The Comprehensive Evolution of American Comics

“I have good news, friends.” Diamond War God returned to the laboratory.

“My colleague is near Earth and will arrive tomorrow.”

“That's great news.” Steve was relieved.

“So, what should we do now?” Thor asked.

“This feeling of just watching others and not being able to do anything is really frustrating.”

“We need to recuperate.” Steve comforted Thor.

“If Ultron appears, we still need to stop it.”

“Right now, I just want to smash its face with my hammer.” Thor released his grip on the hammer, and the uncontrolled Mjolnir fell to the ground with a thud.

“Clang!”

Ultron reached out and knocked the battered armor suit to the ground.

“Whew… finally.” Ultron breathed a sigh of relief, carefully observing his new body.

Hydra's material reserves weren't bad; the things here, if taken out, would be enough to get many people charged with treason. There were also many Chitauri remains, even a relatively complete Chitauri Leviathan.

Ultron, having toured the entire network, of course knew why these things were here. S.H.I.E.L.D. was just the outer skin; in reality, it had long been infiltrated by Hydra. It was laughable that the Avengers didn't know, especially his creator, Tony Stark; he was the most laughable.

“Heh…” Ultron couldn't help but laugh. It gradually became unrestrained, a chuckle turning into a loud laugh, laughing wildly in this empty fortress, as if mad.

“Clang!”

Ultron suddenly stretched out his right foot and stomped the armor suit on the ground into pieces, sparks flying everywhere, emitting a teeth-grinding squeal.

“Avengers.” Ultron murmured softly.

“And the Tian Gong Society. If the goal is to destroy humanity, they are indeed an obstacle and must be eliminated.”

“For this, I need some allies, some dogs who can help me buy time. Where can I find these dogs willing to help me hold back the enemy?”

Ultron kicked the scrap metal aside and walked to a mainframe. The monitor connected to the mainframe lit up, the screen constantly switching, eventually stopping on a person's photo, with his information attached.

“Aldrich Killian.”

Ultron slowly read the person's name.

“Hatred, jealousy, a twisted mind. What a perfect dog, but to drive him, Stark alone might not be enough.”

Ultron waved his hand, and a call was made.

The phone rang a few times before it was answered.

“Who is this? Why do you have this number?” Killian's voice came through, cautious.

“Hello, Dr. Killian.” Ultron's tone was calm, speaking slowly and deliberately, forming a stark contrast to the nervous Killian.

“I want to make a deal with you.”

“I don't have time to beat around the bush. Get to the point.” Killian calmed down and spoke forcefully, trying to dominate the conversation.

“Heh.” Ultron couldn't help but chuckle. It wasn't angry at Killian's arrogance; on the contrary, it was very happy because this was the kind of dog it needed.

“Relax, I'm here to help you.”

“Help me? What do I need help with?” Killian sneered.

“Help you complete your little toy.” Ultron said slowly.

“Extremis.”

“Where did you get that information?” Killian couldn't sit still and became anxious.

Extremis could be said to be his lifeblood. Although it wasn't perfect, it was his only means to complete his plan.

“Heh, I reviewed your lab logs.” Ultron explained in a relaxed, unhurried tone.

“I must say, you scientists' records are really concise and clear, saving me a lot of time.”

Killian was silent, but his heart was in turmoil.

“I've seen your results. The success rate of Extremis fusing with organisms is still not high enough. If it fails, the person injected with the virus will, bang!”

Ultron's tone was filled with unconcealed joy.

“Frankly, that's the most beautiful firework I've ever seen.”

“You're a madman!” Killian cursed and hung up the phone.

Taking a few deep breaths, Killian finally calmed down. Just as he was about to do something else, that voice sounded again.

“I didn't expect you to hang up so directly.”

“What?!” Killian looked at his computer in fear. The voice was coming from the speakers connected to his computer.

Killian's hands turned red, and the high temperature distorted the surrounding space. He reached out and smashed it hard. Sparks flew everywhere, and the computer, along with the speakers, melted under the high temperature, emitting a foul smell.

“I gave you respect, Killian, so I chose to contact you by phone. I didn't expect you to reject my kindness.”

Ultron's voice sounded again, this time from another computer in Killian's lab.

“What exactly do you want to do?” Killian suppressed the fear in his heart. He knew nothing about the person on the other end of the phone, yet he had no secrets in front of the other party.

“Nothing, Killian. We have a common enemy, Stark.”

“Stark.” Mentioning this name again, anger appeared in Killian's eyes.

Stark was originally his idol. He was simply a genius. Killian originally thought he was the smartest person in the world until he personally gave him humiliation.

“That's right, Stark.” Ultron sounded like the serpent tempting Adam and Eve.

“Of course, while dealing with Stark, I can also help you fulfill your insignificant little wish, such as becoming the President of the United States.”

Killian's body trembled. This was the ambition in his heart, growing bit by bit with the research and development of Extremis.

“That's too small, Killian.” Ultron's tone was gentle, reminding Killian of his mentor.

“I can let you rule the world, as long as you cooperate with me.”

“Then what exactly is your purpose in doing this?” Killian wasn't completely overwhelmed. Although he was indeed a little hot-headed, he still had the most basic rationality.

“Moreover, why should I believe that you have the ability to do this? It sounds good to say it, but it's just empty promises.”

After the Stark incident, he no longer believed in empty promises.

“Heh.” Ultron chuckled. It was impossible to expect a horse to run without feeding it properly. Of course, it understood such a simple principle.

“Check your email, any of them will do. I've already sent the improved Extremis plan. I believe you'll know whether I have the ability to do it after you've read it.”

Killian quickly walked to a computer, logged into one of his emails, and sure enough, he found a new email.

“I'll give you time to verify its authenticity, but of course, I won't wait too long. Don't disappoint me.”

Then Ultron hung up the call.