Marvel Cybernetic Girl

— Afghanistan, Kunar Province

The convoy moved steadily across the vast desert terrain.

Kagura Hitomi sat in the front passenger seat of the armored jeep, her holographic UI system fully active, continuously scanning everything in sight.

Although she was fully prepared for the upcoming attack, she was still curious about where the Ten Rings terrorists would start their assault on Tony Stark's convoy. If she could pinpoint their positions in advance, it would help her protect Tony during the attack.

[Wheeled Light Armored Vehicle, Threat Level: Medium, Friendly]

[Armed Soldiers, Threat Level: Low, Friendly]

[Gravel]

[Bushes]

[Dust Storm]

…

For now, everything around them seemed perfectly safe.

Inside the jeep, a recorder played loud, fast-paced heavy metal rock music.

Tony Stark must really love rock music… Kagura Hitomi thought, rolling her eyes.

But as the music blared, memories of the Marvel Cinematic Universe—the iconic beginning of Iron Man, the Avengers, and everything that followed—came flooding back to her. The excitement, the sense of belonging, the emotional rollercoaster that followed—it all started with this song.

Other than the music, the only sound in the car was the clink of ice cubes in Tony Stark's glass as he casually sipped his drink.

The mood in the vehicle was eerily quiet and a bit awkward.

"Feels like you're sending me to a military tribunal," Tony finally broke the silence. "What did I do wrong? Why is everyone so quiet? Is it not allowed to talk? Hitomi, are you still alive? When are they going to execute you?"

"Ha, I'm fine, Mr. Stark," Kagura Hitomi replied with a laugh.

"We can talk, sir," said the young American soldier sitting next to Tony.

"Are you targeting me then?" Tony turned to him.

"No, you scared him, sir," replied the woman in the driver's seat.

"Oh my god, you're a woman?" Tony exclaimed. "Honestly, I couldn't tell. But isn't it weird that the army doesn't say 'you're a man or a woman,' they say 'you're a soldier first'?"

"I'm actually a pilot," the woman replied.

"Oh, sorry, I just thought—well, looking at you like this, it's hard to control myself," Tony said, grinning.

Kagura Hitomi couldn't help but smile at Tony's antics. His flirtatious remarks were as smooth as always.

The atmosphere lightened, and everyone seemed to be in a better mood, but deep down, Kagura Hitomi knew that the moment these conversations started, the attack was already imminent.

Her UI began to pick up the first signs of trouble. Red boxes began to appear, indicating enemy targets.

[Improvised Rocket Launcher, Threat Level: Medium, Hostile]

[Improvised Modern Mortar, Threat Level: Medium, Hostile]

[Armed Militias, Threat Level: Low, Hostile]

…

The individual threats weren't too concerning, but the sheer number of enemies was alarming. This ambush could involve hundreds of people.

Kagura Hitomi had already prepared for the worst, having made 48 backup plans and over 2,000 contingency responses. She thought of every possible outcome. Even so, a slight feeling of anxiety still crept in.

She had incredible speed and healing abilities, but she wasn't invincible. What if she got caught off guard and ended up seriously injured or worse? That would be embarrassing.

"Uh... sir?" the young soldier next to Tony interrupted his rambling.

"Sorry, what was that?" Tony asked, slightly annoyed.

"Can we take a picture together?"

"Sure, come on, I love taking pictures," Tony said, happy to oblige.

The conversation behind them continued, but Kagura Hitomi's attention was fixed on the red marks of incoming rockets and mortars.

"Hitomi," Tony said, noticing her sudden tension.

"Hitomi!"

"Yes? What is it, Mr. Stark?" she responded quickly.

"Take a picture for us, let's capture the moment!"

Kagura Hitomi nodded, grabbing the camera. Her golden eyes flickered briefly.

She had often thought about how she could save these young soldiers, how to free them from the cruel fate that awaited them. But no matter how many scenarios she ran through, she couldn't find a way to save everyone.

In the original timeline, seeing young soldiers die by their own creation was the pivotal moment that would lead Tony Stark to become Iron Man.

As she thought about it, her UI flashed a warning, a countdown appearing beside the alert.

I'm sorry… She silently apologized.

The camera snapped as she captured the photo, storing it in her memory.

[Attack Incoming!]

"I'm done, do you want to see it?" Kagura Hitomi handed the camera back to the young soldier.

"Let me see!" The soldier took the camera eagerly. "Wow, miss, not only are you beautiful, but you're also great at taking pictures!"

"Ha, thank you for the compliment." Kagura Hitomi smiled sweetly.

[3]

Sorry...

Her mind said, her heart heavy with guilt.

[2]

"Boom!"

An explosion rocked the front of the convoy.

The armored jeep ahead of them erupted into flames, scattering debris in all directions as the shockwave rocked their vehicle.