Aftermath of the Incident—Please Keep Reading, Please Bookmark

Luke found the Pacific Rim World's materials technology worthy of praise, especially the metal materials used to manufacture mechs. Beyond standards like toughness, ductility, extreme pressure resistance, and hardness, they also needed excellent shock resistance and kinetic energy absorption. Otherwise, with that relatively thin weight compared to their size—practically just a thicker layer of sheet metal—how could they trade blows with the Precursors' biological weapons?

How could they fall from ten thousand meters in the air and still leave both pilot and mech intact?

There were certainly factors such as shock absorption, auxiliary thrusters, and mech structure, but materials were the foundation of it all!

After returning, Luke organized and improved all the mech material manufacturing technologies from the Pacific Rim World. The latest metal material he developed was TZ-92 Titanium Alloy. It was also the primary outer-layer material used in the custom Mechanical Suits worn by Snoke and the others. Its manufacturing technology was a secret stored as part of Hebron's technical foundation.

As for what was publicly sold, it was naturally mech manufacturing material somewhere between the first and second generations. That was the TI Titanium Alloy Series that Tony Stark and his various industry peers had been purchasing in large quantities recently.

When it came to maximizing commercial profits, who would reveal their best technology from the very beginning when the previous generation still posed no threat and they could maintain, if not overwhelming superiority, then at least a sufficient advantage?

If Luke's refined and improved TZ-92 Titanium Alloy had to be positioned in this world, it would roughly be a crippled bargain-bin version of Captain America's Shield. It lacked that indestructible quality and those ultimate traits like perfect kinetic energy absorption. It had an Upper Limit and flaws. Even so, no one could deny its excellence.

"Captain, a new figure has appeared."

The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents at the scene reported the situation to their boss, Nick Fury. The military, having received word, was also watching the battlefield at Stark Industries' industrial park. In particular, Tony's friend, Air Force Colonel James Rhodes, looked worried as he watched Mark II being brutally beaten down by Iron Monger.

When Tony Stark had asked him earlier to clear the aircraft from the surrounding airspace, he had wanted to come and help, but Tony Stark had refused. Yet now, seeing Tony rush over only to practically throw his life away, his heart was caught in a fierce internal struggle. Should he honor his promise to Tony and stay away, or ignore Tony and bring people over to help?

That anxious, conflicted feeling eased somewhat only after Snoke's Mechanical Suit appeared and Tony was temporarily out of danger.

Tri-Wing Building.

Nick Fury stood before the window, which had turned into a massive screen displaying every detail of the battlefield at Stark Industries' industrial park. Watching the unfamiliar iron man work together with Tony Stark, shift through several battlefields, and finally use the massive Arc Reactor in the exhibition area of Stark Industries' Factory No. 16 to destroy Iron Monger's seemingly indestructible iron shell, Nick Fury's gaze darkened as he murmured, "A new problem?"

What happened at Stark Industries' industrial park could not possibly be concealed. Too many people had witnessed the fierce battle between the three iron men, and some had even been injured or frightened by it.

So before dawn, reports of iron men battling iron men at Stark Industries' industrial park had already appeared on the websites of major media outlets. By daybreak, the online frenzy had shifted through multiple angles and changed the hottest topic several times.

Who were the iron men?

That was what everyone wanted to know, including the reporters.

And with such a major incident having occurred, whether it was Stark Industries or other parties, someone needed to step forward and hold a press conference to give the public and the victims an explanation.

The one standing before the reporters was Colonel James Rhodes, wearing a stiff expression and looking uncomfortable all over. As the official spokesperson, he held a prepared statement and read it word for word in a solemn, grave, and serious tone. Its general contents concerned the economic losses, casualties, and other damages caused by the Arc Reactor explosion at Stark Industries' industrial park.

Since when had a dignified Air Force Colonel like him become the person specifically assigned to clean up Tony's mess?

As James Rhodes read from the statement, part of his mind drifted as he reflected on his life. By the time he finally finished reading and the reporters' questioning session began, the reporters below instantly shook off their previous listlessness and became energized.

"Who are those three iron men?"

The reporters skipped right over the boring Arc Reactor explosion questions and went straight to the point.

James Rhodes smiled. "We are currently discussing the casualties and public losses at Stark Industries' industrial park. Next question."

"Does the government also not know the identities of those three iron men? Do you think they will appear again in the future?"

The next reporter pressed on against the wind, directly ignoring James's words and steering the topic back to the iron men.

James Rhodes did his best to maintain the smile on his face as he looked at the reporter asking the question. The reporter stared intensely back at him, his eyes conveying a clear message: Who the hell cares about an Arc Reactor explosion? We want to hear about the iron men!

James Rhodes even read another meaning in their eyes: If you can't do it, get that loudmouth Stark up here instead.

Meanwhile, backstage, Tony Stark was preparing to go onstage while Agent Phil Coulson from S.H.I.E.L.D., wearing a friendly expression, personally guided him through what to say.

"You people really can do anything." Tony Stark flipped through the various documents in his hands, including proof that he had not been present that night and even photos proving that he had been on a date with Pepper.

"I'll take that as a compliment." Phil Coulson handed Tony the script again. "I know you're too lazy to write one, so our people have already prepared it for you. All you need to do is go up there and read it. When the reporters question you, present the evidence. After that, we'll take over and handle everything. It will die down soon and won't interfere with your life."

"How thoughtful." Tony took the script, casually flipped through it, and looked up at Phil Coulson.

"This time, I'll accept your compliment directly." Phil Coulson smiled.

"Do you know who that iron man who helped me was?" Tony suddenly asked. He was extremely curious about the iron man who had helped him the previous night and then left. That Iron Armor had a different style, and its technology seemed even more mature than his Mark Armor! Its energy source also seemed different from his Arc Reactor.

He had always believed that his Mark Armor technology was unique, but that man had made it abundantly clear that he was wrong!

"I'm sorry, we're looking for him as well." Phil Coulson kept his answer tight-lipped.

"It's time for you to go on." Pepper stepped forward, straightened his clothes, and spoke softly. Tony headed toward the podium. The script was casually tossed onto the floor.

Read from a script?

Since when had Tony Stark ever been obedient?

PS: Please keep reading on Tuesday...