From the prototype, immortal

Ivan Vanko and Justin Hammer were working overtime to produce mechanical steel soldiers while also busily collecting data and writing reports to showcase their "masterpiece" to the military.

In the process, Ivan continuously optimized the soldiers' programming. Although he still couldn't reach the advanced level of intelligence he initially envisioned, each small improvement brought him closer to his goal of revenge.

Ivan Vanko definitely had ideas about selling the mechanical steel soldiers. In the original storyline, he gave up on the idea and only wanted Tony Stark to die.

Now it's different. Since deciding to use the Dragon Balls to wish his father back to life, Ivan's mentality has undergone subtle changes.

He realized that, relying solely on his own strength, even if he could create powerful mechanical soldiers, it would be difficult to compete with the entire Stark Industries, let alone the entire American military-industrial complex.

What he needed was a stronger power, more advanced technology, and a solid backing to support his dream of revenge.

So he needs power support!

What power is stronger than the American military?

The Department of Defense doesn't lack the materials and technologies that Hammer Industries doesn't have. As long as he gets their approval, he can obtain these high-precision technologies, equipment, and resources. By then, he can produce even more powerful Iron Man suits!

"Ivan, how's the data collection going?"

Justin Hammer pushed the door open, his face wearing his usual confident smile, though that smile hid a bit of anxiety.

He knew that this project not only concerned the future of Hammer Industries but was also a huge gamble for his personal reputation.

"It's almost done, Justin. But we need more resources and technical support. If we can show the military our potential, everything will fall into place."

Ivan said as he operated the console, the screen flashing with complex code and data charts, each representing his countless days and nights of effort.

Hammer nodded in agreement. "I've arranged everything. The delegation from the Department of Defense will be visiting next week. We must make sure to leave them with a deep impression."

"Then, you will have countless orders."

Ivan Vanko said.

Justin's eyes flashed with a hint of greed upon hearing this.

Of course, he knew what signing a long-term contract with the Department of Defense meant.

It would mean a continuous stream of funds, technical support, and immeasurable political influence.

So, he began to prepare for matters related to contacting the military.

On the other side, Tony Stark was enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

He lay in his mansion, holding a glass of whiskey worth tens of thousands of dollars, enjoying the tipsy feeling brought by the alcohol.

His Iron Man suit technology was quite mature, and his personal life was also becoming stable.

However, a sudden news report broke this peace.

"Hammer Industries announces the launch of mechanical steel soldiers, expected to replace War Machine's power armor and Stark Industries' Iron Man suits, safeguarding national security!"

The news anchor's voice seemed particularly abrupt in the quiet morning, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up layers of ripples.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, dappling Tony Stark's study, but his attention was completely drawn to this sudden news. The whiskey in his hand seemed to suddenly lose all its flavor, and an unspeakable bitterness spread in his heart.

Tony suddenly spat out the liquor in his mouth, staring at the phone screen in disbelief. The news headline was so glaring that he almost doubted his eyes.

"Justin Hammer? That clown?"

He muttered to himself, his tone full of disbelief and contempt.

In Tony's memory, Justin Hammer was just a mediocre figure in the business world, indulging in various social events all day, flaunting his wealth and status, but he had never seen him achieve anything substantial.

And now, this man he regarded as a clown was actually announcing the launch of mechanical steel soldiers that could challenge the two giants, Stark Industries and War Machine?

Could it be that he was really too sleepy and still dreaming?

"Jarvis, immediately find me all the detailed information about this project," Tony ordered.

Jarvis acted quickly, its data processing capabilities almost reaching a level unimaginable to humans.

It not only analyzed the news content but also used its powerful hacking technology to infiltrate the Department of Defense and the military's internal network, obtaining more internal information about the project.

Although the military's internal network had strict security measures, it was not too much of a challenge for Jarvis. After all, it had broken through the firewalls of many powerful organizations, including S.H.I.E.L.D., countless times.

"Sir, according to my analysis, Hammer Industries' mechanical steel soldier project has indeed received strong support from the Department of Defense and the military."

Jarvis reported, "They have not only provided a large amount of funding and technical support but also promised to purchase a certain number of mechanical steel soldiers within the next fifty years."

"According to analysis, although these mechanical steel soldiers have not reached the level of your Iron Man suits in terms of technology, their mass production capability and cost-effectiveness are extremely attractive to the military."

Jarvis's voice was calm and objective, but it made Tony feel an unprecedented sense of crisis.

Upon hearing this, Tony's face instantly darkened as if water could drip from it.

He understood what this meant.

If Hammer Industries could successfully launch mechanical steel soldiers and gain the military's approval, then Stark Industries' Iron Man suits would face unprecedented market pressure.

Although Tony had never sold the Iron Man suit as a commodity, he had always regarded it as the crystallization of his wisdom, an important weapon to protect the world from threats.

And now, this position seemed to be facing a serious challenge.

However, Tony felt the situation was very bad. War Machine's power armor and Hammer Industries' mechanical soldiers meant the war he wanted to stop probably wouldn't.

Even small-scale conflicts may become more frequent and intense due to the emergence of power armor and mechanical soldiers.

"Jarvis, list all known technical parameters of the mechanical steel soldiers and their comparison with the Iron Man suit," Tony issued a new order.

Jarvis quickly responded, presenting a detailed technical comparison report to Tony. Tony studied the report carefully, his brow furrowed.

He found that although the mechanical steel soldiers were indeed less advanced than the Iron Man suit in some key technologies, their design was simpler, more practical, and more suitable for mass production.