What Does Colorado Have? (Sixth Bonus Chapter, 2,000 Monthly Tickets Added, Please Subscribe!!!)

Half a month later.

Lake and Deputy Director David Bass were holding the new quarter’s Homeland Security Meeting.

Every quarter’s Homeland Security Meeting was intended to weigh overseas terrorist forces and assess whether they might launch an attack on the federal homeland, allowing security warnings to be issued to the various law enforcement agencies.

The security warnings were divided into three levels: low, medium, and high risk.

This time?

It was no exception.

New York State could not claim that it had done a good job before 9/11, but at the very least, its security had been handled quite well after 9/11. The most recent nuclear test crisis was the best proof of that.

At the same time…

Anyone wanting to sneak into New York to carry out a bombing plan would first need to find explosives. Every place in New York State that might sell explosives was under the control of the Department of Homeland Security. In addition, Lake had Black King as an informant at The Continental Hotel, so New York State had always remained at low risk.

The information director liaising with Langley projected a report from somewhere in Afghanistan.

On the screen.

It appeared to be a camp. Flames soared into the sky, making it obvious that it had suffered a devastating attack.

The information director enlarged one of the symbols in the photograph. The symbol was badly damaged, but it was still faintly recognizable as the emblem of some organization.

"This organization is currently the most mysterious organization overseas."

"Mysterious? How mysterious?"

The information director liaising with Langley looked at his joking colleague and said, "Freedom Glory, the organization behind that nuclear test crisis, was robbed by this mysterious organization in a black-on-black operation. Over the years, we have cooperated with Langley in an attempt to uncover this organization’s real name, but so far, our progress has practically stalled."

Another director pointed at the projected photograph. "Isn’t this the result of the attack?"

The information director projected another photograph: a red-and-gold humanoid flying object.

Mark III?

Lake sat in the main seat, propping up his chin with one hand as he listened to his subordinate’s briefing. Looking at the projected Iron Man Armor, he thought to himself.

How long has it been?

Half a month, right? Good grief, just how strong was Tony Stark’s ability to get things done? Even my company’s products don’t get updated this quickly.

The information director continued speaking. "Langley’s overseas organization observation unit sent us information. They inferred that this mysterious organization had probably offended this unidentified flying object. At the same time, satellites observed the unidentified flying object entering federal territory. Headquarters has asked us to investigate it as thoroughly as possible."

After saying that.

The information director sat down.

Seeing this, everyone turned their attention to Director Lake, who was sitting in the main seat and seemed to be on the verge of falling asleep.

Lake coughed and straightened his posture. "The new quarter’s security assessment will remain at low risk. Does anyone have a problem with that?"

Everyone exchanged glances before nodding.

Lake said, "Then notify the other law enforcement agencies of this information. How is the Obadiah Stane case going?"

Jack, who was in charge of the operation for this case, said, "There has been no new progress. We have been monitoring everything under Obadiah Stane’s name. The Information Technology Department is going through the materials Stark Industries provided and investigating the properties under Obadiah Stane’s name. If there are any, we’ll definitely find out."

Lake grunted and looked at David beside him. "Deputy Director Bass?"

Bass looked at everyone. "I have nothing to add."

Lake stood up. "Then we’re adjourned."

Everyone responded in turn.

After a while.

Everyone, including his assistant Tiffany, left the meeting room.

Only then did Bass look at Lake. "Tell me, should we inform the other divisions that Obadiah Stane possesses cloning technology?"

Lake glanced at Bass. "Are you planning to put your head on the chopping block?"

Once cloning, something that could cause severe social upheaval, was exposed, it would explode.

Bass shook his head. "But we’ve been investigating for more than twenty days, and we still haven’t found that man’s whereabouts."

Lake nodded. "How likely is it that Obadiah’s Clone Base is in New York State?"

Bass thought for a moment. "The chances are very low. If we’re talking about which states have higher risks, neighboring New Jersey would be a good choice. Texas would also be a good option, but Texas is still dealing with the aftermath of the turmoil. Besides, if Obadiah wants to resurrect his wife and children, he probably won’t choose a location that’s too far away. Of course, we don’t have the slightest clue right now, so we can’t rule out the possibility that Obadiah has already fled overseas."

Lake said, "Exactly. Why report it? Very few people know about the clones, and Pennsylvania Avenue and the Department of Homeland Security want to keep it that way."

Bass nodded. "All right, I understand."

After a while.

Lake returned to his office, poured himself a glass of bourbon, took a sip, and set it aside. His gaze fell on the several photographs he had just brought back and placed on his desk.

Photographs of Iron Man soaring through the sky.

Lake glanced at them and rubbed his chin. Although Iron Man’s technology was highly advanced, Lake still preferred theology.

For example…

Gemini’s Gold Cloth.

Right now, he clearly felt that the breakthrough of the Sixth Sense was just before him, yet it was as if a thin membrane covered the path ahead. To put on the Gold Cloth without being crushed by the aura it carried, he would probably need to awaken the Sixth Sense at the very least before he could wear it for a short time.

Of course.

Even if Lake broke through now, he still could not wear it. Gemini’s Gold Cloth, like those of his brothers and sisters, was still in material form. It had not yet become a finished product.

When Lake first saw that introduction, he thought he would have to find a blacksmith. But after comprehending Gemini’s star map, whenever he looked at Gemini’s box, he seemed to sense the materials within moving on their own.

It seemed…

It could complete itself. There was no need to find a blacksmith to insult it.

It made sense when he thought about it.

The Gold Saints of the twelve zodiac signs could practically be called gods. Could a god’s armor really be forged by finding some random blacksmith and having him hammer away at it?

This was not Iron Man Suit. It was not that cheap. (Wry laughter!)

Los Angeles!

Malibu.

Boom!

Tony Stark, transformed into Iron Man, had once again acted as a vigilante. He had once again destroyed another base belonging to Laza, one of the Ten Rings’ men, and successfully returned to his hilltop mansion.

However…

Just as he was preparing to disassemble the armor, Pepper Potts came downstairs. After her first bumpy encounter with Iron Man, she had already developed some immunity.

Pepper walked over and said to Tony, who was having the mechanical arms take him apart, "Lake just called me. It’s been half a month. It’s time to get down to business."

Tony said, "What I’m doing now is business."

Pepper rolled her eyes. "Being a super vigilante isn’t business. You’re the chairman of Stark Industries, remember?"

Tony stepped down from the operating platform. "You’re the CEO."

A trace of a smile appeared at the corner of Pepper’s mouth. "If people outside found out that I, the CEO of Stark Industries, earned only five million a year, Stark Industries’ market value would drop by another half."

Tony walked toward the liquor cabinet. "You can give yourself a raise. I don’t mind."

Pepper shook her head. "I’ve contacted this psychic from Phoenix City. She agreed to come to New York specifically to give you a consultation, on the condition that she can use this to advertise. I agreed."

Tony coughed and looked at Pepper. "What did you say?"

The great technological genius Tony Stark was asking a psychic for help?

Wow.

This was going to be big.

Pepper said, "You’ve delayed this for half a month already. I can tell that Lake takes this matter very seriously."

Tony shrugged. "I know. I was planning to go tomorrow."

Pepper chuckled.

She understood Tony Stark better than anyone. Right now, Tony was merely looking for excuses to delay it as long as possible. No matter what the outcome was, Tony could not accept it.

If he really managed to communicate with them through the psychic, Tony would still find a way to resurrect them.

If he failed to communicate with them through the psychic, Tony would undoubtedly go crazy. After all, if Howard Stark and Maria Stark had not died, where were they?

Tony muttered something under his breath before looking at Pepper. "Are you sure that guy was born in Colorado?"

Pepper rolled her eyes. "Didn’t Jarvis tell you? According to Lake’s records, he was born on May 29, 1971. Although the month and day are the same as yours, he was born a year later. At that time, Mr. Howard Stark had never left New York."

Tony gave a dry laugh. "Who knows? That old man was quite the womanizer when he was young. Who knows if he left some illegitimate child somewhere outside?"

Pepper sighed. "Do you hope that’s true or not?"

Tony sipped his drink without speaking. If the illegitimate child had been someone else, Tony definitely would not have accepted it. But if his half-brother was Lake, Tony felt that he might consider it.

Pepper shook her head. "After Lake was adopted, the rest of his records were destroyed. Remember, that psychic will probably arrive the afternoon after tomorrow. Don’t be late."

After saying that.

Pepper turned and left. Happy had already brought the vehicle around, and she needed to fly back to New York from Malibu. After all, she was now the CEO of Stark Industries.

Soon.

After Pepper left.

Tony returned to the operating platform.

"How’s the decryption going?"

"Just now, Obadiah’s satellite signal came online. I’m tracking it, sir."

"Where?"

"New Jersey!"

"Good."

Tony Stark’s expression darkened as he spoke. "How much longer will the suit maintenance take?"

Jarvis said, "Three hours."

The moment he finished speaking.

Jarvis said, "I’ve found the satellite signal’s transmission location."

Tony’s eyes lit up. "Put it on."

Jarvis acknowledged him.

The next second.

On a map of New Jersey, a location marked with a red dot appeared.

Wow, looks like stimulating you guys is still useful. It seems that you’re not incapable, but rather…

Still, it’s so discouraging.

It can’t stir up my fighting spirit at all.

How about this…

What if someone gives me a Silver Alliance? I’ll directly do thirty updates. No tricks, payment first, delivery guaranteed, absolutely no delays?

Anyone?

My dear readers!