Marvel Cybernetic Girl

— March 2010, New York.

The lights in the basement flickered to life.

The young woman sat in the chair, surrounded by 3D holographic screens.

"Cortana, report the recent situation."

"Recent report completed," came the smooth, mechanical voice of the AI.

"Rhodes Island Industries' total revenue has increased by 24% compared to last month, setting a new historical high for the eighth consecutive month."

"The new generation of defensive weapon systems has been developed, and upgrades for existing products are now on the agenda."

"Detailed financial reports and company summaries have been completed and sent. There are also a few matters requiring your decision, Master."

"Go ahead," she replied as she read through the latest company reports on the screen.

"What do I need to decide?"

"Hammer Industries has sent a cooperation proposal titled 'Next-Generation Armor Defense Suit Research.' Do you wish to approve it?"

"Next-gen armor defense suit?" The young woman's eyes widened in surprise.

"Are they researching Iron Man suits?"

"Seems like it. Should I reject it?"

"Like the previous proposals from other companies, reject it. But make sure we monitor their research progress."

"Understood, Master. I'll add them to the list of Iron Man suit imitations to be monitored."

Cortana moved on to the next matter.

"A high school in New York City has proposed inviting Mr. Bruce Wayne to give the opening speech for their ceremony."

"What's that nonsense? Reject it."

"Okay."

Cortana continued. "Eddie Brock has invited Mr. Bruce Wayne for a TV interview."

"Leave that to you."

"Got it."

"Anything else?"

"Nothing else, Master."

"Alright."

The young woman nodded.

"By the way, how's the investigation into the hijacking incident going?"

"The investigation led by S.H.I.E.L.D. has concluded. The responsible individuals have been arrested. Would you like to see the investigation summary?"

"Yes, report it."

"Report loading..."

Cortana paused for a moment.

"The mastermind behind the hijacking was a former distributor under Stark Industries, and a close confidant of Obadiah Stane."

"After Obadiah's death, this person followed his mentor's ideals, attempting to purchase new weapons from various manufacturers, including Rhodes Island Industries, and sell them on the black market for a huge profit."

"Before the first sale, to gather the necessary funds, this person hired mercenaries, including the 'Winter Soldier,' and hijacked a S.H.I.E.L.D. transport vehicle carrying Vibranium."

"He really thought he could sell Vibranium for money?" the young woman mused, laughing.

"Pfft, he's got guts, but his intelligence? Not so much."

"Currently, this person has been arrested and is facing life imprisonment."

Cortana continued.

"All relevant individuals have been apprehended and are awaiting further interrogation."

"Looks like it's all wrapped up," the young woman sighed in relief.

"To think they wanted to sell our weapons on the black market."

She frowned.

"It seems that controlling the sales channels alone won't fully prevent weapons from flooding the market."

She swiped her hand, opening another holographic window displaying Rhodes Island Industries' research department.

"Cortana, how's the development of the Global Weapon Tracking System coming along?"

"The Global Weapon Tracking System is currently based on GPS satellites and can track in real-time in 87% of the world's regions. Should we start using it now?"

"Once it's ready, go ahead and deploy it."

"Confirmed, Master."

The Global Weapon Tracking System was an idea the young woman had conceived as a way to monitor the weapons sold by Rhodes Island Industries.

Every weapon sold would have a tracking chip implanted, using technology similar to the tracking module in her S.H.I.E.L.D. phone card, which would individually code and track every item.

If this system worked as planned, any weapons illegally sold on the black market or smuggled into conflict zones would be detected and tracked in real time.

The young woman would then be able to take quick and effective action to eliminate these illegal weapons.

As for who would deal with the problem... it would be ideal if she could get Iron Man's help, after all, Tony Stark was made for this kind of thing.

Of course, she herself also had the capabilities to handle the secret disposal of weapons.

"Cortana, how's Bucky doing?"

"Bucky Barnes, after being assigned to the Rhodes Island Industries Weapons Testing Department, is in stable condition emotionally and physically with no abnormalities."

"Connect me to him, I'd like to talk."

"Connecting...".

"Beep beep."

"This is Bucky Barnes."

"Mr. Barnes, how do you feel about this era?" the young woman asked.

"It's alright. Though it doesn't have the dreams of our time, it's certainly much more convenient," Bucky replied.

"Do you need something, Miss Kagura?"

"No, just wanted to chat." She smiled.

"By the way, how's the gun I gave you? No side effects, right? I made sure to avoid the vital areas."

"Side effects? Well, crawling out of a pile of dead bodies was certainly... unique," Bucky chuckled.

"But I feel like even if I 'died' once, I'm still a sinner."

In their last mission, the young woman had shot Bucky in the chest, partly to create the illusion that he was dead, and partly because of her personal feelings—a form of punishment.

After all, the Winter Soldier's crimes were enough to warrant multiple deaths.

While shooting him, she had also injected him with a lethal dose of pufferfish toxin to make it seem like he truly died.

Afterward, Bucky followed the instructions the young woman left for him and secretly made his way back to New York, where he was temporarily placed in the weapons testing department under Rhodes Island Industries' care.

"Mr. Barnes..." The young woman paused for a moment.

"I don't deny your past sins, and I don't believe they can be solved with a simple apology, just like how you killed Tony Stark's parents. These things can't be ignored."

"I understand," Bucky said.

"Even if I become a hero again, I'll probably still be hated and hunted by Iron Man."

"No, I don't think the hatred can be solved by who killed whom," she replied.

"I believe the past doesn't determine your future, especially not one like yours."

"How you resolve things with Iron Man depends on what you do, Mr. Barnes," she added.

"It's difficult to resolve hatred, but not impossible."

"Thank you for the advice, Miss Kagura," Bucky said.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to call on me. I'm always ready."

"Mm."

"Ending the call."

Cortana's voice chimed in again.

"There's a new email in Mr. Bruce Wayne's inbox."

"Hm? What's it about?"

"Sender: Tony Stark. Subject: Collaboration invitation—Stark Industries Expo invite."

Uh-oh... here it comes.