Chapter 4: The Hands of Iron
Years passed on Medusa, years of toil, of innovation, of quiet, relentless progress. Ferrus, both Tony and Primarch, became a legend among the Clan Manus. His skill in crafting weapons and armor was unmatched. His tactical acumen on the battlefield was legendary. His vision for a unified, technologically advanced Medusa inspired hope in a world drowning in despair.
He had managed to suppress the more overt displays of his Primarch abilities, keeping his strength and speed within the realm of believability. He used his intellect to explain his innovations, framing them as the natural evolution of Medusan ingenuity, rather than outright alien technology.
But the secret of his true nature weighed heavily on him. He knew that sooner or later, he would have to confront his destiny. He couldn't hide forever. The Emperor would find him. And when that day came, he would have to make a choice: embrace his role as a Primarch, or forge his own path.
In the meantime, he focused on building a strong foundation for Medusa. He established schools to train engineers and scientists. He developed new mining techniques to extract valuable resources from the metal mountains. He forged alliances with other clans, uniting them under the banner of progress and mutual defense.
He remembered the words of Obadiah Stane, echoing in his mind, but now imbued with a new, grimdark twist. "Tony Stark was able to build this in a cave! With a box of scraps!" and he used that drive to inspire the people of Medusa.
His most significant achievement was the development of the "Iron Hands," a group of elite warriors who embodied his vision of the future. They were skilled in combat, yes, but they were also trained in engineering, in medicine, in the arts of diplomacy. They were warriors and artisans, thinkers and fighters. They were the embodiment of Ferrus's ideal: a fusion of logic and strength, of intellect and will.
The Iron Hands were also heavily augmented with bionics. Ferrus, drawing on his memories of the Iron Man armor, pushed the boundaries of Medusan technology, creating advanced implants that enhanced their strength, speed, and senses.