."
With Helmut's impassive reaction, Pym's anger intensified, and he exclaimed, "I admit that your role, doctor, was vital in the Ultron project, and you held absolute dominance. However, that doesn't grant Hydra the right to use Ultron without my approval."
Helmut retorted, "Usage? All I see is you foolishly destroying Ultron!"
He added, "Perhaps this indicates that Ultron isn't perfect, Dr. Pym."
Hank Pym shook his head, displaying disappointment and frustration, as he placed his hands firmly on the table. He looked down at Helmut, his gaze intense, and spoke each word with emphasis.
"Do you think I will continue to work for you after what happened?"
Helmut, wearing an expressionless face, raised his head to meet Hank Pym's gaze.
"I think you have no choice, Dr. Hank Pym," Helmut responded, his tone devoid of emotion.
Hank felt his fingers involuntarily clenching on the table, his anger simmering beneath the surface. The desire to reach out and forcefully grab his opponent's head, slamming it onto the table, flickered briefly in his mind.
But he swiftly reminded himself of the precarious situation he found himself in. Controlling his rage, Hank took a deep breath and released his grip on the table.
"I see," he uttered, his voice tinged with resignation.
...
"Sorry…"
In his office, Helmut watched Hank Pym's departure.
"I didn't anticipate his sudden intrusion. It was my oversight," he confessed.
Helmut reached out and pressed the screen on the table, addressing the figure on the screen, "I don't want this to happen again."
The image displayed a figure with gray hair wearing a military uniform. With sunken eyes and a thin face, he exuded a gloomy aura.
"It was merely an accident," Helmut explained, recounting the incident that had occurred in his office. He swiftly shifted the conversation back to its initial purpose, saying, "We have discovered traces of the rebels. According to the recorded footage of the damage Ultron, the attack was executed by the Dark Avengers. Fragments of Hawkeye's arrows were also found at the scene..."
"The rebel matter will be handled by the Thunderbolts," the figure in the screen interjected.
Interrupted, Helmut's mouth twitched unnaturally. "We have already obtained some leads regarding the Hyde Formula. However, our researchers were unable to fully decipher the formula's content. It appears that Mr. Hyde did not disclose the complete formula..."
"Calvin will not hand over the complete Hyde Formula. It was one of the conditions for his involvement with the Thunderbolts, and he holds considerable importance in our operations," Helmut clarified.
The figure on the screen frowned at the rejection but remained steadfast. "Even if we deciphered the complete formula, reproducing it in the serum experiment would be impossible. They are separate research endeavors, after all. Hyde's formula can only serve as a reference for the serum experiment, aiding us in understanding the formula and the changes it induces in the human body, as well as how to integrate the two."
Unfazed by the figure's rejection, Helmut maintained a composed demeanor and continued his report, "I have extended an invitation to a renowned physicist in Hydra's name, awaiting his response."
Curious, the figure inquired, "Who is the other party?"
"Dr. Bruce Banner."
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