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Conveniently, on the way to find Wolverine, there was someone Nolan needed to deal with first a Vibranium dealer named Ulysses Klaue(Klaw).
Currently, nearly all the Vibranium circulating on the black market could be traced back to this man.
Not long ago in Avengers: Age of Ultron, he sold a sizable cache of Vibranium to Ultron, allowing the AI to forge himself a nearly indestructible body.
And in return? Ultron sliced off his arm over a careless remark.
But that was fine. Klaue had always been a weapons dealer selling vibranium to villains. Nolan figured he'd simply repurpose some of that material for his own use.
Slamming the gas pedal, Nolan rocketed across the wasteland. The jeep surged forward in a trail of sand and dust, vanishing from the research base in the blink of an eye.
The squad captain watched the disappearing vehicle and roared in frustration:
"Damn it!!"
He ordered his men to give chase, but the guards quickly realized all the remaining vehicles had their rear tyres shredded.
One guard furiously kicked a car door.
"Damn you, Nolan!"
"Boss! He took the prisoner transport jeep! We actually fitted it with a tracking device in case any captives escaped."
Another guard pulled out a laptop and began typing furiously.
Moments later, a glowing trail lit up the screen, the vehicle's route updating in real time.
The captain's grimace turned into a grin.
"Good… very good."
Right then, a stealth aircraft descended through the clouds, landing outside the ruined facility.
The captain's eyes lit up.
"The elite squad the Baron sent is here! Nolan's finished now."
A team of heavily armed Super Soldiers dropped from the aircraft. Even the elite HYDRA guards instinctively tensed up at the sight.
Everyone here had seen what these monsters were capable of. Some of them had even starred in internal training footage performing lethal combat manoeuvres that haunted other agents.
The captain rushed forward eagerly:
"Officers! We've tracked his vehicle just take this laptop, and you'll catch up to him in no time. He won't get far."
The Super Soldier in charge took the laptop, gave it a glance, and nodded.
"Under Baron Strucker's orders: eliminate all personnel."
The words hadn't even settled before everyone froze.
What?
Without warning, the Super Soldiers raised their weapons and opened fire.
RATATATATA!
Gunfire tore across the wasteland. Screams rang out. Blood splattered across dirt and sand.
The team leader calmly reported over the phone.
"Understood. Begin full cleanup of the facility. Secure all data and samples. Retrieve remnants from the lab Nolan was working in."
"Then begin pursuit."
"Yes, sir."
....
Elsewhere, in a quiet desert town…
Nolan was selling the jeep to a streetwise black market dealer.
"Two thousand bucks. It's yours."
The man eyed the jeep greedily. If it weren't for the assault rifle Nolan carried and the bloodied lab coat he wore, he would've tried to mug him outright.
Still, at that price, it was a steal.
Later, Nolan watched the man drive off with the jeep and shook his head. Then he walked into a local pharmacy. He needed a few supplies before moving on.
Not long after, Nolan exited a dingy bar with a slightly altered appearance. His skin was paler, and his clothes had changed.
"Take your time, HYDRA. By the time you catch up to me, I'll be someone you can't even touch."
Nolan Smiled and approached a cowboy tending horses by a stable.
"Give me a ride. A thousand bucks and I don't shoot you in the head."
The cowboy saw the rifle pointed at him and nodded frantically.
"Y-Yes sir! Where to?"
Nolan gave him a location.
"I know that place," the cowboy stammered.
Two horses galloped off toward the next town.
...
Meanwhile, on the highway...
The same dealer who bought the jeep was driving along, humming a rap tune. The jeep performed better than expected. He figured he'd enjoy it for a while and sell it for a nice profit.
He didn't notice the stealth aircraft tracking him from above.
Inside, the lead Super Soldier stared at the vehicle below and reported in:
"The research facility's self-destruct sequence has been initiated. All data is secure."
"And Nolan?"
"Still tracking."
"Good. Retrieve him."
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
A barrage of gunfire rained down.
The driver screamed, slamming the brakes as fire bloomed ahead of him.
Panicked, he jumped out of the vehicle and dropped to the ground, hands over his head.
"I'm American! I swear I'm not illegal!"
A group of Super Soldiers landed around him.
Their leader growled:
"Who are you?"
"I—"
"Forget it."
One of them casually raised a gun and shot him through the forehead.
He collapsed in stunned silence.
"Sir, this isn't Nolan. Just a random Man"
"Damn it. He must've switched vehicles off-camera. Activate satellite tracking. Scan for any active GPS signals in the region."
"He's thinking ahead… even while fleeing."
"Send a recon squad to Klaue's territory."
Baron Strucker's voice remained cold and composed.
In the United States, HYDRA could find anyone. It was only the wasteland terrain that had slowed them down.
In a city? Nolan would've been captured hours ago.
"Understood."
The Super Soldier with the metal arm gave the order to destroy the vehicle and then boarded the aircraft with the others.
They began scanning for Nolan's trail.
....
Back in the desert…
The cowboy politely helped Nolan dismount from the horse.
He had considered ditching Nolan mid-ride until he saw how well Nolan handled the horse, despite his appearance.
He wasn't a seasoned rider, but the wild stallion obeyed him without a fuss.
And with Nolan holding a loaded gun? Yeah… better not.
Nolan walked into a saloon.
Inside, everyone gave him wary glances. Some even shifted as if preparing for a fight But then they saw the military-grade weapon at his waist.
Their gazes quickly dropped.
Not civilian hardware. Definitely dangerous.
Nolan scanned the room he was in a grey zone. The kind of place that dealt in favours, weapons, and blood.
He walked up to the bar.
The bartender was wiping a glass.
"What'll it be?"
"I'm looking for Klaue."
As soon as he said the name, the room fell quiet. Several people looked up. A few even stood.
The bartender chuckled.
"Watch your mouth, kid."
"Klaue doesn't run with us anymore. These folks all used to work for him."
Nolan smiled coldly.
"Tell him… I can help him get revenge."
Laughter broke out around the bar.
"Revenge? What are you talking about, man?" someone snorted.
But Nolan didn't flinch.
"I can help him attack Wakanda."
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100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter!