American Comics: Tales of Cultivator

Chapter 183: Sniper, T'Chaka Assassinated

Hundreds of Federal soldiers dealing with a dozen unarmed terrorists – if they failed at this, Ross estimated he'd have to shoot himself in shame! Ross glanced at the President's position, just about to walk over, when a bald man beside him rushed ahead, jogging quickly to the President.

"Mr. President, are you alright!"

Mark Sully's face was covered in sweat. He waved away the Secret Service Agents beside him, stepped forward and supported the President, asking with concern.

Garrett Walker gave him a cold look. Although the terrorist attack was unexpected, the Secret Service's lackluster performance had left him seething.

But he knew now wasn't the time to settle scores with Mark; this dog was still useful.

His gaze seemed to inadvertently sweep over Francis Underwood, revealing a sharp, needle-like glint. He scrutinized Francis Underwood intently, his gaze filled with examination.

"Was it you, Frank!"

This terrorist attack was too precise, and the elevator where the incident occurred had clearly been tampered with beforehand. Garrett Walker suspected that senior government officials within the Federal Government were involved in this terrorist attack. If something happened to him, who would benefit the most?

According to the Federal 1947 Presidential Succession Act, the line of succession after the President is the Vice President, Speaker of the House, President pro tempore of the Senate, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, Secretary of the Interior. First, the Vice President, Speaker of the House, and President pro tempore of the Senate are excluded because they all perished in this terrorist attack. If something happened to him, then Secretary of State Francis would be the biggest beneficiary.

If Garrett Walker remembered correctly, Francis was the initiator of this cocktail party! "Mark, notify the Directors of the CIA, FBI, and NSA to come to the White House. Also, call the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Notify all departments, the Federation is now entering Level Three Alert!"

Garrett Walker scrutinized Francis Underwood with a suspicious gaze for a moment, then issued his orders in an orderly manner.

Mark Sully wiped the sweat from his forehead. He understood that he had passed this hurdle, but hearing the President's order, his heart tightened.

CIA, Central Intelligence Agency. FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). NSA, National Security Agency. Coupled with S.H.I.E.L.D., these four departments combined meant the President was essentially mobilizing the entire Federation's intelligence agency. Even during 9/11, the Federal Government hadn't mobilized this many departments.

Mark Sully quickly called over a Secret Service Agent and told him to find a mobile phone for the President. "General Ross, where is Raman?"

Ross walked up to the President, just about to salute, when Garrett Walker interrupted him and asked directly.

General Ross said in a deep voice, "Mr. President, when the attack occurred, the Minister was inspecting the Air Force Base in Ohio. He is rushing back after hearing the information."

"Since Raman can't make it back now, according to the Federal Constitution, under Level Three Alert, I will take full command authority of the Pentagon and the military!" Garrett Walker stared at Ross:

"Now I order, General Ross! Have your soldiers control everyone in this hotel. I suspect there are terrorists mixed among them!"

Garrett Walker also had some suspicion towards Raman from the Department of Defense; after all, he was one of the few senior government officials who didn't attend this cocktail party.

General Ross heard this and glanced at the guests around him. Clearly, everyone the President mentioned included not only that group of terrorists but also the surviving guests present.

Although he didn't know why the President would issue this order, the President's serious expression made General Ross realize that the President wasn't joking.

General Ross quickly issued the order. Large numbers of army began entering the State Guest House, orderly separating and controlling the guests inside the State Guest House.

Although Garrett Walker used the pretense of protection, these guests clearly wouldn't buy it. They were all anxious to leave this den of iniquity. Some were genuinely worried about being attacked by terrorists again.

And for some people, with so many important figures dead at this cocktail party, it was also an opportunity for them.

After all, with so many old men who controlled the upper layer space dead, the entire Federation's commercial landscape would definitely change, not just in finance, but in the real economy as well.

Just like the head of the Rockefeller family passing away, the dispute over his inheritance would definitely last a long time. Could they seize this opportunity to get involved in the Rockefeller family's oil industry?

In this terrorist attack, David Rockefeller wasn't the only one who perished. For the survivors, this was a misfortune, but also an opportunity.

Time is money. Early planning means getting the biggest share of the cake. Seeing these soldiers blocking the State Guest House Gate and not letting anyone out, the atmosphere at the scene instantly became agitated and furious.

Facing these important figures, the helpless soldiers could only form a human wall to separate them.

On the other side, the elite soldiers led by General Ross, with the help of Iron Man and Black Widow, successfully arrested that group of terrorists.

Unfortunately, not many were caught. Seeing that they were about to be caught, some terrorists directly bit down on the potassium cyanide hidden in their teeth. This group of terrorists were clearly deathsworn.

But there were exceptions. Tony Stark successfully knocked down a few terrorists using the electroshock device on his Iron Suit.

Natasha Romanoff directly smashed their teeth, stuffed things into their mouths, and tied them up.

Seeing that the Federal soldiers had controlled the situation, Natasha Romanoff walked directly up to Tony Stark and used his communication device to contact Nick Fury.

"Director!"

"Agent Natasha!" Inside the Helicarrier office, Nick Fury looked at the incoming number: "Tony also went to Blair House. What's the situation now?"

"It's Hydra. They attacked the State Guest House. The President is currently safe!" Natasha Romanoff said quickly. "Officer, Hawkeye perished! I need GH325!"

Hawkeye perished! This information hit Nick Fury like a blow to the head. He didn't react for a long time! "Officer, Officer—"

Natasha Romanoff's calls brought Nick Fury back to his senses. "Listen, Agent Natasha, I will arrange a Quinjet to go there. You take Hawkeye to Base 3. I'll be waiting for you there!"

"Thank you!"

Natasha Romanoff returned the mobile phone to Tony Stark, thanked him, and then hurried towards a room in the State Guest House where Hawkeye Barton's corpse was placed.

Tony Stark looked at Natasha Romanoff's back, his face under the Iron Suit thoughtful. He turned back to look at Pepper Potts not far away and finally flew towards her.

Two black female guards helped T'Chaka to Garrett Walker. T'Chaka's mask had been removed, revealing his old face full of painful expression.

"Mr. President, I'm afraid I must return to Wakanda first! I think these terrorists were targeting me. I cannot implicate your Federation!"

Implicate? Why didn't you think of that earlier!? Garrett Walker glanced at T'Chaka, but thinking of how T'Chaka had just saved his life, he tried to persuade him to stay:

"His Majesty T'Chaka, I think you should recuperate in the Federation for a while and heal your injuries first. I will arrange a private jet to escort you back!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. President. There are still some matters to attend to in Wakanda. As you know, the misunderstanding between the Allied Forces and Wakanda has not yet been resolved. I cannot stay in the Federation for long, lest I cause unnecessary misunderstandings!" T'Chaka expressed his gratitude, but his intention to leave was clearly firm.

There was nothing he could do. The series of unlucky events just now had left him with lingering fear. He dislocated his shoulder waving, and sprained his ankle lifting his leg.

T'Chaka was even afraid that if he stayed in the Federation longer, he might choke himself to death on water.

Garrett Walker looked at T'Chaka and said helplessly, "Alright then! I won't keep you!"

He turned to Ross and said, "General Ross, arrange manpower and a private jet to escort King T'Chaka back to Wakanda!"

"No need, Mr. President, our Vibranium Jet is already on its way!" T'Chaka said to Garrett Walker.

The gold and red Iron Suit landed in front of Pepper Potts. With clicking mechanical transformation sounds, a stubbled middle-aged man was revealed.

His suit was wrinkled, and he wasn't even wearing a tie. It was clear that Tony Stark had come in a hurry.

Before receiving the information, he was in the laboratory researching the information left by Howard Stark. Upon receiving the information about the cocktail party attack, he rushed over non-stop.

"Pepper Potts!"

Tony Stark looked at Pepper Potts nervously! Pepper Potts smiled at Tony Stark and shook her head, comforting him, "Tony, I'm alright!"

"Aren't you going over?"

Tang Song looked in the President's direction and gestured to Francis. At this moment, the President was surrounded by people from all sides who had come to the rescue.

Federal generals in military uniform, agents in suits and ties, Federal Police with flowers on their shoulders. These people surrounded the President in layers.

Francis glanced at Tang Song with dissatisfaction, gritting his teeth and saying in a low voice, "Tang, didn't you say you could solve this trouble?"

Tang Song rubbed the black jade thumb ring on his right thumb, smiling playfully:

"Trouble is naturally easy to solve, but what can you offer, Mr. President!" Tang Song looked at Francis, emphasizing the words 'Mr. President'.

"What do you want?" A gleam flashed in Francis's eyes.

He wasn't afraid of this Chinese man's harsh conditions, but rather that he had no method. Since Tang Song dared to make a requirement, it meant he still had a method.

Tang Song didn't answer him directly but pointed at the people surrounding the President, saying with a chuckle:

"After this terrorist attack, Mr. President, you will definitely crack down on terrorists and strengthen the military's budget after you take office. I run an Arms Company, you see..."

"No problem!" Before Tang Song could finish, Francis understood what Tang Song meant. "Your company will become a Federal arms supplier! Of course, the condition is that you can help me solve this trouble!"

"That's naturally no problem. I've always been eager to help others!" Tang Song smiled. "The President and I are friends. A friend's matters are naturally my matters! Don't worry! Today you will become President, I said it, not even Jesus could change it!"

"Achoo!"

Bishop Hyde, who had been sleeping soundly on the sofa, had just been helped up by two soldiers. He seemed to have caught a cold and sneezed. The soldier beside him saw the black clerical robe on his body and quickly found him a jacket to put on.

"Thank you, young man, the Lord will bless you!"

Bishop Hyde made the sign of the cross on his chest and stroked the young soldier's head. The soldier was clearly very excited.

After all, in this multi-ethnic, multi-faith country like the Federation, nearly fifty percent of the population believes in Christianity. Bishop Hyde, the Bishop of Washington National Cathedral, has a high reputation in the Federation, especially in the Washington Area.

"What method do you have? It's crowded with people here now?" Francis looked at the sea of soldiers, gazing suspiciously at Tang Song.

"Are you a Mutant?" He clearly thought of the scene where the President of the Senate tripped and fell and was trampled to death.

If the former president died in a trampling accident, it wasn't impossible! "No, no, I don't want to bear the name of assassinating the Federal President. Dragonslayer, although that appellation sounds good, it doesn't suit me!" Tang Song glanced at Francis, seeing his distrust, and pointed his finger towards outside the door: "Listen, the opportunity has arrived!"

Bang! After spending some time with Pepper Potts, and hearing that Tang Song had saved her twice, the proud and arrogant Tony Stark decided to give him a sea view villa as gratitude. Just as he was preparing to walk towards Tang Song, a sniper rifle shot suddenly rang out outside the door! Clicking, Tony Stark's first reaction was to cover his entire body with his Iron Suit, enveloping himself, then turned and wrapped his arms around Pepper Potts.

"What's happening?"

"Where was the shot fired?"

Hearing the explosive gunfire, the crowd inside the State Guest House were startled birds. Mark Sully, the Director of the Secret Service, even commanded agents to form a human wall in front of the generals and councillors.

At this moment, outside the State Guesthouse Gate, a soldier who had been escorting T'Chaka out stumbled back in.

"Officer! There's a sniper outside, the King of Wakanda has been assassinated!"

One minute ago, T'Chaka, who had taken off his Black Panther Suit because of injured hands and feet, left the hotel gate escorted by two female guards and a dozen Federal soldiers, waiting for the Vibranium Jet coming to pick him up.

"Bang!"

A gunshot rang out. A sniper rifle bullet hit T'Chaka's forehead! It blew off half of his skull, sending the richest man on Earth to Hell.

"Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty!"

The two female guards supporting T'Chaka were splattered with red and white liquid. They looked at T'Chaka, whose head was half blown off, in a panic and let out piteous wails.

"Killer!"

A black female guard handed T'Chaka's corpse to her companion, took her Vibranium Spear, and ran towards the direction the sniper rifle shot came from, firing blue energy pulse beams as she went.

Inside the bathroom of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building across the street from the White House West Wing, John Wick, dressed as a cleaner, looked at T'Chaka, who had been shot and fell to the ground, with a bewildered expression through his scope.

Yes, he fired the shot, and he aimed at the target's head, but the sniper rifle provided by the employer was clearly equipped with a silencer.

And the shot he just fired missed!

The target seemed to have the ability to sense threats. When he raised his gun and aimed and pulled the trigger, the target tilted his head slightly. His shot missed.

"There's another sniper!"

And nearby. John Wick subconsciously looked upstairs. The gunfire came from upstairs.

Inside the bathroom upstairs from John Wick, a black elder unhurriedly disassembled the sniper rifle, placed it in his briefcase, then took out a Yellow Talisman from his pocket and stuck it on his body.

"Bang!"

The gate of this women's bathroom was violently kicked open. Several armed guards rushed in, checking each stall.

"Officer, no one's here! The gunfire must have come from downstairs!"

The guards searched the entire bathroom but found no suspicious person. They gripped their guns and hurried downstairs.

An invisible person carrying a briefcase followed them, also heading downstairs, then effortlessly walked towards the office building gate among a group of guards heading upstairs!

"Sniper! Where are our soldiers? This isn't Afghanistan, this isn't the Middle East, this is Blair House, right across from the White House!"

Hearing the information that T'Chaka had been assassinated, Garrett Walker's face turned ashen. He angrily rebuked the group of people surrounding him.

The group around him all lowered their heads after being scolded by him.

After Garrett Walker scolded for a while, he fixed his gaze on Ross.

"General Ross, I'm temporarily handing over the command authority of the departments outside to you. You must catch that sniper. We need to give Wakanda an account!"

Compared to others, Garrett Walker clearly had a good impression of General Ross, who was the first general to command the army to rush over and come to the rescue!

"Yes, Mr. President!" General Ross gave Garrett Walker a military salute, then walked outside with a few soldiers, completely disregarding the sniper outside.

(end of chapter)