After finishing the conversation with Tony Stark, Kagura Hitomi turned off the virtual identity control device.
"Phew! That was nerve-wracking! So scary! Ugh..." The girl slumped in her chair and closed her eyes to calm down.
"But... a partnership? As expected of Tony Stark..."
It seems that even though Stark publicly refused to deal with military industrial matters, he was secretly planning and thinking about it behind the scenes.
Classic tsundere behavior.
Maybe, in the original tiline, if Hamr Industries weren't so incompetent, he would've sought a partnership with them?
After all, building a healthy, regulated international arms market would be beneficial for both global stability and Iron Man himself.
"Cortana, access the relevant resources and dispatch personnel for cooperation talks with Stark Industries. Make sure the projects proceed smoothly."
"Command confird, Master."
"Our global arms inspection network, along with the shared intelligence system with Iron Man, and efficient response asures..." The girl nodded.
"Thanks to Stark, my ideas are really taking shape."
Iron Man maintains peace around the world, acting as a vigilante, but he's lacking effective intelligence sources.
Especially with advanced weapons circulating through black markets, they often find their way into regional conflicts in surprising ways.
On the other hand, Rhodes Island Industries has solid arms distribution and regulatory systems, but lacks a swift, extrajudicial enforcent force. After all, Bucky can't fly, Kagura can't fly (for now), and she's very busy.
So, Rhodes Island Industries combined with Stark Industries? A strong partnership that definitely benefits both sides.
"By the way, about the Stark Industries Expo..."
Kagura paused for a mont.
"The expo will last a year, so let's quickly select so top-notch products to exhibit."
"Understood. Arrangents will begin imdiately."
The Stark Industries Expo is just around the corner.
And with it, new enemies might soon appear.
That person from Russia, who also possesses the Ark Reactor technology—Ivan Vanko, the son of Anton Vanko, "Whiplash."
Kagura had tried gathering information about Ivan Vanko over the past few months.
If she could detect him early and monitor his movents, it would help stop his villainous actions before they even begin.
However, information from Russia is extrely scarce.
This guy is well-hidden. Even with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resources, Kagura couldn't get any info about Ivan Vanko's whereabouts or status.
It looks like she'll have to deal with "Whiplash" and the ensuing conflict without being able to prevent it in advance.
"Also..." The girl rested her chin in her hand.
"Tony Stark's point makes sense."
"What point, Master?" Cortana asked.
"Don't we have any administrative assistants or people in similar roles?"
"We did attempt to hire, but the position remains vacant."
"Why?"
"The candidate, Natalie Norman, failed the background check."
"Pfft! Hahaha, okay..." Kagura laughed.
"Cortana, please transfer my social profile to Rhodes Island Industries as the Chief Administrative Assistant."
"Command confird, Master."
Cortana responded, "Are you becoming your own assistant?"
"Well, it just makes things more convenient. I really don't like pretending to speak like a man," Kagura said.
"As for the reason... well, the part-ti jobs I do online are getting boring. It feels like a big company position suits better. Plus, I can't just go back to Stark Industries or anything like that."
"Your idea is very creative, Master."
Cortana replied, "Personnel file imported successfully. Welco to Rhodes Island Industries, Miss Kagura Hitomi."
"Great." Kagura smiled.
"By the way, how's the progress on the vibranium research?"
"The molecular structure of vibranium is unprecedented and seems to be of non-Earth origin," Cortana reported.
"We've tried to simulate and reconstruct its molecular structure, but with current technology, we can only produce a very small amount."
"A small amount is enough. I'm not planning to sell it anyway," Kagura said.
"How about integrating vibranium into the next-gen suit for potential unification?"
"We're working on it. We expect to present a feasibility plan soon," Cortana replied.
"Upgrading the existing gear for unification with vibranium is definitely a better option than carbon fiber, Master."
Kagura suit has gone through many updates, but for now, it's still a special outfit with so auxiliary gear.
If she could get a versatile material to combine the clothing and equipnt into one, it would be more lightweight, faster, and the performance would be much stronger.
In 2010, nanotechnology is still too far off, but vibranium seems to be able to do what she needs.
Kagura isn't planning to build an Iron Man suit, but having a battle suit sounds pretty good.
"Cortana, are there any other pending matters?"
"Twenty-six seconds ago, an invitation was received from the Senate Military Committee, directed at Rhodes Island Industries' CEO, Mr. Bruce Wayne, or his representative."
"The Senate?" Kagura was puzzled.
"Who else is inviting lately? Does it say what it's about?"
"Reading... The invitation is for a hearing on the Weaponized Suit Defense Plan."
Cortana read and summarized the content from the email.
"Aha, so it's that..." Kagura smiled, realizing what it was about.
With Rhodes Island Industries as a major military industry player, the hearing, which once tried to force Tony Stark to reveal the Iron Man suit, had now changed its participants.
The Senate probably wants Rhodes Island Industries to pressure Stark into revealing his technology.
But... Sorry, I think you have the wrong person.
The silver-haired girl smiled slightly.
"I just transferred my files to Rhodes Island Industries. This ti, I'll go myself."
"How would you like to respond, Master?"
"Just say this," Kagura answered.
"Given Mr. Bruce Wayne's unique circumstances, Rhodes Island Industries will send the Chief Assistant to attend the hearing and provide whatever support they can."
If I rember correctly, the senator initiating the hearing is a Hydra mber.
Kagura grinned, thinking, "Heh, it's been a while since I trolled anyone."
Hehe!
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