Chapter Summaries

President Chris tried to defend the military’s actions and discredit the rescued soldiers, but Iron Man released footage of the warehouse battle that contradicted his account. The video showed Iron Man rescuing soldiers before the military’s wire mesh trapped them again, leaving the public with evidence of the military’s betrayal.

• Public anger grew after the second Iron Man suit undermined Chris’s claims, and officials joined calls for an investigation and punishment.
• Chris held a press conference, admitted the warehouse trap was intended to capture Iron Man, and accused the rescued soldiers of lying and deserting.
• Chris left without taking questions, while military personnel detained the rescued soldiers and the public remained uncertain about what had happened.
• Iron Man’s first-person footage appeared online and showed military vehicles attacking him in the warehouse as fuel spread and fires burned nearby.
• The footage showed Iron Man rescuing soldiers from a tank before flying away when wire mesh fell again and trapped the tanks.

Congress launched impeachment proceedings against President Chris as investigations began into the failed operation against Iron Man. Meanwhile, Japan used a blue whale’s attack on a whaling ship as a pretext to pursue unrestricted whaling, despite international opposition.

• Congress formally launched impeachment proceedings against President Chris, and the crowd outside the White House cheered.
• The Department of Defense began investigating the planners and commanders involved in the operation to capture Iron Man.
• Japan’s crew members were rescued after a blue whale overturned their whaling ship, but the incident was soon overshadowed by news from the United States.
• Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries claimed whales were dangerous and called for international whaling to protect maritime safety.
• Other countries rejected Japan’s call, while Japan treated the whale attack as an excuse to expand its whaling operations.

S.H.I.E.L.D. Group launched its first reusable spacecraft, which deployed thirty-six advanced satellites and greatly expanded J.A.R.V.I.S.'s surveillance capabilities. With Chen Mo secretly backing the Ocean Guardian Association through Gao Yuan, the organization gained donations and thirteen advanced anti-whaling ships, leaving it better equipped to confront Japan's whaling fleet.

• A spacecraft launched from S.H.I.E.L.D. Industrial Park and deployed thirty-six advanced communications and reconnaissance satellites into geostationary orbit.
• J.A.R.V.I.S. gained a dedicated satellite network that let it monitor locations worldwide with greater precision and control.
• Gao Yuan joined the Ocean Guardian Association after receiving a Holographic Smartphone and a secret communication from Iron Man.
• Gao Yuan's arrival brought greater public attention and donations to the Ocean Guardian Association.
• The Ocean Guardian Association received thirteen advanced anti-whaling ships secretly donated by Chen Mo, giving it a major advantage over Japan's whaling fleet.
• Gao Yuan gained the ability to track Japan's whaling ships using the newly networked S.H.I.E.L.D. Satellites.

With J.A.R.V.I.S.’s satellite surveillance and a powerful new fleet, the Ocean Guardian Association repeatedly blocked Japan’s whaling ships until Japanese warships arrived to escort them into the whaling grounds. Chen Mo learned that the whalers intended to hunt the blue whale that had sunk one of their ships, and he prepared to respond.

• J.A.R.V.I.S. used satellite surveillance to guide the Ocean Guardian Association’s upgraded anti-whaling ships to Japan’s whaling fleet.
• The Ocean Guardian Association blocked the whaling ships from entering the whaling grounds and prevented them from hunting whales in nearby waters.
• After several clashes, Japan’s whaling ships withdrew, but the Japanese government sent warships to escort them back.
• The Japanese fleet forced its way past the anti-whaling ships and headed toward the area where a whaling ship had sunk.
• J.A.R.V.I.S. informed Chen Mo that the whalers planned to hunt the blue whale, and Chen Mo’s expression darkened.

Chen Mo ordered J.A.R.V.I.S. to help the anti-whaling fleet, and a Tomahawk missile launched from a frigate undergoing repairs at San Diego Naval Base headed toward the Japanese warship blocking the fleet. The Japanese vessel fired its four anti-air missiles at the incoming missile, leaving the interception unresolved.

• Chen Mo learned that six damaged frigates at San Diego Naval Base were removing missiles and told J.A.R.V.I.S. to help the anti-whaling fleet.
• Workers on a frigate fled when its final launch-cell missile ignited and launched into the sky.
• A Tomahawk missile approached the Japanese naval vessel that was blocking the anti-whaling ships from catching the whaling fleet.
• Paul Watson ordered the anti-whaling ships to spread out and evade after Gao Yuan pointed out the missile.
• The Japanese naval vessel launched all four of its anti-air missiles to intercept the incoming Tomahawk.

A Tomahawk missile struck the Japanese naval vessel after its anti-aircraft missiles failed, forcing the crew to abandon ship as it sank. The whaling ships rescued the sailors, but without a warship escort they were again trapped by the Ocean Guardian Association’s six anti-whaling vessels, and the Japanese military refused to send another escort.

• The Japanese vessel launched all four anti-aircraft missiles, but they lost track of the low-flying Tomahawk and plunged into the sea.
• The Tomahawk struck the vessel, opened a huge breach, and caused flooding that forced the captain to order the crew to abandon ship.
• The Japanese crew escaped in lifeboats before the vessel sank, while Ocean Guardian Association members mocked them as their ships passed by.
• The whaling ships returned and rescued the sailors, but the six anti-whaling vessels again surrounded them.
• The Japanese military refused to send another warship to escort the whaling ships after learning that the first vessel had been sunk by an unidentified missile.

The Ocean Guardian Association drove the whaling fleet from the whaling grounds, while Japan traced the missile that sank its warship to a U.S. naval base. The United States called the launch an accident, but the explanation met widespread suspicion as speculation grew that the attack was meant to protect Chris from impeachment.

• The Ocean Guardian Association's anti-whaling fleet forced all six whaling ships to retreat without a catch.
• Japan identified the missile that sank its warship as a U.S. Tomahawk launched from San Diego Naval Base.
• The Japanese government stayed silent, while Japanese citizens and other countries protested and condemned the United States.
• The Pentagon claimed the missile had accidentally launched during repairs and that there were no casualties.
• Many people rejected the U.S. explanation and speculated that the incident was intended to delay Chris's impeachment by provoking a war.

After the successful test flight of S.H.I.E.L.D. Aerospace Company's spaceship, Chen Mo focused on expanding S.H.I.E.L.D. Group while the United States faced worldwide criticism. S.H.I.E.L.D. secured a flood of lucrative contracts for satellite launches, space-station deliveries, and satellite manufacturing.

• The U.S. government and military faced renewed condemnation after the Japanese warship bombing, while Chen Mo turned his attention to developing S.H.I.E.L.D. Group.
• S.H.I.E.L.D. Aerospace Company's spaceship completed a successful uncrewed flight, launched thirty-six satellites, and returned safely to Earth.
• The test flight demonstrated capabilities that matched or surpassed the retired U.S. space shuttle and raised hopes for future lunar and Mars missions.
• Companies and countries contacted S.H.I.E.L.D. about satellite launches and deliveries to space stations, and learned that its prices were half those of competitors.
• Many customers signed agreements with S.H.I.E.L.D. for launch and transport services and placed satellite manufacturing orders, bringing in projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

S.H.I.E.L.D. Aerospace Company expanded its spacecraft operations beyond routine satellite launches and supply missions to include satellite repairs, space experiments, and other orbital services. After confirming the spacecraft’s safety, the company also opened an Earth-orbit tourism program, leaving future Moon and Mars tours for later.

• S.H.I.E.L.D. Aerospace Company completed satellite launches and space station supply missions weekly without accidents, attracting more orders.
• The spacecraft’s capabilities enabled it to take on satellite repairs and recoveries, space rescues, experiments, and other missions beyond ordinary launch vehicles.
• Countries, companies, and laboratories began ordering space experiments aboard the spacecraft, further filling its schedule.
• Satellite owners saw the spacecraft as a way to repair malfunctioning satellites and avoid abandoning costly equipment in orbit.
• S.H.I.E.L.D. Aerospace Company launched Earth-orbit sightseeing tours at ten million dollars per ticket and promised Moon and Mars programs later.

Chen Mo used the S.H.I.E.L.D. Spacecraft’s flawless safety record to expand space travel while preparing S.H.I.E.L.D. Aerospace Company for a larger ambition: exploring the Sea of Stars. Meanwhile, S.H.I.E.L.D. Auto’s affordable new models boosted the group’s public profile, and Chen Mo began developing projects based on technology from the Pacific Rim world.

• The S.H.I.E.L.D. Spacecraft’s unblemished record restored confidence in space travel, filling its passenger cabins and cargo holds.
• Chen Mo ordered S.H.I.E.L.D. Aerospace Company to begin building a second spacecraft, intending to establish a foundation for reaching beyond Earth’s orbit.
• S.H.I.E.L.D. Auto’s mid-to-high-end models spread across cities worldwide, driving sales higher and increasing public awareness of S.H.I.E.L.D. Group.
• After returning from the Pacific Rim world, Chen Mo launched new projects using technology from the Pan Pacific Defense Corps and Shao Industries.
• Chen Mo set aside Giant Jaeger technology as impractical for the real world and turned to other applicable advances, including heavy transport aircraft.

Chen Mo decided to use Pacific Rim heavy transport helicopters to strengthen S.H.I.E.L.D. Group’s global logistics network and assigned S.H.I.E.L.D. Technology a project to develop advanced mechanical prosthetics. The helicopters would support the company’s operations, while Chen Mo’s prosthetics initiative aimed to restore movement and sensation to people who had lost limbs.

• Chen Mo assessed the Pacific Rim heavy transport helicopters’ capabilities and decided he could now manufacture them despite their potential to attract military attention.
• Chen Mo identified the need for an independent upstream logistics network as S.H.I.E.L.D. Group’s vehicle sales grew and traditional transport proved costly, slow, and vulnerable to disruption.
• Chen Mo chose the heavy transport helicopters to move vehicles between factories in China and the United States and destinations across nearby regions.
• Chen Mo set aside Shao Industries’ advanced VTOL jets for now because their technology was too advanced to reveal.
• Chen Mo gave Jaeger Neural Link Technology to S.H.I.E.L.D. Technology and instructed Bradley to combine it with mechanical-hand technology to develop prosthetics that restored movement and sensation.

Chen Mo had Bradley develop Mechanical Prosthetics using Jaeger Neural Link Technology and S.H.I.E.L.D. Machinery’s robotic hand technology to restore limb function and sensation for people with disabilities. Meanwhile, The Dark Knight continued to draw crowds and threaten the traditional film industry.

• Chen Mo used S.H.I.E.L.D. Bio’s affordable medicines to help patients while the company still earned substantial profits.
• Chen Mo assigned Bradley to develop Mechanical Prosthetics inspired by disabled soldiers modified with the Extremis Virus.
• Bradley began working with his researchers to combine Jaeger Neural Link Technology with S.H.I.E.L.D. Machinery’s robotic hand technology.
• The Dark Knight remained popular in theaters, and its immersive 3D Holographic Film experience pressured traditional film companies.

As traditional film revenues collapsed, veteran studios sought access to 3D Holographic Films, but Chen Mo and S.H.I.E.L.D. Film Company refused their cooperation proposals. S.H.I.E.L.D. continued producing new films with emerging talent while the established companies faced the threat of being left behind.

• Traditional film companies failed to suppress S.H.I.E.L.D. Group and shifted to seeking cooperation so they could enter the 3D Holographic Film industry.
• The veteran studios offered their production resources in exchange for S.H.I.E.L.D. Film Company's technology and hoped to gain influence over the new industry.
• S.H.I.E.L.D. Film Company left the initial proposals unanswered as The Dark Knight maintained strong box office sales and another film entered production.
• The major studios lowered their demands and renewed their requests for cooperation, but Chen Mo refused every proposal.
• S.H.I.E.L.D. Film Company focused on producing new 3D Holographic Films and could recruit film students and lesser-known talent despite the veterans' control of established industry resources.

S.H.I.E.L.D. Film Company continued producing films with new talent, prioritizing quality over famous names as Chen Mo delayed responding to major studios’ cooperation requests. Inspired by the whale-whaling crisis, An Ran finished a whale disaster film script, and Chen Mo saw a way to solve its difficult production challenges.

• S.H.I.E.L.D. Film Company formed several teams of young directors and screenwriters to shoot new 3D Holographic Films while leaving major studios’ cooperation requests unanswered.
• An Ran delayed starting her next film because she had not yet finished a script that met her standards.
• The sinking of a Japanese warship during the whaling conflict inspired An Ran to write a whale disaster film promoting marine conservation.
• Su Wan showed An Ran’s script to Chen Mo, who smiled after reading it.
• Su Wan worried that the whale protagonist’s extraordinary actions would make the 3D Holographic Film difficult to shoot convincingly.

Chen Mo approved An Ran’s film about a whale and revealed that he had a blue whale intelligent enough to understand human speech, making location filming possible. An Ran and the others traveled to the North Pacific location Chen Mo provided, but the whale had not appeared yet.

• Su Wan warned Chen Mo that filming the whale scenes on location would be difficult, but Chen Mo said he had a blue whale as intelligent as Thunder.
• Chen Mo explained that the whale was the one that had sunk a Japanese whaling ship, and Su Wan believed him.
• Su Wan told An Ran that Chen Mo had approved the script and solved the whale problem, delighting An Ran.
• An Ran, Su Wan, Wade, and Agent Zero took a yacht to the North Pacific while the crew prepared for filming.
• Su Wan confirmed that they had reached Chen Mo’s coordinates, while Wade looked across the calm sea and asked where the whale was.

Su Wan and An Ran used Chen Mo’s horn to summon the southern blue whale, discovering that it could understand human speech and perform complex movements. With Wade and Agent Zero able to guide it, An Ran saw that filming her movie would be possible.

• Wade and Agent Zero argued over whether the blue whale might have left or been eaten by sharks.
• Su Wan brought out Chen Mo’s horn, and An Ran blew it to summon the whale.
• A plume of water appeared several kilometers away as the blue whale answered the horn’s signal and swam toward the yacht.
• The chapter explained that Chen Mo had equipped the horn and whale with a secure signal system and had taught the whale basic human language.
• An Ran spoke with the whale and watched Wade and Agent Zero guide it through complex movements, confirming it could star in her movie.

An Ran assembled a crew and sent them to film with Su Wan and Wade’s blue whale in the North Pacific. Meanwhile, Chen Mo experienced another Spatial Travel and discovered that the connected world was Prometheus, leaving him with a new alien civilization and its technology to explore.

• An Ran accepted that the intelligent blue whale could understand human speech and quickly assembled a film crew backed by S.H.I.E.L.D. Group.
• The crew sailed toward the North Pacific to meet the blue whale and begin filming.
• Chen Mo sensed another Spatial Travel and teleported to his underground laboratory to inspect the connected world.
• Chen Mo saw scenes of an alien expedition discovering black biological weapons, mutated creatures, and a surviving alien creator.
• Chen Mo identified the world as Prometheus and considered its spacecraft, black fluid, androids, and biotechnology valuable.

Chen Mo examined the second world, identifying it as John Carter, but found its technology and inhabitants unlikely to improve his strength. He then recognized the third world as Guardians of the Galaxy and considered the team and its wider universe promising sources of power and resources.

• Chen Mo judged the first world’s alien creatures and technology to be of little interest and entered the second orb of light.
• Chen Mo identified the second world as John Carter and assessed its teleportation medallions and energy technology, but remained dissatisfied with its limited potential to strengthen him.
• Chen Mo entered the final orb and recognized figures from Guardians of the Galaxy.
• Chen Mo considered Gamora, Drax, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, and Star-Lord’s abilities and noted the powerful forces and mysteries across the Milky Way.

Chen Mo traveled to Morag in the Iron Man suit and located the sealed vault containing the Orb. He used telekinesis to pull it through the energy shield, facing tremendous resistance.

• Chen Mo chose to travel to the Guardians of the Galaxy world and put on the Iron Man suit before leaving.
• Chen Mo arrived on Morag, recognized the abandoned planet, and saw a spacecraft descend nearby.
• Chen Mo cloaked himself and flew to the temple ruins after a masked man stepped out of the landed spacecraft.
• Chen Mo scanned the ruins, detected an energy signature in a sealed room, and teleported inside.
• Chen Mo found the Orb inside a purple energy shield and used telekinesis to pull it outward despite the shield's resistance.

Chen Mo took the Orb from the temple chamber’s energy shield, but Star-Lord soon arrived and tried to claim a share. After Chen Mo disarmed him with a telekinetically controlled knife, Star-Lord negotiated for part of the Orb’s sale proceeds.

• Chen Mo used his telekinetic power to pull the Orb free of the energy shield, giving him his fourth Infinity Stone.
• Star-Lord reached the treasure chamber and mistook Chen Mo for a statue or robot guarding the Orb.
• Chen Mo held a Throwing Knife against Star-Lord’s forehead and stopped him from reaching for his gun.
• Star-Lord tried to convince Chen Mo that they were allies by mentioning Yondu, but Chen Mo said he did not know him.
• Star-Lord proposed splitting the money from selling the Orb, first offering an even share and then proposing a sixty-forty split in Chen Mo’s favor.