Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1063, Part 1059: The Second Battle of New York (First Update)

Using the clattering prison isolation system as cover, Tony Stark, with the help of the Iron Legion, tore through his already tattered Iron Man suit. Outside the cover, the Iron Man suits immediately encountered fierce resistance; many, even those that dodged anti-aircraft missiles, were torn apart by explosive bombs. Tony Stark dodged the barrage of bombs and donned a battered suit, its outer armor almost completely destroyed. "Welcome back, sir," Friday's voice came from the damaged armor's speaker. "Do you need any service?"

"It's good to see you, Friday," Tony Stark said breathlessly. "Let's begin installing the Veronica system."

The Veronica Combat System, co-developed with Dr. Bruce Banner, is a combat system designed to counter the Hulk. It features independent satellite communication, independent AI operation, a support supply system, and a prison isolation system, normally deployed as a hangar on a low-Earth orbit satellite. During development, Dr. Bruce Banner secretly transformed into the Hulk for combat testing, ultimately forming a stable and independent combat system. Many parts of the Hulkbuster armor require high-strength materials for support, especially the prison isolation system against the Hulk; vibranium is the best choice, hence his deal with vibranium dealer Ulysses Klaue. Although Tony Stark failed to notice, Friday, acting as an intelligent assistant, discovered that the rhythmic fire suppression had suddenly become abnormal, dramatically increasing the chances of the Iron Legion remaining intact after passing through the fire encirclement.

Immediately afterward, the armor plates of the prison isolation system began to suffer even more intense attacks. The bullet impact points began to heat up and soften abnormally, and the surrounding temperature also began to rise abnormally. The genetically modified soldiers inside the prison isolation system began to attack more fiercely in an attempt to destroy the temporary prison. After discovering that conventional high-explosive armor-piercing rounds could not destroy the prison, the captain ordered the heavy gunners carrying heavy explosive rounds to switch to .998 (approximately 25.3492 mm) SAP semi-armor-piercing weld core ammunition, which was designed to be used against heavily armored targets, with the intention of using high temperatures to penetrate the armor plates made of vibranium alloy.

Ostensibly, this ammunition was specifically developed to counter the depleted uranium armor of the US M1 main battle tank [Note: Depleted uranium armor's resistance to fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds is equivalent to 700 mm of homogeneous steel armor, and its resistance to shaped charge (HEAT) rounds is equivalent to 1300 mm of homogeneous steel armor], to compensate for the limited penetration capability of conventional .75 caliber high-explosive rounds, which can only penetrate the reactive armor of conventional infantry fighting vehicles and ordinary main battle tanks. However, this high-temperature ammunition actually has a wider range of applications; countering depleted uranium armor is only one of them. Its penetration capability can even penetrate the powered armor of genetically modified warriors.

Friday immediately reported the situation to Tony Stark, but the opioid painkillers injected by the medical system, while temporarily numbing the pain of his broken bones, also affected his brain, preventing him from fully receiving Friday's warning. Without further orders, the hovering armored hangar released modular armor components equipped with thrusters according to a pre-programmed sequence. Guided by lasers, these components flew towards Tony Stark, and the thrusters automatically detached upon contact with the Iron Man suit, encasing it. The mechanical structure deformed, extended, and connected with other modular armor pieces. This process lasted only a few seconds. When the assembled Tony Stark emerged from behind the bunker, he was already taller than the prison's isolation system.

"I need medical attention. It's Friday, and I feel like I'm dying." Tony Stark, donning the Hulkbuster armor, wasn't particularly happy. He felt dizzy, nauseous, lightheaded, his limbs were cold, and he was in constant pain all over his body. Even after receiving painkillers, he didn't feel much better. Although he couldn't see it with the naked eye, he could still feel the armor was wet and sticky where it touched his skin, most likely from the blood that had flowed out when he had torn open the previous Iron Man suit. He felt like his soul was floating above his head, and even with his skin torn open, he only felt numb.

"Your assessment is accurate," Friday cheerfully agreed. Tony Stark's previous armor was utterly inadequate to withstand the shockwaves from the Warhammer, and he had only managed to maintain his limbs and survive this long thanks to the medical system and the restraints within the Iron Man suit. In fact, his knees were currently positioned at the hip of the Hulkbuster armor, which was supposed to be driven using force feedback, but he no longer had the strength to control the powered armor with his limbs, leaving Friday to take full control and operate according to the pre-determined combat plan. "Ignoring the few open wounds, you have cracks of varying degrees throughout your skeleton and extensive muscle damage. Furthermore, your concussion symptoms are severe, your heart rate is too fast, and your blood oxygen levels are continuously decreasing. You are on the verge of death, sir. Do you require emergency medical services?"

"Give me some adrenaline and painkillers! Don't move! I said don't move... Fuck!"

Standing before the genetically modified warrior tactical squad was a towering, 11-foot (3.35-meter) golden-red steel giant. Heavy hydraulic motors powered the mechanical connections, and his helmet appeared as a tiny bulge compared to his broad shoulders. The Hulkbuster armor featured even thicker Nitino armor modules. Standard .75 (19.05mm) caliber bullets, when striking the golden-red armor's surface, couldn't tear through the armor or damage the underlying exoskeleton structure as before; only repeated shots could penetrate a single armor plate. Tony Stark, encased in the Hulkbuster armor, felt somewhat reassured. He believed the MK44 Hulkbuster armor would solve their current problem. However, the Infernal Knights, accustomed to the presence of the Sovereign and the Royal Guard, weren't surprised by the armor's thickness or size—these genetically modified warriors, after undergoing modification (including knowledge infusion) and being organized into units, had been transported in batches through portals to planets where the Royal Guard had trained for combat exercises. The horrors they had experienced far exceeded mortal imagination. They also have a very important responsibility: to completely eradicate terrifying evil witchcraft. Therefore, during their training, they have traveled to high-tech worlds ruled by extradimensional forces to confront the corrupted and abnormal machinery and artificial intelligence.

The squad leader chuckled disdainfully at the Hulkbuster armor. He ordered the tactical squad to maintain suppressive fire to block the Iron Legion's reinforcements while having the waiting demolition expert unscrew a single-soldier missile launcher that could only be used by genetically modified soldiers. This missile launcher could fire five missiles in rapid succession and could continue operating simply by changing the missile magazine, making it very popular among the genetically modified soldiers.

Faced with the rapidly approaching missile, Tony Stark instinctively cursed. Under Friday's control, the relatively slow-flying man-portable missile's flight path was easily calculated, and its danger was assessed with distance as the priority. With the help of the target identification and tracking system, the precision aiming and positioning system, and the command and control system, the optimal evasion route and the fastest destruction method were planned.

The massive Hulkbuster armor instantly activated its leg and back thrusters, lifting Tony Stark off the ground. In the blink of an eye, it used the recoil particle beams from the Hulkbuster's hands to destroy five of his missiles. Friday then piloted the Hulkbuster armor, launching four smart-guided missiles at the genetically modified warriors who were providing suppressive fire with ion shields. While the Infernal Knights scattered to dodge the missiles, they still formed a defensive encirclement. Friday changed the Hulkbuster armor's posture, extending its arms to protect its head, and rammed into the most ornately armored tactical squad leader.

The primary purpose of the Hulkbuster armor is to control and transfer the rampaging Hulk. Therefore, most of the melee weapons installed in the main attack module are mechanical kinetic hammers and restraint slots. As a result, the number of weapons installed in the missile bay is not large. Friday's planned route to victory is melee combat. Friday, enduring the malfunctions caused by the dense barrage of explosives gradually tearing apart and damaging the mechanical structure and armor plates, clenched his fist and threw a right punch at the tactical squad leader. Although the genetically modified soldiers reacted extremely quickly, the tactical squad leader, who was holding a shield, was still punched into the United Nations headquarters building, smashing several non-load-bearing walls and a lot of glass.

Seeing that these power-armored warriors were not invincible, Tony Stark immediately breathed a sigh of relief. However, before he could relax for even a few seconds, a warrior emerged, wearing gold power armor inlaid with jewels and intricately carved reliefs on the armor plates, and a gold-tipped eagle-shaped helmet with red tassels. He appeared to be only slightly shorter than Tony. Immediately afterward, the genetically modified warriors ceased fire, repositioned themselves, and retreated in an orderly fashion, splitting into two groups to meet the newly freed assault team and captain. On Friday, the HUD projection displayed the man's identity; it identified him by the insignia on his shoulder armor and the style of his power armor as the person standing to the right of the white Pegasus in the UN Security Council meeting room.

"I am Superuliumas," the Imperial Guard's voice boomed through the megaphone on his neck armor. He didn't say much before launching into action, not giving Tony Stark a chance to react to the man who appeared slightly smaller than the Hulkbuster armor. Superuliumas, gripping his lightning-fast halberd, charged at him with incredible speed. A high-explosive shell fired from the halberd startled Tony Stark, causing him to instinctively recoil. In the Hulkbuster armor's operational system, Stark's actions were the highest priority; the remaining details were left to Friday to fill in. This action gave the Imperial Guards their opportunity.

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(End of this chapter)