Chapter 138: Exposition, Howard
Otto Gunther Octavius, an outstanding nuclear physicist of the Federation, whose main research direction is atomic energy physics!
"Otto Gunther Octavius! Nuclear physics, Artificial Sun, so it's not Ivan Vanko! It's Doctor Octopus!"
Listening to Norman Osborn's introduction and looking at the plump man in front of him, Tang Song felt a sense of amusement and exasperation.
Doctor Octopus is also a well-known distinctive villain in Marvel. When conducting experiments, Otto was extremely disdainful of so-called "assistants," believing he could handle everything himself.
Therefore, he invented mechanical tentacles. A single tentacle could lift 8 tons of heavy objects.
Simple operation, completely resistant to radiation, strong strength, and extremely high precision.
This allowed him to complete one astonishing experiment after another, write countless new theories, and make a name for himself globally.
However, during one experiment, a pipeline rupture caused radiation leakage, leading to a major explosion.
Although Otto miraculously survived, the four mechanical tentacles had already fused with his physical body.
In addition, components in the radiation caused changes in his brain tissue.
Because he had four extra hands, Otto's brain rearranged the neural pathways inside the body to optimize his physical state.
These tentacles could operate completely according to Otto's thoughts.
From then on, the outstanding scientist Otto became a terrifying criminal, Doctor Octopus, and also the arch-nemesis of Spider-Man, Peter Parker.
Tang Song glanced at the back of the plump man's beige trench coat. It was empty, not looking like it concealed anything.
It seemed he hadn't been influenced by those metal mechanical arms yet.
Artificial Sun, how could such an unreliable thing be compared to Tony Stark's Arc Reactor? That's controlled nuclear fusion!
Seeing Tang Song's expression that didn't seem to value it much, Norman Osborn introduced him to Otto Gunther Octavius:
"Doctor Otto, this is Mr. Tang. He is not only a shareholder of our Oscorp but also a director of Stark Industries! You can explain the principle of your Artificial Sun project to him!"
When he heard Norman Osborn introduce Tang Song as a director of Stark Industries, Otto Gunther Octavius's eyes lit up. Looking directly at Tang Song, he said, "You're a director at Stark? Can you get me one of these Arc Reactors so I can research it?"
Otto Gunther Octavius's bluntness left Tang Song somewhat speechless: "Doctor Otto, first of all, I'm just a shareholder of Stark Industries; I don't participate in management.
Secondly, the authorized patent for the Arc Reactor is in Tony Stark's hands; he only authorized it to Stark Industries.
I'm very sorry, but I don't have the ability to get you an Arc Reactor for you to research..."
"That's too bad! If I could get an Arc Reactor to research, the progress on my Artificial Sun would increase by at least half!"
Otto Gunther Octavius looked full of regret, then proceeded to tell Tang Song about his Artificial Sun project.
The originally casual expression on Tang Song's face slowly became serious as Doctor Otto recounted his work.
Although he hadn't studied nuclear physics, from Doctor Otto's description, he vaguely understood his idea.
No wonder Doctor Otto was interested in the Arc Reactor. Essentially, the Artificial Sun he was researching was also a solution for controlled nuclear fusion.
Performing controlled hydrogen and deuterium fusion under artificial conditions with strong magnetic confinement, simulating the core environment of the Sun.
Theoretically, it could indeed create an Artificial Sun, and in the original plot, Doctor Otto's research was also successful.
However, this strong magnetic field would form a powerful strong magnetic gravitational field. Although its gravitational pull wasn't as strong as a real Sun, it was enough to attract metal substances, and the consequence of that was a direct failure of the experiment.
It could be created, but not controlled.
If there was sufficiently strong protection on the outer layer to prevent the magnetic force from interfering with the experiment, then to some extent, this Artificial Sun project might actually be feasible! Tang Song became interested. His fingers gripping his cane, a brass bell the size of a fingertip emitted a soft clinking sound as it gently collided.
Controlling a sun, that's an interesting task. If he remembered correctly, the authentic version of his Great Desolation Bell was modeled after the Innate Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure of the Lord of the Great Sun.
He just didn't know what would happen if he added an Artificial Sun inside his Bell...
"Tang, unlimited clean energy, this is an opportunity. Do you want to consider adding more investment to this project..."
Norman Osborn saw Tang Song's slightly moved expression and thought he was interested in Doctor Otto's Artificial Sun, so he quickly spoke.
Tang Song glanced at him and teased, "It's rare for Mr. Norman to actively pull me into an investment project. It seems Doctor Otto's project is quite a money sink!"
Ever since Tang Song poached Professor Connors and several projects he was responsible for from Oscorp.
Although Tang Song had cured his retroviral gene virus, Norman Osborn was still somewhat wary of Boss Tang and deliberately avoided him on many projects.
Now that Norman Osborn was actively inviting him to participate in this clean energy project with "money" prospects, Tang Song saw through Norman Osborn's intentions at a glance. However, he just smiled and didn't directly refuse.
"Mr. Norman, you know that I rarely interfere with company matters. I usually leave everything to Lane. How about this: have Doctor Otto prepare a feasibility plan and investment proportion, and give it to Lane later. As for whether to invest or not, leave the rest to the professionals!"
As Tang Song was speaking with Norman Osborn, the lights in the Exhibition Hall began to turn off one by one with snapping sounds, replaced by alternating bright and dim ambient lighting. Inside the Exposition Convention Hall, large numbers of reporters had already flooded into the Venue, starting to grab positions and set up cameras.
A group of scantily clad models, wearing only bikinis, walked onto the Stage in the center of the Venue, swaying their bodies amidst energetic singing and dancing.
"Where's Tony Stark? The press conference has already started, and he's not here yet!"
Reporters from all over the world had already crowded in front of the Exposition Stage, with hundreds of lenses pointed at the Stage...
However, aside from the group of models dancing to liven things up, the person they were waiting for had not yet appeared.
For a while, the Venue was filled with noisy buzzing and discussions.
Norman Osborn looked around but couldn't see Tony Stark's figure, feeling a bit displeased.
It wasn't just him; many celebrities from various fields invited to the Stark Industries Expo exchanged gazes and occasionally leaned in to whisper to each other.
"Happy! Where's Tony!"
Pepper Potts hurriedly found Tony Stark's driver and asked somewhat exasperatedly.
Happy Hogan shrugged: "I don't know, Ms. Pepper Potts. The boss said he wanted to arrange a grand entrance..."
"Up there!"
Tang Song, leaning on his cane, looked up and saw the transport aircraft high in the sky through the clouds.
A gold and red steel figure was leaping down from the transport aircraft!
Norman Osborn looked up in the direction of Tang Song's gaze with some doubt, but he saw nothing except the Exhibition Hall's Ceiling.
"Where is..."
Norman Osborn didn't finish his sentence before the Exhibition Hall's retractable roof moved aside. A gold and red figure leaped down from the sky, and the steel figure landed in the center of the Stage with a cool single-knee pose.
A spotlight shone on him at the right moment, making him the focal point of the entire Venue.
Immediately, a wave of enthusiastic cheers and screams erupted from all around. The excitement was absolutely no less than a superstar holding a concert.
Tony Stark stood up among the group of models and spread his hands. Several lifts appeared on the side of the Stage, and several mobile mechanical claws disassembled and removed his Iron Armor piece by piece, revealing Tony Stark's true appearance.
"Hi, how are you doing! It feels good to be home!"
Tony Stark waved to the surroundings and said:
"Did you miss me?"
"Tony! We love you!" A chorus of screams responded from all around!
Tony Stark replied:
"Oh, alright, alright, I missed you too. I specifically hitched a ride on the way here, but unfortunately, the Federation airspace seems to have traffic restrictions too!"
Amidst a wave of laughter, Tony Stark, dressed in a suit, stood in the center of the Stage, embracing the Venue.
The entire Exposition Hall immediately erupted in lively applause and cheers.
"Alright, alright! I know you're all very enthusiastic, but now for the main course. Welcome everyone to the Stark Industries Expo..."
Tony Stark pressed his hands downwards. Only after the Venue quieted down did he begin his speech:
"Now I'd like to invite a past guest to tell everyone the reason I'm holding the Stark Industries Expo. Please welcome my father, Howard!"
As Tony Stark turned around, a figure sitting in an office appeared on the big screen behind him.
It was none other than the founder of Stark Industries... Howard Stark! On the big screen, Howard Stark rose from his office chair and walked to a giant sandbox model, spreading his hands to make a presentation.
"Science and technology brings us everything - a better life, healthier bodies, and it might even bring about the first world peace in humanity's history! Therefore, on behalf of all my colleagues at Stark Industries, I am here to introduce the City of Tomorrow! Science and technology brings infinite possibilities to everyone. One day, it will eliminate all societal problems. Soon, technology will influence every aspect of your daily life. Welcome to the Stark Industries Expo!"
"Mr. Norman, you must have met Howard Stark. What kind of person is he?"
Amidst the applause, Tang Song looked at the man with a mustache on the screen.
A man who ran through the first half of Marvel, a member of the Sacred Shield Brotherhood, the founder of S.H.I.E.L.D.
He single-handedly created Captain America's shield, the Arc Reactor, new elements, and maglev cars. It could be said that the things in Howard Stark's mind were decades ahead of the world, even now.
"Undeniably, Howard was a genius. His wisdom was unmatched. But just like his son, he was an arrogant maniac. Many scientists who collaborated with him ended up having complete fallouts!"
(End of chapter)