Chapter 55: Bern 2000
While Erik was fulfilling his destiny in African lands, in shadow isles, Phil was sitting with Hank and discussing the recent changes in the lifestyle of their members.
Due to eating potent fruits and meat that were mutated with vibranium, many people in shadow isles went through biological changes. The most clearly visible change was the age factor which somehow has slowed down and was reversing in nature here. Even someone like Hank who was already in his fifties was looking like he was still in his forties.
Fit body, he could walk without support and will join the other knights in the morning exercise. The knights who would have never survived till now somehow managed to live beyond their expected lifespan.
"Phil, we need to hire some biologists and researchers from Oscorp or colleges. If we could create better medicines, we might be able to change a lot of lives. We might be able to cure cancer with the help of the plants and herbs here."
Hank proposed his idea about new additions to their research direction and Phil just smiled.
"Not just here Hank. Martha display the results of our protein bars and juices." Phil asked Martha and Martha presented Hank with recent data about the changes and growth of their snack industry in US and European countries.
"As you can see Hank, our protein bars are now consumed ten times more in the US and in Europe since we first launched them 7 years ago. Mandatory in schools even. These health drinks are now even included in many hospitals and are sent by the UN as food supplies in drought-hit regions. Our food not only provides more energy, protein and better minerals for the growth of the human body but it also is changing humanity as we know.
However, we cannot push this more. Already there have been many corporate spies that infiltrated our HQ in New York. It is only thanks to 'Lady' that we are able to locate and remove them silently. But if we push these new products more, there will be many greedy eyes and even military interested in our products. We can't avoid the hammer forever."
"So, we are avoiding military and government and doing nothing? You have to know even Howard has shown remarkable recovery. If we could hire some good genetics and biologist, we may cure him and maybe even fix the soldiers who are here."
"I am already on it Hank. We are invited to a science conference in Bern, Switzerland on New Year's eve and we will meet and hire a few experts from there. Apart from it, I have also sent letters and invitations to known genetics and doctors like Doctor Wu from China to Doctor Helen Cho from Korea. These guys are famous for their work and will soon join us.
In the next two years max Hank, two years max, I will fix Howard like he was before. Looking at him, struggling with college-level maths is simply shameful for me. My first mission with the team was to save his life but now, I can't say I saved him.
I think we should bring our wives along with us. It has been five years since we publically appeared at any big party."
"So, you want me to join you in a party at the new year where scientists will be drowning themselves in wine and woman but I have to bring my wife?" Hank seriously couldn't understand how things worked in Phil's mind.
"Trust me, Hank. I have been married only a few years, but I know one thing. Never leave wife alone on New Year for a party. I don't want to come back and sleep in the lab for the rest of the year." Phil joked and explained and both me and Hank laughed at this.
"Wise words Phil. Wise words. Can't believe you understood the essence of marriage!"
"Regarding marriage, how are Steve and Hope?" Phil asked something that irked Hank.
"You know I think I had enough of those two. They live together now but Steve has not yet proposed to my daughter. I always thought he was a gentleman but he is a wolf in sheep clothing! If he doesn't propose on this New Year, I will make him understand why I am called Ant-man."
"Easy there, Hank. I think he will do so. I recently caught him talking to Melina about diamond rings. I don't think he is buying for himself. I think it's better we leave the island so both of them can have extra space that day."
-----December 31, 1999-------
"It's so beautiful here Phil. I can't believe even you lab people know how to throw a party." Melina hugged Phil's hand and walked inside the conference hall. Looking at all the decorations and mood, no one can claim this was a science conference.
"Well, I do have a speech prepared on advanced robotics and Hank here might receive a lifetime award for his work on quantum theory. Apart from this, look at this as the gathering of some of the best minds that we could hire for our group. Hopefully, a few of them will join us at shadow isles and help us in changing this world."
"Fancy words! Huh! Don't think I can't see all those horny women and reporters who are looking at you like they are in heat. Touch one of them and I promise mortal or not, you will feel pain!" Saying this, Melina kissed Phil tightly and then took Janet's hand and joined other ladies that were present there.
"Did you got 'keep in your pants or lose it' threat?" Hank asked him in a low voice.
"Yup. I guess we are in the same boat." Phil joked.
"Not something I care about anyway. I am more than happy to keep it in pants and lose those pants in the home." Hank joked and went to chat with senior researchers who were gathered at one table.
Phil just shook his head and tried to erase the mental image of Hank and Janet together.
"Scientist Maya Hansen, Scientist Aldrich Killian and Doctor Ho Yinsen and Wu. Martha try to locate these people." Phil gave Martha some commands and cameras in the security room were taken over by Martha in instant.
"Room 305, Maya Hensen is working on her laptop while Doctor Yinsen and Wu are currently talking with Hank on your left side. Doctor Killian is currently near the bar area on the second floor."
"Nice. Let's grab the old guys first before others since they are here."
Phil went and joined Hank in his conversation with Doctor Yinsen and Wu. After a long discussion in which they themselves forgot the time, Phil offered employment services to both. Doctor Yinsen accepted the offer on the spot since he lived in the middle east with his family and recently the area was undergoing many unwelcomed changes.
Doctor Wu had asked to think this over as his family lived in China and leaving that place had a lot of political issues that are generally not present in other countries. He can leave once but never return and if authorities in China found him leaving the country, he might be targeted as a traitor or something worse.
Similarly in the evening during the dance party, Phil met with Maya and together with Hank they listened to her proposal of Extremis. Phil offered her full financial support as well as scientific support in her research and hired her directly.
Killian was an exception in this case. Yes, he showed great enthusiasm in working with Phillips group but he wanted to start his own company. He needed financial support and technical support to launch his line of robotics. He already had dozen of plans to launch AIM -
Advanced Idea Mechanics. A sole group dedicated to making revolutionary robots.
Phil was somehow scared of the ideas he had and had to talk with Hank and Melina multiple times. The scariest being on the planet is not an assassin or war junkie but a crazy scientist. Phil in end decided to 'bring' or kidnap our Killian directly and bring him to shadow isles. Let his mind be overwhelmed and be under the direct control of others otherwise instead of extremists, this lunatic mind end up creating Skynet or something.
After feeling a little bored, Phil went to grab some drinks and met the unexpected visitor there. 'Tony Stark'. Yup. Somehow the rival and idol of his life that he had forgotten due to so many events is standing in front of him and surrounded by pretty models.
"Hey, Tony! What's up?" Phil joined Tony and Tony was shocked beyond words!
"Phil! You are alive motherf*****. I thought you also disappeared along with my father. The last news I had about you was you got married or something. Right?"
"Yeah, man! What about you?" Phil joked and a lot of girls suddenly looked at Tony with puppy eyes.
"Wait, let's talk there..." Tony quickly ditched the group and escaped with Phil. No matter what, he still has a lot of time to play before being grounded for life.
Tony dragged Phil to the balcony and both started discussing recent events in their life. Tony was trying to understand how Phil left the limelight and quit the public appearances these years. For someone who loved the limelight, this was simply beyond his understanding.
"Have you talked with Howard recently?" Phil asked this after some time.
Tony immediately lost all the smile and goofiness he had. "Yup. Mom told me he had a small accident but is recovering peacefully. I saw him fishing with Mom and he looked normal to me. Somehow I think, he left the company to me feeling disappointed. Did I do something so wrong that they left me at the same time?"
"I ....I don't know about that, Tony but I think Howard will come back soon. My dad met him and they both go fishing these days. Maybe you can also join him in future. Who knows. The future is not something fixed and every action we do is changing it." Phil said something cryptic and then left Tony.
He had already thought about future events. He won't let Tony go through the Iron man storyline. Why waste precious years in future and wait more than 10 years for Tony to wake up before realizing what he can do with his life. All he needs is a strong push and Howard might be it when he comes back. Also, that fat pig Stane needs to go.
Weapons are needed for the US but not for the world. The wars between countries are only killing humans and someone who knows the future, such a thing is not necessary at all. Let all the justice and freedom be reserved for the aliens in future. For now, the world needs to grow and advance in peace.
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