"To be honest, Tony," Marcus began, folding his arms as his tone turned thoughtful, "JARVIS may have given you the illusion that artificial intelligence is safe — that a program becoming 'smarter' is harmless. But you know better than anyone, Ultron and JARVIS are not the same thing. JARVIS follows what you program. Ultron…" He paused, meeting Tony's eyes. "Ultron is you, Tony. Another version of you — without restraint."
Tony scoffed. "So what, you're saying all I ever do is cause trouble?"
Marcus shrugged, smiling faintly. "If the shoe fits."
Then his voice hardened. "Regardless, Tony — until we have a way to control Ultron, you are not to create him. That's an order."
Tony sighed, leaning back against a workbench. "Fine, fine. But this thing's code is unbelievably complex. Developing a full control system for it could take months — maybe longer. Honestly…" He gave a rueful chuckle. "Even I have no idea where to start."
Marcus wasn't surprised. In the original timeline, even Tony hadn't fully understood what he was awakening when he brought Ultron online. But Marcus wasn't too worried — Tony's ingenuity would eventually find a solution. After all, it had been JARVIS who, in the original events, managed to block Ultron from seizing Earth's nuclear arsenal. If JARVIS could counter him, then Tony — given enough time — could certainly do better.
Ultron's birth was inevitable. But this time, Marcus intended to ensure that when the machine awakened, it would serve him, not defy him.
Still, Ultron's creation wasn't the only reason Marcus needed Loki's scepter.
"Tony," he said, his voice lowering, "as a consultant for S.H.I.E.L.D., you should have access to their research archives — particularly those involving the Tesseract. I want you to study those files and determine how to use the scepter to remotely activate the Cube's power — to open a small-scale dimensional gate. The same way Loki did when he first came to Earth."
Tony froze. "You're serious?"
The Tesseract — one of the six Infinity Stones — was currently locked away in Asgard's royal vault, countless light-years from Earth. Humanity's technology wasn't even close to reaching such distances.
But Marcus knew better. The Mind Stone within Loki's scepter and the Space Stone within the Tesseract shared a resonance, a link across dimensions. Even across galaxies, the scepter could tap into the Cube's energy, opening a controlled rift large enough for a single being to pass through — the very method Loki had once used to descend to Earth.
Marcus had no intention of wasting such a weapon.
Tony understood immediately — and didn't like it. "Kid, tell me you're not planning what I think you're planning." He rubbed his temples. "You do realize breaking into Asgard's royal vault is suicide, right? Even if you somehow snatch the Cube, they can bring their army straight to Earth. You're talking about starting a war with gods."
Marcus's lips curled into a thin smile. "Bring it back to Earth? Don't be ridiculous." His eyes glowed faintly with cold ambition as he gazed at the scepter. "I'm not stealing the Tesseract, Tony. I'm going to lead an army — and conquer Asgard."
Tony blinked, stunned into silence. For once, he had no witty retort.
---
After assigning Tony his new research task, Marcus left the lab and made his way toward another part of Queens — the Absolute Extremis Training Grounds, where Alex was overseeing the development of his latest weapon: the Extremis Zombies.
The site was a vast stretch of cleared land, once slated for urban development before the outbreak began. With the human population wiped out in the area, it had become the perfect testing ground for the undead.
When Marcus arrived, several Extremis Thunderbeasts prowled the perimeter — enormous, chitin-armored creatures that resembled bio-mechanical mammoths. Each one radiated power, their exoskeletons gleaming like molten steel. The production line was clearly thriving.
Alex stood at the edge of the training ground, waiting. Beside him loomed the colossal figure of Winston, the undead gorilla.
"Alex," Marcus called out, his gaze sweeping across the field. "How many Thunderbeasts have been produced?"
Alex gave a crisp nod, his tone professional. "Twelve are fully operational. By tomorrow, we should have twenty-six in total. Production efficiency is improving, but capacity is still below optimal levels. With more resources, we could double output."
"Twenty-six…" Marcus murmured, his eyes narrowing with satisfaction. A formation of that many beasts was devastating enough to shatter any conventional army. Armored in bio-alloy plating capable of withstanding tank shells, the Thunderbeasts would make short work of any resistance.
Now, what he needed were reaper units — fast, lethal soldiers to follow in the beasts' wake and eliminate key targets. Alex, as always, was already ahead of him.
"Come," he said, leading him deeper into the compound.
They entered the heart of the training ground — and Marcus immediately noticed the creature standing in the center of the field.
It was humanoid, slightly taller than an average man, its skin charred black as if covered in hardened resin. One arm remained human in form, but the other had transformed into a monstrous, bladed claw — nearly as long as its entire body. The claw's edge shimmered with a faint metallic sheen, sharp enough to bisect a man in a single swing.
Its legs, digitigrade and clawed like those of a raptor, ended in hooked talons that dug deep into the ground. The creature looked built for vertical movement — agile, deadly, and terrifying.
Alex gestured toward it. "This is the Chaser," she explained. "Aside from the limb mutations, its physiology remains mostly human. But it's vastly superior to standard zombies — faster, more resilient, and designed for mobility. Its leg joints have been enhanced for high-impact jumps, and its claws allow it to scale vertical surfaces with ease. It's the perfect unit for urban warfare."
As if to prove her words, the Chaser suddenly crouched — then launched itself forward at blinding speed.
It covered the training field in seconds, leaping straight up the side of a nearby skyscraper. Its talons clung to the concrete, carrying it effortlessly across the wall like a spider. Within moments, it had vaulted from one building to the next, circling the area in a blur before dropping back down before Marcus, its clawed hand slamming into the ground with a heavy thud.
Marcus's eyes gleamed.
Its speed rivaled a sports car. Its agility defied gravity. Its killing potential was beyond question.
"Excellent work," he said softly. "A true reaper."
With the Thunderbeasts to break enemy lines and the Chasers to hunt their commanders, the undead army was evolving — step by step — into a force that could sweep the Earth.
And soon, if his plan succeeded…
It would sweep the cosmos.
_____
T/N:
For readers who would like early access, my Patreon is available for just $4 per month. You'll unlock 90+ advance chapters and help support ongoing works.
🔗 patreon.com/user?u=79514336
You may also search Translator-Sama directly on Patreon.
Your support is sincerely appreciated