The Servo Skull Reditus took a solid half hour to process and completely accept the fundamental, earth-shaking information: it was no longer in the Imperium's galaxy but in an unknown, alien world.
However, just when Nolan braced himself for a fit of depression or existential dread from the skull, the artifact, instead of collapsing, erupted in a state of manic surprise. It began laughing wildly, a harsh, grating mechanical sound, as it zipped back and forth across the base hall. The irritating voice babbled incessantly about concepts Nolan had only heard whispered in fear: Artificial Intelligence and a dozen other long-forgotten technological creations, all clearly and absolutely forbidden by the Adeptus Mechanicus.
The noise alone was enough to give Nolan a splitting headache. He had to draw his plasma pistol again. He didn't point it, but simply held it, a clear, silent threat. He then laid out a concise, three-part deal for Servo Skull Reditus.
First, any forbidden technology that could potentially endanger all of humanity and Terra was strictly not allowed to be studied, not even a single line of thought.
Second, any forbidden technology that might pose a risk to the base's security or any team member needed to be reported in advance. Research could only proceed with the express, consensual agreement of at least three members of the team.
Third, any violation of these terms would result in its immediate and permanent death.
In return, the usually stringent Nolan was generous: he officially approved Reditus's plan to research Artificial Intelligence. After all, similar—though primitive—AIs were common on Earth today. Moreover, if Reditus was willing to apply his deep, complex technical knowledge to assist David in creating a superior, copycat version of the Terminator power armor, Nolan might, at his sole discretion, allow Reditus to conduct limited research into another forbidden technology that posed little immediate harm.
After a brief, whirring internal calculation, Reditus, invoking the name of the Machine God and the Emperor, solemnly assured Nolan that his actions would be appropriately restrained.
Nolan was initially extremely pleased to have a genuine Tech-Priest join his burgeoning team.
But very soon, Nolan developed a familiar, throbbing headache.
Servo Skull Reditus and David did not, in any sense, get along well.
Reditus constantly mocked David's "primitive" ideas for the power armor design, claiming David utterly failed to grasp the deep, spiritual significance of a mechanical creation that had allowed the Astartes to traverse the galaxy for millennia.
David didn't show any mercy in return. He coolly listed the technological shortcomings of the Imperium's millennia-old designs and sharply criticized the paralyzing, fanatical dogma of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Each exchange ended with Reditus flying up and down in a fit of mechanical rage, the skull shouting that it wanted to engage the "Man of Iron" in a one-on-one duel of wits and steel.
Finally, Nolan found a way to temporarily silence the constant bickering: he got Servo Skull Reditus connected online.
This required Reditus to rapidly learn new vernacular, absorb new technologies, and, crucially, search the vast digital archives for viable solutions to advance the copycat armor plan.
Reditus was, predictably, immediately and utterly addicted to the online world.
It quickly established social accounts and even began cultivating a detailed professional persona as a "tech geek," using this cover to swiftly understand and absorb the technological and scientific knowledge base of modern Earth.
Nolan was finally able to enjoy a brief period of peace and quiet.
He would settle down with a glass of milk and a heavy book, often a classic. Occasionally, he would go home to have a relaxed chat with his aunt.
However, just when the laid-back Nolan seemed to have fully adapted to this simple, comfortable routine, David, who had just completed the laboratory construction task, sought him out again.
Nolan narrowed his cyan wolf eyes, bracing himself.
He stared at David and asked with a genuine look of helplessness, "David, what new stupid thing did Reditus do this time? Did it send unsanctioned selfies to strangers again?"
"Well... although my relationship with that skull is admittedly poor, I must defend him. He was faced with an internet bully who could anger anyone. Reditus clearly did not understand the hidden, aggressive meanings in human language or the basic rules of online engagement."
David shook his metal head, the blue light in his eye sockets flashing several times, his mechanical voice tinged with faint, dry ridicule.
Nolan slowly dropped the heavy book onto the table.
He sighed, looking directly at David. "Since it's not Reditus's problem... then what has happened?"
"My lord, after the complete destruction of Roxxon Industries' board of directors, the major capital conglomerates on Terra began maneuvering to seize a piece of the corporate pie. It was at that time that I secured a human lawyer through the Internet..."
David bowed slightly, delivering his report to Nolan with precise detail.
"A young man still fiercely dedicated to justice, Foggy Nelson... I hired him for a rate far exceeding the market price, funded him to gradually establish a law firm, and gathered around him a large number of people who can only be described as 'litigious' legal gangsters."
"Their role is very simple: to provide you with a layer of social convenience and operational legality before you can completely assume direct control of this country, and eventually, the Earth."
"Excellent, David. You have a good plan. I have no issue with that at all."
Nolan slowly twisted his neck, stretching the muscles. His sharp fingertips subconsciously brushed together, the friction producing a subtle, metallic sound, like soft gold rubbing against iron.
At this moment, David shook his metal head. The blue light in his eye sockets flashed a few more times as he continued:
"With the repeated paving of money and legal maneuvering, everything proceeded smoothly in human society. You now officially own one-third of Roxxon Industries' domestic assets, and you are also the quiet, controlling boss behind the Vought Entertainment..."
"Through the industries we acquired, I was able to mine internal data, pinpointing the location of one of Roxxon Industries' most important black-site laboratories. It contains a large stock of prepared Compound V and all the necessary production equipment."
"I initially intended to obtain everything we needed purely through legal means, but some individuals have proven to be without ethics. They not only assassinated the founding doctor who controlled the compound's original formula but have also begun threatening and intimidating your legal team."
"In that case, I was wondering if you might need to go out for some activity, My Lord?"
David bowed low again, delivering the final, loaded question slowly.
Nolan narrowed his wolf eyes, the adrenaline beginning to hum faintly in his veins.
He grinned instinctively.
His fangs flashed with a cold, predatory light.
"S.H.I.E.L.D? Or Hydra?"
Nolan asked softly, the speed of his sharp fingertips rubbing together gradually increasing from a scrape to a faint rasp.
"Both sides have involved personnel."
"Some street thugs, likely bribed by Hydra, rushed into the law firm and aggressively threatened Foggy to drop the acquisition of the remaining Roxxon Industries assets. Madam Gao's men have helped me deal with those pathetic little guys; they weren't even proper gang members."
"S.H.I.E.L.D, the official force, was attempting to obtain the formula and protect the founder, but the founder was assassinated by the hidden Hydra operatives. This effectively bankrupted my plan to bribe him for the formula."
"Just recently, I intercepted communication leaks from both parties. Their teams are preparing to move on that laboratory. Their target is clearly your property..."
The blue light in David's eyes projected a holographic video onto the wall nearby.
It appeared to be surveillance footage of a massive car explosion.
Nolan observed it carefully, his eyes tracking every detail.
He saw a single, gleaming mechanical arm, flashing with a dull silver light, near the edge of the explosion.
A long-haired man wore a black mask that concealed his lower face.
"Ahaha... the Winter Soldier?"
Nolan exhaled a small breath, his eyes fixed and narrowed.
He muttered the name to himself.
"This is one of Hydra's primary assassins. Judging from his body shape and distinct facial features, he is a one-hundred percent match for Bucky Barnes, a war hero presumed dead in World War II..."
"This time, the Hydra team seems to be led by him."
David projected a series of composite photos and enhanced video materials, confirming the identity.
"A Hydra assassin. A pathetic tool... If the opportunity presents itself, I will try to capture him alive."
"The road to Hydra's destruction will start with him..."
Nolan slowly pushed himself up from his chair.
He stared down at David and said with a calm, dangerous finality, "David, go prepare the Valkyrie."
"The hunt to sharpen our hunger begins."