"The Zola you mentioned—I just tested him using spy-code protocols," Tony said calmly.
"His fundamental nature isn't very different from JARVIS. The only distinction is that Zola's core algorithm is more unconventional."
"If his threat level weren't so high, I'd actually be tempted to have JARVIS capture him for research."
"So as long as he exists within the standard data realm, he can't escape its rules."
Tony continued confidently,
"JARVIS has completely sealed off Zola's data coordinates using a data-necrosis chain. There's no way for him to detach himself."
Lucas listened with a blank expression.
Whether before or after transmigrating, he had never understood programming or computer science.
"Tony, he's a human consciousness upload," Lucas said seriously.
"Are you sure there's absolutely no loophole he could exploit?"
Tony snorted.
"That's exactly why I say you're an outsider. Let me put it in simple terms."
"Zola is like a criminal trapped in a sealed room, and the only exit door is wired with ultra-high voltage."
"Even if he somehow withstands it, he'd be in a constant near-death state—never mind the additional traps."
"As for the destruction program, it's even simpler. It uses a data-collapse principle."
"Think of it like injecting you with a gene-destruction agent that causes your DNA to completely collapse and self-destruct. Do you think you'd survive?"
Lucas frowned.
"What if he forcibly alters his form and merges into physical matter?"
After all, Zola wasn't a standard AI—he was a digitized human consciousness.
Tony immediately scoffed.
"That's exactly why I said you don't get it. The data world and the physical world operate on entirely different rules."
"I could explain it all day and you still wouldn't understand."
"Just trust me—he's not surviving this."
With Tony's assurance, Lucas stopped pressing the issue.
---
"No—don't kill me! I'm willing to submit!"
Dr. Zola began to beg frantically.
"I know countless Hydra secrets, and technologies that were never made public. Spare me, and I'll give them all to you!"
"Personal anti-gravity armor, compact particle cannons, miniaturized energy engines—"
"These are technologies no nation on Earth can currently achieve. If you let me live, they're all yours!"
Lucas didn't respond.
If he were Nick Fury, he might have hesitated—but Lucas had no need to.
As a transmigrator with full knowledge of comics and films, none of this impressed him.
With Tony, Luthor, and Phastos already at his side, Zola's technologies were hardly irreplaceable.
Seeing Lucas remain silent, Zola panicked even more.
"I also know—Red Skull isn't dead! He left contingencies on Earth. If you don't deal with them, he'll return!"
Lucas smiled.
Red Skull was currently stuck on Vormir as a Soul Stone guide—there was no chance of him coming back.
Truthfully, Lucas had once considered forcing Zola into service.
But the man was far too dangerous.
AI entities had always been a red line for him.
Ultron.
The Kree Supreme Intelligence.
Brainiac.
Every one of them was a catastrophic AI gone rogue.
Lucas had no interest in creating future disasters for himself.
Seeing the indifference in Lucas's eyes, Zola truly lost control.
"No—believe me! I'm useful! I know more Hydra plans—Winter Soldier, Project—"
Boom!
Lucas casually flung an energy blast, obliterating the massive computer screen in front of him.
At that moment, Alexander Pierce regained consciousness.
After taking in his surroundings, he immediately understood what had happened.
"Mr. Lucas," Pierce said carefully,
"You and Hydra have no direct conflict of interest. Why must this end this way?"
"If you spare us, we're willing to recognize you as Hydra's Supreme Commander. The entire organization would serve you."
Lucas glanced at him.
Pierce's vision went black as he instantly lost consciousness.
Supreme Commander of Hydra?
Every Hydra member was a born traitor.
They'd swear loyalty with their mouths while scheming behind each other's backs.
"Alright, Lucas—it's done," Tony's voice came through the earpiece.
Only then did Lucas grab Pierce and rise into the air.
Before leaving, he condensed an energy sphere and hurled it downward.
The explosion that followed caused the entire mountain to swell outward like a balloon—then collapse inward completely.
---
Six minutes later, Lucas arrived at an NSA black-site facility with three unconscious prisoners.
He handed over Alexander Pierce, Jasper Sitwell, and Brock Rumlow (Crossbones) to the agents, then took off once more.
Hydra within the country was finished—what remained were insignificant remnants.
There was no need to waste time on them.
Now came the foreign Hydra leaders.
Baron Strucker.
Baron Zemo.
Lucas spoke into his earpiece.
"The intelligence I requested—what's the status?"
CIA Director Malone responded immediately.
"After cross-referencing data across all four departments, we've identified probable locations for Baron Strucker and Baron Zemo."
"They're currently in Sokovia, in Eastern Europe, near Ukraine."
"Our personnel stationed there are actively verifying their precise positions."
"Once confirmed, we'll send you the exact coordinates immediately."
Lucas replied with satisfaction,
"Good. How are things on your end?"
"Our teams are mobilized and finalizing containment and encirclement plans," Malone answered.
"We'll make sure none of them escape."
"Excellent," Lucas said calmly.
"Keep me updated. I'm heading to Sokovia now."
The efficiency of America's four major agencies did not disappoint.
Using state machinery saved him immense time and effort.
Had Lucas tried to track these two alone, it would have taken countless hours.
Moments later, their precise coordinates appeared on the terrain map projected onto his retina.
Lucas immediately pushed his speed to its limit.
Within minutes, he crossed the American border and entered airspace above the Atlantic Ocean.
He was moving so fast that no satellite—governmental or otherwise—could lock onto him.
_____
T/N:
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