"Immediately, cancel all artificial intelligence research in the world and seal existing AI systems indefinitely!"
The chief was startled suddenly. Did the Federal Supreme Court truly believe humanity faced extinction? Or had they already confirmed it?
Full of doubts, the director waited quietly. Every emergency meeting of the Supreme Court required three elders to open it simultaneously. The patrons of this gathering were Gladwin Griffin, Watson Conrado, and Jerald Hyeon.
After Gladwin announced the request, Hyeon continued: "This decision considers several crucial directions, so listen carefully. The details of implementation still fall to you."
The chief nodded quickly.
"First, from the current perspective, the history of Terra cannot be studied. This gap must have been caused by a massive, world-shaping disaster. Such destruction could not be explained by an ordinary global war. The only possibility is that artificial intelligence once seized control of machines."
"Secondly, we did not give this order lightly. But our analysis shows that in his previous life, Tony did not have long to live. Once Tony dies, the AI system Jarvis will likely take control of the mechas, causing endless turmoil. We estimate that with the technological level of Terra in that era, producing large numbers of mechas was not beyond reach."
"Thirdly, the Terra Federation is preparing for a new migration initiative. At such a critical stage, no mistakes can be tolerated. History must not repeat itself."
Tony's life is short? The director asked in confusion: "Elder, why do you say Tony is dying? He looks strong enough to me."
Hyeon smiled, and Conrado explained: "The core issue is his energy source."
The director blinked. "Energy source?"
Conrado nodded. "Terra's history matches ours closely in physics and chemistry, so their energy materials were much the same as ours. Tony used a rare metallic element to power his arc reactor. By embedding the reactor's core into his chest to block shrapnel, he kept himself alive, yet it came at a cost. Long-term exposure to that element slowly erodes the body, poisoning him from within. It sustains him for now, but it is also killing him."
Gladwin added, "We judged from the bitter green fluid he often drinks. Likely, it was a specialized concoction meant to slow the poisoning."
"But the result is inevitable." Hyeon said flatly: "Tony will die from it."
Conrado declared: "Therefore, all AI research must be suspended and sealed away immediately!"
The director's mind spun into chaos. At first, he dismissed it, but the elders' reasoning made sense. If Tony dies, what will Jarvis do? Will it seek vengeance for Tony? Will it seize the mechas and turn them against humanity?
The director dared not imagine further. Could it be true that Terra's history was destroyed by artificial intelligence? He felt grief. AI was a human creation. Its arrival had once been celebrated. Now, evidence suggests that during an earlier age of Terra, AI had nearly destroyed the world.
The director's thoughts caught suddenly, "Elders, if historically AI destroyed the world, then why do we still exist on Terra?"
Surely humanity would have been wiped out completely? If they weren't, the implication was even more terrifying.
The three elders exchanged glances, and Gladwin said: "We have speculations about that, but they are not yet for public knowledge. As for the AI threat theory, suppress it quickly. Do not let panic spread. For now, execute the order against artificial intelligence."
After Elder Gladwin finished, the holographic projection vanished, and the expert group's figures returned. At this time, the experts continued debating possibilities. The chief frowned.
"What was that speculation the elders withheld? Why can't they even tell me?" The Supreme Court was shrouded in mystery. It was said each elder carried a past life of significance. Conrado's, at least, was a known scientist of unmatched renown.
"Director, Director?!" He looked up to see General on the video call.
"Have you discovered who this Immortal Warrior is?" The general asked with a grin, "I need to know if he retains the manufacturing knowledge of mechas. If so, it would be a boon for our military strength."
Though the Terra Federation had not seen war in ages, its military was never disbanded. Its equipment was continuously upgraded, iteration after iteration.
"Not yet," The director admitted, still consumed by thoughts of shutting down AI, "Did Tony truly die from poisoning in his last life? The very reactor that ushered in his mecha age was also his doom. The spark of a new era became the blade that ended him."
What was meant to be spoken quietly by the elders had spread quickly. The reach of netizens was immense; someone connected the puzzle pieces of Tony in Tanner's past life.
"Tony has been poisoned by long-term exposure to his reactor's element and is dying!" That revelation spread like wildfire and shockwaves rippled outward, stirring panic.
"Tony is dying?"
"No way! Poisoning? This is insane!"
"He's a genius. The world can't afford to lose him!"
"If he dies, what happens to his equipment? Will the government seize it?"
"They'd better! If not, imagine it falling into the wrong hands."
"Jarvis! That's the problem! If Tony dies, will Jarvis control everything and wipe us out?"
"He was a warmonger anyway! His death might even be mercy for the world."
"Yeah, remember, he was an arms dealer. His company is still making Jericho missiles!"
"How many innocents died because of those weapons?"
"War… better we live without it."
As people witnessed the fragments of past life memory, outrage grew. Seeing Stark Industries selling missiles to warring states enraged them, as modern Terra despised war more than anything. If Tony hadn't also nearly been killed by a missile, the condemnation would have been even worse. Yet still, many cursed Stark Industries for selling death so freely.