In the office of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s psychiatrist, Shiller spun his office chair, frowning at the file in his hand. When the chair spun back to its original position, Shiller put the file on the table and looked at Coulson, who was sitting across from him, and asked, "Are you saying that the Stark Group wants to interfere with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s introduction of the symbiotes to strengthen the agents' combat capabilities?"
Coulson nodded, resting his hands in front of him and leaning back in his chair as though they were just chatting casually, "We're not sure why the Stark Group suddenly became interested in the symbiotes. When the Osborn Group was developing biotechnologies, they thought about collaborating with the Godtar, extracting their symbiotic factors, to create biological battle armor."
"But now, single-soldier armors are no longer the hot ticket item. Old Osborn has lost interest in the slimy symbiotes and hasn't thought about Venom in a long time."
Shiller contemplated, hearing Coulson continue, "Now it appears the tables have turned; the Osborn Group is more interested in Mercury, yet the Stark group has reversed the trend and begun researching symbiotes."
"At least based on the information obtained by S.H.I.E.L.D., the Stark Group's technology pathway has little to do with biotechnology, and there isn't any need to change their path drastically."
"This means that Stark's sudden interest in symbiotes doesn't involve researching them," Shiller thought aloud, trying to sort out the resulting complications in his mind.
It's known that Batman from the DC World's Prime Universe has entered Tony Stark's Consciousness space through soul resonance, but he's definitely not there for a visit. Batman has a purpose for everything he does.
They didn't know each other before, and they hadn't heard of each other either. All they knew about each other's intelligence was through the soul resonance carried by Shiller, and that's the key point.
After understanding each other's intelligence, they immediately collaborated, which means they need each other's knowledge to achieve something.
Shiller speculated that it might have been Stark who invited Batman, and the invitation must be related to his secret plan behind the scenes.
From this inference, the plan Stark is carrying out behind everyone's back is possibly more grand and difficult than Shiller imagined, otherwise he wouldn't need to invite another genius into the game.
It's hard for the world to imagine what requires the intelligence of both Batman and Iron Man, but Shiller considered another factor. They have been together for several days, and there hasn't been any movement, this isn't normal.
When the minds and souls of two individuals connect, they don't need inefficient languages to communicate. With two geniuses merging their minds, there's nothing they can't think of, but they have remained quiet, implying that what they desire is grand.
And what does all of this have to do with the symbiotes?
Suddenly, Shiller had a flash of inspiration, he looked at Coulson and stated: "The Stark Group wants to interfere with the Godtar pledging allegiance to S.H.I.E.L.D., so what exactly does it want to interfere with? Does it want to disturb the process of the symbiotes parasiting the agents?"
Coulson also frowned, "We have not understood this specifically yet because we do not want to alarm the Stark Group. Shiller, you have to know that when it comes to matters concerning Stark, we must be extremely careful."
"Of course, it is not in line with the regulations for the Stark Group to suddenly exert pressure on S.H.I.E.L.D. Personally speaking, Tony didn't need to do this. But since they have done so, we can't sternly decline their offer. Now it's us who need Stark. The human race needs Stark."
"Was there even an inquiry?"
"The message from our agents is that the Stark personnel didn't say anything. Our agents didn't dare to ask because it might seem like an interrogation. You know how aggressive seasoned agents can be."
Shiller acknowledged Coulson's handling of the situation by nodding. He had worked long enough with agents like Grant Ward to know that interrogating was an agent's instinct. No matter who they are talking to, it could sound like an inquiry.
There are two factions within S.H.I.E.L.D. Evidently, Coulson belongs to the conservatives. He tends to appease any forces with a friendly face and avoid offending them; S.H.I.E.L.D needs people like him. These people play the role of tempering relations with other forces outside inquiry and investigation.
Shiller believed that the matter needed careful handling, but he differed from Coulson; he had many tricks up his sleeve.
He tapped the table lightly with his pen, looked at Coulson and asked, "Is Peter at the Stark Building now?"
"If you are referring to that Skrull, yes, he is still busy developing air transport technology. Oh, I see; you want Peter to ask Tony?"
"Just asking won't work." Shiller revealed a smile, "If Tony intends to hide this from me, he wouldn't tell Peter under normal circumstances."
While speaking, Shiller picked up his phone, dialed a number, and said on the other end, "Hello, Peter? How are you? Are you busy? No big deal really, I just wanted to let you know that Peter Parker, who's in charge of East Bronx District 2, might not be able to finish his work for a while."
"Have you already sent the newcomer clone Spider-Man and Shadow Spider-man over? You're proving increasingly foresighted, sir."
"Yes, indeed, his condition is poor, he is dealing with some post-traumatic stress disorder." Shiller's tone lowered as he said: "He was crying quite hard earlier, Peter, you can't blame him for his weakness. The comrades he once fought alongside with died before his very eyes, and not just one either."
"They died painfully in front of him, and he saw the even more painful expressions of those who lived. I could never allow such a Spider-Man with this mental state to perform any jobs, not even if Nick came."
Shiller sighed lightly and said: "But on another note, if he keeps lying down like this, the situation in their universe is truly doomed. I'm attempting to comfort him, but the effect isn't clear yet. After all, I haven't known him for long, not like us two."
"No, Peter, this is but a minor issue to me." Shiller shook his head lightly and said: "I have encountered far more difficult situations throughout my career, yet I managed to turn them around each time. You have to trust my professionalism."
"Since you've already allocated the spare security tasks, then I have nothing to worry about... Yes, the reason I called you is indeed about this. I have some other work to do here, so I'll hang up first."
After Shiller hung up the phone, Coulson looked at him with a sarcastic expression and said: "You and Nick have really been playing these robust lambs around in circles. You are very good at exploiting the kind and caring Spider-Men. One day they will hate you."
"Mr. Coulson, that is exactly why you are still just a level-eight agent to this day." Shiller shook his head again and said: "Do you genuinely believe that Spider-Men don't know what we are doing?"
"That we are exploiting them, commanding them, even enslaving them? That we're taking advantage of their feelings? You're underestimating Spider-men."
Shiller stood up leaning on the table with one hand, walked over to the bookshelf, and said: "Spider-Man's kindness gives him an extra sense of spirituality and acuity. He is actually quite good at detecting emotions, but not good at expressing them. Every Spider-Man is very aware of what Nick and I are doing."
"If you insist on comparing us to shepherds and lambs, then every lamb that comes here has been scarred and in extreme pain. They've lost a lot. The only pillar that supports them until now is their inner kindness."
"But it's too hard to live on kindness alone. There are no inherently strong-willed people in this world. If there's a haven where they can rest, where they can temporarily let go of those painful memories and live and work assuredly, then they would be willing to do it regardless of the cost."
"There's no such thing as pure love in this world either. The love that values and admires their souls is equal."
"Nick and I love them. Even though we love their value more, they also feel loved. They have felt the rare love they once had, but lost many times."
"Spider-Men have lost too much." Peter said in the lab at Stark Building, leaning on the lab table: "Apart from me, the other Spider-Men lost their aunts and uncles, lost Gwen, and some have even lost Mary Jane and their children."
"Now, I have heard more tragic news." Peter closed his eyes tightly, his eyelashes trembling, and continued in a wobbly voice: "After losing his relatives and lovers, he also lost his friends, his comrades in arms."
"I can't imagine that day or should I say, I dare not imagine." Peter lowered his head and his usually calm expression revealed a bit of fear: "If one day I lose you, lose Doctor Shiller, lose Steve, I can't imagine."
A hand landed on his shoulder. Stark, pressing his lips together, looked at him and said: "Then don't imagine, such things will never happen."
Just as Peter was about to speak, Stark pressed down on his shoulder forcefully and said, "I know, you want to say, these things actually happened in another universe, hearing of such a tragedy, you'd definitely be scared."
"Every Peter Parker in every universe is constantly reliving one tragedy after another, bearing the deaths of relatives and loved ones, witnessing the death of friends. The only difference is that some people have accepted all these things while others are still undergoing painful transformation."
"But when I reached beyond the universe, aside from caring for myself, for every Stark, I also noticed you. And this made me understand why it seems like Shiller is never satisfied - he is terrifyingly greedy."
"After witnessing countless tragedies in your life, the horrifying flame of greed also ignited in my heart." Stark looked at Peter and said, "The relentless driving force that has pushed me to where I am today, it is called, my child should not lose everything."
Stark reached over and put an arm around Peter's shoulders. Peter hugged him back, burying his head in Stark's neck and said: "Maybe every Spider-Man who comes here thinks the same way, due to understanding the pain, they try their best to prevent others from experiencing it."
Stark, caressing Peter's back, said: "Your heart is beating fast, you're still feeling tense, it seems that the experience of that Spider-Man scared you."
"But it's alright, Peter, since the day I ascended above the universe, the flame of greed has never extinguished, and up until today, this greed still makes me want more. "
"Listen, I have a plan..."