AN: I own none of the characters or settings you recognize. I only own my original characters and settings.
AIM Headquarters, California, USA
25 December 2012
The tense atmosphere in the headquarters had everyone scurrying about, diligently following the supervisors' instructions
Dave's voice trembled with fatigue as he lugged the heavy crates of metallic materials toward the headquarters' entrance. "They're killing us, Jamison. If it weren't for this super drug, I'd have collapsed from exhaustion by now. But evacuating all of a sudden? It feels wrong."
Jamison's eyes met Dave's, and he nodded. "Yeah, it is strange. Rumor has it the higher-ups have been planning this for years. Something big. But fleeing the country? I'm not sure I'm cut out for that."
Dave's scowl deepened. "Running isn't my style either. But what choice do we have? Staying behind would make us fugitives. And you know how well AIM has treated us—I can't abandon the people who gave me back my legs."
Dave nodded, his eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and determination. "You're right. Carrying these heavy boxes—stuff a weightlifter would struggle with—while my limbs were once paralyzed… I should be grateful."
"WHAT THE FUCK!"
Dave's sudden cry jolted Jamison. "Whoa, no need to overreact," Jamison began, but Dave's next words cut him off.
"No, what the fuck is that?!" Dave's voice cracked with shock, his gaze fixed on the impossible sight before them.
"I swear if you're pulling some kind of prank, I'll—" Jamison's threat trailed off as he followed Dave's gaze towards the sky. His own eyes widened in disbelief.
"What the fuck?!! Is that a person… in the sky?!!" The silhouette of a person was seen effortlessly gliding through the air, descending towards them.
"It's heading here too." Dave pointed out, his tone holding a hint of disbelief. "Hey, don't you think he kinda looks like Killian?"
"What? No way… he actually does." Jamison as he glanced back at the figure in the sky. "I mean, if it's the boss, then it's not far-fetched for him to fly, right?"
Dave nodded. "He's always doing crazy things, so I guess not."
As the figure drew closer, Dave and Jamison's certainty grew—it was indeed their boss.
"Boys," Killian's calm voice cut through the tension as he landed before them, debris swirling around him. "Time for the name AIM to reverberate around the world."
"But first, we disappear." He strode into the facility, the doors opening automatically for him, leaving Dave and Jamison standing there, still questioning their grip on reality
The controlled chaos within the facility buzzed with purpose. Scientists and engineers hurriedly packed crates, securing vital equipment and data. Killian's grin betrayed his satisfaction; years of effort had finally paid off. Despite Tony's interference, success prevailed in the end.
Killian's mood remained somber despite the recent success. SHIELD, the CIA, and other groups were likely hot on his trail. His plan involved laying low temporarily, assembling an army using the enhanced Extremis virus, and saving the world by spreading a safer version of Extremis. It baffled him that Tony and everyone else found this so hard to understand. To Killian, their ignorance to a solution that could solve most health problems in the world was glaringly obvious. In his opinion, their selfishness prevented them from seeing it.
Prioritizing evacuation, he aimed to create a force that would eventually enable him to save the world on his terms.
His return indeed promised increased efficiency. His adeptness at working with the existing workforce was evidence that he had painstakingly built it himself.
The air vibrated with a nervous energy. Soldiers, their eyes hard with resolve, hefted crates overflowing with vials of shimmering red serum and hulking machinery, the heart of AlM's operation. They wouldn't need everything - Killian had enough wealth to rebuild, to pick up the pieces and start again. Only the essentials.
The air vibrated with a nervous energy. Soldiers, their eyes hard with resolve, hefted crates overflowing with vials of shimmering red serum and hulking machinery, the heart of AlM's operation. They wouldn't need everything - Killian had enough wealth to rebuild, to pick up the pieces and start again. Only the essentials.
Three trucks, their bellies bulging with neatly packed cargo, stood ready at the loading bay. Armed soldiers, their fingers twitching near holstered energy guns, climbed into the back, a silent guard against the unknown. A convoy of armored vehicles, bristling with weaponry, formed a protective carapace around the precious cargo.
"What took you so long?" Dave asked, watching Jamison run to the truck.
Jamison, catching his breath, grimaced. "Had to take a huge shit. I think the food messed with my stomach."
Dave stared at him, resisting the urge to slap him. "What the hell? You could've waited until we got to the ship. We almost left you! Do you think dying on the road is a better option?"
Jamison laughed, appreciating that Dave's anger came from a place of concern. "You don't have to worry about me. Now, let's get going."
It didnt take long for the rest of the soldiers and workers to get ready. Most workers were in the trucks with the soldiers in armoured/army vehicles around the trucks. They then started moving while holding the convoys formation.
The convoy was large, but its mobility was impressive. They managed to cover a significant distance in just a few minutes.
Dave and Jamison were part of the security team guarding the trucks from the inside. They sat in the cargo hold, surrounded by crates and equipment, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.
"This is still a surreal situation," Jamison said, but the roar of the truck's engine swallowed his words, forcing him to shout. "I've never even been on a boat, and now I'm taking one to another country...it's crazy!"
"You sound excited," Dave noted.
"Of course I am. Aren't you?"
"Focus on the task, Jamison," Dave cautioned, his voice barely cutting through the rumble of the truck's engine and the hum of their nervous anticipation. "We can't afford any slip-ups."
Jamison nodded, though his excitement shone in his eyes. "I get it, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing."
As the convoy reached the port, the scene shifted from controlled chaos to military precision. Cranes and dock workers hurriedly loaded the cargo onto a massive cargo ship, its silhouette a dark hulk against the night sky. Killian stood at the center of the activity, overseeing the operation with a calculated gaze. His expression remained stoic, but a hint of a smile played at the corners of his mouth.
Once the ship was fully loaded, it set off, cutting through the water with determination. The waves were calming, and for most on board, it felt like a win.
Jamison looked at the reflection of the giant cargo ship on the water and sighed.
"I'm disappointed. It's been hours, and this isn't fun. All I feel is seasick."
Dave started to respond when a sudden explosion rocked the boat. It swerved violently, and both men grabbed for support. A flurry of shouts and alarms filled the air as they struggled to comprehend what had just happened.
Through the chaos, the unmistakable sound of repulsor engines echoed above them. Jamison's eyes widened. "No way... it's Stark!"
Outside, Tony Stark, in his Iron Man suit, hovered above the deck, his face set in grim determination. A swarm of Iron Man suits descended upon the convoy, blasting the armed guards and creating chaos. The cargo ship, now fully loaded, loomed in the distance, but Tony's priority was clear—stop Killian.
Killian's eyes blazed with a mix of anger and exhilaration. "Ah, Tony, just in time to witness the future," he replied, his voice calm but laced with menace.
With a sudden burst of energy, Killian shot across the deck, flames erupting from his extremis-enhanced body. He leaped, landing in front of Tony with a thud that shook the entire ship. The two faced off, the cargo ship below a mere stage for their confrontation.
"You've ruined everything, Killian," Tony snarled. "You experimented on me, used me, and now you think you can just escape? Not happening."
Killian laughed, the sound echoing across the deck. "I'm not escaping, Tony. I'm evolving. And I'm going to save the world, with or without your approval."
The first strike came from Tony, a repulsor blast that Killian dodged with inhuman agility. Killian countered with a burst of flames, but Tony's armor withstood the heat. They clashed on the deck, a flurry of blows exchanged at breakneck speed. Tony's precision matched against Killian's raw power.
On the deck below, the workers scrambled for cover. Dave and Jamison watched in awe as the battle unfolded before them, a spectacle of technology and bio-engineering.
"Unbelievable," Jamison whispered, his earlier excitement replaced with genuine fear But Dave could hear the tinge of curiosity and wonder.
Dave's grip tightened on his weapon. "Stay sharp. If Stark takes Killian down, we need to be ready to act."
Above, the fight intensified. Tony's armor took heavy hits, but his determination drove him forward. He activated an EMP, sending a shockwave that momentarily stunned Killian. Taking advantage, Tony launched a barrage of missiles, each one striking true.
Killian roared in pain but refused to fall. His extremis-fueled body healed rapidly, flames flickering as he pushed through the damage. With a guttural yell, he surged forward, grappling Tony and sending them both crashing through the ship's superstructure.
They smashed into the engine room, metal and sparks flying everywhere. For a moment, all was silent. Then, from the wreckage, a flash of light as Tony's arc reactor powered back to life. He rocketed out of the debris, dragging a struggling Killian with him.
"This is for Pepper!" Tony shouted, channeling all his remaining power into a concentrated blast that struck Killian square in the chest.
Killian's scream was lost in the explosion. The force of the blast sent him flying across the deck, crashing through a stack of crates.
"Sir, we've found the mistress. She's in one of the army vehicles with others who were captured," Jarvis's voice sounded out in Tony's suit.
Tony landed on the deck, his suit sparking and dented, but his resolve unbroken. "Let's finish this," he muttered, advancing towards Killian's fallen form. But before he could finish him off, a blast pushed him off, piercing through his shoulder.
"Sir, we'll help you! Don't let him win!"
"We're with you!!"
"We'll save the world together!!"
The crew shouted words of support even amidst the chaos as dozens of Iron Man suits swarmed the boat.
Even Dave and Jamison had it hard. They had to protect the accommodation area with the other guards while the soldiers fought.
"Do you think the cargo will be damaged in all this mess?" Jamison asked, concern evident in his voice.
"We've got bigger things to worry about right now," Dave snapped back, annoyance coloring his tone.
"I think it's something worth worrying about," Jamison insisted before abruptly leaping from the balcony of the accommodation area, the height equivalent to a two-story building.
"Are you INSANE?!" Dave screamed in disbelief as he watched Jamison free fall. His panic turned to shock as Jamison's guard clothes transformed into a sleek black suit, covering his entire body.
As Jamison landed gracefully on top of the cargo containers, using them as stepping stones, he caught the attention of an Iron Man suit that had just subdued an Extremis soldier.
"Stand down, or you will be taken down forcefully," Jarvis warned, its metallic voice resonating through the chaos.
Jamison seemed to not care as he ran towards a certain direction. The suit followed suit with Jarvis surprised at the speed Jamison moved at. He was certainly one of the more powerful extremis soldiers.
*Linebreak*
Tony grimaced as he steadied himself, his shoulder throbbing with pain. The Iron Man suits encircled Killian, their repulsors aimed and ready to fire. But Killian, with a sinister grin, rose to his feet, flames licking his wounds as they healed almost instantly.
"Nice try, Stark," Killian taunted. "But you'll need more than a metal suit to stop me."
Tony's HUD flickered as he assessed the situation. "All units, place Killian as the main target," he commanded.
The suits adjusted their aim, focusing on Killian. A few that were fighting and rescuing people joined in on the duos battle.
Killian leaped forward, his speed a blur. He smashed through two Iron Man suits, sending pieces of armor flying. Tony charged, engaging Killian in a brutal hand-to-hand combat. Each punch and repulsor blast was met with flames and superhuman strength.
The deck trembled as the two titans clashed, their fight a whirlwind of technology and raw power. Tony fired a unibeam from his chest, but Killian absorbed the energy, using it to fuel his next attack. He lashed out, sending Tony crashing into the ship's superstructure.
"Sir, your suit's power levels are critically low," Jarvis warned.
"Noted. Lets do a switch.," Tony ordered, his voice a little strained.
With a surge of adrenaline, Tony launched himself out if the suit and instantly one flew below and caught him inside, his confrontation with Killian uninterrupted.
"You can't win, Killian," Tony gritted out.
Killian's anger simmered as he surveyed the chaos around him. "You're nothing but a hypocrite," he spat, floating closer to Tony in the air. "You claim to be a hero, yet you obstruct me from achieving my goal. I could save billions, Tony!"
Boom! An explosion outside of their fight suddenly rocked the ship, sending shockwaves through the air and adding to the intensity of their confrontation.
"Sir, an anomaly has been detected," Jarvis informed Tony amidst the chaos, the urgency evident in his voice.
*Linebreak*
On the other side, Jamison blew open a seemingly ordinary container, revealing its true contents—a cache of metal, distinctly designed for computer hardware.
"Finally," Jamison exhaled, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. His transformation began, his skin darkening and his brown hair morphing into black dreadlocks that hung freely.
Victor gazed at the disassembled computers, his own smile mirroring Jamison's. His plan had unfolded perfectly...
Regular updates will be back for a while.
Thanks to everyone who's been supporting, don't worry this story will continue no matter how long my haitus' are.
Kinda lost all details of my pa treon account so I might have to start a new one. I'm going to inform you about the decision ill take on that later though. For now forget the old one existed.
Anyway, thanks. See y'all next week Monday.