AN: I own nothing. If you recognize it, then it's probably not mine.
Less go a bonus chapter.
California, LOs Angeles, USA
Earlier that day
"Thanks, here's a tip for taking me to the exact address," I said to the driver as I got off with my large suitcase and paid him.
Money wasn't really a problem. Having access to Ulysses' resources made me a millionaire. Besides, he deserved a tip for taking me to this remote location without complaints.
AIM's main headquarters weren't in the city of LA and were on the outskirts, so I had to ask the driver to drop me off close to a large hill that was a hiking area. The road he dropped me off at was kilometers away from the city, and I knew some taxi drivers wouldn't agree to take me here.
I watched the taxi drive off as I looked towards the top of the hill. My thoughts drifted a bit as I looked down the hill and saw the beauty of the distant city. Scenes like these were a rarity back in countries like Congo and South Africa, where poverty was pervasive and segregation painfully clear. Well, when looking into the details, it was also evident here. From my vantage point, at this distance, the stark divide between wealthy neighborhoods and impoverished ones was unmistakable. Slapping myself lightly, I snapped back to the present moment.
I would have to hike to the top of the hill, and on the other side, I'd see AIM's headquarters a few kilometers away. It would still be a long walk there, but that area was restricted as it was AIM's private property. Surveillance was tight in that area, but that wouldn't be an issue for me. I opened the suitcase, revealing the contents inside. Any onlooker would notice how prepared I was for this journey.
I had brought a lot to finish this mission as I had been planning this for months. The metallic objects in the suitcase reflected the sunlight, making them glare at me.
As the lid swung open, revealing an array of sleek weaponry and high-tech gadgets meticulously organized within, my gaze settled on one particular item amidst the assortment. Amidst the vibranium guns and other gadgets, it appeared rather unassuming—a simple black metallic mask, almost ordinary in its appearance.
But this was no ordinary mask. It was my PhantomVeil, a remarkable piece of technology infused with nanobots capable of extraordinary feats. It was something I had created a while ago in preparation for leaving Wakanda, and the only reason I could get on planes or travel without having to worry. I had upgraded its capabilities when I got to South Africa, as I present moment.
I would have to hike to the top of the hill, and on the other side, I'd see AIM's headquarters a few kilometers away. It would still be a long walk there, but that area was restricted as it was AIM's private property. Surveillance was tight in that area, but that wouldn't be an issue for me. I opened the suitcase as the contents inside became visible to me. Any onlooker would notice how prepared I was for this journey.
The metallic objects in the suitcase reflected the sunlight, making them glare at me. As the lid swung open, revealing an array of sleek weaponry and high-tech gadgets meticulously organized within, my gaze settled on one particular item amidst the assortment. Amidst the vibranium guns and other gadgets, it appeared rather unassuming—a simple black metallic mask, almost ordinary in its appearance.
But this was no ordinary mask. It was my PhantomVeil, a remarkable piece of technology infused with nanobots capable of extraordinary feats. It was something I had created a while ago in preparation for leaving Wakanda and the only reason I could get on planes or travel without having to worry. I had upgraded its capabilities when I got to South Africa as I knew the missions ahead would need it even more.
With its ability to scan and replicate the appearance of anyone it encounters, the PhantomVeil was my key to stealth and deception. Harnessing the power of nanotechnology, the PhantomVeil manipulated light to perfection, allowing it to mimic even the most subtle nuances of human faces. As I held it in my hands, I knew that with this mask, I could seamlessly blend into any environment, adapting my appearance to match those around me.
"Now I just need a target," I murmured. I'd have to infiltrate AIM as that seemed like the easiest way to get what I wanted. It was better not to take too many risks as I wasn't sure how powerful extremis made the soldiers there.
Satisfied with my inspection, I returned the mask to its spot in the suitcase. With a sense of quiet determination, I closed the lid, sealing the contents within and preparing myself for the challenges that lay ahead. As I snapped the latches shut, I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins.
With each step, the rough terrain beneath my boots crumbled and shifted, the earth yielding reluctantly to my ascent. My muscles strained against the steep incline, the weight of my gear pressing down on my shoulders like a heavy burden. Most people wouldn't be able to move much with the suitcase on them since it weighed way more than it looked.
'Even I'm lucky because of the biosuit,' I thought as I looked at the unnoticeable black metallic suit under my clothes. Of course, I wore it at all times—I was in the Marvel universe, for fuck's sake.
As I climbed, the air grew thinner, each breath coming in shallow gasps as I struggled to fill my lungs. The wind whipped at my face, carrying with it the scent of pine and earth, mingled with the faint tang of metal and ozone.
At last, after what felt like an eternity of climbing, I reached the crest of the hill. My boots sank into the soft earth as I planted myself firmly atop the summit, pausing for a moment to catch my breath and take in the view.
I could have reached here sooner, but what was the use of wasting so much energy when I had a few hours to spare?
Before me stretched a sprawling landscape of rugged wilderness, a patchwork of lush greenery and jagged rock formations as far as the eye could see. Even the city was no longer visible when I looked behind, as it was obscured by the path I had traveled. But it was the sight that lay beyond, nestled amidst the natural beauty of the landscape, that drew my attention.
There, nestled in the valley below, lay AIM Facilities, a sprawling complex of concrete and steel that rose from the earth like a monolith. The sun glinted off the mirrored surfaces of the buildings, casting dazzling reflections that danced across the landscape.
Around the perimeter of the facility, armed guards patrolled the grounds, their movements precise and purposeful as they kept watch over the compound. High walls topped with razor wire surrounded the facility, a silent sentinel that stood as a testament to the secrets hidden within.
Despite the imposing presence of AIM Facilities, I felt a surge of determination coursing through my veins.
I stealthily descended the hill, my every step calculated to avoid detection. As I reached the base, the sprawling AIM Facilities loomed before me. Staying close to the shadows, I moved towards the fence, taking care to remain in a hidden area obscured from any prying eyes. The route I had taken to get here was similar to taking the back door, which AIM would definitely not expect because of the harsh terrain needed to be taken.
Silently, I stationed myself just beyond the perimeter fence, hidden in the shadows.
"I need an opportunity," I thought to myself, scanning the surroundings for any sign of weakness.
And then, unexpectedly, it presented itself. But not in the form I had anticipated.
In shock, I watched as Aldrich Killian, a human, floated down towards the main entrance, which was too far for me to see clearly.
'How is this possible?' My mind scrambled to recall any movie or comic where I had seen Killian fly, but nothing came to mind. This situation was beyond anything I had planned for or anticipated. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to slow down and think rationally. Panic wouldn't help me now.
"Okay, focus," I muttered under my breath. "There's got to be an explanation for this."
I scanned my surroundings, looking for anything that could give me an advantage. Killian's unexpected ability to fly changed the game, but it wouldn't affect my plan much if executed right. My mind raced through the details of my plan, identifying the parts that could still work and the ones that needed adjustment.
I crouched behind a thick tree trunk, my breathing steady and controlled. I had to be patient, waiting for the perfect moment to slip into AIM's complex unnoticed. My PhantomVeil mask was snugly tucked away in my suitcase, ready for the next phase of my plan. At the same time, I unlocked the suitcase and let free the insect-like robots I had used in Congo.
They had the ability to be scouts and would go unnoticed as they were like insects. They easily slipped past the guards and avoided detection as they observed the inside of AIM Facilities. From here, I could observe through a feed to my watch. With the press of a button, a hologram appeared, showing what the bugs could see.
Hours had passed since my initial observation of the facility. The sun had set, casting long shadows across the compound. The guards' patrols were regular, and I had memorized their routes. I had also noticed how everyone had begun gathering on the other side of my viewpoint. The scouts showed that they were packing, seemingly evacuating even, and this built on my earlier shock and questions. What was Aldrich Killian doing? Why the sudden evacuation? What made his personality so different compared to the canon events?
I had noticed many differences between this universe and the MCU, but every event leading up to this had been the same as canon Iron Man 3, so what was happening now?
I concentrated back on the feed as the opportunity I needed came when one of the guards, Jamison, broke away from the rest, heading towards a secluded area—a makeshift latrine.
My eyes narrowed as I watched Jamison disappear behind a row of bushes. This was my chance. Moving silently, I approached the spot where Jamison had gone. I moved extremely quickly, utilizing the maximum boost of the suit because he was on the other side of where I was. Thankfully, the security measures outside of the main Facilities weren't as good as they were in the inner or periphery.
The guard was alone, his back turned as he relieved himself. I acted swiftly, slipping the PhantomVeil mask over my face. The nanobots activated, scanning Jamison's features and replicating them flawlessly.
In one fluid motion, I incapacitated Jamison, rendering him unconscious with a precise strike to the neck. I quickly dragged his limp body into the underbrush, ensuring it was well hidden. Stripping him of his uniform, I donned it myself, every detail perfect. The PhantomVeil mask completed the transformation, turning me into an exact replica of Jamison.
Now dressed in Jamison's uniform and with the PhantomVeil mask in place, I ran to the convoy to show a sense of urgency.
"What took you so long?" Dave asked, watching Jamison—now me—run to the truck.
I caught my breath and grimaced. "Had to take a huge shit. I think the food messed with my stomach."
Dave stared at me, resisting the urge to slap me. "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?"
I laughed, inwardly agreeing that dying on the road was a real possibility if I made any mistakes.
***Linebreak***
Reaching the container, I blew the lock open, revealing its hidden contents—an array of computer hardware and drives.
"Finally," I exhaled, a satisfied smile spreading across my face. My plan had unfolded perfectly. I quickly connected a portable drive to the computers, downloading all the data related to the Extremis project. The transfer took mere minutes, but it felt like an eternity amidst the ongoing chaos.
With the data secured, I reactivated my PhantomVeil mask, transforming back into Jamison. I slipped away from the container, making my way to a lifeboat. I released it quietly, lowering myself into the water without drawing attention.
As the lifeboat drifted away from the ship, my fast-beating heart seemed to calm down. My plan had worked, and now I had what I needed. I glanced back at the burning ship, the chaos growing smaller in the distance. I couldn't resist a small chuckle of triumph as I rowed towards the shore.
As the lifeboat drifted away from the ship, my fast beating heart seemed to calm down. Its rhythm seemingly flowing with the waves a sense of calm I couldn't feel when acting as Jamison. I hadn't lied though, it really was my first time on a boat. As I paddled away from the ship, the sound of whirring engines caught my attention.
Turning around, I saw an Iron Man suit streaking towards me, its repulsors blazing. Panic surged through me—this wasn't part of the plan. The suit landed on the lifeboat with a heavy thud, sending waves splashing. The faceplate slid open, revealing no pilot inside. Instead, the familiar voice of JARVIS emanated from the suit. " Surrender now for containment and analysis or face the consequences."
I knew I had no choice but to fight so I acted fast. Activating the Kinetic Combat Biosuit 1.0, I felt the vibranium and adamantium fibers tighten around my body, enhancing my physical attributes. The suit's energy readings flickered as it powered up. "Basic Boost Mode," I whispered, feeling the surge of strength and agility as the suit's energy levels spiked. I leaped at the Iron Man suit, swinging a metal bar with all my enhanced might. The suit staggered but quickly recovered, its repulsors firing in response. I dodged, the beam narrowly missing me and striking the lifeboat instead, causing it to shudder but thankfully leaving no holes.
I had to end this quickly though. Using the suit's enhanced strength, I lunged forward, grabbing the Iron Man suit's arm and twisting it violently. JARVIS's voice remained calm, "Id advice you to stop this struggle as what youre doing is against the law and your arrest is inevitable."
"Advanced Boost Mode," I commanded, feeling another surge of power as the suit's energy reserves drained rapidly. I delivered a powerful kick to the suit's chest, sending it crashing into the water. The suit's systems sputtered and sparked as it struggled to regain control, but the damage had been done. It sank slowly beneath the waves, its repulsors dimming.
Just as I thought I was in the clear, another threat emerged. One of Killian's Extremis soldiers, glowing with an eerie orange light, leaped from the ship onto the lifeboat. His eyes locked onto me with deadly intent. "You think you can work with us and just get away? This is the same as treason, we live together. We die together." the Extremis soldier growled, his body radiating heat. I quickly scanned him...
Name: Norman Slithren
Age: 28
Level: 27
his level—close to 30. This would be a tough fight. "Critical Boost Mode," I activated, feeling the immense power flood my body. The suit's energy reserves plummeted, but I had no other choice.
The Extremis soldier lunged at me, his hands ablaze. I ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding his fiery grasp. I countered with a series of rapid punches, each strike enhanced by the suit's power. The soldier grunted, momentarily stunned by the force of my blows. He recovered quickly, his eyes blazing with fury.
"You can't beat me, even if you try to I won't allow myself to go down without you." he sneered. I ignored his taunts, focusing on the fight. I needed to end this quickly before the suit's energy depleted entirely. I could feel it being drained faster than it was being recharged, critical boost mode was heavy on energy. I feinted left, then delivered a powerful uppercut to the soldier's jaw, sending him staggering back. At this point I could tell that our physical stats were about equal and it would be down to skill.
Killians men were heavily trained so I couldn't underestimate them. The lifeboat rocked violently beneath our feet, the turbulent waves slapping against its sides like a drumbeat heralding the chaos to come. The air was thick with the scent of salt and adrenaline, a potent mix that sharpened my focus.
The lifeboat rocked violently beneath us, the sound of crashing waves drowned out by our heavy breaths and the occasional grunts of exertion. Across from me stood my adversary, Norman Slithren, his muscles taut and his stance aggressive. We were both enhanced, our bodies pushed beyond human limits by the technologies and enhancements we possessed.
With a quick glance, I assessed his movements, searching for any hint of weakness. Norman lunged forward with a lightning-fast punch, aiming for my chest. I sidestepped, letting his momentum carry him past me, and countered with a swift elbow strike to his back. He staggered, but recovered quickly, spinning to face me with a vicious grin.
"You think you can match me?" Norman taunted, his voice edged with confidence.
I didn't respond. Instead, I focused on my training, drawing on years of my own and military training, I knew too many forms of martial arts to be beaten in a battle of skill. I feinted left, then swept low with a leg kick aimed at his knees. Norman leaped over my attack, landing a blow to my side that sent pain shooting through my ribs. I gritted my teeth, ignoring the ache as adrenaline fueled my determination.
As Norman moved in for another strike, I anticipated his movement. With precise timing, I grabbed his arm, using his own momentum to twist it behind his back. There was a sickening crack as bone snapped, and Norman cried out in pain. But he was relentless, driving his elbow into my side, further injuring my ribs.
I gritted my teeth against the pain, my focus sharpening. With a burst of strength fueled by desperation, I shoved Norman forward, leveraging his own weight against him. He stumbled, off balance, teetering on the edge of the lifeboat.
In that split second, I seized the opportunity. Channeling every ounce of strength left in me, I lunged forward and delivered a powerful kick to Norman's chest. He staggered backward, unable to regain his footing, and with a final push, I sent him hurtling over the side of the lifeboat.
Norman's shouts faded into the distance as he plunged into the cold ocean waters below. I collapsed to my knees, pain radiating from my broken ribs. But there was no time to rest. With a grim smile, I leaned back against the railing, watching as he splashed into the water. His glowing form sinking beneath the waves. The distance I had thrown him made sure he wouldn't be able to reach the life boat easily. Exhausted and battered, I collapsed onto the lifeboat, my suit's energy completely drained. Still I had ended everything swiftly so I had no complaints really. Escaping would be easy from here on ou... Booom!
An explosion stopped my thoughts as the boat I was on blew up. The force throwing me out into the ocean. As the boat exploded, hurling me into the ocean, I found myself face to face with another adversary: Jarvis. With another suit. "Seriously, Jarvis? Can't a person have a peaceful escape?" I muttered, half to myself, half to the suit.
Jarvis seemed taken aback by my defiance. "Your resourcefulness is unexpected, you seem to be different from the others. Not much heat is radiated from your body. And i can tell that you're wearing a metal suit underneath, my scanners cannot understand the origins of that metal even. So I cannot let you get away." It declared, its voice unwavering.
"All that yapping." I retorted. With a makeshift foothold from the wreckage, I leaped onto the suit, using its own momentum against it to tear off one of its mechanical arms. "Hasn't anyone taught you that no one likes a tapper."
The screech of metal and the shower of sparks filled the air as I swung the severed limb at its head, momentarily staggering it. "Resistance is futile," Jarvis insisted, but I wasn't about to give up. Activating the iron man arm propulsion system, I propelled myself off the recked lifeboat and into the water, with Jarvis hot on my trail. Beneath the waves, I consulted the biosuit's HUD, searching for any advantage.
I kept using the propulsion to swim faster. Spotting a cluster of rocks, I swam towards them, hoping to lose Jarvis in their labyrinthine depths. But the suit's underwater jets closed the gap swiftly. I wedged myself into a crevice among the rocks, holding my breath as Jarvis scanned the area, its searchlight piercing the water. The suit hovered mere feet above me, its scrutiny intense. My lungs burned, but I remained still, blending into the rocky surroundings. Finally, Jarvis's searchlight moved on, and it looked at other areas. ascended back to the surface.
Gasping for air, I dragged myself onto the shore of a secluded cove, pausing to regain my strength. With the PhantomVeil mask now retracted and the stolen data sent securely, I obliterated the communicator, erasing any evidence. 'I'm truly grateful to the matron for insisting on swimming lessons; they saved my life today.' That thought sent me into a reverie...a river of memories.
PhantomVeil
Description:
Step into the shadows with the PhantomVeil, a marvel of nanotechnology and light manipulation! This cutting-edge disguise device uses a network of nanobots to scan and replicate the appearance of nearby individuals, allowing you to seamlessly blend into any environment.
The PhantomVeil employs advanced light manipulation techniques to ensure that your disguise is flawless. By analyzing the way light interacts with objects and surfaces, it perfectly mimics the color, texture, and shading of your chosen appearance, rendering you virtually indistinguishable from the original.
Activate the PhantomVeil with a simple command, and witness as its surface shimmers with a mesmerizing display of nanobots. These microscopic agents work in harmony to reshape your facial features, adjusting every contour and expression with incredible precision. With its ability to mimic even the most subtle nuances of human appearance, the PhantomVeil offers unparalleled versatility in the field of covert operations. Whether you're infiltrating enemy strongholds or gathering intelligence incognito, this mask is your ultimate tool for deception and stealth.
There we go, a bonus chapter to finish off the first arc, I hope yall enjoyed it. I'd like to hear your thoughts, what you liked, disliked and more.
Anyway, I've decided that this fic needs to go at a wayyy slower pace so that change will be noticeable in the upcoming chapters.
With regards to my pa treon, ill have to create a new one, more details on that later.
Anyway, thanks for reading. See ya'll on Monday as this was not an update but a bonus chapter.