In the Biotechnology Lab, Henry and Helen Cho were standing side-by-side at the control console, deep in a heated discussion. At this moment, they looked more like two intellectually matched academic partners than boss and employee.
"No, that's wrong! The energy frequency here must be controlled! This is the golden ratio! The most perfect frequency in the universe! Only this can ensure cell vitality while minimizing the risk of genetic chain collapse!" Henry said with certainty, pointing at the data on the screen.
"But, Mr. Stark, according to our calculations, this energy output frequency might lead to excessive cell proliferation, which could trigger an uncontrollable mutation..." Helen Cho frowned, raising her concern.
Although she was captivated by Henry's genius, as a meticulous professional, she had to be responsible for every detail. It was unpleasant to have her conclusions overturned.
Thinking this, she secretly glanced at Henry again. Damn, how did this man build that body?
He reminds me of Superman from the DC comics. Is Henry a Superman in all ways?
"Trust me, Doctor," Henry turned, looking into her earnest eyes, a confident smile on his face.
"Sometimes, the progress of science requires not rigorous calculation, but a little bit of crazy imagination. Plus, a genius like me who can turn that madness into reality."
Helen Cho was speechless. She looked at Henry's confident expression, listening to his half-joking, half-serious words. For some reason, her last bit of worry vanished. She realized that she was starting to believe this man. He is Superman, after all!
Just then, the lab door was suddenly pushed open. Tony walked in, hands in his pockets, wearing an expression that said, Let's see what mischief you're up to. However, he froze when he saw Henry and Helen Cho so engrossed in their discussion, and the atmosphere seemed quite pleasant.
Damn it, why does Henry always have a beautiful woman talking to him wherever he goes! Although he wasn't short on beautiful women himself, Henry's casual confidence required a bit of self-correction.
"Hey! I say, you two," he spoke, a hint of jealousy in his voice.
"Are you having some secret academic exchange? Or are you secretly developing some world-destroying bioweapon behind my back? I should remind you that Stark Industries' mission is to create a better future, not to figure out how to destroy the world faster."
Hearing the familiar voice, Henry and Helen Cho simultaneously turned around.
"Oh, look who it is," Henry said disdainfully.
"A tin can who just crawled out of bed and whose brain hasn't even fully woken up yet. Tony, what are you doing here? Did you come to bring us coffee? I have to say, your timing is perfect; we could use a tea-and-water boy."
"Bring coffee?" Tony chuckled. He walked up to them. His eyes scanned the complex formulas and models on the holographic screen, quickly absorbing the information. As a genius with top-notch expertise in the field of bioengineering himself, he knew what they were doing with just a glance.
"This is just... hmm, a somewhat innovative theory?" he commented, rubbing his chin.
"Not a bad idea, very bold. But you two seem to have overlooked a very basic problem."
He spoke, reaching out to tap the holographic screen, bringing up another data model.
"Doctor, although the bio-force field you designed is ingenious, the energy source is too singular, relying entirely on external energy injection. This is like putting a scooter battery into a supercar—it won't run. You should consider how to make the cell itself a miniature energy conservation unit."
Helen Cho was stunned. She stared blankly at the energy circulation model Tony brought up—a model she had never conceived of. She felt her mind had been struck by a bolt of lightning.
Yes, why didn't she think of that?
She had been trapped in the conventional mindset of traditional biology, forgetting that the two men in front of her were the very definition of unscientific. These two were top-tier geniuses who had even created a miniature Arc Reactor. Why hadn't she thought of this angle?
"Well, Dr. Helen Cho?" Tony looked at her shocked expression, a relaxed smile on his face. He turned to Henry, raising an eyebrow, his expression suggesting, See that? This is what a real genius looks like.
"Was that little suggestion from me, the wrench-wielding mechanic, more useful than your smooth-talking, muscle-brained brother?"
"Oh, come on," Henry rolled his eyes. Although he had to admit that Tony's idea was very insightful, he still wouldn't concede verbally.
"That's not a suggestion; that's hindsight. I thought of that ages ago; I just wanted to test Dr. Cho's independent thinking ability. Unlike a certain someone always eager to show off his pathetic intellect, afraid that others won't know he's a genius."
"Hey! I'm just helping my employee solve a technical problem! That's called teamwork, understood? You, individualistic hero, who only likes to fight alone!"
"I call that maximum efficiency! Unlike a certain someone who can't even hold a meeting without telling a half-hour of bad jokes first!"
Helen Cho watched the two men start bickering, finally recovering from her shock. She looked at them and suddenly laughed. She found that being around these two unreasonable geniuses, while mentally exhausting, was truly interesting.
She didn't hesitate. She quickly walked to the control console, her hands flying across the holographic keyboard. She was perfectly integrating Tony's concept with the algorithm Henry had previously optimized.
"Mr. Starks," she spoke, her voice filled with unconcealed excitement.
"Perhaps you two can temporarily stop arguing and come take a look at this."
Tony and Henry stopped simultaneously, looking over at her. On the holographic screen, a cell model full of vitality and emitting a soft glow was slowly rotating. It was like a miniature universe, full of infinite possibilities.
"I have to say, Doctor," Tony looked at the model, praising her sincerely.
"You are a true genius."
"Naturally," Henry also nodded in agreement.
"Don't forget who recruited you."
Helen Cho looked at them and suddenly laughed. She thought that perhaps joining Stark Industries was the best decision she had ever made.
×××××××××××××××
If you're interested, you can read advanced chapters:
p-atreon.com/Heroicverse