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Chapter 456 Red Omega and Adamantium
"Look at my memory, I actually forgot to introduce my new Invention to you."
M.O.D.O.K. manipulated the aircraft under his butt and floated to the side of the red-clothed strong man, like a car salesman about to introduce this strong man to everyone present.
However, Howard had no intention of listening to the enemy's nonsense. He immediately manipulated the machine gun on his left shoulder, aimed at M.O.D.O.K., and opened fire without warning.
Muzzle flash continuously sprayed from the gun muzzle. M.O.D.O.K. simply smiled, unfazed as the bullets struck the purple translucent shield five meters away.
"Don't be impatient, Howard. Believe me, I'm even more eager for your death than you are, but I still hope you can appreciate my current masterpiece. How else am I supposed to surpass you?"
M.O.D.O.K. snapped his fingers, and another squad of A.I.M. soldiers entered through the door. And that wasn't all...
"Wait! What are you doing, David!" "What does this mean!" Panic erupted in the crowd. Howard turned his head to see several guests in suits, drawing guns from who-knows-where, taking hostage those closest to them. Howard recognized a couple of them, never expecting they were connected to terrorist organizations.
"Now, will you listen to me?" M.O.D.O.K. grinned, his tone condescending. Seeing Howard silent and still, he knew he had his attention.
"Excellent!" Though M.O.D.O.K. would have preferred Howard's verbal agreement, he couldn't push too hard. Both knew the hostages' usefulness was limited. If M.O.D.O.K. crossed a certain minefield, Howard wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice them.
Howard wasn't a true Super Hero. Iron Ambition was just a title, a PR stunt to glamorize weapons, with some personal ambition mixed in. Expecting him to make significant concessions for these people was unrealistic.
But as long as the line wasn't crossed, Howard would play along, at least long enough to hear M.O.D.O.K.'s nonsense.
"When I awoke in the laboratory, I thought my life was over. Humans can't even tolerate mutants who are only slightly different. How could they accept a big-headed monster like me?"
M.O.D.O.K. patted his chin, a gesture resembling patting his belly, if his head wasn't so oversized.
"But then I discovered something extraordinary. They turned me into a human computer. My thoughts became sharper, problems that once baffled me now dissolved effortlessly. Within minutes, I grasped the sheer stupidity of A.I.M's former leaders, and so, I purged the entire leadership."
"Seizing control of A.I.M." M.O.D.O.K. clenched his right hand into a fist. "And my first invention as leader is this killing machine before you."
M.O.D.O.K. gestured towards the hulking figure. Howard, via his helmet, commanded his AI to assess Falcon's condition. The AI reported he was likely beyond saving, though lacking direct contact, the assessment was only about 70% accurate.
Howard was indifferent, even hoping for Falcon's swift death. Being held hostage hampered his combat efficiency. More concerning were the influential business tycoons present. Negative rumors spread by them could be damaging.
While Howard wouldn't mind M.O.D.O.K. eliminating all hostages, that was impractical. Their deaths would trigger international repercussions, affecting America and even the world. Despite his reluctance, Howard would protect them if it didn't endanger his own life.
"I call him Red Omega," M.O.D.O.K. said with a cruel smile. "A perfect creation after six failed materials. Honestly, if perfection wasn't the goal, I could have stopped at the first."
"Those mutants were excellent materials, but I wanted a bit of this, a bit of that. In the end, only Red Omega survived."
"He possesses the abilities of six mutants," M.O.D.O.K. declared, arms wide, boasting about his inhumane experiment.
"What?" Howard's eyes widened behind his mask. Having some insight into mutant research due to government involvement, he understood the basics of mutant power.
It stemmed from a unique gene within mutants, the X-Gene. Humans lacked it, or perhaps couldn't detect it yet.
Mutant abilities arose from X-Gene activity. A mutant could naturally possess multiple abilities, often interconnected or synergistic.
However, transferring a mutant's ability to another was near impossible, like incompatible blood types. Rejection phenomenon was inevitable with Mutant X-Genes.
Severe rejection could kill the recipient, even ordinary person injected with it.
In Howard's experience, M.O.D.O.K.'s claim was an incredible tale, contradicting everything he knew about mutant blood.
"I knew you wouldn't believe me," M.O.D.O.K. chuckled, feeling superior.
"Show him, Red Omega! Let the tin can see your strength!"
A strange purple light flashed from the gem on M.O.D.O.K.'s forehead, but Howard barely noticed as Red Omega charged.
The same tentacles of unknown material probed forward. AI identified it as metal material. Howard decided to target these primary attack means first.
"Swish!" A crimson energy sword extended from Howard's right arm armor. He swung, aiming for the approaching tentacle.
But the result was disappointing. The energy blade, usually razor-sharp, failed to cut the unremarkable tentacle. The AI, analyzing the brief clash, identified the tentacle's raw materials.
Even without AI, Howard suspected. Many metals could withstand his laser sword, but such unscathed resilience was rare.
Howard's suspicion was confirmed by the AI: the tentacle's raw materials were... Adamantium!
Note: Originally, Red Omega's tentacles were supposed to be Carbonadium, but for intensity and plot reasons, they've been upgraded to Adamantium. Still not as pure as Wolverine's goods though.
(End of Chapter)
"Look at my memory, I actually forgot to introduce my new Invention to you."
M.O.D.O.K. manipulated the aircraft under his butt and floated to the side of the red-clothed strong man, like a car salesman about to introduce this strong man to everyone present.
However, Howard had no intention of listening to the enemy's nonsense. He immediately manipulated the machine gun on his left shoulder, aimed at M.O.D.O.K., and opened fire without warning.
Muzzle flash continuously sprayed from the gun muzzle. M.O.D.O.K. simply smiled, unfazed as the bullets struck the purple translucent shield five meters away.
"Don't be impatient, Howard. Believe me, I'm even more eager for your death than you are, but I still hope you can appreciate my current masterpiece. How else am I supposed to surpass you?"
M.O.D.O.K. snapped his fingers, and another squad of A.I.M. soldiers entered through the door. And that wasn't all...
"Wait! What are you doing, David!" "What does this mean!" Panic erupted in the crowd. Howard turned his head to see several guests in suits, drawing guns from who-knows-where, taking hostage those closest to them. Howard recognized a couple of them, never expecting they were connected to terrorist organizations.
"Now, will you listen to me?" M.O.D.O.K. grinned, his tone condescending. Seeing Howard silent and still, he knew he had his attention.
"Excellent!" Though M.O.D.O.K. would have preferred Howard's verbal agreement, he couldn't push too hard. Both knew the hostages' usefulness was limited. If M.O.D.O.K. crossed a certain minefield, Howard wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice them.
Howard wasn't a true Super Hero. Iron Ambition was just a title, a PR stunt to glamorize weapons, with some personal ambition mixed in. Expecting him to make significant concessions for these people was unrealistic.
But as long as the line wasn't crossed, Howard would play along, at least long enough to hear M.O.D.O.K.'s nonsense.
"When I awoke in the laboratory, I thought my life was over. Humans can't even tolerate mutants who are only slightly different. How could they accept a big-headed monster like me?"
M.O.D.O.K. patted his chin, a gesture resembling patting his belly, if his head wasn't so oversized.
"But then I discovered something extraordinary. They turned me into a human computer. My thoughts became sharper, problems that once baffled me now dissolved effortlessly. Within minutes, I grasped the sheer stupidity of A.I.M's former leaders, and so, I purged the entire leadership."
"Seizing control of A.I.M." M.O.D.O.K. clenched his right hand into a fist. "And my first invention as leader is this killing machine before you."
M.O.D.O.K. gestured towards the hulking figure. Howard, via his helmet, commanded his AI to assess Falcon's condition. The AI reported he was likely beyond saving, though lacking direct contact, the assessment was only about 70% accurate.
Howard was indifferent, even hoping for Falcon's swift death. Being held hostage hampered his combat efficiency. More concerning were the influential business tycoons present. Negative rumors spread by them could be damaging.
While Howard wouldn't mind M.O.D.O.K. eliminating all hostages, that was impractical. Their deaths would trigger international repercussions, affecting America and even the world. Despite his reluctance, Howard would protect them if it didn't endanger his own life.
"I call him Red Omega," M.O.D.O.K. said with a cruel smile. "A perfect creation after six failed materials. Honestly, if perfection wasn't the goal, I could have stopped at the first."
"Those mutants were excellent materials, but I wanted a bit of this, a bit of that. In the end, only Red Omega survived."
"He possesses the abilities of six mutants," M.O.D.O.K. declared, arms wide, boasting about his inhumane experiment.
"What?" Howard's eyes widened behind his mask. Having some insight into mutant research due to government involvement, he understood the basics of mutant power.
It stemmed from a unique gene within mutants, the X-Gene. Humans lacked it, or perhaps couldn't detect it yet.
Mutant abilities arose from X-Gene activity. A mutant could naturally possess multiple abilities, often interconnected or synergistic.
However, transferring a mutant's ability to another was near impossible, like incompatible blood types. Rejection phenomenon was inevitable with Mutant X-Genes.
Severe rejection could kill the recipient, even ordinary person injected with it.
In Howard's experience, M.O.D.O.K.'s claim was an incredible tale, contradicting everything he knew about mutant blood.
"I knew you wouldn't believe me," M.O.D.O.K. chuckled, feeling superior.
"Show him, Red Omega! Let the tin can see your strength!"
A strange purple light flashed from the gem on M.O.D.O.K.'s forehead, but Howard barely noticed as Red Omega charged.
The same tentacles of unknown material probed forward. AI identified it as metal material. Howard decided to target these primary attack means first.
"Swish!" A crimson energy sword extended from Howard's right arm armor. He swung, aiming for the approaching tentacle.
But the result was disappointing. The energy blade, usually razor-sharp, failed to cut the unremarkable tentacle. The AI, analyzing the brief clash, identified the tentacle's raw materials.
Even without AI, Howard suspected. Many metals could withstand his laser sword, but such unscathed resilience was rare.
Howard's suspicion was confirmed by the AI: the tentacle's raw materials were... Adamantium!
Note: Originally, Red Omega's tentacles were supposed to be Carbonadium, but for intensity and plot reasons, they've been upgraded to Adamantium. Still not as pure as Wolverine's goods though.
(End of Chapter)
