New York City – Stark Tower
"The microwave transmission system is ready."
Tony Stark adjusted the holographic interface in front of him, activating the long-range microwave energy transmitter on top of Stark Tower.
"Is the refraction station's orbit aligned?"
"Yes. Halo-7 orbital station has completed its trajectory adjustment."
"It will enter the transmission window in 3 minutes and 21 seconds, with an available window of about six minutes."
The orbital stations responsible for receiving and relaying the energy were space stations circling Earth.
These stations formed a dynamic network, continuously transmitting and refracting energy.
However, since they orbited Earth, they could only receive Stark Tower's microwave beams for a limited time each pass—this was the transmission window.
"Alright, so we have three minutes to prep, and then we need to boost the transmitter's power to 3000% within six minutes. Right?"
"Yes, Mr. Stark. Any bright ideas?"
Kagura Hitomi took control of the holographic interface, coordinating the orbital stations.
"We have 14 stations in range that can help distribute and focus the energy. That should be enough to prevent Halo-7 from melting under the high energy load."
"Well…" Tony adjusted his interface. "The main Arc Reactor can be overclocked to 300%, but only for about 12 minutes. That still leaves 2700% to account for."
"No surprises there."
Kagura glanced out the window at the city. The battle raged on.
A belated S.H.I.E.L.D. Quinjet squadron had arrived at the city's perimeter, launching long-range missiles to assist ground forces.
However, the Quinjets had a major flaw—their maneuverability was abysmal.
Designed for high-speed troop transport, they couldn't match the Chitauri's agile warships, let alone withstand their energy weapons.
Nick Fury's strategy of keeping them on the outskirts made sense.
If these bulky "big black birds" entered the warzone, they'd be shot down instantly.
From the skyline, long-tailed missile trails streaked through the sky, striking a Chitauri ship.
Explosions bloomed like crimson flowers against the darkening sky.
CRACK!
Lightning split the heavens.
Thor, with Quinjet support, unleashed a storm that incinerated a swarm of Chitauri, leaving only charred debris raining down on the war-torn city.
Through the smoke and chaos, a massive green figure leaped into the air, smashing through anything in reach.
The Hulk landed atop an armored Chitauri Leviathan, roaring as he ripped apart its supposedly indestructible plating.
Thor landed beside him, hammer crackling with energy.
He struck a metal shard into the beast's skull, channeling another devastating lightning strike.
BOOM!
The Leviathan's head exploded, its lifeless body plummeting toward the streets below.
Thor launched himself back into the sky, soaring past skyscrapers before landing in Stark Tower's penthouse.
"Sister, I heard you needed me?"
"Oh, look! A portable power bank!" Kagura waved at him. "Looks like Hulk finally got the message to you."
"Yeah, the big guy kept shouting 'Tower!' 'Stark!' 'Thor needed!' 'Go charge!' Took me a second to figure it out." Thor grinned.
"But hey, turns out I'm quite smart after all! No wonder I'm the wise King of Asgard."
"Save the bragging for later." Kagura pointed to the towering black spire on the roof.
"See that microwave transmitter? That's our best shot at ending this war."
"If you hit it with everything you've got, we might be able to boost the power enough to take out the Chitauri mothership."
"That black metal needle?" Thor eyed it. "So, just hit it with lightning?"
"Exactly. If you insist on calling a 6.7-meter-tall, 67-centimeter-wide structure a 'needle.'"
"No problem, little sister. Leave it to me!"
Thor swung Mjolnir and leaped onto the rooftop, standing next to the transmission tower.
Raising his hammer high, he called upon the heavens:
"All-Father, grant me your might! This world is my cherished home!"
"Kagura Hitomi is my treasured kin! I will not let this planet and its people perish in this catastrophe!"
Dark clouds swirled overhead, lightning crackling ominously.
This was Thor's ultimate strike—summoning every storm within range to fuel a single, devastating lightning surge.
The sky roared with a symphony of thunder and light.
With a mighty swing, Thor unleashed a colossal bolt. "Take this! The power of the storm! AAAAAHHHHHH—!"
Blinding arcs of energy surged into the microwave tower, vaporizing auxiliary equipment and leaving only the reinforced core barely holding under the onslaught.
"Status check!" Hitomi called out. "Is it enough?"
Tony examined his trembling holographic readout, distorted by the intense energy waves.
"Output at 2796%… not enough to reach the critical threshold."
"Damn, still short…"
Kagura ran onto the storm-lashed helipad. "Thor! Can you push harder?"
"No can do! This is my limit!" Thor shouted. "I can hold this for another two minutes—figure something out before then!"
Hitomi checked her HUD, data scrolling across her visor:
[Orbital transmission window: 3:56 remaining.]
[Arc Reactor overload limit: 9:53 remaining.]
[Halo-6 station meltdown: 7:47 countdown.]
[Current total refraction power: 2795%.]
[Core energy reserves: 43%.]
[Backup reserves: 0%.]
Not good…
She clenched her fists, staring into the storm.
'This is my planet. My world. My life.'
'I will not let it fall.'