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Middle East Region.
A town in Kuwait.
About ten minutes ago, a group of terrorists called the Ten Rings Gang suddenly appeared and attacked this border town.
They dragged all the armed personnel who had defected to the U.S. military, along with their families, to the town square.
A middle-aged man with a cold expression and a large beard common among Arab men stepped forward to the front of the crowd.
He casually raised his hand and randomly selected ten people to be publicly executed.
"Some people call me a terrorist, but I consider myself a teacher… So now, all of you in America, are you ready to witness the fate of traitors with me?"
The bearded man said to the camera crew who had been filming behind him.
His voice was deep and powerful, inherently giving off a strong sense of oppression.
Then, he slowly raised his arm and swung it downwards.
Bang, bang, bang—
Following a series of gunshots, the ten pro-U.S. individuals who had just been selected immediately fell into a pool of blood.
The families of the deceased, forced to witness the entire execution process, let out heart-wrenching wails.
But they were quickly drowned out by the cheers of the Ten Rings Gang members.
They waved their weapons, cheering and rejoicing as if they had achieved a great victory.
However, the bearded man, who had just been so imposing in front of the camera, was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground the moment he saw the mixture of blood and brains, screaming with a trembling voice:
"Mr. Killian… Mr. Killian, what's going on?"
"Why are they really dead? Didn't we agree this was just acting?"
The surrounding clamor of cheers immediately fell silent.
Then, a blond man with a slicked-back hairstyle, dressed in an expensive suit, walked over from behind the crowd.
Aldrich Killian slowly bent down, patted the bearded man's shoulder, and said with a comforting smile:
"Trevor, don't be so nervous. The effect of this filming is crucial for my upcoming plan, so… these people, as key props, naturally have to be for real!"
"And you… as a professional actor, I think you should be able to convince yourself that all of this is just acting, right?"
Upon hearing this, Trevor Slattery's body trembled slightly.
He never expected that this seemingly gentle man would refer to living human lives as props, and say it so naturally.
Trevor immediately felt like he had been tricked and secretly cursed his bad luck.
Indeed, there is never a free lunch; even if one day it does fall, it will definitely be a big trap…
Six months ago.
Due to a drug-related incident exposed by the media, Trevor's once flourishing acting career instantly plummeted.
The ensuing issues of liquidated damages, taxes, credit cards, and loans became the final straw that broke the camel's back.
So, to escape a long prison sentence, Trevor began to live under an assumed name, wandering the streets and alleys of London.
Until about two months ago.
Aldrich Killian found him, not only promising to help him avoid prison but also offering an irresistible lucrative contract on the spot.
As for the content of the collaboration… it was to play the leader of a terrorist organization.
What else could the desperate Trevor do?
Of course, he agreed with gratitude!
So, after two months of preliminary preparation, today's first official filming began.
But who would have thought that this seemingly refined villain was actually playing for real?
Even though Trevor was already aware of the seriousness of the situation, he had no way out and could only brace himself and tentatively ask:
"Mr. Killian, I'm really a bit squeamish about blood. Why don't you let me complete all the performances in the studio, and then, after post-production, it can still achieve the effect you want…"
The smile on Aldrich Killian's face gradually faded. He slowly stood up and looked down at Trevor, saying:
"You must be clear in your mind that apart from us at AIM, no one else would hire a drug addict like you to perform.
They certainly wouldn't spend a fortune on plastic surgery for you or help you escape the DEA's (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration) pursuit, so you'd best cherish this hard-won opportunity.
If the performance is successful, you will have everything you desire for the rest of your life: money, women, marijuana… everything.
But if you mess it up, your life could very well end up like those pro-U.S. individuals who were just executed, left to rot in the streets!"
Out of fear, Trevor's body curled up slightly, clearly smelling the scent of death in the other party's words.
So he had no choice but to force himself to be cheerful, saying with a forced smile:
"Well… Mr. Killian, please rest assured. I wouldn't dare say anything else, but when it comes to acting, I am a professional."
"And before this, I have done my homework. I will wholeheartedly interpret the role of 'Mandarin' and shape him into a powerful being that everyone will fear!"
Aldrich Killian's expression softened slightly upon hearing this. He nodded noncommittally, "I know you're a good actor, and it's precisely because I saw that in you that I chose you."
"But I still need to remind you, the purpose of me spending a fortune on your plastic surgery is to present to the world the face a demon should have, like the leaders of those terrorist organizations who have brought despair and fear to countless people!
There's no choice, ever since those 'aliens from the sky' and giant monsters from the sea started appearing, simple intimidation no longer scares the public…"
Aldrich Killian extended his hand forward in a gesture of invitation, then, before turning to leave, he casually dropped a remark.
"However, you'd best get into character before these people are all killed."
Seeing this, Trevor scrambled to his feet.
What lay before him was a single-choice question directly concerning "life or death."
But fortunately, he quickly made his choice.
A hint of determination and ruthlessness flashed in Trevor's eyes.
Adhering to the principle of 'better you than me,' he began to use all his lifelong acting skills to forcibly transform this bloody scene into a normal filming set.
"These are all stand-ins, all prop blood…"
Trevor got into character in a second. As he slowly straightened his body, his face also returned to its previous cold and imposing appearance.
Then he repeated the previous process.
Select Executioner → Speak Lines → Order Execution
After failing three more times in a row.
The blood and slaughter seemed to have successfully numbed Trevor's senses.
He finally overcame his squeamishness about blood and nervousness, finding the acting state he was best at on a normal day.
So this time, the entire filming process was done in one take.
Even when he was fully into character and excited about his performance, Trevor even picked up an AK and pulled the trigger on a pro-U.S. armed individual.
This scene, full of such a dramatic contrast, even made Aldrich Killian, who was standing by, click his tongue in wonder.
See? That's what you call professional!
Ugh…
After completing all the filming tasks, Trevor's tightly strung nerves finally relaxed slightly.
At this point, his stomach began to contract and cramp violently, followed by a churning, nauseous sensation that rushed to his head, making him feel dizzy and disoriented.
Trevor had to lie on the ground, vomiting profusely.
Damn it, can't even look cool for three seconds, huh?
At this moment, a bald man chewing gum walked over from behind the crowd with a swaggering gait and reported to Aldrich Killian:
"Boss, news just came from Afghanistan. The mission failed."
"Our operation planned in Kandahar was unfortunately disrupted by War Machine, who was on a mission in that area, so we couldn't blow up the passing U.S. military convoy and hijack the target as planned."
"A bunch of useless trash!"
Aldrich Killian was immediately furious upon hearing this. Threads of orange-yellow light suddenly appeared beneath his exposed skin.
It was as if flames were burning within his body, and even the surrounding temperature rose by a few degrees.
However, he quickly managed to calm himself down.
The high temperature from the Extremis Virus also receded.
"Boss, don't get excited…"
The bald man said with a smile: "Although this mission failed, it was not without gains."
"Our hidden cinematographers used the data analyzer developed by the company to unexpectedly intercept some signals and data codes transmitted by War Machine."
"I think the value of this data is far more important than the success or failure of a single attack."
"At least it provides us with a whole new direction to take down… ah, no, to eliminate Iron Man!"
"Hmm, that indeed counts as good news…"
Aldrich Killian showed a hint of surprise on his face, then thought for a moment and instructed: "Eric, have them immediately upload the relevant data to the company's cloud for analysis and decryption."
"As for Kandahar… the subsequent plan will proceed early. Have those terrorists continue to carry out attacks under the banner of the Ten Rings Gang to attract War Machine's attention."
"Then we will take the opportunity to attack the air Base here with those unstable Phase 2 experimental subjects!"
"But remember to remind our people there not to expose themselves."
"Before the character I created gains a certain level of recognition, no one must be allowed to link the Ten Rings Gang with AIM… So, no matter who it is, they must be careful."
At this point.
Aldrich Killian turned his gaze back to Trevor, smiling chillingly, "You did well today. When we get back to the Base, I'll have someone send the video tape to your room."
"Take some time to watch it a couple of times, and remember that feeling from before."
"I believe it won't be long before you'll have the chance to speak directly with the President of America!"
… … … …
… …
Inside a secret Base of the Ten Rings Gang.
Trevor, who had originally been a bit nervous, downcast, and fearful, was instantly overjoyed when he saw the celebratory three-piece set Aldrich Killian had carefully prepared for him—champagne, beautiful women, and drugs.
He directly cast aside what little conscience he had left and all his fears.
Life is short, what could be more physically and mentally pleasing than living for the moment?
So, before officially getting down to business, Trevor first had a vigorous session with two fair-skinned and beautiful prostitutes, then engaged in a hearty battle, and then got up alone and had another vigorous session.
Comrade Trevor, ever dedicated to his work, actually voluntarily turned on the TV to rewatch the daytime footage.
At this point, in his abnormally excited state, he was already able to look at the bloody and brutal scenes on the screen with indifference.
He focused all his attention on himself, trying to find imperfections in his acting from the footage.
All he wanted was to interpret the important character he was playing in a better state during the next filming.
Faced with the dual temptation and threat of profit and death.
Even if Trevor knew that his current actions were aiding evil, what could he do?
Refuse to act?
Protest?
Or just call 911?
Please, it's better for others to die than for me to die, right?
Besides, as long as he successfully completes the performance assigned by Aldrich Killian, he can easily get everything he wants. Isn't that awesome?
By now, Trevor had completely figured it out.
Anyway, even if he did nothing, he would still be arrested by the DEA and sent to court once he returned to London, then spend the rest of his life rotting in jail.
So, why not seize this opportunity.
To win himself a more colorful second half of his life, and also get to experience being a boss!
After all… fortune favors the bold.
As for the negative impact his performance would cause, and how many people would die because of it, Trevor no longer cared at all.
I'm not the real "Mandarin" anyway!
I'm just a fake.
The one making decisions and giving orders is Boss Aldrich Killian!
So…
If anyone wants to settle scores, they can go find him.
However.
Just as Trevor was enjoying his brilliant daytime performance with relish.
A chillingly eerie scene suddenly unfolded.
The image on the TV, as if frozen, suddenly became eerily still.
Immediately after.
The Trevor in the still image slowly turned his head to look at the Trevor outside the TV, grinning strangely and saying:
"Trevor, it's time to make a change and turn your fate around!!"