Inside Tony Stark's Private Jet.
Although the test fight ended with Tony being flicked away by a giant finger, which bruised his ego, he still lent his private jet to Luca.
Tony couldn't deny he lost to the unfinished [Boxer] mech. His only recourse was to go back to his lab and upgrade his armor.
Fortunately, his genius brain was already buzzing with new ideas.
As for the private jet... Luca technically had one too.
It was the Hydra jet "gifted" by his loyal minion Strucker. But compared to Tony's custom luxury jet, the utilitarian Hydra transport was trash. Luca happily ditched it.
The flight wasn't long. Luca felt like he had just fallen asleep when Raina woke him up. They had arrived in the capital of Sokovia.
Raina was the beautiful secretary Hydra had planted in his company.
Luca had confirmed with Strucker that she wasn't from his faction. She was planted by Heinrich (the dead spy director), likely representing the SHIELD/Pierce faction.
Raina didn't know Luca's true purpose here. She thought it was a normal business trip. Luca brought her along for cover, and also to give her the "Loki Scepter Treatment" to find out exactly what SHIELD-Hydra wanted from him.
Novi Grad. The capital of Sokovia.
This was the city that would eventually be lifted into the sky and dropped like a meteor in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Sokovia was small, with only three major cities. Due to war and economic stagnation, most of the population lived in this modest capital.
Stepping off the plane, Luca's first impression was... decay.
For a capital city, the airport was pitifully small. Looking out, there were no skyscrapers.
It wasn't all shacks, but the whole place felt like a third-tier county town in the middle of nowhere.
Graffiti shouting rebellion and anti-war slogans covered every wall. People on the streets looked numb, like they didn't know if death or tomorrow would come first.
The only "landmark" building was the Hydra fortress looming on the hill outside the city.
It felt like dark humor.
In a city like this, Hydra wants to test Project Insight? Are there even any "threats" here worth targeting? Most people are just trying not to starve.
A convoy of Jeeps kicked up dust as they sped toward the plane, stopping near the landing gear.
The man who got out of the lead vehicle looked familiar to Luca.
That looks like Dr. List. Strucker's right-hand scientist. The one who experimented on Wanda and Pietro.
To avoid exposing the mind control, Luca hadn't ordered the Haro Mech (disguised as a Hydra soldier) to enthrall the entire base. He had even quietly eliminated the soldiers who flew back with Strucker to silence any witnesses.
So currently, only Strucker himself was controlled. The rest of the base was operating normally under his orders.
The white-haired old man rushed over enthusiastically as soon as Luca disembarked, extending his hand.
"Mr. Aurantius! I've heard so much about you! Your invention, the Arbiter pistol, is a stroke of genius. I must pick your brain sometime."
"..."
Luca was bewildered by the old man's eagerness.
I haven't even mind-controlled you yet. It's just an energy pistol. Calm down.
Especially since List was a Hydra scientist. Why was he sucking up to a teenager?
Luca shook his hand instinctively, unsure how to respond.
"Uh... hello. Hello..."
"Oh, almost forgot to introduce myself. You can call me Dr. List. My main fields are high-energy physics and human biology."
"Uh-huh. Good. Great..."
"Mr. Aurantius must be tired from the journey. Your accommodations are arranged near the Aurantius Group branch office. The Baron is waiting for you there."
"Okay. Good..."
With one enthusiastic host and one confused guest, the group arrived at the so-called Aurantius Tower.
It was just a ten-story building.
But compared to the shabby exterior, the interior renovation was surprisingly luxurious.
The staff were a mix of locals and transfers from Aurantius Group HQ.
Although the branch was new, it looked legitimate. You couldn't tell it was just a shell company for Hydra dealings.
Guided by Dr. List, Luca and his entourage arrived at the massive office on the top floor.
Before entering, Luca stopped and turned to his team.
"Shield Mountain (Dunshan), you guys wait outside. Raina, come in with me."
"Yes, Boss."
Luca strode toward the office door.
But suddenly, the previously enthusiastic Dr. List stopped in his tracks. He whispered awkwardly.
"Um... I think I'll stay out here. Mr. Aurantius and the Baron have important matters to discuss. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to intrude."
Everyone looked at him weirdly.
It was already strange for a top Hydra scientist to be acting as a receptionist. But for a receptionist to suddenly refuse to see his own boss? That was extremely suspicious.
Dunshan and the bodyguards immediately tensed, hands moving to their weapons.
Their reaction triggered the Hydra guards, who also raised their guns.
Instantly, the harmonious atmosphere vanished, replaced by a standoff.
Luca narrowed his eyes. He looked at the quiet office door, then at the sweating Dr. List.
He stepped forward, his mechanical hand clamping firmly onto List's shoulder.
"Doctor, I insist. Let's go in together~"