Chapter 152: Wakanda
"Tony Stark stuffed an arc reactor into his own chest."
"He even linked operational authority for the large-scale arc reactor beneath Stark Tower with the one in his chest."
In New York, at a location ostensibly a logistics company but actually a combined weapons transport and modification facility for AIAS Security—
Obadiah Stane, AIAS Security's actual behind-the-scenes controller, stood with hands on hips, face showing impatience as he regarded the person opposite him.
"He clearly doesn't want me involved with the arc reactor situation. And I don't even know what he's planning."
"So I want you to build one first, replicating Tony's miniature reactor. At least give me negotiating capital with him."
Opposite Obadiah stood another bald scientist—a Russian-born professor he'd specifically recruited from Empire State University: Yuri Petrovich.
Crimson Dynamo (character is the fourth generation from comics, image doesn't match)
Currently, Professor Yuri wore an extremely troubled expression.
"Sorry, Obadiah. According to my research, the miniature reactor you want—that kind of thing simply cannot be manufactured..."
His words were brutally interrupted before completion by Obadiah. "Tony Stark built one in a cave with a box of scraps!"
Obadiah jabbed Professor Yuri's chest forcefully with his finger, so enraged his mustache trembled.
"Sorry, but I'm not Tony Stark," Professor Yuri said, startled by Obadiah's sudden outburst but managing to speak his piece.
Obadiah's fury immediately deflated. Of course he knew Professor Yuri wasn't Tony Stark.
Tony was a playboy, but he'd never be merely a playboy.
Stark Industries' leap from Howard Stark's established weapons development and manufacturing company to the multi-domain Stark Corporation could be attributed entirely to Tony Stark's brilliant intellect.
"You're right. You're not Tony Stark." Obadiah placed one hand on Professor Yuri's shoulder. "You competed against his father your entire life. Now you can't even match his son."
Professor Yuri Petrovich's breathing grew somewhat labored. He himself was a brilliantly talented Russian physicist, once a contemporary competitor of Tony Stark's father Howard.
But due to his affiliation and poor personal circumstances, he'd remained consistently overlooked by the West until several years ago when he'd finally leveraged his knowledge becoming an Empire State University professor.
Compared to the illustrious Howard Stark and his son Tony Stark, Yuri Petrovich seemed ordinary as any passerby.
Professor Yuri naturally knew Obadiah was using provocation tactics. But he genuinely couldn't replicate the miniature arc reactor—it represented an entirely epoch-making creation.
"Actually, you've approached the wrong person, Obadiah," Professor Yuri said, looking at Obadiah. "I have another candidate to recommend."
Obadiah paced impatiently before Professor Yuri. Hearing this statement, he turned to look at him.
"Who?"
"Anton Vanko," Professor Yuri said. "He once participated alongside Howard Stark in arc reactor development, later accused of espionage. His whereabouts remain unknown to this day."
Professor Yuri looked into Obadiah's eyes.
"If anyone else in this world could manufacture a miniature arc reactor like Tony Stark, besides him there's no other choice."
Obadiah stared fixedly at Yuri Petrovich. A smile crept across his face. Appearing affectionate, he approached Professor Yuri, cupping Yuri's head with both hands, forehead pressed against forehead, eyes staring into eyes.
"Anton Vanko is already dead. Didn't you know?"
"If he were still alive, you think I'd seek help from a half-rate like you manufacturing reactors?"
Professor Yuri clenched his fists. Only now had he received news of Anton Vanko's death. Regarding Obadiah's undisguised contempt, Professor Yuri similarly stared directly at Obadiah whose forehead pressed against his own, breathing growing progressively heavier.
"I cannot do it."
Obadiah said nothing further. He couldn't be bothered with this incompetent Russian scientist. Walking toward the factory exit while extracting his phone from his pocket:
"Arrange a flight for me to the Middle East."
He would personally meet with the Ten Rings' Abu Bakaar, demanding face-to-face answers about why Tony Stark hadn't died but returned perfectly intact... and what methods Tony Stark had used to escape.
Wait for me, Ten Rings.
On Hoffman Island, Batman was currently conducting geological surveys across the entire island, obtaining results that satisfied him.
Underground lay extensive granite bedrock exceeding twenty meters thickness—perfectly capable of supporting the Batplane's landing and elevator platform.
Further down were caverns and underground rivers, perfectly forming an island within an island, a cave within a cave, while reserving space for the Bat-submarine.
The caverns were sufficiently spacious, but granite bedrock support made this island extremely stable. Batman calculated silently, discovering even parking over ten Batplanes here would be completely sustainable.
The frontal section contained portions of chaotic aquifer layers. This should have been a disadvantage, but if Alfred AI's servers were buried here, it could perfectly become part of the server cooling system.
"If this island hadn't previously harbored viruses and toxins, it could have become another of New York's tourist attractions."
Batman had surveyed all of Hoffman Island. But he didn't stop there. Instead, driving the Batmobile submerged underwater, he circled Hoffman Island slowly.
Not just the island's geology—the surrounding area within one hundred meters equally fell within Batman's survey range.
Several hours later, Batman returned to the Batcave. He'd again use the Wayne Foundation anonymously purchasing Hoffman Island, initiating modifications under cover of Parker Tower's construction.
"Vibranium can be processed under specific sonic frequency ranges. Barbara, use the Batmobile's sonic cannon testing from low to high frequencies to identify the most suitable processing frequency."
Batman issued orders, having Oracle AI conduct frequency testing on vibranium while he personally began tracing the black market channel where he'd purchased vibranium back to its source.
Vibranium's molecular arrangement defied conventional understanding. Batman suspected this was some artificially created metal, but like Nth metal it could also represent extraterrestrial material.
Vibranium's appearance on the black market had been disguised, but in Batman's eyes it differed little from complete transparency. Batman traced this vibranium piece's circulation path, navigating through the intricate international black market network toward a single region in eastern Africa.
"Maps indicate that location is the relatively underdeveloped, agriculturally-based nation of Wakanda. No anomalies appear in import/export data, energy consumption, or even communications signal density—"
The deeper Batman investigated, the deeper his frown grew.
"Wakanda is a technologically advanced civilization disguised as an impoverished nation? Similar to Aquaman's Atlantis?"
***
advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces