Chapter 4: Shadows of the Serpent

The unfinished AI, a mess of wires and circuit boards precariously balanced on his workbench, hummed faintly. "MARK I AI online," a robotic, monotone voice announced. "Functionality… limited."

"Limited is better than nothing," Tony muttered, adjusting a connection. He'd spent the past few hours wrestling with the code, pushing his 18-year-old brain (even enhanced) to its limits. The result was… well, it was a start.

He uploaded the facility blueprints and the power generator schematics to the MARK I. "Analyze. Identify potential weak points, security camera blind spots, optimal infiltration routes."

The AI whirred, processing the data. "Analysis… in progress. Estimated time to completion… 47 minutes."

"47 minutes?" Tony groaned. He didn't have 47 minutes. The sabotage was supposed to happen tonight. He'd have to improvise. Again.

He turned his attention to the "Strange Metallic Alloy." He'd managed to incorporate a small piece of it into a modified taser, boosting its output significantly. It still delivered a non-lethal shock, but one that could incapacitate someone for a good while. He also fashioned a crude EMP device, a small, handheld gadget that could generate a short-range electromagnetic pulse – enough to fry nearby electronics, hopefully. Finally, he rigged up a rudimentary earpiece connected to the MARK I, allowing for basic communication.

"Okay, MARK I," Tony said, testing the connection. "Can you hear me?"

"Affirmative," the robotic voice replied in his ear. "Audio… functional. Clarity… suboptimal."

"Suboptimal is good enough," Tony sighed. He glanced at the clock. Time to move.

Getting into the Stark Industries facility on Long Island was surprisingly easy. He used his Stark name and a healthy dose of charm to bypass the initial security checkpoint, claiming he was there for a "late-night inspection." His burgeoning hacking skills (a phantom skill that he instinctively know, thanks to the System) allowed him to disable a few strategically placed cameras, creating blind spots that the MARK I had identified, even with its incomplete analysis.

The facility was a labyrinth of corridors, labs, and workshops. The air hummed with the low thrum of machinery. Tony moved cautiously, sticking to the shadows, relying on the MARK I's guidance.

"Security patrol… approaching… Sector 4," the AI droned in his ear. "Recommended course… detour through… ventilation shaft."

Tony grimaced. Ventilation shafts. Classic. He found the access panel, pried it open, and squeezed inside. The air was dusty and stale, the space cramped. He crawled through the narrow duct, the MARK I's directions echoing in his ear.

He finally emerged into a deserted corridor, close to the prototype power generator. He deactivated his communicator for a moment, listening intently. Silence. He crept forward, his modified taser held ready.

He found it in a large, cavernous chamber: the prototype power generator, a massive, humming machine that looked like a scaled-down version of his future arc reactor. He scanned the room, searching for any sign of the saboteurs.

Then he saw it. A small, almost imperceptible device attached to one of the generator's main control panels. It was sleek, black, and pulsed with a faint, red light. A bomb.

"MARK I, analyze that device," Tony whispered.

"Analysis… in progress… Device identified… High-explosive charge… Remote detonation… Timer… active."

"How much time?"

"Approximately… five minutes."

Tony cursed under his breath. He approached the device cautiously, examining it closely. He needed to disarm it, and fast. But he also needed to find out who planted it.

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the chamber. "Impressive, Stark. You're more resourceful than I anticipated."

Tony spun around, his taser raised. Standing near the entrance to the chamber was a figure clad in dark, form-fitting clothing. He was tall, lean, with short, cropped hair and piercing blue eyes. He held a small, metallic device in his hand – a remote detonator, no doubt.

The figure wore a smirk on his face, and it made Tony want to punch it. "I'm Dr. Aaron, and I'm afraid your little field trip ends here."

"Dr. Aaron?," Tony asked, stalling for time as he tried to come up with a plan. "Enlighten me, doc. What's a man like you doing messing with my family's tech?"

"Let's just say I have… disagreements with Stark Industries' policies," Aaron replied, his voice cold and calculating. "And this little demonstration will send a clear message."

"A message that involves blowing up a multi-million dollar prototype and potentially killing innocent people?" Tony retorted. "That's some message."

Aaron shrugged. "Collateral damage is sometimes… unavoidable." He raised the detonator. "Goodbye, Stark."

Tony acted quickly. He fired the modified taser, sending a bolt of blue energy arcing towards Aaron. The scientist sidestepped the blast with surprising agility, but the EMP device he'd created from scrap and desperation, now that was his true target.

Tossing the EMP device at the floor at Aaron's feet, Tony braced himself. A blue flash, and a cracking sound. Aaron drop the detonator.

"What the..." Aaron look surprised.

The moment, Aaron loss his focus, Tony tackled Aaron. It was not a pretty sight. It a brawl of inexperienced teen and a mid level scientist.

[System Comment: Host's combat skills are… developing. Recommend further training.]

Tony grunted. Thanks for the encouragement, System.

He managed to wrestle the detonator away from Aaron, but the scientist was stronger than he looked. He threw Tony off, sending him sprawling across the floor.

Aaron scrambled to retrieve a device, a small, cylindrical object that he had dropped. Tony, acting on instinct, kicked it away. It skidded across the floor, stopping near the disabled explosive device.

Aaron lunged for it, but Tony was faster. He snatched it up, examining it closely. It was a data storage device, filled with information, no doubt stolen from the prototype.

"Give that back, Stark!" Aaron snarled, his eyes blazing with anger.

"I don't think so," Tony replied, backing away. He needed to get out of here, with the data and the disabled bomb.

Aaron, realizing he'd lost, pressed a button on his wrist. A section of the wall behind him slid open, revealing a hidden passage.

"This isn't over, Stark," Aaron hissed. "The Serpent Society will not forget this." He disappeared into the passage, the wall closing behind him.

Tony quickly disarmed the explosive device, his hands shaking slightly. He'd done it. He'd stopped the sabotage, retrieved the stolen data, and… survived.

[Quest: Corporate Sabotage – Completed]

[Reward: 100 SP, +2 INT, Skill: Basic Hacking]

[Basic Hacking skill acquired.]

The system pop up, while Tony felt relief wash over him, quickly followed by a wave of exhaustion. He leaned against the power generator, catching his breath.

He examined the data storage device he'd recovered. His newly acquired "Basic Hacking" skill, combined with the MARK I's analytical capabilities, allowed him to access the encrypted files.

What he found was disturbing. The data contained detailed schematics of the prototype power generator, along with notes and annotations in a language he didn't recognize. But one word kept appearing, repeated over and over again: "Hydra." The system also help him to translate other file, its from serpent society, they want stark tech, because stark industries weapon division is selling their product to hydra. Tony shocked, this is not he was expecting.

He realized the full extent of the situation. This wasn't just corporate espionage; it was something far more sinister. The Serpent Society was working with HYDRA, and they were after Stark Industries' energy technology for their own nefarious purposes.

He knew he couldn't tell Howard, he still didn't know, if his step Dad is hydra member or not.

He also realizes that this is just the beginning.

He returned home just before dawn, sneaking back into his room unnoticed. He was exhausted, both physically and mentally, but also strangely exhilarated.

He found Howard waiting for him in the living room, his expression a mixture of anger and… relief?

"Where have you been?" Howard demanded, his voice tight with barely controlled fury. "Do you have any idea how worried we were?"

"I… I had to take care of something," Tony said, avoiding his gaze.

"Take care of something?" Howard exploded. "You disappear in the middle of the night, without a word, and that's all you have to say?"

Before Tony could respond, Maria intervened. "Howard, please," she said softly. "He's back, and he's safe. That's what matters." She turned to Tony, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you alright, Anthony?"

"I'm fine, Mom," Tony said, managing a weak smile. "Just… a long night."

Howard, seeing the genuine exhaustion on Tony's face, softened slightly. "We received a call from security at the Long Island facility," he said, his voice calmer now. "They said there was an incident… a attempted sabotage. And that someone matching your description was seen… intervening."

Tony hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I… I might have been there," he admitted. "I saw something suspicious, and I… I tried to stop it."

Howard stared at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "You put yourself in danger," he said finally. "You could have been killed."

"But I wasn't," Tony said quietly. "And I stopped them. I saved the prototype."

A flicker of something that might have been pride crossed Howard's face, quickly replaced by his usual sternness. "You were reckless, Anthony. Unpredictable. You can't just run off and play hero whenever you feel like it."

"But I—"

"But nothing," Howard interrupted. "We'll discuss this further in the morning. Go to bed."

Tony, too tired to argue, simply nodded and headed towards his room. As he walked away, he heard Maria say softly to Howard, "He did the right thing, Howard. He saved lives."

Tony paused, a small smile playing on his lips. He'd earned a small victory, a brief moment of understanding. But he knew the road ahead would be long and dangerous. The shadows of the Serpent were lurking, and he was just beginning to understand the true depth of the darkness he faced. Now he has 100 SP point, he felt he need to prepare more.