Rhodes Island Industries had long embedded itself into every facet of this world.
From military-grade weaponry to police and SWAT gear, and even the high-tech equipment used by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, traces of Rhodes Island technology were everywhere.
Given that most of the world relied on their creations, Kagura had ensured she retained full control over any situation where Rhodes Island tech was used against her allies.
Anyone attempting to misuse their gear would pay the price.
"Eggshell Mode activated."
With a calm demeanor, Cortana sent out an electromagnetic pulse, disabling all nearby Rhodes Island equipment.
She then initiated the special defense mode of Nick Fury's vehicle.
At that moment, titanium-gold alloy armor plates automatically rose, sealing off the front and rear windshields along with the side windows.
The car was now encased in impenetrable armor.
As the roof descended, the bulletproof glass shattered and seamlessly integrated with the alloy plating, locking everything into place.
From the outside, Fury's battered Chevrolet SUV began to transform.
Windows disappeared, replaced by airtight armor. The roof lowered, and the frame compressed, making the vehicle appear as if it had been flattened.
The once-ordinary SUV now resembled a sleek, aerodynamic black armored vehicle optimized for deflecting projectiles.
The transformation wasn't over.
The outer rubber layers of the tires were ejected, revealing solid honeycomb-patterned bulletproof tires made of high-flex polymer material—ensuring that punctures wouldn't lead to a loss of control.
"So why the hell is it called 'Eggshell Mode'?!"
Safely cocooned within the semi-submerged cockpit, Nick Fury was still fixated on the absurd name of the system.
"Mr. Fury, it's merely a designation. There's no need to dwell on it."
"I'm not dwelling on it! I just want to know why the hell it's called that!"
"Understood."
Cortana promptly pulled up two images on the vehicle's holographic display—one of a boiled egg and the other of Nick Fury's bald head.
"This is an egg. This is your head. This defense system was custom-built for you. Hence, 'Eggshell Defense Mode.'"
Nick Fury: "..."
"I'm glad you understand." Cortana maintained her composed tone. "Power systems are fully charged. The Arc Reactor is running at full capacity. Automated defense systems are at maximum readiness. Interior omnidirectional display system online."
"Wait, what?! My car has an Arc Reactor?!"
"Is that surprising?"
Cortana sounded genuinely puzzled by Fury's reaction. "At Rhodes Island Industries, even our employee toilets use Arc Reactors—to regulate seat temperature and power automatic flush sensors."
"..."
Fury was momentarily speechless. "I thought that thing was just for powering Tony Stark's Iron Man suits."
"Technology should serve the people, Mr. Fury. However, per Miss Kagura's orders, our Arc Reactors are not for public sale."
Cortana continued, "Please select the weapon level for the auto-defense system and mark targets accordingly."
"Give me the highest setting! Wipe these bastards out!"
"Command confirmed. Deploying high-pressure charged air blades and dual 20mm remote-controlled autocannons. Enable full auto-engagement mode?"
"No, I'll handle it myself! I've got a lot of pent-up anger to vent."
"Command confirmed. Initiating manual operation with AI assistance."
As Fury grasped the weapon controls that had extended from the console, the titanium-gold alloy plating inside the vehicle glowed with display windows, providing a panoramic real-time view of the surroundings.
The enhanced field of vision was even better than before the transformation.
"I like this display system. Does it have a name?"
"It's called the 'Eggshell Plug-in Display System.' According to Miss Kagura, its design was inspired by a combat unit known as 'EVA.'"
"EVA? What the hell is that?"
"I'm not sure, Mr. Fury. Miss Kagura's thought process is... difficult to predict."
"That, I can agree with."
With that, Fury tightened his grip on the controls and pulled the trigger, unleashing hell upon the assassins attempting to breach his armored fortress.
At the same moment, the circular EMP device that had disabled the surrounding Rhodes Island equipment lit up with a crimson glow.
A low hum reverberated through the air as the red rings intensified, filling the assassins with an overwhelming sense of dread.
"Die, motherf—!"
'VWOOM—!'
As Fury roared, a crimson flash erupted, sending a high-intensity shockwave outward.
Since the transformation had lowered the SUV's height, the circular energy emitter was now positioned at chest level for a standing human.
From the glowing red ring, nearly invisible high-pressure air blades burst forth.
Powered by the Arc Reactor's capacitor, these lethal weapons could slice through anything in their path, executing a wide circular cut with devastating precision.
Its design inspiration?
Another concept foreign to this world—Knights of Sidonia's Red Gauna Moth.
Then, two concealed hatches on the vehicle's roof split open, revealing a twin-barreled 20mm autocannon.
The moment it locked onto the surviving assassins and the wreckage of their vehicles, it unleashed a relentless storm of gunfire.
"Eat this, you sons of [BLEEP]—!"
As Fury manually controlled the remote turret, he slammed his foot down on the accelerator.
The engine roared like thunder.
Powered by an Arc Reactor-driven 1,500-horsepower hybrid engine, the 'light armored vehicle' surged forward, reaching 180 km/h within ten seconds.
In his wake, Fury left nothing but corpses and twisted wreckage.
"Hah! Assassinate me? In your dreams!"
The self-proclaimed 'Motherf— Knight' smirked in satisfaction. "Kagura, I gotta admit, you've got skills. This ride is damn useful. I need to buy a few more of these…"
"Mr. Fury, the vehicle's primary communications module was damaged during the laser-cutting sequence."
"You are currently unable to contact any external parties beyond the Rhodes Island internal network. Would you like me to alert others via the 'Argos' surveillance network?"
"No. Don't inform anyone just yet. Right now, no one can be trusted."
Fury's eyes darkened as he mulled over the assassination attempt. "The enemy is hidden, and their power is formidable. I need to be cautious… and keep Rhodes Island and Kagura Hitomi out of this."
"Mr. Fury, I believe Miss Kagura could provide substantial assistance."
"No. This is a S.H.I.E.L.D. matter. I don't want to drag Kagura into this—let alone the Avengers."
Fury let out a long sigh. "Having this gear is more than enough…"
"Incoming airborne signal detected. Fast approach. Intent: Hostile."
"What?!"
'THUD—!'
Before Fury could react, a silver-gray Iron Man suit landed directly in his path…