บท 39: Antarctica trip

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Three days later, in London, England, at Ivan's clandestine manor base, the Red Devil stood guard at the door while Kerry briefed Ivan on his recent activities.

"Master Ivan, the scientists captured from the Hydra base some time ago have been properly assigned to research teams based on their expertise. Red Skull's talent in recruiting scientists worldwide has accelerated progress in various fields. I believe their contributions will yield satisfactory results in the future."

"Excellent, keep it up," Ivan nodded with satisfaction.

"However, we must ensure their security. All these scientists are on blacklists. If their whereabouts are exposed, it could jeopardize our operations."

"Rest assured, Master Ivan, security is a top priority. Most of them are located on a remote island base with no sea access. Supplies are airlifted, and extra security measures have been put in place for those in other locations to prevent leaks. In case of any trouble, I've devised a contingency plan, including the option to destroy the base to safeguard our secrets."

Kerry's last statement hinted at his determination to protect their interests, even at the cost of the staff in the base.

"I trust you on this, Kerry. Please update me on other aspects, especially the specific tasks I assigned. How are they progressing?"

In response to Ivan's question, Kerry promptly replied, "The primary part of the machine you requested is completed, but the most precise components will take another month. Shall I urge them to expedite production?"

Ivan shook his head and said, "No need. You've already prepared the machine. I'll have Azazel retrieve it. I can manufacture the missing parts myself."

"Understood. The machine is in the basement, available for retrieval at any time."

After a brief pause, Kerry continued, "The second matter concerns the origins of the gorilla that climbed the Empire State Building in 1933. I've made inquiries through various sources, and it led me to Skull Island. We've narrowed down the location of the island, but it's perpetually shrouded in fog, making it impossible to establish contact, leading to several unsuccessful exploration attempts."

Ivan thought for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "In that case, put it aside for now. Remember the coordinates of that area, and I'll investigate it personally in due course."

One of Ivan's objectives in joining the German scientific research department was to uncover mysterious occurrences in the world. With his influence, he gained access to confidential information. When he learned of a gorilla climbing the Empire State Building, he immediately thought of the movie King Kong. However, it was not King Kong itself that intrigued him, but rather the island that spawned such creatures and preserved a prehistoric ecosystem.

"The third matter pertains to your directive to investigate the African nation of Wakanda. Through diplomatic channels, I initiated contact, but the country is secluded and xenophobic. During negotiations, our representatives faced friction. However, we've secretly probed, and, as you mentioned, they possess a valuable sound-absorbing metal from a meteorite impact, which has military applications. We could potentially seize their mines or even rule over Wakanda, given its underdeveloped state. With our advanced weaponry, it would be feasible to dominate."

"Violence should be a last resort. Aim for a diplomatic approach. If they request concessions that aren't excessive, grant them. Nevertheless, if they push too far, be ready to assert our interests, but refrain from any aggressive actions. We must not resort to violence unless necessary. The repercussions could endanger us."

As Ivan's intellect expanded, he sensed an all-encompassing will. A grave crisis would emerge if he opted for extreme measures, causing chaos and significant loss of life. Ivan was confident about his intuition. He suspected it might be the world's will at play; Wakanda is the future home of the superhero Black Panther. Altered events in Wakanda could disrupt the world's evolution. Kerry reluctantly complied with Ivan's directive, understanding the potential consequences of his actions. He composed himself and continued updating Ivan on recent developments.

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Antarctica, arguably the most desolate place on Earth, is hardly a location that draws many to its icy, snowy expanses. However, at this particular moment, two figures emerged in this desolation.

The pair glanced around, surveyed their surroundings, and proceeded to an open area. They removed the velvet caps from their heads, revealing two familiar faces - Ivan and Red Devil.

"Azazel, this spot will do. Bring out the instruments; I'll begin by assessing the area," Ivan instructed.

Red Devil promptly obeyed. He waved his hand, conjuring a spatial wormhole out of thin air, causing an array of mechanical equipment to tumble out.

As the equipment teetered, seemingly on the brink of shattering on the icy surface, Ivan extended his right hand and held them aloft with an almost weightless ease. With fluid grace, he directed their assembly in mid-air, melding the pieces into a seamless set of mechanical apparatus.

Ivan's mental development now exceeds 28%. If it were to reach 30%, it would venture into the realm of unstable mental power, potentially supplanting emotions with reason and rendering him devoid of sentiment. This was a scenario Ivan was determined to prevent, and he had a solution in mind.

To curtail further brain development, the best course of action was to reduce cognitive utilization, particularly avoiding the state of brain overclocking. Ivan recognized that in moments of peril, like during combat, there was little choice but to engage the brain fully. Consequently, he contemplated a remedy - bestowing himself with an external brain, utilizing a supercomputer to assume the brain's functions.

This, however, posed an issue. Human science had yet to reach the level necessary for Ivan's requirements, from materials to manufacturing. Even if Ivan focused exclusively on this task, it would consume a considerable amount of time, potentially allowing his brain development to exceed 30%.

Fortunately, Ivan inhabited a world where elements of Marvel and DC coexisted. Knowing the existence of Wonder Woman implied the presence of Superman, and by extension, the probability of an exploratory vessel from Fluorostar left behind in the South Pole. This ship became Ivan's new mission.

Under his precise control, the equipment was completely assembled. The antennas jutted skyward, emanating a distinctly science-fiction aura.

Notably, Ivan's brainwave amplifier differed from Professor X's, which primarily functioned to identify mutants on Earth. Ivan's amplifier was designed for blanket searches of inanimate objects, though within a considerably smaller range, spanning only a few dozen miles.

Before arriving in Antarctica, Ivan had already divided the continent into 30 zones, planning to search one zone each day, a task expected to take up to a month. However, luck could shorten the timeline, perhaps resulting in finding the Fluorine expedition ship on the very first day.

With the machine's assembly complete, Ivan conducted a final functionality test. He sat in a chair with numerous cables connecting to the device, activated the instrument, and initiated the comprehensive search.

Observing Ivan engrossed in his work, Red Devil did not remain idle. He retrieved a tent from his private stash and swiftly set it up. In this desolate Antarctic landscape devoid of human presence, concerns about Ivan's safety were minimal. As Ivan diligently worked, the Red Devil began preparing food.

Empowered by the brainwave amplifier, Ivan's mental prowess surged, allowing him to embark on his painstaking search. Although his mental capacity had greatly expanded, the exploration of every nook and cranny within a range of several dozen miles, especially beneath the icy surface, demanded considerable energy. Progress was deliberate and methodical, advancing step by step.

Unbeknownst to him, several hours had passed, and Ivan still hadn't made any breakthroughs. He reluctantly ceased his efforts and massaged his aching forehead.

"Dr. Ivan, how are you feeling? Would you like to take a break, have a meal, recharge, and continue later?" At some point, the Red Devil appeared beside Ivan, inquiring about his well-being.

Ivan nodded, "You're right. I've scoured most of this area. The remaining parts will take another hour or two. If I don't find it, I'll move on to the next area tomorrow."

Upon entering the tent, Ivan noticed a variety of advanced heating equipment set up, creating a cozy haven that shielded them from the frigid exterior. The tent was well-stocked with ample food.

Ivan, without any hesitation, began to savor his meal. He couldn't help but feel grateful for having the Red Devil as his bodyguard, a space-capable individual who could provide them with delicious food in this icy world.

After a satisfying lunch, Ivan resumed his work. Unfortunately, despite searching the entire area, he still couldn't locate the Fluorine spacecraft he was seeking. Defeated, he decided to call it a day.

Despite the absence of danger in Antarctica and the comfort of their warm tent, Ivan felt no inclination to spend the night in this desolate place. He instructed the Red Devil to stow the brainwave intensifier and employ his spatial abilities to transport them back to the manor. There, they enjoyed a sumptuous dinner, shared a bottle of red wine, and retired for the night.

The following day, they moved to a new location, and Ivan embarked on another day of searching.