A chanical lifeform?
Even for soone as forward-thinking as Howard Stark, that concept was a bit hard to swallow. After all, carbon-based life had been the norm for so long—it was practically ingrained in human understanding.
Silicon-based lifeforms? That was a whole different beast.
"Okay, Alex," Howard asked, his brows furrowed, "Let's assu what you're saying is true—that it is a chanical lifeform. But how exactly did you figure that out?"
"As I said," Alex shrugged. "I could feel it."
"Feel it?"
"Yes, Mr. Stark. I know that might sound ridiculous, but my senses are far beyond those of ordinary people. And as you already know, I'm not exactly ordinary."
Even with Alex's explanation, Howard Stark found it difficult to wrap his head around.
In his mind, "not ordinary" referred to soone like Captain Arica—enhanced strength, agility, endurance, and the like. It didn't an developing so bizarre, extrasensory perception.
"Mr. Stark, didn't you and Agent Carter want to know why I'm different from other people?"
Alex paused, then decided it was ti to lay so cards on the table.
"Of course," Howard nodded, though a bit wearily. "But I hope this ti your answer isn't 'born with it' or 'just special.'"
"I'm afraid that's exactly what it is," Alex replied, nodding.
"Alex, this isn't the ti for jokes…"
"I'm not joking, Mr. Stark. What I an is—my abilities co from a genetic mutation."
Genetic mutation?
Howard raised an eyebrow.
With his scientific background, he certainly understood the term—and he knew that mutations could, in rare cases, cause significant deviations in biology.
"This mutation granted enhanced physical capabilities—and also so innate abilities no one else has. That's how I sensed the life force coming from that Cadillac."
"That's right. Charles Xavier—he's an expert in genetic mutation studies. You should look into his research. I particularly appreciate what he calls people like us… mutants."
Mutants?
Howard imdiately took note of the term—it was concise, precise, and captured the concept perfectly.
Mutated humans?
Wait a minute.
Howard suddenly caught onto sothing and fixed his gaze on Alex. "A group? Alex, are there others like you?"
"Of course." Alex answered seriously. "Genetic mutations are rare, but with such a massive human population, there are bound to be more people like ."
That was valuable intelligence.
Even though it was his first ti encountering this kind of information, Alex's explanation held up logically and was easy to verify. For now, Howard accepted it.
With that, the whole "Cadillac turning into a robot" incident made perfect sense.
"Mr. Stark, have you ever heard of gatron?"
Alex asked casually, glancing at Howard.
"No… Why?"
"That chanical lifeform I destroyed before it died… it said, 'gatron will rise again.'"
Alex delivered the line with utter seriousness.
Of course, he made it up completely. The real purpose was to get Howard Stark to start digging into "gatron."
Because gatron was the key to finding the AllSpark.
"gatron will rise again?"
Howard mulled over the words, committing them firmly to mory.
The statent might seem vague, but it was loaded with implications.
First, it confird that gatron was also a chanical lifeform—one of many.
Second, "rise again" ant that gatron had been defeated once before—and was now preparing for a major coback.
Howard had no idea how or why gatron had failed previously, nor what would happen when he returned—but none of it sounded good.
This was sothing to be very cautious about.
"Did it say anything else?"
Howard pressed, his tone grave.
"It asked if there was a place on Earth that was extrely cold."
Alex replied after a mont of thought.
That, of course, was his way of steering S.H.I.E.L.D. toward investigating the Arctic or Antarctic.
Sure, Alex could personally use his x-ray vision to scan Hoover Dam and confirm whether gatron was truly there. But he still needed to plant a lead for S.H.I.E.L.D.
After all, it wouldn't do to discover Hoover Dam was empty and then co back to try feeding them another story.
The best plan was to go at it from both angles—he'd handle Hoover Dam himself and leave the polar regions to S.H.I.E.L.D.
"An extrely cold place?"
Howard looked baffled. This whole conversation was veering into nonsense—scattered clues that led nowhere.
Still, he made sure to carefully record everything. The decryption team could make sense of it later.
"Alex, thank you for your cooperation."
"No need to thank , Mr. Stark. It's the least I could do."
Once the questioning was over, Howard personally escorted Alex to the base's entrance.
"Mr. Alex, please, this way."
Jarvis, who had been waiting by the side under orders, respectfully approached and opened the car door for Alex.
He didn't know exactly what had happened inside—but he could tell Howard Stark now regarded Alex with even greater importance.
"Thank you, Jarvis."
"No trouble at all, Mr. Alex."
"Well then, Mr. Stark—until next ti."
"Take care."
Alex waved and stepped into the car, and Jarvis personally drove him away from the base.
"Get Agent Carter and Mr. Phillips in here—tell them it's urgent. We need to convene now."
As soon as Jarvis had driven off, Howard turned to his secretary and issued the order in a grave tone.
Chester Phillips—while not as well-known as Peggy Carter or Howard Stark—was the third founding mber of S.H.I.E.L.D.
He was also the first and only director of the Strategic Scientific Reserve, and the superior officer of both Captain Arica and Peggy Carter.
During the final showdown against Red Skull, it was Phillips himself who drove Steve and Peggy to the battlefield.
His family had deep ties in the military and considerable influence across the country.
A low-profile powerhouse, through and through.
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