The transformation of the Mars base was astonishing. The last time, when Helen came here, it was just a gigantic mothership on a bare red landscape, with a training dome a bit far away.
But now, it seemed as if she had stepped into a dystopian world where steel, machinery, and—most surprisingly—a touch of greenery coexisted with the barren red terrain of Mars.
It didn't turn into heaven or anything, but it surely was an upgrade...
"Are those potato plants near the pavements?" Helen asked as she watched a drone irrigating the plants.
[Helen Cho]
"Yeah, I tried a new hobby but quit. Those plants are now taken care of by the AI." He shrugged.
"Let me show you your building," Erik said, guiding her toward a sleek, futuristic structure.
The raw materials were obtained from the asteroids or on the grounds of Mars and then processed in the mothership. The engineering was done by the Chitaurians.
After showing her around the lab, he asked her again about the problem she was facing and how she was approaching to resolve it.
Well, the cradle at present could reconstruct human skin.
It will need some improvements and after that, the skin it'll create will be almost indistinguishable from the real skin. But that's where this technology would reach its dead end.
It'll just become luxurious cosmetic surgical equipment.
Helen continued, her voice filled with a mixture of hope and frustration, "But you know, when I began this project, I wanted it to revolutionize our medical infrastructure. If the Cradle can at least synthesize a functioning organ then that day won't be far. It has so much potential, it was a crucial part of the technology you used to create your body." Helen continued.
Erik listened attentively as she explained. "But because of the dead-end I've reached, the government stopped funding my project a while ago. I did think of reaching out to Stark Industries for funds, but when I heard you were on Earth, I couldn't help but ask you for help. You have the technology and metals needed to upgrade the cradle."
Helen bowed her head, "Thank you for helping me, Eirikyr."
"Hey, don't be so formal with me now, Helen. Raise your head, come on. You're making me uncomfortable here," Erik chuckled awkwardly.
Well, it was just as Erik had theorized... Helen could not think of an alternative solution to her problem after knowing the easier and better alien technology.
Listening to Erik's request, she raised her head with a warm smile. His slightly flustered face looked kinda cute, "I'll work hard. Thank you, Eirikyr."
"Yeah, and you can just call me Erik." He said before moving on to show her more facilities for her.
He had ordered the Chitaurians to start making this building a week ago and they had already finished most of the construction. He was seeing most of the things for the first time as well, thankfully his wrist terminal showed the details of everything so he wouldn't embarrass himself by dumbly getting lost in the building.
Helen's mind was actually more relaxed in his presence, Erik wasn't being awkward at all with her. He treated her friendly as if that awkward moment in their previous meeting didn't happen at all.
About a year ago, Erik had confessed his feelings to Helen, when he was in Ebony Maw's body.
Well, Helen was a really nice woman. When she was still on the Mars base, she appreciated Erik's, formerly known as Jerry's kindness. She talked with him as an equal, laughed at his jokes, and even lightly flirted with him sometimes. Overall, she was a great woman.
The poor guy in the ugly body had mistaken her friendly flirtings for romantic feelings.
And Helen told him that she would definitely date him once he managed to get a new body.
Then she met Erik in his new body a couple of months ago thinking he had come to remind her of the promise of dating him, she was so excited that she tried to kiss him and begin their romantic relationship, seeing his hot body which reflected all her fetishes she just couldn't hold back...
However, her heart was slightly broken when he rejected her advances telling her that he was already dating Wanda.
Anyway, she was grateful for the casual conversation she was having with him now... unaware of the fact, that right now, Erik was a two-timing bastard.
After showing him around for a bit, he flew to the training chambers to help Wanda with her powers again.
After a few hours, he recieved a call from Pietro.
And then with Wanda, he went to Earth for the preparation of the first mass protest.
The next day, Pietro's contacts officially announced the date of their protest on mass media platforms such as news TV channels and social media applications.
The agenda for the protest was to change the leadership due to the failure to protect the nation from American missiles, the inability to handle the ongoing civil war, depleting public safety, chaotic politics, and other pressing issues.
The way the media promoted the protest, seemed as if it really would bring a change.
The next day, Wanda held a press conference where she stated that she had requested the government to involve the military in overseeing the protest to ensure public safety and order in the capital city.
Her announcement was welcomed pleasantly by the general public who were somewhat annoyed by the violence and disturbance caused by the protestants and the police.
Well, they were aware of how in such a short period of her term, she had managed to find and destroy so many terrorist groups and unlawful organizations.
The public also liked their new military general because of her cuteness and strictness.
The following day, the government announced that would let the army ensure peace and order amidst the massive protest.
The protest was a week-long endeavor and while ensuring that the protest was peaceful, Wanda made a few public appearances.
As a model military general, she made sure that she was neutral on political views of the protest but she subtly hinted that she shared the protestant's views on the matters related to national security and chaotic politics surrounding the nation.
Erik, too, was heavily involved. He took on the role of Wanda's assistant and stayed by her side all of the time. Poor Cindy was left alone for the busy week.
Once the protest was over, the government announced that the reasons for the protest were reasonable but the demands to change the leadership were "utterly stupid". This statement was obviously met with internet backlash.
However, the government also announced that it would increase the involvement of the military in some of the internal affairs of the nation to ensure public safety and order and to reduce the crime rate as requested by the military general herself.
The media was filled with debates, some praised Wanda Maximoff for the peaceful handling of the protest, praising her for the positive impact on the government, and her other accomplishments. While there were also a few channels that criticized the government and Wanda for various things.
Between the mixed views of news channels, the public finally felt like the government was listening to their voices even if it was due to Wanda Maximoff.
And that was the goal after all...
The rule of the army, the rule of a dictator, a queen, the rule of Wanda Maximoff the puppet queen of Eirikyr Anderson was near...
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