Out in the western desert of Texas, across a vast stretch of land roughly one hundred and thirty square kilometers in size, massive industrial machinery was rumbling noisily into action.
"As one of the most outstanding entrepreneurs of the 21st century—having established yourself just half a year ago and successively venturing into materials, energy, insurance, charity, real estate, and now aerospace—Mr. Peter Parker, what do you have to say?"
Clad in a tailored, deep navy blue suit with his hair meticulously combed into place, Peter Parker stood before the camera and flashed a subtle smile:
"Our entry into every single sector isn't just about crossing over for the sake of crossing over. Material science is the foundation of all our technology; energy is because Earth needs an alternative to petroleum; as for insurance and charity? It's because I've seen with my own eyes how a single disaster can strip a family of everything within seconds."
A cool breeze swept through the desert, rustling a lock of hair across Peter Parker's forehead and setting the female reporter's heart fluttering just as easily.
"Real estate was built to support my insurance and charity efforts," Peter Parker said. "And now that the Parker Group is stepping into aerospace... it is for our future."
"Word has it that you once came close to being kicked out of your apartment by your landlord because you couldn't afford the rent. Is that true?" the female reporter asked.
"Half true. There were indeed days when I could barely make rent, but getting kicked out by the landlord is false—he's a very kind old gentleman," Peter Parker answered with a smile.
"Could you share something with today's young people? Your experience is invaluable to youth across America—and the world." The reporter pressed on.
With a constant smile on his face, Peter Parker patiently answered the reporter's questions one by one.
Today was the official groundbreaking day for the Parker Group's satellite launch base. Batman had used his identity as Peter Parker to appear before the media, taking interviews from reporters and camera crews.
This satellite launch base was not being built entirely from scratch; the site itself was a test facility that had been on the verge of being abandoned by a near-bankrupt commercial aerospace startup.
The complex acquisition process had been personally managed by the Parker Group's CEO, Alice, so Batman had effectively only come over to show his face.
Even so, reporters from various media outlets flocked to the scene, eager for an interview with this young man whose rise to prominence over the past six months was nothing short of legendary.
Batman's suit pockets were already stuffed full of paper slips with phone numbers written on them by female reporters.
"Mr. Parker, you—" The reporter asked question after question.
However, Batman raised his hand to check his watch, offering an apologetic smile:
"My apologies, ma'am, but I believe my interview time is up... As you know, young entrepreneurs are always quite busy."
The female reporter lowered her microphone with a look of regret, mimicking a phone gesture next to her cheek with a small wiggle:
"Remember to call me."
"If I find the time." Batman smiled at the female reporter, turning around to walk toward the private helicopter parked nearby, its propellers already spinning.
Late at night, Manhattan.
Batman's private helicopter landed smoothly on the rooftop helipad of the Parker Building.
"Master Wayne, you have become quite adept at handling business affairs with ease," Alfred's voice sounded from within the helicopter.
"Once you've done this sort of thing once, you naturally get better at it the next time," Batman said.
Similar situations had played out over and over again back in Gotham, where Batman had even needed to set aside dedicated time every week just to navigate various banquets.
"Of course, by standard habit, you should be out on a date with a cover model right about now. Though it seems you aren't planning on doing that today," Alfred said.
"I'm heading to the Raft."
In Queens, New York, on an isolated island in Jamaica Bay.
The Raft was situated right here, housing a vast array of criminals from the Battle of Manhattan alongside those captured by Batman on the Helicarrier.
When Batman stepped into the prison wearing his Gargoyle Suit, prison guards clad in specialized tactical gear were conducting routine patrols.
These guards were government personnel themselves, but aside from the various firearms held in their hands, their other gear did not come from the New York government—it came from Iron Man, Tony Stark.
The prison itself was also different from ordinary ones; there was no centralized common area, and every single criminal was assigned an isolated cell and activity zone.
The only people they could come into contact with every day were the guards, and every guard was equipped with a listening device on their person.
Once the listening device detected certain keywords—such as "leave" or "cooperate"—it would immediately send an alert to Jarvis for analysis and processing.
At the same time, because every supervillain possessed distinct abilities, the methods used to contain them could not be standardized.
The solution to this had been designed individually for each prisoner's cell by the Parker Group. Batman had, naturally, installed an additional surveillance network within the cells for Alfred to analyze.
Every single move made by the criminals detained here could not escape the watchful eyes of two super AIs.
"Batman."
Batman entered through the main entrance, which was the prison's sole external outlet located ninety meters underwater.
The moment he stepped inside, the heavily armed and highly trained guards had already verified his information ahead of time and greeted him.
This was the result of Norman Osborn's efforts; holding a position in the New York government and dealing with politicians all day, he had handled quite a few government-related issues for Batman.
"Thank you for your hard work." Batman nodded to the guards at the entrance. "I'm here to see Double-Head."
One guard quickly logged the information into the prison system, while another guard spoke up:
"Follow me."
Guided by the guard, Batman crossed through eight defense works and entered a specialized code belonging exclusively to Batman before a piece of machinery, successfully gaining access into the interior of the Raft.
Double-Head's body was inside the Ant Farm, while his two heads were inside the Raft.
When Batman followed the guard to the cell holding Double-Head, the two heads were currently locked in a cold war with each other, neither speaking to the other.
Stacked one above the other, the two heads were placed on a high platform measuring only twenty square centimeters, surrounded by a thin layer of flooring.
The guard and Batman stood on the floor, which felt as solid as flat ground.
The moment Double-Head left the platform, the floor here would instantly collapse, and a massive volume of quick-hardening gel would surge forth, filling the entire cell in a matter of a second or two.
"Double-Head, what is your real name?"
Once the guard left and only Batman and Double-Head remained inside the cell, Batman spoke up:
"I have been able to uncover the true identities and origins of everyone else one by one, yet your identity remains a mystery to this day. Are you connected to mutants?"
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