War Abomination

The next day, news outlets across America, and even around the world, were reporting on what had happened in Harlem. Photos and videos from the scene were everywhere. Seeing the commercial street reduced almost to ruins, viewers were horrified. Had a war broken out?

The news showed photos of Abomination and explained in detail that he had been created by the military. General Ross's words were replayed again and again. The public was furious. The military had secretly created such a terrifying monster and destroyed an entire street. How could anyone tolerate that?

Without question, a massive protest march was about to erupt, and General Ross and the military would become targets of public outrage!

Besides the monster and the military, something else had drawn tremendous attention this time: the new armor bearing Osborn Corporation's Flying Fire Dragon emblem. Countless people were discussing whether Osborn Corporation had really developed powered armor! This was confirmed on Trish Talk. Trish even went through the entire Abomination incident in detail. While shocking viewers, it also made them hate General Ross even more! The whole thing had been caused by General Ross. Worse still, when he had pursued Hulk at Calver University, he had not cleared the area beforehand! This prompted even more people to decide to protest at the White House, including Calver University's teachers and students! Next, Osborn Corporation held a Press Conference and officially unveiled the Hero series armor. It also released several photos of Hero Armor defeating Abomination—perhaps due to an operational mistake, some photos of Iron Man getting beaten up by Abomination had been mixed in! The internet exploded over those photos. Countless people argued over whether Hero Armor or Mark Armor was stronger. Iron Man had plenty of fans, but they could not stand up to someone's advanced experience—buying paid commenters!

Ahem, putting that aside, the release of Hero Armor sent Osborn Corporation's stock price soaring. Countless people came to inquire about the armor! Wang Bert's net worth instantly surged by tens of billions, and this was only the beginning!...

At Osborn Corporation, Wang Bert personally showed Senator Stern, General Slocum, and the others around the armor manufacturing facility. He also had Frank put on the armor and demonstrate Hero Number Two's various functions for them.

"Senator, General Slocum, I won't deny that my Hero Armor is slightly inferior to Iron Man's armor!"

Wang Bert smiled. "But it will improve in the future. More importantly, my Hero Armor is for sale, while his isn't!"

"The problem is that your asking price is far too high, isn't it?"

General Slocum frowned. "Five hundred million dollars—how many people can that equip?"

"One suit of armor can take on an entire battalion. Five hundred million dollars is absolutely worth it!"

Wang Bert said, "We have to recoup enough funds so that we can continue developing the armor and make it more and more powerful. The current Hero Armor is still far from perfect."

"It can become even stronger?"

General Slocum and Senator Stern were both greatly interested. Stern thought of something and asked, "Bert, you're using Arc Reactors too. Is there no problem with Stark Industries?"

"No problem. I've already reached a preliminary agreement with Tony. The reason the armor's designer, Ivan Vanko, isn't here today is because he's discussing this matter with Tony!"

Wang Bert smiled. "The armor is completely legal. If you place your order now, you can take delivery in three months!"

After a pause, Wang Bert added, "The New York Police Department and S.H.I.E.L.D. are also very interested in the armor. If they place orders first, you'll have no choice but to wait."

"S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

General Slocum frowned. The New York Police Department was not worth worrying about; it could not come up with five hundred million. But S.H.I.E.L.D. was a powerful competitor. He said gravely, "Mr. Wang, before Congress approves it, the armor cannot be sold to other countries!"

Although S.H.I.E.L.D. had been born in America, it was now a global organization. Wang Bert smiled. "Don't worry. Unless Congress approves it, Osborn Corporation will never sell armor to S.H.I.E.L.D.!"

"Good!"

General Slocum nodded in satisfaction, then asked, "Mr. Wang, can we customize specialized armor?"

"Of course. Close combat, long-range combat—whatever functions you want, we can provide them!"

Wang Bert smiled. "Osborn Corporation will do its utmost to serve the military!"

"The military is pleased to have patriotic companies like yours!"

General Slocum said solemnly. Beside him, Frank rolled his eyes inwardly. Who had said not long ago that they would never do business with Vampires? These people really have no shame! Frank sighed to himself. The reason he had never been promoted back then was because his skin had not been as thick as theirs!

"Everything for the country!"

Wang Bert smiled. After the two sides talked for a while longer, General Slocum left excitedly with a stack of documents!

Senator Stern did not leave. In the office, he asked Wang Bert, "Bert, do you have both the Hulk and that monster the media calls Abomination?"

"Yes, I have them both!"

Wang Bert poured Senator Stern a glass of red wine and smiled. "General Ross said plenty of bad things about me behind my back, didn't he?"

Senator Stern took a sip of wine and said, "More than bad things. He encouraged the military leadership to wipe out the Vampires and seize the armor. Of course, not many people paid attention to him. Both the government and the military are very pleased that the Blood Clan is willing to sell armor.

"Bert, you're far better than that guy who only cares about himself and ignores national security. Hmph, if your armor hadn't already existed, I would definitely have made that guy hand over his armor."

"Haha, that guy won't compromise easily!"

Wang Bert smiled. "Senator, the Blood Clan will continue contributing to the country as always. As for General Ross, hmph, he should first think about how to save himself. The White House entrance is quite lively today!"

"It certainly is lively. The person in the White House has quite a headache. With something this serious happening, the military will have to give the public and the soldiers' families an explanation. General Ross won't be jumping around for many more days."

Senator Stern said, "However, Bert, I suggest that you hand either the Hulk or Abomination over to the military. After all, they were created through military research. The military needs something from you right now and will not force the issue, but it would not be good for things to become too hostile."

"I was prepared for that. Senator, come with me. I'll show you something good!"

Wang Bert led Senator Stern to Osborn Corporation's underground factory. There, Abomination was fixed in place by numerous supports. Shockingly, his head had been opened up, and the brain inside was gone.

"So this is Abomination? He's far more vicious than he looked in the videos. Good thing he's already dead."

Senator Stern marveled. He asked, "Why did you open up his head?"

"He isn't dead!"

Wang Bert said, "Before he died, I turned him into a Vampire!"

"You turned him into a Vampire?"

Senator Stern was greatly startled. He asked, "Bert, what are you planning?"

"I want to create a super War Machine!"

Wang Bert gestured for Lilith to hand Senator Stern a tablet, then said, "Osborn has a project called the Bio-Electronic Brain. I want to install one in Abomination. Then we will be able to control Abomination and make him fight for us!"

As Senator Stern browsed the information on the tablet, he asked in surprise, "A Bio-Electronic Brain? Has Osborn Corporation's technology reached this level already?"

"Not yet, which is why we need to turn Abomination into a Vampire!"

Wang Bert said, "The Blood Clan's abilities can help the Bio-Electronic Brain control Abomination!"

It was not actually the Blood Clan's abilities, but the Blood God Power. With a Bio-Electronic Brain and the Blood God Power, Abomination would become a War Machine that obeyed Wang Bert's every command! Senator Stern asked, "After Abomination becomes a Vampire, he'll weaken, won't he? Vampires have quite a few weaknesses!"

"We already have a solution for that. We plan to give him a suit of armor. Not only will that protect his weaknesses, it will also greatly increase his strength!"

Wang Bert said, "Besides, having weaknesses is a good thing. The military can install an Ultraviolet bomb in his heart. If he loses control, all the military needs to do is press a button, and he will die without even a scrap left behind!"

"That really is a good idea!"

Senator Stern's eyes lit up. He smiled. "Bert, your Blood Clan truly knows how to surprise people. I think we should give you an award this year!"

Wang Bert smiled. "Then I'll be waiting for it. The Blood Clan will not disappoint the government or the military!"

"The country appreciates your support. By the way, how much will this War Machine cost?"

Senator Stern looked up at Abomination, his eyes burning with desire. Hydra desperately needed War Machines that obeyed orders completely! Wang Bert said, "Abomination alone costs five hundred million dollars. With the armor, it will cost one billion dollars. I'm not trying to cheat you. The armor Abomination uses will be much more powerful than ordinary armor!"

Senator Stern was startled. He said, "One and a half billion dollars? Bert, your products really are expensive!"

"Good things are naturally not cheap!"

Wang Bert smiled. "Besides, that isn't really expensive. An aircraft carrier costs at least tens of billions of dollars, but which do you think is more useful: an aircraft carrier or War Abomination?"

"Well... War Abomination does seem a little more useful."

Senator Stern paused, then nodded in agreement. Put that way, one and a half billion dollars really was not expensive!

More importantly, America would be spending the money, while Hydra would be receiving the goods! "I'll go back and discuss it with Congress!"

Senator Stern said, "I need to take Abomination's information back with me. As for the Hulk, keep him here for now. I'll see what the military thinks."

Wang Bert smiled. "All right. I'll have to trouble you, Senator."

Senator Stern said with a smile, "No trouble at all. Everything is for the country!"

This old bastard really is greedy.

Wang Bert shook Senator Stern's hand to show he understood, then personally saw the Senator out. This deal was basically settled! You'd never imagine that Abomination's control will always remain in my hands. As for the Ultraviolet bomb, there are plenty of ways to deal with it!

Wang Bert narrowed his eyes slightly. One Abomination is nowhere near enough. The military will definitely find ways to create more Abominations. When that happens, I'll be able to easily acquire an Abomination army!

Using someone else's money to raise an army for themselves was an idea Wang Bert and Hydra shared!

Shaking his head, Wang Bert returned to his office. As he poured wine into two glasses, he said, "You know, if you sneak into my office like this, I have the right to shoot you!"

"I traveled all night to get here. I didn't come to listen to you say that!"

On the sofa, Cyclops Nick Fury, still wearing his trench coat as always, snorted. He was the head of spies—was he supposed to knock before coming in? How uncool would that be? It was a pity it was daytime now; otherwise, the effect would have been even better. After all, he came with his own darkness-based invisibility effect!

The last time he had gone to Tony's house, he had scared him badly! Wang Bert turned around, placed a wineglass in front of Director Fury, and said, "Then what do you want to hear me say? That I'll give you a discount?"

Director Fury immediately said, "Fine, you said it. Fifty percent off!"

Wang Bert sneered. "In your dreams! Tell me, what did you come here specifically for? You wouldn't need to make a special trip just to buy armor!"

Director Fury picked up the glass and said, "I came because of you. Wang Bert, what exactly are you trying to do? Do you know the Blood Clan is only one step away from war?"

Wang Bert sat down and asked calmly, "Is this how you ask your superiors for funding?"

"The Blood Clan's acquisition of Osborn Corporation had already made some human higher-ups dissatisfied. They felt that the Blood Clan had overreached. But Osborn Corporation was half-crippled at the time, and you carried out reforms actively, so they reluctantly accepted it!"

Director Fury continued on his own, "But now, you've actually developed powered armor! This is currently the most advanced individual weapon technology! Do you know that people in Washington, the military, and S.H.I.E.L.D. are all proposing that the Blood Clan be eliminated and the armor seized?"

Wang Bert sneered. "Director Fury, you really know how to alarm people!"

Director Fury laughed coldly. "You think I'm lying? Do you want me to put those proposals in front of you?"

"Did your language teacher teach gym? What I meant was that you're exaggerating things to scare me!"

Wang Bert said, "There are indeed people proposing the extermination of the Blood Clan, such as General Ross. But they are a tiny minority among tiny minorities. No one pays attention to them. Most of the higher-ups are more than happy to cooperate with the Blood Clan."

Director Fury looked disdainful. "Is that all you see?"

"Granted, this incident will make the higher-ups more vigilant, but only vigilant. War is still a hundred and eight thousand miles away."

Wang Bert said, "Even if the higher-ups were dissatisfied this time, they would only issue warnings first, or force me to hand over the armor technology. They would not rashly start a war. The Blood Clan has survived until now not because of humanity's mercy!"

Director Fury stared at Wang Bert with his one eye and asked, "Wang Bert, since you knew this would make the higher-ups more wary, why did you do something so excessive?"

Wang Bert fell silent for a moment, then said, "Director Fury, what I'm about to tell you, I will not explain whether you believe it or not."

Director Fury said, "I'm listening!"

Wang Bert said, "This universe contains many aliens. The reason they have not invaded Earth is not because Earth is remote, but because God King Odin is protecting us!"

Director Fury was stunned. "God King Odin? Isn't that from Norse mythology?"

"Aren't Vampires from mythology too?"

Wang Bert said, "Odin protects us because Earth is a vassal state of Asgard. I know what you're going to ask. The reason the divine realm has never come to govern us is because Master Ancient One took back Earth's right to self-governance from Odin!"