"Contact Minerva and have Killian hold an investment presentation at Stark Industries headquarters."
[Understood, Master.]
I informed Pepper Potts about this.
-Cassian, that person was a colleague who used to hit on me back in the day.
"Oh... I made a mistake. Should I cancel?"
-No. We've had investment requests too, so let's meet him once.
"Alright. Then the schedule..."
Pepper still didn't seem too pleased. Anyway, I coordinated the schedule with Pepper and notified Killian. Killian's side readily agreed.
On the day, I headed to Stark Industries headquarters with my secretaries and bodyguards. At the entrance, Pepper and Happy were waiting, so I greeted them.
"Long time no see, Miss Pepper. And Happy."
"Nice to see you, Cassian."
"It's been a while, Chairman."
They both greeted me with smiles, and we shook hands.
"You didn't have to come out to meet me like this; I've caused some trouble."
"Not at all. You're our biggest investor. And it's not like we don't know each other. Let me show you in. Come on."
Happy handed out visitor passes to the secretaries and bodyguards. We attached the passes to our chests and entered the company under Pepper's guidance. As we went in, I asked Happy how he was doing.
"Happy, how's work these days?"
"It's manageable. But Chairman, Chairman Stark hasn't been paying any attention to the company lately, almost never leaving home. I'm worried."
Happy seemed really concerned about Tony too.
"Hmm... I see. I'll make some time to visit Tony."
"Understood, Chairman."
We moved to the office and met Killian, who was waiting.
"It's an honor to meet Chairman Cassian, who's said to be so hard to get a hold of. I'm Aldrich Killian, CEO of AIM. Pleased to meet you."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Cassian."
We shook hands lightly. Then Killian greeted Pepper as well.
"Pepper, long time no see."
Pepper seemed somewhat surprised to see Killian, who used to limp around looking messy and only focused on research, now appearing without a limp, neatly dressed in a suit.
"Aldrich, you've changed a lot. Is your leg fully healed?"
"I've been diligently undergoing physical therapy for five years."
"I see. That's good news. Anyway, good to see you."
"You haven't changed a bit. Still as beautiful as ever."
Killian spoke as if he still had feelings for Pepper.
"Thanks for the compliment, but I'm getting older too."
Pepper and Killian shook hands lightly as well. We sat on the sofa and listened to Killian's explanation.
"The project AIM is working on is called 'Extremis'."
Killian took out three beads and rolled them on the office table. Then, a 3D image resembling a brain appeared from the beads.
"This is my brain. Funny how it looks like the universe, right? I could use some help. Pepper, could you come over here for a moment?"
Pepper got up and approached Killian. Killian extended his arm and said to her.
"Give my arm a pinch."
When Pepper hesitated, Killian said it was okay.
"It's fine, go ahead and pinch it."
As Pepper lightly pinched Killian's arm, the part of the brain responsible for sensation in the 3D image lit up.
"Wow! What is this?"
"The primary somatosensory cortex, the part of the brain that feels pain."
After confirming it was his own brain, Killian continued the explanation, looking at me.
"What I want to show you is this."
Killian manipulated the 3D image, pointing to a part of the brain as he explained.
"'Extremis' utilizes our bio-electrical potential... This is an empty space in the brain. What it means is that we can upgrade our DNA. This accelerates human evolution and..."
Killian explained 'Extremis'. In short, it was about activating dormant parts of the brain to bring about DNA evolution.
"'Extremis' enhances human abilities. It's technology that pushes beyond biological limits."
While listening, I asked Killian a question.
"Impressive technology. I've read Dr. Maya Hansen's paper before. If it's possible, it could enhance not just aging, but also strength, stamina, and regeneration, right?"
Killian smiled, seeming pleased with my comment.
"Exactly. Literally, this is technology that leads humanity to evolution."
"But it's only theoretically possible, and it's a technology with many issues. First, activating dormant brain areas could bring unexpected changes to humans. Also, even if DNA evolves as per Dr. Hansen's paper, without a control tower to manage it, isn't there a risk of it going out of control? Can I see any experimental data?"
Killian thought for a moment before speaking.
"Hmm... That's a valid point, but I'm afraid that's confidential and can't be shown."
"Then, can you at least tell me how far the research has progressed?"
"I can confidently say it's sufficiently advanced."
"I see. Then let's make time to review the research results. After that, I'll decide on the investment. I'm quite interested and looking forward to it."
"Understood. You can look forward to it."
After sending Killian away, Pepper spoke to me with a worried expression.
"Are you really going to invest? I'm not sure if I understand correctly, but it seems like research to create superhumans, and if misused, it could be exploited militarily. You should reconsider..."
"You're right to be concerned, Miss Pepper. But rather than letting such technology flow into bad hands and be misused, it's better for us to control it and use it for good. In a way, it's like guiding a newly made knife to cut vegetables instead of for murder. Besides, I haven't fully decided to invest yet, so we have time to watch. Let's check it out gradually."
"I see... It's almost lunchtime. If you're not too busy, why not have a meal before you leave?"
"Sure."
As I followed Pepper's guidance to the cafeteria, I saw Happy hurriedly ending a call. Probably, being Tony's loyal aide, he was reporting right away. Anyway, we moved to the cafeteria and had lunch with Pepper, Happy, the bodyguards, and secretaries. As expected of Stark Industries, the meal was excellent.
"Christmas is coming up soon, and I'm thinking of visiting Tony. Would you like to come along if you have time? Tony would really like that."
"Sure. I actually have a favor to ask."
Pepper seemed really worried about Tony, who wasn't active and stayed home every day. In short, she was asking me to come along and check on him.
I set a schedule and returned home for now. Our house was also preparing for Christmas by buying trees and various decorations. I also contacted Natasha, who was out on a mission.
"How's it going? Can you come back for Christmas?"
-I'm not sure. The mission isn't over yet.
"Don't make me look like a bad boss. Toomes has a family too. You should send him home for Christmas. Even if the mission isn't done, take a day off to rest. Talk to Captain about it too."
-Alright. I'll try.
After ending the call, I went back to supervising training. Wanda was practicing flight using her telekinesis and compressing energy to shoot and defend. Pietro had reached a 90% ball retrieval rate, so such training seemed meaningless now; he was learning martial arts from me along with Jesse. Deadpool still hadn't gotten his driver's license.
Spending time like that, the day I promised Pepper arrived, and after preparing, I went with her to Tony's house. In Tony's yard, a giant rabbit doll was installed; seeing it, Pepper sighed.
"Is that perhaps Tony's gift?"
"Seems like it."
When I asked, Pepper answered.
"I'm not interrupting your alone time by coming, am I?"
"No way. It's not like that, so don't worry."
We entered Tony's house. Then, Tony's Iron Man suit greeted us and said hello. I knew Tony wasn't in the suit, but Pepper seemed to think Tony was inside, so I stayed quiet.
"Wow~ Come on in! Cassian's here too."
"What's this? Are you wearing the suit indoors now?"
"Everyone needs a hobby. Oh, did you see the Christmas gift?"
"Yeah, I saw it. Couldn't miss it."
We sat on the sofa and continued talking.
"So, Cassian, what's up?"
"Well, I want Banner as a Christmas gift. And this might upset Miss Pepper if I show it..."
"What is it?"
I felt sorry for bringing up work on a day like this and checked Pepper's reaction. When Pepper nodded in approval, I showed Tony the Hulkbuster blueprints.
"Wow~! What's this? It's amazing! Is this Banner's?"
"Yeah. Since he can't turn into Hulk and is just stuck in Stark Tower doing research, I want to take him and use him. And since this uses a lot of your Iron Man tech, I thought I should get your permission."
"I see. Hmm... This has some tech I don't have. Let's make it a win-win; I'll use the tech in the blueprints too."
"Deal. And this is a Christmas gift."
I placed a pair of rings made of red diamond on the table. Seeing them, Pepper and Tony seemed very surprised. The design was excellent, with red diamond and gold harmonizing, almost like seeing Iron Man's colors. Actually, in my inventory, I had diamonds larger than this overflowing. Plus, I could make them myself, so they weren't very valuable to me. Rather, if this helped ease Tony's trauma a bit, I was satisfied.
"This is... red diamond. Must have cost a lot, right?"
"No, I happened to get some diamond before, so no money went into the gem."
"I see. Then I guess I have to hand over Banner without a word. Take good care of him and make good use of him."
Tony joked as if trading Banner.
"Will do."
"But should I use this as an engagement ring? Or a wedding ring?"
Tony asked Pepper, seeming to ponder. Pepper smiled and answered.
"Well. Isn't it up to the one who receives the gift? More importantly, since you got a good gift, how about taking off the Iron Man suit now? Before I go down to the basement to find a crowbar to pry you out."
Pepper got up and started heading downstairs. She probably noticed Tony wasn't in the suit.
"W-wait. The basement has radiation spreading..."
"Tony, give up. She probably already figured it out."
At that, Tony asked, a bit surprised.
"You knew too?"
"Yeah. I'll just stay up here. Talk it out and come up."
"Damn. Can't you help me out?"
"If I get involved, it'll backfire."
Reluctantly, the Iron Man suit followed Pepper downstairs. I passed the time watching TV. Probably in the basement, Tony was telling Pepper about his trauma from Avengers 1, just like in the original.
After some time passed, they came back up, and from the atmosphere, it seemed things went well, so I decided to give them space.
"Looks like it worked out. I'll get going so I don't disturb you. See you next time."
"Alright. Thanks for the rings. Whether it's an engagement or wedding, you're invited first, so look forward to it."
"Sure. I'll look forward to it."
I left Tony's house and went to Stark Tower to pick up the Christmas gift, bringing Banner back home. Banner, who seemed bored alone, gladly agreed to collaborate on the Hulkbuster blueprints when he saw them.
"Honestly, I was getting bored, so this works out well. And if it's built as designed, I might be able to contribute without transforming."
"Right?"
We came home and introduced Dr. Banner to the members who were decorating the house to commemorate Christmas. Dr. Banner exchanged greetings with the members; interestingly, the way he looked at Jesse was quite suspicious.
'Could it be... he's interested in Jesse?'
After the introductions, I assigned Banner a room and showed him the research lab in the house. After the tour, Banner also came out to help with the decorating; seeing him laughing non-stop while talking to Jesse, it seemed almost certain.
From the next day, Banner learned martial arts with us in the mornings and in the afternoons, assembled the Hulkbuster with parts I procured. But since the Hulkbuster being made now didn't match its name and purpose, we started production after renaming it 'Hulk Striker Mk.1'.
It was a Banner-specific unit that actively utilized Chitauri metal to greatly enhance durability. We also made many spare parts, designed so they could be replaced immediately if broken, just like in the original. Banner and I grew closer, chatting about this and that.
Two days passed, and Banner suddenly ran out of the lab, speaking urgently.
"Cassian, quick, turn on the TV!"
"What's going on?"
I asked Banner as I turned on the TV. Then, news came on where a reporter asked "When will you catch the Mandarin?" and Tony responded.
"My name is Tony Stark. I'm not afraid of you. You're just a coward. I've decided to fight! You're as good as dead. I'm coming to get your corpse soon! This is personal revenge, nothing political! There's no Pentagon, just you and me! I'll give you my home address; if you're a man, come find me. 10880 Malibu Point, zip code 90265. I'll leave the door open."
Banner and I watched in disbelief.
"This is insane... Why is he doing something so reckless? That could endanger the surroundings."
"Tell me about it. Cassian, go help Tony. I still haven't finished assembling the Hulk Striker."
"Then, take care of the house."
"Will do."