I'm doing bidirectional science popularization in American comics

"It was placed on the small tray to your right just two seconds ago."

"Hiss..." Tony gasped. This couldn't be explained by luck anymore: "76 lubricating oil and B91 laser assembly..."

Before he could finish speaking, Depp had already brought Tony what he needed, which made Tony somewhat overwhelmed.

After looking at the blueprints, this guy seemed to know all the subsequent steps, just like Depp could also build the Mark armor, which made Tony shudder.

"What the hell, Depp! What did your elementary and middle schools teach you back home? How to build nuclear bombs?!"

"Perhaps. Let me tell you a secret: in my hometown, every year millions of troops suddenly appear and start training. But a month later, these troops suddenly disappear, as if they never existed."

"I don't believe you! It's a size 88 nut!"

Tony operated the robotic arm faster and faster because if he didn't, Depp would stand in front of him with the tools needed for the next step, giving him a disapproving look.

This was the first time Tony had experienced frustration in his area of ​​expertise, but it only fueled his competitive spirit.

Gradually, the two developed a tacit understanding. Without a word, Depp would bring Tony the tools and materials he needed immediately.

Tony only needed to focus on making the armor. After getting over the initial period of not being used to it, Tony felt that the cooperation between the two of them was incredibly smooth!

"Depp, I think you're a genius. You're the best assistant I've ever had! Without a doubt. By the way, would you be interested in working for Stark Industries?"

"Thank you for the compliment," Depp said listlessly. "But I have no interest in working for someone else. And... you'd better hurry up, I want to finish this and then go have some fun for a few days! Here, is the screwdriver you need."

Although he was treated as a laborer, Depp still didn't tell Tony that he could build the Mark 5 armor on his own, provided he had the tools and materials.

He felt it was better not to hurt this guy's terrifyingly strong sense of self-esteem.

After all, the Mark series armor and its core Arc Reactor are something Tony is very proud of, and he has always felt that this is a technology that only he has mastered.

------

Hammer Industries was once a formidable competitor of Stark Industries.

However, ever since Tony appeared with his Mark series armor, Hammer Industries' status and orders have plummeted.

At this moment, in Hammer Industries' research and development factory, the spirited Justin Hammer looked at the rows of gray armor around him and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

That's right, unlike Depp's memory, what Ivan Vanko helped Hammer Industries develop was not an ordinary combat robot, but a wearable suit of armor!

Justin Hammer grasped Ivan Vanko's hand and said excitedly, "As expected of you, Ivan."

Ivan Vanko was a burly man, but his eyes were as sinister and cunning as a hungry wolf.

He smiled and replied, "It's my pleasure to serve you, boss."

“Then I won’t disturb the great scientist’s research any longer,” Hammer said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing these armors in action in two days, and to seeing Tony Stark’s disgusted expression.”

A decade ahead? Sorry, Tony, in two days everyone will know that Hammer Industries will catch up with... no, surpass Stark Industries!

"You'll be surprised and delighted," Ivan Vanko said confidently.

After seeing Hammer off, Ivan Vanko looked at the gray armor behind him, his eyes full of disdain.

These armors were modified from the Mark 2 armor provided by Colonel Rhodes, who called these armors, loaded with countless heavy weapons, war machines.

However, these suits of armor modified based on Stark technology were not what Ivan Vanko truly wanted.

Inside the workshop, Ivan Vanko, shirtless and wearing goggles, carefully adjusted the energy whip on the table that emitted blue electric light.

Behind him stood a suit of armor even larger than a war machine.

This is the suit of armor that Ivan Vanko custom-made for himself, and like his imposing physique, the suit is also enormous.

Because of its massive size, this suit of armor can be equipped with more firepower than the War Machine, and its armor thickness is more than twice that of the War Machine.

The armor's name is... Whiplash.

Chapter 8's plot gradually went astray.

Two days later, in the evening, Jarvis had successfully tested the Arc Reactor.

Tony looked at the blue reactor in his hand, took a deep breath, and pressed the reactor against his chest.

Suddenly, bursts of dazzling blue light erupted from the reactor, and Tony was bathed in the very center of the light, exclaiming in surprise.

A moment later, the light faded, and Tony, his eyes wide, said to Depp, "Oh, that was amazing! You'd never guess what this thing tasted like!"

With his mouth full of pistachios, Depp chewed and said, "I know without even guessing it's coconut and metallic."

I've seen it in movies, why do you always humiliate yourself?!

Seeing Depp give the correct answer again, Tony decided he would never play riddles with the guy again!

It felt terrible to be guessed every time, and Tony thought he should probably read some psychology books.

Or... how about just getting a PhD in psychology?

Suddenly, amidst the ringing of the phone, Jarvis said, "No caller ID displayed."

“I can answer the phone again, that’s great,” Tony said. “I guess it’s some agent who’s been transferred.”

Depp remained noncommittal: "I don't think so."

Because he knew that the call was most likely from the main villain, Ivan Vanko.

The guy who almost took Tony down at the racetrack with two lightning whips is also the son of Tony's father's former colleague.

Ivan Vanko possessed the technology to manufacture the first version of the microreactor, and because of his father, he harbored a deep hatred for Stark Industries and the Stark family.

The call connected, and Tony said to the other end, "Coulson, how's the Enchanted Land?"

Immediately afterward, the hoarse voice on the other end of the phone made Tony's face darken: "Tony, how are you? I've doubled the speed."

"What?" Tony frowned.

Ivan Vanko said provocatively, "You're giving me a good suggestion: to double the rotation speed to produce more energy."

Tony retorted directly: "You sound like you're in great shape, you idiot."

"You too."

Tony immediately turned off the microphone and said to Jarvis, "Tracking the call!"

Ivan Vanko continued, “Now, the history of the Stark family will be rewritten. What your father did to my family 40 years ago, I will do in 40 minutes.”

The other party is using Oracle networks in the eastern United States, the Tri-State Area, Manhattan, and adjacent boroughs.

Listening to Jarvis's tracking, Tony said to calm him down, "Sounds good, let's have a good talk."

"I hope you're ready." Ivan Vanko didn't give Tony any more time to pinpoint the location, and hung up the phone immediately after saying that.

"Damn it, this area is too big!" Tony said in frustration.

“I think you can take a look at this.” Depp scrolled through his phone and then handed it to Tony. It showed the news page for the Hammer Industries exhibition.

Time: 7 PM to 9 PM; Location: Manhattan, New York.

Downtown New York City, the most densely populated area in the United States.

The phone number and address overlap with those of Ivan Vanke, clearly indicating that Ivan Vanke is collaborating with Hammer Industries.

Pepper Potts will also be representing Stark Industries at this exhibition!

The thought of his loved one being in danger sent Tony into a frenzy.

Tony immediately had Jarvis help him put on the Mark 6 armor that the admiral had just finished making, and said to Depp, "I have some things to do and need to go out for a bit. You stay here and wait for me, don't wander off."

After saying that, the Mark 6 armor, gleaming with a bright metallic luster, shot out flames and soared into the sky.

------

Meanwhile, Tony's former assistant Happy parked his car at the entrance of Hammer Industries' press conference, and Pepper Potts and Black Widow Natasha got out of the car and entered the venue.

On the stage of the press conference, Justin Hammer entered from the left side to the accompaniment of cheerful music, and then performed an extremely flamboyant dance.

He's in a great mood today, or rather, he's been in a great mood lately.

Standing in the center of the stage, Justin Hammer began his five-minute-long, insincere speech, taking the opportunity to spend ten minutes disparaging rivals Tony Stark and Stark Industries.

This infuriated the girl in the audience, who kept complaining to Natasha.

Finally, Justin Hammer had the crystal podium in front of him removed, and proudly announced with his hands on his hips, "Today, please allow me to introduce to you a new face of the U.S. military... Hammer Steel Armor!"

With a wave of his right hand, three identical sets of steel armor slowly rose from behind the stage. Although there were no pilots inside the armor, the open visors confirmed that Hammer had successfully developed the technology.

Justin Hammer introduced them one by one:

"War Machine Armor!"

"War Machine Armor!"

"It's still a damn War Machine armor!"

"And...my most beloved Air Force Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes!"

As Hammer finished speaking, James Rhodes, fully armed in his War Machine armor, slowly rose from the center of the stage.

Little Chili exclaimed incredulously, "What?"

Depp, who had been sitting in front of the TV waiting for a good show, was also dumbfounded: "Why are they all armored suits? Shouldn't they be those cheap combat robots?!"

Once Rhodes was fully on the ground, he, along with the three rows of unmanned armored suits behind him and Hammer, gave a standard military salute to the audience.

∠(°ゝ°)∠(°ゝ°)∠(°ゝ°)

∠(°ゝ°)∠(°ゝ°)∠(°ゝ°)

∠(°ゝ°)∠(°ゝ°)∠(°ゝ°)

............∠(°ゝ°)............

"Hammer Industries, reporting to the United States and its allies!"

As soon as Hammer finished speaking, Iron Man, trailing a trail of flames, flew quickly from a distance and landed on the stage.

The moment Tony appeared, he became the center of attention, and everyone's eyes were drawn to him, instantly bringing the atmosphere to a climax.

Hammer Industries? War Machine Armor? Get out of my way!

All we want is Tony Stark and Iron Man!

Tony walked up to Rhodes and said to him in the electronic voice inside his armor, "We're in big trouble."

Rhodes' heart leaped into his throat; he thought Tony had come to confront him.