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Tony Stark mistook the video for a promotional clip for a new Superman movie, after all, Homelander's attire, clothing, and abilities were very similar to the well-known Superman.
"But the special effects are pretty good; I didn't notice any flaws."
"Sir, this is not footage from a Superman movie. This is an incident that occurred this afternoon in Queens. The superhuman in it is not Superman, but Homelander, a superhero launched by Vought Corporation."
Tony Stark's eyes narrowed upon hearing this, and he watched Jarvis's video again carefully.
"Homelander? Strange name. Jarvis, check the background of this Homelander. And is this Vought Corporation copying my Iron Man? Their reaction is really fast, almost catching up to Hammer Industries. Also, I remember this Vought Corporation wasn't it dedicated to the pharmaceutical field? Why would they suddenly launch a Superman? Besides creating a celebrity who might or might not be popular to endorse their company, what else can they do? Could it be that this Homelander is the result of their biological research, and they want to use this Homelander to promote some of their technologies?"
Tony Stark began to rapidly ponder Vought Corporation's objectives in his mind, even vaguely guessing some truths. He was well aware that the impact his announcement of Iron Man's identity had on Stark Industries was almost impossible to replicate.
Although at the time he announced his Iron Man identity without considering these factors, simply announcing it for the sake of announcing it, the subsequent impact directly recouped all the stock losses caused by his disappearance and the closure of the weapons division, and even multiplied them several times over.
"Sir, specific information about Homelander is almost nonexistent online. It's highly likely that Vought's people have concealed and encrypted his information, requiring intrusion into Vought's internal data to obtain it."
Tony Stark's eyebrows raised slightly. This Vought's information security was quite good; Jarvis hadn't found any information on Homelander right away.
"Never mind, no need to intrude on their database. Tell Pepper to see if the company has any collaborative projects with Vought Corporation. If so, I can go take a look."
"Understood, Sir. The message has been conveyed to Miss Potts."
"Hmm." Tony Stark suddenly thought of something else.
"Jarvis, how much of Stane's shares have we recovered since his death?"
"Sir, Mr. Stane held 23% of the company's shares during his lifetime. You and Miss Potts recovered approximately 19% of the shares through legal and commercial means. The remaining shares went to the stock market, the Military, and an organization called the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division."
"I can understand the Military, but why did it go to this long and awful-named organization? Aren't they an Agent organization?"
"Sir, according to records, the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division invested in the company during your father's time, acquiring approximately 6% of the company's shares through various means."
"That much? Did the old man have a relationship with this organization back then? Never mind that for now. Jarvis, draft a contract to transfer 1% of my shares to that fellow named Lionel. Didn't he want company shares as a reward? Then arrange a schedule; I want to meet him personally."
"The contract has been drafted and sent to Miss Potts for printing. The schedule is being arranged, and a meeting is expected in three days."
"Excellent. The errands are done. Jarvis, project the Mark III model again. Continue setting up the bomb disposal device. I think placing the equipment box on the outer thigh is quite good."
---
"Cough, cough!"
Lionel nearly spat out the drink he had in his mouth. What did he see? Homelander actually appeared on TV! Isn't this the Marvel Universe? No matter how you categorize Homelander, he can only be placed in DC!
"You seem excited. Is there anything special about this superhuman named Homelander?"
Makima looked over, puzzled. She was currently searching for information online. After arriving in this Universe, except for the first few days, Makima began to understand the various situations on Earth and the different U.S. departments, saying that only by sufficiently understanding this World could she change it.
"There's nothing special about this Homelander; he's just a beggar's version of Superman. But his appearance here is very strange, just like your appearance in this Universe."
Makima asked curiously, "Is he also from another Universe?"
"Probably not. It might be that this Universe has a problem. I'll go out for a bit and ask an old man who might know what's going on."
Lionel greeted Makima, put on his jacket, and left the office.
In the park, Old Steve was jogging, a habit he had maintained for over seventy years. Although he was already a centenarian, his physical fitness was still top-notch, and he could still fight all day. He could keep running at this speed indefinitely.
As Old Steve ran, he suddenly heard a familiar phrase, "On your left!"
Old Steve paused, then saw the young man he often chatted with accelerate and pass him on his left.
Thinking of something nostalgic, Old Steve laughed heartily:
"You brat, don't look down on an old man! Watch me overtake you!"
Old Steve picked up his pace, his jog turning into a sprint, and began to chase Lionel.
"Haha, old man, you have to accept your age!"
Looking back at the chasing Old Steve, Lionel grinned and accelerated again, widening the distance that Old Steve had closed.
Old Steve's eyes widened. How could this kid run so fast!
He gritted his teeth; he wouldn't lose in something like this.
But even as he sped up again, the distance between him and Lionel grew wider and wider, and soon he couldn't see Lionel's Kuro.
Old Steve began to get anxious, and then he heard footsteps behind him. A bad premonition enveloped him. He sped up again, but what was destined to happen still happened.
"On your left!"
The familiar scene reappeared; Lionel passed Old Steve without any pause.
"Ah! Ah! Ah!"
Old Steve roared... "On your left!"
"Old man, I won't give up!"
... "Stop, stop!"
"On your left!"
"Fu*ck you!"
... "Please, stop."
"On your left!"
... Old Steve couldn't run for another day. He was burnt out, sitting on a wicker chair in the park, panting heavily.
"Hoo, hoo, I can't do it anymore, old man, I can't do it anymore."
Old Steve began to doubt himself.
Lionel's mouth twitched; he was about to lose control and laugh.
"Old man, you're not doing so well. You still need to practice!"
"You little brat, you're good!"