chapter 170 part 1
Chapter 169: Unstoppable
By: Yue Shang Xintou
"So what do I do?"
Hank was a man who had experienced war, and although he was furious about Hydra's deception, he suppressed his emotions and asked Scott.
"Just follow me."
Controlling an ant, Scott had it fly in front of Hank, making a circling motion in mid-air to signal him to follow closely.
"I understand."
Nodding, Hank picked up the items on the table and blended into the panicked crowd. Having learned that his daughter was not with Hydra, he had no intention of staying there any longer.
…
"Are you insane?!"
Governors Island, within the near-ruined prison.
Boomerang exclaimed, instinctively taking a few steps back, saying he had just been acting alongside the man, as he looked at the micro-nuclear warhead in Crossbones' hand.
"It's just a low-yield nuclear warhead."
Crossbones said in a low voice, removing the weapon carrying the specialized nuclear bomb from his arm. Even for the Thunderbolts, nuclear weapons were a regulated weapon. After all, the United States, as a defeated nation in World War II, was strictly forbidden by Germany from researching or participating in any nuclear-related experiments, and even the development of nuclear power plants within its borders required German permission. During this period, the United States had not refrained from attempting to secretly develop nuclear weapons. For a time in the early 1960s, the government had secretly assembled a group of nuclear experts, attempting to circumvent German surveillance and develop its own nuclear arsenal. The then-President John F. Kennedy called it the 'Dog Collar Plan,' signifying the breaking of the restrictions Germany had placed around the United States' neck. The 'Dog Collar Plan' went very smoothly in its initial stages. The scientists responsible for the research had successfully extracted uranium yellowcake, a crucial raw material for uranium conversion experiments, from a mine. It was said that upon hearing this news, President Kennedy had almost erupted in jubilant cheers in his White House office, considering it a testament to: "God Bless America." Whether God blessed the United States or not, no one knew. But God clearly did not bless President John F. Kennedy. On November 22, 1963, the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, was shot and killed while riding in an open-top car through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, accompanied by his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, and the Governor of Texas, John Connally. The 'Dog Collar Plan' was forcibly suspended with the death of President Kennedy. His successor, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, did not agree with Kennedy's plan, viewing it as a reckless idea that would drag all Americans into war. Of course, there was also a theory that President Kennedy's death might have been connected to General Johann Schmidt, the Commander of German Forces in America at the time. This general, who served the longest term as Commander of German Forces in America in history, had a profound impact on the German Military's rule over the United States. Some also believed that Vice President Johnson informed General Johann Schmidt about the 'Dog Collar Plan.' Knowing that Kennedy's plan could not be stopped, Germany arranged for personnel to assassinate President Kennedy. Afterward, the assassin was shot and killed by a bar owner named Jack Ruby two days later while being transported to prison. Ruby himself died a few years later. The Warren Commission, appointed by President Johnson, later concluded that President Kennedy's death was entirely the act of the lone gunman. However, it completely ignored the fact that within three years of the assassination, 18 key witnesses had died, and from 1963 to 1993, 115 related witnesses had died by suicide or were murdered in various bizarre incidents. Most crucially, in the same year President Kennedy died, scientists involved in the 'Dog Collar Plan' also met with fatal accidents. Simultaneously, the vital uranium conversion research laboratory was secretly taken over by the German Military in the US, and all related data was confiscated.
"This low-yield nuclear warhead has limited destructive power and pollution. That's why Hydra agreed to let me carry it."
Crossbones looked at the thumb-sized nuclear warhead in his hand. He had paid a considerable price to obtain this weapon.
"Don't forget the forces behind Hydra. Without their permission, how could I have obtained nuclear weapons?"
Crossbones' words made Boomerang realize. Indeed, as members of the Thunderbolts, while they enjoyed many privileges, they were also subject to strict supervision. The Superhuman Activities Oversight Committee wanted a team that would follow their orders, not a group of unfettered superheroes. This was also why Bullseye could not reveal the identities of the Thunderbolts members, as his existence severely impacted public perception of the team.
"Here, it's yours."
With time pressing, Crossbones did not hesitate much and quickly handed the small nuclear weapon in his hand to Boomerang.
"Give it here!"
Boomerang received the nuclear weapon from Crossbones with fumbling hands, his expression a mixture of fear and apprehension, not daring to make any sudden movements. He carefully held the deadly weapon while saying nervously, "Aren't you supposed to use this weapon?"
"Here, only you have the ability to throw weapons at a distance. Are you planning for me to charge forward with a nuclear weapon and become a bomb?"
Crossbones, despite his hatred for Colin, was not so insane as to want to die with him as a suicide bomber.
"Hurry up, I can't hold on much longer!"
Meanwhile, on the other side, Moonstone's hands, which were emitting energy waves, began to tremble, and the light from the Moonstone Gem within her body also started to dim. Under Moonstone's urging, Boomerang knew the situation was urgent. He could only use his trembling fingers to place the small nuclear warhead into his boomerang. Taking a deep breath, he felt the weight of the weapon in his hand. Despite being only a thumb-sized nuclear warhead, it felt extremely heavy to Boomerang. Shaking his head, he brushed away the illusion. Boomerang took a deep breath, raised his boomerang, and aimed it at Colin, who was trapped by Moonstone nearby, silently praying, "It has to hit the target."
*Swish—*
As his prayer ended, Boomerang swung his weapon. It whirled through the air and flew towards his target.
…
Under his **Super Hearing**, Crossbones and Boomerang's conversation did not escape Colin's ears. Seeing the boomerang loaded with a nuclear warhead, Colin's expression changed. He knew that his currently unlocked **Super Durability** was still only at the **Black Iron** level. A nuclear warhead, even a low-yield one, was clearly not something he could withstand at his current level. Undoubtedly, the boomerang carrying the nuclear warhead would cause him damage. However, his expression wasn't one of great alarm. He lowered his head and felt the energy waves constantly pulling at his body. Colin twisted his neck and clenched his fist. The next moment, a power several times stronger than before erupted from his body.
"What?!"
This power was immense, and even the suction force generated by Moonstone's energy waves could not resist it.
**Super Strength (Bronze)**
All along, Colin had been suppressing his strength, fighting the Thunderbolts members with only **Black Iron**-level **Super Strength**. Now, he chose to stop holding back and reveal it completely. As Colin unleashed his power, the strong suction force that had been troubling him was easily shattered like a piece of paper. With a flash and **Super Speed**, Colin's body instantly appeared in front of the circling boomerang. While his current defense was not enough to withstand the nuclear explosion, Colin, who had mastered numerous powers, did not need to rely on his body to take the brunt of the nuclear blast. With a flash of thought using his **Super Brainpower**, he had a solution in a thousandth of a second.