Daniel Davis had recommended Scarlet Witch (Wanda) and Quicksilver (Pietro) for the Avengers. Now, Wanda and Pietro had gained control over their powers. If Daniel hadn't had his own plans for Project Insight, he might have involved them in it. He was cautious, fearing Wanda's ability to see through his actions. Her chaos magic was exceptional; despite her recent mastery, she could already levitate, and in time, flying would be no issue for her.
For Daniel, flying required using the technique called "Moonwalk." As for Quicksilver's superpowers, Daniel had tested them. A common saying from the Yellow Ape was, "Speed is power." Theoretically, with Quicksilver's speed, his attacks should be potent. However, in reality, his attack power was only equivalent to an average person.
After various tests, Daniel understood that Quicksilver's ability was essentially just speed. He wasn't fast due to his physical attributes but because of his superpower. This realization reminded Daniel of another character with even greater speed but who often lost fights; their abilities seemed fundamentally similar.
"Let them come over and see for themselves," Stark said after hearing Daniel's suggestion.
The Avengers was a team of superheroes, not solely under Stark's control. Even though Stark provided the base and funding, Captain America held the most sway within the team, particularly among those from S.H.I.E.L.D. Stark was displeased, but with Peggy Carter rejuvenated, he felt helpless against her.
"Ah, I had forgotten about her. Perhaps there won't be a split this time," Daniel thought. Initially, he believed that the Avengers might avoid civil war but would at least experience division. Seeing Peggy Carter made him reconsider. Stark and Captain America weren't adept at handling government affairs, but Peggy, one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s founders, was.
"Welcome aboard," Captain America and the others quickly accepted Wanda and Pietro when Daniel brought them to the not-yet-completed Avengers base. Their addition was a significant boost for the team, especially Quicksilver, whose abilities rendered hostage situations by terrorists ineffective.
The Avengers weren't solely activated for global crises, unlike their first four missions. There was no need to build a dedicated Avengers base if that were the case. The Avengers existed to tackle terrorist organizations, primarily HYDRA at this stage. Daniel had eliminated HYDRA's top brass but not its various bases.
In the original storyline, this was around the time the Avengers fought Baron Strucker—essentially, the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron. But now, their focus was on taking down Crossbones and his HYDRA strike team.
Stark was deeply invested in taking down HYDRA, driven by a desire for vengeance for his parents' deaths. Because of Captain America and Peggy, Stark couldn't retaliate against Bucky directly. Instead, he channeled his anger towards HYDRA, warning Bucky never to cross his path again, or he might not be able to resist seeking revenge.
Bucky, the Winter Soldier, was captured during the Battle of Insight, but not by Captain America, who struggled to fight his friend. It was Peggy who eventually captured him.
"Fortunately, the damage isn't too extensive. With blueprints, repairs will be straightforward," Daniel thought, looking at the Helicarrier. He had it towed to an alien planet, where he used it as a repair project, aided by the AI Red Queen. As for the crew, they had all been dealt with.
"Honestly, I don't see much use for this. It might just serve as a backup," Daniel mused, feeling somewhat aimless after obtaining the Helicarrier. Knowing its construction, he was disappointed to learn it could only fly within the atmosphere, unlike the Quinjet, which could travel into space.
He had to give credit to Pierce for getting the five major countries to agree to this project, likely imagining alien threats as simple as the Chitauri. Thus, the Helicarrier was built with heavy firepower as its main feature.
"Let's focus on my nanotech suits," Daniel decided, setting aside the Helicarrier project to work on modifying Ant-Man and Iron Man suits with nanotechnology.
He noted that they were running low on vibranium, a rare and valuable resource. Despite its high cost, Daniel didn't mind investing in nanotech suits. While his Fei Fei Group lagged behind Stark Industries in the Marvel Universe, his wealth across multiple worlds dwarfed Stark's, similar to how Stark's resources couldn't compare to Wakanda's.
"Stark postponed his nanotech project to pursue revenge," Daniel thought. He hadn't kept the breakthrough in nanotechnology a secret from Stark, who was too preoccupied to focus on it. With nanotech, transforming the Ant-Man and Iron Man suits was just a matter of investment, unlike Dr. Zhao Helen's Cradle of Life project, which focused on biological applications.
"It's really cool," Daniel admired the sleek, black nanotech Iron Man suit in the mirror. This suit was not only portable but also offered enhanced combat versatility, with customizable weapons and the potential to include auxiliary functions like medical assistance once the Cradle of Life was operational.
If all Avengers could be equipped with nanotech suits, it would be a game-changer. While characters like Scarlet Witch, Hulk, and Thor didn't need the suit's enhancements, it would significantly benefit others like Captain America, Carter, Natasha, Hawkeye, Falcon, and Quicksilver.
However, this idea was impractical, not because of cost but due to the potential for exploitation. If Stark provided a second person with a nanotech suit, it would attract unwanted attention and demand, potentially leading to conflict with the government.
"HYDRA's really in bad shape. But it's surprising how reckless they've become," Daniel observed. With their leadership decimated, HYDRA's tactics had shifted from discreet to overt, causing chaos and freeing detainees, including inhumans and mentally unstable individuals held in facilities worldwide.
Meanwhile, on Xandar, as Stark and the Avengers dealt with HYDRA, Daniel used a portal to travel to the Nova Empire, where he discreetly sold gravitational whorls—a technology still valuable despite being common in anti-gravity applications across the universe.
Despite being a common technology, gravitational whorls were prized for their efficiency, especially in habitation and mining applications. The transaction was smooth, with Daniel receiving a high price, along with valuable knowledge on its uses and other cosmic technologies, primarily for Stark's benefit.
"I didn't realize vibranium was more valuable than gravitational whorls," Daniel noted, surprised by its high market value, attributed to its technological advancements. He considered how Wakanda's vibranium had made it the most advanced nation on Earth, even surpassing Stark's technology.
Wakanda's concealment had protected Earth from cosmic threats, preventing potential exploitation by cosmic forces. Even the Ravagers, who once negotiated with Hale for gravitational whorls, would covet vibranium if they knew about it.
"The sight of these alien forms is unsettling. I admire Ego for being so versatile," Daniel thought, marveling at the diversity of alien life on Xandar. During his stay, he unexpectedly encountered Rocket Raccoon and Groot from the Guardians of the Galaxy, bounty hunting for cosmic criminals.
Rocket's expertise in weapon modification and Groot's combat skills made them an effective duo, successfully capturing a wanted individual without alerting the guards. Daniel chose not to engage with them, not wanting to interfere with the Guardians' future encounters with the Power Stone or Ego.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Daniel remembered, deciding to buy a few advanced computers like the one Rocket used. His previous visit left him unable to afford such equipment, but now it was different.
Back in Wakanda, Daniel observed the nation's careful concealment of its true wealth and technology, often downplaying its prosperity at the UN to secure aid. Wakanda's advanced technology, hidden behind a facade of poverty, allowed it to monitor and deter criminal activities within its borders discreetly.
"Even with their advanced technology, Wakanda remains cautious, revealing their true strength only when necessary," Daniel mused, noting their restraint even during World War II. He speculated that if another nation had such power, it might have unified the continent or even the world, but Wakanda preferred to keep a low profile while accepting international aid.
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"Fortunately, this shield doesn't block spatial abilities," Daniel Davis thought as he used Apparition to bypass the protective barrier and enter Wakanda. He wasted no time admiring the futuristic city in the distance and immediately headed in the opposite direction.
Vibranium and the Heart-Shaped Herb were Wakanda's greatest secrets, and locating them wouldn't be easy. The logical approach would be to gather information in the city, but Wakanda's unique societal structure made that impractical.
Despite its advanced technology, Wakanda still operated under a tribal leadership system, where the leader's position was determined through combat. As long as one's bloodline was legitimate, even an outsider could become the king of Wakanda by winning a duel. Although this system seemed odd, it wasn't entirely unreasonable. In the vast universe, many large empires had even stranger systems. If the Celestial Dragons existed in the world of "One Piece," then Wakanda's practices were hardly surprising.
With Wakanda's technological prowess, Daniel risked being detected if he entered the city. However, approaching other tribes offered a different opportunity. Officially, Wakanda was governed by five major tribes, but in reality, the Black Panther lineage had always held the throne. The other four tribes had little chance of rising to power, and it was unrealistic to expect them to harbor no resentment.
Even within the Black Panther's lineage, T'Challa's cousin once became king with the support of one of the tribes. Daniel had no qualms with King T'Chaka, who had governed Wakanda well and had played a crucial role in defending against Thanos. However, Wakanda's isolationist policies made it impossible for Daniel to obtain Vibranium and the Heart-Shaped Herb without resorting to subterfuge. Given that Erik Killmonger, who planned to burn the Heart-Shaped Herbs, would soon emerge, Daniel felt justified in taking them himself.
Before coming to Wakanda, Daniel had captured Ulysses Klaue, the notorious smuggler of Vibranium. From Klaue, he learned valuable information about Wakanda. Klaue had initially been a talented scientist who developed a device needing Vibranium to enhance its effectiveness. After discovering Vibranium's source in Wakanda, Klaue infiltrated the country and stole a significant amount, sparking a conflict between King T'Chaka and his brother.
King T'Chaka was a traditionalist who adhered to Wakanda's isolationist policies, while his brother advocated for opening up to the world, leading to the latter's banishment. As a result, Klaue became a high-profile fugitive in Wakanda. Capturing him would yield Vibranium, but not the Heart-Shaped Herb.
Daniel planned to frame Klaue for his actions and learned from him that the British Museum housed artifacts made of Vibranium, including a legendary hoe. This artifact, a symbol rather than a practical tool, was unlikely to be closely guarded, allowing Daniel to replace it with a fake using alchemy.
Upon reaching Wakanda, Daniel found the internal structure of what appeared to be primitive huts surprisingly modern. He mused on the contrast, noting that with their resources, they could build far more luxurious homes, much like the wealthy in the Middle East.
Inside these inconspicuous huts were the stores of Vibranium and the Heart-Shaped Herb. Daniel was perplexed by how King T'Chaka could have been killed by a bomb despite having access to such powerful resources. The Wakandan tradition dictated that once a king decided to pass on the throne, he had to take a drug that nullified the effects of the Heart-Shaped Herb. This policy was intended to prevent internal strife over the herb, yet Daniel found it wasteful.
"One ton, two tons... Let's take two tons," Daniel decided. Wakanda's Vibranium mines, composed entirely of the precious metal, were vast, with enough reserves to potentially elevate the entire world into a spacefaring civilization. Yet, they remained largely untapped due to Wakanda's isolationist stance.
Daniel couldn't fault Wakanda for hoarding its resources. People were naturally inclined to protect their own interests, and altruism with valuable resources was rare. Even he, with his advanced knowledge and technology, hadn't shared his secrets freely with Earth, focusing instead on personal gain.
"Black Panther, while I've taken your Vibranium and the Heart-Shaped Herb, I've also removed a significant threat for you," Daniel thought, as he set his plan in motion with Ulysses Klaue, involving Erik Killmonger, who had been poised to challenge for the throne.
The shield protecting Wakanda, while impressive, had its vulnerabilities, as Klaue had proven by smuggling out Vibranium. The barrier wasn't a complete sphere, allowing entry from underground tunnels.
As gunfire erupted, Wakanda's tranquility was shattered. The Wakandan soldiers quickly organized a defensive line using their advanced technology, showcasing weapons and clothing with impressive capabilities, reminiscent of Asgardian technology.
The battle quickly turned against Klaue's forces, and Daniel took the opportunity to seize the Vibranium and Heart-Shaped Herbs he had targeted. The appearance of T'Challa, clad in the Black Panther suit, marked the beginning of a swift and lethal counterattack. The suit's Vibranium claws made short work of any opposition.
"Such advanced technology, yet they favor close combat. Truly fitting for the Black Panther," Daniel mused. The Black Panther suit's defensive capabilities rendered conventional weapons ineffective.
"Erik was killed instantly. Well, that was quick and clean," Daniel noted. T'Challa, with his enhanced physical abilities, easily subdued Erik, whose challenge had ended in failure.
"With enough Vibranium, I can craft a magnificent Vibranium armor. Now, what style should I choose?" Daniel pondered, imagining a suit reminiscent of the armor worn by the saints under a certain goddess.
For this, he planned to employ Wapol, an ally with the ability to combine metals, to create a new material by blending Vibranium with gold, diamonds, and modern alloys. This new alloy, though not mass-producible, would be perfect for personal use.
"Fortunately, Wapol is reliable, and I have the Op-Op Fruit ability. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare let him ingest so much material. If we gave a Vibranium mountain to the Fusion Fruit user, who knows how powerful they could become," Daniel thought, recognizing the potential of combining such abilities with scientific methods.
"Imagine if the Devour-Devour Fruit and Fusion Fruit abilities were swapped; the Navy would have a serious problem."
Back at Stark's villa, Tony Stark proudly demonstrated his new nanotech Iron Man suit, which deployed seamlessly over his body from a chest-mounted arc reactor. In a costly but efficient project, Stark had quickly developed the suit, buoyed by recent victories against HYDRA.
The nanotech suit's convenience meant Stark no longer needed to return to base or remotely summon his armor. "He's still keeping it in the chest," Daniel observed, noting that the nanotech suit could be stored in a belt for discretion. Daniel's suits, including the Ant-Man and Vibranium armors, were designed as rings, bracelets, and even earrings—though the earrings were gifts for Robin and Ada.
As Stark showcased his suit, Captain America, Carter, Banner, Natasha, and other Avengers arrived, visibly tense. Captain America, usually composed, looked particularly severe, as did the others.
"Banner," Stark addressed, retracting his armor as he noticed Banner's stern expression.
"Don't blame me. This plan can't proceed as you wish," Banner replied.
"What's going on?" Daniel inquired, curious about the commotion.
"Tony wants to create a global defense system, the Ultron program," Natasha explained.
"You can't be serious. I went through a lot to prevent Ultron from existing, and now you're doing this," Daniel exclaimed, shocked.
"This is for world peace. Relying on a few of us isn't enough to end these threats, but a surveillance system could," Stark argued.
"This is just another Insight plan. How can you ensure it won't be misused?" Captain America countered, staring sternly at Stark.
"I can guarantee it won't be," Stark insisted, undeterred despite the unanimous opposition. As a scientist, Stark relied heavily on technological solutions, believing in the potential of AI, despite the inherent risks.
The discussion ended with no resolution, and the team dispersed, leaving Stark in a sour mood.
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