Lord of Cinder in American Comics

As Ash flipped through the report, she saw a familiar name.

"The Ghost Squad is back?"

That's right, the rapid response team mentioned in the document is Ross's Ghost Team, which was previously deployed to Bolivia.

Even though Ash had warned the shepherds beforehand, this massive subversion campaign targeting the entirety of Bolivia wasted several months of their time.

Later, a series of events caused the Ghost Squad, a high-tech combat unit, to lose its proper order, and after Ross went to Los Ricks for further studies, their operational sequence was indefinitely suspended.

After all, as Ross's direct subordinates, no one could mobilize them, and their participation in the operation meant that Ross had returned.

Asking about the Ghost Squad's return was less about asking about Ross's condition and more about his status. Anderson quickly replied, "General Ross returned to Vandenberg Air Force Base last Thursday. After the Broken Arrow incident, only he was able to mobilize the rapid reaction force..."

Anderson paused for a moment, then continued, "It's said that General Ross brought back a wyvern, which is currently at Vandenberg Air Force Base..."

A wyvern? Ross actually has the ability to persuade the Lothric Dragoons to send him a wyvern?

Since moving Lothric to Vanaheim, Ash has been overwhelmed with all sorts of things, and he's hiding on Earth to avoid anything from Lothric.

So it was unexpected for Ashe that Rose was able to trick a dragon into coming.

Anderson then pulled up real-time satellite images and showed them to Ash, saying, "And just now, General Ross, piloting his dragon and accompanied by a squadron of fighters, went to track down the creatures that stole nuclear weapons. However, those creatures should be the former rulers of Earth you mentioned..."

On the satellite, Ross's flight path was clearly visible, but even more clearly visible were the traces left by the thief.

Two huge footprints, separated by a hundred meters in the desert, lined up in two rows, moving straight and unwaveringly in one direction.

Ash zoomed out of the satellite image, extended the original footprints, and finally pointed to Hawaii in the North Pacific.

Upon seeing those enormous footprints, Ash already knew what they were. Who in this world could have a greater need for radiation than a Titan?

Besides, Godzilla has already appeared, so a few more MUTOs won't make a difference. Keep in mind that there's only one pair of MUTOs, and they have an incredibly strong reproductive need.

But facing the Titans, Ash didn't believe that a single squadron of pilots plus Ross and his dragons could solve the problem.

Ash looked at Anderson and ordered, "Bring all heavy weapons except nuclear weapons. The Control Bureau is to begin full mobilization. Target: Hawaiian Islands. Combat intensity: High!"

Anderson suddenly realized that this was the first time the Bureau of Control had mobilized its forces like this, and that all the big guys were being brought along. It seemed that the targets of the battle might be those former rulers of Earth.

After Anderson received the order, he hurriedly went to make the arrangements.

Ash was still thinking about how suddenly things had happened when she saw Stark standing to the side.

Ash said, "Give me dozens of those Jericho missiles you still have, the most powerful ones!"

Stark rolled his eyes and said, "Dozens of rounds? With that kind of cost, you might as well grow mushrooms!"

Ash shook his head and said, "No, they feed on radioactive material, and nuclear weapons will only enhance their strength..."

Stark understood Ash's explanation and prepared to start moving the factory's inventory. However, he noticed something was wrong as soon as he took out his phone.

"Jarvis crashed?"

Stark tapped the phone, trying to restore the device to its original condition using physical repair methods.

However, a message was sent to his phone, and the image on the screen was of Obadiah Stan, whom Stark had been longing for.

In the scene, Stan is seen directing a group of Iron Man suits to surround Pepper and the Fire Keepers. He himself is holding up his phone to film Stark.

"Look! Stark, your little assistant is in my hands now, along with that nun who hates priests!"

Stan made a gesture as if to reach out and touch the two people in front of him, but the Fire Keeper slightly raised her blindfolded head, and Stan withdrew his hand as if he had been electrocuted.

Stan was unaware of what this meant; he now only wanted to vent his pent-up hatred on Stark.

Stan waved his hand, causing the red dots on the Iron Man suits' aiming devices to focus on Pepper and Fire Keeper, and threatened, "Stark, I'm giving you two hours to get to your Malibu Beach residence, or else... hehe!"

With Stan's threat looming, Stark shrugged and said, "Don't you know? My Malibu Beach cliffside residence has been blown up. It's a complete ruin now..."

"Shut up! Listen to me! You only have two hours!"

Stan hung up the phone without any hesitation. Stark's nonchalant attitude instantly turned into serious tension.

Ash!

"Stop talking, I'll have someone take you there. The jet should arrive on time..."

With Jarvis out of service, Stark now has no choice but to seek Ashe's help. Seeing Ashe's swift decision, Stark is somewhat worried, as Stan still has Fire Keeper at his disposal, while Ashe has to deal with an even bigger crisis.

This choice made Stark feel that he had earned Ash's absolute trust. His passion began to stir with emotion.

"I will definitely bring the Fire Keeper back! I promise!"

Stark spoke each word with an unwavering conviction that seemed to reach the heavens.

Stark began to use the backup equipment, manipulating the backup system to deploy his armor on Friday. However, Jarvis's outage had used too much computing power, and the backup system couldn't keep up with his needs.

Busy with his work, Stark paid no attention to his surroundings. He simply took the identification code Ash handed him and ran towards the airport.

Ash watched Stark's retreating figure and finally blurted out the words she had been holding back, though whether Stark could hear them was another matter.

"I think as long as you're happy. The Fire Keeper should be pretty happy too..."

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Chapter 394: Antarctica is not only home to penguins, but also to aliens and predators.

At this moment, at a whaling station in Antarctica.

Hill was getting annoyed looking at the intelligence reports. Steve Rogers submitted an application to S.H.I.E.L.D., Ash issued a global announcement, and the former Thunderbolt General was riding a dragon in pursuit of the Titan.

And she, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., is now actually with Geralt at a whaling station in Antarctica searching for some aliens.

In reality, Hill's anger stemmed not from following Geralt, but from the World Security Council's attitude toward S.H.I.E.L.D.

After numerous operations, S.H.I.E.L.D. indeed failed to demonstrate the expected quality and standards, and even failed to clean up the mess.

With the previous director of S.H.I.E.L.D. having a criminal record, the agency's reputation and status are now in grave danger.

This time, in terms of both equipment and legal justification, S.H.I.E.L.D. is the best choice for the operation against the Titans. However, the World Security Council only recognizes the announcement issued by Ash, and her application to the World Security Council has been rejected.

Looking at the application from Steve Rogers sent by the Trident Base on Roosevelt Island, Hill felt it was necessary to seize this opportunity. She would contact Director Pierce later, believing that the former director of S.H.I.E.L.D. could provide her with some necessary assistance.

Hill packed away his equipment and watched as Clint drove the snowmobile to the whaling station.

This operation involved only Clint, Dutch, Hill, and Geralt. Hill originally wanted to bring other agents to document the contact in detail, but Geralt stopped her.

"You brought so many people? The Predator wouldn't even need to fight the Xenomorphs; he could just catch the agents and kill them, maybe even earn an elite title..."

So the four of them embarked on the path Geralt had chosen.

At the whaling station, enormous whale skeletons remain, long since transformed into massive ice sculptures by the harsh Antarctic climate, showcasing the past splendor and cruelty.

He hurriedly got out of the snowmobile, and the cold air, accompanied by falling snowflakes, made Hill shiver involuntarily.

For some unknown reason, Geralt instructed the four not to have too many warm clothing items, but only to carry necessary tools and weapons.

After taking the Water of Life from Geralt's arms, Hill drank two mouthfuls before she felt better.

Fortunately, all four of them had been enhanced to a certain extent, otherwise the Antarctic temperature would have killed these guys who dared to challenge nature.

Clint and Dutch were unloading animals from the snowmobile: several pigs and cows, along with a large amount of raw meat. These things were stored inside the sealed snowmobile, which explained why everyone rushed out as soon as it stopped.

Hill stomped his foot, kicking away the snow on the surface of the ice, and asked, "The heat source signal detected by the satellite is below the ice. If you won't let me bring manpower and a drilling team, you're going to dig with your bare hands!"

Geralt looked around, unaware that any Predators had landed, and said, "This is a trap that was prepared long ago..."

"A trap? Explain yourself clearly!"

In response to Hill's question, Geralt gathered the others together and collectively answered their questions.

Geralt looked up at the sky and said, "We don't have much time left. I'll only say this once!"

"There is a special race in the universe that loves hunting. They enjoy using close combat to eliminate their opponents and take their heads, often killing their way from one planet to another."

Some special planets were also marked as hunting grounds for testing young, elite warriors.

Of all Geralt's answers, only Clint listened attentively. Dutch had fought the Predator before, while Hill had learned about it from Geralt.

After introducing the Predator, Geralt changed the subject and said, "However, your enemies this time are something else."

"They come from an uncivilized world, from highly aggressive and immortal alien creatures. They possess an innate ability to optimize their own DNA, corrosive blood, amorphous skeletons, and the self-healing abilities to adapt to any planet. They are born perfect killing machines. As long as it's a biological planet, these killing machines will adapt their DNA to the planet's inhabitants through parasitism, transforming themselves into predators..."

"The Predators kept a portion of the Xenomorph Mothers in captivity, freezing them up to be used as a coming-of-age ceremony for young Predators on special occasions."

At this point, Geralt's meaning was clear: their enemies included not only Predators but also Xenomorphs. The mysterious heat source from Antarctica and the whaling station were both bait for the Predators, waiting for them to walk into the trap.

Clint gripped his bow and arrow, eager to try, and asked, "When shall we make our move?"

"Us? Only the two of you made a move!"

Geralt shook his head, pouring cold water on Clint's excited heart.

Geralt said, "This is a trial of heartbreak, a trial for the two of you. In the time to come, you will receive no supplies or help. Either fight your way through the entire trial, or die down here..."

Geralt's words sent chills down one's spine. Even Hill couldn't believe that the usually carefree yet meticulous Geralt could have such a cold side.

Placing Clint and Dutch in the Predator's Trials was an extremely risky move. The Predators who were the subjects of the trials must have had support, otherwise how would they have reached Earth?

However, Geralt's next words dampened their spirits.

"Also, don't expect me to hold off the enemy for you on the ground. The Trial of Young Ironbloods will be conducted without any external support. Once you enter the trial, whether you become the prey or the hunter is up to you... Alright, go find the entrance to the trial; it should be easy to spot..."

Geralt finished speaking, and Clint wanted to say something more, but all he saw was Geralt's departing figure.

Seeing Clint hesitate, Dutch patted him on the shoulder and said, "It's our turn to make a move..."

As Geralt had explained, everything was ready for the Predator's trial. But the trial grounds were, after all, thousands of meters below the ice. Clint and Dutch were prepared to search the entire whaling station, but unexpectedly, after turning a corner, they found the passage cleared by starship cannons.

Clint looked in the direction of the passage, then turned around and saw a two-story building with a neat, rounded arc cut out of it.

Following the direction of the passage, Clint's gaze extended to the sky, and he said with a hint of dread, "There might be those invisible beings watching us right now..."

Clint's dazed look made Dutch shake his head helplessly, pull out his pistol, and fire a shot near Clint's ear.

Clint, regaining his senses, realized that he had panicked unnecessarily. After all, Geralt was there to protect him, and all he needed to do was complete the trial.

Dutch's gunshot also drew Hill and Geralt's attention. Observing the abrupt tunnel, Hill said, "A perfect 30-degree drilled tunnel, looks like an attack from the sky. Geralt, this is no longer..."

"This is the hunter's trial; they only have this one outcome. Even if you argue to the heavens, today is still just the hunter's trial..."

Hill always tries to escalate the situation to gain an advantage and support, but for Geralt, it's just a trial for the hunter.

Clint has been trained for a long time; he has always been a hunter apprentice. Even though he has experienced battles of all sizes, Clint has no experience whatsoever in the life-and-death struggles between true powerhouses.

"Put down all electronic devices and high-tech tools. All weapons except melee weapons are prohibited... Especially you, Clint, put down your bow and arrow..."