Marvel: Father of Superheroes

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*****

Staring at his office, thinking about his company, Killian's eyes were filled with reluctance and rage.

AIM—while the Mandarin had funded him and dealt with some competitors—was ultimately something he had built step by step!

And now, because of a mission from the Mandarin and Strucker, he was being forced to abandon it?

Unwillingness, fury, and despair surged through him.

If the mission failed, the Avengers would uncover the connection between the explosion and AIM, and eventually trace it back to him and the Mandarin...

He had thought of that. Naturally, so had the Mandarin and Strucker.

But they didn't care. In fact, when they called him earlier, they casually said just one word: "Abandon."

Abandon!

Such an effortless word.

To them, AIM was just a tool. But to him, it was everything!

What could he do?

Killian clutched his head, frantically trying to think.

But his mind was a chaotic mess—he couldn't figure out a way to salvage the situation.

It was over. Everything was over!

Vice President Modi—a lean man in his early fifties, with ambition burning quietly in his heart.

Looking at the latest news, he was both speechless and furious at their attack on Stark Industries.

Two arrogant, idiotic fools!

Had he known they were so reckless, he would've thought twice about cooperating with them.

Yes, during the rising wave of bombings, he had received a call from an unknown number.

The caller offered him a deal.

They would heal his daughter's legs—and help him become President.

All he had to do was, after taking office, provide them with vast quantities of weapons, declare the Avengers an illegal organization, dismantle the team, and label superheroes as wanted criminals.

He agreed.

As for how they'd put him in the President's seat—

Simple. Eliminate the current President.

Once that was done, and the bombings were resolved, he would use his existing connections as Vice President to smoothly take over.

A simple plan.

Even though it would result in heavy casualties, both he and those backing him believed it was a trade worth making.

But now, their arrogant assault on Stark Industries had failed, leaving behind evidence and creating complications.

While it hadn't affected him directly yet, it did mean the plan would have to be accelerated—and AIM would be finished.

Thinking back to the call from the so-called Mandarin earlier, who informed him of the next phase of the plan, a rare smile appeared on Modi's otherwise expressionless face.

Taking out a new phone, he dialed a number. Before the call even connected, he quickly straightened his clothes. When it did, he spoke respectfully:

"Sir, they contacted me again. There's been a change in the plan."

"A change? Does it have something to do with the explosion at Stark Industries? Tch... so impatient."

A cold voice came through the line. Even though the caller couldn't see his face, Vice President Modi maintained a respectful tone.

"Yes. Because of the incident at Stark, they're pushing the plan forward. What should I do now?"

"Cooperate with them. Let them carry out their arrangements. This is also an opportunity for us."

"Understood, sir."

After hearing the Vice President's reply, Jason Stryker hung up.

He gazed at the darkening sky outside and couldn't help but smile at the events about to unfold.

It was like being sleepy and someone handing him a pillow.

He had been wondering how to get his company's "products" into action, and now this so-called Mandarin had arranged it perfectly.

Still, the idea of using the Vice President's daughter to forge an alliance and use the terrorist attacks to push Modi into the presidency—thus allowing them to control him—was quite strategic.

But... they were still a step too late.

The Vice President was already theirs.

He had already been fully controlled the moment Jason arrived at the New York headquarters from the island.

Rather than relying on alliances or mutual benefit, Jason believed in mind control.

Tap. Tap…

He lightly tapped the table, one hand propping up his forehead as he stared at Killian's profile on the computer, a contemplative glint flashing in his strange-colored eyes.

What would the founder of AIM do now?

After learning from the Vice President about AIM's connection with the Mandarin, he did a simple investigation and found Aldrich Killian's information.

Starting from scratch, building AIM into what it was now—Killian had clearly poured his heart into it.

And now, because of the Mandarin's blunder, AIM was facing exposure and annihilation. What must Killian be feeling right now?

The tapping stopped.

Jason Stryker made a decision.

He would find out how Killian was feeling.

Perhaps... the man might even make a good product.

With that thought in mind, Jason leaned back, casually pulled out his phone, and dialed a number.

A few seconds later, the call connected. A voice full of barely restrained rage snapped through the line, ready to explode.

Hearing that voice, a faint smile flickered across Jason's otherwise blank face.

"Aldrich Killian?"

"Who are you?!"

The unfamiliar voice cleared some of the fog in Killian's furious mind.

It was a number linked to his secondary phone—the one he used strictly for AIM business. As for his personal phone… he had just crushed it in a fit of rage.

So this person was calling about company matters?

But what's the point of talking business at a time like this?!

So he replied coldly, "Whatever it is, we'll talk later. I—"

"The Mandarin."

"What?!"

Killian's eyes narrowed sharply, almost crushing this phone too.

"You're just going to give up on everything you built and let it all be destroyed?"

Killian steadied himself and forced his voice into a neutral tone. "What are you trying to say?"

"Heh. If you still want your company to survive…"

Killian took a deep breath. "Go on."

"I will—but only if you agree to work with me."

"I don't even know who you are."

"Then forget it—"

"I agree!" Killian interrupted urgently.

There was a pause. Then Jason's calm voice came through:

"Hand over some evidence to the Avengers voluntarily."

"What?!"

"Don't be surprised. Listen."

"Portray yourself as a victim. Appear in the Mandarin's next move—as a superhero—opposing him."

"A superhero?"

"Yes. You need to become a superhero."

Killian's eyes flickered. "And then?"

Even if he did that, wouldn't he still be held accountable?

"Leave the rest to us. That's where our partnership begins."

(End of Chapter)