Police and terrorists were engaged in chaotic firefights. Lucy and Thomas were anxious and at a loss. At this moment, they actually hoped that Ronin really was Soldier: 76 — at least then he could protect them.
Thomas suddenly remembered what the boss had told him that night. He quickly took out his phone and found that number.
"Calling 911 is useless! Can't you see the police are being pushed back?" Lucy said.
"It's not 911. This is the number Mr. Ronin gave me that night. This person should be able to help."
Thomas dialed the unfamiliar number with hope.
"Jarvis, bring me the energy focusing barrel."
"Yes, sir."
Looking at the blue, white, and black pulse rifle floating in mid-air, Tony Stark revealed a satisfied smile. He increasingly felt he was a genius. No matter how complex the firearm, he could build it given a few days.
He attached the focusing barrel to the rifle. Done!
Stark picked up the pulse rifle and fired two shots at the wall. Light blue bullets shot out and embedded themselves into the wall.
"Perfect!"
The energy bullets fired by the pulse rifle in the movie were actually formed by compressing some mysterious energy body, so it didn't need a magazine. The gun's internal structure was very complex, but that couldn't stop him.
Since he didn't have that mysterious energy body, he used another type of blue energy as a substitute. The only similarity between the two was their similar color. The power was far inferior to the bullets in the movie and roughly equivalent to 7.62mm automatic rifle rounds.
Achieving this level in just a few days was already quite good — at least in his opinion.
The materials used were all top-grade. A full smart combat suit plus a rifle cost millions just in raw materials, not to mention it was personally made by the world's top mechanical genius.
Any equipment personally made by Tony Stark was priceless and couldn't be measured by money alone.
The only flaw was the bullets. If he could find that special energy body and refine the gun's internal structure, he might be able to replicate the pulse rifle from the movie.
But it was impossible to find such an energy body on Earth — otherwise, it would have already been used for military purposes.
Stark let out a breath and stuffed the heavy pulse rifle into the case containing the Soldier: 76 combat suit.
Oh! He also needed the gas mask and tactical visor.
Seeing the visor inside the case, Stark shook his head. This was the weakest part of the entire set. Although it looked identical to the one in the movie, it couldn't lock onto enemies. Its only real functions were blocking dust and UV rays.
It was basically just a normal pair of glasses with no tactical value.
"This is the best I can do for now."
Stark stretched lazily. He had completed the task Ronin assigned him. Now he just needed to wait peacefully for Ronin to deliver the Iron Man script.
"Sir, there is an incoming call from an unknown number in Manhattan."
Stark frowned. How did a stranger get his private number?
A call from Manhattan… After hesitating for two seconds, he answered.
"Hello, Mr. Ronin has finished the first draft of the script. He is currently at Star Brilliance Plaza. He wants you to get here as fast as possible. If you don't arrive within three minutes, the previous deal is canceled."
Thomas didn't know who the other party was, but from his boss's behavior last time, this person should be capable of handling any crisis.
Stark recognized the voice. It sounded familiar and connected to Ronin… He immediately thought of that black man — Ronin's personal driver.
"Three minutes?"
Stark glanced at the Mark IV armor. "I think I only need one minute. Consider the extra two minutes as a favor Ronin owes me."
After hanging up, Stark immediately put on the Mark IV armor, grabbed the Soldier: 76 equipment case, and flew out.
"Who were you calling just now?" Lucy asked.
Thomas scratched his head. "The voice sounded a bit familiar, but I can't remember who it was. He said he could get here in one minute. I feel like that's not very reliable."
"Pray that he's not as unreliable as Mr. Ronin. This is no time for jokes from heaven." Lucy closed her eyes and prayed.
"I think so too."
Thomas clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and became one with the night.
While flying high in the sky, Stark saw flashes of fire and heard continuous gunshots from below.
"Jarvis, where is this?"
"Your destination, Star Brilliance Plaza, sir."
"What?!"
Stark dove down rapidly and called Thomas back. "Thomas, can you tell me what's happening at Star Brilliance Plaza?"
"You know my name?" Thomas was surprised.
"If you have amnesia, I suggest you see a doctor. Even Iron Man slipped your mind?"
After landing, Stark made a sarcastic remark and immediately joined the police in fighting the terrorists. Standing on the police's side was never wrong.
The appearance of Iron Man greatly boosted the low morale of the police, who launched a fierce counterattack, while the civilians screamed in excitement.
With Iron Man here, all crises would be resolved!
"You're Tony Stark!" Thomas finally remembered. "Alright, the place has been attacked by criminals…"
Iron Man suddenly appeared in front of him, interrupting his train of thought.
Stark retracted his faceplate and handed over the equipment case. "Your gear!"
Then he looked at Lucy and smiled. "Miss Brent, we meet again."
"Mr. Stark, please go inside and rescue Mr. Ronin!" Lucy said urgently.
"Where is he?" Stark asked.
"Bowen Hall."
Lucy pointed to the brightly lit hall deep within the plaza. No one knew what was happening inside, as all the external display screens had been destroyed.
Stark closed his faceplate and charged forward, but he was quickly entangled by a group of reckless terrorists throwing iron chains and hooks at him.
Thomas hugged the equipment case, overjoyed. He hadn't expected Mr. Stark to be so efficient.
"What is this?"
Lucy frowned, completely confused by the big iron box.
Thomas reached out and touched the case. It felt cool and smooth. As if sensing the call of the suit, his eyes suddenly burst with countless rays of excitement.
"Miss Brent, I believe this is what Mr. Ronin intended — for me to resolve this situation. There is a force driving me forward. I can feel the suit calling to me. I must answer it! I… am the incarnation of Soldier: 76!" Thomas declared passionately, clenching his fist with determination.
With that, he opened the equipment case.
Huh? How does this case open?
Thomas held the case, tilting his head left and right, looking all over but couldn't find any button or latch. What was this? A completely sealed iron box?
He instantly deflated like an eggplant hit by frost.
"Pfft!"
Lucy, who had been in a terrible mood, couldn't help but laugh. Thomas was a total clown — one second pretending to be a heroic savior, the next second looking like a dumbfounded idiot.
He was probably just an idiot!
"Hey, Mr. Stark, how do you open this iron box?"
"How to open the box? Fine… my bad for not explaining clearly. Listen: place both thumbs on the bottom sides of the case, slide them up to the top simultaneously, then slide them inward together until your thumbs touch. That's it."
"Damn these chains!"
Stark yanked hard, flinging several terrorists operating the chain launchers into the sky!
Thomas followed the instructions. The moment his thumbs touched, a blue light illuminated his face. Blue vein-like patterns appeared on the case, and with a "click," it opened!