c29 - Tony's Advantages
"I have no other choice. I've tested every element currently known on Earth."
"If I didn't come to you, I wouldn't even have a direction to proceed."
"Is it possible that there are elements beyond the periodic table something that exists outside conventional human knowledge that you superhumans have encountered?"
Tony Stark asked, a trace of frustration and helplessness appearing on his face.
"It has nothing to do with some hidden 'superhuman world,' but telling you isn't out of the question."
Harvey considered briefly before responding.
Originally, according to the natural course of events, S.H.I.E.L.D. under the direction of Nick Fury would eventually guide Tony Stark toward solving this problem.
But Harvey didn't mind accelerating the process slightly.
"It has nothing to do with that?"
"Then what exactly am I missing?"
"Is it a specific element… or a new type of chemical synthesis I haven't considered?"
Tony Stark asked, his thoughts racing but still unable to break through the bottleneck.
"It's neither a known element nor a simple combination."
"You need to create a new element, one capable of replacing palladium and stabilizing the Arc Reactor."
"Once you achieve that, your Iron Man armor will surpass its current limitations."
Harvey said calmly.
"Create… a new element?"
Tony Stark's eyes sharpened instantly, his mind accelerating as countless theoretical frameworks began forming.
"Tony Stark, if I remember correctly, your father was also one of the greatest scientific minds of his era."
Harvey added, deliberately guiding him.
"Perhaps the answer you're searching for already exists—in what your father left behind."
"My father…?"
The mention of Howard Stark caused Tony Stark's expression to shift subtly.
"He left in a hurry… most of what he left behind is incomplete or symbolic at best."
Tony Stark said, his tone carrying a trace of complexity resentment mixed with reluctant respect.
"Your father left you more than just Stark Industries and wealth."
"Don't forget—Stark Industries was once deeply intertwined with military research and strategic development."
Harvey didn't state it outright, but his words pointed Tony toward a very specific direction.
Tony Stark paused.
Memories of Howard Stark's involvement in classified projects, including early atomic research and advanced energy studies, surfaced in his mind.
Combining that with current connections, the answer became clearer.
"But ever since I shut down Stark Industries' weapons division, my relationship with the military hasn't exactly been… friendly."
"If there are classified projects or relics my father left behind, how exactly am I supposed to get access to them?"
Tony Stark said, now thinking more practically.
"Your relationship with the military may be strained on the surface."
"But isn't there another organization that's been trying to establish contact with you?"
Harvey replied.
"You mean that 'Department of Homeland Security' group?"
"They don't exactly strike me as having high-level clearance."
"You do realize they treated twenty million dollars like it was a massive expense."
Tony Stark said with clear disdain.
From his perspective, an organization struggling to allocate such funding hardly seemed influential.
Harvey, however, immediately understood Tony Stark was referring to Nick Fury assembling resources just to meet "Mr. Death."
"They might appear underfunded on the surface."
"But as an intelligence agency dealing with extraterrestrial threats and anomalous events, their actual authority within military and global structures is far greater than it seems."
"And regardless of how much authority they have… you can simply ask."
Harvey said calmly.
"...Alright. I'll ask."
Tony Stark considered for a moment before making his decision.
"JARVIS, establish a secure line with Coulson."
Tony Stark gave the command directly.
"Connecting now, sir."
Within seconds, the communication channel opened.
"Mr. Tony Stark, this is Phil Coulson. How may I assist you?"
Coulson's composed voice echoed through the underground lab almost immediately.
Because of Coulson's almost instantaneous response, Tony Stark cast Harvey a meaningful glance.
Harvey, however, completely ignored Tony Stark's gaze, which carried a mix of smugness and lingering dissatisfaction.
"Agent Coulson, my father, Howard Stark, had deep ties with the U.S. military and was involved in numerous classified research projects."
"I'd like to know whether your organization or the military—still holds any materials, research data, or personal belongings that once belonged to him."
Tony Stark paused slightly as he spoke, the subtle hesitation revealing the complicated emotions he still harbored toward his father.
"Mr. Stark, are you referring to undisclosed research archives or personal effects left behind by Howard Stark?"
"I can assist in retrieving any classified materials related to your father's legacy."
"Please give me one hour. If there are any items that were not transferred to you after his passing, I will locate them and report back."
Phil Coulson immediately recognized the opportunity to strengthen ties with Tony Stark and responded without hesitation.
"Alright, I'll leave it to you."
Tony Stark glanced at Harvey Ambellaca after hearing Coulson's confident response, then spoke in a more serious tone.
"Understood. I'll begin the search immediately."
Coulson replied before ending the call.
"If he actually manages to retrieve something useful, then I suppose I'll owe S.H.I.E.L.D. a favor,"
Tony Stark said, clearly impressed by Coulson's efficiency and enthusiasm.
"Nothing in this world comes without a cost."
"But retrieving your father's belongings is simply returning them to their rightful owner."
"As for how valuable that favor becomes… that depends entirely on what you gain from it,"
Harvey said calmly.
"Getting those relics back might not mean much on its own."
"But if I can use them to discover a new element…"
"And successfully upgrade the Arc Reactor, eliminating its reliance on palladium then that favor will be far from insignificant."
Tony Stark said, his eyes already beginning to show the spark of inspiration.
"Of course, if I do manage to achieve that breakthrough, I won't forget that it was your reminder that pointed me in the right direction, Harvey Ambellaca."
"These are trivial matters,"
Harvey replied with a faint smile.
Although Tony Stark was often arrogant, self-centered, and blunt to the point of offending others, his core character well-established in Marvel Comics was rooted in a strong sense of responsibility and moral clarity.
Even when he didn't openly express gratitude, he always remembered the help others had given him.
When the opportunity arose, he would repay those debts in his own way.
Because of that, Harvey had no issue offering him guidance.
After all, once a genuine connection was formed, Tony Stark was someone who could become a remarkably reliable ally and even a true friend.
...