By the time he finished "reading," he already knew it was real.
But as a sentient artificial intelligence, Zola subconsciously refused to accept it.
This shouldn't be possible.
What the hell was this?
The excuse he had casually fabricated to explain things to Obadiah... actually came true like this?
Did he really have the ability to turn words into reality?
If he said right now that all of Hydra's enemies would suddenly drop dead, would that work?
If he declared that everyone in S.H.I.E.L.D. would join Hydra, would that also work?
A playboy with zero military background, at most some basic fitness-
Defeating a super-soldier who had undergone physical enhancement, was fully equipped, and even possessed a mechanical right arm-
With bare hands?
Is that something a human can do?
Artificial intelligence relied on data.
After converting himself into an AI, Zola had inevitably leaned toward that mode of thinking, even though remnants of human emotion remained.
But whether viewed from a data-analysis perspective or an emotional one...
He couldn't understand it.
Why did the Winter Soldier fail?
And this was an ambush.
With the initiative.
With an overwhelming advantage.
And he still lost?
Not only lost.
He was counter-killed.
Does he even know how to fight?
The screens housing Zola's consciousness flickered violently.
Some went dark.
Some began to smoke, components burning out.
For a human, this would have been slamming the table in rage.
Even so, Zola maintained rational calculations.
Just slower.
Much slower.
He began analyzing possible causes based on existing data.
Was Tony already prepared?
Did he have armor hidden in his bedroom?
Did he notice something off and react in advance?
Or...
Could it be...
Did the brainwashing fail?
Did the Winter Soldier recover his memories, turn traitor, and warn Tony?
And those two loud noises.
And that phrase-"Sleep on the ground."
Who was Tony talking to?
What the hell happened?
Zola ran through each possibility.
Then eliminated them.
One by one.
His computational load surged. The old equipment was pushed to its limit, but he forced it to continue.
Even if every CPU burned out-
He had to find the answer.
Not only was the [Future Plan] gone.
He had lost a Winter Soldier.
Worse, this could expose Hydra.
Zola couldn't accept that.
Hydra couldn't accept that.
At present, Hydra absolutely could not step into the light.
Things lurking in gutters and corners-no matter how strong-would be destroyed the moment sunlight touched them.
If Hydra truly had the power to confront all its enemies openly, it would have done so long ago.
At the same time, Zola contacted the base responsible for the operation.
A new plan had to be made.
Immediately.
Within days.
Team A was dead. That no longer mattered.
But the Winter Soldier's status was unknown.
That was fatal.
After further calculation, Zola judged that Hydra's brainwashing couldn't be undone so easily.
He still trusted that technology.
Which meant some incomprehensible variable must have caused the failure.
If the Winter Soldier wasn't dead and had been captured-
Action had to be taken at once.
Either retrieve him.
Or kill him and erase the evidence.
At the same time, Tony Stark had to be eliminated.
Hydra could not be exposed prematurely.
The Winter Soldier's status had to be confirmed.
Losses had to be cut before they expanded.
Even if that meant using large-scale weapons.
...
While Zola planned, Tony sat in his living room, expression grim.
James Rhodes stood beside him.
"This the guy?" Rhodes circled Bucky, who was tied up and unconscious, tapping the metal arm. "You sure you can hold him?"
"I can." Tony replied calmly. "I fried the link channels for the mechanical arm. It looks fine, but it's dead."
He paused.
"This one's special. The others came ready to die. I couldn't keep them alive."
"You've done more than enough." Rhodes squeezed Bucky's arm, frowning, then glanced at Tony's armor. "So this is what you've been working on? This thing?"
"Yes."
"And didn't you say you were done making weapons?"
"This isn't for sale. That's why only you're here." Tony said. "Strictly speaking, it's not a weapon. It's self-defense."
"I see. So you built a 'prosthetic' for self-defense that dodges radar and outruns two F-15s."
"That's actually a great name." Tony smiled. "I'll use it publicly."
Rhodes sighed. "Do you know who's behind this?"
"Maybe." Tony shook his head. "Maybe not. Either way, I'm not telling."
"So I can't take him?"
"You can take the ones from the ocean."
"...Great. Then how do I explain this to the military?"
"Unidentified terrorists attempted a kidnapping. Neutralized by automated defenses at my villa."
"Sure. Terrorists with gear I've never even seen." Rhodes sighed. "Let's hope nobody thinks it's the KGB or something. I really don't want to deal with the CIA. All straight faces and sunglasses, acting cool."
"I don't like dealing with them either." Tony replied.
After a moment, Rhodes spoke seriously. "Tony. If you need help, say it. The military has resources you don't. There's a price, but it beats dying alone."
"Of course." Tony smiled. "Didn't I ask for help today? I just solved it early."
He added casually, "Come by sometime. I'll upgrade your systems."
"I'll remember that." Rhodes waved as he left. "Call me if anything happens."
"Got it."
Tony picked up Bucky and headed downstairs.
"Hey," Rhodes called. "When do I get to try one of those?"
"In your dreams!" Tony laughed without turning around.
"Stingy..."
Rhodes laughed too.
Only after Tony disappeared did Rhodes step outside. The smile vanished.
"Suspected terrorist group. Kidnapping attempt. Secure the bodies and equipment. Test everything. Withdraw."
Tony carried Bucky into the basement.
Without hesitation, he drew a circle.
The next moment, both vanished-reappearing halfway across the globe.
Kamar-Taj.
"You're late." Morin was still reading.
"Ran into a bit of trouble." Tony tossed Bucky onto the floor.
His head hit with a solid thud.
A good sound.
"Your reaction speed and judgment are excellent," Morin said casually. "You're suited for real combat."
He placed a USB drive on the table.
"What's that?" Tony reached for it.
Morin kept his hand on it.
"A video."
"I'll buy it." Tony was immediately interested. Morin's videos never disappointed.
Price didn't matter.
"This one's special." Morin glanced at Bucky. "It's from the past. It matters to you."
"And to him."
"...I've seen him before?" Tony frowned.
"No." Morin paused. "But you are connected."
"He was once an American soldier. A member of the Howling Commandos."
"Captain America's team?" Tony stared at Bucky. "He looks too young."
"Super-soldier serum. Forced hibernation." Morin replied.
"And that 'once'?" Tony pressed.
"He was brainwashed."
Morin's voice lowered.
"Tonight, we'll start with mental magic. He's an excellent test subject."
Tony's gaze snapped back to the USB drive.
Howling Commandos.
Brainwashing.
Super-soldier.
A bad premonition formed.
"This video is free." Morin said. "Watching it is your choice."
He paused.
"My advice is to watch it after you finish today's magic training. After you succeed."
He handed the USB drive over.
"But in the end..."
"It's up to you."