"Dying?"
"It is poisonous!"
"But... he was a hero of that era, saving countless refugees from wars."
"Anyone here know medicine?"
"How do we treat palladium poisoning?"
"In his memory fragments, didn't Jarvis say that the suit had to stop being used?"
"How is that possible? There seems to be a clip in front of him. He said that he and the suit have become one."
"He won't give up."
"It's a vicious cycle."
No one in the studio wanted Tony to die from palladium poisoning; this would be the greatest insult to a hero of his era. At least, they thought, he should fight to the end.
More rewards were coming, and Tanner watched the numbers climb in the background. Very satisfying!
Chief's Office, in the holographic projection, the atmosphere was subdued. The historian Johan sighed: "If Tony dies from palladium poisoning, history will be cruel to him."
The military leaders also sighed.
"With his talent, if given more time, the suit would have become even stronger."
"Such a pity."
The director remained silent, but his thoughts grew uneasy, "How's the progress?"
The assistant replied wearily, "Director, over a hundred participants have stopped the capture process, but the stream continues, so it doesn't affect them. We're checking the rest, and other federal regions are still monitoring simultaneously."
The director waved the assistant away.
"Can his Ark reactor be replaced with something else?"
"I'm afraid not. Our team has simulated alternatives, but only palladium works. No other element can substitute."
"Then it's frustrating."
"If Tony dies, the true history of this era will remain unknown." Johan sighed again.
This historical era supplements Terra's current gap in knowledge. It seems important now, but too little information has been obtained, and the past-life identity is on the verge of death. Once dead, by convention, capture again and obtain the memory. It would have to be a new life. For him, this was a pity.
"It took too long to capture." The director worried: "I fear his body may not withstand it."
He had sent numerous private messages, but no response had come.
The experts were silent. They didn't want him to cut off the capture process now. Once disconnected, it would be uncertain whether the next capture would succeed.
The past-life footage continued.
[ Tony removes the Ark reactor embedded in his chest. ]
[ "The other palladium energy plate is depleted again, and consumption is accelerating." The energy plate ejects, and Tony installs a new one.]
[Jarvis said: "I have simulated every known element. None can replace palladium. Your time and options are running out. Unfortunately, the device that keeps you alive is also killing you." ]
"Tony must be frustrated."
"By the way, I just remembered. Has he awakened memory now?"
"I'm not sure. Possibly."
"If he fully awakens the memories, it will be extraordinary."
"This is equipment no one has successfully built in reality."
"I don't want him to die."
"Millions are active… There must be countless past-life fragments!"
"Pepper also invested heavily in Tony."
"Tony… he hasn't smiled in a long time."
The live audience stared at Tony's silent expression. It was almost unbearable.
"Huh? Elenora also started a live broadcast?"
"The activity has surpassed 5 million?"
"Breaking her record!"
Elenora's broadcast drew some attention away, but everyone soon realized: It wasn't just her; many others were setting records. During these events, streams were launched to capture past lives.
"The activity in Immortal Warrior and previous-life events has deeply motivated everyone."
"We're all out on the streets, hundreds active, yet no one watches the live broadcast."
Federal Supreme Court.
At this moment, Gladwin sat with four elders around a round table. Besides Gladwin, there were Guerino, Howard, and Orson. The table was covered in influential materials, including Tanner's past-life live broadcast.
Gladwin said, "You heard what he said earlier, this is the situation with the whale."
Looking up for a week, he continued solemnly: "Although his words are speculative, they are likely true!"
Howard frowned: "Artificial intelligence… why does this creature appear now?"
Orson said, "Was this suit whale part of Terra's history, or did Tony create it? We don't know."
Gladwin paused: "If AI were the culprit, how do humans still exist?"
Orson said plainly: "AI doesn't need to exterminate all humans, only a portion. The rest survived."
Gladwin asked rhetorically, "Then why is AI now so weak?"
Elder Orson could not answer. According to Tanner's previous-life memories, the current top AI was beaten. Could AI deteriorate?
Elder Howard said, "So you're saying the suit whale represents an enemy from Terra's history? Did they destroy Terra's history?"
Gladwin nodded, "Yes."
Orson smiled: "If such an enemy could build this creature, they wouldn't exist now, would they? You must know, the Terra Federation has never found traces of a suit creature this large."
Gladwin shook his head: "So many mysteries and nothing you said is impossible, Elder Orson. I've wondered if Terra's people are descendants of those who created the whale."
Guerino chuckled: "Elder, if that's true, then we are descendants of historical killers."
Gladwin straightened: "Our immigration plan must accelerate!"
At the mention of immigration, everyone grew serious.
"Everyone knows Terra's current planetary state. When I saw this enormous whale, I suspected Terra had been historically struck by an unknown force. This caused harsh environments to emerge and life to decline rapidly."
Terra now appears peaceful, but few know: The planet's lifespan is declining abnormally. By normal planetary standards, this is irregular. Hence, in recent years, the Terra Federal Supreme Court launched the largest program ever, searching for a suitable planet.
Tanner's past-life memories allowed Gladwin to boldly speculate on Terra's decline. After a pause, he added, "I also don't dismiss the AI destruction theory. On the contrary, I suspect super AI or unknown forces remain hidden on Terra. They could strike the Federation at any time!"