Machine Man 87 : Man with a mission.

Emil Blonsky walked through the dimly lit streets of Hell's Kitchen, his steps echoing in the narrow alleyways. The neighborhood was notorious for its dangers, a labyrinth of crime and vice where even the bravest souls feared to tread. Blonsky, however, was not deterred. He might have lost the gamma-fueled might that once rivaled the Hulk, but he was still a super soldier—enhanced and more dangerous than a platoon of men. He had escaped the military, severing ties with Ross, not wanting to be associated with the rampage he'd created in his Abomination form.

But something about his escape had left him uneasy. It all seemed too easy, too calculated. It was as if someone was moving behind the scenes, controlling his every move. That suspicion grew when he received a mysterious message directing him to Hell's Kitchen with the promise of regaining his powers and more. It could be a trap, but the exhilarating feeling of being the Abomination was something he would do anything to experience again.

Blonsky approached a particularly shady building, its grimy and neglected facade blending perfectly with the squalor of its surroundings. Inside, the air was thick with dust and smoke, the dim lighting casting an eerie glow over the room. It was filled with a group of men and women, but there was something off about them—a rigidity, a lack of emotion. Among them stood a figure who starkly contrasted with the rest. He was a pretty boy, a totally different contrast to the imposing, muscular figures surrounding him.

Alex Arasaka stood in the center of the room, calm and collected. Surrounding him were Terminators disguised in synthetic rubber skin, some able to morph thanks to their liquid metal composition and cybernetic enhancements. They were indistinguishable from humans, save for their identical builds. They stood like sentinels, unmoving, their eyes fixed on Blonsky as he approached.

Blonsky stepped forward, a sneer on his lips. "Didn't expect a fucking capitalist of all people to call me to this godforsaken place…" His eyes narrowed as he sized up the room. "You said you could give me back my powers. How do you plan to do it?"

Alex smiled serenely, unfazed by Blonsky's aggressive tone. "In due time. But first, you must do something for me."

Blonsky's frustration boiled over. "I didn't come here to negotiate," he growled, rushing at Alex with blinding speed. His super soldier reflexes kicked in as he aimed to grab Alex, intending to hold him hostage and force his hand. After all, he was a super soldier—what could a bunch of ordinary guards do to him?

Before his hand could connect, a female Terminator moved with blinding speed, intercepting Blonsky's grab with her palm, her hand morph into an sleek mechanical prosthetics. She effortlessly twisted his arm and brought him to his knees, her grip unyielding despite his struggles. "Fuckkk!" Blonsky screamed, humiliated as he was overpowered by a woman who looked more like a fashion model than a bodyguard.

Alex stepped closer, his expression unchanged. He squatted down, bringing his face level with the once-powerful Abomination who had desecrated Harlem. "As I said, I can give you back your power, but you must do something for me first."

Blonsky, pinned down and furious, looked up at Alex. "What do you want?"

"You need to give me your loyalty, Blonsky. Your loyalty."

Blonsky's mind raced as he processed Alex's words. This was the third time he had lost—twice to the Hulk, and now to this female bodyguard. Never before had he been in such a position, brought to his knees and forced to submit. The female Terminator's grip tightened, emphasizing Alex's control over the situation. After a moment of internal struggle, Blonsky gritted his teeth and nodded. "Fine. I'll work for you. But I want the power of the Abomination back."

Alex nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You will be provided with the ability to transform into the Abomination again, or perhaps something even more powerful. But remember, your loyalty must be unwavering."

The female Terminator released her hold, and Blonsky stood, dusting himself off. His pride was bruised, but his determination was unbroken. He would do anything to regain his powers, and once he had them, he would show Alex his place. "What's the mission?"

Alex's eyes gleamed with calculated intensity. "Your mission will be to covertly take over and conquer Madripoor, the criminal empire where the world's richest and most corrupt reside. You will replace its leaders with those loyal to me, making it my very own private country."

Blonsky shuddered at the thought. Alex's ambition was staggering, and the power he wielded was terrifying. He looked at the figures behind Alex, realizing that they were more than just super soldiers—they were something far beyond that. Blonsky now understood that he was in the presence of a man who could reshape America, and maybe the world, if he wished.

But there was still a nagging question in Blonsky's mind. He glanced back at Alex, his voice quieter now, tinged with suspicion. "And how do you plan to achieve this? How do I even know you can do what you're promising?"

Alex's smile widened, "I have a batch of Hulks blood enough to make an army" a dark gleam in his eyes. "Then with precision and power, Blonsky you will lead the charge with these soldiers at your side. Together, we will reshape Madripoor into the foundation of a new world order. But you want proof of my control, don't you?"

Blonsky's gaze hardened. "Yeah. You claim you can give me back my power, if you have hulks blood you can easily do that… but you haven't explained how you orchestrated my escape. I want to know how you managed to fool the entire military and their Militech robots. How did you pull that off?"

Alex chuckled softly, as if amused by the question. "Ah, Blonsky, you're more perceptive than most. You're right to be suspicious. The truth is, your escape wasn't just luck or your own skill—it was my design."

Blonsky's eyes narrowed. "I figure out that much, but what do you mean?"

Alex relax took a sit on a dusty chair, his voice lowering as if sharing a secret. "The Militech robots that were supposed to guard as you know were designed and manufactured by my company. Their systems are link to the militaries network. But I have a back door and with it I controlled them, overrode their commands, and make them seemingly less powerful compared to a super soldier. The military thought they were in control, that they had everything under wraps. But they were simply following my script."

Blonsky felt a cold shiver run down his spine. It's not just the robots that where his problem when he was escaping, it was also some of the soldiers, their clearly on someone's pocket together with some of the officials… He just didn't know it was Alex who did it all, heck probably even those being paid off might not even know it was him. "You're telling me you manipulated an entire military operation without them even knowing?"

Alex's smile grew wider. "Exactly. The military chalked up the anomalies to your super soldier abilities, their still blinded by the power of a super soldier the might of Captain America to be exact. They never suspecting that I was the one guiding your every step. I made sure they overestimated you, made them think you were a rogue soldier when in reality, it was me all along."

Blonsky clenched his fists, a mix of anger and awe surging through him. That diss about super soldiers being weaker than a bunch of metal clink clanks doesn't sit right with him, but he could see it, if a bunch of robots where thrown he would eventually loose due to their numbers and weapons. But what give him the most shiver is Alex's power of money & authority. "So, you were the one who got me out? All this time, I thought I was escaping on my own, but you were pulling the strings."

"Precisely," Alex replied, his tone almost patronizing. "You were always going to escape, Blonsky. I just made sure it happened on my terms. You're a valuable asset, and I wasn't going to let you rot in some military prison. Everything that led you here was orchestrated by me."

Blonsky stared at Alex, the full extent of his manipulation dawning on him. "So, all of this—the escape, the message, the promise of regaining my powers—it's all been part of your plan from the start?"

Alex nodded, his expression unchanging. "Indeed. Everything has led you to this moment. Now you see the extent of my reach, my control. You're not just a pawn in this game, Blonsky—you're a key player. And with my help, you'll have the power you crave once again."

Blonsky let out a bitter laugh, his anger mingling with a grudging respect. "So, I guess I should be thanking you for my freedom, huh?" he said in a sarcastic way gnashing his teeth.

Alex's expression chuckled slightly at Blonsky's reaction, amused with Blonsky's predicament. "You could say that. But more importantly, you should be grateful for the opportunity I'm giving you what you deserve. With me, you won't just be free—you'll be unstoppable."

Blonsky met Alex's gaze, the weight of the situation settling on his shoulders. "Fine. I'll play along. But remember this, Arasaka—I'm not your puppet. I'll do what you want, but only because it suits me."

Alex's smile remained, but there was a flicker of something darker in his eyes. "Of course, Blonsky. But don't forget—every string has a hand that holds it."

Blonsky clenched his jaw, his resolve hardening. He would work for Alex, he would regain his powers, but he would never forget who had truly set him free—and who had tried to bind him with invisible strings. As he left the building, followed by soldiers who could rival his own abilities, Blonsky couldn't shake the feeling that he had just made a pact with a devil who had the means to change everything.

The streets of Hell's Kitchen seemed even darker now, but Blonsky felt a new fire within him. He was no longer just a man seeking lost power; if Alex could truly take over Madripoor and stand at the helm of this new world order, Blonsky might fully submit his allegiance. As a soldier, the only thing he knew was to fight and follow orders. He might as well stick to what he was good at and enjoy the crumbs.

Now an agent of change in Alex Arasaka's grand design, Blonsky felt a mix of repression and excitement. The promise of power, which he had lost and maybe more, was too tempting to resist. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear—he would once again wield the power that made him a force to be reckoned with.

-=Next few days=-

The early morning light filtered through the thin curtains of Alex Arasaka's hotel room, casting soft shadows across the modest furnishings. The room was a far cry from the luxury he was accustomed to, but it was serviceable for a short stay in Puente Antiguo, New Mexico. The small town was quiet, nestled in the desert with its adobe-style buildings and long stretches of sandy roads. The air was still, the kind of silence that only a remote town could offer.

He didn't want to go to a remote place like this if he was being honest, but he had to go to Mexico because Skynet detected unknown energy signatures in the desert and that promise with the Ancient one is something that he needs to keep.

Alex stirred in bed, still half-asleep when a soft chime echoed through the room. Skynet's voice, soft and feminine yet precise, interrupted the calm. "Father, I've located a man fitting your description. Tall, blonde, dumb, and burly? He was spotted at the local hospital, attacking the nurses and yelling something about the son of Odin."

Alex groaned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He sat up, the sheets rustling around him as he blinked at the sunlight streaming in. "That's him," he muttered, his voice still heavy with sleep. "That's Thor, alright. Instruct a few of our people to draw blood and have it sent back to my lab. We might as well get something useful out of this."

The room was sparsely decorated—just a small desk with a lamp, a wooden chair, and a closet that seemed too large for the space it occupied. Alex swung his legs over the side of the bed, his feet touching the cool tiles as he ran a hand through his dark hair, trying to shake off the lingering grogginess.

Skynet's response was immediate. "Understood, Father. I'll have the necessary personnel dispatched. Shall we invite him to Arcadia?"

Alex reached for a Mexican coke on the nightstand, taking a sip before answering. The coke was cool, refreshing, and way better than the American one, it helped clear his mind. He placed the bottle down with a soft clink. "No, leave him. His girlfriend will pick him up in a day or two. Besides, I don't want some bumbling idiot sitting on the throne of Asgard. I already agreed with the Ancient One that we're just babysitting him. We'll monitor him with minimal interaction."

Few minutes passed…

The sun hung high in the sky, blazing down on the Chihuahuan Desert with a searing intensity that made the air shimmer. It was high noon, and the heat was relentless. Cacti cast harsh, jagged shadows on the cracked earth. A group of locals had gathered near a large crater, where a hammer-shaped object lay embedded in the ground—its head half-buried but raised by the earth as if placed on a pedestal. This impossible sight had quickly turned the desolate patch of land into an impromptu festival. The scent of grilling meat mingled with the dry, dusty air, while laughter and the clinking of bottles echoed across the barren landscape.

Alex Arasaka drove towards the gathering in his Mizutani Shion "Cayote," its sleek, angular, off-road design cutting through the desert with ease. The vehicle's black paint job and neon green doors, accented with sharp touches of red, stood out vividly against the pale desert sands, an eye-catching contrast to the earthy tones around it. The Cayote's engine growled like a beast, its muffler glowing red with power, kicking up a cloud of dust as it sped across the uneven expanse of sand and dirt, the sound reverberating in the still air.

Inside the vehicle, Skynet's voice broke the silence, echoing through the speakers. "Father, just a few miles ahead. You should be able to see the crater where a hammer-shaped object has landed. Looks like a crowd's already gathering, like it's some kind of event."

Alex sighed, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "I keep telling you, it's not just some random alien debris. That's Thor's weapon, Mjolnir."

Skynet's tone remained playful, almost teasing. "If it's that valuable of a weapon, why would they just toss it here and leave it on Earth?"

Alex rolled his eyes, trying to remain patient. "I told you already—it's part of some trial by Odin for his son, Thor. Odin took Thor's favorite weapon and cast him down to Earth so he could learn humility. And maybe, just maybe, grow a brain."

Skynet chuckled. "Asgardians must be slow learners, huh? For someone who's a thousand years old, Thor sure hasn't matured much."

Alex couldn't help but smile, nodding in agreement. If Thor was anything like his movie counterpart, then this babysitting mission from the Ancient One would be a piece of cake. Although he couldn't shake the feeling that this whole situation felt more like being a glorified babysitter than anything else.

As the Cayote neared the crater, Alex saw the crowd gathered around it. People were lining up, taking turns trying to lift Mjolnir, while others watched with amusement, beers in hand. A few grills were set up, sending plumes of smoke into the air as sausages and burgers sizzled over the flames. The atmosphere was lively, with the smell of barbecue mixing with the sounds of guitars and laughter.

Alex parked the Cayote near the edge of the gathering, its neon green doors and black frame immediately drawing the attention of the locals. Some admired the vehicle, intrigued by its futuristic design, while others muttered about the garish color scheme. A few couldn't help but grimace at the bright neon, calling it an eyesore in the harsh daylight. A couple of people even whispered that the car seemed familiar, like they'd seen it before.

Alex stepped out of the vehicle, his thick yellow jacket with white lines gleaming in the midday sun. The jacket's collar had LED indicators that flashed with a faint, rhythmic pulse, adding to his already striking appearance. He looked around, taking in the scene—the crater, Mjolnir, the makeshift party—and then addressed the crowd with a grin.

"I brought beer and burgers! Anyone wanna help me carry them?" he called out.

The offer was met with enthusiastic cheers, and several locals quickly rushed over to help. The mood instantly lifted, and the crowd welcomed Alex as if he were an old friend.

A feisty Latina woman spotted him, her eyes widening in shock before she quickly covered her mouth in awe, as if she had just seen her favorite celebrity. "Aren't you Alex Arasaka, owner of Arasaka Industries?"

Alex smiled warmly, offering a friendly nod. "That's right. Nice to meet you."

As word spread, a group of women hurried over, their excitement palpable. "Oh my God, it is Alex Arasaka!" one of them exclaimed, practically bouncing with enthusiasm.

"Alex Arasaka, the self-made billionaire who owns Arasaka & Militech?" another woman added, her voice filled with admiration. "He's leading the world in robotics, futuristic cars, and cybernetic prosthetics—like arms, legs, and even eyes!"

"He's like a real-life superhero! Zero One!" another chimed in, their eyes shining as if they were meeting their idol.

Nearby, a young boy cautiously approached Alex's car, running his fingers along the sleek frame. "Whoa, this looks like that superhero's car!" he said in awe.

A group of teens quickly gathered around, nodding in agreement. "Of course it is! That's Arasaka's—you know, Kamen Rider Zero One," one of the boys said excitedly.

"Yeah! He's the one with the power armor that looks like a grasshopper!" another added.

"But doesn't this car kinda look like Specter's?" a third kid asked, scratching his head as he glanced between Alex and the car.

The group fell silent, studying the vehicle, trying to figure out the similarities and differences.

After a moment, one of the kids spoke up. "Nah, it's definitely not Specter's. This car's way too flashy for him." The group nodded in agreement, continuing their lively discussion.

As the kids chatted, a burly man with a bushy mustache and a cowboy hat strolled over to Alex, grinning. "You sure know how to make an entrance, amigo. That car of yours looks like it's straight out of a sci-fi movie!"

Alex chuckled, gesturing to the Shion Cayote. "It's called the Cayote, custom-made," he said with a smile. "It's got a bit of flair and a lot of power. Figured it'd be fun to take it for a spin out here."

The man laughed heartily, but his tone grew more curious as they neared the coolers in the back of the vehicle. "So, what do you make of that hammer? Did you make it or is it some kinda government experiment?"

Alex shook his head, grabbing a crate of beers from the trunk. "Probably not. It's more like King Arthur's sword or something. You know, those who can pull the hammer can be king of Mexico."

The burly man burst into laughter, slapping Alex on the back. "That would be something! You're alright, Alex."

As they carried the supplies back to the crowd, more locals joined in, grabbing bags of beef and snacks. The air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of sizzling meat and the sound of beer bottles being cracked open. The atmosphere was festive, a mix of curiosity and excitement about the mysterious hammer that had landed in their midst.

Taking advantage of the lively scene, Alex made his way over to Mjolnir. He couldn't resist the urge to try and lift it. Activating the cybernetic enhancements hidden beneath his jacket, lights glowed faintly on his arms as he channeled every ounce of power into his limbs. But despite his best efforts, the hammer didn't budge an inch. Laughter erupted around him as the crowd watched his futile attempts, good-naturedly ribbing him for trying.

A man approached, tapping Alex on the shoulder as he carried over some chains to hook up to a pickup truck. "Worth a shot," the man said with a grin.

Alex laughed along, shrugging off the failed attempt as he rejoined the crowd. The people were eager to hear stories, share drinks, and bask in the unusual event. The vibe was relaxed and festive, a celebration of the strange and extraordinary. The pickup truck tried to pull the hammer with the chain, but the truck's bed tore off, making for a comical scene. An old man who looked eerily like Stan Lee chuckled and asked, "Did it work?" as the locals laughed at the man's predicament.

Alex noticed the old man staring at him with a knowing smile and a wave. Learning from past experiences, Alex did his best to ignore what was most likely an omnipotent being, blending in seamlessly with the locals. But even as he laughed and chatted, his mind was elsewhere, already thinking about what was to come. Thor's arrival would change everything, and it would finally prove to Fury that his stories about Asgardians were not just myths. But for now, he allowed himself to enjoy the moment, surrounded by the warm camaraderie of the people, even as the weight of his survival & responsibilities lingered in the back of his mind.