Baron Strucker leaned forward, his expression carrying that perpetual blend of arrogance and amusement. His sharp eyes reflected the faint glow of the underground chamber's lamps as he studied the creature before him—the infamous Siren, also called the Kraken within HYDRA's circles.
The Siren's scaled features shifted slightly, curiosity sparking in his gaze.
"So… you know where Xu Luo is hiding?"
Strucker's lips curled into a thin smile.
"You should already know—both Zola and Madam HYDRA are desperately searching for that boy. Each of them wants the secret locked inside him."
The Siren let out a low chuckle, the sound like rolling thunder under water.
"Of course I know. Everyone in HYDRA whispers about Xu Luo. They believe he holds some ancient mystery that could tilt the balance of power." His brow furrowed. "But tell me, have they actually found him?"
Strucker adjusted his monocle and replied smoothly,
"Zola, perhaps not. But Madam HYDRA? She has found something. My informants tell me she has already tracked Xu Luo's position."
The Siren's eyes narrowed.
"And so what if she has? With her personality, she'd never share that discovery with us. She'll cling to the glory for herself."
Strucker chuckled darkly.
"You're absolutely right. She's as greedy as she is cautious. That's why I've placed eyes and ears all around her—loyal operatives hidden within her ranks. She thinks her secrets are safe, but I built most of HYDRA's forces. With the exception of Zola's robot army, nearly every other branch has my men buried within it."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice as though confiding in a friend.
"My informants say Madam HYDRA has indeed found Xu Luo. She's cloaked his identity carefully, but soon, very soon, I'll know exactly who he is."
The Siren smirked, flashing sharp teeth.
"Impressive, Strucker. Good thing I've always kept to myself—no cronies, no underlings—otherwise I'd already be under your surveillance."
Strucker inclined his head politely, feigning humility.
"That is why I'm turning to you. Madam HYDRA won't share. Zola won't share. But I… I am the only one offering honest cooperation."
His voice grew intense, filled with conviction.
"Together, Kraken, we can bring Xu Luo down. And believe me—the secrets inside him will profit us both beyond imagination."
The Siren considered this, recalling the whispers of Xu Luo's power.
"I heard the boy destroyed your elite strike team single-handedly," he said with a mocking tilt of his head.
Strucker's face stiffened, embarrassment flickering across his features. But he recovered quickly.
"It's true. He is dangerous. But compared to you? He's nothing. Your sonic waves could topple even the Hulk, if only for a moment. Against Xu Luo, you'll crush him without effort."
The Siren gave a low laugh.
"Don't flatter me, Baron. That boy isn't ordinary if he could annihilate your team. Still…" His gaze hardened. "…I will join you. I, too, believe the mystery surrounding him is worth the risk."
Confidence radiated from the aquatic warlord as he added,
"Leave it to me. If I face him, I'll bring him down."
Strucker's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
"Excellent. Then we move now. We set our course for New York. By the time we arrive, my spies will have Xu Luo's identity in hand."
The Siren nodded once. Without further discussion, the two warlords of HYDRA made their preparations.
Moments later, a sleek fighter craft roared out of the hidden HYDRA base, carving through the clouds like a blade. Its engines left a streak of white vapor across the blue sky as it sped toward New York City.
Meanwhile…
Deep inside a heavily fortified U.S. military installation, tension was high. In the heart of its secret laboratory, armored blast doors hissed open.
From within, General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross emerged, his broad chest bare, muscles glistening with sweat. Though a decorated officer, Ross had never allowed age or rank to dull his body. His relentless training had kept him powerful, disciplined, and ready.
As he stepped out, researchers and soldiers alike hurried to greet him.
One soldier rushed forward with his uniform. "General, your coat—"
Ross waved him off.
"Not now."
Instead, the lead scientist approached, his eyes darting nervously. His voice trembled.
"General Ross… did the experiment succeed?"
Ross gave the faintest nod.
"It should have."
And then—his body began to change.
His skin flushed crimson. His veins swelled, glowing faintly as though molten fire ran beneath them. His muscles ballooned, expanding in terrifying bursts. In the span of seconds, the man was gone—replaced by a towering, monstrous figure.
A Red Giant.
The laboratory froze in collective shock.
One soldier's jaw dropped, whispering hoarsely,
"My God… the General… he's become a monster!"
The chief researcher, however, could barely contain his excitement. His hands shook as he scribbled notes.
"Amazing! Divine providence! The experiment is a complete success!"
Ross himself looked down at his transformed body, marveling at the raw power surging through him. His voice rumbled like thunder.
"So this… this is the power of the Hulk and the Abomination?"
He flexed, his massive fists glowing faintly with heat.
"Incredible. Addictive."
Without warning, he moved.
BOOM!
In a single bound, the Red Hulk slammed his fist into an armored tank stationed nearby. The impact crumpled steel like tin foil, flattening the vehicle into a warped disk. Sparks showered the floor.
Gasps filled the lab.
This was no longer the disciplined General Ross. This was something beyond human.
Ross stared at the wreckage and laughed—deep, guttural, hungry. His massive hand tightened into a fist, glowing with veins of fire.
His voice dropped into a growl, words laced with fury:
"Richard… I don't know where you are. But hear me. You've stolen from me time and again. My soldiers. My pride. My weapons. But no more."
His burning eyes flared, literally igniting with flames of anger.
"I will take back everything. And when I find you, I will break you. I will make you suffer!"
The temperature in the chamber soared. Heat radiated from his body, shimmering in waves. The crimson glow of his blood vessels brightened until they seemed to blaze like rivers of lava beneath his skin.
Flames licked the air as the Red Giant clenched his fists and roared, a sound that shook the foundations of the base.
The Red Hulk had been born.
And history itself had shifted ahead of schedule.
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