Half an hour later, Sherry had constructed a 3D reconstruction model of the explosion site based on satellite scans, including monitoring data for various weather conditions in the surrounding area at the time of the incident.
Temperature records showed that the peak temperature unleashed in Broadway Plaza at the instant of the explosion had exceeded 3,000 degrees Celsius. Anything within fifty yards would have been vaporized instantly.
Next, Sherry intercepted the Federal Bureau of Investigation's electronic report containing the results of its on-site investigation. The report showed that within a three-mile blast radius, there were no chemical components or fragments that any explosive device should have left behind. For an explosion exceeding 3,000 degrees Celsius, that was nearly impossible.
But this was not the first time. These characteristics happened to match every bombing carried out so far by the brazen terrorist known on television as the "Mandarin" and the "Ten Rings" he led. Every explosion was accompanied by temperatures exceeding 3,000 degrees Celsius, and every blast site showed no trace whatsoever of explosives.
For a long time, the Mandarin's string of bombing cases had baffled numerous domestic explosives experts. Not one of them had been able to uncover the true nature of these mysterious bombs. As long as the mystery remained unsolved, the authorities could not take preventative measures. The bombs could be anything, carried anywhere by anyone and detonated at any time. They were impossible to guard against.
Because none of them had ever considered that the explosives might be genetically modified humans themselves.
Extremis Soldiers—warriors injected with the Extremis Virus, granting them extraordinary physical abilities and powerful regenerative capabilities, but also carrying the risk of overheating and self-detonation. Their bodies themselves were walking bombs.
But unfortunately for those terrorists and the person behind them, Michael knew everything about