Originally, although Rhodes Island's warehouse district had Hawkeye Barton stationed as a defender and was equipped with some defensive weaponry, HYDRA's sheer numbers and firepower meant that its destruction was only a matter of time.
However, the moment the "Troy" drones unleashed their full potential and seized control of all Rhodes Island's industrial equipment, HYDRA's once-mighty forces instantly fell into chaos, scattering in disarray.
Within moments, the only remaining combatants on HYDRA's side were the War Machine under their control and the elite "Assault Strike Team" equipped with Chitauri tech.
"Heads up, War Machine's about to fire at you."
"Got it. Now the real fun begins."
Barton's smirk vanished as he leaped off the rooftop, landing on a shipping container just as War Machine's repulsor blast struck his previous perch.
'BOOM—!'
The energy pulse obliterated half of the rooftop he had been using as cover, a clear testament to the sheer power of War Machine's high-output repulsor cannon.
This new War Machine model wasn't just any suit—it was built using Stark Industries' latest prototype, the Mark 22 "Hot Rod," enhanced with cutting-edge weaponry from the U.S. military and S.H.I.E.L.D. (or rather, HYDRA).
Some of its systems even incorporated salvaged Chitauri technology.
Midair, Barton twisted his body, drawing his bowstring tight and releasing an arrow at War Machine while activating his cloak's glider function.
Using the heat currents from the explosion, he maneuvered skillfully before landing smoothly.
Is Hawkeye about to get wrecked by a high-tech War Machine?
Yeah, right.
This wasn't the same Hawkeye from the MCU anymore. With Rhodes Island's cutting-edge tech enhancing his gear, this was a "God-Tier Hawkeye."
As War Machine pursued him, its repulsor cannons charging up once again, Barton increased the power output of his suit, simultaneously charging his bow.
'WHOOSH—!'
A glowing blue arrow shot through the air.
'CLANG—!'
War Machine's titanium armor deflected the arrow, but the explosion that followed sent the armored suit hurtling backward.
"Hell yeah! Now that's what I'm talking about!"
Barton grinned, activating the boosters in his boots to propel himself upward, narrowly dodging War Machine's missile barrage. Midair, he nocked another arrow.
At this moment, Barton wasn't just an archer—he was a futuristic knight, clad in high-tech armor, his entire body illuminated by the blue circuits running through his suit.
His massive cloak billowed behind him, not just for aesthetics but to optimize his aerodynamic balance.
His state-of-the-art bow seamlessly integrated with his combat suit, providing unmatched draw strength and pinpoint accuracy.
'WHOOSH—!'
Another arrow soared toward War Machine.
But this time, War Machine sidestepped with impressive agility, dodging the shot before deploying its shoulder-mounted auto-guns, unloading a barrage of .50 caliber bullets.
For an ordinary soldier, that kind of firepower would be instant death. But Barton, clad in an advanced vibranium-infused suit, twisted away from the direct line of fire, letting sparks fly as stray bullets grazed his armor.
Without hesitation, he drew another arrow.
'WHOOSH—!'
'BOOM—!'
War Machine raised its arm and blasted the arrow midair before lunging forward for close-quarters combat.
Barton sidestepped, narrowly avoiding a direct hit—only to be struck from behind by a pulsing blast of purple energy, sending him stumbling forward.
The attackers? HYDRA's "Assault Strike Team," wielding weapons powered by Chitauri technology.
Regaining his balance, Barton activated his suit's auxiliary thrusters, propelling himself backward into cover behind a shipping container. He needed to reassess the battlefield before diving back in.
———————————————————————
—Queen Command Center
"Energy signature analysis complete. The newly arrived forces are indeed using Chitauri-based weaponry and power sources."
In the command center, Cortana reported to Kagura Hitomi.
"Agent Barton may struggle against this many enemies."
"I think so too. And once the fight moves to close-quarters, orbital artillery support is off the table." Kagura frowned. "Has reinforcements arrived?"
"Currently 900 kilometers from the combat zone, approaching at high speed."
"Good. Barton just needs to hold out a little longer."
Kagura disconnected from "Queen's" interface and plugged into the energy supply system inside her chamber.
As she began charging her secondary core, she turned to Cortana.
"I'll leave intel analysis to you. I need to get ready for battle."
"Acknowledged, Master."
———————————————————————
Rhodes Island Industrial Warehouse, NYC Outskirts
The battle had reached its peak.
Hawkeye was single-handedly stalling HYDRA's assault, but even he was reaching his limit.
Surrounded by elite HYDRA strike forces wielding Chitauri weapons and facing an opponent on par with Iron Man, the odds were grim.
If it were just War Machine, Barton could handle it—his current gear matched Rhodey's in combat capabilities, making victory plausible.
But with a whole squad of HYDRA soldiers packing advanced alien weaponry? That was another story.
"Wow, you guys are really showering me with attention!" Barton quipped as he dodged another energy blast. "All of you ganging up on little ol' me—doesn't seem fair, does it?"
HYDRA's troops weren't interested in banter. Even Rhodey, now their puppet, showed no inclination to exchange words.
The strike team members wore reinforced fiber combat suits, their chest plates pulsing with capacitor-powered alloy cores, glowing with streaks of energy.
Their helmets and visors flickered with violet-blue data streams, likely linking them directly to their weapons and armor systems.
And their guns? Chitauri pulse rifles, albeit upgraded for greater firepower.
But instead of firing, the soldiers holstered their rifles and drew energy blades radiating a violet-blue glow.
"Let me guess—those are Chitauri tech, right? I saw plenty back in New York."
Barton eyed the approaching enemies, encircling him with predatory patience.
"Chitauri guns, Chitauri bayonets... Alright, if you want a melee fight, who am I to refuse?"
With a smirk, Barton slung his bow over his back and loosened his stance. "Don't look so surprised. An archer backed into a corner draws his blade too, you know. That's what Kagura always tells me."
He unfastened his cloak, diverting his suit's energy supply from ranged combat to close-quarters mode.
From his back, a long katana hummed to life, its blade glowing with electric blue energy—his only solid-edged weapon aside from several energy daggers.
Against normal enemies, energy blades would suffice.
Against opponents wielding the same technology? Time to go old school.
Slowly, Barton lowered his stance, gripping the katana's hilt.
"竜神の剣を喰らえ!"