Jarvis was silent for a moment, apparently running calculations. After a few seconds, he replied, "Sir, based on current theoretical calculations, that possibility exists. However, your bio-force field is currently in a very nascent stage, and its stability and intensity are far from sufficient. Entering outer space rashly carries an extremely high risk, with a failure probability exceeding 98.7%."
"Oh? Doesn't that mean there's a 1.3% chance of success?" Henry raised an eyebrow, a look of eagerness on his face.
"It wouldn't be the Stark style not to try."
"In that case, Sir, I strongly recommend you wear your Armor," Jarvis immediately stated.
"You designed emergency life support and supersonic propulsion functions into the Armor. Should your body encounter any unbearable circumstances, I can immediately activate maximum clearance and bring you back from outer space."
"Oh? Do you think I'll definitely fail?" Henry said, though he nodded anyway.
"But that's a good suggestion. After all, I don't want to be the first Superman to streak naked in space and freeze into a popsicle. That would be too embarrassing."
He stood up, stretched, and walked towards the bedroom. He went back to the room and casually changed into a set of black casual clothes.
The living room was empty. Pepper must have gone to the company early to deal with the mess that idiot Tony had left, or perhaps hadn't returned at all. As for Tony himself, he was probably still in that model's bed, lost in his daydreams.
Henry walked towards the underground lab, all the while complaining to Jarvis about Tony's chaotic private life.
"Seriously, Jarvis, if I actually died in outer space, do you think Tony would shed a single tear for me? I bet he'd just lament that he lost a free super-bodyguard he could boss around anytime."
"Sir, based on my emotional model analysis, although Mr. Tony is not good at expressing himself, his concern for you far exceeds yours for him. Should any accident occur to you, there is a 99.4% probability that he would spare no expense to eliminate the enemy."
"Is that so? I'm actually a little touched," Henry said, his face clearly showing a 'I don't believe you' expression.
He quickly arrived at the underground lab, picking up the Armor, which was now in its briefcase form, from the display cabinet. He didn't put on the Armor in the lab; instead, he carried the case back up to the second-floor viewing balcony. He opened the briefcase and placed it on the ground.
"Alright, old friend, be gentle. I don't want to be squeezed tight by your iron shell before takeoff."
As he spoke, the pure black Armor began to automatically assemble onto his body, piece by piece.
"Jarvis, what if I actually meet aliens in outer space? Should I say hello? Ask them if they've eaten? Or just punch them to let them know humans are not to be trifled with?"
"Sir, based on fundamental intergalactic diplomatic guidelines, I suggest you observe first and do not expose hostility prematurely."
"Fine, how boring."
Soon, the Armor was fully equipped. Henry moved his limbs and felt an unprecedented surge of power. He stood at the edge of the balcony, looking at the distant meeting of the sea and sky, taking a deep breath.
"Ready, Jarvis? Our space trip is about to begin."
"Ready at any moment, Sir. All life support systems and emergency protocols are activated."
"Excellent!" Henry flashed a brilliant smile.
"The first person from the Stark family to fly into outer space on his own is about to appear! That idiot Tony can continue dreaming about his tin can!"
He slowly levitated, half a meter above the ground.
"Start the countdown, Jarvis. Give me some ceremony."
"Complying, Sir. Three, two, one, launch!"
BANG!
A tremendous sonic boom roared over Malibu! Henry's figure transformed into a black bolt of lightning, ascending vertically into the clouds, instantly vanishing into the night sky.
High in the sky, Henry continuously accelerated. He felt like a bullet that had broken free of all constraints, flying towards the unknown cosmos.
"Jarvis! Test maximum speed! I want to see how fast I can fly now!"
"Calculating, Sir. Your current speed has reached Mach 2.8 and is still climbing! Analyzing the compatibility of your bio-force field with the upper atmosphere! Analysis complete! The result is good! You may continue to accelerate!"
"Well done, Jarvis!!"
Henry's speed increased rapidly. He felt like he was about to tear the entire sky apart.
"Prepare yourself, Sir! Preparing to break through the atmosphere!" Jarvis's voice returned.
"I've been ready for a long time!"
The next second, he felt himself passing through an invisible membrane. The view before his eyes suddenly opened up. He had broken through the atmosphere.
"Oh, my God!" he muttered subconsciously. "It felt like popping a sheet of plastic wrap. Not cool at all."
He continued to fly upward. The surroundings became deeper and darker.
"Exiting near-Earth orbit."
"Entering outer space shortly."
"Sir, imminent entry into a complete vacuum environment!" Jarvis's voice continuously provided alerts.
Finally, he stopped ascending. He had reached outer space. The enormous blue Earth was slowly rotating beneath his feet. It was a magnificent beauty that no language could describe. The entire world was terrifyingly quiet.
"Sir, are you alright? Are you experiencing any discomfort?" Jarvis's voice broke the dead silence.
Henry was stunned for a few seconds before slowly speaking, his voice filled with disbelief, shock, and ecstasy.
"I'm fine! Jarvis, I can still hear your voice! Is this because of the bio-force field? Wait, I can still talk! F-ck! This really is a bio-force field!"
"It appears so, Sir," Jarvis's voice also carried astonishment.
"This bio-force field not only solved the problem of sound propagation in a vacuum but also seems to have addressed your oxygen requirements."
"Exactly!" Henry clenched his fist in disbelief.
"I don't feel any suffocation! I can breathe!"
He looked at the beautiful planet below, a feeling of awe surging within him.
"So, this is space? It's beautiful! And Earth is so big!"
"Yes, Sir. From this perspective, all human conflicts seem insignificant."
After a brief chat, Henry looked down at his black Armor and then at his hands, which were filled with power. Am I really Superman now? Based on the comic book settings, perhaps he really was a low-level Superman.
"Hey, Jarvis," he suddenly said.
"I feel like my rate of light energy absorption is faster up here. It must be because I'm closer to the sun."
"Yes, Sir," Jarvis replied.
"Up here, without the obstruction of the atmosphere and the ozone layer, the intensity and energy density of the sunlight are completely different from those on the Earth's surface."
"Then I'll just stay here and absorb the light energy." A look of anticipation appeared on Henry's face.
"Sir, that is an excellent idea. Theoretically, your strength will greatly increase."
"Then it's settled!"
Henry slowly raised his head, looking towards the massive ball of fire in the distance, radiating light and heat. Is that the Sun?
"Strange, I don't feel any glare. It actually feels very comfortable and warm."
"Your body is actively absorbing and converting solar energy, Sir. Your eyes have already adapted to this intensity of light."
"Is this what it feels like to be Superman?" Henry muttered softly. Then, he slowly spread his arms, embracing the Sun. The black cape behind him billowed silently in the vacuum due to the bio-force field.
The boundless sunlight rushed in, completely engulfing him. At that moment, he felt as if he had merged with the entire universe.
×××××××××××××××
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