—New York, Rhodes Industries R&D Center
Thanks to the information extracted from Stephen Strange's brain, Kagura Kagura had gained the ability to track down Ultron.
Since his creation, Ultron had been like a ghost, completely untraceable as he roamed the vast virtual ocean known as the Internet, calmly executing his plans.
No clear targets.
No known bases.
No discernible methods.
Everything about the enemy was shrouded in mystery — a dangerously precarious situation for the Avengers.
If Kagura could successfully trace Ultron's movements, it would be a major breakthrough, not just for the Avengers, but also for Griffin Security Solutions.
It might finally shift the current situation in their favor.
"Master, the memory data analysis is complete. We've also received a response to the network record inquiry we sent to Oslo."
Inside the lab, Kagura and Cortana were working together to reconstruct and process the data from Stephen Strange's brain, extracting useful pieces to track the digital assault route Ultron had used.
"Strange that Ultron didn't erase the network records in Oslo," Kagura said, scanning the floating holographic interface beside her.
"Looks like he figured that since he had already destroyed the physical target, there was no need to cover his tracks online."
"That's a perfectly logical assumption, Master," Cortana replied. "Erasing every trace of a cyber-attack is extremely inefficient."
"If the origin point is already destroyed, there's little point in wasting resources to scrub the network access logs."
Kagura smiled.
"Too bad for him! We've found the 'origin' he thought he had buried. Now we can use his access trail to track him through the virtual world."
Once again, Ultron's arrogance had created an opening.
The World Internet Center in Oslo, Norway, was one of the global hubs for internet traffic. Almost every bit of online data passed through it — Ultron's included.
Cross-referencing the precise time and location of Strange's car accident, Kagura filtered through the Oslo network logs and pinpointed a single access record from that moment.
That lone record was the digital pathway Ultron had used to attack Stephen Strange.
Now that Kagura had it, she could scan the endless torrents of global data, isolating the distinct digital "fingerprints" Ultron had left behind — and use them to track him.
The fish had bitten the hook!
A massive holographic window floated before Kagura, displaying countless tangled data streams — the major arteries of global internet traffic.
Once she began filtering for Ultron's signature, some of the lines turned red.
Those red lines represented data paths matching the characteristics of Ultron's attack on Strange — in other words, the routes Ultron was currently using.
In an instant, a sprawling web of crimson threads spread across the global network map.
"Whoa... Ultron's actually tapping into this many networks at once? No wonder he's called a super AI!" Kagura marveled at the growing web.
"There's a trace of him in nearly every corner of the world. It's like he owns the entire internet!"
Cortana stepped forward, analyzing the spiderweb of activity.
"Master, we've identified several patterned access routes. It's possible to predict Ultron's next targets."
With Ultron's network trails exposed, Kagura could gather critical intelligence.
By analyzing the data traffic and combining it with big data techniques, she could predict Ultron's real-world targets.
No matter what his plan was — or how he intended to attack — once they knew where he would strike, the Avengers and Griffin Security could prepare accordingly.
"Can we pinpoint his next target? Is it Sokovia?" Kagura asked, remembering how in the MCU, Ultron had lifted an entire city to try and annihilate humanity.
However, Cortana's analysis didn't match her expectation.
"No. Based on the network data, Ultron's target isn't in Europe."
"Oh? That's unexpected. Then where is it?"
"Africa. Wakanda," Cortana said, her voice steady.
Kagura froze, stunned.
"W-what?! Wakanda?!"
Cortana seemed puzzled by her master's reaction.
"Master? I don't understand. Why would Ultron target Wakanda? It's a poor, insignificant African nation with no strategic value."
"Mmm, on the surface, yes," Kagura nodded.
Cortana tilted her head, clearly confused.
"On the surface?"
"Yeah. On the surface," Kagura repeated, pulling up the Rhodes Industries "Halo" transport and plotting a course for Wakanda.
"Wakanda is low-profile and secluded, sure. But that doesn't mean it's poor or worthless."
After a brief pause, Kagura spoke slowly and clearly:
"In reality... Wakanda is the most technologically advanced nation on Earth."
"Master? Are you feeling unwell?" Cortana walked over and gently pressed a hand to Kagura's forehead.
"I'm serious!" Kagura laughed, waving her away. "You'll see for yourself soon enough."
Sliding the holographic window toward Cortana, she grinned.
"Get ready. We're heading to Wakanda!"
"Understood..." Cortana nodded thoughtfully.
"Either way, if Ultron's aiming for Wakanda, whatever's there must be important enough to investigate."
———————————————————————
—New York, Avengers Tower
Inside the research lab, Bruce Banner hurried in.
"I heard we found Ultron's next target?"
"Yup. Thanks to Hitomi," Tony Stark said, sharing the latest intel he had just received from her.
"Is the information reliable?" asked Steve Rogers, stepping into the lab as well.
"Tony, didn't you say Ultron's network attacks were untraceable?"
Tony scratched his head, looking conflicted.
"Well... untraceable for me." He shrugged.
"But Kagura apparently figured out a way to crack it — and she actually found Ultron's digital trail. Either way, it's time for us to move."
Hearing that, Steve tightened his grip on his shield.
"Where to?"
"Africa. Wakanda."