"Uh, what a coincidence!" Stark, having been rebuffed, finally turned his gaze back to Fisher, who had been staring at him.
The two shook hands, then simultaneously squeezed.
"You did that on purpose!" Fisher said with a forced smile.
"That's right, I did it on purpose!" Stark's face was red; his hand felt like it was caught in an iron vise. Damn, how could this guy have such a strong grip, Stark thought.
After shaking hands for nearly thirty seconds, when Stark was on the verge of crying out, Fisher finally released his grip. Are you kidding? Before founding Atlas, I was kicked out by the old man in my family and trained with the fourth-class personnel for two years. How could I not overpower you?
"Look, young people are just so vibrant!" The silent contest between the two did not escape Obadiah and Rhodes, who were standing nearby. Seeing Stark lose out, they were quite pleased.
"I hear your company is doing well in Iraq. I imagine you have quite a few financial gaps, right?" Since he couldn't win physically, Stark switched to what he was good at, adopting a posture that suggested he was rich.
"It's going well, going well. The Iraqi government has handed over several oil-producing regions to us, and crude oil production has already begun there. Financial gaps are no longer worth mentioning!" Fisher smiled faintly.
"Oh, is that so? That's really good news. But, Happy, do you remember? It seems Justin Hammer's company copied a drone called… what was it again? Something like an MQ, right!" Seeing that this line of attack was useless, Stark immediately switched to another.
"Oh, you mean our MQ99 drone. It's fine if Hammer Industries copied it; we've already secured a large order from the Air Force. We have to thank Colonel Rhodes for that!"
"It's nothing, not worth mentioning!" Rhodes modestly brushed it off.
"Damn it!" Stark could only curse under his breath, giving up on trying to get even, and steered the conversation towards normal business cooperation.
"I saw Atlas's New Baghdad on the news the other day. I'm planning to establish an education foundation and set up a few schools in your city. What do you think, Mr. Fisher?"
"That's excellent! Although we've rebuilt New Baghdad, due to the war, the population outflow there is still very serious. Atlas can currently only prioritize ensuring the city's daily life. For things like education and commerce, we need to attract more businesses. With Stark Industries leading the way, I think all aspects of New Baghdad can quickly return to pre-war conditions!"
"Oh, now that you mention it, I think Stark Industries could also build an industrial park there, helping to solve the employment problem for a large number of local people, and expanding the Middle Eastern market at the same time!"
The more the two chatted, the more excited they became. Fisher was now eloquently discussing how he planned to zone New Baghdad, and Stark occasionally offered his insights. Now, the two no longer seemed to be at odds, as they had been just moments before.
"Tony, Tony!" Seeing Stark, who was flushed from arguing with Fisher, Colonel Rhodes, who was following behind, called out several times before he finally reacted.
"What is it?" Stark asked, puzzled.
"Don't forget we're going to Afghanistan tomorrow!"
"Oh, of course I won't forget! Just wait for me at the airport; I'll definitely be on time!" Stark vowed.
"You swear?"
"I swear!"
Looking at Stark's firm gaze, Rhodes chose to believe him once more. Then he got into the Humvee and left.
After watching Rhodes's car disappear down the street, Stark was about to continue discussing future clean energy with Fisher when he saw the other man staring at his chest.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Are you going to Afghanistan?" Fisher asked, feigning ignorance.
"Yes, to demonstrate my new invention there!"
"Oh, then you'd better be careful. It's not very safe there. Atlas has several security forces at Phoenix Fire Base. If you have any problems, you can go find them! After all, the soldiers can't watch you 24/7!"
"Thank you for your kindness, but I'm confident the military won't mess up!"
"Let's hope so!"
The two walked down the steps, and Stark's car was already parked by the roadside.
"If you're waiting for your car, I can lend you mine!" Stark said smugly.
"No, thank you. My car is already on its way! It will drive itself over!" Fisher held up his keys and jingled them.
"Excuse me, may I interview you two for a few moments?" Just as Stark was about to see what kind of car Fisher drove, a female voice sounded from behind him.
Stark turned and saw a blonde woman in a women's suit.
"I'm Christine, a reporter from Vanity Fair magazine. Mr. Stark and Mr. Fisher, may I ask you a few questions?"
"Of course, my dear, please ask!" Stark took off his sunglasses and said earnestly.
The female reporter then asked several sharp questions about Stark Industries, but Stark himself answered fluently, even turning the tables on the reporter.
Fisher had not intended to bother with the reporter, but she had already extended her recording pen, and waiting for his car was indeed a bit boring, so Fisher agreed.
However, the reporter's first question made Fisher's face turn cold.
"Mr. Fisher, to my knowledge, your Atlas Corporation has a private army of nearly ten thousand people, and they have carried out many offensive missions in the Middle East, causing significant casualties. At the same time, you are rebuilding cities there, earning considerable prestige. How do you view this issue?"
"This is not contradictory. That land has countless innocent civilians who just want to live peacefully, and Atlas will protect them. At the same time, there are many terrorists who create explosions and carry out assassinations there, and Atlas combats them. All of this is to maintain stability in the region!"
"But during offensive operations, Atlas's army often abuses its power, beating and even massacring captured militants. Some even call you a blood-soaked executioner. Isn't this too inhumane?"
"Inhumane?" Fisher chuckled, "Then you tell me what humanity means. Should we send those guys back to America to be tried? Is that humanity? Madam, you think war is too simple. We dirty our hands to bring peace to this world. Atlas has saved millions of lives in that land and kept them away from death and war. If killing one person can save a hundred, then that is our choice. Why do you think you can wear pretty clothes and ramble on here right now? The American government started the war, and all we did was end it!" As soon as he finished speaking, two sci-fi-looking, unmanned hoverbikes hummed as they drove over.
"Sorry, my ride is here. We're leaving!"
Puking Diary: If there are still no recommendation votes or collections today, don't be sad, because tomorrow will be the same T^T