Seoul, Genetics Research Lab.
"The cells will take a few hours to form, but we can begin transferring your consciousness." Doctor Helen Zhao connected matching data cables to Ultron. "Upload your brain program. Begin."
Ultron sat calmly beside the Regeneration Cradle. The data cable behind his head flickered with a faint blue glow as it rapidly transmitted his consciousness into the new body.
Since the Vibranium human body was not a purely mechanical life-form, Wanda could finally read Ultron's thoughts.
"I can sense him. He's dreaming."
"It probably isn't a dream. That's Ultron's foundational consciousness, all informational noise. Very soon..."
"How soon?" Ultron asked somewhat urgently, then softened his tone. "I'm not rushing you."
"The brain tissue is still being made. There's no faster way, even with that gem..."
As Helen Cho explained, Wanda quietly walked up to the cradle and sensed Ultron's thoughts.
An enormous meteor plummeted down at tremendous speed and struck the Earth's surface.
An explosion rang out. An immensely powerful shockwave spread in every direction, engulfing the entire planet in an instant. Buildings, living creatures—everything was reduced to dust by that world-destroying force.
"Ah!"
Wanda clutched her head and let out a pained scream.
Ultron immediately realized what had happened. He rose to his feet and watched the two of them warily, his scarlet eyes flickering with barely concealed killing intent.
"How dare you?" Wanda asked, breathing heavily in disbelief.
"How dare I what?"
"You said we would destroy the Avengers and make the world a better place."
"Of course it'll be better."
"Better because everyone is dead?" Wanda demanded. "Gaius was right. He didn't lie to us. You're the liar—a mad liar."
"It isn't like that. I'll give humanity ample opportunity to evolve."
"And if they can't evolve?" Pietro asked.
"Ask Noah." Ultron spoke disdainfully.