—"Queen" Command and Control Center.
"Target armed forces scan complete. Uploading combat data to the main display window."
As Cortana reported, a swarm of red dots lit up the holographic display in front of Kagura.
These markers indicated an unknown armed force closing in on the Rhodes Island Industrial warehouse district on the outskirts of New York.
"Master, these people may be wearing U.S. military uniforms and using army camouflage, but they don't look like friendlies."
"You're absolutely right, Cortana. You've started making deductions from incomplete data—well done!" Kagura grinned.
"Mark them all as hostile, turn on the warehouse district's security defenses, and notify Agent Barton."
"Command confirmed, Master." Cortana responded, then added, "However, the security forces at the warehouse are insufficient to repel an attack of this scale."
"I know. That's why I called in Mr. Stark for backup ahead of time. Plus, there are other defenders on site." Kagura smiled knowingly.
"See? Feels like I can predict the future, doesn't it?"
"I believe this is simply the decision-making advantage gained from superior intelligence."
Cortana replied, "With absolute intelligence supremacy, you can predict enemy actions with high accuracy."
'Beep—beep.'
Agent Barton's line connected to the comms channel. "Miss Kagura, are these the 'guests' you were talking about?"
"That's right. How's the situation? Can you hold them off?"
"Hah..." Barton scoffed. "I'll do my best, but let's be real—I hope you've got backup or reinforcements, because otherwise, you might have to take care of my wife and kids for me."
"Relax, reinforcements are on the way. You just need to hold out for a little while."
"Who the hell did you bring into that underground safe house to attract this many military forces?" Hawkeye asked, clearly annoyed. "What, did you kidnap the President?"
"I did NOT kidnap the President!" Kagura protested. "These people aren't real military. They're full-blown bad guys!"
"You should've said so sooner. I was still debating how to minimize casualties. Never mind, I'm getting to work."
"Good luck, Mr. Hawkeye! I believe in you!" Kagura cheered, then turned to another holographic interface. "'Heaven's Hammer'—prepare to fire. Provide as much covering fire as possible until Mr. Stark arrives."
"Command confirmed. 'Halo 8' and 'Halo 16'—orbital adjustments complete. Ready to fire at any time." Cortana reported.
Kagura glanced at the advancing enemy forces tightening their encirclement.
Her expression softened, tinged with a trace of pity. "Ah, what a shame. Most of them are probably Hydra agents... but I wonder if any of them are just clueless grunts?"
It doesn't matter. If you stand against me, you'd better be prepared to die.
War is never a game.
Once war begins, everyone is guilty.
———————————————————————
South New York, Rhodes Island Industrial Warehouse District.
"Sigh... you sure make it sound easy."
From the rooftop of a warehouse coordination building, Hawkeye stood in his upgraded black tactical suit, observing the approaching enemy forces.
He slowly raised his bow.
"You better remember to give me a raise."
Since joining Griffin Security Services two years ago, his gear had undergone significant upgrades.
A fully-integrated visor connected to Rhodes Island Industrial's network now provided real-time battlefield analysis and tactical predictions.
It also linked with his longbow, drastically improving shooting precision.
His high-density carbon fiber combat suit featured enhanced strength support, an auxiliary movement system, life support capabilities, and exceptional defense, with vibranium plating in critical areas.
Miniaturized high-energy capacitors powered his gear while also generating wrist-mounted energy shields for additional protection.
His new arsenal included pure energy blades, reducing his equipment load while boosting close-combat effectiveness.
His stealth cloak remained, now enhanced with gliding capabilities inspired by Kagura's own rescue mission for Happy Hogan—granting him limited flight abilities.
And, of course, his bow could now literally shoot a dragon.
"Combat data uploaded. Let's see... five M1L2 Abrams Rhodes Island-modified main battle tanks?" Hawkeye analyzed the enemy through his visor.
"Not great. A regular Abrams tank I could deal with, but these Rhodes Island-modified versions? They're basically armored tortoises on steroids."
As he complained about Kagura's excessive military upgrades, he nocked an arrow and took aim.
'Whoosh—!'
A silver streak cut through the air. The arrow's micro thrusters activated, accelerating its flight.
Inside one of the advancing tanks, disguised Hydra agents chatted casually.
"Man, we're throwing a huge force just to attack a Rhodes Island warehouse. Doesn't that feel like overkill?"
"Don't underestimate it. That place has security firepower. See? Their turrets are activating."
The tank commander smirked. "Oh ho, they even raised the perimeter walls. Looks like a little fortress."
"You think those turrets can punch through us?"
The driver sounded worried. "I heard their weapons are pretty intense."
"Relax. Our tanks are Rhodes Island tech—top-notch stuff."
The gunner patted the cannon beside him.
"You know why this tank is silver? The outer layer is a titanium alloy shell, coated with anti-beam plating and a kinetic energy deflection field. Nothing's breaking through this bad boy."
"You sure?"
"Positive. This armor's so good, even Iron Man couldn't—"
'Ping—!'
"—penetrate... huh?"
Before he could finish bragging, a slender arrow embedded itself in the cockpit.
The supposedly invincible armor, praised moments ago, was effortlessly pierced like paper.
"What the hell? An arrow? How did it get through?!"
"Didn't you say our armor was unbreakable?!"
"Relax! It's just an arrow, not an explosive round. Nothing to worry about! Just find the archer and—"
'Click!'
At that moment, the micro capacitors in the arrow activated.
Designed to enhance penetration power, these capacitors also functioned as detonation units.
"Wait... what's that?"
"Looks like a... bomb—"
'BOOM—!'
The silver Abrams tank erupted in flames as a fierce explosion consumed its interior.
M1L2 Abrams Rhodes Island-modified main battle tanks remaining: 4.
"Kagura, where's that backup?"
Hawkeye loosed another arrow, triggering another explosion among Hydra's ranks.
"Almost there. Just hold on." The moment Kagura spoke, the sky flashed with a brilliant red light.
From orbit, the 'Heaven's Hammer' electromagnetic railgun fired its first devastating shot...