Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1209, Chapter 1205: Eliza (Second Update)

For the ever-bustling New York City, the Latvian aircraft were no less terrifying than spaceships used during an alien invasion. Fortunately, the unrest subsided by the afternoon. Elizabeth, commander of the FBI's Special Weapons and Tactics Force (FBI SWAT) in New York, led a small team to Avengers Tower to replace the Navy SEALs sent by the Pentagon to carry out VIP protection duties.

However, the FBI SWAT team that was supposed to replace the Navy SEALs no longer existed. Squad leader Eliza watched with a grim expression as her colleagues put the bodies of the previous team into body bags—a task that should have been easy now took a considerable amount of time, as agents and forensic experts had to determine whether the mutilated bodies matched the scattered limbs and who the blood and flesh fragments shattered by heavy-duty live ammunition came from.

Eliza, a former member of the Israel Defense Forces, had participated in the famous Operation Orchard and the Second Lebanon War. Her seven-year service allowed her to witness many horrific scenes that most people could hardly bear. But the scene before her now was a different kind of war. Apart from the reservists she saw being ambushed by Hezbollah during the Second Lebanon War, she had never seen such a one-sided massacre before.

"The assassin jumped from here, landing right among the SEALs coming up the fire escape stairs," Eliza said, pointing to a large, dented handprint on the stainless steel handrail. She explained that the handprint could be used to determine the assassin's height. Then, gesturing to the busy medical examiners and FBI agents below, she spoke with the practiced confidence of someone tracking prey, "There are shell casings there, meaning the SEALs fired. The bullets are scattered across the ceiling and the stairs, which might indicate the assassin was wearing bulletproof protective gear. Then came the massacre..."

She pictured the scene in her mind.

The medical examiner stated that most of the SEALs died from sharp weapon strikes, and that there were scorch marks around the edges of their wounds. Eliza ruled out the scorch marks she didn't understand, the damage her squad had caused when they stormed the rooftop, and began to deduce the cause from the bloodstains splattered on the walls, the distribution of the bodies, the crushed bones, the huge bloody shoe prints, and the large bullet holes on the walls that appeared to be from anti-materiel rifles.

Her comrades, however, couldn't understand Eliza's composure. In fact, even seasoned veterans would feel nauseous at the sight of such a horrific scene. Aside from Eliza, the most experienced member of the team had rarely experienced large-scale field combat. The wounds inflicted by firearms were worlds apart from those caused by anti-tank missiles, anti-materiel rifles, rockets, and cluster bombs. This scene was practically equivalent to an IED exploding in a crowd. "My boots are still sticky," one SWAT officer complained. "Are you sure anyone can emerge unscathed from such intense fire?"

"Our opponents aren't ordinary people; they're those Latvian super soldiers we've seen on TV. The testimony of the sole survivor might be enough to prove my point." Eliza, interrupted in her thoughts, was somewhat annoyed. "We still haven't grasped the behavior patterns and tactical skills of those super soldiers. If we ever face them, you'll wish I told you more now."

"I think that's the work of the field troops. Those super soldiers are practically human tanks, and we don't have any anti-tank missiles." Another SWAT officer shook his head. "Right now, we can't be sure where those Latvians went or how they left. Tony Stark said they teleported away, but I don't understand why they didn't just teleport in directly, like when they went to the UN headquarters, instead of making a big fuss and letting the whole world know."

“I don’t understand either.” Eliza shook her head seriously, but in reality, she already had a vague answer in her mind. FBI agents were currently inside taking statements from Tony Stark and the president of Stark Industries, Tony Stark’s girlfriend Pepper Potts; perhaps they could provide some useful information. “We need to take Stark and the president of Stark Industries to the FBI office. Boss wants to ask them what happened here.” Eliza understood her superior’s thinking; this was about seizing control of the investigation rather than better pursuing it. “We must leave as soon as possible and get him before the Air Force security forces arrive.”

"Do we need to request National Guard tanks for assistance?"

"No, Stark is safe." Eliza brushed her braided red hair behind her shoulder. "Just don't let him put on the Iron Man suit. Boss doesn't want to run into a troublesome problem."

"I can't decide this myself; nobody can control that playboy Stark."

Eliza suddenly stopped and turned back to look at her colleague with a sharp, hawk-like gaze. "Did Stark volunteer to wear the Iron Man suit?"

The SWAT officer was startled and shook his head repeatedly. "No, that's just my guess. Faced with something this dangerous, most people would want to protect themselves, not rely on ordinary people like us. Especially since this is Tony Stark, a superhero." The officer sighed, thinking of the Avengers who betrayed their country to Latvia, and Captain America, the hero in the hearts of Americans—emotions that Eliza, being Israeli, couldn't understand. "Although 'superhero' isn't a good word these days, he's still Iron Man."

"Ah, I see." Eliza muttered to herself as she squeezed through the Stark Industries security chief, who was surrounded by FBI agents, Homeland Security agents, forensic personnel, medical staff, and interrogators. "I'm Eliza, Commander of Special Weapons and Tactics Forces, FBI New York Office." She pushed past the interrogator and looked down at the terrified Happy. Homeland Security agent Madani had initially been somewhat resentful, but seeing the gun on Eliza's person and her straightforward, military-like demeanor, she immediately abandoned any thought of pursuing the matter.

“I have some questions for you, Harold Hogan.” Eliza pressed on Happy’s shoulder, bent down to look directly into his eyes, her sharp gaze piercing through Happy’s foggy, chaotic emotions and bringing him back to his senses, his face streaked with tears. “I need you to tell me what the person who killed those SEALs looked like. Was that person’s power armor gold, black, or brass? Gold, are you sure?”

"Hey, ma'am. Don't bother my bodyguard, he's just had a really bad experience."

"I want to understand why Emperor Latvinia is here," Eliza asked bluntly, completely ignoring her colleagues trying to pull her away. Meanwhile, the Stark Industries technicians were still working to recover Friday's logs, trying to find footage of the attackers on any surveillance equipment. "What did Emperor Latvinia say to you, or rather, do you and the other Avengers know Emperor Latvinia?"

"Are you accusing me, soldier?" Tony Stark angrily stepped in front of Happy.

“No, Mr. Stark.” Eliza took a step back. “I just want to know the truth.”

“Then let your boss ask me. Don’t bother my bodyguard; he’s the only survivor, he needs some rest. Everyone out now, including you. I don’t need security now; I can manage on my own.” Eliza gave Stark a suspicious look, but she nodded anyway, leading the FBI agents out of the lobby and into the elevator to the next floor. Homeland Security agent Madani hesitated for a moment before following, as she had some questions for Eliza. Once everyone had left, Tony Stark slumped onto the sofa and ordered his little helper—a low-level AI with a mechanical arm—to pour him and Happy a drink. “What a headache,” Tony Stark complained. “He guessed everything.”

"Sir, what exactly happened here?" Happy asked, taking the glass with trembling hands and forcing a sip. "Why did the Latvians attack you?"

Stark hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided not to tell Happy the truth.

"This has nothing to do with you, Happy. I'm giving you a long leave of absence. The FBI agents can guarantee my safety, and I promise this won't happen again. I'll have Iron Man armor on standby at all times."

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)