Long-Awaited Contact
Henry, a salaried worker, would rather hide in Sydney, Australia for the rest of his life, collecting his salary without working.
He even had a sudden idea to sneak away to the two Eternals ' secluded settlements to offer some after-sales service, hoping to see if the Eternals still had any stones for pressing pickles or their usual kitchen knives.
However, upon arriving at the location, he discovered that Gilgamesh and Thena had already left. Moreover, they had been gone for quite some time, indicating they weren't deliberately avoiding him.
Perhaps Kingo knows their whereabouts. But Henry didn't make an international call to ask that question.
In April, Henry was preparing to fly back to Los Angeles because he received a call from someone he hadn't contacted in a long time, who said they wanted to meet at Stark Studios.
Jack Reacher, Captain of the U.S. Army Military Police Special Investigations Unit. The last time I met him was about a year and a half ago. Back then, he was just a lieutenant.
During this period, he only applied for operational funds once through the confidential contact method provided by Henry. Judging from the amount and the method of delivery,
It's probably a fee paid to someone.
However, Henry didn't ask too many questions. Instead, he followed Jack Reacher's instructions and placed the suitcase containing the ten-fold contents in the designated location.
That happened around the middle of last year, and only now has a result been released.
The reason why we haven't heard anything until now is because Henry made this request: eliminating unnecessary progress reports and reducing the number of contacts would lower the chances of exposure.
After all, everyone knows what deadly matter they're investigating. Leaving as few traces as possible is the best way to protect everyone.
Besides, Henry wasn't really that concerned about this matter. It was something Tony Stark should have arranged himself; it was his family who would be lost. But somehow, it ended up in his hands, and wasn't he supposed to just offer suggestions?
Given his attitude towards his regular, paid work, it's pointless to expect Henry to be enthusiastic about work that isn't within his salary budget.
As for whether Jack Reacher used public funds for lavish meals and drinks, no investigation was conducted, and whether he embezzled funds in the process. Neither Henry nor Tony Stark cared much about such matters.
This man's covert investigation was merely a side hustle. Even if it yielded no results, it was within expectations. When disappointment has accumulated enough, what disappointment is there in getting no results?
But Jack Reacher took the initiative to suggest a meeting—could he have actually discovered something?
In terms of urgency, Jack Reacher's matter should be the top priority. So Henry didn't think much of it, told Charlize Theron and the Stark Studios team, and returned to Los Angeles.
Unfortunately, while Henry was on the plane, the alarm he had sent out went off with a sound that only he could hear.
The direct flight from Sydney back to Los Angeles takes nearly fourteen hours. We've only been gone two hours; we haven't even crossed the equator yet. By the time the plane arrives, the person who issued the alarm will probably be dead.
Should he go into the restroom, use his abilities to penetrate the aircraft's cabin wall, and head to the rescue?
Unfortunately, this flight happened to be carrying passengers who were likely part of a tour group, so there were quite a few Passenger. If I were to occupy the restroom for an extended period of time...
The flight attendant will probably open the door to check.
It seems the only option is to send the prototype out for real-world testing.
Henry, sitting in first class, took out a specially made glasses case from his carry-on luggage. Inside, besides a pair of glasses, were ten homemade rings, which he put on his ten fingers in order.
The glasses hanging on the retina projected a scene from faraway California, one of Henry's secret bases, the Sheep Cave Valley Laboratory.
In his view, his pet wasn't running and jumping around in the wilderness. Instead, it was lying quietly not far from the laboratory, its lazy posture accentuated by the starry sky.
Just as Henry touched the rings on his index thumbs together to activate the remote control switch, it seemed to attract Kitty's attention, causing him to look up.
Inside the laboratory's container house, through an automatically opening vent, a test Support Mech codenamed Little Duck detached from its charging base, activated its levitation function, and floated out.
Inspired by Kree Technology, an anti-gravity device made with a microliter of gravity allows this box-shaped Support Mech, equipped with two multi-functional mechanical claws, to float.
The Little Duck has three lenses on its front, used for focusing on near objects, distant objects, and for special purposes.
The robotic claw made a trial grip, and each of the three lenses was tested once. Then, the speaker emitted a simulated voice controlled by Henry using brainwaves.
"Kitty, it's time to go out. Come and get dressed."
Evening, rest time.
Holy crap! This guy even has a concept of work hours? There was nothing Henry could do but say, "Tiger Cuisine, one meal."
Which outfit should I wear?
With a soft growl, Kitty jumped down from where she had been lying and headed towards the laboratory.
Henry on the plane, the Ten Rings tapping lightly against each other in a certain order. The lower half of the container house of the Sheep Cave Valley Laboratory, through which the Tiger- clad passageway opened, opened. Kitty, familiar with the place, slipped inside.
Inside was a special platform with robotic arms assisting in attaching the armor to Kitty's body. Kitty, who eventually emerged from the dressing tunnel, was more than twice the size of a cow, but her appearance was not that of a Tiger; rather, she resembled a leopard. With her yellow base the Spot, she looked like a metallic leopard.
There's a noticeable groove on the leopard armor's shoulder blade, just big enough for the Little Duck to fit inside. The mechanical claw acts like a buckle and connector, fitting snugly into the leopard armor. Only the upper part of the camera protrudes outwards.
"The prototype of the Duck Leopard (Min: bully) armor is fully equipped! At times like this, we need some high-energy background music. Shall we get a few tracks?"
It's in the music library.
If you have something to do, do it quickly. If not, I'm going to take it off.
Kitty yelled and shook her head as if to shake off her armor. In fact, the initial prototype couldn't withstand such shaking. Even if it didn't fall apart, the machine would malfunction due to excessive vibration.
Think about those people who can train their dogs or cats to wear clothes; they're truly amazing.
It took nearly a year of continuous revisions to achieve the current state of the Tiger's armor. Unfortunately, even if Henry wanted to show off, no one would applaud. The only living creature present was a Tiger —it's best not to waste time talking to a brick wall.
Remembering the person still waiting to be rescued, Henry abandoned his boastful behavior. He didn't want to put on a grand show only to find the person he needed to save was gone.