Chapter 1072

"Very good, Mr. Wilson, you fly indeed quite well. Although compared to me, it's still a bit lacking, but congratulations, you're hired." Stark shook Sam's hand, which was still wearing the gauntlet. The faceplate rose, and Sam gave him a smile.

"However, being a close-quarters combat armor tester is a bit of a waste of your talent." Stark changed the subject, walked to the side of the laboratory bench, and pressed the screen next to it twice.

The heavy armor on Sam's body was taken off, and he walked down from the docking platform, but soon, he heard another "buzzing" sound of parts rubbing, followed by a sound of breaking through the air.

Sam felt his back being hit, and there was a sticky texture covering his back. When he turned his head, he saw a pair of steel wings appear behind him, and the connection point with his back was some sticky, gelatinous substance.

"The biological technology flight wings jointly developed by Stark Industries and Osborn Industries, the latest neural control version, buddy, you're in luck." Stark snapped his fingers and said.

"Osborn Industries discovered that they were completely unable to compete with Stark Industries in terms of aerial transport tools, so they took a step back and started developing single-person flight equipment. This is their latest achievement, and this project team is in need of a tester with aerial flight experience."

Sam shook his shoulders, and a strange feeling was transmitted to his brain, as if this pair of wings were limbs he had originally possessed. He gently shrugged his shoulder muscles, and the wings on one side shook flexibly, making him let out a cry of surprise.

Rhodes touched his chin and said, "Why don't you find an Air Force pilot to be the tester? Their balance and reaction speed should be better, right?"

Stark nodded and said, "But their muscle memory is also stronger. Essentially, Air Force pilots are still pilots. The Air Force's training for them makes their operation of fighter jets an instinct, but this instinct might affect their adaptation to new equipment, especially integrated equipment with neural control."

"Originally, I was wondering whether to cooperate with the Air Force to re-recruit a batch of special pilots and train them from scratch. However, you gave me inspiration; paratroopers might be a better choice." Stark spread his hands and explained, "In the future, the technology used by the wings will focus more on safety. Since our ultimate goal is to popularize it for civilian use, we don't need testers with too much professionalism."

"Although paratroopers don't have as good balance and reaction ability as real pilots, they are bolder, have stronger physical fitness, and have better adaptability to high altitudes. Even without piloting any mecha, they can adapt to various sudden situations in the air."

As he spoke, he walked over and bumped fists with Rhodes, saying, "I told you, we are the best partners."

"Sorry to interrupt, gentlemen." Sam spoke up, "I feel that the size of these wings doesn't match my figure; it's a bit too small. Do you have any bigger wings?"

Stark raised an eyebrow at him and said, "Buddy, don't be too arrogant. That kind of big guy isn't something your small frame can handle."

Sam shrugged, revealing a smile unique to Black people with a bit of hip-hop style, and said, "My strength isn't reflected in my figure. When I was serving in the special forces, I broke the record for the highest altitude and longest duration parachute jump for three consecutive years. If it weren't for some accidents and me retiring too early, I should be a lieutenant colonel by now."

Stark turned his head to look at Rhodes, and Rhodes nodded and said, "In the paratrooper team, Sam performed excellently. He can parachute in any harsh conditions and any rugged terrain. He is a sharp knife for dealing with various sudden situations. You can trust his ability."

Stark pointed with his finger, and Sam said, "Alright, let's take a look at that big guy..."

After finishing, he tapped the screen lightly again. The original mechanical wings on Sam's back disconnected and fell to the ground. Sam turned his head and saw that disgusting mass of mucus. He frowned, but didn't have much of a reaction.

Soon, in his peripheral vision, a small black dot appeared outside the glass curtain wall, like a huge bird, and also like an airplane. When these wings flew in along the docking platform, Sam couldn't help but burst out a curse.

The wingspan of these steel wings exceeded ten meters, with a double-layer wingspan structure. The neatly arranged steel feathers were like one sharp knife after another, and the wind and airflow they brought whistled past.

From the outside, this was completely a steel monster, and the mucus near its control hub was more like a bloody mouth, making people feel awestruck.

"I call it 'Angel'. That's right, this name comes from a mutant. Their family's enterprise also participated in the research and development of civilian flight equipment. In fact, he was responsible for the design of the control system for neural system access. That came from his own flight experience."

Stark walked up and explained, "At the very beginning, neither Osborn nor I were very in favor of making such large-scale flight equipment. After all, the vast majority of ordinary people don't have such physical fitness and reaction ability to control such huge equipment."

"But this Angel proposed that heavy wings might bring us a new superhero, provided that we find a warrior who can master it. Do you think it will be you? Lieutenant Colonel Wilson?"

Sam tilted his head, staring straight at the huge wings, raised one corner of his mouth, and said, "Angel? No, that's not aggressive enough."

As he spoke, he walked onto the platform, letting the mucus wrap around his back, circling his neck, and forming a thin and tight fabric on the back of his head, spine, waist, hips, and buttocks. The moment the double-layer wings were fully deployed, he took off into the air.

"When I fly, I prefer to call myself 'Falcon'."

As the words fell, the huge wings flapped gently, and he soared in the New York sky like a vigorous and graceful bird.

"Your friend is really just like you." Stark turned his head to look at Rhodes and said. Rhodes looked at Falcon's back and said, "Even if you believe in the person I recommended to you, there's no need to be in such a hurry to give him such important equipment. Tell me, what exactly happened?"

Stark sighed and said, "If nothing goes wrong, I need to spend a long time adapting to a life without Jarvis's assistance."

"After all, if he is no longer my butler, I have no reason to be able to ask him to stay here and help me. He should have his own life, which means I must learn to be independent."

"Pepper is also very busy recently and has no time to take care of me. For a period of time recently, Iron Man probably won't be able to maintain law and order in New York."

"Peter is about to graduate and is busy dealing with his father-in-law. Matt and Elektra went to Japan and haven't returned yet. Steve is busy catching up with his old friends. New York City should have one more superhero who can do the work."

Rhodes rolled his eyes slightly and said, "You have to pay Sam a high salary; this isn't an easy job. It seems that I'll have my hands full for the next period of time too."

"However, do you really intend to let Jarvis leave you?" Rhodes said with great worry, "I'm very worried now that without Jarvis, you'll starve yourself to death, or die of thirst, or otherwise die suddenly from staying up late."

"I'm not a baby." Stark walked back to the side of the laboratory bench, fiddling with the tools in his hand while saying, "If he has become a true life form, he should have his own life, instead of staying in Stark Tower and spinning around me like before."

Rhodes looked quietly into Stark's eyes until he made him feel a bit uncomfortable. Finally, this Black military officer lowered his head and smiled, as if he had thought of something, but didn't explain much to Stark, instead waving his hand and turning to leave.

Stark, standing in front of the laboratory bench, had a somewhat gloomy expression. While fiddling with the console, he also seemed somewhat absent-minded.

After a while, he put down the work in his hand and turned to enter another workshop next to the laboratory.

There was a strange piece of equipment parked there, integrated with a wall, with instruments stored in semi-circular metal cabinets on both sides, and in the center was a cubic transparent display room.

In the center of the cube, a mecha was parked. Calling it a mecha wasn't quite accurate; it was more like a robot's body.

But unlike the workshop where Stark built his own suit, with its complex mechanical arms and consoles, there was no mechanical equipment here for debugging the mecha.

Stark looked quietly at that body. Just as he was about to operate it, the communicator fixed to the side of the door rang.

Stark walked over, pressed the communicator, and Nick's voice came from inside:

"Tony, there's one thing I think it's necessary to tell you. About a few days ago, your parents found me and asked me about the development of the Andromeda Galaxy. They want to take the latest spaceship to go to the Andromeda Galaxy to work."

"Howard has been in S. H. I. E. L. D.'s laboratory recently, helping S. H. I. E. L. D. agents update their equipment. This is the work he was doing before. But you also know that our development of extraterrestrial galaxies can't be hidden from him. I didn't expect that he actually wanted to go to the Andromeda Galaxy."

"Howard's attitude is quite firm, but I think I still need to notify you in advance. Mutants can be like fish in water in the Andromeda Galaxy because they are born with powerful abilities."

"In our plan, it will take a long time for ordinary humans to participate in the development work. The environment there is still very dangerous for ordinary people."

"Howard strongly requested that I keep it a secret for him. Now, the last spaceship transporting mutant interns will take off in 10 minutes. I'm sorry I couldn't notify you in advance because Howard requested that I not do so. As his old friend, I can only do him this favor."

"But now, I will give you their contact information. If you want to persuade them, you'd better be quick; there's still time."

After finishing, the communication was hung up. Stark didn't have time to ask any questions. He felt a surge of anger rising from his heart.

Receiving the information sent by Nick, he quickly dialed a series of numbers on the communicator with his fingers. As soon as the communication was connected, he said to the other side:

"Howard! Nick just told me that you're going to the Andromeda Galaxy, and you're taking the latest spaceship, leaving immediately. How could you do this? You've only been back for a few days!"

"Do you know how dangerous it is there? Mutants can go, but that doesn't mean ordinary people can go! The situation of civilization there is very complex, and there aren't any professional laboratories! If you go there, you're just reclaiming wasteland!"

"And that group of mutants has a very bad temper, especially the leader, Magneto. He might hurt you!"

"There aren't any decent students there who can be your assistants either. That group of mutants are all ignorant brats; apart from making a mess of the laboratory, they can't do anything!"

"And, and... Maria definitely can't stand the climate there. She suffers from pharyngitis and asthma and needs to live in a humid and warm place. Also, the distance of the stars there isn't suitable, and the light isn't sufficient..."

"Tony... Tony!" Howard called Stark's name, interrupting his rapid tone. Stark suddenly stopped. He felt that he was just like a child looking for all kinds of excuses to get candy.

"Tony, I know all of that." Howard's tone was calmer.

"Then why are you going?" Stark raised his voice and said in an incredulous tone, "Do you really not want to stay with me that much?!"

Stark leaned sideways, rested his forehead against the wall, and closed his eyes somewhat painfully, with many words he couldn't say swirling in his heart.

After you returned, was the scene you saw so unsatisfactory to you? Did I disappoint you so much? Can those good times really never come back?

"No, Tony, it's precisely because you are doing well now that I have to leave..."

"Because of me????"