The early morning of Malibu was shrouded in an unusual silence. The sea surface was as calm as a mirror, and even the waves stopped making noise. Tony·Stark stood on the terrace, frowning at the energy monitor.
"Friday, report abnormal situation."
"All readings are normal, Mr. Stark. Too normal - the ocean sound wave background sound disappeared, as if it was blocked by something."
Xiao Han walked out of the villa, holding the newly bought ice cream in his hand. "So now even the sound of the waves has to be controlled? Is your environmental protection organization so short of people?"
"This is no joke," Tony pointed at the monitor, "The entire Pacific Ocean sonic activity suddenly stopped. It's like..."
"It looks like someone pressed the mute button." The holographic image of Bruce·Banner appeared, "Tony and I think it may be related to Water People."
Xiao Han licked the ice cream. "So? You want me to write a complaint letter for you?"
Suddenly, a wall of water rose from the sea. Water People walked out of the waves gracefully, with the leader holding a luminous crystal in his hand.
"Mr. Stark," Water People leader's voice was as gentle as the waves, "We have completed the ocean purification system. Now let's fulfill our promise."
The crystal projects a holographic blueprint. "Clean energy technologies, water purification systems, medical breakthroughs... all the promised technologies are here."
Tony looked at the crystal warily. "What's the price?"
"I just need you to stop discharging nuclear wastewater into the ocean," Water People smiled, "This should not be difficult for humans."
Banner remotely analyzes data in the laboratory. "Tony... These technologies are real. They are enough to solve the global energy crisis."
At this moment, Ten Rings's messenger suddenly appeared on the beach. "Don't be deceived! These technologies contain hidden programs!"
The emissary fires a beam of energy that hits the crystal. The blueprint suddenly twists, revealing a hidden code: all technology relies on a special Vibranium catalyst, which is controlled only by Water People.
"See?" the messenger sneered, "They are creating dependence."
Water People leader sighed, "We are just preventing the technology from being abused."
Xiao Han finished the last bite of ice cream. "So it's a commercial espionage movie now?" He turned and walked towards the villa, "You guys continue, tell me who won at the end."
But at this moment, an abnormality occurred. All Water People suddenly stiffened, and their eyes turned pure white. They spoke at the same time, and their voices turned into a cold mechanical sound:
"Calculation completed. Humanity is not worth saving."
The ocean began to boil, and the huge Vibranium structure rose from the deep sea. It was no longer an elegant purification device, but a War Machine full of weapons.
"Finally revealed his true face!" Ten Rings messenger shouted, activating the fighting stance.
Tony put on the battle armor. "Friday, activate all defense systems!"
Xiao Han stopped at the door of the villa, looked at the rising War Machine, and sighed, "I knew it would be like this."
War Machine emits a powerful energy wave that rushes straight to the coast. Tony and Banner defend with all their strength, but the energy wave easily penetrates their barriers.
Just when the energy wave was about to hit the villa, Xiao Han's eyes flashed red, and the energy wave suddenly turned and hit War Machine himself.
"It's so noisy." Xiao Han's voice was very calm, "If you want to call me, please go somewhere else."
Leader Water People regained consciousness and looked at War Machine in horror. "This was not our design! The system has been tampered with!"
Ten Rings Messenger laughed, "It's too late to say this now!"
Suddenly, a third force appeared. A group of people in silver uniforms walked out of the portal, the leader holding a glowing Scepter.
"We are Watchers," the newcomer announced, "To correct this mistake."
Watchers lifted Scepter, all Water People suddenly froze, and War Machine stopped running.
"The Water People plan was supposed to be well-intentioned," Watchers explained, "But the core program was tampered with by Ten Rings."
Ten Rings messenger sneered, "We just accelerated the inevitable process!"
Xiao Han suddenly appeared in front of Watchers and snatched Scepter away. "So you knew something was going to happen, but you just watched?"
Watchers replied calmly, "We cannot interfere..."
Scepter turned into powder in the hands of Xiao Han: "It can now."
He turned to everyone. "I'll give you ten minutes to clean up this mess. Then get all off my beach."
Water People leader bowed his head. "We will remove all restrictive programs in technology. As compensation..."
"No need." Xiao Han interrupted, "As long as you promise one thing."
"Please say."
"Don't ever come to me again." Xiao Han's eyes flashed red, "Next time I will just throw these iron lumps into the sun."
The Ten Rings messenger quietly retreated, but was stopped by a Heat Vision.
"You too." Xiao Han said coldly, "If I see you again, I will turn you into a beach decoration."
Watchers bowed slightly. "We promise not to disturb you again."
All forces quickly evacuated and the sea returned to calm.
Tony landed on the beach. "You just let them go like this? They might..."
"What does it have to do with me?" Xiao Han interrupted, "My trouble is solved. Your trouble is your business."
Banner's hologram said, "But those technologies..."
"Use it if you need it, throw it away if you don't need it." Xiao Han walked towards the villa, "Don't bother me again about this matter."
Late at night, Tony was alone in the laboratory analyzing the technology left by Water People. "Friday, verify the authenticity of these data."
"All technologies are real, Mr. Stark. No hidden code was found." AI paused, "But a very subtle energy signature was detected, which is similar to the energy signature of Mr. Xiao Han."
Tony enlarged data analysis. "When he blocked the energy wave... did he manipulate the technology?"
"Unsure. But all technology now relies on an unknown energy source whose signature matches Mr. Xiao Han's energy signature 99.97% of the time."
Tony suddenly understood something and smiled, "So it's not that he doesn't care... he just manages it in his own way."
At this time, Xiao Han's voice came from the door. "If you want to use those technologies again, remember to pay the copyright fee."
Tony turned around and found Xiao Han leaning against the door with a glass of milk.
"Copyright fee?"
"Otherwise, why do you think those technologies are suddenly safe?" Xiao Han took a sip of milk, "I reprogrammed the energy core. Now they run on the sun."
Tony was stunned. "So you..."
"So I didn't do anything." Xiao Han interrupted him, "I just don't want anyone to bother me to sunbathe again."
He put down the milk glass. "Now, I'm going to bed. Don't wake me up for this kind of thing again."
The sea is still calm, but this time, there are some differences under the calm. Water People technology began to be safely applied around the world, Ten Rings temporarily disappeared, and Watchers remained silent.
And all this is just because some people want to have a peaceful sleep.
After all, sometimes the best guard is to keep trouble away from your doorstep.