Controlling Public Opinion

"What do you mean?" Christine didn't quite understand what Tony meant. Why was he suddenly talking about this? Was this a new way of flirting?

"I'll invest, and you'll start a new media outlet, or more accurately, a new platform—not just media." Tony has gained some understanding of the power of public opinion these days.

Although military enterprises are generally unaffected, things are different when the situation is too big. For example, if the military hadn't stepped in to shift the blame to terrorists this time, but had actually exposed Obama, the stock market wouldn't have been in the green, but would have gone straight to delisting.

Amid public anger, some lawmakers might seize the opportunity to win over the public and exploit Stark Industries. Moreover, Stark Industries is not without competitors, so it's hard to say how things will turn out.

However, if they have their own media platforms, then the battle for public opinion will last a long time. Any legislator who wants to step forward will have to think twice before ruining their own reputation.

Tony's suggestion appealed to Christine. Being a boss is better than being a reporter, and it's also an industry she enjoys.

"How do you plan to invest? And even if you throw money at it now, it will be difficult to compete with the other media groups. The newspaper industry has indeed started to decline in recent years." Christine is very professional and has a deep understanding of the industry.

Tony had prepared for this long ago, or rather, he already had a plan.

"Traditional media is outdated; with the development of technology, platforms must also transform."

"You mean the Internet? Indeed, several media companies have been investing in the Internet in recent years, but none of them have seen any returns yet."

"But this means we're on the same starting line as them, and my investment cycle can be very long. I won't pursue short-term gains; my main goal is to seize the market." As he spoke, Tony started touching him again, just like last time.

Christine wasn't bothered, after all, she would soon become a sugar daddy.

"As for the others, Stark Industries isn't a charity; there has to be some profit or future potential." This was a question about Tony's specific plans. Christine believed that the brilliant Tony Stark wouldn't invest in a new industry based on just one idea.

"I not only want to invest, but also build my own platform, an internet company, and a future mobile platform."

"A cell phone?" Christine asked doubtfully, as smartphones were still in their infancy.

"Yes, technology is developing. You can look at my phone. In the future, everyone will be able to own a smartphone like this. Compared to computers, newspapers, and television, this is the tool that everyone will use to receive information."

"Really?" Christine was still a little hesitant. People in 2008 really couldn't have imagined the future prospects of mobile phones.

"Seriously, this is the platform I want to invest in." After saying that, Tony started to move up to base.

-----------------

The specific work of starting the new company was then handed over to Pepper and Christine. Christine was a smart woman and wouldn't mix personal matters with business.

Pepper wouldn't care, since she understands Tony's personality and would only think he's just playing around. This is why Tony is after Pepper, who has a strong first wife vibe, not only managing Tony's company but also his harem.

The military, after a long wait, finally contacted Tony, demanding his reward, or perhaps realizing they truly didn't understand the T-virus.

An invitation was delivered to Tony through Wesker.

It was called an invitation, but it didn't really have any formalities. It just had an address and contact information, plus something like a pass.

The address is located in New York State. Jarvis's search revealed that there was virtually no useful information about the address online, except for a land auction listing from ten years ago, which ultimately failed to sell. There was no further information directly related to that listing.

"Sir, in addition, some information related to this place was found online. For example, some people complained that they were questioned by the police when passing through there, or were warned to leave private property. In addition, some people noticed that transport planes frequently take off and land there. I speculate that this place should be a secret military base."

Tony asked curiously, "How about we take a look using a satellite?" Having your own satellite is so convenient; you can look wherever you want.

"Due to the suspected military base in the area, it is not recommended to use the cooperating company or military satellite for photography. The Stark-2 satellite has been mobilized and will pass over the area in eleven minutes. Photographs have been taken."

After waiting for a while, the photos were sent over. The entire site was unremarkable, with only a few huge factory-style buildings, but the ground was very flat and could be used as an airport.

Upon zooming in, it can be seen that the personnel on the ground are all wearing military uniforms, confirming that this is a military base.

Furthermore, Jarvis's analysis led him to conclude that those seemingly ordinary factory buildings likely had sizable underground structures.

"Looks like they're going to show me something this time. General Ross is really serious about the cooperation." After exclaiming, Tony asked Jarvis.

"Any progress on the experiments at Umbrella?"

Jarvis controlled all of Umbrella's surveillance systems and the computers that stored experimental data; in some ways, he knew the company better than Wesker.

"The first phase of human trials has been completed, and stress trials are underway to ensure gene stability under extreme conditions."

"Okay, get ready, I need to take some exhibits to see General Ross."

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away." Jarvis sent a message directly to Wesker, telling him to get ready.

---------------

Super-rich people travel by their own private jets, and if it were Tony Stark from the original comics, he would also have his own private Jaeger.

As a pseudo-genius, Tony, without a Jaeger, can only spend his boring time drinking and chatting with pretty flight attendants in his unoriginal private jet.

The private plane landed directly inside the military base. Jarvis had hacked into the enemy tower's system beforehand and disguised it as a normal landing.

The ground crew arrived in a shuttle vehicle and then realized something was wrong: Why is it a private jet? Are high-ranking military officials no longer pretending to be high-ranking officials, but instead getting private jets?

Tony stepped off the plane alone through the open door. He hadn't brought any passengers with him on his own plane so he could easily communicate with the flight attendants.

"Hey, soldier, don't just stand there. A transport plane is coming down in a bit. You guys unload the stuff from it."

Although the soldier didn't know who Tony was, he subconsciously obeyed Tony's orders, after all, this person looked like a high-ranking figure.

Soon a Stark Industries transport plane arrived, and after the hatch opened, Eric led his team out, pushing down two huge crates along with them.

At that moment, Ross, who was still waiting in his office for Tony to come in properly through the front door, only then learned that Tony had landed directly at the airport.