Accompanied by a deafening roar that resonated throughout the entire training ground, sound waves bouncing off metal walls in overlapping echoes, the metal dummy absorbed the full force of Nolan's attack.
The training target was struck by terrifying power that far exceeded anything in previous tests. The difference wasn't incremental; it was exponential.
The hard metal body shattered instantly, fragmenting like an object struck by an explosive warhead. Pieces flew in every direction with tremendous velocity. Twisted chunks of metal, some still glowing from friction heat, scattered across the metal floor in a radius exceeding ten meters. The largest fragments embedded themselves in the deck plating with sharp cracks, while smaller pieces skittered and bounced until finally coming to rest.
Nolan couldn't suppress the fierce grin that spread across his face. The raw destructive power at his disposal sent satisfaction surging through him.
He immediately commanded the power armor to halt, servos screaming as they fought against his forward momentum. His tall armored form skidded slightly before coming to a complete stop, mag-boots leaving shallow gouges in the floor.
Then his sight shifted upward, helmet tilting back as he gazed at the ceiling high above.
He looked skyward without hesitation, making his decision in that instant.
The next second, the pair of energy nozzles located behind his power pack rapidly tilted downward with mechanical precision. Their angle adjusted to optimal thrust positioning.
Brilliant streams of energy erupted from the nozzles, the spray producing light far more dazzling than his previous ground-based tests. The illumination flooded the training ground, bright enough to leave afterimages.
The extremely heavy metal body of the power armor, despite weighing hundreds of kilograms, actually rose slowly from the ground. Centimeter by centimeter, he ascended, gradually entering the air with increasing confidence.
The sensation was extraordinary. Nolan felt the armor's weight fighting against the thrust, felt every micro-adjustment the nozzles made to maintain stability. The low hum of the Arc reactor intensified, power flowing through systems at maximum output.
Unfortunately, physics imposed its inevitable limitations.
When the soles of his mag-boots reached approximately ten meters above the ground, the powerful thrust generated by energy spray could no longer adequately support the entire armor's mass. The lift-to-weight ratio hit its ceiling.
Nolan, his expression still excited despite the limitation, managed to maintain altitude for roughly thirty seconds. He rotated slowly in place, testing control surfaces, experiencing the freedom of flight even in its restricted form.
Then gravity reasserted dominance.
His entire armored form began descending, falling with increasing speed toward the metal floor far below.
Nolan reacted instantly, combat instincts and enhanced reflexes combining. He quickly spread both arms wide, using the energy nozzles positioned behind his elbows to generate corrective thrust. The bursts fired in carefully calculated sequences, keeping his body balanced and oriented properly for landing.
His heavy mag-boots struck the metal floor with tremendous force, the impact producing another thunderous roar that shook the training ground. The deck plating beneath buckled slightly, creating shallow depressions where his feet made contact.
Then he slowly raised his knees, which had bent automatically to absorb the landing shock. He straightened his tall metal body to full height, standing completely upright.
"The power provided by the first-generation Arc reactor proves limited. Not sufficient to maintain sustained hover for extended durations." Nolan spoke aloud to himself, processing the test results analytically. "I need to find time to visit Tony. First, to discuss his plans for dealing with Hydra. Second, to ensure he fulfills his promise regarding the second-generation Arc reactor design."
He paused, another consideration occurring to him.
"Besides, Raditus will likely need access to that newly discovered element Tony synthesized. Which raises an interesting question: should I arrange for Tony to meet our Tech-Priest? That encounter could prove... entertaining."
Nolan turned his helmeted head slightly while continuing to mutter observations to himself.
He listened carefully to the interior of the power armor, noting the noisy low hum emanating from the Arc reactor. The sound vibrated through the armor's frame, a constant background drone. He shook his head unconsciously, already considering sound dampening modifications.
Over the next hour, he put the speed-type power armor through several additional ground-based tests. He practiced quick direction changes at high velocity, tested the energy nozzles' response times during complex maneuvers, evaluated the armor's performance under sustained sprint conditions.
After completing the full testing sequence to his satisfaction, confirming the armor met or exceeded specifications across all parameters, Nolan turned with a smile still visible through his raised visor.
He began walking toward the training ground exit, already planning his next steps.
However, just as he prepared to cross the threshold into the base hall, movement caught his attention.
David approached with hurried steps, unusual urgency evident in its gait. The Man of Iron shook its slightly hunched metal body, moving directly toward Nolan with clear purpose.
Beneath the bright overhead lighting, David's eye sockets flashed with steady blue light as it delivered its report.
"My lord, something may have happened to one of our people."
The statement landed like a physical blow.
"Miss Jessica's cell phone signal disappeared completely. It has been more than twenty-four hours since her last contact with me."
Nolan's expression shifted immediately, humor draining away. His face settled into harder lines, concern and tactical assessment replacing casual satisfaction.
"Determine the exact location where her signal vanished. And David, what was Jessica doing before she went dark?"
Nolan, frown deepening with each passing second, drove the power armor forward into the base hall. His movements had become sharp, purposeful, the earlier leisurely pace abandoned entirely.
David shifted slightly sideways, creating space. Its hunched metal back seemed to straighten instantly, posture reflecting the gravity of the situation.
It stared at Nolan's profile, continuing its report with methodical precision.
"My lord, Miss Jessica's signal disappeared in a large slum called Chimahuacán, located near Mexico City, the capital."
"Wait." Nolan stopped walking immediately, the armor's servos locking his position in place. "Wasn't she engaged in operations against local gangs in a border city? How did she suddenly penetrate deep into Mexico? And why enter the slums specifically?"
He turned his head sharply, staring directly at David who followed close behind.
"My lord, I believe I should provide you with a complete chronological report of Miss Jessica's activities over the past weeks."
David's tone remained level, but carried notes of what might have been regret.
"Miss Jessica initially traveled to Texas alone with the objective of helping her childhood friend, Ms. Patricia Walker, successfully escape from exploitation by an entertainment company. This particular company, which possesses mixed gang connections in its background, operates as a subsidiary of Watters Entertainment. To some extent, this actually represents your corporate holdings, though it has now been fully integrated into Imperial Heavy Industries."
David shook its metal head slightly, a gesture that might have expressed mild disapproval.
It continued staring at Nolan, whose frown had intensified considerably.
"Although Miss Jessica remained unaware of this corporate relationship, and I chose not to inform her of the connection, she resolved the entire situation easily. Her metahuman strength combined with the gang's standing orders not to create problems proved sufficient."
"Consequently, the excited Miss Jessica decided to take her friend on an extended road trip. However, a traffic accident during their journey resulted in their involvement with a transport convoy operated by a local Mexican gang organization."
"This development initially appeared manageable. Miss Jessica eliminated the gang convoy easily using the plasma pistol you provided, combined with skills acquired through her persistent combat training. I assisted by erasing all nearby surveillance footage to prevent complications."
David paused, as if gathering itself for the more problematic portion of the report.
"However, when Miss Jessica advanced to examine the convoy's transported cargo, hoping to collect potential spoils, she and her friend made an unexpected discovery. The transport vehicles contained not only substantial quantities of cash, but also a group of human slaves. These individuals had been kidnapped and trafficked from locations throughout the country."
"Miss Jessica successfully liberated this group of captives. But when the rescued victims inadvertently revealed that far larger numbers of humans were being transported deeper into Mexico, Miss Jessica's sense of justice overwhelmed caution. She decided to pursue this operation as a solo hero."
David voice took on notes of what might have been self-recrimination.
"I intended to report this matter to you immediately and in full detail. However, Miss Jessica argued this represented an excellent opportunity to test her combat training under field conditions. Additionally, you were occupied with other priorities at that time and didn't express particular concern about her activities. Therefore, I permitted Miss Jessica and her friend to enter Mexico's border city region."
"This explains why Miss Jessica did not dare report her plans to you directly. I am doing so now on her behalf."
David's posture shifted slightly, continuing the account.
"Moreover, their initial progress proved quite successful. Local gangsters were systematically defeated by Miss Jessica's solo efforts. She forced them into hiding, disrupting their operations significantly."
"Therefore, limited by Mexico's relatively underdeveloped network infrastructure and, I must admit, a degree of complacency on my part, I subconsciously reduced the attention I devoted to monitoring Miss Jessica's position and status."
The words concluded with finality.
David bowed its metal frame slightly toward Nolan, tone shifting to something approaching genuine contrition.
"My apologies, my lord. All of this responsibility ultimately falls on my shoulders. I should have maintained closer surveillance regardless of circumstances."
"No, David." Nolan's voice emerged flat, carefully controlled. "Generally speaking, I trusted Jessica too much. I was too indulgent regarding her behavior, too permissive with her independence."
The expressionless Nolan blinked once, slowly, processing the situation with forced calm.
Then he suddenly drove the power armor toward the equipment room, his stride long and purposeful. Decision crystallized into immediate action.
David straightened its metal back, remaining in position, waiting patiently.
Approximately one minute later, Nolan emerged from the equipment room transformed for combat.
A C'tan Phase Sword hung secured to the mounting point on his power pack, the weapon's alien technology humming with barely restrained lethality. In his armored palm, he gripped a bolt pistol, the weapon loaded and ready.
He walked directly toward David, closing the distance with deliberate steps.
His slightly narrowed cyan wolf eyes, visible through the helmet's visor, stared directly at David's flickering blue optical sensors. When he spoke, his voice carried absolute certainty and cold determination.
"David, assemble a squad of fully armed automatic servo robots immediately. Prepare a flight of combat drones as well. And ready the Valkyrie for immediate departure."
His expression hardened further, jaw setting with resolve.
"We're going to retrieve the only Battle Sister in our organization."
"As you command, my lord."
David's mechanical voice seemed to reveal cold, murderous intent lurking beneath its usual composed tones. The Man of Iron bowed deeply, saluting with perfect precision before turning to execute its orders.
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