Police Chief Sid and his subordinates buzzed with excitement. Someone had even managed to get close to the chief.
"Chief, this technology must be introduced. It's far superior to our current system," one officer exclaimed.
"The capabilities of this statistical summary alone are astonishing, so powerful," another added.
"In an instant, it links all relevant information and clues in a seamless chain, and in the end, it's just a matter of displaying the results," someone else remarked.
Sid smiled bitterly. "I just asked, Jarvis is the core artificial intelligence system. With our current level of AI, we can't achieve that."
Everyone fell silent, stunned. Their faces grew a little forlorn and uncomfortable. Fabulous technology was right in front of them, yet they couldn't access it. What a pity! The crowd's mood shifted, a mixture of shock and awe.
"Terra Earth Age is really crazy!"
"It's Tony who's crazy! His technology is so advanced that even our entire Commonwealth can't match it."
Watching the live broadcast, viewers were just as stunned by the unfolding revelations.
"Efficient! That's incredible! Find the target person immediately!"
"It's him! That bald guy, Savin. That's the one."
"If I had this machine, it would be amazing."
"Dangerous! Pepper's in danger!"
"Killian is deliberately approaching Pepper, and his men could detonate at any moment. That's a serious threat."
"Tony, you've got to protect Pepper."
"I still think it's too risky for Tony to reveal the address openly."
"Is Tony feeling more anxious now?"
"Now that they've identified the target, is it time for Mark 42 to make its appearance?"
"I'm eager to see how the Mark 42 performs."
"But assembling the Mark 42 seems easy to disassemble. Makes me wonder."
"Whoa, who is this woman?"
"Uh, looks like Maya! That's right!"
"I lost it, Tony posted his address, and now his old lover's coming?"
"So thrilling, haha!"
[ The doorbell rings. Tony looks up at the video feed, surprised.] "Can anyone still visit now? We're under martial law!" ]
[ Tony slams his fist on the table, "Seriously! I just threatened a terrorist, who's at the door?" ]
[ Jarvis's voice chimes in, "I can't do anything about this, sir. You told the world your address." ]
"So you knew we were threatening terrorists all along?"
"I thought he was just feeling himself, being arrogant."
"Better to know the danger than to be a megalomaniac."
"Huh? Why are so many helicopters suddenly outside?"
"There are tons of them... Maya, didn't she become an AIM employee?"
"Hey! It feels like a net is closing over Tony from above."
Multiple strange threads of information converge, heightening the tension.
The viewers watching the broadcast grew nervous. It seemed there was a shady deal between Killian and the terrorists. Now Maya was coming to find Tony right after he had threatened terrorists worldwide. The audience couldn't imagine what was coming next.
[ Maya knocks on the door and enters. Mark 42 approaches, extending a hand to stop her, "Stand there and don't move." ]
[ The mask pops off. Tony asks, "You're not Mandarin, are you? Right?" ]
[ Maya offers an awkward smile, "You don't remember? I wouldn't be surprised." ]
[ Tony replies, "Don't worry. I can't even remember what I had for breakfast." ]
[ Suddenly, Jarvis's voice sounds, "Mr. Gluten-Free Waffles." ]
Everyone bursts into laughter.
"Jarvis is a godsend!"
"I don't even know what to say!"
"Hahaha!"
"Jarvis is just showing off."
"Tony's so distracted, doesn't he remember what happened all those years ago?"
"Thirteen years ago, you remember?"
"Tony was really troubled back then. If he can remember, that's abnormal."
[ Maya looks nervous, "Okay, I need to talk to you alone. There are some important things." ]
[Tony frowns, turns, and walks away, "I usually wouldn't refuse something like this. But I've got an official girlfriend now, that's her." ]
[ Just then, a load drops from upstairs as several bags are thrown down. Pepper calls out, "Tony, is someone here?" ]
[ Tony steps out of Mark 42, "Yes, it's Miss Maya. A botanical friend. We're not close." ]
[ Tony whispers, pulling Maya aside, "Don't tell me I have a 12-year-old son waiting in the car I've never met." ]
[ Maya answers, "He's 13." ]
[ Tony nearly gasps. ]
[ Maya continues, "I need your help." ]
Meanwhile, in the chat...
"Tony, you're so rude!"
"Smile to death, Pepper. What's happening?"
"I thought he didn't know Maya, that's intentional?"
"He looked so funny choking just now."
"Laughs!"
"He's in a hurry, haha."
"But why is Maya coming now?"
"She needs his help? Is it about money for her kid?"
"It's crazy, terrorists waited so long, and a 12-year-old shows up. Haha."
[ Tony asks, "What help? Why now?" ]
[ Maya says, "I read your paper. Honestly, I don't think you'll survive this week." ]
[ Tony replies, "I'll be fine." ]
[ Pepper comes down from upstairs, "Sorry, Happy's hospitalized. I didn't expect visitors." ]
[ Tony dismisses her, "Not guests." ]
[ Pepper teases, "Old lover?" ]
[ Maya quickly, "No, just a one-night thing." ]
[ Pepper remarks, "That's so your style." ]
[ Tony doesn't hide, "Exactly." ]
[ They argue briefly as Pepper asks Tony to move elsewhere. Suddenly, on the TV, an exterior shot of Tony's villa. ]
[ Maya points at the screen, "Guys, should we care about this?" ]
[ The three watch as a missile streaks toward the villa, trailing a white light. The next moment, a missile strikes the glass, explosions erupt, and half the villa is obliterated. ]
[ A shockwave hits, knocking everyone into the air. ]
The audience in the broadcast gasps in horror.
"It's really happening!"
"Missiles, attacking with missiles! These terrorists are terrifying!"
"Tony, why are you so showy? Pepper's still there!"
"It's over now."
"Tony just threatened them, and they responded with missiles?"
"Damn!"
"Pepper's innocent."
"Honestly, Tony might have provoked this."
"Where's the armor? Quickly suit up!"
Everyone's hearts pounding; they desperately hope Tony can handle this.
[ The shockwave sends debris flying, dust swirling everywhere. ]
[ Tony raises his hands, summoning his armor. The Mark 42 disassembles, parts flying to him. But instead of himself, Tony controls it to armor Pepper. ]
[ Multiple components assemble rapidly, forming the Mark 42, which shields Pepper from the blast. ]
The chat falls silent for a moment, then erupts in admiration.
"I believe what Tony said before, he does everything to protect those he loves."
"That's a good man."
"If someone would do this for me, I'd marry him today."
"Tony, a true hero."
"Brave, clever, loving, excellent."
"Under that steel exterior beats a tender heart."
"We all thought he built the suit for himself."
"But actually, it's for others, to keep Pepper safe."
"When the missile exploded, he prioritized her safety over himself."
"In danger, he acts from the heart."
"Envy Pepper for finding true love."
"However, Pepper looks stunning in the suit."
"Mark 42's power is incredible, remotely operated too."
"But what will Tony do now?"
"The explosion's force was immense, and the enemies clearly want him dead. More attacks are likely."
"Terrorists are a cancer that must be eradicated."
[ The suit fully protects Pepper, and Tony crashes to the ground.]
[ The bald man, Savin, is in a gunship speeding away. Machine guns fire from both sides, strafing toward the villa. ]
[ Tony struggles, Maya fainted beside him. Suddenly, the roof cracks open, and concrete falls. Pepper rushes over in Mark 42, shielding Tony with her body. ]
[ She opens her mask, "I'll protect you." ]
[ He replies, "I was the one protecting you first." ]
[ He adds, "We can't stay here any longer." ]
[ Missiles strike again. The explosion knocks Tony to the ground. ]
[ Pepper tries to help him, but Tony pushes her away, "Come on, go! I'll find a way out on my own. Hurry, get her out of here!" ]
[ The blast roars again. Pepper helps Maya escape. ]
[ On the sea, an armed helicopter fires a missile, smashing the villa's load-bearing column. The entire structure begins to tilt toward the cliff. ]
"So destructive!"
"How much did that villa cost? It's just gone."
"Unbelievable! Insane!"
"Is Savin a terrorist?"
"Terrorist or not, damn him!"
"I can't imagine how terrifying it'd be if such a person existed in the Terra Federation."
"Pepper's safe now. What should Tony do?"
"Good job!"
"Keep going! You've got this!"