The Stark Tower, Yet to be Purchased

Ross wasn't too interested in the Super Soldier Serum. After all, he had been researching it for so long but hadn't been able to replicate Captain America, which was really disappointing.

Especially now that the T-virus has been enhanced, the Super Soldier Serum can be given to Tony. Moreover, the serum is actually a replica of the data left by Howard, which Tony can obtain if he wants.

"No problem, come with me." To show his sincerity, Ross led Tony directly to another laboratory.

The laboratory was located in another corner of the base, and there were soldiers standing guard at the entrance. When the soldiers saw Ross, they saluted and immediately made way, and then the group went straight in.

Tony asked curiously:

"Why isn't there any electronic door or similar security measure here?"

Ross explained, "This laboratory was moved here later; it wasn't built into the base from the beginning. It wasn't equipped with the corresponding security facilities. The base's own defenses are already sufficient. In addition, this laboratory is not in use; it's just used to store some files, so it remains as it is."

"As is?" Tony asked curiously, not understanding what he meant.

"Looks like they moved from Culver University." Ross didn't explain further and simply pushed open the door and went inside.

Tony, who was following behind, quickly understood the original meaning.

The lab seemed to be regularly cleaned, as it was generally very tidy. However, the equipment stored in the lab was in a terrible state, as if it had been ravaged by a monster. It was broken and dilapidated, like a tin toy car that had been smashed flat with a hammer and then stomped on a few more times in frustration.

"It seems the experiment isn't going too well." Tony had a guess, but he couldn't reveal anything.

Ross didn't explain. He went straight to the filing cabinet, rummaged through it, took out a file, and tossed it to Tony.

"Everything you need is in here. This lab previously researched the Super Soldier Serum, so there's a backup copy."

Tony quickly flipped through the document, relying on the knowledge in his brain, he was basically in a state where he recognized each word but needed to figure out the meaning when they were put together.

Just like reading classical Chinese texts, you need to understand the specific meanings of the characters, but if you ask what thoughts and feelings the author is expressing, that's just bullying.

After confirming that it was probably true, Tony put away the data and asked, "Are there any finished products of the Super Soldier Serum? I'll take it back and let the researchers take a look."

Ross shook his head: "We don't have the finished product here. If you want it, you'll have to wait for me to get it from somewhere else."

"Okay, I'll study the data first." Having failed to get his hands on the lab for free, Tony began to look around the lab, especially realizing that this was where the Hulk was born, a well-known tourist attraction, and that there might be a treasure chest there.

Ross was puzzled to see Tony taking the things and not leaving, instead looking around. He stared intently at Tony.

Tony was too embarrassed to rummage around like he was playing an RPG game, so he could only scan the area with his eyes. He didn't find any treasure chests, and Ross was staring at him. To avoid embarrassment, he picked up a photo from the table next to him.

The photo showed Rose with a man and a woman. Tony, distracted and trying to make conversation, said:

"Is this your child, General?"

Ross looked at the photo and was lost in memories, but he quickly came back to his senses.

"That's my daughter, and next to her is Bruce Banner, a physicist."

"Yes, your daughter is very beautiful." Tony continued to make small talk to stall for time, while wandering around the lab with the photos in his hand.

Being praised for his daughter's beauty by a playboy is obviously something no father would be happy about, so Ross stepped forward and snatched the photo back.

"Alright, Mr. Stark, if there's nothing else, I should ask you to leave."

Tony had also thoroughly searched the laboratory but found no trace of the treasure chest, which disappointed him greatly, and he lost interest in the place.

"Okay, we'll have to trouble you to give us a ride, General."

Ross waved to his second-in-command, who had been following him, and introduced him:

"This is Major Catherine, my assistant. She will handle the specifics of the cooperation with you. Catherine, could you please see Mr. Stark off?"

After speaking, Ross stopped looking at Tony. Katharine, with great tact, led Tony and the others away, leaving Ross alone in the lab. He looked at the photo he was clutching tightly and muttered to himself in a low voice.

"Bruce Banner, where are you?"

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

"Catherine, right? I never expected someone as heroic as you to have such a beautiful name." On the way to the surface, Tony began to put into practice the technology from Tony Stark's memories, which mainly relied on modeling and hard skills.

"Mr. Stark, please have some self-respect." It was clear that Catherine had her own personality; she wasn't some young model who would fawn over Tony the moment she saw him.

"Don't misunderstand, I was just telling the truth. General Ross said that you should be in charge of negotiating the cooperation, and I think it's necessary for us to get to know each other better."

Catherine was actually quite helpless about this job. Although she was Ross's second-in-command, she usually handled military matters, such as organizing military operations to hunt down the Hulk. This time, she was forced into discussing business cooperation with Tony. However, since it was funded by the government, they would still send professionals. She was just responsible for relaying information.

"I was only responsible for organizing and arranging the negotiations; the specific details were handled by dedicated negotiators."

"Just like me, I just nodded and said I agreed. Actually, I don't really understand these things either." Tony continued to try to get closer to him. Although he was a bit slick, he was good at building rapport.

Seeing this, Eric and the others all took a step back, making room for their boss.

When the group arrived at the plane, Tony had already arranged with Catherine to have an informal private meeting before officially starting negotiations.

As the plane took off, Tony's trip to New York came to a temporary end. After the plane ascended into the sky, Tony looked out the window at the distant New York City skyline.

In my mind, New York seems to be the main setting for the MCU storyline, and I also have Stark Tower, which is a must-visit attraction for villains, so there should be treasure chests there.

"Jarvis, do I own property in New York? Like commercial buildings or something."

Jarvis's voice came through the cabin speakers:

"Sir, you don't own any commercial buildings in New York City. Stark Industries owns several commercial properties, but none of them are commercial towers. Would you like to purchase a property?"

Looks like you haven't bought it yet. Indeed, there's no Stark Tower scene in Iron Man 1 or 2. Stark Tower first appeared in The Avengers.

"Jarvis, get me a satellite image of New York. I need to pick a building."

I'm just wondering if the building I bought still counts as a landmark location for the MCU. If it's to be a landmark location, do I have to prevent the plot from deviating too much? Do I have to be an Avenger? What kind of hero am I without armor?

Batman? I don't have that kind of class or intelligence. If all else fails, I'll just call myself Homelander.