In an instant, the temperature around them dropped noticeably.
The blazing sun had been blocked by the cloud Peter had just created—but that was only part of it. The massive amount of water vapor suspended in the air had absorbed an enormous quantity of heat, leaving behind a cool, almost refreshing atmosphere.
For a brief moment, the deck fell silent.
Then—
Clap. Clap. Clap.
General Andrey broke the silence, applauding without restraint. His usually composed demeanor carried a rare trace of genuine admiration.
"Impressive," he said with a smile.
As for Peter's display of power—
No one present found it alarming.
Because in Russia…
Things were different.
While the U.S. government treated mutants and enhanced individuals with suspicion—even hostility—Russia actively sought them out. Power was not feared here.
It was recruited.
Behind the scenes, Russia had its own counterpart to S.H.I.E.L.D.
The Spear Organization.
And within it—
A large number of powerful mutants formed its backbone.
Without them, a single nation could never rival an organization built by multiple countries.
The artificial cloud above continued to block the sun, casting a cool shade over the ocean. The surrounding waters were eerily calm—completely cleared of civilian presence. Satellites hovered overhead, locking onto the area, while a perimeter spanning over a hundred kilometers ensured that no foreign vessels could approach unnoticed.
Everything—
Was prepared.
Peter raised his hand slightly.
Invisible force surged once more, his telekinesis extending outward like unseen limbs. One by one, several black containers bearing the Umbrella logo were lifted from the transport and set neatly on the deck.
General Andrey's gaze sharpened instantly.
To him—
These weren't just boxes.
They were the future.
…
For a man in his position, nothing mattered more than strengthening his nation's military.
Advancements in artillery thrilled him.
Naval progress kept him awake at night.
And breakthroughs in fighter jet technology brought him genuine excitement.
But what Peter had brought today…
Was something else entirely.
"Where's the target ship?" Peter asked calmly.
"In the six o'clock direction," General replied immediately. "Two nautical miles out."
Peter nodded, following the direction indicated.
Then—
He crouched and opened the first container.
Inside—
Was a weapon unlike anything they had seen before.
"What is that?" General asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
Peter lifted the weapon effortlessly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"A laser weapon," he said. "Or more precisely—an energy weapon."
The technology—
Originated from Cybertron.
"This rifle uses a specialized energy magazine," Peter explained, holding it with practiced ease. "One magazine supports sixty shots in standard mode… and one shot in special mode."
He gave General Andrey a knowing look before continuing.
"In standard mode, its power slightly exceeds that of a 7.62mm armor-piercing round. Effective range is two hundred meters, with a maximum range of one kilometer."
As he spoke—
He raised the weapon and aimed toward the distant target ship.
"Wait—you're not seriously—"
Before the sentence could finish—
Peter pulled the trigger.
A crimson beam of concentrated energy erupted from the weapon's muzzle, streaking across the sky like a bolt of light.
"Special mode," Peter said calmly, lowering the gun. "Maximum range: five kilometers."
"As for the power…"
He shrugged slightly.
"You can see for yourself."
He ejected the energy magazine with a clean motion and placed the weapon back into its container.
…
Beside him—
General Andrey had already lifted a pair of binoculars.
And then—
His expression changed.
"What… kind of power is this…?"
Far in the distance, the target ship's bridge had been completely pierced through.
Not dented.
Not shattered.
Pierced.
A perfectly smooth, circular hole cut cleanly through the reinforced metal hull, revealing the interior of the ship as if it had been carved open with surgical precision.
The armor—
Might as well not have existed.
Peter watched the reaction with mild amusement.
"Of course," he added casually, "raw power isn't the only selling point of this weapon."
He tilted his head slightly.
"General, I'm sure you're aware of the biggest advantage laser weapons have over traditional firearms."
General Andrey didn't answer.
Because the answer—
Was obvious.
Conventional firearms relied on explosive force.
The greater the power—
The greater the recoil.
High-caliber pistols could dislocate a shooter's arm with a single shot.
Heavy rifles required reinforced stocks just to remain usable.
But this—
Had none of those limitations.
Because energy weapons—
Had no recoil at all.
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T/N:
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