Fight

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*Basement.*

Tony said directly, "Okay, I've got things to do, so I won't waste time talking."

He looked at the face on the screen and asked, "Just one question. Are you willing to come with me voluntarily?"

"Ha! Go with you?" Zola laughed at the question, as if it were the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard.

But as he laughed, Tony extended an interface from his suit and plugged it directly into Zola's computer.

"Jarvis, it's up to you!"

"Understood, sir. Don't worry. And I've got Gear helping out—it'll be quick."

Jarvis knew Tony was eager to return to SHIELD and jump into the conflict, so he reassured him that the process wouldn't take long.

Jarvis immediately connected Zola's system to the mainframes at Stark Industries and Kai's manor, bringing in Gear for backup. This would also make it easier to transfer Zola later.

Zola instantly realized something was wrong. The hum of the mainframe surged as he fought back.

"What are you doing?" he shouted, alarmed by the external connection. But it was too late—Jarvis had already bypassed his defenses and found Zola's core hiding place.

Now in real danger, Zola asked, "What do you want?"

"I told you—I want you to come with me and lend a hand," Tony said, smirking. He knew Zola had no chance of escaping Jarvis and Gear's combined assault.

"I surrender! I surrender!" Zola panicked as the intruders closed in on his core.

But the forced transfer would damage Zola's system, so he tried negotiating a slower, safer migration.

Tony ignored him. He needed to leave. And giving Zola any freedom could be dangerous.

"Jarvis, Gear—move everything to the manor," he ordered.

Why not Stark Industries? Because Tony was about to head into battle and couldn't watch over Zola himself. He trusted Gear more than leaving it all to Jarvis.

After securing Zola, Tony and Ethan rushed back to SHIELD headquarters, hoping they weren't too late.

---

*SHIELD Headquarters*

A loud *bang* signaled Tony's arrival.

He landed swiftly and looked at Steve. "So, did you memorize all that? Or are you just that good at improvising?"

He had heard Steve's speech through SHIELD's broadcast on the way back and couldn't resist teasing.

In the top-floor office, Pierce was surrounded by SHIELD agents. One of them muttered, "You bastard…"

Before he could finish, armed special forces stormed in. They said nothing, but their silent presence was enough. Everyone realized Pierce was done talking—he was using force.

Most of them were quickly disarmed.

Elsewhere, in the aerospace carrier launch center, more special forces arrived. They ignored the agents stirred by Steve's speech and made a beeline for the launch controller.

"Advance the launch process. Get the carrier airborne now," one ordered.

The controller hesitated, glancing at the soldiers.

"Do you have a problem?" the captain asked.

"I…" the controller faltered.

"What's your answer?" the captain pressed.

The controller shook his head—then found his courage. "I won't do it. Captain Rogers gave the order."

The special forces captain pulled a pistol and pointed it at the man's head. "Step away from the console."

He intended to launch it himself.

But just then, several loyal SHIELD agents raised their own weapons and aimed at the special forces. A tense standoff erupted—no one moved.

Outside SHIELD, Kai and the others advanced toward the building.

A cannonball flew toward them.

Kai raised his hand and stopped it mid-air, holding it suspended without detonation.

Everyone's attention snapped to a nearby rooftop, where a masked figure with long hair and a metal left arm stood.

Steve recognized him immediately—the Winter Soldier, the one who'd ambushed Fury.

"I'll handle this," Steve told Kai and the others.

Without waiting for a reply, he charged toward the Winter Soldier, who discarded his weapon and advanced with bare fists.

The two met in combat.

Meanwhile, more special forces arrived to guard SHIELD's entrance.

"I've got this," Thor said. "Sweeping up trash is what I do best."

He stepped forward to clear the path as Kai led the others into SHIELD and headed straight for the launch center.

Inside, chaos reigned. Two groups were mid-battle.

The special forces captain had used a trick to break a brief ceasefire, gunned down most of the loyal agents, and hit the launch button in the chaos.

The aerospace carrier began its countdown to liftoff.

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