Chapter 45: 45: Collection in progress
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"The small talk ends here. Jarvis, hack into this mainframe and unlock the system," Lyon ordered.
"Certainly, Master Lyon."
Jarvis began to swiftly hack into the Red Room's mainframe.
The large screen, initially filled with red code blocks, was quickly overlaid with a cascade of blue code.
The binary digits of 0 and 1 rapidly flickered across the screen.
Within the Red Room's mainframe, Jarvis was more powerful than ever.
It even expressed its amazement, "Master Lyon, I feel as free as if I were in the ocean here. Their mainframe system is incredibly advanced!"
"Then you can enjoy it for a while longer. I'm planning to gift this fortress to Tony, so you can stay here permanently."
Lyon watched the screen, waiting for Jarvis's work to bear fruit.
After more than ten minutes, a sudden flash appeared on the screen, signaling that the system lockdown had been successfully lifted.
Folders began to pop up one after another, neatly arranged by security level, from low-security files to high-authority encrypted files.
Lyon smiled in satisfaction.
"Jarvis, search for the key data in this system and bring up all the information on the Red Room Widow agents," Lyon commanded.
"Certainly!" Jarvis quickly responded, scanning and analyzing the vast amount of data within the system.
A moment later, it emitted a notification sound.
"Master Lyon, I've found all the corresponding data," Jarvis reported.
A folder opened on the large screen.
A dense array of profile pictures immediately filled the screen, continuing to scroll down as more images were displayed.
"Hmm.. At least three hundred Widows… Mark their locations on the world map."
The screen flashed, and a world map appeared, with each profile picture tagged at various locations worldwide.
From Northern Europe's London and Paris to South Africa's Cape Town and Johannesburg.
From the holy city of Jerusalem to the "free and open" towns of Chicago and New York.
Over three hundred Widow agents were spread across crucial global points.
Some held positions of power, others were skilled in diplomacy, and some were hidden among merchants as lethal, concealed weapons.
Through controlling these Widow agents, the Red Room exerted influence over the entire world.
"Jarvis, send a copy of the list and detailed information to Natasha, then transfer one billion dollars from my account to her so she can establish a new organizational center in New York," Lyon said, his gaze becoming focused.
"Master Lyon, you might want to inform Miss Natasha directly about these arrangements. They are on her way to see you," Jarvis replied.
"They? Natasha is bringing the Widows here?" Lyon looked toward the door, his ears twitching as he heard a series of soft footsteps.
The sound was a silent stride, using a special technique to move quietly, something the Widows had mastered to the point of habit.
"Wow, did I just hear that right? Some man is giving you a billion dollars! Natasha, how did you manage that? Did you take your clothes off? Teach me how to get someone to give me that much money; we're going to need it in the future, right?"
The first to enter was Natasha, followed by a girl who was chattering non-stop in Russian.
The girl likely had no idea that Lyon not only understood Russian but could also hear her hushed whispers clearly.
Natasha rolled her eyes, ignoring the girl behind her, and walked straight up to Lyon.
Behind her, over forty Widow agents followed.
With hair in shades of blonde, black, and red, and eyes ranging from blue to dark brown, and even a deep, royal purple, they all directed their gaze toward Lyon, dressed in his uniform.
Their faces still bore expressions of confusion and sorrow, but their eyes showed overflowing gratitude and admiration for Lyon. It was evident that Natasha had already informed them of the general situation.
"I've brought everyone," Natasha said, stepping aside to make room. Her expression was calm, as if she hadn't heard Lyon's earlier analysis of her.
"They're all willing to join your... organization or company and serve you."
Lyon looked at Natasha and the girl behind her for a moment. "I can see that you faced some significant challenges during the persuasion process."
Natasha sighed. "This is my sister, Yelena," she said, pulling the girl beside her forward. "She attacked me as soon as she woke up. She's just a hot-headed kid."
Both Natasha and Yelena had injuries on their faces—one with a bruised forehead, the other with a split lip.
"That wasn't impulsive; it was punishment for your betrayal! Your defection led to us being subjected to even stricter control!" Yelena retorted, defending herself against Natasha's disparagement.
Yelena, with her short blonde hair, looked clean and sharp. Her face still had a hint of childishness, and she seemed even younger than Lyon.
She first rebuffed Natasha's words, then stood at attention and addressed Lyon. "Thank you for saving us, Mr. Superman. We are willing to follow your orders."
Lyon smiled at her words, just about to say a few things to win them over.
But Yelena immediately sidled up to Natasha and whispered in Russian, "Oh my god, his chest muscles are really impressive, even bigger than mine. Have you felt them? It's such a waste that such a handsome man got seduced by you."
Both Natasha and Lyon's faces darkened at this.
Before Natasha could deal with her rebellious little sister, Lyon took a step forward and addressed all the Widow agents present in Russian, giving them a brief recruitment speech.
"Everyone, I won't waste time on lengthy introductions. The names 'Superman' and 'Stark' should be familiar to you all."
"First, I want to clarify that although I helped Natasha destroy the Red Room, part of my goal was indeed to gain your strength."
"But this isn't a forced demand. You've all endured more than enough suffering."
"If any of you don't wish to join, you are free to leave. Whether you choose to return to a normal life or use your skills to carve out a path for yourself, that's entirely up to you."
"For those who are willing to join, stay."
"I will have Natasha set up a company or organization in New York. At that time, you will all be able to showcase your talents."
"That's all I have to say."
"For those who don't wish to join, once you've helped clear the bodies in the fortress, you're free to leave. I'll have Natasha escort you."
"Oh, and I'll have JARVIS send you the information about your birth families as well." Lyon waved toward the large screen. "JARVIS!"
"Yes, sir. All the information has been sent."
JARVIS, as efficient as ever, ensured that all the Widow agents present received the information on their devices.
The Widows looked at each other, but none immediately checked their messages.
For these women, who were sent to the Red Room as children, the concept of "family" was a distant and almost alien idea. A word that should have been warm and comforting felt as unfamiliar as a bakery they might pass by on the street.
In fact, the idea of having control over their own futures was equally unfamiliar and terrifying.
After all, in their many years with the Red Room, they had never truly made a single choice for themselves.
Every detail of their lives, down to how they would die, had been meticulously planned by the Red Room.
But now, faced with the two options Lyon had offered, they were both overwhelmed and quietly thrilled.
Without speaking a word to each other, and after a brief moment of silence, the girls all stepped forward, surrounding Lyon.
"We are willing to follow your orders, sir."
Despite the unevenness in their voices, the meaning was unanimous.
Lyon's tall figure stood out like a shining star among the group of women in black uniforms.
He looked around, his gaze passing over each tense face, and then he smiled.
"Welcome to the team."
He spread his arms wide. "In the future, we will accomplish many great deeds that the world will admire. You won't regret the decision you made today."
"Now, your first task is to clean up the airborne fortress and dispose of all the bodies."
"After that, I'll have Natasha work with you to free the other Widow agents around the world."
He extended his hand, and the Widows placed their hands on top of his. Each girl's eyes sparkled with determination.
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