The adjutant's report came out quickly. She eavesdropped on radio communications everywhere through the global network of safe houses.
The good news is that only the United States was invaded, while former allies, Britain and France, remain calm and peaceful at this moment.
The bad news is that the invasion occurs not just on the East Coast of the United States but across the entire nation, with every major city facing attacks from unidentified armed forces.
The police are of little use, and post-war military reductions leave only the National Guard, most of which has lost communication.
"Is there any movement from the north or south of the United States?" Su Ming asked, fully armed as he sat in the boss chair, polishing his weapon.
"No, everything's normal," the adjutant replied succinctly. "There's no sign of Hydra using a route, nor has there been an invasion."
"Hmm, seems like it's blooming from within," Su Ming said, scratching his ear.
Monac had no issue with Deathstroke's surveillance of the world. After all, The Ancient One was more over-the-top, wanting not only to hear but to see, and covering the entire Dimension.
He was just curious that Deathstroke used technology to achieve half the effect of Magic. At least in big cities and on land, the surveillance is comprehensive and seems cost-free.
Deathstroke wouldn't tell him the cost was something he didn't value, like the US Dollar.
Building thousands of global safe houses, each equipped with various communication, defense, living, and transportation devices, translates into enough resources to bomb the Moon if compared to what the Magic Prince feeds his Rabbit.
It's fortunate to have the help of an artificial intelligence like the adjutant; otherwise, Su Ming and Gin wouldn't have the energy over these years to manage so many small bases.
This set of cards wasn't initially meant to be used, and activating the entire system will occupy the computing power of the adjutant, affecting the progress of important projects.
"Can your technology monitor other Planes? Like Hell, for example?" Monac couldn't help but interject, realizing Deathstroke's technology seemed to have taken a significant leap in silence.
He knew of the adjutant's existence, but initially assumed she was just a toy; little did he know she was the real leader of research and development.
Then why did Deathstroke keep a large group of people who only research daily essentials, for Blinding Technique?
Actually, it wasn't that. Those scientists were originally geniuses, but when they joined Wilson Enterprises, they were plotted against by Kang, becoming what they are today.
Though it was unexpected, Su Ming felt responsible. Upon arriving in Marvel, he hadn't taken precautions for attacks on the timeline.
So he didn't fire those scientists who were now 'useless,' but kept them, regardless of what they could invent, focusing more on ethical responsibility.
Otherwise, he'd fire these people but couldn't remove those Nanoworms, making it hard for them to find jobs elsewhere.
Imagine a poor scientist A, having lost his job at Wilson Enterprises, trying to apply to Stark Industries.
A: "I'm a physicist."
Howard: "Oh? So am I. What can you do? Do you know anything about Anti-Gravity systems or perhaps optics?"
A: "I can... formulate instant noodle seasoning, hot pot base materials, perform silk-stocking toasting techniques, and mix lipstick color numbers."
Howard: "#@!%%@"
Just thinking about it is sad, so Su Ming straightforwardly offered first-class physicist salaries to keep this 'special talent' in his company.
The retail business can make money, just not as fast as arms sales.
Howard, that scoundrel, has been eating into Wilson Enterprises' military market for years.
You have to admit, if a weapon genius dedicated even a fraction, say one percent, of his focus on military industries, the things he creates are better than what Su Ming can make his subordinates copy from memory.
Fortunately, his focus is mostly still on Hollywood women nowadays.
In retaliation for stealing orders, Su Ming merely let the paparazzi of the Horn Daily expose every juicy news about Howard, recovering losses from military orders through media revenue.
A series of big scandals satisfied American citizens, so much an ocean away, even the Fur Bear designated Howard as the 'representative of the fallen capitalists of the American Empire.'
But he himself felt neither shame nor disgrace; in fact, he played even more happily.
"Right now, we can't monitor other Planes, but once the Celestial Gods Group technology is reverse-engineered, it might be possible." Su Ming knew what Monac was worried about. "But energy is also an issue; the Celestial Gods Group technology requires Star Core as energy, the reason why they devour planets."
But Magic will never be replaced by technology, for the rules always coexist with the world, and Magic is the means to communicate with them.
In comparison, Su Ming considered Doom smarter than Luthor.
Doom knows to embrace both technology and Magic, walking on two legs. Whereas Luthor always hops on one leg with technology; although fast, it isn't stable.
Wasn't Doom severely disfigured, also bald?
"What are you planning to do next?"
Monac wondered why Deathstroke looked at his hairline with a strange expression.
"We've analyzed the overall situation from a macro perspective. With the United States currently in chaos nationwide, we need to go to the frontline to see how those soldiers appeared."
It's one thing to hear about the invasion, but you have to see it to make a judgment.
"Just tell me where to go." Monac entered his role, only asking where the German Ghost was.
"The police radio mentions a guy flying the Red Black Flag rampaging in New York. We'll first take him and his troops down."
Su Ming had the adjutant project a city map, tapping on a certain street.
.............
"Where's the Flamethrower! Yes! Burn, burn it all for me! Hahahaha!"
Du Zun, in less-than-fluent English, was giving orders, and the soldiers around him in plain clothes immediately obeyed. They carried the flamethrowers, used in World War II to clear Pacific islands, onto the highway.
They barely needed to aim, just squeezing the trigger at the roadside buildings was enough.
Streams of Fire Dragons instantly ignited the interiors of the buildings, whose doors and windows, resembling the countenance of Demons, exhaled flames and thick smoke.
The Super Soldier Squad was dispersed by Zemo, each leading a troop to wreak havoc in the city.
The operation was proceeding extremely smoothly, and Faust's plan made everything go without a hitch. After following Zemo and being underground for ten years, Du Zun felt extremely pleased.
Finally, the Americans have their day.
He bore no deep hatred towards another nation and didn't worry about that tiresome stuff. He simply enjoyed slaughter, for he was ultimately shaped into a weapon.
Wearing a blue skintight suit adorned with black and red crosses, he hurled a car from the roadside at fleeing pedestrians, laughter rolling freely from his lips.
Before being split up, he made bets with other teammates on who Captain America would find first, and who could kill the American emblem before anyone else.
Du Zun seized the opportunity to attack New York. In his mind, this was the United States' largest city with a high population density, so Captain America would definitely come here first for rescue.
But when the car he threw was caught and stopped mid-air by someone with one hand, he realized things weren't that simple.
Damn Faust, it seemed there was something important he hadn't mentioned!