After Christmas, heavy snow fell from the skies of New York, covering the city in silvery whiteness. Shiller sat in his office chair, blowing gently on the hot steam rising from his cup, eyes reflecting the glow of his computer screen.
While his computer screen was currently on a work software interface, a slight jiggle of his mouse revealed a news website hidden beneath—a science news section recently launched by the Global Times.
Initially, the Global Times didn't cover scientific research advancements, or if it did, it was only to create flashy headlines to attract tech fanatics or to endorse certain corporations.
However, with the Solar System development plan progressing fervently, the slow trickle of secretive information began to leak to the public through these news outlets, softening the shock the general public might experience.
Otherwise, introducing a space battleship to people still struggling with the concept of a moon landing might terrify quite a lot of them.
Consequently, newspapers like the Global Times that had official channels began heavily reporting on humanity's scientific and technological advancements, making it appear as though we had made enormous strides over a short few days.
In reality, most of these technologies had been researched and developed a long time ago but kept secret. Now, with the technological leap about to occur, keeping these secrets was not necessary anymore. As a result, reports about these advancements dominated the headlines and main pages of nearly all browsers and news sites.
Globally renowned journalist Eddie Brock was known for his coverage of major interstellar events, thanks to the incredible physical capabilities of his symbiote Venom, allowing him survival in the face of devastating war aftermaths. After returning to Earth and becoming the editor of the Global Times, their science section quickly became the most popular science news outlet.
One headline on the main interface of their official website read, "Material Technology Breakthrough! The advent of molten steel alloy, second only to Vibranium, is the next big leap in Material Science?"
The link led to an article filled with professional terms featuring an interview with a researcher from Stark Industries. According to him, the molten steel is a miracle of modern material science, comparable to Vibranium, and more importantly, it could be synthesized on a massive scale.
When asked about the formula of the alloy, the researcher revealed that it was yet another masterpiece by Tony Stark, and the formula was solely in his possession.
The news didn't surprise anyone. Over the past few days, Stark had been pouring out amazing inventions like a man on a roll.
Although people suspected him of fabricating research for attention, Stark proved them wrong by implementing all these technologies onto his Iron Armor and flying over New York skies eight times a day.
When it was initially revealed that Tony Stark was Iron Man, the vast majority held a negative view, seeing the Iron Armor as just a toy for the wealthy to play around with.
Now, this impression hasn't really changed much, except that it's now seen as a wealthy and technologically sophisticated man's toy.
The general view of Iron Man now is that Stark is a thoroughly terrible man, a damn Playboy. People also lament how unfair God is for giving him both money and intelligence.
Stark enjoyed this comment. In an interview, he responded, "Yeah, but God is even more unfair than you think. Not only did He give me wealth and intelligence, but He also gave me charm which women worldwide find irresistible."
Let's leave the tabloid news aside. The news about the new material, molten steel, stirred up a significant hubbub across America, Asia, and Europe, and also had a small African country—Wakanda—up in arms.
It must be admitted that Wakanda's current international status is largely attributable to the importance of Vibranium. Their leader, the Black Panther, is indeed a knowledgeable and far-sighted leader. However, without the unique properties of Vibranium, Wakanda wouldn't have developed to its current level.
Originally, with their massive Vibranium reserves, Wakanda could have controlled international dynamics and manipulated the world. Even Stark had to negotiate with the Black Panther for it. All the nations wanting a piece of Vibranium had to enter a bidding war, which greatly boosted Wakanda's international status recently.
If Black Panther T'Challa were a selfish small-minded leader, he might have already been crowned the African Emperor.
However, T'Challa is a very wise and far-sighted leader. While controlling Wakanda's Vibranium resources, he also carefully orchestrates trades for international support. He also lends a helping hand by collaborating with Stark to improve the production of Vibranium, ensuring a smoother implementation of humanity's Solar System development plan.
During this period of research, the friendship between Stark and T'Challa advanced rapidly. So when news of the molten steel alloy came out, T'Challa immediately contacted Stark.
"...Yes, I know you're worried. I also understand that the new material is key to the future development of Wakanda, but the reserves of vibranium are too small. In terms of the entire construction plan, it's a drop in the ocean."
Listening to T'Challa's somewhat anxious voice on the phone, Stark tried to reassure him, "Of course, the molten steel alloy isn't a panacea. The strategic decline of vibranium isn't as severe as you think..."
"Tony, I hope you understand that this is a crucial resource for the survival of our entire nation's people, and it's our most important bargaining chip in the international community..."
Stark shook his head, "T'Challa, don't you think you are placing too much importance on vibranium? Do you really want to pin your country and everyone in it to this material?"
Before T'Challa could say anything, Stark continued, "Since we are friends, I have to remind you of this. I think I need to tell you a story, the story of a civilization that tragically depended too much on a particular resource..."
At Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Storm stood in front of Professor X's desk, sighing worriedly, "The situation isn't good in Wakanda. Many people think molten steel will replace vibranium, which might make the substantial resources they hold worthless."
"What's more terrifying is that they think their leader, Black Panther, has not been assertive enough to protect the strategic position of vibranium. Some even believe that T'Challa should not have controlled vibranium output from the start. If they had monetized it then, they wouldn't have to face the impact of substitute materials now."
Charles covered his forehead, "Isn't Wakanda the African country with the highest level of education? Can't they understand basic logic?"
Storm sighed and brushed her silver hair back behind her ears, "T'Challa was trying to improve everyone's welfare by dividing shares of vibranium among the populace. But as soon as resources fall into individual hands, they stop considering the nation's strategy and only worry whether their assets will depreciate."
"Now many people are demanding that the state buy their vibranium resources at the previous market prices. But T'Challa can't do that, it would break Wakanda's financial chain."
"Hasn't he spoken to Stark about it? Things haven't really reached that point." Charles said calmly, "Despite its merits, molten steel has its production limits. The amount of resources required for the solar system construction project is astronomical, so even with molten steel, there may still be a need for vibranium. Why not have both?"
"Yes, I know. Even though molten steel has similar properties to vibranium, they are not exactly the same. The stability and control of the new material still need to be tested over time. During this time, they will still depend on Wakanda's vibranium..." Storm concluded.
"But it's difficult for Black Panther to convince the people, isn't it?" Charles asked.
Storm sat down, revealing a somewhat sad expression, "I've been with T'Challa during this period, and he's shared his dreams with me. He hopes Wakanda will be more than a small African nation, he hopes that he and the people here will have the opportunity to step into the cosmos…"
"Therefore, he didn't use his king's privileges to recklessly sell the precious vibranium resources. Instead, he used these resources to garner more international support in order to enhance Wakanda's global standing. He also actively participated in solar system construction, even willing to pay a high price, just to keep up with the major powers…"
"However, his efforts are not easy to recognize. People see only that T'Challa and Stark are on good terms, then notice that he secludes himself in the lab to work on inventions they do not understand. He seems like a monarch entirely unconcerned with his people…"
Storm closed her eyes, tilted her head a little, her eyelashes fluttering as if tears were about to drop, "The time I've spent living in New York has given me clarity. I know how much fear and helplessness my people in Wakanda feel. On that land, the people of Wakanda have seen too many tragedies of small nations collapsing. They dread the arrival of that day."
"Any slightest hint of change makes them fearful, like startled birds in flight. Nonetheless, we can't blame them. You never know if the next disaster will extinguish this newly kindled flame of civilization."
"It seems the trip to Wakanda changed you a lot, Ororo. You rarely used to mention your homeland."
"I was born a black person in New York. You know, among New York's black community, nobody likes talking about Africa. My mother also told me she was trying to forget about Kenya."
Storm lifted her head, a light shining in her light-colored eyes, "But our ability to manipulate the weather comes from the Monroe family of Kenya, where we've had a lineage lasting thousands of years…"
"The wind, rain, thunder, and lightning of that land often appeared in my dreams. However, it wasn't until I returned to Africa this time that I realized it's not the 'African Heaven' the reports make it out to be…"
A sorrowful expression came over Storm's face as she said, "And neither is Wakanda."