infinite hero

A week later, at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.

The laboratory was originally built during World War II, and its original purpose was the Manhattan Project-that is, nuclear fission research.If all this sounds confusing, just know that the atomic bombs that bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan came from here, and everyone will understand its significance immediately.

Obviously, this kind of place can't be found on the map at all.Even after the end of the Cold War, the laboratory's research focus began to shift from the military to space exploration, medicine and supercomputers, and it still has a very high level of secrecy.Their public contact information even has only three mailboxes in Santa Fe.

Now, Sid is standing in the renewable energy development department of this laboratory, listening to Researcher Williams explaining to him the working principle of the new heavy water reactor.

"...It is very convenient to use, just need to be installed around the flood discharge channel of the reservoir dam like a generator. As long as water flows through its metal ring, it can obtain energy by fusing light water into heavy water. Apart from these In addition, as a by-product, heavy water can be sold to other manufacturers who need nuclear reactor coolant."

Sid did not comment on this.Nuclear fusion is no longer news, and the increase in energy utilization that this thing can bring is limited; but on the other hand, it can not only avoid possible pollution caused by intermediate products or by-products, but also create considerable economic benefits .

In other words, the principle is not new, but it is still practical, and it is indeed in line with the tendency of Los Alamos National Laboratory to develop towards the goal of profit.In fact, the reason why he is here is to inspect energy projects and determine investment intentions at the invitation of the Los Alamos National Security Council, which has just taken over the laboratory.

"What is the energy conversion rate?" Sid asked casually. "How does it compare to existing nuclear power plants?"

"According to our design, the energy conversion rate of heavy water reactors is about three percent lower than that of existing nuclear power plants." Williams said with a little guilt, "but we can get it back from the profits of selling heavy water..."

Sid raised a hand to prevent the other party from continuing. "Three points, huh?" he said, with a smile on his lips: "This way, there will be no price advantage in the actual competition, and even more..."

This is undoubtedly negative, and Williams is a little anxious.Everyone knows that Stark is a local tyrant; if there is capital injection from Stark Industries, it means that all problems that can be solved with money will be solved.He knows what level his research is about--the kind that is optional--so he must not miss this opportunity for nothing!

"Your inference is based on the assumption of competition for the same water resources." He said, lowering his voice: "If there is another river with a greater flow, and no one else knows about it..."

Sid raised an eyebrow slightly.Because of the special nature of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, he can only be allowed to enter the classified area alone; so now, it is only the two of them standing in front of the heavy water reactor.

"Do you know what you're talking about?" He didn't show any surprise, "A big river? No one else knows?" Every inch of the American land has been recorded, right?

Williams heard potential cooperation from this rhetorical question.Of course, a big river could do a lot and anyone would be interested; he knew that too, and was going to use that to find the best buyer for himself.

"Listen, Mr. Stark, you and I both know how beneficial this kind of thing can be." He leaned closer to Sid's ear, "I'm telling you because I think you can give the highest price."

Sid nodded knowingly.Los Alamos National Laboratory has a lot of money, but that doesn't mean every project gets the same treatment.For example, this project of Williams, if there is no bonus of new water resources, it is obviously a tasteless project.

"Okay, thank you for your trust in Stark Industries. So, how do I know, is what you said true?"

After returning that day, Sid asked Pepper to record the incident in the memo.

"Sir," Pepper asked, with a slightly disapproving tone, "Are you really going to see it yourself?" Isn't it too risky to go to a place where you don't know where you are with someone you just met?

"It's nothing," Sid waved his hand, "sometimes you have to take risks, you should understand that."

Pepper certainly understands that high risks come with high rewards, but she still has doubts. "Our company doesn't urgently need this river, if it exists." Stark Industries has its own research and development department, and it is quite efficient; otherwise, Stark Industries would not be able to become the industry leader.

"It used to be like that, Pepper. A river isn't very useful for military industry, but it's different in terms of energy." Sid said, "I don't think I need to tell you the benefits of shortening the payback period." ?”

Pepper figured it out, her boss was planning to devote his limited life to making unlimited money. "With all due respect, sir," she hesitated, but still asked, "does the president know about this?"

"Believe me, you haven't been able to find him for a long time." Sid replied quickly, and there was not even a trace of abnormality on his face: "As far as I know, he went to a small country in Central Europe for vacation and didn't want to be disturbed by anything."

With a sixth sense unique to women, Pepper keenly smelled something wrong - Sid became more and more workaholic, and Tony went on vacation without saying a word?It's hard to believe that the two brothers didn't quarrel!

But if you ask this question again, it will involve personal privacy.Pepper had to leave the office, determined to find Tony at any cost - the Starks went crazy!

Of course Sid knew what his assistant would come up with, but he didn't intend to stop it.Because if Tony really wants to hide himself, he can; just as if he shows off, the whole world will know.

So... Sid thought a little distressed, is he going to confess the results of the DNA sequence comparison with Tony?If Tony knew they weren't blood brothers, would the first thing Tony do be kick him out of Stark Industries?After all, there must be many people who are willing to be the vice president of Stark Industries.

Though he thought about it for a while, Sid didn't regret his confession.Maybe it's a little too early, but it's better than being really awkward bros all your life.As for what to do next...he will always find a way!

A day later, Sid and Williams met at a different location.

When he knew they were going to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Sid knew where the river the other party was talking about was—it must be an underground river.

This makes sense, as New Mexico's subterranean river network has yet to be accurately surveyed and mapped.But if you're in a national park where people come and go...

The two had already entered the cave, only the light of spotlights on the stalactites, the sound of gurgling water, and the crushing sound of their feet stepping on the gravel remained.The air is filled with damp water vapor, and there is that cold feeling of not seeing the sun.

Williams could roughly guess what Sid was thinking at this time, so he said: "It is true that many people have been here, but not everyone is good at observing." He raised the small locator in his hand, "Not every day Everyone will accurately map here."

"You used to be in geology?" Sid was a little curious.

"Basically," Williams shrugged, "to figure out the river network or something. You know, hydraulic testing is part of the required course."

"And you discovered something here that no one else had?"

"A big river, yes." Williams nodded. "At that time, I went in with my friends to play, and I walked farther, so I saw it."

"Did you see that?" Sid caught on to the end of the sentence.The underground caves are dark except where the lights are installed. What can you see?Moreover, if you really want him to say it, he feels that the more he goes in, the more weird he feels.What sound... what power...

"Yeah." Williams' eyes were fixed on the flashing dots on the locator screen, and he didn't pay attention to Sid's tone: "Because there was a little green light, and then I saw the reflection of the river surface. It's wide, but there is almost no Sound. That's when I knew I'd found the treasure. I've been in a few times since then, just to make sure it's there..."

"Wait, green light?" Sid couldn't help interrupting him, "You mean the green light under our feet now?"

"No, we haven't..." Williams' denial was stuck in the middle.He looked at the sudden brightening of light around them and realized something was wrong: "We're not where I was before!"

"Either your memory is wrong, or your instrument is wrong," Sid said dryly, and he now felt that the voice that seemed to exist-it was urging him to go inside. , told him there was anything he wanted in it—"Either," he said with difficulty, "is that this green light is conscious, and it's just trying to lure us in..."

"It's not..." Williams still didn't believe it.He probably wanted to say it was impossible, but before he could say it, he fell straight backwards like a kite with a broken string.

Sid was scared back half a step, but soon he was no longer surprised.Because he clearly heard the voice say, "This man's soul is useless...I smell something more delicious..."

Sid looked around sharply.It was supposed to be deep in the cave, but now what caught his eyes was a green field.The sky is clear, the wind is blowing with the scent of cocoa, and some dusty trapezoidal buildings stand in the distance...

He fell into a hallucination? !

Meanwhile, Vienna, Austria.

There is never a shortage of entertainment in the music capital, for everyone.At least from Tony's point of view, this place is not bad; it has melody, wine and castle, which can fully satisfy his mood of just wanting to be alone——

That's right, even for him, there are always a few days every month that he doesn't want to be Iron Man!

Unfortunately, this atmosphere barely lasted for a few days.Because the artificial intelligence blocked all the calls, but in the past day, he felt that it was necessary to speak. "You have two missed calls to 390, sir."

"Fry again?" Tony asked annoyed. "How many times have I said that I am not interested in joining S.H.I.E.L.D., even if he wrote me an appraisal full of praise! I donated all the war machines that Rhodes wore to the army. They What else?" Because he was sure Sid wouldn't call him—no one would ever forgive him after he said that—so his tone was very irascible, and he couldn't say he wasn't angry.

"No, it's Miss Potts." Jarvis said quickly—in case Tony would find a chance to shut him up—"She said she couldn't get in touch with Mr. Heed."

"...What?" Tony, who was upset, became even more upset. "Didn't Sid go to the Los Alamos National Laboratory? Would they dare to kidnap a Stark?"

"Actually, no." The AI ​​spoke faster, "Mr. Sheed just went to the Caves National Park with Researcher Williams."

"Then?" Tony asked, but he already had a bad smell.What researcher Williams doesn't say for now, but caves?Don't tell him Sid is buried again...

"Miss Potts said that due to a local earthquake, the cave collapsed, and the national park has activated an emergency plan..."

But Tony couldn't wait any longer. "My armor!" he yelled, very angry.If he finds out that Sid did it on purpose again this time, he will...