Chapter 169 Casillas' Dilemma
After getting her new toy, Jessica had a blast playing with it.
She even developed a rather unique way to play with it.
It must be said, nano-particles are truly amazing; they can transform into all sorts of clothing.
Jessica finally tired herself out after a full day of playing around.
"Don't ever take this watch off, not even when you're showering," Lynn instructed, a hint of worry in his voice.
"If you feel the shape isn't quite right, you can also customize it yourself. It can transform into all sorts of items, like a gem bracelet or a bangle..."
"So no matter what occasion you attend, you don't need to worry about this thing being too conspicuous."
Jessica gave Lynn an enthusiastic kiss.
"You're simply too good to me. I truly don't know how I can ever repay you."
Lynn was already planning to leave, but Jessica's kiss made him involuntarily eye her up and down.
"You really don't know how to repay me?"
Jessica covered her mouth and chuckled at his reaction.
But her hands didn't stop, pushing Lynn to leave.
"Alright, alright, if you don't leave now, your little girlfriends will come looking for trouble."
"If you still want to find me, then come tomorrow."
"It's all your fault, I haven't finished my work for today, I'm afraid I'll have to work overtime tonight."
Lynn coughed lightly, a bit embarrassed.
He had come to give Jessica a gift, but he hadn't expected to end up delaying her work.
"If you don't mind, I can help you deal with these documents."
"What kind of look is that?"
Lynn was a little unconvinced.
"Do you think I can't handle these documents?"
"Then you try?"
Jessica looked at Lynn with a mischievous gaze.
"I'll try, who's afraid of whom?"
Three hours later, the protagonist left Jessica's office, his head spinning.
It wasn't that he couldn't handle these documents.
The protagonist's life level had long surpassed that of ordinary humans.
With his brain, even if the number of these documents were increased by 100 times, he could easily process them all simultaneously!
But if he wasn't interested, he just wasn't interested.
Things that could be explained in a single sentence had to have a pile of technical terms added, rambling on for several pages of documents.
It truly infuriated the protagonist to read them.
But since he had already boasted, the protagonist couldn't give up halfway, so he still bit the bullet and forcibly helped Jessica clear all the documents in her hands.
Ultimately, these documents weren't that important; any other subordinate could have handled them adequately.
It was just that Jessica was currently in her ascendancy, and she didn't want to share her authority with others.
That's why she personally oversaw every project.
"They say women are tigers; the ancients truly didn't deceive me!"
The protagonist made up his mind never to handle similar matters again.
He was still more suited to being a leader who idled away his time when he had nothing to do.
...
"When will the things you promised me be delivered?" Kaecilius asked the thin woman before him in a cold voice.
"Don't worry, they will be delivered to you naturally when the time is right."
The woman's figure was hidden beneath a black robe, making it impossible to discern her build or face.
"When will your plan officially begin?"
"I warn you, My Lord is not to be trifled with."
Upon hearing this, Kaecilius immediately felt a surge of impatience.
"You don't need to tell me, I know what to do."
"When the time is right, I will act."
"But if you cannot pay the corresponding price, then don't expect to share in this event."
Kaecilius's voice was sharp.
The woman, however, let out a disdainful scoff.
"Don't forget who rescued you from Dormammu's grasp."
"The fact that you can still stand here and speak to me, instead of being his puppet, means you should be grateful."
Kaecilius pursed his lips.
He impatiently waved his hand.
"I know."
Seeing this, the woman said no more, stepping back, her figure slowly disappearing into the air.
Kaecilius rubbed his temples and exhaled a long, turbid breath.
"My Lord, I..."
Kaecilius glanced at his subordinate.
"I know what you're thinking, but the things we need are still in their hands."
"Now is not the time to turn hostile."
With that, Kaecilius leaned back on the sofa, trying to adjust his state of mind.
Being a devotee of a Dimensional Demon God, especially one that seeks to devour all dimensions, was not so easy.
When Kaecilius chose to embrace Dormammu, he was already destined to be Dormammu's puppet.
It was precisely because his mind had been corrupted by Dark Dimension power that Kaecilius had previously been so frantic to bring Dormammu to Earth.
Kaecilius had good talent and was a normal person.
So, he naturally wouldn't make the foolish decision to destroy Earth.
If Earth was destroyed, where would he pursue endless knowledge, and how would he live his comfortable life?
Surely no one truly believes that after coming to the Dark Dimension and becoming Dormammu's slave, they can find happiness and joy, right?
The only ones who would truly think that are either brain-dead fools who've been duped or those idiots whose minds have been corrupted and souls twisted by Dark Dimension power.
Unfortunately, Kaecilius belonged to the latter category.
Moreover, this symptom of soul distortion was completely irreversible.
In the very early stages of the symptoms, if Dormammuhad been able to abandon dark magic in time and, like the Ancient One, steadfastly uphold his true self, perhaps Kaecilius would not have fallen into such a tragic plight.
But how many people in the World can be like the Ancient One, possessing the Ancient One's powerful strength and willpower?
The Ancient One could profit from Dormammu, but that doesn't mean others can also profit from Dormammu.
Regrettably, Kaecilius overestimated himself.
So, even the Ancient One had no way to save his twisted soul.
Coupled with the many crimes he had committed, the Ancient One completely gave up on him.
Although many inhumane acts were committed after his mind was corrupted by Dark Dimension power.
But the first step towards Dark Dimension power was taken by Kaecilius himself.
He could only bear the consequences of this outcome himself.
If nothing unexpected happened, Kaecilius, with his mind corrupted by Dark Dimension power, would completely become Dormammu's slave.
His mind would only be fixated on how to bring Earthunder the Dark Dimension's rule.
To let Dormammu completely devour this Universe, devour this dimension.
The result of doing so goes without saying; Earth, with its many hidden powers, would certainly not be so easily devoured by Dormammu.
In the end, Kaecilius would also meet his demise on the spot.
Or rather, being able to die directly would be the easiest way to die.
Because he had signed a contract with Dormammu, Kaecilius would most likely be taken directly by Dormammu after his death.
His soul would also sink into the Dark Dimension, never to be free.
And it was at this moment that a You-Know-Whoapproached Kaecilius.
It was unknown what treasure he used, but it temporarily corrected Kaecilius's already twisted soul.
Kaecilius regained his sanity, but at what cost?
The cost, naturally, was to be controlled by that You-Know-Who, unable to resist.
Who would have thought that the treasure that maintained his sanity and prevented his soul from being twisted was a consumable.
With the crucial item in someone else's hands, Kaeciliuscould only obey.
Later, the raid on Kamar-Taj was also an effort by Kaecilius to save himself.
Considering that the Ancient One, while practicing dark magic, also regularly used ordinary magic.
So Kaecilius wanted to imitate the Ancient One and also use these energies to maintain his sanity from being twisted.
Unfortunately... the results were minimal.
Not everyone is the Ancient One, and it's no wonder he couldn't become the Sorcerer Supreme.
What made Kaecilius most angry and desperate was that after that You-Know-Who controlled him, he still demanded that he activate the magic array to welcome Dormammu!
And before that, Kaecilius had to destroy Earth's protective magic.
Kaecilius didn't understand why the other party wanted to do this, but he could only obey their orders.
However, You-Know-Who had also assured him that Dormammu would absolutely not succeed and would certainly be driven back.
As for whether Kaecilius could preserve himself in this process, that would depend on Kaecilius's own ability.
Kaecilius was no fool; he naturally wouldn't work for free for others.
What's more, he didn't even know what You-Know-Who's purpose was.
But no matter what, the thing that sustained his soul was still in someone else's hands.
Even if they only provided Kaecilius with this one thing, Kaecilius was completely unable to refuse their demands.
Because if he refused them, Kaecilius would surely die.
Regardless of whether Dormammu succeeded in devouring Earth, Kaecilius would certainly die, and then his soul would be taken by Dormammu.
But now, if he could take the initiative into his own hands, then when Dormammu discovered that Earth was a tough nut to crack and left...
Or even after Dormammu was dealt with, he would be able to regain control of his soul!
Although this hope was very slim, Kaecilius simply could not give up his only hope of survival.
And during the process of bargaining with the other party, Kaecilius made some extra demands.
He had no problem with destroying Earth's protective magic array and welcoming Dormammu.
However, considering that Earth's current protective power was very strong, and Strange had a helper of the protagonist's caliber.
So Kaecilius requested You-Know-Who to provide him with even greater power.
As for whether the other party could give him the power he wanted, Kaecilius didn't care at all.
Or rather, maintaining the current state and doing nothing was the most beneficial thing for Kaecilius.
The longer it dragged on, the more likely he was to find a way to keep his soul from being twisted.
And even to no longer rely on the consumables provided by that person.
At that time, he would truly be able to control his own soul.
So after dragging it out for so long, Kaecilius still hadn't made any concrete moves.
The other party demanded that Kaecilius act soon.
Kaecilius was also very straightforward.
Anyway, I can't beat them. If you can't find me a helper to hold back that pervert, then don't expect me to act proactively, because that's suicide.
Kaecilius was just outright slacking off now.
You say you want to cut off my supplies and make me a slave controlled by Dormammu again?
It doesn't matter, Kaecilius stated that he didn't care at all.
He would die if he did it, and he would die if he didn't; after death, his soul would fall into Dormammu's hands and be tortured endlessly by him.
Since the outcome was the same, what difference would another way of dying make?
If you cut off my supplies, I naturally won't cooperate with you anymore.
At that time, their plan to plant their hidden moves within the magic array would also fall through.
So Kaecilius was not afraid that the other party would refuse him.
Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, You-Know-Whotemporarily couldn't find a helper who could hold back the protagonist.
Therefore, the cooperative relationship between the two sides has been maintained in this way until now.
"Don't worry, we don't need to be anxious; they should be the ones who are anxious instead."
Kaecilius murmured to himself.
"Since I led you down this path, I should naturally lead you away."
"Don't worry."
A look of emotion appeared on the subordinate's face, almost to the point of pledging loyalty to Kaecilius on the spot.
Kaecilius was certainly not a good person, nor was he a good leader who cared for his subordinates.
He did this purely for his own future.
Even if he escaped Dormammu's control, what then?
He couldn't possibly live like a mouse, hiding everywhere in this World, could he?
Kaecilius definitely needed his own subordinates and his own forces.
And even his own source of income.
Otherwise, where would the magic materials needed for practicing magic come from?
Where would the expenses for maintaining a high-quality, high-standard life come from?
I lived a hard life before becoming a magic user, and I'm still living a hard life after becoming a magic user, so what was the point of becoming a magic user?
What's more, for greater power, he had already thrown himself into the embrace of darkness; if he couldn't enjoy life anymore, what was the meaning of it?
Therefore, these subordinates were completely and utterly tools for Kaecilius.
Saying a few kind words didn't require any extra effort, so he naturally said whatever sounded best.
Of course, merely drawing a picture wouldn't be enough to make these people follow him.
So after regaining his sanity, Kaecilius immediately selected a portion of his original followers, those whose minds hadn't been too severely eroded, and gave them some of the medicine that kept his soul from being twisted.
It was called medicine, but in fact, it was more like a kind of energy source.
As long as one stayed near the energy source, one's soul could remain in a normal state.
However, that energy source could not last for long, and a new one was needed every once in a while.
Moreover, the energy source could only affect a very limited number of people.
So Kaecilius mercilessly abandoned those disciples whose minds were most severely eroded.
He even personally dealt with them.
Kaecilius's original followers were not too many to begin with.
Constantly hiding from Ancient One's pursuit, Kaeciliushad no time to develop his own forces.
And after clearing out a batch, he had even fewer people under him.
In order to have money to buy the materials needed for cultivation, and to maintain his quality of life, some of Kaecilius's disciples even had to resort to swindling.
For some small wealthy individuals who didn't quite understand the truth of the World, the little magic and materials Kaecilius casually threw out were enough to make them ecstatic.
As for the consequences of these magic and where their souls would go afterwards...
What did that have to do with Kaecilius?
And just as Kaecilius was pondering how to maintain the stability of his soul, the black-robed woman who had just left returned.
"The thing you wanted."
The black-robed woman tossed out a golden yellow bead.
Just standing next to the golden yellow bead made one feel refreshed.
His originally somewhat hazy mind also cleared up with the arrival of the golden yellow bead.
"Also, the helper you wanted, I've found him for you."
The black-robed woman said slowly.
"So when will you make your move?"
"You found a helper?"
Kaecilius held the bead in his hand, slowly absorbing the energy from it.
"How strong is the helper?"
"At the very least, he must pass my assessment."
"If he's not even my opponent, then this helper has no reason to exist."
"Don't worry, this helper's strength will definitely not disappoint you."
The mysterious woman said softly.
...
On the other side, Lynn and Stark were both decisive people; once they made up their minds, they immediately began to act.
And so, a superhero company was quietly established.
And the first signed artist of this superhero company was Scott.
Or rather, he should be called the signed superhero.
Lynn certainly knew that without the Ant-Man combat suit, Scott was nothing but an ordinary person with a little talent.
However, for Dr. Pym, Scott was not entirely an ordinary person.
Becoming Ant-Man might seem to have no real value, but it truly wasn't something an ordinary person could handle.
The most important thing for Ant-Man was to solve the problem of communicating with ants.
Ant-Man, Ant-Man, if there were no ants, could he still be called Ant-Man?
Although Ant-Man's own combat power was also very strong, only by cooperating with ants could he have the full Ant-Man experience.
And communicating with ants really depended on talent.
It was like some people were naturally liked by animals.
Without a bit of special talent, Ant-Man truly wouldn't be able to communicate well with ants.
The collective intelligence of ants as a species was not low, but for individual ants, there was almost no intelligence to speak of.
Chapter 170: Good people should be pointed at with guns?
Because an ant's body is an insect composed of several ganglia.
They don't even have their own brains.
So, it's really difficult for an ordinary person to precisely control a single ant.
Furthermore, Scott was personally chosen by Dr. Pym as his successor, and Dr. Pym couldn't bear to let Scott go just like that.
Therefore, Lynn's move was a completely open scheme, essentially tying Ant-Man and Dr. Pym to his company.
As for why Ant-Man would be willing to join Lynn's company, the reason is also very simple.
Because Lynn offered a sufficiently high salary.
Scott had lost his legitimate job ever since he was imprisoned.
Becoming Dr. Pym's enforcer was a last resort; after all, he needed to find a livelihood for himself.
Moreover, Scott also had a daughter, and he didn't want his daughter to look down on him.
So, a decent and stable job was what Scott needed most at that moment.
Both of them were globally renowned Super Heroes, but Dr. Pym was now a prisoner, while Lynn was at the height of his influence.
Is there any need to hesitate about how to choose?
What's more, Lynn told Scott that Dr. Pym would definitely cooperate with them, and even join this company.
After much consideration, Scott finally chose their company.
As for Dr. Pym, Lynn had the same argument.
"Scott has already joined us, is there anything else you need to hesitate about?"
"If you don't have Scott, where else would you find such an obedient, honest, and somewhat foolish successor?"
"As for your concern about working for the Stark family..."
At this point, Lynn smiled.
"There's no need to worry at all."
"Although the Stark family has invested in this company, the actual owner is a politician."
"Politician?"
Hearing this word, Dr. Pym was clearly a bit displeased.
What he hated most in his life were politicians of all kinds of forces.
Or rather, those who engage in research have a certain stubborn temper and simply look down on those people.
What they hate most is acting on the orders of these politicians.
"You can also understand that I am the actual person in charge of this company."
Lynn tapped on the table.
"I will also join this company and serve as the main Super Hero promoted by the company currently."
"Do you really think I would be a dog for those politicians?"
Hearing Lynn say that, Dr. Pym finally relaxed.
Lynn is so powerful and possesses such vast resources, how could he willingly be a dog for politicians?
But Dr. Pym still had some doubts.
"I always believe that Super Heroes should not be tied to profit."
Dr. Pym expressed his concerns.
"If it's truly operated according to your method, what's the difference between these so-called Super Heroes and those celebrity artists?"
"The method is not wrong; the key is the person who uses it."
Lynn said indifferently.
"Giving Super Heroes a stable income so they can maintain their lives while upholding justice, what's wrong with that?"
"Do you expect everyone to uphold justice purely out of their inner sense of justice?"
"Justice itself should not be too intertwined with profit."
Dr. Pym said seriously.
"Let me give you an example."
Lynn unhesitatingly brought up the young Spider-Man as an example.
"There's a young man whose family background is ordinary, his parents have passed away, and he lives under the roof of his uncle and aunt."
"Although his uncle and aunt are very kind to this young man, which aspect of going to college, working, or living doesn't require a lot of money?"
"This young man accidentally gained the power of a Super Hero, so tell me, what's the first thing he thinks of?"
"Note, I'm talking about an ordinary young high school student who usually has to deliberate for a long time over spending a few dozen dollars!"
"Suddenly gaining such immense power, he would definitely not dare to easily tell others; he would certainly hide his identity."
Dr. Pym's brows furrowed slightly.
"Such a young man, if not guided well, will definitely go astray."
Lynn nodded in strong agreement.
"You are absolutely right."
"At this time, what he needs most is for someone he can trust to step forward and guide him onto the right path."
"But who can step forward, who can discover in time that he has gained great power?"
"Even if someone can discover it in time, during the period from when he gains power to when he is discovered, who can guarantee that no accidents will occur?"
"Steve, what do you say?"
That's right, Captain was also present for this conversation.
As the spiritual idol of all America, no one is more suitable than Captain to serve as a life mentor.
Moreover, Captain is a hero who debuted as early as the 1930s and 1940s.
Regardless of age, qualifications, or achievements, he is absolutely presentable and capable of convincing others.
"I am also a young man who came from that age, and I certainly know what this means for an ordinary child."
Steve said in strong agreement.
"If it were me, I would definitely want to make some money."
Steve hesitated for a moment, then confessed.
Hearing Steve say that, Lynn, on the contrary, smiled.
"Captain, you are not that kind of person; even if you suddenly gained power, what you would think of is definitely to help other weak people, not to make some money for yourself."
As Lynn said this, Captain became a little embarrassed.
"But you're right, young people at this age will definitely try every means to use their power to improve their family life."
"And in today's society, what avenues are there for him to use his power to change his life?"
Hearing Lynn say that, Dr. Pym's expression couldn't help but turn grim.
"There are many compliant and legal ways, such as boxing, or working as a bodyguard or enforcer for others..."
"While these ways of earning money are compliant, they are all gray industries; staying in such an environment for too long will inevitably lead to going astray."
"Of course, I don't deny that there will be a group of young people who stick to their original intentions and, after witnessing the darkness of this World, will choose to uphold their inner sense of justice."
"But how many such people are there? Do we demand that everyone be a saint?"
"When he can earn in one day in the gray area what he couldn't earn in his entire life, who can still guarantee that they won't be tempted by money?"
"There's an ancient saying in the distant East: 'Hemp ropes break at their thinnest point, and misfortune seeks out the suffering.'"
"It's not that the poor are more unlucky, but that the poor have a very low ability to resist risks."
"Let's take that young man again. Suppose his uncle and aunt are now lying in a hospital bed and need $200,000 for life-saving treatment."
"Now his boss tells him, 'Go kill someone for me, and I'll give you $400,000. Not only can it save your uncle and aunt's lives, but it can also let them live comfortably for the rest of their lives.'"
"This person is also a heinous criminal; you don't even have to go against your conscience, killing him is actually eliminating harm for the people."
At this point, a mocking smile appeared on Lynn's face.
"Would you refuse?"
Steve was about to speak, but Lynn glared at him.
"You are a saint; there's no need to compare yourself to ordinary people."
Steve humbly lowered his head.
Captain also grew up from the bottom of society, so he certainly knows how ordinary people would choose in such a situation.
In reality, this is not a multiple-choice question at all.
Because this young man has no choice to make.
"A heinous criminal versus an uncle and aunt who have cared for him his entire life—anyone would know how to choose."
"If something like this happens once, it will happen a second time; if it happens a second time, it will happen a third time..."
Lynn's finger lightly tapped on the table.
"So who can guarantee that such a young man won't go astray?"
"Only by establishing this Super Hero company can we better help these ordinary people."
"Because after they gain power, they will see that the Super Heroes in our Super Hero company can uphold justice and also have a good income."
"Except for natural sociopaths, who would still want to be a criminal?"
"You know, our company's benefits are not low."
Lynn smiled faintly.
"An ordinary person, suddenly gaining incredibly powerful abilities, wanting to uphold justice and maintain righteousness, surely can't even guarantee his basic livelihood, can he?"
"Should good people be held at gunpoint? Are good people destined to live in poverty?"
Lynn's words carried a hint of ruthlessness.
"Those who kill and burn get rich, while those who build bridges and mend roads die without a trace."
"Those who do bad things can enjoy a life of luxury, but are good people who do good deeds destined to live in poverty?"
"Is that right?"
The atmosphere in the room became heavy for a moment.
Lynn didn't mind, calmly drinking the Water in front of him.
The reason he spent so much effort trying to persuade the two people in front of him was because he had his own plans.
Lynn didn't need to worry too much about the company's operations.
He could fully entrust it to Jessica and her staff.
With Steve around, he believed he would definitely be a good role model for the younger generation in the company.
Given Steve's righteous and responsible nature, he would never allow any hero to go astray.
With operators, and a spiritual leader and idol for the company, Lynn only needed to be the behind-the-scenes big boss, responsible for dealing with things others couldn't solve.
But what about the logistics for company operations?
As a superhero, sufficient logistics and top-notch equipment are indispensable.
Especially for a company like a superhero company, if there are no cool weapons and equipment, how can it attract fans?
Lynn knows a fair bit about technology, but he's really too lazy to do equipment research and development.
Ordinary people can't handle such work, and Lynn can't just poach people directly from the Divine Government Bureau, can he?
As for Stark, don't joke, asking him to help these people design weapons and equipment would be more painful than killing him.
So the superhero company needs a scientist who can lead the entire weapon and equipment design department forward.
And the scientist Lynn has his eye on is Dr. Pym.
Once Dr. Pym's wife is rescued from the Quantum Realm, the superhero company will also gain a Wasp as an assistant.
Dr. Pym's daughter can also serve as the second-generation Wasp, and there's Scott.
Buy one get three free, and it can also solve Lynn's logistical problems; it's simply too good a deal.
That's why Lynn thought of using Scott as an entry point to get Dr. Pym to join.
Of course, if needed, Lynn could also stir up trouble between Pym and Stark, making them compete.
The provocation method is old-fashioned but effective.
As long as the means are appropriate, how hard can it be to get good things from those two guys?
"Your plans and prospects for the future are very good, but what if someone is corrupted by money during this operation?"
Dr. Pym voiced his biggest concern.
"Money and power are often the most corrupting things for the human heart."
"What if..."
Hearing Dr. Pym say that, Lynn immediately laughed.
"What do you think I called Captain over for?"
"Could it really be just to be a mascot?"
"The internal purity of the company will be fully entrusted to Captain."
"Moreover, the company will regularly conduct self-inspections to prevent corrupt elements from appearing internally."
"Even if a superhero goes astray, Captain will personally step in to bring them back and give them appropriate punishment!"
Saying that, Lynn turned his gaze to Captain.
"I believe Captain will not disappoint me, right?"
Entrusted by Lynn with such an important responsibility, Captain's heart immediately swelled with emotion.
"Don't worry, I will definitely lead those children on the right path!"
Dr. Pym might not trust Lynn, and he might not trust Stark, but he absolutely could not distrust Steve.
Because Dr. Pym and Steve are from the same era, he naturally knows what kind of good person Captain is!
With Captain's assurance, Dr. Pym finally agreed.
"Then, happy cooperation?"
"Happy cooperation!"
Dr. Pym said faintly.
"But I have one condition: my position must never be lower than that of someone from the Stark family."
"Don't worry, Stark is just a temporary consultant; how can he compare to you, the head of the technical department?"
Lynn immediately patted his chest and guaranteed.
"If there's a conflict between you and Stark, I will definitely prioritize you."
Looking at Dr. Pym's suspicious gaze, Lynn immediately assured him.
"Even if I don't favor you, I will definitely be fair and just."
Lynn said seriously.
"You know, the equipment you develop will be used by superheroes on the front lines."
"If this equipment isn't good, people could really die."
"How could I not try to be as fair and just as possible?"
Lynn looked at Dr. Pym seriously.
"Or do you think your technology is inferior to Stark's?"
"What a joke? How could my technology be inferior to someone from the Stark family?"
Dr. Pym immediately became displeased, shouting.
"His old man was no match for me, so why would I be afraid of a junior like him?"
"You just wait, I will definitely equip every hero with the most outstanding equipment and technology."
Lynn smiled.
The provocation method is old-fashioned, but effective.
"Then it's settled."
"So what is our company called?"
Dr. Pym was stunned for a moment.
"I'm about to join the company, and I still don't know what our company is called?"
Lynn glanced at Steve, who looked bewildered.
"Why are you looking at me? Shouldn't the company name be decided by you?"
Lynn nodded faintly.
"The company name hasn't been completely decided yet, because I had to finalize the organizational structure first."
"But now with Dr. Pym and Captain joining, it's time to decide on the company's name."
For a scientist like Dr. Pym, who is both tsundere and a bit arrogant, subtle flattery is what he appreciates most.
Lynn's words subtly elevated the importance of Captainand Dr. Pym by a notch.
As if the company couldn't operate without them.
What is high emotional intelligence?
"There's an ancient Oriental saying: Water benefits all things and does not contend."
Lynn translated this sentence.
"So I really like this word. How about our company is called Vought Company?"
"A very good concept."
Dr. Pym nodded seriously.
"It's also consistent with the philosophy of our company: helping others without deliberately pursuing fame and fortune."
Dr. Pym fully agreed with Lynn's statement, even foolishly doing a small reading comprehension exercise.
Which made Lynn feel a bit awkward.
He just wanted to make a small joke; he really didn't think that much into it.
However, Dr. Pym's reading comprehension was quite interesting and could certainly be implemented as the company's governing philosophy.
Having agreed to join Vought Company, Dr. Pym didn't linger and prepared to go back to pack his things and officially start his new job.
After Dr. Pym left, Steve stared intently at Lynn.
Before coming here, Captain didn't know what Lynnwanted to discuss with him.
Now he knew what Lynn's intentions were.
"I can see that your ambition is not small; you are not content with just establishing a company."
Captain looked at Lynn seriously, his eyes deep.
"What exactly are your plans?"
Looking at Captain, Lynn gently sipped his tea.
"Indeed, nothing escapes you."
Lynn said seriously.
"Captain, do you think the current America is the Americayou want? Is it the America of your ideals?"
"Waking up from the ice, don't you feel even a trace of disappointment with this World?"
Looking at Lynn's eyes, Captain's heart couldn't help but waver.
Lynn was right. After waking from the ice, Captain was indeed very disappointed with this World.
He had thought at the time that as long as that enemy was defeated, this World would definitely become better, safer, and more stable.
Chapter 171 The surrounding business begins!
But decades later, what had the World become?
The World was still in turmoil, still unstable, with wars everywhere.
They even faced more enemies, including those from other Planets.
What pained Captain even more was that most of the instability in this World was caused by America.
Captain was undoubtedly a good person, even a saint.
So he was deeply pained by this situation, yet he was powerless.
He had even considered giving up and not getting involved again, living out his life peacefully.
After all, he was just an old man past his prime; his war was over, and the wars of the new era shouldn't drag him into the mud.
But Black Egg wasn't willing to let Captain go, still forcibly pulling him in.
After going through so much, Captain seemed to have come to terms with things and stopped thinking about all that messy stuff.
But with Lynn's reminder, Captain suddenly remembered the justice he had always upheld in his heart.
"You mean..."
"Changing this World starts now, with you and me."
Lynn looked at Captain seriously.
"Let this World become more peaceful, let humanity unite to resist external enemies, and let humanity break out of Earth and move towards the Universe."
"This is our philosophy."
Lynn sighed theatrically.
"Humanity has spent too much time and energy on internal strife. If we could unite all of humanity's strength, would we still need to worry about external enemies?"
"If you want to change this World, start with America, the World's largest country."
Lynn glanced out the window.
"Look at what America has become now, with constant infighting between the donkey and elephant parties, full of scheming and backstabbing everywhere."
"Most of the disasters in this World also stem from this."
"Let's end this chaos together!"
"This..."
Captain hesitated, which was rare.
Captain was not someone who could be easily fooled.
He could see that Lynn had great ambitions, but he hadn't expected Lynn to have such immense ambitions.
To be honest, the future Lynn described deeply moved him.
But the question was, could Lynn truly achieve it?
Could he really do all the things he promised?
The future Lynn depicted was simply too beautiful, so beautiful that it was almost unbelievable.
Captain was no longer the hot-headed youth he once was, willing to sacrifice himself after a few words of persuasion.
The better the future Lynn described, the stronger the unsettling feeling in his heart became.
Noticing Captain's concern, Lynn chuckled softly.
"To accomplish this, the path ahead will certainly be very difficult, and we must start by changing America, which means we are destined to overthrow the entire American regime."
Upon hearing this, Captain's gaze sharpened slightly.
If anyone else had said they wanted to overthrow the entire American regime, Captain would have unhesitatingly treated them as a super villain.
Listen, does that sound like something a decent person would say?
Constantly talking about overthrowing the regime of a country, and it's the largest country in the current World.
A proper superhero certainly wouldn't say they want to overthrow a country's regime for the sake of a dream.
Looking at Captain's gaze, Lynn chuckled softly and quickly waved his hand.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm not some big villain, nor would I do anything to harm ordinary people."
"First, Captain, please answer me a question: For a country, do you think the rulers are more important, or the common people?"
"No need to answer, of course, the people of this country are more important."
Lynn nodded in strong agreement.
"Suppose the rulers of this country all died overnight. How long do you think this country would be in chaos?"
Upon hearing this, Captain's gaze immediately sharpened, and he stared intently at Lynn.
Lynn said somewhat helplessly,
"Why are you looking at me so nervously? I'm just giving an example; I'm not saying I'm actually going to lay hands on the rulers."
"It definitely... would be chaotic for a long time, right?"
Captain replied somewhat uncertainly.
Before this, Captain had never thought that Lynn would harm ordinary people.
But after listening to Lynn's speech just now, Captain was not so confident anymore.
"Actually, it wouldn't be chaotic at all. Within three days, this society would still be able to operate stably."
Lynn chuckled softly.
"Don't think the elite class has how much power. The ones who truly possess great power are the common people, the populace."
Seeing Captain's somewhat distrustful gaze, Lynnsnapped his fingers, and a stack of books appeared in front of Captain.
The covers of these books were of various colors, but most were predominantly red.
"After coming out of the ice, you should have learned some history about the Cold War."
"I don't know how those people described that history to you, but you need to understand your enemies, understand their ideology."
"I think you can read these, and then discuss this issue with me."
Saying that, Lynn placed the teacup in his hand on the table.
After drinking for so long, the cup of tea was finally finished.
"Don't worry, at least for now, Vought Company is just an entertainment company that provides a better platform for superheroes."
"I welcome you to supervise at any time, after all, you are our Vought Company's top star."
Seeing Captain's troubled expression, Lynn laughed heartily.
"My apologies, a slip of the tongue. Not a top star, but an ace."
Captain, filled with doubts, left the company with that thick stack of books.
Watching Captain's retreating figure, Lynn found it very amusing.
HYDRA Captain is very appealing, would a red Captainbe even more appealing?
Captain indeed had some potential to be a leader, and he could be considered a saint.
Unfortunately, Captain's only drawback was that he hadn't read many books.
Otherwise, with his background as a common person, he would easily accept red ideology.
Lynn didn't need to interfere or influence Captain's thoughts too much.
For a saint like Captain, as long as he came into contact with such an ideology and studied it deeply, he would certainly not reject the changes brought about by this ideology.
"Didn't expect you to be so good at stirring up people's hearts either?"
Hela walked out of the room and casually sat down next to Lynn.
She then wrapped her arm around Lynn, pulling him into her embrace.
Lynn felt as if he was being teased.
"What? We've been together for so long, and you're still so shy?"
Lynn flipped over, taking the initiative, and pulled Helainto his arms.
"I'm not shy, I just want to take the initiative."
Hela was slightly stunned.
"Want to take the initiative? Okay, but you have to let me see if you're qualified to take the initiative."
Hela beckoned to Lynn with her finger.
The next second, the two entered the Mirror Dimension and began an intense battle.
...
With the addition of Captain and Dr. Pym, along with the help of Pepper and Jessica, Vought Company was quickly and officially established.
Once Vought Company was established, it immediately sparked waves of discussion in society.
Some people were very excited about superheroes performing for money.
They were already fans of these superheroes.
But there was also another group of fans who believed this was defiling the superhero cause.
Both sides argued, unable to reach a consensus.
And the first thing Vought Company did after its establishment was to launch merchandise.
Of course, this merchandise did not include Captainhimself.
Because Captain, as a hero, had been presumed dead decades ago.
And various merchandise toys modeled after Captainhimself did not require any royalty payments to anyone.
Although Captain was now alive, legally speaking, the resurrected Captain and the Captain from decades ago were two different people.
So while Lynn could use Captain's likeness to create various merchandise and make money, he couldn't stop others from using Captain's image to make money.
Considering that lawsuits were too troublesome, Lynncouldn't be bothered to argue with those people.
After symbolically launching a few Captain merchandise items, Lynn then began operating merchandise for other superheroes.
Many heroes of the Illuminati actually had low public recognition.
In most cases, everyone knew such a person existed and that he was very powerful, but they didn't know the specifics.
The exceptions were Stark, Peter, and Gwen.
Stark, needless to say, was already that flamboyant rich playboy type, with high public prestige.
Before becoming Iron Man, he was already basically a household name.
Gwen and Peter often went out to fight for justice and combat criminals.
So, their popularity in New York was also not low.
However, it was their superhero identities that were famous, not their actual selves.
But this was just right.
Therefore, the first wave of merchandise released focused on Gwen, Peter, and Stark.
This included action figures, posters, co-branding authorizations, and a series of other commercial activities.
And no matter how much people argued or cursed online, when these co-branded products appeared on the market, they were instantly snatched up.
This forced Pepper to urgently contact the relevant factories and accelerate production speed.
At least Vought Company's first wave of commercial operations brought in a large sum of revenue.
Of course, besides a portion of this commercial revenue being used to maintain the company's operations, pay company employees, and the salaries of various superheroes, another portion would be shared with the superheroes themselves.
Stark, being a billionaire of his caliber, certainly wouldn't care about this income, so his share was directly transferred to Vought Company's account to sustain Vought Company's development and operation.
And upon learning of her income, Gwen was the happiest.
As a child from a middle-class family, Gwen's life wasn't bad, but it certainly couldn't compare to that of truly wealthy individuals.
Even traditionally defined 'rich second generation' don't actually have as much money in their pockets as people imagine.
How much liquid capital does a listed company have? How much money can a rich second generation have in their pocket?
Not to mention a child from a middle-class family like Gwen.
Since she gained her superhero abilities, she had never thought of using them to gain personal benefit.
She had always been an independent girl, so she had never thought of asking Lynn for money.
Of course, as a couple, she wouldn't refuse some gifts Lynn gave her.
However, when she wanted to buy something expensive, Gwen still needed to consider it carefully.
And this first wave of commercial activity's dividends already amounted to tens of thousands of dollars in Gwen's hands.
As sales continued to rise, the money distributed to Gwenwould also increase.
Don't underestimate this amount of money; for ordinary people, it is definitely a huge fortune.
It's important to note that Gwen's superhero image is currently only popular within New York and has not yet been promoted throughout America.
If it could be promoted throughout America, for a popular superhero like Gwen, annual dividends of hundreds of thousands to a million would be more than enough, not to mention making a fortune daily.
Because the company has many things to bear, the dividends given to superheroes after signing image authorization are not high.
Generally, heroes with lower popularity might only receive a few percent in dividends.
Even for someone like Stark, it wouldn't exceed ten percent.
This isn't Lynn's capitalist mindset at play, but purely due to the company's heavy burden.
Because in addition to ensuring the daily lives of superheroes, the company also needs to provide these superheroes with daily training grounds.
They hire people to train their basic skills and methods for dealing with various emergencies.
There's even the R&D department led by Dr. Pym, responsible for developing exclusive equipment for superheroes.
This kind of personalized equipment will carry strong individual marks, perfectly suited to highlight the superhero's personal style.
Of course, if your skills are up to par, or if you are confident in your own skills, you can also develop your own equipment in the technical department.
As for the expenses during the equipment development process, as long as they are reasonable and compliant, all costs will be borne by the company.
No matter what kind of equipment you want, as long as the level meets the requirements, even if you want Vibranium, the company will find a way to get it for you.
Currently, the company is only in its early development stage, and various expenses are not yet obvious.
But once the number of superheroes increases later, and the risks and obligations to be borne also increase, the money the company earns may not be enough.
And this point is also reflected in the contract.
The company's technical department has a quota for developing new equipment for heroes.
As long as you don't exceed this quota, you don't need to pay any price at all.
Once you exceed this quota, you will need to help the company conduct a certain degree of commercial activities based on the proportion of the exceeded quota.
For example, participating in some commercial performances, or participating in some celebrity talk shows related to superheroes.
These incomes can offset the costs incurred from developing equipment.
The specific proportions and amounts still need to be calculated by Friday based on her model.
Because the commercial revenue brought by a superhero participating in a performance cannot be calculated solely in terms of money.
The increase in commercial value, fan conversion rates, etc., cannot be directly reflected through money.
So, Friday will provide a specific and appropriate model to calculate how much revenue these superheroes bring to the company when participating in commercial activities.
In short, with Friday, the super AI, everything at Vought Company will be based on fairness and justice as much as possible.
There will absolutely be no situation where capitalists exploit the surplus value of ordinary people.
While Vought Company was thriving, Captain always held a book in his hand, diligently reading, no matter where he went.
Of course, during this process, he did not forget to show his face at the company and participate in activities that enhance the company's commercial value.
No matter what, he had joined Vought Company, so he naturally had to consider Vought Company's future.
However, this led to Captain receiving a lot of criticism from society.
Captain becoming a capitalist's lackey made many people dissatisfied, and some even said that Captain no longer deserved to be called Captain America.
Some departments were also very dissatisfied with Lynn's actions.
The business of Captain's personal likeness had a lot of potential to be exploited.
Originally, these things had always been controlled by certain powerful families, and no one dared to get a piece of the pie.
But Lynn completely disregarded these people's feelings and directly used Captain's personal image for commercial activities, which was tantamount to taking food from their bowls!
How could they allow such an act of snatching food from a tiger's mouth?
Therefore, just one week after Vought Company was established, it was met with joint enforcement from multiple departments.
But with Friday, Vought Company had already avoided 99% of legal risks.
Coupled with the massive legal team of Stark Industriesas a solid backing, the joint enforcement by these departments had no impact on Vought Company's operations at all.
On the contrary, after Captain witnessed the behavior of these people, the contemplation in his eyes deepened.
...
"Why have you been reading so much lately? Are you planning to switch careers and become a teacher?"
Stark looked at Captain and said casually.
Although Stark generally didn't come to Vought Company much, he would occasionally drop by.
Every time Stark came, he would see Captain holding a book, reading it with great interest.
It wasn't until this time that Stark finally couldn't resist his curiosity and went over.
"What surplus value, what... what are you doing?"
Glancing at what was in Captain's book, Stark was dumbfounded.
"You... this... I... huh?"
Steve's reading speed was not fast, in fact, it could be said to be very slow.
Because Steve was originally just an ordinary person from the Brooklyn slums.
He hadn't even received any proper education, only attending night school for a few days.
Chapter 172 The secret of the experimental base!
Later, after becoming a soldier, Steve had time to think and would also do some reading.
However, this was Steve's first time reading such professional books.
Therefore, many words in each book were extremely unfamiliar to Steve.
For this, Lynn specially had Friday equip Steve with an additional translator.
This translator could provide Steve with the most complete explanation in a timely manner when he encountered unfamiliar words.
At the same time, it could also draw out a series of related historical events based on the word to help Steveunderstand the corresponding word.
After so many days of reading, Steve's understanding of this society became deeper.
The more he read, the more he understood, and his understanding of the current society became even more profound.
Especially with the existence of an artificial intelligence like Friday.
Many things Steve encountered in society would immediately be linked by Friday to knowledge in books, teaching him on the spot.
The deeper Steve understood this society, the more he felt its darkness.
Recalling his original purpose when joining the army, he finally understood that the future depicted in these books was the society he wanted to see.
Steve looked up at Stark.
"Friday, explain to him what I'm reading now."
Listening to Friday's explanation, Stark's gaze towards Steve became increasingly strange.
Unlike Captain, Stark had received a complete university education.
Although their university did not teach ideological education, Stark himself did study some corresponding philosophy courses.
As for the books Steve was reading, his understanding was not deep, but he still knew the most basic concepts.
Looking at Steve, Stark only felt a faint red glow emanating from him.
"Why did you suddenly think of reading these?"
Stark was a little curious.
He didn't have much of a feeling about Captain reading these books.
"Lynn told me that America needs a change, this society needs a change, and recommended that I read these books and then tell him my thoughts."
Hearing this, Stark's foot, which was originally about to leave, immediately turned back.
"You mean, Lynn told you that Earth needs a change, and the theme of the change is… these?"
Stark pointed at the book in Steve's hand.
Steve nodded heavily.
"Lynn didn't say it explicitly, but I think he probably wants to change in this direction."
"How about it, seeing me read these books, are you scared? Big capitalist?"
"How could I be scared? I'm not some big capitalist."
Stark's mouth twitched.
"I am a conscientious businessman, and the welfare benefits of Stark Industries' employees are among the best in the entire World."
If Captain merely wanted to understand these ideas, even if Captain wanted to make some changes to this World, Stark would not have any thoughts at all.
How could this society change just by saying so?
So many interwoven interest groups gathered together, it was too complex, not something one person could accomplish.
But if that person were Lynn, then Stark would have to seriously consider his future position on Earth.
Without a doubt, Lynn truly had the ability to ignite a revolution concerning all of humanity.
Stark stroked his chin, determined to have a good talk with Lynn.
Although he wasn't the biggest capitalist in this World, he was definitely among the top.
Once a revolution truly happened, the first to be affected would definitely be them.
While he was thinking, Lynn's portal opened, and he appeared in the office.
"Oh? What day is it today, why are both of you here?"
"I heard you're planning to start a revolution across the World?"
Stark stared intently at Lynn.
Lynn glanced at Stark and couldn't help but laugh.
"Why would you think that? Who told you?"
Stark pursed his lips, and only then did Lynn notice Captain, who had his head buried behind a book, a smile playing on his lips.
"A revolution is not necessary, but if I can push the entire human society forward just a small step, I will be very satisfied."
Lynn waved his hand.
"You don't think that just because I let Captain read these, I want to push the entire human World towards a utopian society, do you?"
"I don't have that ability, you don't have that ability, I can't, you can't, Captain can't, and Friday certainly can't."
Lynn spread his hands.
"You and I both know that we are not the kind of people who can roll around in political circles, so being able to use the power in our hands to push society forward, to advance, even if it's just a small step…"
"That's enough."
Stark breathed a sigh of relief.
"I really thought you were going to start a revolution, wouldn't I be the first unlucky one then?"
Lynn gave Stark a strange look.
"Strictly speaking, we do need to act against America."
"However, the specific approach still depends on Captain's ideas."
"Me?"
Captain was stunned for a moment.
Lynn nodded heavily.
"If not you, then who? Me?"
"Hiss…"
Steve gasped.
Originally, he thought Lynn was just trying to persuade him by having him read these books, but he never expected that Lynn wanted him to lead this revolution by having him read these books.
On the other side.
The night was as dark as ink, and the lights of Manhattantwinkled outside the FBI Headquarters building, as if countless eyes were watching it. Lynn had just returned from an off-site mission when he received an urgent recall order. His heart was filled with doubt and unease, had another major case occurred?
Entering the Headquarters building, Lynn quickly walked through the busy office area and headed straight for his Officer's office. The door opened, revealing his Officersitting sternly at his desk, holding a document.
"Lynn, you're back." His Officer's voice was deep and strong.
"Yes, Officer. I came straight here after getting off the plane." Lynn replied, looking directly at his Officer, trying to read something from his eyes.
His Officer handed him the document: "This mission is very special, we need you to interrogate a Mutant."
Lynn took the document and quickly scanned it. A Mutant? This was unusual. He looked up: "A Mutant? What's going on?"
"This Mutant is named Hans, and he escaped from a secret experimental Base a few days ago. We need to get the exact location and situation of that experimental Basefrom him." His Officer explained.
Lynn frowned: "A Mutant… This interrogation might not be easy."
"I know your abilities, Lynn. You are our most skilled Agent at interrogation, and I believe you can handle him." His Officer patted him on the shoulder, his tone filled with trust.
Lynn nodded and said nothing more. He knew the importance of this mission and understood the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The interrogation room was located deep underground in the FBI Headquarters, dark and damp, with a suffocating atmosphere. Lynn stood outside the interrogation room door, took a deep breath, and adjusted his state. Then, he pushed the door open and walked in.
Inside the interrogation room, Hans was securely tied to the interrogation chair, his eyes tightly closed, as if in a deep sleep. But Lynn knew this was just an appearance. Mutants' sensory abilities far surpassed ordinary people's; they often sensed danger at the first moment.
"Hans, wake up." Lynn said softly, his voice echoing in the interrogation room, sounding exceptionally clear.
Hans slowly opened his eyes, his pupils instantly contracting, clearly surprised by Lynn's appearance. He struggled to break free, but found it futile.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Hans's voice was hoarse and low, with a hint of wariness.
"I am FBI Agent Lin En Harvey." Lynn walked in front of Hans, staring at him intently, "I want to talk to you."
"Talk about what? I don't know anything." Hans turned his head away, trying to avoid Lynn's gaze.
Lynn chuckled: "Hans, stop pretending. We know you escaped from that experimental Base. Now, I want to know the exact location and situation of that Base."
A flicker of panic crossed Hans's eyes, but he quickly composed himself: "I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't done anything."
Lynn wasn't in a hurry; he slowly walked to Hans's side, lowered his head, and softly said, "Hans, don't think I'm bluffing. We already have enough evidence to prove your connection to that experimental Base. Now, you're just wasting each other's time."
Hans was silent for a moment, then spoke, "Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you. All of you FBI Agents are hypocrites, only good at using others."
Lynn shook his head, "Hans, you're wrong. We're not using you; we want to help you. You know what that experimental Base did to you. Don't you want revenge?"
Hans's body trembled slightly; he was clearly touched by Lynn's words. But soon, he regained his composure, "Revenge? With just you? Don't make me laugh."
"Why not try?" Lynn continued, "At least, you can tell us what you know and let us investigate. Maybe we can find that Base and expose their crimes. That way, you can also be free."
Hans lowered his head, lost in thought. A brief silence fell over the interrogation room, with only their breathing echoing. After a long time, Hans finally looked up at Lynn, "Alright, I'll tell you. But you must guarantee my safety."
Lynn nodded, "Of course. We will do everything we can to protect you."
Hans took a deep breath and began to recount his experience. He was originally an ordinary person, but due to an accident, he was captured by that experimental Base. There, he endured countless experiments and tortures, eventually becoming what he is now—a Mutantwith special abilities.
"They locked me in a dark place and injected me with various drugs every day. I was in unbearable pain and tried to commit suicide several times. But luckily, I finally escaped." Hans's voice trembled, clearly, that experience was still vivid in his mind.
Lynn listened to Hans's narration, his heart filled with anger and sympathy. He secretly vowed to find that experimental Base and bring those criminals to justice.
"Where is that Base?" Lynn asked.
Hans hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "In… in an abandoned factory on the outskirts of New York. It's very well hidden; it will be hard for you to find."
Lynn noted down this information and then continued, "What else? What else is in that Base?"
Hans closed his eyes, seemingly unwilling to recall those terrifying scenes. But with Lynn's encouragement, he continued, "There are many Mutants like me there; they are all confined in different rooms. There are also some scientists and Doctors; they conduct various experiments every day…"
Hans's narration made Lynn's heart pound. He couldn't imagine how those innocent people spent every day in that terrifying experimental Base.
As night fell, Manhattan's neon lights flickered in the rain, casting a mysterious veil over the bustling city. Inside the FBI Headquarters, Lin En Harvey stood in the center of the conference room, his gaze firm and resolute, as if he could pierce through the night and directly face the unknown danger.
"Everyone, we have just received crucial clues about that experimental Base from Hans." Lynn's voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the quiet conference room. "This is a secret experimental Base hidden in an abandoned factory on the outskirts of New York. They are not only conducting illegal Mutant experiments but also imprisoning many innocent people. Our mission is to find this place, rescue the victims, and bring the criminals to justice."
Lynn's subordinates looked solemn; they knew the difficulty and importance of this mission. No one raised objections because everyone believed in Lynn's leadership and their team's strength.
"The action plan is as follows…" Lynn began to meticulously outline the mission, his words clear and organized, and everyone listened attentively, fearing they would miss any detail.
However, just as Lynn finished explaining the action plan and was about to assign personnel, the conference room door was suddenly violently pushed open. A group of unidentified individuals in black uniforms and masks burst in, armed with submachine guns, their presence menacing.
"Nobody move! Hand over Hans!" the leading black-clad man roared, his voice hoarse and cold, as if from the depths of hell.
Lynn reacted quickly; he signaled his subordinates to remain calm while shielding Hans, "Who are you? What do you want?"
"Cut the nonsense! Hand Hans over to us, or don't blame us for being impolite!" The black-clad man pointed his gun at Lynn, threatening him.
Lynn's gaze was like a torch; he stared intently into the black-clad man's eyes, "Where do you think this is? FBI Headquarters! You dare to cause trouble here!"
The black-clad man sneered, "So what if it's the FBI? We're not afraid! Today, we must take Hans!"
With that, the black-clad man waved his hand, and his companions immediately fanned out, forming a circle to close in on Lynn and his subordinates. The atmosphere instantly became tense and suffocating, as if a string could snap at any moment.
Lynn knew that if these people snatched Hans, all their previous efforts would be in vain. He had to protect Hansand also ensure the safety of his subordinates.
"Don't be impulsive!" Lynn whispered to his subordinates, "Stay calm and look for an opportunity to counterattack."
Seeing that Lynn refused to comply, the black-clad men grew agitated. They began to shoot wildly, attempting to force Lynn into submission with violence. Bullets flew through the conference room, narrowly missing Lynn and his subordinates' vital points.
"Lynn, what do we do?" a subordinate asked anxiously.
"Don't panic!" Lynn said firmly, "We still have a chance. Everyone, follow my command; let's rush out together!"
With that, Lynn, taking advantage of the black-clad men's distraction, suddenly pushed Hans towards the nearby emergency exit. At the same time, he quickly drew his pistol and opened Fire on the black-clad men. His subordinates followed suit, dodging bullets while returning Fire.
The conference room instantly became a battlefield, gunfire and shouts intertwining, deafening. Lynn and his subordinates fought and retreated, using the tables and chairs in the conference room as cover, skillfully maneuvering against the black-clad men.
However, the black-clad men's firepower was too intense, and Lynn and his subordinates gradually felt overwhelmed. They were forced into a corner of the conference room, their situation precarious.
"Lynn, this isn't working!" a subordinate shouted.
"I know!" Lynn yelled, "Everyone, hold on a little longer! Reinforcements will be here soon!"
Just as Lynn and his subordinates were hanging by a thread, the conference room door was pushed open again. This time, it was the FBI's reinforcement unit that had arrived. They quickly joined the fight, confronting the black-clad men alongside Lynn and his subordinates.
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, the black-clad men began to retreat. They covered their retreat with gunfire as they moved towards the door. Lynn and his subordinates seized the opportunity to counterattack, pursuing them relentlessly, vowing to bring these criminals to justice.
After an intense battle, the black-clad men were finally repelled. They left behind a few bodies and a pile of weapons, fleeing the FBI Headquarters in disarray. Although Lynn and his subordinates sustained minor injuries, they managed to save Hans and their lives.
"Is everyone alright?" Lynn asked with concern.
"We're fine!" the subordinates replied in unison.
Lynn breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good. We need to leave here quickly to prevent another attack."
With that, Lynn led his subordinates and Hans quickly out of the conference room. They walked down the hallway to a safe location. Lynn immediately contacted his superior, reported the situation, and requested additional personnel to protect Hans.
"Lynn, you did very well." The superior praised him over the phone. "We will immediately send more personnel to ensure Hans's safety. At the same time, we will launch an investigation to determine the identity and origin of those black-clad men."
"Thank you, Officer." Lynn said, "We will continue to pursue leads on that experimental Base and launch an operation as soon as possible."
After hanging up the phone, Lynn looked at the tired but determined faces of his subordinates, his heart filled with emotion and pride.