章 255: Deadpool
The committee members stared at Iron Man's armor with a mixture of awe, fascination, and disbelief. Their eyes shone with the kind of fervor usually reserved for religious revelations, and it was clear that none of them could quite grasp what they were seeing.
Cold nuclear fusion itself seemed almost mythical, but a reactor the size of a palm?
It had to be magic, right?
"Well," Tony said with a smirk, casually pouring himself another glass of wine, "it's not exactly the cold fusion theory you're used to. But, if you need a familiar term to wrap your heads around, I guess you can call it that."
The Arc Reactor was a marvel with no equivalent in real life, but if it had to be compared to any real-world tech, cold nuclear fusion was as close as it got. Its very existence was a miracle, and miniaturizing it to the size of a palm? That was a miracle stacked on another miracle.
This was Stark's true genius on display. Even in Marvel's advanced world of futuristic science, the Arc Reactor remained his unique, personal breakthrough. He'd created the first miniature Arc Reactor while being held hostage in a cave, using nothing but scraps.
Years later, his uncle, Obadiah Stane, had assembled a team of Stark Industries' best scientists, sparing no expense on resources or equipment, to try to replicate Tony's work. And yet, when they were presented with an actual working reactor and told to "just shrink it," they all failed spectacularly.
Furious, Obadiah had yelled at the scientists, "Tony Stark built this in a cave! With a box of scraps!"
One of the lead scientists had looked at him helplessly, muttering, "I'm sorry, sir, but I'm not Tony Stark…"
It was a moment that had become legendary even within the Marvel universe. The Arc Reactor was a symbol of Stark's ingenuity, unmatched and impossible to duplicate, even with the finest minds and resources at hand. And here, in this world, its impact was even more mind-blowing.
Dr. Hines, who was the most seasoned member of the committee, took a deep breath, finally collecting himself. "Mr. Stark," he said, choosing his words carefully, "just tell us what resources you need. We'll make it happen."
"Of course." Tony gave him a knowing smile. "I knew you'd understand. My assistant has already sent over a list." He raised his glass in a lighthearted toast. "See? Like I said, a smooth partnership."
If the committee could replace the current energy systems with the Arc Reactor, the effects would be revolutionary for the entire planet. It would be a shift that ordinary people would feel in their daily lives.
But Tony's ambitions didn't stop at a new energy system. The Arc Reactor would power much more than a single suit. Tony had plans to build an entire Iron Army. This wasn't going to be just an airstrike force. He envisioned Iron Man units across land, sea, and air, equipped for anything from rescues to construction to emergency evacuations.
He intended to integrate Arc Reactor tech across a range of devices and machinery, but for that, he needed substantial resources—more than the committee could even imagine. So, his plan was simple: ask for as much as possible. The committee would receive their 30% share of the benefits, while the remaining 70% would go straight to his projects.
Tony's profits wouldn't stop at materials and equipment, though.
"Friday, how's the progress been these past few days?" Charlie asked.
The recent introduction of new technology modules meant that research was now a critical part of upgrading. And in this area, Tony Stark's expertise made him a natural. Since the Starry Sky Technology Conference, his popularity had skyrocketed, and the committee's efficient supply chain kept his work moving forward smoothly. Not only was he able to develop new gear at record speed, but the steady advancements also boosted his experience along the way.
"Things are moving along," Friday replied in her steady tone. "But we're still a bit off from the next upgrade. Additionally, sir, it appears that account level now impacts the probability of receiving high-ranking heroes and equipment from the A-level pool."
"Explain that for me."
"As your account level increases, the odds of drawing A-level heroes may rise accordingly," Friday said.
"How much of a boost are we talking about? And what's the current rate?" Charlie asked, intrigued.
"Unfortunately, I don't have that information," Friday admitted.
Charlie sighed, reminded of countless mobile games with "mystery" drop rates for rare characters. They often boasted about increasing chances, but since the actual probability was hidden, players could never know for sure. If this were any other game, he would've been right there with players raging about unfair odds. But given his situation, he didn't have much choice but to play along.
"Alright, let's see what luck has in store."
"Currently, you have twelve single-draw tickets for the C-level pool, plus 1,200 Hero Points. That gives you 24 draws for the B or C-level pools and two attempts at the A-level pool."
"Perfect, let's get started."
The A-level pool was pricey, but it guaranteed higher-quality draws. Unlike the B-level pool, where the prizes could range widely in quality, the A-level pool promised at least a B-level hero. It wasn't a foolproof guarantee, but it was far better than a blind draw.
The first pull began, with colorful, extravagant animations filling his view. Then, out of the virtual ether, it appeared: a new Element Mark 2 Arc Reactor.
This couldn't have come at a better time. Tony was currently in the process of designing his Iron Bat Armor—a suit that combined tech from various systems. The new reactor would solve its biggest limitation: power. This upgrade would boost its performance and allow him to pack in far more features.
Then came the second pull.
He knew the odds were slim, but he couldn't help feeling a twinge of disappointment when it didn't yield an A-level hero. Still, this draw was far from a loss. His new recruit wasn't just another B-level addition.
This was a hero unlike any other, a character known for his eccentric wit, uncanny regenerative abilities, and a total disregard for convention.
A mercenary with a wisecracking mouth, an anti-hero with a fourth-wall-breaking perspective, and one of the most beloved and infamous figures in Marvel's universe—
Deadpool.
[Not sure if this chapter sounded weird with the Tony -> Charlie, they the same person lol]
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