Let's check again. I'll go arrange the equipment," the doctor exclaimed.
General Ross released him and shouted, "What are you waiting for? Go!"
Norman wiped the blood from his face and said sinisterly, "You've been spitting blood. It might be related to Andrew Wang."
"Andrew Wang? After I deal with Banner, I'll go find him," General Ross said warily.
Then, he questioned Norman again, "Norman, your serum failed. How did you guarantee it to me back then?"
"I didn't fail. They only completed the first stage of enhancement. My serum still has a second stage," Norman defended.
"I'll inject them with the second stage serum immediately. They'll quickly return to optimal condition."
"It better be," General Ross snorted.
He thought for a moment and ordered the soldier beside him, "Contact S.H.I.E.L.D. and have them monitor online information flow.
Banner came to New York to find a doctor named Mr. Blue.
Monitor the keywords Mr. Blue and Mr. Green. I need to find Banner in the shortest time possible.
Also, warn S.H.I.E.L.D. that the military will lead this operation."
S.H.I.E.L.D. is an agency under the United Nations, but this is America, and the military's authority is stronger than S.H.I.E.L.D.'s.
The soldier immediately responded, "Yes."
Norman said, "I wasn't prepared enough this time, but next time, I'll definitely catch Banner.
What Andrew Wang can do, I, Norman Osborn, can do too."
General Ross glanced at Norman and sneered, "Anyone can talk big. I only look at facts."
…
Several days later, in the early morning, Tony Stark clumsily prepared breakfast at Malibu Villa.
He hadn't left the house for a long time.
He hadn't left, partly to research new elements and new Iron Man Suit, and partly because he didn't want to—being hung on the tower last time was too embarrassing.
It was well known that Tony Stark valued his pride more than his life.
"Andrew Wang," Tony muttered Andrew's name, his eyes full of fighting spirit.
In a few months, he had already clarified Andrew Wang's identity and knew that he was the cool, friendless Ghost Rider.
Tony couldn't forget his contemptuous gaze, nor the newspaper articles that claimed he was far inferior to Ghost Rider.
He wanted to prove to everyone that he was stronger than Ghost Rider, which was one of the reasons he had been researching the Iron Man Suit for months.
Tony's life, not weaker than anyone.
At this moment, the artificial intelligence Jarvis reminded, "Mr. Stark, you are scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the Stark Industries Industrial Expo tonight."
"I remember," Tony said.
"Send an invitation to Andrew Wang for me. I want to discuss acquiring the Space Station with him, and let him witness my charming demeanor."
Jarvis said, "Yes, Mr. Stark."
Pepper walked out of the bedroom.
When she saw Tony, she was first delighted, then sarcastically said, "Who are you? I thought I was the only one living in this house?"
Tony knew he had neglected Pepper during this time and quickly said, "Pepper, I specially prepared breakfast for you."
Pepper glanced at the strawberry bread on the table, speechless.
She complained, "Do you know I'm only allergic to one thing in the whole world?"
Tony was instantly embarrassed and quickly threw away the strawberry bread.
"Tony, I have something serious to tell you," Pepper said, too lazy to argue, as this was the man she had chosen, and she had to grit her teeth and bear it no matter how bad he was.
"Ever since you became Iron Man, the military has been using various methods to force you to hand over the Iron Man Suit."
Tony snorted, "They're dreaming. I'll never hand over the Iron Man Suit, Pepper, you don't need to persuade me."
"I wasn't planning to persuade you. Just because you don't understand me doesn't mean I don't understand you," Pepper said.
"The problem is, in the past month, they suddenly went silent, even canceling the hearing.
This is clearly problematic."
Tony's eyes narrowed, and he asked, "Are you saying they got the Iron Man Suit from somewhere else? For example, Obadiah?"
Pepper shook her head and said, "No, according to the information Rhode gave me, the military has been in frequent contact with Hammer Industries recently."
"Hammer Industries? Pepper, I didn't know you told jokes," Tony laughed heartily.
Hammer Industries had made its fortune by counterfeiting Stark Industries's weapons, and Stark Industries had at least hundreds of patent lawsuits against them.
Given Hammer Industries' research capabilities, there was only one possibility for them to replicate the Iron Man Suit: humanity was about to be destroyed.
Pepper said, "I'm not joking. Hammer Industries is also participating in the expo this time. You need to be careful."
"Don't worry, Hammer Industries is nothing," Tony completely disregarded Hammer Industries.
Pepper shook her head and went to the bathroom to wash up.
At this moment, Jarvis prompted, "Mr. Stark, Mr. Fury is calling."
Tony said, "Looks like trouble is here. Connect him."
Soon, the one-eyed Nick Fury appeared in the holographic projection.
He said, "Tony, a major disaster might occur in Manhattan soon."
As he spoke, Nick Fury sent Hulk's intelligence to Tony.
Tony wasn't scared; instead, he was a little excited: "He's a really big guy. Perfect for testing my new Iron Man Suit."
"Don't underestimate the enemy. He's very dangerous. I'll have Logan and Barton come back to help you," Nick Fury said.
Logan was in Canada searching for memories, while Barton was on vacation at home.
Tony said with full fighting spirit, "Don't worry, I won't be careless.
I will prove to everyone that New York's protector is not Ghost Rider, but me, Iron Man, Tony Stark."
Upon hearing this, Nick Fury silently withdrew the intelligence about Andrew Wang beating Hulk, so as not to discourage Tony Stark.
…
In the evening, Flushing, Queens, New York, Stark Industries Industrial Expo.
Andrew flipped through the catalog while asking Howard, "I heard Tony is holding this expo to commemorate you.
Aren't you touched?"
"What's there to be touched about? If it weren't for you, Boss, dragging me here, I wouldn't have come.
My artificial intelligence is almost finished," Howard said with disdain.
Andrew laughed, "Then let's go back. It's a waste of time anyway.
There isn't even a hovercar. What a failure."
Howard quickly stopped Andrew, "Don't! Since we're already here, let's just look around."
Andrew looked at Howard with a half-smile, and Howard was a little embarrassed, quickly changing the subject: "After all these years, hovercars still haven't been invented. It really is a failure.
Decades ago, I even exhibited a semi-finished one."
"Yes, a semi-finished product that hovered for a few seconds and then fell," Andrew quipped.
At this moment, a cheer erupted from the center of the venue, as Iron Man was flying towards them.
Andrew shook his head, "Your son is as attention-seeking as ever."
Howard feigned modesty, saying, "An unworthy son, he hasn't learned any of my low-key, reserved nature."
Andrew scoffed, "Are you sure you have those qualities?"
Amidst their banter, Tony Stark's figure appeared above the stage.
The crowd's cheers grew louder, and Tony smirked, preparing for a Super Hero landing.
Just then, a whip full of electricity swung from below and wrapped around Tony's calf.
Before Tony could react, the electric whip pulled hard, and Tony was slammed heavily onto the exhibition stand.
The steel-framed stand was instantly smashed into a large pit, and a group of women dressed as Iron Man screamed and retreated.
Then, the whip retracted, and a tall, rugged gray Iron Man Suit, holding two electric whips, flew out from behind the curtain.