Chapter 648 Signs

"Sorry, James, if I could have caught the problem sooner after we hung up."

Washington, Military Hospital.

Tony looked at his friend lying on the hospital bed with a somewhat remorseful expression on his face.

If he had paid more attention to James' mission before, maybe the whole thing wouldn't have happened.

"It's not your fault, Tony."

Looking at Tony's remorseful look, James shook his head on the hospital bed.

More than half of his bones were shattered, so it was a miracle that he survived.

"I am a soldier. Every time I put on a war machine and go out to perform a mission, I am ready to sacrifice."

"At least the worst didn't happen. I'm still alive, although the situation is not good."

On the hospital bed, James shook his head and downplayed the bad condition of his body in a pretentious tone.

"I'll get you back on your feet, James, I promise."

In response, Tony twitched the corners of his mouth to show an extremely forced smile and said decisively.

Looking at Tony, who had a serious look on his face in front of the hospital bed, James raised his arm with difficulty. Tony, who saw his movements on the side, hurriedly reached out to hold his palm.

"Maybe we're all wrong, Tony."

"I originally thought the decision on the registration bill was too hasty, but the mission in California made me understand that many battles are doomed, and the power of weird people has become an issue that cannot be ignored, even without my help this time. Mission, the battle between humans and weirdos will eventually happen, not just weirdos, but also the problem of superheroes. Not everyone will be lucky enough to survive like me. Maybe it’s time to make a decision Come on, Tony..."

"..."

Feeling the power coming from James' palm, Tony's expression was a little silent.

…

"Huh~"

Coming out of James' ward, Tony breathed a sigh of relief.

He put on the sunglasses in his hand to cover his confused eyes.

Before the hospital bed, his friend James's conversation deeply touched Tony's heart.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Tony Stark."

In the silence, a gentle voice spoke slowly from behind Tony.

Turning around, he saw Charles controlling the wheelchair.

"This is not what we, the fraternity of weirdos, want."

After meeting Tony's eyes under his sunglasses, Charles said apologetically.

"I don't think this is the place for you, Charles, or the Professor."

Looking at the unpropelled wheelchair under Charles, Tony's brows frowned tightly under his sunglasses. He noticed that with Tony's appearance, the entire hospital seemed to have lost its voice in an instant.

"I'm here to seek peace, Mr. Tony Stark."

Faced with Tony's vaguely hostile attitude, Charles in the wheelchair still maintained his rational and gentle appearance.

"Everything that happened in California made me understand that humans are afraid and incomprehensible towards weird people, even if we are from humans. However, this incomprehension has led to war and hostility, especially under the policies of the federal government. My hostility towards eccentric people has become more and more obvious."

"If this hostility is allowed to grow, it will eventually become a disaster, and you and I both know that there will be no winner in this war, whether it is monstrous people or humans."

"So, what is your purpose? Don't tell me that you just came to me to complain."

The arc reactor on the clothes on his chest made a faint, undetectable hum. Tony looked at Charles in the wheelchair, but the expression on his face did not relax at all.

"I want a promise, Mr. Tony Stark, a place for weirdos."

"In exchange, I can support the signing of the Superhero Registration Act on behalf of some weirdos who long for peace."

"You should speak to the federal government, not me."

Hearing Charles express his attitude towards the registration bill, Tony's eyes changed under his sunglasses, but he still spoke.

"I don't have any trust in the federal government, which doesn't take kindly to weirdos."

The events in California had a huge impact among eccentrics.

It is precisely because of this that fierce voices began to appear within the Weird People.

"How can you be sure that I support the registration bill?"

His eyes stayed on Charles' face in the wheelchair for a long time before Tony asked.

"I can see the confusion in your heart at this moment, Mr. Tony Stark, but I can also see your final decision from this confusion."

Faced with Tony's question, Charles raised his head and looked at him.

In the wheelchair, Charles's eyes seemed to be able to see into Tony's heart through his eyes under his sunglasses.

…

"How's it going, I mean... James."

Avengers Tower, because of the issue of the Brotherhood of Weird Men, the members of the Avengers rarely gathered together.

"It sucks, but at least he's alive."

Hearing Natasha's question, Tony shook his head and tried to pull the corners of his mouth to make his expression look more relaxed before replying.

"Can you tell me about that guy?"

"Eric, the specific name is unknown, and the same is true for the identity information."

After hearing Tony's words, Natasha's fingers moved quickly on the keyboard, and soon some intelligence information about Eric appeared in front of the Avengers.

"However, it is certain that the other party is a member of the Weird Man. He first appeared in a small town in Mexico. His ability seems to be related to metal. He can control metal to launch attacks. He was killed by the Weird Man Brothers. Those who know it call him Magneto.”

When she mentioned the name Magneto, Natasha glanced at Tony subconsciously. Eric's ability was obviously very restrained for Tony.

The latter had a look of silence on his face.

"All this is because of the actions of the military. They attempted to kill the weirdos of the Brotherhood of Weirds. I know that General Ross was involved in this."

Frowning tightly, Captain America Steve spoke.

Judging from the intelligence currently available to the Avengers, the entire incident originated from the American military's actions against the Brotherhood of Weird Men.

"People have been injured or even killed by this, Captain."

Steve's vague display of responsibility for the military unexpectedly touched Tony's heart, especially after he had just returned from the hospital to visit his seriously injured friend.

"The same goes for weirdoes."

"Sometimes, I really hate the kindness you show, Captain."

Tony took a deep look at Steve and said at the same time.

"Perhaps we should return our attention to Magneto."

Sensing the tit-for-tat confrontation between Tony and Steve, Banner pushed up his glasses and then spoke to soften his words.

After receiving the look from Banner, Natasha also spoke in response.

"At present, Eric's whereabouts are unknown. However, judging from some intelligence clues, he seems to be looking for the existence of some weird people. Judging from the information about the weird people he has come into contact with, they are all dangerous and even have extreme behavior. A weird person, obviously, the other party’s purpose is not simple.”

"Obviously, the time in California not only caused casualties, but also stimulated Eric. If such a dangerous weirdo is allowed to continue his actions, the damage will be caused not only to the weirdos asylum in California. not, but the entire United States.”

After hearing the information Natasha gave, Tony frowned and glanced at Eric's gloomy face in the photo in front of him.

"Continue to track Magneto's information and notify me immediately if you find anything."

…

Avengers Tower, underground base.

A large number of personnel are busy responding to the occurrence of various disasters and dangers. In the cabin, a piece of steel armor is awakened, and under the control of Ultron, they go to the place where the danger occurs to perform tasks.

"Perhaps we should have a serious talk, Captain."

During this, Tony approached Steve and said seriously to Captain America.

"I apologize if that's what I said in the building, Tony."

Steve stopped punching, wiped the sweat from his face, held the sandbag in front of him and turned to look at Tony who appeared at the door, panting slightly.

"Sometimes I'm really not very lovable."

"I understand, you're right."

In response, Tony shrugged his shoulders and took the initiative.

"Regardless of James' situation, this time the military's actions against the Brotherhood of Eccentrics are indeed negotiable, and can even be said to be self-inflicted."

Walking into the training ground, Tony's eyes swept across the tight muscles on Steve's body and continued to speak.

"However, it is undeniable that although the military's approach is full of criticism, they may also have their own reasons for having to carry out this operation."

"This time they're facing the Freaks, but next time, I don't want the Avengers and the military to appear in this scene one day, because it will represent a complete break between the Avengers and the American government."

Although Tony's description was euphemistic, Steve already understood the meaning of his words.

"So, you're here for the Registration Act."

"This is just an opinion. It is obvious that the current federal government has a biased stance towards superheroes. Perhaps the signing of the Registration Act can play a role in cooling down the rising situation. This is just a slightly compromised approach. That’s all.”

"This is more than just a compromise, Tony."

However, in the face of Tony's tactful persuasion, Steve silently shook his head.

He looked directly into Tony's eyes and said solemnly.

"Obviously, the implementation of the Registration Act will cause all extraordinary beings to become weapons of the American government. We will lose our freedom and become weapons and tools that obey orders. I have had this feeling before. Believe me, this is not a good thing. experience.”

"Perhaps all this is just your conjecture, Captain."

"Sorry, Tony, I can't do that."

Shaking his head silently, Steve's stance was very firm.

"Haven't you ever thought about the consequences of such a struggle, Captain? It's very likely that someone will die as a result."

"If someone dies as a result, it further proves that the registration bill is wrong."

"..."

In the training ground, Tony and Steve looked at each other silently for a long time.

In the end, Tony retreated.

He turned his head and swept the sandbag behind Steve. He raised his hand and was quickly wrapped in the nanorobot, which fired a shock wave that penetrated the sandbag.

A large amount of fine sand flowed out from the broken hole of the sandbag, and Tony looked at what the captain said.

"Sometimes, I really blow away your good guy face with one shot, Captain."

"I will continue to fight the federal government."

After venting his anger, Tony looked at the useless sandbag and turned to Steve.

"Do you need me to get you a new sandbag?"

"No need, I'm almost done with my exercise."

In this regard, Steve appeared calm.

…

"Yes, I understand, but I also express the Avengers' position. On the issue of the Superhero Registration Act, the regulations stipulated in it are too strict for the use of superheroes' powers. If this cannot be revised, we will It’s difficult to negotiate.”

Ended the not-so-smooth conversation with Captain America.

Tony faced pressure from the military and Congress, but showed a tough attitude.

Regardless of the disagreement within the Avengers over their stance on the Superhero Registration Act, at least when it comes to the outside world.

Tony still respected Steve's idea and showed his opposition.

"Mr. Stark, the President is very dissatisfied with this. If you have read his speech on Twitter, you know that because of the Avengers' stance, we are very passive in Congress."

"Then please tell our new president, Congressman, that if he has so much time and energy to tweet, maybe he should focus more on more important things."

After giving an unceremonious answer to the congressman on the phone, Tony hung up the phone and reached out to rub his frown.

"Mr. Stark."

And just when Tony had a headache, Ultron's kind and rational voice began to sound again.

"I received an unknown video file named 'Answer'. "

"Answer?"

Hearing Ultron's words, Tony couldn't help showing a surprised expression on his face.

"Can you find the address to which the file was sent?"

"It can't be locked. The other party seems to have extremely advanced hacking skills, and has eliminated all traces after transferring the files, leaving only some obvious springboards."

Tony's face began to show curiosity when he heard that even Ultron was unable to pinpoint the identity of the target who sent the file.

"Open the video, I want to see what the so-called 'answer' is."

Decisively ordered Ultron to open the video in the file named 'Answer'.

"As commanded."

Following Tony's instructions, the video was clicked into play mode.