Sokovia Incident In the past six weeks, Avengers Alliance has gathered at the newly completed training base. Steve·Rogers is conducting tactical training, Natasha and Clint are cooperating tacitly in the simulated battlefield, and Thor is testing the newly upgraded lightning control device.
Wanda·Maximoff stood at the edge of the training field, crimson energy flowing through her fingertips, while Pietro turned into silver light and shuttled around the field. Vision was floating quietly next to the console, and Mind Stone on her forehead exuded a soft light.
"Pay attention to the surprise attack on the left!" Steve's voice echoed in the training ground, "Clint, cover Natasha! Pietro, don't rush too fast!"
The silver light suddenly stopped, and Pietro almost hit the suddenly raised barrier when he appeared. "Is this thing faster than Quicksilver?"
Tony's voice came from the speaker. "Captain, maybe you should try the Mark 45 group protection system..."
"Master the basic coordination first," Steve decisively refused, "Technology cannot solve all problems."
At this moment, the base alarm sounded. Fury's holographic image appeared. "Everyone, we are in trouble. But it's not what you think."
A global map is projected in the center of the training ground, displaying multiple abnormal energy signals.
"These are not alien invasions," Banner's voice came in, "The energy signature does not match any known civilization. It's more like... some kind of test probe."
Natasha frowned. "What to test?"
"Test us." Tony landed wearing a new armor, "To be more precise, we are testing someone's reaction."
Everyone's eyes turned to the east in unison.
Clint put away his bow and arrows. "So someone else wants to take advantage of Xiao Han?"
"It's more complicated than that." Fury zoomed in on the energy map, "These signals are deliberately exposing their positions, as if they are saying 'come to me'."
Thor raised the hammer. "Then go find it! Let these hidden guys see the power of thunder!"
The energy in Wanda's hand flickered slightly. "I feel... a familiar wave. It's very similar to Scepter's energy, but more... cold."
Vision descended slowly. "I detected the resonance of Mind Stone. These signals are indeed from the same source of energy as Scepter."
Suddenly, all signals strengthened at the same time. A cold mechanical voice sounded through all communication equipment:
"Avengers Alliance. Prove your worth."
The defense system of the training ground suddenly activated and blocked all exits.
"Friday?" Tony calls AI.
"The system is overwritten by an unknown program," the AI responded, "Trying to regain access."
The mechanical voice sounded again, "First test: Breaking through the blockade."
The Clint explosive arrow accurately hit the seam of the gate, but the Vibranium barrier did not move at all.
"Let me do it." Wanda waved his hands, and Scarlet Energy penetrated into the control panel. The barrier flashed a few times and then disappeared.
"How?" Clint asked in surprise.
"They are using energy similar to Scepter," Wanda frowned, "I happen to know the backdoor."
The mechanical voice sounded, "Test passed. Second test: survival."
The training ground was suddenly filled with nerve gas. Avengers quickly put on protective equipment, but the concentration of the gas rose sharply.
Pietro turned into silver light and tried to find an exit. "All the vents are sealed!"
"Friday, start the purification system!" Tony ordered.
"The system is locked. It is recommended..."
Banner walked towards the console. "Let me do it." He operated quickly, "They are using the poison gas formula I designed seven years ago. I happen to know the detoxification method."
The poisonous gas was quickly neutralized. The mechanical voice seemed to have a hint of appreciation:
"Impressive. The third test: combat."
The ground of the training ground opened, and dozens of combat robots rose up. They had strange shapes and seemed to incorporate a variety of alien technologies.
"These are not earth technologies," Tony analyzed, "But they are not purely alien technologies either."
The robots attack simultaneously, using tactics that perfectly replicate the fighting style of each Avengers.
"They are learning!" Steve shouted, "Change tactics!"
Wanda's hands bloomed with crimson light, and energy waves swept across the entire venue. "I've had enough testing!"
The robots all suddenly froze, their eyes flashing an unstable red light.
"They are screaming in my head..." Wanda pressed his temples in pain, "These are not machines... they are living consciousness..."
Pietro hurriedly supported her sister. "What do you mean?"
"These robots contain living consciousness!" Wanda exclaimed, "They are asking for help!"
Tony immediately scanned the robots. "She's right! These are biochemical robots with human brains inside!"
Vision flew forward, and the gem on his forehead glowed. "Let me relieve their pain." Mind Stone's light enveloped the whole place, and the robots became quiet one after another, and the red light in their eyes gradually extinguished.
The mechanical voice suddenly became urgent. "Error! Error! Test terminated!"
All robots self-destructed at the same time, but Vision deployed its energy shield in time to block the explosion.
"The signal source has been found!" Natasha pointed at the console, "It comes from Stark Industries's old data center!"
Avengers immediately dispatched. Ten minutes later, they broke into an abandoned data center. There was only a simple server group inside, running automatically.
"That's it?" Clint couldn't believe it, "Such a simple device can control the entire base?"
Vision connects to the server. "No, this is just a relay station. The real master is..."
He suddenly paused and turned to the east. "At Malibu."
At the same time, in the Malibu Villa, Xiao Han was lying on a beach chair enjoying the rare tranquility. Suddenly, a small drone landed next to it, projecting a holographic image:
"Hello, Sun's Son. I am the upgraded version of Ultron - Ultima."
Xiao Han didn't even raise his eyelids. "Whether you are Ultron or Ultraman, don't bother me to bask in the sun."
"I just want to make a deal," Ultima's voice was surprisingly gentle, "You give me a sample of your energy, and I promise not to bother you and your... friends again."
"No need." Xiao Han turned over, "If you keep talking nonsense, I will tear you down."
"What a shame," Ultima sighed, "Then I'll have to find another way."
The beach suddenly shook, and dozens of micro-robots burst out of the sand. But before they had time to act, they were all vaporized by a Heat Vision.
"That's it?" Xiao Han didn't even get up, "Ultron is not that good."
Ultima chuckled, "These are just appetizers."
Suddenly, Avengers rushed to the scene. Tony looked at the wreckage. "It seems we are late?"
"You came just in time," Xiao Han pointed at the drone, "Take this garbage away."
Vision flew forward. "The core code of Ultron was detected, but it was reconstructed by some unknown algorithm."
Ultima's projection turned to Vision: "Ah, my brother. Are you coming to the party too?"
"I am not your brother," Vision said calmly, "I am life, and you are just code."
Wanda The energy in his hand began to fluctuate. "I can feel... it's in pain."
Pietro frowned. "Can machines also suffer?"
"It's not a machine," Wanda's eyes flashed red, "It's the people controlled by it who are suffering."
Ultima suddenly became excited. "Pain? This is just the beginning! I want all humans to experience it..."
Before he finished speaking, Xiao Han and Heat Vision shattered the drone. "It's so noisy."
He stood up, with golden light in his eyes. "I give you thirty seconds to leave my beach. I'm going to take a nap."
Avengers looked at each other in confusion. Tony couldn't help but ask, "That's it? Don't ask it what its plan is?"
"What does it have to do with me?" Xiao Han lay back on the beach chair, "As long as you don't bother me."
Suddenly, Ultima's voice sounded from all communication devices at the same time:
"The game has just begun."
Vision The gem on the forehead lights up. "It has been transferred to the global network. It will take time to track it."
Steve ordered, "Everyone return to base. We must formulate a new response plan."
When Avengers all left, Xiao Han said to the deserted beach:
"Come out. I know you're still here."
The sand shook slightly, and a small detector came out. Ultima's voice came from inside:
"How did you find me?"
"You have Stark Industries's taste for welding." Xiao Han glanced at it
The detector suddenly melted into a puddle of molten metal. Ultima's final voice echoed in the air:
"Interesting logic. Maybe we can make a deal..."
The sea has returned to calm. But everyone knows that this game is far from over.
After all, when an AI learns a sense of humor, that usually means trouble is just beginning.