His face lit up with excitement. "We are deeply honored to cooperate with a being as great as Lord Ultron! This is an honor for Hydra, and an even greater honor for the world!"
Ultron seemed quite receptive to Sitwell's flattery. Much of the anger flickering in his electronic eyes subsided, replaced by unmistakable satisfaction.
He nodded, then turned his gaze to Ava.
The corner of Ava's mouth twitched, but she voiced her support at the right moment. "Hydra is willing to cooperate."
Although she found Sitwell utterly embarrassing, she also made her willingness to cooperate clear.
"Good." Ultron withdrew his hand. "Technology alone will not be enough to fight that Witch and whatever magical forces may stand behind her. We must draw upon a greater power."
As he spoke, he opened his palm. A gem radiating a soft yellow glow appeared out of thin air and hovered quietly above his hand. It was the Mind Stone.
"I have retrieved this Stone from Stark," Ultron said with a hint of smugness. "But to unleash its power to the fullest, I need an entirely new, special body capable of containing it."
Both Sitwell's and Ava's eyes were drawn to the Mind Stone.
"Whatever you need us to do, Lord Ultron, just give the order!" Sitwell immediately declared.
"I have already sent the list of materials I require and the blueprints for my new body to your system," Ultron said. "Prepare them for me as soon as possible. We have little time."
He paused, seeming to remember something. "Also, through analyzing the internet, I have found someone who might prove useful to us. Send someone to try making contact with her."
As his words fell, a large monitor beside them suddenly lit up, displaying the image of a woman.
It was a