YoRHa—also known as the YoRHa Project.
This is the core of Rhodes Island Industries' next-generation global defense system.
The project aims to create artificial combat androids capable of rapid deployment anywhere in the world, handling localized armed conflicts, hostage situations, and civil unrest while maintaining global security.
The year is 2014.
Rhodes Island Industries has already established a worldwide detection and support system centered around the "Argos" project.
With the gradual perfection of "Hammer of Heaven," the company has also gained strike capabilities against extraterrestrial vessels within Earth's orbit and the lunar system.
However, this global defense framework remains incomplete. In cases of sudden crises, the world still relies on the Avengers or Griffin to respond.
Ultimately, Kagura's vision for a global defense system isn't just about protecting against random alien invaders.
It's also about neutralizing the supercriminals on Earth that threaten world stability and security.
To maintain peace and prepare for even larger-scale alien invasions in the future, Kagura needs her own "army." The YoRHa Project was created for this very purpose.
As Tony Stark once said, the Avengers are merely a tool of retaliation. His true mission is to render the Avengers obsolete, allowing superheroes to stop running all over the world fighting crisis after crisis.
Under Kagura's leadership, the integration of CTOS and YoRHa within Rhodes Island Industries is a direct embodiment of this philosophy.
CTOS provides global surveillance and early warnings, while the YoRHa unit executes operations.
Once this system is fully implemented, both the Avengers and Griffin can shed a considerable portion of their workload.
Of course, considering how Tony Stark's attempts at a similar project in the original MCU led to the creation of Ultron—a "problem child" that nearly wiped out humanity—Kagura remains cautious about developing YoRHa's artificial combat units.
For this reason, the YoRHa Project remains an absolute secret. No one else in the world knows about it—not even Tony Stark or Nick Fury.
Well, except for Cortana. If she even counts as a "person"...
Though technically not an independent entity yet, during her research on the YoRHa Project, Kagura had an absolutely wild idea.
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2014 – Southern Outskirts of Berlin, Germany, Rhodes Island Industries' Top-Secret Advanced Equipment Research Facility
Rhodes Island Industries has R&D centers worldwide.
But this one is special. It has no human personnel—everything is fully automated. There aren't even security guards.
As Kagura puts it: "Humans make mistakes. Machines usually don't."
Rhodes Island Industries is known for its automation and high integration.
Most of its factories and research centers rely heavily on automated production, minimizing the need for human workers.
Of course, the company still employs a significant workforce—after all, even an automated system needs people for maintenance and oversight.
But this particular facility is an exception. Here, there are no employees, no guards, and not even a single building visible on the surface.
This facility is special not only because of its extreme automation but also because Kagura doesn't want anyone to know what's being developed here—not even Tony Stark or Nick Fury.
This is Rhodes Island Industries' "Area 51."
It is both the pinnacle and the most dangerous hub of human civilization's technological advancements.
With a mischievous sense of humor, Kagura decided to name this classified research center "NERV."
In German, "NERV" means "nerve," but the name also draws inspiration from a certain well-known Japanese anime—symbolizing mankind's attempt to wield godlike power.
Considering the nature of the work happening here, the name fits disturbingly well.
At that moment, Kagura deactivated her full-spectrum stealth mode and approached an inconspicuous red telephone booth by the roadside.
Inside, she dialed a specific number on the antique rotary phone. The device immediately disassembled itself, revealing an advanced biometric scanner.
After completing a holographic verification process, the floor beneath her began to descend.
Yes, this was an elevator—a hidden entrance to the classified research base.
NERV is built 1,000 meters underground, using the foundations of an abandoned mining site.
"Voiceprint recognition confirmed: Kagura Hitomi. Destination: Laboratory A1."
As the elevator descended, Kagura activated a floating holographic display.
"Cortana, pull up the latest research data on Project A1. I need to know if the modified Extremis Virus is having any effect on her."
Upon reaching the heart of NERV, Kagura proceeded alone into inside.
She opened the doors to Laboratory A1.
The lab wasn't particularly large, but it housed fully automated research equipment.
At its center lay a coffin-like containment unit—Rhodes Island Industries' proprietary "Life Cradle."
Unlike its namesake, this Life Cradle wasn't designed for healing or regenerative procedures.
Nor was it meant for something like Wade Wilson's Extremis Virus modifications. It existed solely to create the combat units of the YoRHa Project.
"Subject A1: No signs of physical activity detected."
As Kagura stepped forward, Cortana provided a status update.
"Body construction: 98.16% complete. Extremis Virus successfully integrated. Compatibility stable. Customizable external appearance system is now online."
"Give me a quick rundown of A1's specifications."
"Primary body materials: Organic polymer compounds, vibranium, prototype artificial Uru alloy."
A holographic display presented the details before Kagura.
"Height: 168 cm. Weight: 148.8 kg. Body measurements: B84cm, W56cm, H88cm. Default appearance: Silver hair, blue eyes, near-white skin."
"Uhm… she's really heavy…"
Kagura muttered, unimpressed.
"Are we really unable to reduce the weight without compromising combat efficiency?"
"Master, this is the lightest we can make her with current technology."
"Fine, we'll deal with her weight later. What about power? Are we still unable to wake her up?"
Kagura scanned the floating holographic windows displaying various research data.
"Have we tried connecting her to an Arc Reactor?"
"Master, an Arc Reactor isn't enough to sustain A1's complex physiological functions. We need a new power source."
"A new power source?" Kagura frowned. "The Extremis Virus doesn't help?"
"The virus grants A1 self-repair and operational stability, but it does nothing for her energy supply."
"Have we experimented with dark energy?"
"Master, dark energy isn't compatible with our known scientific frameworks. To replicate the 'Black Box Energy Core' from the design blueprints, we need a currently undiscovered substance."
"What substance?"
"Dark matter."
"Tch… now this is getting ridiculously sci-fi."
Kagura clicked her tongue. "For now, keep experimenting with conventional power sources. There's no rush—as long as we solve the energy issue, everything else will fall into place."
Dark matter, huh…
Looks like she might have to pay Thor a visit and ask about dark matter and the Dark Elves.
"Master, urgent communication incoming."
"Urgent? What happened?"
"Nick Fury has been attacked."