Tricking S.H.I.E.L.D.

A mechanical lifeform?

Even for someone as forward-thinking as Howard Stark, grasping this concept was a bit difficult, as carbon-based life was deeply ingrained in his understanding.

Silicon-based life, or anything similar, wasn't easy to comprehend.

"Okay, Rorschach, even if it was a mechanical lifeform as you say, how did you discover that?"

Howard Stark once again posed a crucial question.

"Like I said, I sensed it." Rorschach spread his hands.

"Sensed it?"

"Yes, Mr. Stark, I know you might not fully understand, but my senses are indeed much stronger than ordinary people's. You must know I'm not an ordinary person."

Even with Rorschach's explanation, Howard Stark found it hard to understand.

In his understanding, being "not ordinary" meant something like Captain America, where physical attributes were enhanced across the board, and that was it.

It didn't involve possessing strange abilities that others lacked.

"Mr. Stark, don't you and Agent Carter want to know why I'm different from the norm?"

Rorschach thought for a moment, deciding to reveal his identity to Howard Stark.

"Of course, but I hope your answer this time isn't something like 'I was born with it' or 'gifted by nature'," Howard Stark said with some exasperation.

"Unfortunately, that's actually the case." Rorschach nodded.

"Rorschach, stop joking, now is not the time..." Howard Stark felt a headache coming on.

"No, Mr. Stark, you misunderstand me. My abilities stem from a genetic mutation." Rorschach finally got to the core of the matter.

Genetic mutation?

Howard Stark raised an eyebrow.

With his knowledge, he naturally understood the term and knew that mutations could indeed bring about differences in individuals.

"Genetic mutation has given me superior physical conditioning, and at the same time, it has granted me instincts that others don't possess. So..."

"So, you were able to sense the life force in that Cadillac?"

"Exactly! Charles Xavier is an expert in genetics. Some of his papers are very insightful. I suggest you read them. I really like the term he uses for people like us: mutants."

Mutants?

Howard Stark immediately remembered the word. The term perfectly encapsulated its underlying meaning.

Mutated humans?

Wait a minute!

Howard Stark suddenly grasped something and stared intently at Rorschach, asking for confirmation, "A 'type of person'? Rorschach, are there many people like you?"

"Of course!" Rorschach nodded with a serious expression. "Although genetic mutations are rare events, the human population is so vast that there are bound to be quite a few people like us."

This was important intelligence!

Howard Stark deeply ingrained this point in his memory.

Although this was the first time he had encountered such information, Rorschach's explanation had no logical flaws and was easy to verify. Howard Stark temporarily accepted Rorschach's account.

From then on, the entire sequence of events behind the "Cadillac transforming into a robot" was clear, complete, and without any issues.

"Mr. Stark, have you ever heard of Megatron?"

Rorschach suddenly asked, looking at Howard Stark.

"No, why do you ask?" Howard Stark was taken aback by Rorschach's question.

"Before I killed that mechanical lifeform, it said, 'Megatron will surely return'." Rorschach said earnestly to Howard Stark.

Of course, this statement was entirely fabricated by him, with the sole purpose of making Howard Stark investigate Megatron.

And Megatron was the key to finding the AllSpark!

"'Megatron will surely return'?"

Howard savored the words and immediately committed them to memory.

This seemingly random sentence contained a vast amount of information.

First, this Megatron was undoubtedly a mechanical lifeform, just like the one he had just encountered.

This indicated that there was more than one such mechanical lifeform!

"Will surely return" implied that Megatron had failed before but had been biding his time, preparing for a major comeback.

Although Howard Stark didn't know why Megatron had failed or what would happen when he returned, it certainly didn't sound like a good thing.

He had to be vigilant.

"Did it say anything else?"

Howard Stark stared at Rorschach again and asked.

"It asked me if there were any extremely cold places on Earth."

Rorschach thought for a moment and spoke to Howard Stark again.

This naturally meant he intended to guide S.H.I.E.L.D. to investigate the poles.

Although Rorschach, with his X-ray vision, could have gone to the Hoover Dam himself to scan for Megatron, he still needed to lay the groundwork with S.H.I.E.L.D.

After all, he couldn't return to deceive S.H.I.E.L.D. after discovering the dam was empty, could he?

The best approach was to do both: he would find an opportunity to check the dam, while S.H.I.E.L.D. would verify the poles.

"A very cold place?"

Howard Stark was stunned. What was all this nonsense? It was completely incomprehensible, jumping from one thing to another.

However, Howard Stark diligently recorded the statement, intending to hand it over to the decryption team for analysis later.

"Rorschach, thank you very much for your cooperation!"

"You're welcome, Mr. Stark. It's my duty."

After understanding the situation, Howard Stark personally escorted Rorschach to the base entrance.

"Mr. Rorschach, please get in the car."

Jarvis, who had been waiting after receiving prior instructions, immediately stepped forward respectfully and opened the car door for Rorschach.

Although he didn't understand what had happened, he could tell at a glance that Howard Stark clearly valued Rorschach even more now.

"Jarvis, thank you for your hard work."

"You're welcome, Mr. Rorschach."

"Well then, Mr. Stark, goodbye."

"Goodbye!"

Rorschach waved goodbye to Howard Stark, and the two parted ways.

Then, he got into the car, with Jarvis personally driving him out of the base.

"Notify Carter and Mr. Phillips to come over. Tell them I have important matters to discuss in a meeting!"

After Jarvis drove Rorschach away from the base, Howard Stark immediately and sternly instructed a secretary beside him.

Chester Phillips' name was not as well-known as Agent Carter's or Howard Stark's, but this man was, in fact, the last of the three founders of S.H.I.E.L.D.

He was also the first and only director of the Strategic Scientific Reserve, and the superior of Captain America and Peggy Carter.

During the final battle where Captain America and Peggy Carter fought Red Skull, it was this man who personally drove them "on their way."

His family had deep roots within the military in the country, wielding considerable influence.

Overall, he was a low-key but formidable figure.