Metropolis.
Stark Tower.
Tony Stark, dressed in pajamas, sat on the sofa, looking at Nick Fury and the others who had come uninvited. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he said, "What do you mean? You've been sitting here in silence for ten minutes. My time is precious!"
"Don't worry, everyone's not here yet," Nick replied, his eyes closed and his arms folded as he sat on the sofa. Nearby, Natasha, Clint, Phil, Maria Hill, and several other trusted agents sat at attention, silent.
On the other side of the sofa, Luke was quietly and friendly chatting with Dr. Bruce Banner. Captain Steve and Frank were sitting at Stark's private bar, enjoying the service of Jarvis's mechanical arm.
"Who are you waiting for?" Stark said angrily. Anyone preparing for a romantic evening with their girlfriend would be as irritated as he was if a group of men in black barged in.
There was a sound of thunder outside the window.
"He's coming." Nick opened his eyes.
Crash!
A figure dressed in red and holding a hammer broke in through the window.
"Can we go through the main door?" Stark groaned helplessly as he looked at the broken doors and windows.
"Remember to give me the bill when the time comes. I'll help Thor get reimbursed." Nick stood up and said to Tony while greeting Thor.
"Okay, okay, can we talk about it now?" Tony waved his hand. He wouldn't really issue a bill for such a small matter unless he wanted to disgust people.
"Before we get down to business, I think you should look at some information first." Nick took out a mobile hard drive and handed it to Tony.
Tony reached out to take it, connected the data transmission interface, and asked Jarvis to project out some video files and text files inside.
Virtual screens appeared in mid-air around everyone, enveloping them. Any shift in focus revealed multiple videos and files. Among them were numerous lurid records of inhumane experiments, as well as recordings and footage. The most recent included experiments involving viruses and mechanized viruses, conducted by the extremists in collaboration with AIM.
It took everyone an hour to read the news smoothly. Even Stark, who didn't care at first, now had a heavy expression on his face.
"These are just a small part. There is about to be a major outbreak of riots caused by the mechanical virus, and we must control the situation. But some may have to take some unspeakable measures." Nick turned off the virtual projections and said softly.
"What the hell are you trying to do?" Tony glanced around and realized that everyone except him seemed calm about Nick's words and the video playing, as if they all knew everything in advance and only he was kept in the dark. This feeling made him feel bad. He felt excluded from this small group.
"Luke has discussed with me some ideas that I think are very feasible. In order to cope with drastic changes in the future and to be able to deal with troublesome events like the Chitauri invasion in a timely manner and to be efficient in the subsequent resolution, we plan to do something big, a big thing that requires the support of everyone present." Nick was still laying the groundwork.
"Please speak frankly." Tony interrupted Nick, who was about to continue his speech, and spoke directly.
"We plan to let the captain become the helmsman of this country." Nick was also very clear and gave an answer that made many people present open their eyes wide.
"This is too far-fetched. I can't imagine it..." Bruce, who had been furious when he saw those inhumane experiments, was now shocked by Nick's words.
"It's not surprising. The captain's reputation and character are widely recognized." Nick looked at Dr. Banner. "Only with him in power can we make drastic changes, not just a struggle for power."
"That's difficult, I mean the top and the bottom." Banner replied hesitantly.
"No, it's very possible." Tony's eyes lit up. He stood up excitedly and looked at Luke. "Everything is not settled yet. We still have time to get involved! Although time is a bit tight, it's okay! The captain's exposure has been very high recently. If necessary, I can even be his tool and support him!
Don't worry about the funding; I can handle it all myself. And if all else fails, there's little Luke, the lovable yet ruthless capitalist. As for hype and ideas, our media presence may be weaker than our competitors', but online, Stark and Hebron teamed up to be unbeatable!
Little Luke also has extensive military connections, and Ina's father is also a senior party member. Wow, the success rate is very high! This is very interesting.
"It's funny, Tony! This is a choice we have to make in response to future changes! We'll soon be making contact and communicating with extraterrestrial civilizations, and not all of them will be as friendly to us as Asgard," Nick admitted. If those people hadn't been so lagging behind recently, Nick would have been willing to maintain the status quo. But after Luke explained the possible future and what Heberon would do next, he knew he had to reposition himself. Unfortunately, while it seemed like he had a choice, his only option was to sit on the same bench with Luke.
After all, the connection with the Nine Realms and the potential of the new currency were already on track and irreversible. As a partner, S.H.I.E.L.D. had a vested interest, so Nick couldn't bring himself to walk away.
What's more, the captain is indeed a good candidate who is acceptable in all aspects.
"I don't think I can do it." Captain America Rogers raised his hand weakly. Although Nick had discussed it with him beforehand, he was still not confident.
"No one needs you to do it, Captain! You just need to be a banner." Tony said excitedly. He had long been annoyed with those who targeted Stark. If he could successfully get Captain to the top, then...
"But we need manpower, don't we?" Rogers scratched his hair in distress.
"No, we don't need any manpower," Luke interjected. "Haibolun's intelligent system has a wealth of management data. If needed, I can write a nationwide intelligent management system for you, which will greatly reduce your manpower needs. Believe me, intelligent management systems are much more efficient than humans in handling many detailed and tedious tasks."
"Count me in! I can also contribute some data and technology. You don't need to worry about manpower, Captain. Even if everyone is lazy, Luke and I can help you hold up the stage. Technology changes the world, this is not just a saying." Tony took over excitedly.
"If you really can't do it, Captain, then you just need to be a symbol! Just like you did before. Give people confidence and courage." Nick said.
"Maybe by then, your emotional ring will be able to take it to the next level?" Luke also gave an assist.
"Ahem." Thor coughed twice, drawing everyone's attention. Then, as if reciting a script, he said, "On behalf of Odin, the God-King of Asgard, I hereby declare that Asgard and the lineage of the Sorcerer Supreme, Hyperion under Luke's leadership, will forever be allies who will not betray each other."
"Looks like we'll be busy, Dr. Banner. Are you willing to help Luke and I contribute to that new intelligent system? Yeah, you are. That's great. I think we should establish a new organization to establish treaties and laws to deal with invaders and threats in the future." Tony waved his arms excitedly. "What do you think of the name 'Illuminati'?"
"I suggest changing someone else." Luke rejected Tony's nomination.
After some discussion and planning, the group resumed their daily communication.
"I'll help you keep an eye on the payments for those mutant stabilizer orders." Nick sat next to Luke and whispered to him.
"It doesn't matter. The data I brought back from AIM is public, and anyone can use and manufacture it." Luke didn't mind. He had already obtained the Tesseract, which was the biggest benefit. He didn't care about the other trivial matters this time.
"However, the technology companies that also obtained that data, including Osborne, have not been able to produce stabilizers that are less costly and effective than Hybron." Nick curled his lips. But then, he quickly revealed his true thoughts. He looked at Luke seriously and said, "Tell me, is the Tesseract really gone?"
"It disappeared. How many times do you want me to tell you?" Luke spread his hands helplessly. "It became the sustenance of a new subsidiary dimension."
"That data dimension?" Nick frowned.
"It's okay if you think of it as a virtual dimension," Luke replied briskly.
"What are you talking about?" Stark interrupted, plopped down in the seat next to Luke, and put a hand on his shoulder. Dr. Banner was also listening with interest.
"A new dimensional space, created using a certain object." Nick explained vaguely.
"What's the use?" Tony blinked. This was what he wanted to know.
"It's a dimension between reality and illusion. It's not perfect yet. But its general effect is similar to a super-intelligent system. As long as you provide sufficient data and energy, it has the ability to replicate any object you want.
You can also use it as a mechanized cosmic virtual machine, experimenting with various materials endlessly to find the one that best suits your needs. Or you can verify the success rate of your experiments. "Luke explained simply.
"Doesn't that mean that this can greatly reduce the cost of the experiment and increase the success rate of the experiment?" Tony and Banner were shocked.
"This is just the ideal state. It still needs to be cultivated and enriched. But if nothing unexpected happens, there will be no problem meeting the current technical standards." Luke said truthfully.
"How do I, um, use this dimension?" Tony couldn't help but ask.
"First of all, you need a stepping stone. You have to pass its test first, and then it will give you access rights. Depending on the permissions, you can use its functions and computing power and other resources differently. If you want to increase your permissions, you have to show some real skills, such as uploading some of your own exclusive technologies to the internal dimensional server." Luke made two bracelets and took them out, giving them to Tony and Banner. After teaching them the method of connection, he said.
"Interesting. To gain access, you have to pass an exam first? This is a round of screening. Are idiots not eligible to enter? I have to say, I quite like this setting." Tony quickly understood Luke's meaning and asked with satisfaction, "Who is the person with the highest authority now?"
"Of course it's me," Luke pointed at himself. "If you need a piece of my technology but don't want to buy it from me in real life or don't want anyone to know, you can use the virtual knowledge currency inside to buy it. Of course, the only way to obtain knowledge currency right now is through new technical knowledge."
"Just wait, I will catch up with you soon." Tony became determined.
"That's not what you told me." Nick said sarcastically from the side.
"What do you mean?" Tony's eyes moved back and forth between Nick and Luke's faces.
"Those aliens can also sense that dimensional world, and some of them can even enter it!" Nick stared at Luke, wanting to get an answer.
"I said so. But this does not conflict with what Tony, Dr. Banner and I explained. The aliens themselves are the product of the influence of the power of the Cosmic Cube. They are naturally closely connected with this dimensional world. They are equivalent to the agents, guardians, and believers of the dimensional world in reality. You can understand it any way you want. And normal people like Tony and Dr. Banner, if they are not alienated, of course can only do it the way I said. In fact, I feel that this dimensional world prefers smart people like Tony and Dr. Banner more." Luke gave an explanation calmly.
Luke didn't underestimate the capabilities and power of the dimensional world, and even understated it. But just like the term "GG," it always promotes the positives while omitting or simplifying the flaws. When Tony and his companions entered and tried to use these features, they immediately discovered they were merely basic, inadequate to their needs. To increase their privileges and capabilities, they needed to contribute to the growth of the dimensional world, providing various data or knowledge. This would be converted into knowledge currency according to the standards recognized by that dimensional world, thereby increasing computing power and so on.
It's impossible to get something for free. Currently, Luke alone is responsible for the energy that keeps the dimensional world running. He has no problem using it himself, but if the scale were to expand, and everyone were to use it unlimitedly, he simply couldn't afford it right now. It would be better to establish standards and levels of authority from the outset. And the so-called access device is nothing more than a variant of the original technological concept.