In an apartment near Santa Monica Beach...
The computer nerd Hudson cut the connection to his remote-control car and let out a long breath, then leaned back in his chair...
"Whoa, that was close. We almost got caught!"
As he spoke, Hudson seemed a little uneasy, so he tapped away at the computer a few more times, added several proxies, and set the connection to receive information only. Then he let the remote-control car keep repeating the message they wanted to send.
"Manhattan Axe actually has Stark Industries' Artificial Intelligence with him?
I'd never share my hacking programs. Could Manhattan Axe and Iron Man be a couple?"
As Hudson grumbled, Brian on the screen successfully deciphered the message. Then the hotheaded father spoke in a remarkably steady voice, delivering a truly classic speech...
"I don't know who you are, or what you're trying to do.
If you want a ransom or intend to use us, let me tell you this: I have no money, and I won't do what you say.
But I do have a very particular set of skills, skills I've acquired over a very long career...
And now I'm not alone!
For people like you, our skills are a nightmare!
Let Lenore go now, and this will be the end of it. I won't come after you, and I won't hunt you down.
If you don't let her go, I'll keep coming after you until I find you..."
The curly-haired, middle-aged Nate took a step back, his spine going cold, as if Brian were standing right in front of him.
The long-haired enforcer Elliot covered his forehead and stared at Hudson in disbelief. "What did you send him? Why does he look like he's about to tear us limb from limb?"
Hudson glared angrily at Elliot. "How