"Ultron?"
Chewing on the somewhat awkward name, Pepper Potts listened to Tony Stark's slightly proud explanation.
"Lothar's history can be traced back to ancient Egyptian civilization thousands of years ago. Even if the way other planets in the universe calculate time is different from Earth's, one thing is for certain."
"The guy's cellular activity must be incredibly strong."
Tony Stark gulped down several mouthfuls of water to wash down the piece of hamburger stuck in his throat. The holographic image of Ultron performed several simulated combat scenarios under the control of his five fingers.
"What do you mean?"
Pepper Potts looked completely baffled.
In the simulated scenarios, Ultron not only failed to defeat Lothar but was actually controlled by him. What was the point of building it then? To make things more difficult for himself? To create an enemy for himself?
Pepper felt that her boss must have gone a little crazy during the past month and a half.
"None of us are a match for Lothar, Pepper. As much as I hate to admit it, that's a brutal reality."
"Whether it's Thor or the Hulk."
"Right, speaking of the Hulk, what's his status?" Having been secluded for a month and a half, Tony Stark had been completely out of the loop, focused only on his research into Lothar.
"Can he still transform, or is he...?"
"No, no, Tony. His situation is not good. Dr. Banner can't turn into the Hulk anymore," Pepper said, shaking her head, her ponytail swaying with the motion.
Tony Stark paused, then nodded in understanding. "That sounds good, at least we don't have to worry about the Hulk coming out and messing up New York again."
"Mm-hm," Pepper Potts shrugged, noncommittally.
"Okay, where were we?" Tony Stark rubbed the messy stubble on his cheek, forcefully steering the conversation back on track.
"Cells," Pepper Potts said with a smile, looking at the man in front of her.
"Right, cells. Thanks for remembering." Tony used one hand to break down the holographic projection of Ultron into its component modules.
"You're welcome, it's what I'm here for," Pepper replied, smiling.
"In a head-on fight, none of us can take on Lothar. That's why I thought I might be able to find a way to attack him at the cellular level." To break through Lothar's defenses from the inside and defeat him once and for all.
"Can Ultron weaken Lothar's cellular activity? Or make his cells die rapidly?"
"In my design, all of the above. But the prerequisite is that Ultron can get close to Lothar," Tony Stark said, having decided this was his breakthrough point. He explained the blueprint to Pepper. "There's a highly advanced artificial life-form near Lothar, one far superior to J.A.R.V.I.S. I don't know its exact capabilities, but I'm certain it could easily take control of any Ultron I create."
"He's arrogant, Pepper. From his past actions, he'll never take me seriously. And that's our opportunity."
"I just need to rig Ultron so that when he tries to take control of it..."
....
On the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, the Avengers were assembled in a conference room, listening to a sharp-suited Tony Stark outline his "Ultron, Anti-Lothar Plan."
"Is there really a possibility for this to succeed?"
"I'm sorry, no offense, but I don't think we can actually affect Lothar's cells."
Steve Rogers, who had been working out in the gym every day since the battle of New York, raised his doubts. He himself was a beneficiary of cellular technology, but it was precisely for this reason that he didn't hold much hope for Tony Stark's plan. Lothar and humans like him were entirely different species.
"On that point, I suggest you ask Dr. Banner how the Hulk was born."
Tony Stark shrugged, pointing a hand toward a deep-in-thought Bruce Banner.
"What do you mean?"
"Gamma radiation. The Hulk was born because gamma rays affected my cells. Stark, are you suggesting we install a similar device on Ultron..."
A string of technical terms came from Bruce Banner's mouth, leaving everyone else in the room, except for Tony Stark, completely lost.
"Do you have any good ideas?" Tony Stark asked, surprised as he glanced at Banner. He knew Banner was a genius, but he didn't expect him to be able to follow his line of thought so precisely.
"I have an idea, but we'll need a lot of experimental data to perfect Ultron," Bruce Banner said, a flicker of intellectual fire in his eyes.
The two men then, as if on cue, looked at the bald director sitting at the head of the conference table.
"No problem. The two of you have my full support. S.H.I.E.L.D. will assist you in every way," Nick Fury said calmly, though he was just as baffled as everyone else. He had already witnessed Lothar's power. It was unfortunate, but even if the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. was thrown at him, it wouldn't be enough to fight him with a single finger.
Nick Fury had one key trait: he was good at using people. Since Tony Stark and Bruce Banner believed the plan was feasible, as the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., he wouldn't be arrogant enough to dismiss it.
"In that case, we're all good. Agent Romanoff, I'd appreciate it if you could find the items on this list. I assume you have them in storage at S.H.I.E.L.D."
Knowing Nick Fury would give them his full support, Tony Stark pulled a paper covered with a densely packed list of words from his pocket and handed it to the silent Natasha.
"One last question. How are you going to trick that highly intelligent AI that's with Lothar?"
"You just said it yourself, J.A.R.V.I.S. is no match for it." Clint Barton, Hawkeye, pointed out another flaw in the plan.
"Good question."
With his presentation complete, Tony Stark plopped into a chair, chewing on a handful of blueberries. He raised a hand and pointed at Bruce Banner. "That's exactly what we'll be researching next."
"It would be my pleasure." Bruce Banner, who had been sleeping well and eating heartily without the constant worry of the Hulk, smiled and raised his hand in response, echoing Tony Stark's enthusiasm.
"By the way, where are our two alien friends?"
With the tasks assigned, Tony Stark finally asked about Thor and Carol Danvers, who were not in the room.
"Carol went to Vormir. You provided a detailed map. Thor went with her," Nick Fury said calmly, his gaze fixed on the blue sky and white clouds outside the conference room window.
"How long ago?"
"Half a month ago." Nick Fury was perfectly at ease, showing no signs of concern.
Who was Carol Danvers? She treated Kree warships like toys. She might not be a match for Lothar, but if she ran into him, escaping shouldn't be a problem.
That's what Nick Fury thought.
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