Nolan was not a fool.
He had a clear understanding of this world.
Since he already knew that Thaddeus Ross and his faction had begun targeting him, there was no way he would simply sit and wait for death.
Even if the White House had approved plans against him, those two words never referred to a single will.
They represented a group of people.
Even the President could not control everyone.
Especially when this operation against him had no true legal foundation.
Most people had chosen to temporarily bend the rules.
But there were always some who believed that once the rules were torn open, they could never be fully repaired.
Unspoken norms would collapse, and the future would become dangerously uncertain.
It was only that this group's voices had been suppressed for now.
Nolan found them.
He united with them.
Facing the world alone was neither possible nor desirable. Even if he could win, the outcome would not be what he wanted.
But he did not need to fight the whole world.
He only needed to stand as part of it and oppose another part.
He needed to resolve this crisis, and the long suppressed conservative faction wanted leverage and influence.
Their goals aligned naturally.
Since the radicals had made the first move, it was time for the others to act.
What followed was political warfare.
Nolan did not care about the process.
He only needed to appear at the decisive moment.
Soon, the two political forces collided violently.
Ross and his allies never expected that Nolan Rock would secure allies so quickly.
The situation evolved beyond their control.
And Nolan himself, the central figure, gradually stepped out of direct confrontation.
Not entirely, but at least the pressure against Rock Technologies was no longer overwhelming.
The damage remained, but it was no longer fatal.
Even Nolan had not expected how intense the conflict would become.
After a long day, he sat on the couch watching television.
The news cycle was packed.
Political factions exposed each other relentlessly. Countless officials were dragged down.
"Breaking news. On the night of the 21st, Congressman Rivera was attacked at his residence. The assailants remain unidentified. Evidence of a violent explosion was found at the scene."
The footage cut to Rivera's home.
The villa was blackened ruins. Half collapsed. Police cordons surrounded the area.
Nolan remembered the name.
Rivera had been a core figure among the conservatives.
They had never met, but Nolan knew his reputation.
An attack at this moment felt ominous.
"Was this the radicals?"
Nolan hesitated.
Political struggle could be more brutal than warfare, but assassinating a congressman risked igniting something uncontrollable.
Not long after, Nolan received a call from the conservative faction.
"Mr. Rock, you already know that Congressman Rivera has been killed."
"Of course," Nolan replied.
This was not the kind of news that stayed quiet.
"Rivera was one of our pillars. He had been confronting the radicals and held significant influence in the business world. His death has put us in a difficult position."
Nolan understood immediately.
Rivera's influence extended into commerce, and with him gone, Nolan was the one most exposed.
The voice continued.
"The situation is worsening. Internal disagreements have surfaced. Rivera's assassination has pushed this beyond politics. Violence has crossed into real lives. Many fear escalation."
Nolan frowned.
"Are you saying you intend to withdraw?"
He had already prepared contingency plans. Rock Technologies was shifting operations abroad. Even if abandoned, the damage would be survivable.
"No."
The answer was firm.
"Some wavered, but this only hardened others. We stood up to protect the rules. If we retreat now because radicals used extreme methods, our future will be even worse."
"This is not over."
"We need support from other sectors, and Rock Technologies has that capability."
"We will strike back."
The response surprised Nolan, but it was not unwelcome.
Things would escalate further.
At this point, one misstep could lead to large scale domestic conflict.
Was Nolan afraid?
Hardly.
He ran a defense corporation.
War was the fastest way for arms dealers to make money.
"Rock Technologies will provide a batch of T-800 units at a reduced price. As for the newly developed T-1000, we are open to further cooperation."
"T-1000?" the other side replied skeptically. "I trust your pricing, but I doubt it outperforms the T-800 by much. Frankly, the T-800 already seems perfect."
Nolan smiled.
"I admit the T-1000 is expensive. But trust me. It is worth every cent."
His eyes gleamed.
He planned to sell the T-800 units cheaply. Warehouses were full due to prior restrictions.
Losses there would be recovered through the T-1000.
Over the next weeks, attacks escalated.
Both conservatives and radicals were targeted.
T-800 and T-1000 units played decisive roles.
The intensity began disrupting government operations.
Even civilians sensed something was wrong. Fear of civil conflict spread.
Inside the White House, the radicals convened.
The President sat at the head, his expression dark.
What began as pressure against Rock Technologies had spiraled into factional warfare.
The costs now far outweighed the benefits.
He glared at Ross. Without him, none of this would have happened.
Yet Ross was too powerful to discard.
"Multiple assassinations have occurred," the President said gravely. "Our nation is in unprecedented danger. War is approaching."
The room went silent.
They had all felt it, but hearing it said aloud was different.
"I no longer care who ordered Rivera's death," the President continued. "I want this to stop. Rock Technologies no longer matters. We must end the risk of war."
No one spoke.
Even if they wanted peace, could the conservatives be trusted not to retaliate?
Suddenly, a voice broke the silence.
"Mr. President, the root of this conflict is Rock Technologies. If it disappeared?"
All eyes turned.
It was Ross.
His expression was calm.
"Without Rock Technologies as the focal point, both sides will cool down. Instead of targeting political rivals, eliminate the source."
Some were tempted.
No one truly cared about Nolan Rock's life.
They feared becoming the next target.
"But what if this escalates further?" someone objected.
The President hesitated. States were autonomous. If tensions exploded, civil war was not impossible.
Ross answered without pause.
"Our forces are ready. Superhumans have already destabilized public trust. After the Hulk and Abomination incident, this threat is growing."
"And now there is that ridiculous Avengers initiative."
He sneered.
"Nick Fury placing humanity's future in the hands of uncontrollable individuals is a disgrace."
Another official countered.
"Fury trusts no one. He would not stake everything on the Avengers."
"But he formed them," Ross snapped.
To him, reality mattered.
Rock Technologies rejected military cooperation.
Nolan Rock was unstable.
"What do you suggest?" the President asked after a pause.
He had few options left.
"If we retreat now, history will condemn us."
Ross answered simply.
"Hire mercenaries. Let those underground rats kill Nolan Rock."
The word lingered.
Mercenaries.
Unpleasant, but effective.
At Rock Technologies, Nolan pondered.
"The outcome should come soon."
He knew both sides would try to avoid collapse.
The question was how.
"Sir, you have a meeting at 3 PM. Documents to sign. Time is tight."
"I know."
It was 2 PM.
Outside the building, mercenaries lay in wait with sniper rifles.
This was a massive contract.
Killing Nolan Rock would buy them freedom for a decade.
"Target leaves at 3. Travel time is 34 minutes. Prepare. One chance. Confirm kill."
"Relax, boss. No one survives a Barrett."
The sniper caressed the rifle.
This was a true monster.
His breathing steadied.
"Target spotted."
Nolan stepped outside, unaware.
"Lock target. Three. Two…"
The voice cut off.
The sniper felt a chill at his neck.
He turned.
A sword wielding robot stood behind him. Blood dripped from the blade.
Understanding dawned.
He was dead.
All of them were.
Instantly.
Red Queen's voice sounded beside Nolan.
"Threat eliminated."
Nolan nodded.
He had anticipated assassination.
That night, Ross's face was livid.
The mercenaries died without firing a shot.
This was not how it was supposed to go.
After a moment, he steadied himself.
No.
He would act personally.
"Mobilize the Death Squad."
The Death Squad was his super soldier unit.
Originally designed for the Hulk.
Now, they had a new target.