Natasha received Stark's call while Nick had already returned, seemingly with something to discuss with her. But seeing that Natasha was on the phone, he gestured to her and returned to his own office.
"What are you saying? No, no, no, don't come over. With your current mental state, I'm really afraid you'll end up dead in S.H.I.E.L.D.… Alright, what documents do you need? I'll bring them to you."
"Why are you suddenly asking about this? Well, it's not really a secret, and you're asking the right person. I'll be there shortly, but before that, take good care of your mind. I don't want to see a crazy lunatic."
After hanging up the phone, Natasha took her clearance and headed to the archives. It wasn't long before Nick appeared at the door, leaning against the frame, asking her, "How's it going? Did you find the information I wanted you to investigate?"
"Don't worry, it's already prepared." Natasha rolled her eyes and said, "There's nothing much to investigate about Shiller's past, and without me saying, you know who he's most deeply connected with."
Nick sighed and said, "It's not that I must know, but I have to at least understand his connection with the Soviet Union before I can figure out how to keep others from finding out. Otherwise, if it does get dug up, who would benefit from it?"
Inside, Natasha searched and found a stack of documents she had obviously prepared earlier. First, she walked over to the door and handed them to Nick, letting him take a quick look before stretching out her hand, wanting them back.
Nick glanced at the documents, revealing an expression of 'I thought so,' and then gave Natasha a look and said, "Who do you want to give this information to?"
"Tony Stark. He just called and wanted to know what happened back then. Anyway, it's no secret, and as he's somewhat involved, telling him shouldn't be an issue."
After a moment of hesitation, Nick said, "Howard's false death was a huge shock to him. It's normal that he can't accept it. This is also my responsibility, and at this point, we can't keep it from him anymore."
"The only concern I have is Shiller. Telling Tony about Shiller just like that, is it really okay? Won't he think… that Howard and I intentionally let Shiller get close to him?"
"Aren't you?" Natasha countered.
"Whether we are or not, and whether he knows it, are two different things," Nick said. "Anyway, it's not too good to… Forget it, Tony is not a child anymore. No matter what he thinks, he should know the truth. Go ahead."
Watching Natasha's departing figure, Nick's thoughts drifted further and further away, to the extent that he didn't even respond when Coulson came in and called for him. His mind wandered back to many years ago.
"Immediately investigate a psychologist named Shiller, I want all his information right now."
That was the first time Nick had set his sights on Shiller. Nick lowered his hand from his earpiece, and soon Coulson provided him with results. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s agents had investigated Shiller's residence and workplace, discovering he might have an addiction to alcohol and drugs.
But more importantly, Coulson found some scribbled papers in Shiller's desk drawer, filled with all sorts of mad gibberish that looked like the ravings of a mentally ill person.
Most of these papers had been shredded, but the ones that remained still provided clues. Coulson and his Physical Evidence Analysis Group couldn't find anything on these papers and handed them over to Nick as they were.
But the moment Nick saw those crazy patterns, it was as if he understood something.
Howard Stark had contacted Anton Vanko.
Of course, through Shiller's intervention, they had communicated online, and Anton quickly recognized Howard as a kindred spirit. Howard also became aware of Anton's recent predicament.
Anton Vanko was a good scientist, but the present Soviet Union was no longer a place where just being a good scientist could contribute to the country. Anton had always been frustrated and unfulfilled.
Caught in that situation, he could not escape his current predicament, and despite his reluctance, he still hoped for Howard's help, which would give him a chance to turn things around.
But extracting a scientist from the Soviet Union was extremely difficult, even if they had no significant research on their hands at the moment. Any action would undoubtedly draw attention.
Howard had already provoked Congress and Hydra, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation was always watching him. He couldn't afford to provoke the KGB as well.
At this point, Howard thought of someone—Nick Fury. Their relationship went back to the Roaring Assault Team, not the original version, but the one Nick had reformed after the disappearance of Captain America, with technical support from Howard.
Howard trusted Nick deeply, believing he could play a role in this matter, but Nick was still surprised when he heard Howard wanted to extract someone from the Soviet Union and couldn't help but ask what exactly Howard intended to do.
Howard didn't hold back; he shared some of his research data on the Ark Reactor Model with Nick and also mentioned the matter of a new element.
Nick immediately realized that this could be something that would completely upend the world order. Without hesitation, he used all the resources at his disposal to bring Anton Vanko over.
After Anton arrived and saw the research data on the Ark Reactor, he was extremely excited. Clearly, as a scientist, he could understand far more deeply than Nick that this was something that could change not only the international situation but might even alter the human race's status in the entire cosmos.
This meant that humans could have an infinite source of energy.
The two of them immediately began their research, and during the process, they both discovered that their compatibility was startlingly good. Howard always had various ingenious ideas and inspirations, while Anton had a solid foundation and exceptionally rigorous thinking. The two were a perfect match and confidants on the scientific path.
In this way, they made monumental breakthroughs in the Ark Reactor technology at a speed that was unimaginable to the average person. It seemed the days when they would turn around the human condition were fast approaching.
Immersed in scientific research, Howard almost forgot his perilous situation, but the good times did not last long. The dark shadows hidden behind eventually caught up with him.
One day, Howard returned to the Stark Industries lab and noticed Anton, who seemed to have something to say but stopped short. Anton, with the roughness of a Soviet, believed in speaking his mind and could not stand Howard's dilly-dallying. So, he asked irritably what was wrong.
Howard, meanwhile, was looking for Shiller's figure in the lab. In recent times, Shiller rarely left the lab. In Howard and Anton's eyes, he was a computer genius beyond his time, capable of using various computer technologies to manage all kinds of machinery at Stark Industries, maximizing their research efficiency.
They both liked the boy, especially Anton, who also had a child not much older than Shiller, but his was far away in Moscow, and except for online communication, he could not meet him.
Anton poured all his paternal love onto Shiller, often telling him about the beauty of Moscow, and on several occasions, shared his experiences from research trips within the Soviet Union, how he crossed the snowfields, passed through birch forests, and rested in a forester's cabin.
Shiller was always mesmerized by his stories. It wasn't completely an act, because Dr. Anatoli used to like telling him the same things, and the joy and pride conveyed in their tones were identical.
But sometimes the conversations were not so light-hearted. Shiller could often see the same look on Anton's face that he saw on Dr. Anatoli, an indescribable complex emotion with sadness and disappointment, but also nostalgia and love.
The time had finally come when they had to make a choice. Howard discovered that someone was watching Maria and Tony's car, more than once people loitered near the Stark Mansion.
Anton also heard about the recent situation in the Soviet Union; everything was moving in a terrible direction, and he even heard about a major vote being organized to decide whether to destroy this great country.
Both were getting restless and could no longer devote themselves to research as before, until one day, Nick hastened to the lab and discussed with Howard for several hours. When he came out, it seemed Howard had made up his mind.
"The existence of the Ark Reactor technology has been exposed," Howard began, delivering earth-shaking bad news. He looked at Anton and said, "We have at most three days before this technology falls into the hands of someone determined to destroy the world."
Anton's face was a picture of complexity as he said, "They won't let you go, no matter where you are, no matter how you..."
"No, there's one way." Howard looked at Shiller as if seeking confirmation, and Shiller nodded slightly.
"I know you need this technology." Howard approached Anton, looking him in the eyes and said, "Although I completely doubt that this technology alone can save your country, it will be a total tragedy. But if you want to try, I'm willing to help you."
Anton's lips quivered, but Howard stated resolutely, "The only problem now is that we're out of time. The Ark Reactor technology isn't perfect yet, but at least there's no longer any room to experiment here."
"So..."
"I'm going to fake my death in an accident, and we'll go to the Soviet Union together until we finish this technology. Of course, you have to take us in, and as payment, you can apply this technology wherever you need it. I won't object."
Anton's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Howard, who hung his head in sorrow. "Regardless, at least you have trustworthy people back home," Howard said to Anton. "I don't, almost not at all, here."
"I've thought about it carefully and can't find many people who would be untouched by this technology, but I know you have them. You do, right?"
"Yes," Anton took a deep breath and said, "I do have a few friends I can vouch for who are completely trustworthy. They, like me, do not want to see this country fall. They will respect you and everyone who wants to make this world better. We can complete the research of this technology there."
"Then let's do it," Howard said. "But I'm taking Shiller with me. I can't leave him behind."
Anton walked over and patted Shiller on the head; Shiller just looked up, still maintaining that intense gaze, as if seeing long years past in his eyes.
"Let's go, little Xier. I'll take you to see Moscow."