"How's it going? Did you meet the person I sent to guide you?"
Seeing Deathstroke walk into the office, Howard uncharacteristically became serious and asked about what happened outside.
"Hmm, sort of. Their bloody scent led me to Romulus' location. Overall, the result is the same." Su Ming dragged Howard toward the restroom, and two female agents approached them from the front.
Seeing the pair, they paused for a moment, then covered their mouths to stifle laughter and ran away.
"Hey! It's not what you think! Come back, I'll treat you to dinner tonight! Let you know what I'm into!" Howard futilely reached out to the two women as he was dragged by the collar, as if wanting to stop them from leaving.
"Don't focus on those details. Remember our agreement; you're a married man now. Do you still care what others think?" Su Ming brought Howard back into the women's restroom and closed the door.
Howard covered his face with both hands in frustration: "That's a completely different matter. Even if I'm a genius who doesn't care about others' opinions, it still sounds bad if it gets out!"
"You don't have much of a reputation anyway." Su Ming crossed his arms.
"That's true." Howard lowered his hands, no longer troubled: "So, the people I sent are dead?"
"Probably. All their bones were crushed. An ordinary person would die from the pain." Su Ming looked at the foggy mirror above the sink. Next to the two stick figures that were originally drawn, someone had added two more, and in the corner of the mirror, there was a drawing of an eight-legged insect: "Were they valuable to you?"
"What value could the Japanese have for us?" Howard waved nonchalantly. He too looked at the stick figures on the mirror, lost in thought: "Just a few fools with some family influence hoping to secure sales rights for Stark Industries products. Are you done with your tasks?"
"Just waiting on your report about domestic spies and Zola's experimental results. I've prepared another beauty for Lady Nine-Heads. This beauty won't stop until she devours her soul. I can prepare for a vacation now."
Su Ming cracked his neck, making cracking sounds. Good, the Spider Web girls infiltrating the SSR had received their instructions. They would follow up on Zola's leads.
Otherwise, ordinary female agents encountering Deathstroke, a Demon, grabbing Howard in the hallway, how could they just laugh without inquiring?
The answer was, of course, they were insiders.
Spotting Gin and Natasha unexpectedly at Mount Fuji, they should head to the nearest base after Japan, meaning Hawaii. It was one of Su Ming's important bases in the Marvel World, home not only to the Spider Web Headquarters and a private beachfront for vacation, but also over a hundred acres of pineapple fields.
"The domestic situation is quite complex. It's best for the SSR and military to handle it... I made a few calls and checked on Faust's previous interactions. The answer points to involvement with the Vice President and some people in Congress. Even within ICON, many have issues."
Howard furrowed his brows. Though he seemed frivolous, he always had a clear mind.
ICON, commonly known as the 'Paperclip Plan Implementation Committee,' implemented a plan to bring numerous enemy scientists into the United States after the war, hoping their intellects could serve the US. But once ICON was infiltrated by Hydra, only God knew how that plan was being carried out.
Now, in comparison, Zola, who once joined the SSR directly after being captured, appeared quite clean from Howard's perspective.
However, even suspecting ICON's issues, Howard couldn't speak out. Otherwise, the US, under comprehensive attack, would surely purge all scientists brought by the Paperclip Plan, unjustly affecting many innocents.
Howard considered himself no saint, but as a scientist, he felt a responsibility for the future. Killing a scientist was easy, but any contributions that the deceased might have made to the future would never be realized.
It's best to be patient and carefully distinguish the truth.
"Hmm, looks like the source of attack materials is still the Americans themselves. Hydra played this well." Su Ming chuckled, offering a couple of comments: "Alright then, your mind's not entirely focused on women."
Howard adjusted his collar: "Of course, I'm a married man now. By the way, when are you going to pay the compensation?"
"Ah? Even though we can take a vacation now, are you that eager?" Su Ming teased him intentionally.
"Of course, I put in the work and connections, and even lost a few men. I definitely need the compensation." Howard's mustache drooped, his face long as a horse's — was Deathstroke going to stiff him?
"Didn't you say those Japanese weren't important to you? Why now are they suddenly your subordinates?" Su Ming hooked his arm around Howard's neck, and the two walked out the door.
Howard composed himself, looking like a conscientious entrepreneur: "I just thought, after all, they died doing work for me. A life is a life. I've decided to posthumously award them the title of honorary employees of Stark Industries and give their families $200 each in compensation."
"Wow, you are generous." Su Ming said sarcastically.
Howard pursed his lips, squeezing out a few words through clenched teeth: "Of course, $200 is enough to buy a Wilson Enterprises bicycle in Japan. Neither of us can criticize the other, can we? Is only your pillaging of the defeated nations acceptable?"
Su Ming shrugged, well, now Japan thinks everything American-made is great. Even after being defeated, there are still tycoons who pursue 'international brands'. Isn't it normal to raise prices in Japan now? Product pricing needs to reflect different levels; even if it's just a difference in paint, the price can vary greatly, allowing dominance in various market segments.
What's the difference between a $10 and a $200 bicycle? That's something consumers need to experience themselves.
"Alright, alright, I'll take you, okay? I've already had someone confirm her location, look at you, so impatient."
"Haha, so how do I look now?" Howard crawled out from beneath Deathstroke's arm, tossed the white coat he was wearing into the hallway, and adjusted his suit, tightening his tie.
"Hmm... sleazy, utterly sleazy." Su Ming tilted his head thoughtfully. Facing Howard, whose face was brimming with excitement, it was the only word that came to mind.
Howard rolled his eyes and slumped his shoulders: "Buddy, I know you're envious of my handsome appearance and my irresistible charm, but I'm facing a major life challenge right now. Be serious, will you?"
"Alright, as long as you don't smile or speak, you might just pass, except your hair is a bit messy." Su Ming sighed, offering a few words of comfort.
Howard spat a large mouthful of saliva into his palm and slicked back his hair: "How about now?"
"Eww! Stay away from me!" Su Ming grimaced, feeling disgusted. Wouldn't this freeze in winter if you went out like that?
...........
"Why do I feel like we're heading towards Long Island?"
Sitting in the car, Howard felt the road becoming increasingly familiar.
Departing Caspian Camp with Howard was like flying, but upon reaching the isolated outskirts of New York, Su Ming took off the armor, reverting to his trench coat and suit appearance.
Last night, New York City experienced turmoil, prompting many to try and flee. However, with the darkness and slippery roads, driving was quite problematic.
At that time, Su Ming picked up a car by the roadside in the suburbs, did some rough repairs, and set out with Howard.
They passed through the turbulent New York City, crossed the Manhattan Bridge, Grand Army Plaza, and everywhere were scenes of post-war devastation. Some police officers risked venturing onto the streets to maintain order, while toppled televisions in shops played news and officials' opinions on loop.
After passing New Hyde Park on the east side of Queens, the road conditions and damage to surrounding buildings gradually diminished until everything appeared normal again.
Rustic scenery gradually appeared on either side of the car window, while the snow-covered fields looked so clean.
"It's indeed in the Long Island direction, but more specifically, our destination is Southampton." Su Ming answered Howard's question lightly, enjoying the leisurely feeling as he hadn't driven for quite a while.
"Southampton, East Hampton, Montauk..." Howard counted on his fingers, recalling the map, then suddenly turned to look: "Your academy is in Montauk. Isn't this just one town over from your hideaway? You're not just going to find some random person to fool me, are you?"
Su Ming raised an eyebrow and pushed Howard away irritably: "How bored do you think I need to be to fool you? Believe it or not, if you don't trust me, go to Hollywood to find true love yourself."
"No, it's not that I don't trust you, I'm just a bit nervous." Howard rubbed his hands and continued to tidy his hair.
"Relax, she's very nice; no need to be nervous." Su Ming replied calmly, pressing the gas pedal, and the car drove over a series of small bumps in the road, causing Howard's hairstyle to keep bumping against the car's ceiling.
His hairstyle got messy again, so Howard helplessly continued fixing it with saliva, while Su Ming secretly stifled laughter.
After driving for another half an hour, they finally stopped on a snow-covered road in front of an estate. Su Ming turned off the ignition and abandoned the beat-up car: "Alright, this is the place."
"There's only one house on Vanders Road. Old Town Lake is in her backyard, and the house looks like a country version of the Louvre Palace. You didn't mention she's a super wealthy woman." Howard, this war profiteer, standing before a truly substantial estate, got even more nervous.
"Oh? Didn't I mention that? I probably thought someone as brilliant as you wouldn't care about money." Su Ming pulled out a cigarette, leisurely lit it, and leaned against someone's gate: "Her name is Maria Collins Carbonell; do you know what that surname means?"
"Who do you think I am? A genius, alright? Although I'm a physicist, I'm surprisingly good with languages. If it's Carbonell, then they're French; if it's Capone, then Spanish descendant."
Howard, fueled by indignation, raised his head triumphantly to give his answer, a smug smile on his face.
"Hmm, you're halfway correct; her family started an olive oil business since 1866. It's one of the notable ones worldwide. During the Spanish Civil War, this family branch came to the United States. I don't want to crush your spirit, but she does have way more wealth than you."
Howard wiped his frosted hair and snorted from his nose: "You're kidding. My future is priceless. Let's go inside now and let her fall for my astounding charm."