"One. Two. Three!"
Thunderous shouts echoed through the Hulkbuster Base.
It was a massive installation.
As a force directly under Thaddeus Ross, this unit was not large in number, but everything they used was top tier.
And the soldiers shouting cadence were the absolute elite among them.
The Death Squad.
Every single member had been selected from across the army. They were the best of the best.
More importantly, what truly made this unit so valued by Ross was that every one of them had undergone enhancement with super soldier serum.
A single injection could not grant power equal to Captain America, but even so, this was still the strongest squad in the world.
Without exception.
"Death Squad, assemble!"
Ross drove a military Humvee toward the training ground.
Every soldier looked at him with absolute discipline and iron resolve.
"Gentlemen," Ross said coldly, "I am assigning you a mission. You have all heard of Rock Technologies. Nolan Rock has become a serious threat to global security. I need someone to make sure he never sees another sunrise."
As his words landed, every member of the Death Squad lit up with anticipation.
Anyone who survived the lethal failure rate of the first serum injection was a true war fanatic.
They did not care what Nolan Rock had done.
They only knew one thing.
He had once beaten the Hulk head on.
And now, they were eager to be the ones who ended him.
"General, we will need weapons," one soldier said.
Ross nodded.
"You will have everything you need. I only want one result."
Cruel smiles appeared across their faces.
Elsewhere.
News of the failed assassination spread quickly among the conservatives.
Excitement surged.
They did not care about Nolan Rock as a person, but they cared deeply about what he represented as the center of the storm.
"This has gone too far," one conservative lawmaker snapped.
Another narrowed his eyes. "They want to force an ending."
"We also want this to end," someone said firmly, "but it cannot end with us retreating. We hold the moral high ground."
The room nodded in agreement.
If they surrendered even while holding legitimacy, the future would only grow darker. Their opponents would become even more reckless.
"There is only one acceptable outcome," someone said. "The radicals back down."
Consensus was reached quickly.
Although Nolan was not present, the outcome was relayed to him soon after.
He hesitated visibly.
"I am concerned they will try again," he said. "This is no longer what I expected. Perhaps I should abandon my assets here and leave."
The conservative representative froze, then panicked.
This was no longer just about Nolan Rock.
This was a struggle between the radical faction led by the President and the conservatives.
The loser would be politically crippled for years.
If Nolan left, it would be a total defeat without a fight.
"Mr. Rock," the representative said urgently, "you were clearly prepared for the assassination. Leaving now would mean tremendous losses for you."
"And are you willing to accept that?"
"If this can happen to you here, it will not be different elsewhere."
Nolan seemed to waver.
"I did prepare," he admitted. "But I never imagined things would go this far."
"To be honest, I am a businessman, not a superhero. I do not want to flee in disgrace."
"But you know the situation. Rock Technologies has been blockaded. We are barely holding on. If this continues, for my life and the company's future, I may have no choice but to withdraw."
The representative sighed.
"I understand. Personally, I have contacts in consumer robotics. I may be able to help. And we will provide additional compensation. Enough to satisfy you."
Nolan smiled faintly.
He had no intention of leaving.
But more benefits never hurt.
"I will consider it," he said. "But one thing is certain. We cannot continue like this. We must strike back. That is crucial."
Within days, Nolan received several calls from companies interested in cooperation.
He could have endured alone, but allies made things easier.
Counterattack.
The conservatives accepted his proposal.
Once restrained, they now expanded their offensive.
The moment they realized Nolan might flee, they accelerated the political war.
At the same time.
The Death Squad had already surrounded Rock Technologies.
"So this is the place they turned into a myth," one soldier laughed.
"Do not underestimate him," the squad leader warned. "Nolan Rock defeated the Hulk and killed Abomination. That is not easy prey."
Though he sounded serious, none of them truly cared.
Nolan only won because of the Thor-class armor.
Without it, he was just a man.
And they would never give him the chance to wear it.
Killing a normal person was easy.
"Where do we strike?" someone asked.
"General gave us full discretion," the leader replied. "To avoid complications, we storm the building tonight."
His eyes flashed with killing intent.
Rock Technologies was Nolan's stronghold.
But they trusted their power completely.
Enhanced strength and battlefield experience made them death incarnate.
"Sir," Red Queen reported, "hover surveillance has detected numerous suspicious individuals near the building."
Nolan raised an eyebrow.
So soon after the first attempt?
"Neutralize all suspicious targets," he ordered calmly.
Night fell.
With most staff gone, over twenty Death Squad members moved in.
Shadows slipped toward the tower.
They entered the lobby and reached the elevators.
Access control meant nothing to them.
A card flashed. Doors opened.
Two teams entered separate elevators.
"This is easy," someone joked. "Think he runs before we arrive?"
"Maybe," another laughed. "Then Frank's team gets lucky."
Suddenly, both elevators stopped.
"Already there?"
"No."
"Stay alert!"
Both elevators halted before reaching their floors.
The reason was obvious.
They had been detected.
The leader reacted instantly, stepping on a teammate's hands and forcing open the ventilation hatch.
He climbed out.
Others followed.
The second elevator hesitated.
That hesitation cost them everything.
The elevator plummeted.
Seconds later.
Boom.
A dull impact echoed.
"Team B, respond!"
After several seconds, a breathless voice answered.
"Only two survived."
They had barely clung to the shaft ladder.
This was only the beginning.
Team A had no time to react before the elevator began ascending rapidly.
A death elevator.
After a brutal escape, the teams regrouped.
Out of twenty three, only nine remained.
"We need to retreat. We have been compromised!"
"No way," someone snapped. "This is the 27th floor!"
There was no escape.
Only one option remained.
Kill Nolan Rock.
Fear flickered across even these veterans.
Then.
A Terminator stepped into view.
Another blocked the rear.
"Fire!"
Gatling guns roared.
Rocket launchers thundered.
In open combat, their enhanced bodies excelled.
The Terminators were shredded.
In his office, Nolan watched calmly as Red Queen projected the battle.
"Should I look scared?" he asked lightly. "Angry, maybe?"
Red Queen did not answer.
She was advanced, but still an artificial intelligence.
Nolan's expression darkened.
Two assassination attempts in days.
And these were not mercenaries.
He needed proof.
Then he needed enemies.
And then.
Revenge.
After ten minutes, the entire floor was ruined.
Nolan stepped forward.
"Red Queen. Identify them."
"Identification complete."
Nolan's face turned cold.
"They are all military."
He immediately called the conservatives.
"I was attacked again."
"By the Hulkbuster unit."
Shock erupted on the other end.
"You need to stay calm."
"I cannot. This is the second attempt. And now we have clarity."
"I am done waiting."
"If they attack me, I will respond."
Silence.
Then Nolan spoke again.
"I am prepared to leave. Or…"
He paused.
"Have you considered replacing the President?"
The other man's heartbeat spiked.
Of course he had.
"I will attack the Hulkbuster base," Nolan said calmly. "You turn that into political capital."
"You get the presidency. I get lawful rights."
After a long pause.
"Then do it."
Let Nolan make noise.
He could not truly destroy the Hulkbusters.
And the reward was power.
Everything was perfect.