"This should count as our first official meeting."
Tony Stark looked at Nathan Hawke sitting across from him, as well as the two superheroes standing behind Hawke.
"Yeah." Nathan Hawke nodded slightly.
Tony got straight to the point. "What do you know? What's your plan?"
"Their original plan," Nathan said calmly, "was to build a spatial portal on top of your Stark Tower."
As soon as Nathan finished speaking, Tony immediately responded, "I know. That's why I rushed back — but because of you, they disappeared again."
Nathan shook his head. "No. I actually found them a new base."
"Where?" Tony frowned.
"The Vanke Technology Building."
Tony immediately understood. "I remember your group's been consolidating assets lately. But most of Vanke Tech's shares were taken by the military and government officials. Even Hammer Industries didn't get much. And inside that building…"
"Yes," Nathan continued, smiling faintly. "There's an Arc Reaction Propulsion Core there — powerful enough to open a space wormhole."
Tony's face darkened. "Why do this?"
"To give you time to prepare. Does that count for something?"
Hearing that, Tony's expression softened. He had to admit — if the battle had broken out suddenly, they'd have been caught completely off guard. But with Hawke's interference, they had time to make arrangements and trap the enemy.
In his mind, Tony was already formulating several tactical plans — surround the Vanke Building, intercept the wormhole.
"How sure are you?" Tony asked.
"One hundred percent," Nathan replied confidently. "They're desperate, but they're also convinced that once their army comes through the wormhole, victory will be absolute."
"Is that so?" Tony thought over Nathan's words as JARVIS quietly fed him data through his earpiece.
"What about you? What's your plan?" Tony asked, his tone cautious. After the incident with Ivan Vanko, his impression of the Hawke Group had improved, but he still didn't fully trust these so-called "superheroes."
Nathan answered directly, "We wait for them to come, destroy them, and take their technology. That's my plan."
Tony blinked, surprised. "That's it? You're just going to tell me that openly?"
"What else?" Nathan shrugged. "You're Tony Stark — the smart one. I don't know if you're interested in alien tech, but I certainly am."
Tony chuckled. Indeed, he never compromised when it came to intelligence. He understood that Nathan's goal was alien technology — and he shared that interest himself. They might be allies, they might become rivals, but for now, they had a common enemy.
"Nathan, maybe there's room for cooperation between us," Tony said with a faint smile, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.
"That's an interesting proposal, Tony Stark. We can discuss the details of this cooperation," Nathan replied with a smirk.
The two began exchanging strategies — how to confront Loki and the alien army, trade intel, and balance their mutual interests.
Later…
"That's the plan," Tony said.
In his home, he controlled the holographic display remotely, briefing the Avengers.
Captain America frowned. "But there are civilians in that building…"
Tony's tone hardened. "Cap, some things have to happen. You understand that — and I respect your feelings — but if we don't act, more people will die."
He looked around at Thor, Natasha, Bruce Banner, Pepper Potts, and finally at Steve Rogers.
"At least," Tony added, "we have S.H.I.E.L.D. and Nick Fury backing us. That'll help us fight more effectively on the front lines."
Hearing this, the Captain's expression softened. He smiled slightly. "Seems like you're finally learning to trust your team, Tony."
The others smiled knowingly.
Tony smiled too — but his mind drifted back to Nathan Hawke's own "superhero" team.
How strong were they? Were they all centered around Hawke himself?
"By the way, where's Rhodey? I heard he's recovered well. Is he joining us this time?" Pepper asked.
"Rhodey…" Tony shook his head lightly and sighed.
Elsewhere…
"You humans giving advice to a god — how amusing," Loki said, gazing at the group calling themselves Hydra. "My goal indeed lies here. Still, if you choose to serve me, when I take over Earth, you will become the subordinates of me — Loki, the wisest and greatest of gods."
He smirked.
"But since your 'serpent' master didn't even show his face to meet me, I'll be sure to give that disrespectful creature a personal beating once I ascend the throne."
The Hydra leader remained silent, head bowed.
Loki lost interest and waved dismissively. "Fine. I'll accept your offer. Delay those superheroes for now — and the gaze of the gods will soon fall upon you."
As Loki turned and vanished, the Hydra leader's lips curled into a sly smile. Their plan wasn't to serve Loki — it was to use him to achieve Hydra's true goals.
"This report just came in from the European division," Wesker said, standing beside Nathan Hawke.
"Looks like Hydra got wind of something." Nathan watched as Hydra forces attacked Umbrella's European branch and several Hawke Group subsidiaries. After a moment, he sneered.
"Their goal is to keep Sephiroth occupied in Europe. Our financial and industrial networks there are expanding rapidly — once Sephiroth shows up on that battlefield, they'll strike immediately," Wesker analyzed.
Nathan nodded. "I understand." He glanced at the screen.
"Loki, the Black Order's Proxima Midnight, that mysterious pursuer of America Chavez — and Hydra. They're already collaborating." He turned to Wesker. "What about Beck? Is he involved?"
Wesker shook his head. "No. But according to the Invisible Man's surveillance, Beck seems to be planning to cause Stark some trouble soon. If a war does break out, how do you plan to handle him?"
"Have Umbrella's control teams and security personnel ready. Before the war begins, make sure every member of the weapons research division is 'protected,'" Nathan ordered.
Then he headed to the research department.
Cruz rushed over excitedly. "So aliens really exist?"
Nathan glanced at the man's T-virus-enhanced physique. "Yes. And war's coming soon. How are your preparations?"
Cruz clapped his hands and gestured proudly. "Once war begins, our T-virus products can be deployed immediately — zombie dogs, Lickers, Tyrants — all ready for combat. With Eisenach tech and my improved genetic stabilizers, control levels are better than ever."
"Excellent," Nathan praised.
Soon after, the battle strategist, Ryouma Sengoku, arrived with the Iron Legion.
"No issues. Once the order's given, the Iron Legion will launch instantly," Sengoku said calmly, sucking on a lollipop. Unlike Cruz, he was composed — he'd seen alien life before. Across the testing field, John Walker, now transformed into Kamen Rider Duke, was testing new armor against Iron Legion drones.
"After the war, increase production capacity," Nathan said as he reviewed the data on the screen.
"No problem," Sengoku replied confidently.
John Walker caught a glimpse of Nathan leaving from the corner of his eye.
Night fell.
Inside the Vanke Technology Building, Loki's followers had already gathered.
"Doctor, how's the preparation going?" Loki asked Dr. Erik Selvig, who was busy constructing the portal.
"The Vanke reactor has enough power to open the portal," Selvig replied, "but it's less stable and slower than Stark Tower's arc reactor. Estimated completion time — around six a.m."
"Can't you make it faster?" Loki snapped.
"Yes, but in that case, the energy would reach a critical threshold — it could collapse at any time," Selvig warned.
Loki sighed in frustration. He knew there was no better alternative. Sending an army through the wormhole required massive, stable energy to activate the Infinity Stone's power.
Without another word, he turned to Hawkeye. "Guard the building. Anyone who tries to enter — kill them."
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