"Master, this is an inherent design flaw of the Chitauri hand cannon," the Red Queen explained again. She then directed the intelligent robot nearby to bring over a scepter. "Master, please try this instead."
The Chitauri were skilled at making scepters—simply put, they liked making staffs.
From Loki's scepter to the standard weapons carried by their ground troops, this metal staff could be used in close combat and also fire energy rounds from its tip.
The scepter produced by Antarctic Military Industries gleamed with the heavy metallic luster of dark iron.
Xu Dan took it, pulled the trigger at the end of the staff—it felt somewhat like an old bolt-action rifle.
He aimed at another target in the shooting range and lightly squeezed the trigger.
Thrum!!
A slender energy round struck the bullseye with precision, piercing straight through.
"Mm, this is good. Power and rate of fire comparable to a heavy shoulder sniper rifle, but lighter," Xu Dan nodded. "The recoil is practically negligible. Very suitable."
Hearing his praise, the Red Queen smiled happily. "Master, this weapon is not difficult to manufacture. We can begin mass production immediately."
Xu Dan nodded, handed the scepter back to the intelligent robot, and said slowly, "Then prioritize production of this equipment."
"Yes, Master."
"And… what about individual exoskeleton gear? If paired with hand cannons, that would be an extremely powerful combat force."
"It has already been produced. Would the Master like to test it?"
"Of course."
Antarctic Military Industries covered a vast area. The exoskeleton production site was separate from the firearms facility.
Xu Dan entered the exoskeleton testing lab. Firearms were tested at shooting ranges, while exoskeleton gear was evaluated in specialized facilities.
The Chitauri exoskeleton equipment was very light. Once worn, it didn't feel bulky.
The current version only covered the limbs and waist.
He flexed his arms and immediately noticed that each movement required almost no effort. The exoskeleton seemed to recognize muscle reactions automatically and provided assisted force.
Walking to a hanging sandbag, he clenched his fist. The exoskeleton emitted mechanical sounds, and he threw a punch.
Rip!!
The sandbag burst open from the lower half.
He himself possessed far greater strength than this; the punch had only used ordinary human force. Yet with the exoskeleton's assistance, it produced such an effect.
The power of that strike was likely stronger than Captain America's.
Brutal.
Only one word described it: fierce.
Captain America's physique required numerous injections, radiation exposure, immense pain, and enormous scientific cost.
Now, with just a set of exoskeleton gear, one could obtain comparable combat power without enduring any of that.
And Xu Dan was only wearing limb and waist modules. What would full-body coverage look like?
An ordinary soldier overpowering Captain America?
"Red Queen, no further testing is needed. With this, even new recruits could handle high-recoil hand cannons easily. If a 200-person force like this were formed, its deterrence would be immense."
Modern wars rarely escalated into full-scale conflicts because they would become missile exchanges—something no one wanted. In past missile crises, the most anxious people were actually the leaders of the opposing nations, constantly on the phone—not chatting idly, but trying to calm each other.
Some might think it absurd that leaders would soothe each other when war was imminent, but that was the reality of modern warfare.
No one could afford to press that button.
A certain crisis had lasted only thirteen days, yet left humanity teetering on the brink of destruction. Who could bear the cost of annihilating mankind?
What occurred more often now were limited skirmishes.
In such skirmishes, a 200-person unit equipped with exoskeletons and hand cannons would be nearly unstoppable.
"Red Queen, mobilize all Antarctic Military Industries' capacity. In the next month, mass-produce these three weapons. Then… forty percent of the output will be sold to China."
"Yes, Master."
The global situation was clear: the United States already held hegemony. Xu Dan did not want them to reap mutant-earned spoils for free.
Thus, balance was necessary.
Only mutual checks could create the conditions for peaceful negotiation.
"Red Queen, when do you think humanity will form a true Earth community and stop limiting its vision to this small world? When will I walk among the stars?" Xu Dan suddenly asked.
The Red Queen paused, then said softly, "Master, a secret meeting concluded a few days ago. I observed certain intelligence. It may contain the answer you seek."
"Oh?"
Xu Dan had been extremely busy and hadn't followed global leaders' movements. He had nearly forgotten to wonder why the FBI had not approached him.
After all, during the Battle of New York, people worldwide had seen him.
A "super combat unit" like him should have drawn attention.
Yet after so long, only S.H.I.E.L.D. had made some meaningless contact. No one else moved.
Looking at the intelligence the Red Queen presented, a sneer appeared on Xu Dan's lips.
"Earth Alliance? And what did they actually establish? Just a group of people sitting together, saying empty words. Not a single practical project implemented."
The Red Queen stood quietly, offering no objection.
Xu Dan continued, "Since they've said so much, good. I'll give them a push from behind and turn that empty pretense into reality."
"What is the Master's plan?"
"Contact other nations immediately. I will establish Antarctic Military Industry branches worldwide. Connect the world through weapons. Of course, they'll pay."
"Would that not increase global instability?"
Xu Dan smiled faintly and did not answer. A strange light flickered in his eyes.
-----------------------
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