Allies on Both Sides

"This should count as our first formal meeting."

Tony Stark looked at Nathan Hawke seated across from him, as well as the two superheroes standing behind him.

"Mm." Nathan Hawke nodded lightly.

Tony Stark got straight to the point. "What do you know? What are your plans?"

"Their original plan was to establish a spatial passageway atop your Stark Tower." As soon as Nathan Hawke finished speaking, Tony Stark immediately said, "I know. That's why I rushed back, but because of you, they went into hiding again."

Nathan Hawke shook his head. "No, I found them a headquarters specifically for them."

"Where?" Tony Stark frowned.

"Vanko Tech Building."

Tony Stark immediately realized. "I remember now. Your group has recently been consolidating its resources. However, the military and government politicians took the lion's share of Vanko Tech, while Hammer Industries got very little. And inside that building..."

"Yes. There's an Ark Reactor there. A reactor powerful enough for them to open a Space Wormhole." Nathan Hawke smiled faintly.

"Why would you do that?" Tony Stark's expression darkened.

"To give you time to prepare. Does that count?"

Tony Stark's expression improved considerably upon hearing that. Indeed, if the war broke out in haste, they would be at a severe disadvantage. But after Nathan Hawke's interference, they instead had time to make arrangements and trap the enemy in a jar.

Tony Stark instantly formed several battle plans in his mind for surrounding Vanko Tech Building after the wormhole opened.

"How certain are you?" Tony Stark asked.

Nathan Hawke replied with certainty, "One hundred percent. They're desperate, but at the same time, they're convinced that once their army emerges from the wormhole, victory is guaranteed."

"Is that so?" Tony Stark pondered Nathan Hawke's words, along with the precise figures Jarvis relayed through his portable earpiece.

"What about you? What's your plan?" Though Tony Stark's opinion of Hawke Group had improved after the battle with Ivan Vanko, he still treated this group of "superheroes," who clearly belonged to a completely different camp, with great caution.

"Right now, we wait for them to come, destroy them, and take their technology. That's my plan." Nathan Hawke's blunt words left Tony Stark stunned.

"It's that simple? You're just telling me like that?" Tony Stark asked skeptically.

"What else would I do? You're the brilliant Tony Stark. I don't know whether you're interested in alien technology, but I, Nathan Hawke, definitely am."

"Ha." Tony Stark laughed. Indeed, Tony Stark never yielded when it came to his own intelligence. He understood that Nathan Hawke's objective was alien technology, and he himself was deeply interested in it as well. They might be comrades, or they might be rivals, but at this moment, they faced a common enemy.

"Nathan, perhaps there's room for cooperation between us." Tony Stark spoke with a trace of excitement in his eyes.

"That's an interesting proposal, Tony Stark. We can discuss the details of our cooperation." Nathan Hawke smiled faintly.

The two began communicating, discussing how to work together against Loki and the alien army. They exchanged intelligence and plans, trying to find common ground and balance their interests.

"That's the plan."

At Tony Stark's home, Tony Stark controlled the video display remotely as he spoke to the Avengers.

Captain asked worriedly, "But if we do this, those inside the building..."

Tony Stark said firmly, "Captain, some things must happen. You should understand that too. I understand how you feel, but if we don't do this, even more people will die."

"At least..." Tony Stark looked at Thor, Natasha, Bruce Banner, and Pepper Potts, before finally looking at Captain.

"At least we have Nick Fury's S.H.I.E.L.D. supporting us from behind the scenes, allowing us to fight more effectively on the front lines."

Hearing this, Captain felt much better. The way he looked at Tony gradually softened, and he smiled. "Looks like you're gradually learning to trust the team and trust your comrades."

The others around them also smiled knowingly.

Tony Stark smiled as well, but Nathan Hawke's superhero team appeared in his mind.

What kind of team were they? Was it a team centered around Nathan Hawke?

"By the way, where's Rhodey? I heard his injuries have improved quite a bit. Is he coming along this time too?" Pepper Potts asked.

"Rhodey..." Tony Stark merely shook his head, looking somewhat wistful.

"You humans are actually giving advice to a god. You truly have broadened my horizons. Though my target was indeed here to begin with, if you are willing to submit to me, then once I conquer Earth, you will become subordinates of Loki, the wisest and mightiest of gods." Loki took some interest in this group that called themselves Hydra.

"However..." Loki then wore a mocking expression.

"Your Viper actually sent mere underlings to meet me. It seems that after I conquer Earth, I'll need to make this god who disrespects a deity ascending the throne bloom physically."

Hydra's leader merely kept his head lowered in silence.

Loki's interest gradually faded. He waved a hand and said, "Fine, I accept. So long as you delay those superheroes for the time being, the gaze of a god will descend upon you."

As Hydra's leader watched Loki depart, a sly smile appeared on his face. They knew their plan was not to serve Loki, but to use him at the right moment to achieve Hydra's objectives.

"These are reports from the European division." Wesker and Nathan Hawke were discussing their plans for Loki and the alien army.

"It seems Hydra has received some information." Nathan Hawke watched as Hydra's European branch began attacking Umbrella Corporation's European division and Hawke Group's European branch offices. After some thought, he snorted coldly.

"Their objective is to keep Sephiroth in Europe. Our industries and financial chain in Europe have grown increasingly massive. As long as Sephiroth appears on this battlefield, they'll likely launch their attack over there immediately," Wesker analyzed.

Nathan Hawke nodded. "I understand." He then looked at the information on the screen.

"Loki, the Supergiant among the Black Order, the mysterious person hunting America Chavez, Hydra—they've already joined forces." After speaking, Nathan Hawke asked Wesker, "What about Baker? Is he involved?"

Wesker shook his head, then said, "However, according to Translucent's surveillance, they seem prepared to cause Stark some trouble soon. If war really breaks out, how do you intend to deal with Baker?"

"Have Umbrella Corporation's control teams and security personnel make preparations. On the eve of the war, place everyone in the weapons research department under 'protection.'" Nathan Hawke issued the order.

Nathan Hawke then went to the research department.

Dr. Keitz approached Nathan Hawke with great excitement.

"Aliens are real?"

Nathan Hawke looked at the increasingly muscular body Dr. Keitz had developed after injecting himself with the T-Virus. "Yes, war is about to arrive. How are the preparations for the portion assigned to you?"

Dr. Keitz merely clapped his hands, then made a welcoming gesture.

Dr. Keitz began his introduction. "Once the war begins, our T-Virus products can be deployed to the battlefield at any time."

"Zombie Dogs, Lickers, Tyrants. Products of every type are ready. With Eisenach Technology and the genetic optimization I improved, control over T-Virus products has now achieved perfect stability."

"Very good." Nathan Hawke could not help praising him.

He then went to Ryoma Sengoku's Iron Legion.

"There are no problems. The Iron Legion can deploy the moment the order is given." Unlike Dr. Keitz's excitement, Ryoma Sengoku appeared exceedingly calm. He had seen alien lifeforms before. As he sucked on a lollipop, he watched John Walker, transformed into Kamen Rider Duke, battle various models of Iron Armor in the experimental combat area nearby.

"After the war ends, increase production investment." Nathan Hawke nodded as he looked at the data Ryoma Sengoku had displayed on the screen.

"No problem." Ryoma Sengoku replied with certainty.

John Walker, in the combat testing area, also caught sight of Nathan Hawke leaving from the corner of his eye.

As night fell and deepened, everyone inside Vanko Tech Building had been replaced with Loki's people.

"Doctor, how are the preparations?" Loki asked Erik Selvig, who was building the Space Gate.

"Although Vanko Tech's reactor energy can open the Space Gate, it is nowhere near Stark Tower's reactor in terms of stability or speed. The estimated time will be around six in the morning," Erik Selvig replied.

"Can't it be any faster?" Loki grew somewhat impatient.

"It can, but then its stability would approach a critical point where it could explode at any time. It would become extremely unstable and could shut down at any moment," Erik Selvig replied.

Since the doctor had said so, Loki had no better option. After all, transporting a massive army deep into Earth required a huge and stable source of energy to activate the power of the Infinity Stones.

Loki said nothing. Instead, he looked at Hawkeye beside him and ordered, "Keep watch around the building. Anyone who enters the building is to be killed without mercy."

"As you command, Your Highness." Hawkeye respectfully accepted Loki's order and began directing the agents under control like himself to patrol the area.

"My Black Magic has already established a perimeter warning. Once this is done, I need the power of the Space Stone," Kaecilius said.

"I need an explanation. I said you were not allowed to lay a hand on the Infinity Stones." After pondering for a moment, Loki raised a brow and looked at him calmly.

Kaecilius snorted coldly. "I came here to capture someone. Black Magic has produced a blurred response when locating her, so I must use the power of the Infinity Stones. Don't worry, I'm only using it. Once I pinpoint the exact location, I'll leave."