The security situation in the Balkan Peninsula was complicated, with populism rampant, and with the added influence brought about by NATO's eastward expansion, Solomon did not believe in the Wild Warband's ability to carry out a military coup. The genetically modified warriors gathered along the Latovinian border would be divided into three parts. One part would be led by Hammurabi, taking assault transport craft directly toward Sircaria, ensuring that the Ministry of Internal Affairs could smoothly receive its territory afterward; another contingent would be led by Victor von Doom, taking armored personnel carriers, a small number of assault transport craft, and a large number of anti-air missile vehicles deep into Transylvania to seize the uranium mine forcibly acquired by the European and American military-industrial complex; the last and largest part of the genetically modified warriors would accompany Solomon to the northeast, toward the border with Hungary, to begin devastating strikes against NATO military facilities in the Balkan Peninsula.
As for the origins of these genetically modified warriors, Solomon also explained them to Victor von Doom.
"Do you still remember the work the Immortal City carried out in the Middle East and Afghanistan?"
Victor von Doom noticed that although part of the genetically modified soldiers' facial bones had broadened due to regrowth, their Anglo-Saxon lineage was still visible. Another portion of soldiers, even after undergoing genetic modification surgery, still bore the distinct features of Middle Eastern and West Asian races. "Each time we rescued the locals, the Immortal City would acquire groups of extremists detached from CIA control as well as soldiers from the joint European-American UN forces. After extracting related intelligence, those who still refused re-education could only be sent to the bio-genetic laboratories. The Immortal City cannot afford to waste any resources." Solomon's tone was as calm as if he were describing the menu of a dinner. "These people's past actions were in the name of carrying out peace missions with war as their tool. Now they will carry out war with peace as their goal. It must be said, that is indeed somewhat ironic."
"This matter does not have to end in war." Ramish Diaz declared solemnly. "If you want us to convey this message, we will, but that does not mean your support for the Latovinian civil war is correct. One way or another, we cannot support war. We have witnessed too much suffering with our own eyes."
Luis Salvador's expression twisted, as though suppressing laughter. In fact, he had been assigned to his current job precisely because of his tendency to crack ill-timed jokes. "I've read your file, Ramish Diaz." He spoke in a praising tone. "We know every one of you thoroughly. In truth, your arrival in Latovinia was no accident—it was our invitation. You once followed NATO forces deep into the Afghan and Middle Eastern battlefields. You also privately expressed anti-war sentiments. But tell me, which of you here hasn't received warnings from the FBI? And did your anti-war statements ever achieve anything?"
"We did not come here for you to mock us, Salvador."
"My apologies for disturbing your self-satisfied mindset. But you underestimate my Lord's resolve. Our goal is to end inter-human wars once and for all, and not merely in words." Luis Salvador gestured for the group of war correspondents to follow him. "Skin color, culture, wealth, language, religious beliefs—these are the main reasons humanity has been in constant conflict since civilization began. Yet in my Lord's eyes, we all share only one identity: human. Only by uniting all of humanity under a single strong regime, controlling the once-uncontrollable capital, eradicating all the poisonous superstition of religions, and enforcing a common language and script, can we gather humanity's strength to confront the threat from outer space. If even one of these goals is left incomplete, then even forming an alliance will only result in inefficiency and eventual division. Just like the United Nations, hmm?"
The sergeant led the team of war correspondents into an even larger chamber. Like the previous one, this room also had a holographic projection table, but larger and more refined. Luis Salvador whispered with a man who bore obvious cybernetic modifications, and then activated the holographic table. The correspondents saw that the walls of this room were crammed with massive computers, thick cables neatly bundled to power high-tech devices they could not comprehend. Suddenly, the room filled with incredibly realistic black smoke. The correspondents instinctively stepped back a few paces—as the holographic smoke dispersed, they saw ruins piled high, scarred by war, with grotesque severed limbs scattered throughout.
Above the ruins stood a giant clad in golden armor. Beside him was an iron-faced man draped in a deep green robe, another golden-armored giant with a steadfast helmet, and a large group of women clad in black fleur-de-lis power armor. Below them knelt a mass of captives, among them the Latovinian rebels the correspondents had seen before. Ramish Diaz was about to ask what this was when the golden-armored giant in the center, whose face was blurred by light, spoke the first words. His question was stuffed back into his chest. After watching the recording, Ramish Diaz felt as though a cold stone had lodged in his stomach, yet his heart was ignited by an inexplicable flame. This strange sensation left his complexion pale and poor, and most of the correspondents shared this feeling.
"Not just Latovinia?"
"Of course not just Latovinia. Our primary target is NATO. We must first liberate the Balkan Peninsula from NATO's control." Luis Salvador understood Diaz's meaning. "You may work here and publish what you see in Latovinia under your own names. Just now, that recording was placed at the top of every social media feed. The entire world will hear my Lord's voice."
"I admit you possess advanced technology, but this alone cannot force NATO to withdraw from the Balkans."
"That is no longer your concern, my dear correspondents." Luis Salvador said with a smile. "Now, get to work. Your dinner will be the renowned cosmic delicacy, Xandar snails. Once your work is finished, you'll be able to return to Earth!"
Luis Salvador was not lying. The headline of every social media platform was forcibly replaced by that speech delivered in Latovinia's royal capital. All attempts by Silicon Valley's new social media companies to delete the video failed. Just after stepping out of Washington, Tony Stark was called back again. This time, as soon as he left the tarmac, he ran into a familiar face.
"Agent Hill." He forced a smile. "If I recall, your day for questioning is in two days."
"This time is different, Stark." Maria Hill said coldly. "Congress intends to pass an emergency resolution."
"And what does that have to do with me?" Tony Stark shook his head. "Is it because I didn't feed those bureaucrats enough earlier?"
"Open any social media platform and you'll see." Maria Hill pointed toward the White House hallway where officials were rushing about like their pants were on fire. "Everyone's dealing with the same thing."
Tony Stark complied, asking his AI Friday to play the hottest topic currently trending on social media. As the video played, his expression grew darker. By the time the video ended and the analysis results were in, his mood was terrible. "What is going on here?" He leaned in, lowering his voice. "Why would Solomon do this?"
"Congress wants the Avengers to go to Latovinia. As long as you agree, Congress will push through the Avengers Restriction Act ahead of schedule." Maria Hill said calmly. "This will be the first UN-assigned mission after the Avengers sign the accords. From then on, every Avengers action will have official backing. It will help the Avengers improve public approval, and no one will question your actions again. Isn't that exactly what you wanted, Tony Stark?"
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