In any era, animation is a costly business.
This was especially true for Walt Disney Studios during The Great Depression.
The technology for animation was still underdeveloped, and creating an animated film often required a massive investment of both capital and time.
Therefore, secure funding was always a key focus for Walt Disney Studios.
"I think this is an opportunity, an opportunity to help Mickey out of this slump."
Compared to his younger brother, Walt Disney, Roy Disney didn't have much talent for animation production. Instead, he focused more of his energy on the operations of Disney Studios itself.
The Technicolor Company's Three-Color Printing technology wasn't as easy to use as one might think.
For Disney to produce Color Animation using this technology, it would naturally require a greater investment. He had already revealed the studio's plan to create Color Animation in a previous interview, and there was no room for failure.
"In fact, I've already booked a train ticket to New York. I plan to personally speak with the owner of The Messenger..."
...
"...possessing cutting-edge biotechnology... we stand at the forefront to guarantee your health and safety. HYDRA Biotech, always by your side, solving all your worries. Hail Hydra, the perfect guardian..."
Anti-World, inside Hydra Tower.
Natasha's gaze swept over the Hydra advertisement on the screen. She looked away and entered the building.
"Good morning, Dr. Hank Pym."
"Natasha."
Hearing the voice from behind him, Hank turned to look at the member of the Thunderbolts, his tone somewhat indifferent.
"It seems you're here for Hydra as well."
"Not entirely."
Hearing Dr. Pym's words, Natasha looked toward Helmut Zemo not far away and said in a low voice.
"Welcome, Natasha."
Standing in the crowd, Helmut noticed Natasha standing next to Hank. He immediately stopped his conversation, turned, and walked over with a smile.
Seeing Helmut approach, Hank frowned and simply walked away.
"It seems you two don't get along."
Looking away from Dr. Pym's retreating back, Natasha remarked.
"Just a slight difference of opinion. It doesn't affect Dr. Hank Pym's professional achievements. To Hydra, Dr. Hank Pym is an invaluable asset."
Without answering Natasha's question, Helmut explained with a smile.
Not lingering on the topic of Hank Pym, Helmut turned and gestured to his secretary nearby.
At his signal, the crowd fell silent.
Then, as all eyes turned to him, Helmut began to speak: "I believe everyone present has already received some news, more or less. Now, it is time to witness this great technology."
As Helmut finished speaking, he strode into the adjacent laboratory.
Following his lead, everyone present filed in after him.
"For a long time, Hydra has been dedicated to biotechnological research. This world is not safe. In New York City alone, there are more than ten criminal incidents related to Superhuman Abilities every day. At this point, I want to thank Ms. Natasha and the members of the Thunderbolts behind her. It is because of their existence that we can continue to work and live in safety..."
Following Helmut's gesture, everyone in the laboratory turned their gazes to Natasha.
Suddenly, she was the focus of so many eyes.
Natasha's expression remained calm as she calmly accepted Helmut's gratitude.
"However, as we all know."
Having done that, Helmut brought the topic back to the day's main purpose: "The Thunderbolts, after all, cannot provide us with protection twenty-four hours a day."
As he spoke, Helmut strode to the center of the laboratory. "But Hydra can."
"And now, allow me to grandly introduce Hydra's latest product, developed by Dr. Hank Pym, the terminator of crime—Ultron!"
Following Helmut's introduction, a robot, silver-white all over and gleaming with a metallic and technological sheen, appeared before everyone.
Seeing the Ultron robot appear, Natasha subconsciously glanced over at Hank Pym.
The latter watched it all unfold with a silent, expressionless face.
"Ultron is the latest intelligent robot researched and developed by Hydra. It has the potential to work and fight in all kinds of extreme environments, and it can provide you with comprehensive security..."
As Helmut continued his introduction, the people in the laboratory couldn't help but take a few steps closer to Ultron.
Helmut seized this opportunity to begin lavishly detailing the robot's functions.
Waving to his secretary nearby, a promotional short film for Ultron began to play on the laboratory's screen.
"In this day and age, danger is everywhere. You can never predict what kind of peril you might encounter in the next second. Ultron can provide you with twenty-four-hour personal protection. Its powerful artificial intelligence can rationally assess dangers in your surroundings and issue warnings in advance..."
Matching the narration, the screen showed footage of Ultron sounding an alarm and protecting its target from harm.
"...At the same time, the advent of Ultron means that various dangerous jobs will no longer exist. At the scene of a fire, Ultron can carry out rescue operations with greater precision than firefighters..."
As the narration in the short film changed, Ultron's work shifted from protection to footage of it operating in various hazardous environments.
"In the near future, Ultron will take on all dangerous tasks, creating a safe and stable environment for the entire world."
"So, what if our enemies get their hands on Ultron?"
Inside the laboratory, after watching the promotional short film, someone voiced their concern.
"Regarding that point, Hydra is well-prepared. In fact, the intelligent system of every Ultron unit possesses self-identification capabilities, allowing it to analyze and make judgments based on the situation. Furthermore, the Ultron units currently manufactured by Hydra are only equipped with the most basic counter-attack measures. Their primary purpose is still protection, as well as work and exploration in various extremely dangerous locations."
The Ultron that Hydra has publicly revealed is merely a simplified version of the current Ultron Mark I. It cannot be equipped with excessive weaponry, and even the machine's AI system is a substitute version designed by Doctor Zola, far less advanced than the Brainwave Pattern developed by Dr. Pym.
(end of chapter)