Chapter 59: Testing the Waters

"Where are you from?" Tony asked casually as they finished a couple of games.

Ethan rolled a dice in his palm. "A small town called Mighula. Beautiful place."

Tony poured some water. "You got family?"

Ethan looked up, his expression light but sincere. "Yes. Once we escape, I want to see them again."

"Do you?" Ethan asked back.

Tony's smile vanished for a moment. Memories of the car crash that killed his parents surfaced. He forced a smirk. "No."

Ethan repeated softly, "No. You have everything… yet nothing."

Tony looked at him, letting a rare genuine smile surface before putting the dice down. "Alright, time to work."

He dove into a pile of parts and resumed welding. Meanwhile, just outside, a Ten Rings squad leader peeked in through a small hatch in the iron door, ensuring they were still working. Satisfied, he turned and left with his men.

In the surveillance room, another member of the Ten Rings compared a photo of a Jericho missile to Tony's project.

"Doesn't look like the one in the picture."

"Might be a redesign," his companion suggested.

"Tail's in the wrong position," the first one muttered, unconvinced.

Elsewhere, Smith Dole had just blasted out of a cave with a Kikōdan (Energy Blast), collapsing it behind him.

"Boom!" Dust and debris rose into the air.

"Another Ten Rings base. Too bad it's not the right one."

He glanced around the desert. "Good thing Wenwu wasn't here. That might've forced me to go Oozaru (Great Ape) mode."

With a base power level of 1890 under x10 Kaio-Ken, he could hold his own, even against the wielder of the Ten Rings—but hoped luck wasn't that bad.

He shot off toward another area, scanning the desert for power levels, alert for any reading above 6. Anything supernatural had to be checked.

Outside the cave, several Ten Rings members warmed themselves by a fire.

Inside, Zala, their leader for this cell, watched the surveillance of Tony adjusting his mechanical leg. He absentmindedly touched one of his own rings, lost in thought.

Soon, Zala marched into the cave with armed guards. He stood in front of Tony and Ethan.

"Don't be nervous," he said.

The two slowly lowered their hands from their heads.

Zala stepped forward and brushed Tony's shirt aside to examine the miniature arc reactor. Impressed, he muttered, "Once, bows and arrows were the peak of technology."

He moved around the workshop. "Genghis Khan conquered Eurasia with them—his empire five times larger than Alexander's, four times greater than Rome's."

He picked up a schematic from the table. "Today, whoever controls Stark tech will rule the world."

Tony's heart skipped—those were his armor designs.

Ethan subtly signaled Tony to stay calm. Zala clearly didn't understand the schematics and set them down.

"Even if it's not a Jericho missile, I'll find out," Zala said.

He turned sharply to Tony. "I will be the one who rules the world. Why are you failing me?"

Ethan quickly interjected. "We're working. Very hard."

Zala glared at him. "And this is your gratitude for mercy?"

He gestured. Two guards forced Ethan to kneel.

Tony clenched his fists, helpless, eyes darting to the parts table.

Zala grabbed tongs and picked up a glowing hot coal. "Open your mouth."

Tony snapped, "What's going on?!"

Zala ignored him, pressing the coal near Ethan's face.

"He's making the missile!" Ethan shouted.

"Tell the truth!" Zala snarled.

"He's making your Jericho missile," Ethan insisted.

"One more time!"

Ethan could smell his own burning lashes.

"He's making your Jericho missile."

Finally, Tony stepped forward, palms open. "Stop! I need him. He's useful."

Zala narrowed his eyes. Then he dropped the coal and tossed the tongs aside.

"You have until tomorrow to finish the missile."

He turned to leave. "Watch them closely."

(End of Chapter)

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