Battle Armor Can't Be Generalized
How is this possible?
Tony looked at the sparking hole on his chest in disbelief. While Russell's Repulsor Beam hadn't completely pierced through the Mark 3's composite defense armor and hadn't harmed Tony inside the suit, he found it difficult to believe when he saw that hole.
Tony, as the creator, was well aware of the formidable defensive capabilities of the Mark 3's composite defense armor. Simultaneously, he understood just how powerful the palm-sized Repulsor Beam had to be to shatter the Mark 3's defense.
Although the Repulsor Beam wasn't his exclusive invention, to his knowledge, he was the only one who managed to miniaturize it into a handheld weapon.
The fact that Russell's Battle Armor also featured a Repulsor Beam in the palm was already surprising enough.
However, what astonished even more was that the power of the Repulsor Beam on Russell's Battle Armor was strong enough to breach the Mark 3's defense.
In just a few seconds, Tony mentally calculated the extraordinary energy efficiency the Repulsor Beam must have to break through the Mark 3's defense with a single shot.
As Tony stared in shock at the hole on the Mark 3's chest, Russell refrained from launching another attack.
His purpose for coming this time wasn't to kill Tony.
Tony was a golden goose!
Russell was still hoping that Tony would activate more system rewards.
The Endosymbiotic Battle Armor clearly wasn't the only reward Tony could activate.
"Who developed your Battle Armor? I want to meet the true developer behind it!"
Tony lifted his head and quickly spoke through the radio.
"Sure, if you defeat me, I'll let you meet the real developer of the Battle Armor!"
Russell replied promptly.
Although he said that, he didn't believe Tony had a chance of winning against him.
Battle Armor can't be generalized!
While both the Mark 3 and the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor were high-tech Battle Armor, and their creators were the same, the Mark 3 was at least several generations behind the Endosymbiote Battle Armor in terms of technology.
If Tony managed to defeat him while wearing the Mark 3, Russell would eat his Endosymbiotic Battle Armor!
"But you promised, don't go back on your word!"
Tony, not knowing the full situation, suddenly spoke with extreme confidence to Russell.
"I never go back on my word!"
Russell replied earnestly.
Upon hearing his response, Tony didn't hesitate and swiftly turned to run.
Although the Mark 3 wasn't specifically designed for high-speed flight, its flight speed wasn't slow. With just a burst of acceleration, the Mark 3 easily broke the sound barrier.
An abrupt and intense explosion echoed in the air.
Sonic boom!
Watching Tony disappear from his sight, Russell couldn't help but chuckle in resignation.
Although he wasn't sure what Tony was plotting, it was quite clear that Tony was counting on the Mark 3's flight speed.
If you want to play, then I'll play along!
Without hesitation, Russell controlled the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor to rapidly chase after Tony, who had already vanished from his line of sight.
Even though Tony's figure was no longer visible within his line of sight, his helmet's display screen still clearly showed Tony's position.
Mach 1, Mach 2, Mach 3...
Without much effort, the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor exceeded 3 Mach, effortlessly breaking the sound barrier.
Although 3 Mach wasn't the suit's top speed, flying within the atmosphere meant considering aerodynamics.
Laws of physics might apply, but they did so less rigidly.
Indeed, that was correct!
However, as the speed increased, the resistance from the atmosphere would also rise.
In comparison to the Mark 3, the Zaku form of the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor was clearly even less aerodynamic.
Nevertheless, Russell had no intention of restoring the battle armor Zaku form to the original Endosymbiotic Battle Armor form.
While the Zaku form was indeed not aerodynamic, catching up to the high-speed flying Mark 3 was hardly a difficult task.
The Mark 3's maximum speed was below even 2.5 Mach, making it slower than a Sidewinder missile.
The Endosymbiotic Battle Armor was now flying at over 3 Mach, so catching up to the Mark 3 was only a matter of time.
Tony assumed that the Mark 3 would have an advantage in terms of flight speed.
However, Russell swiftly demonstrated otherwise.
As the signal from the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor grew closer on his helmet's screen, Tony furrowed his brow.
Who the hell developed this guy's Battle Armor!
Tony inwardly cursed.
As a top-tier weapons inventor, Tony was well aware of the incredibly advanced technology required to create such high-tech humanoid Battle Armor.
He had initially thought that, apart from himself, no one else could have invented such elite single-soldier weaponry.
However, he had underestimated the possibilities.
In reality, Tony was certainly overthinking things.
He would never have guessed that the Battle Armor Russell was wearing was invented by another version of himself from a different universe.
Despite the steadily approaching signal from the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor, Tony hadn't planned to slow down.
He wasn't attempting to flee.
Instead, he was headed to a classified Stark Industries warehouse in New York.
Although the Mark 3 was armed with various weapons, after witnessing how easily Russell's palm-sized Repulsor Beam breached the Mark 3's defense, Tony realized that he couldn't defeat Russell with the Mark 3's current weaponry.
To overcome Russell, he needed more powerful weapons.
Almost there!
Only a little over ten kilometers remained, and the Stark Industries warehouse with a wealth of weaponry was close.
However, at that moment, Tony was astonished to discover that Russell had appeared behind him at a distance of less than a hundred meters.
Tony displayed surprise on his face when he noticed this.
How was Russell able to catch up so quickly?
The screen in his helmet displayed Russell's flying speed, which had already reached an astonishing 3.5 Mach.
Damn it!
Tony couldn't help but mutter inwardly.
As the distance narrowed to only a hundred meters, Tony made a decisive choice.
Since his top speed wouldn't suffice, he'd rely on maneuverability to shake off his pursuer.
As he thought, so he acted.
All of the Mark 3's flaps activated.
"J.A.R.V.I.S., don't mind me, initiate maximum maneuvering to shake off that guy behind me!"
Under normal circumstances, Tony could easily handle control himself, and J.A.R.V.I.S. would provide assistance as needed.
However, at this point, Tony had to hand over primary control of the Mark 3 to J.A.R.V.I.S.
He was a genius, no doubt, but someone like J.A.R.V.I.S., an artificial intelligence, could provide more precise control over high-tech equipment.
"Sir, extreme maneuvering will result in some damage to you. Are you sure you want to proceed this way?"
"Confirmed, begin immediately!"
Tony knew that extreme maneuvering would indeed cause some damage to himself within the battle suit. However, he had no other options left at this point.
If he couldn't shake off Russell, he wouldn't make it to the warehouse.
Without reaching the warehouse, he wouldn't acquire other weapons.
Without other weapons, there was no way he could defeat Russell.
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