Chapter Twenty-Nine: Tony's Merits

"I can't do anything more. I've already tried every element I know," Tony Stark said with a helpless look on his face. "Without you, I wouldn't even know where to begin."

"Is it possible that in the world you superpowered folks deal with, there are elements I am completely unaware of, perhaps ones I've never even heard of?"

Hearing Harvey's words, Tony Stark couldn't help but show a trace of resignation as he spoke. "It has nothing to do with the world of superpowers, but I can tell you," Harvey replied after considering for a moment.

Originally, all that was needed was for S.H.I.E.L.D. to reach out to Tony Stark, and once they understood the difficulty he faced, they would offer him assistance. But Harvey decided to nudge things forward a bit.

"It has nothing to do with the world of superpowered individuals?"

"Then, which elements could possibly serve as substitutes?"

"Or should I be considering the chemical changes brought by combining them?"

Tony Stark was utterly puzzled. "It's not about these elements. You need to create a new one to replace palladium and stabilize the arc reactor. That way, your Iron Man suit will become even stronger," Harvey explained.

"Create a new element?" Tony Stark was instantly plunged into a brainstorm.

"Tony Stark, I remember your father was a genius scientist just like you. Perhaps you could find inspiration from what he left behind," Harvey reminded him.

"My father's legacy?" Tony Stark's expression grew complicated as he mentioned his father. "He left so suddenly... didn't leave much behind."

"True, your father left you this company and a great fortune. But don’t forget, Stark Industries—at its inception—was most closely associated with which party?" Harvey guided Tony instead of giving a direct answer.

Tony pondered the history of Stark Industries under his father's control, and considered which organization now was most connected to it. He reached an answer in his mind.

"But due to the arc reactor, Stark Industries' relationship with the military isn't as good as it used to be."

"So where am I supposed to ask the military for any relics my father left behind?"

Tony considered the current situation and began to think things through.

"On the surface, your relationship with the military is indeed rather strained. They might make things difficult for you. But isn’t there someone else who’s extended an olive branch?" Harvey replied.

"You mean that Homeland… what bureau?" Tony said, realizing who Harvey meant, but his tone was tinged with disdain. "Do they really have such high authorization? You know, they called paying twenty million dollars a huge expenditure!"

To him, the ambition of the soon-to-be-formed Avengers was impressive, but their status and authority didn’t seem so high. After all, it was only twenty million, not two hundred million. If that counted as a heavy price, that bureau must be pretty poor. Or perhaps they were just being squeezed dry; so-called agents, but really just overworked employees.

Harvey knew Tony was referring to Nick Fury’s struggle to gather funds for their meeting. "They may be a bit strapped for cash, but since they’re billed as agents specializing in unusual incidents, their rank in the military should not be low. And as for their authority, you could just ask and find out," Harvey explained.

"Alright, I’ll ask," Tony decided after a moment's thought.

"Jarvis, connect me to Coulson," Tony ordered. Jarvis immediately complied, and Coulson answered in less than five seconds.

"Mr. Stark, is there anything I can help you with?" Coulson’s voice rang out in the underground lab.

Tony glanced at Harvey, impressed by Coulson’s near-instant response. Harvey ignored Stark’s boastful and slightly complaining look.

"Agent Coulson, my father, Howard Stark, was deeply connected with the military and must have collaborated with them often. I wonder if you folks in the military have any of Howard Stark’s personal effects?"

When Tony said this, his words paused slightly, clearly feeling complicated at the mention of his father.

"Howard Stark’s belongings?" Coulson replied. "I can help investigate your father’s records. Give me an hour. Whether or not any of his effects remain and haven’t been handed to you, I’ll find out."

Realizing Tony Stark truly needed help, Coulson saw this as a great opportunity to build rapport, and agreed without any further delay.

"Alright, I’ll leave it to you," Tony said seriously, glancing at Harvey Ambelarca.

"Leave it to me," Coulson responded, then disconnected.

"If he really finds something for me, I’d say I owe their bureau a favor," Tony remarked, seeing Coulson’s energetic and efficient attitude.

"Usually, to get something, you have to pay a price. But since it's just reclaiming your father’s belongings, the size of the favor depends on how you view it," Harvey said indifferently.

"Returning the relics is merely restoring things to their rightful owner. But if I discover a new element from my father’s effects, and improve the arc reactor… that won’t be a small favor. Of course, if I really succeed, I won’t forget your guidance, Harvey Ambelarca," Tony said.

"It’s nothing but a small matter," Harvey replied with a smile.

Although Tony Stark was often narcissistic and arrogant, his words could be unpleasant, but he always distinguished gratitude and resentment clearly—a virtue of his. Even if Tony didn’t say so outright, he would remember any kindness shown to him. When the time came, he’d find a way to repay it.

So Harvey didn’t mind giving Tony a subtle hint. After all, once a friendly bond was forged, Tony Stark would be a great friend.