Marvel: Starting with Iron Man in the Apocalypse

Seven levels below Stark Tower, inside the newly completed "Multiverse Analysis Center," the air is filled with the unique odor of a mixture of disinfectant and ozone. Originally a backup site for Tony Stark to test the large Arc Reactor, this space has been transformed into a highly classified, interdimensional research base. In the central area, several transparent isolation analysis chambers stand side-by-side, containing virus samples from the Walking Dead world, mutant tissues, void energy crystals, and the DC Universe metal fragment that triggered the rune rampage.

Chen Haotian and Tony stood before the control panel, where complex energy flow data and molecular structure simulations scrolled at an astonishing speed on a massive holographic screen. The grand blueprint for the "Cross-World Research Alliance" had been unveiled, but the specific framework for cooperation was far more complex than simply being labeled "co-founders." The real game was just beginning.

Tony, wearing a white T-shirt stained with oil, crossed his arms, his brow furrowed, his sharp gaze sweeping across the encrypted data segment on the screen regarding the frequency of rune energy fluctuations—a portion of information that Chen Haotian had just "limitedly" revealed to him.

"A very interesting energy model, non-classical physics, even somewhat challenging the foundations of quantum mechanics." Tony's tone sounded calm, but those familiar with him could hear the suppressed excitement, like a child discovering a new toy, and a hint of barely perceptible wariness beneath. "But Chen, we know too little about your 'key'—this rune, its operating principles, energy source, control permissions, and especially its security redundancy mechanism."

He turned around to face Chen Haotian directly, his eyes becoming as shrewd as a businessman at a negotiating table: "Establishing an alliance that spans the heavens sounds cool, and we'll set aside the risks for now. But if the core time-travel technology is completely in the hands of an individual... well, one whose capabilities cannot yet be fully quantified and assessed, it would be a huge uncertainty for the long-term stability of the alliance, especially for my side's investment."

Chen Haotian seemed to have anticipated Tony's question. His face wore his usual slightly lazy and playful smile, as if they were merely discussing where to go for a drink that evening. "Tony, the rune is bound to my soul; that's a premise, and it can't be changed. Just like your wisdom is your most valuable asset, it can't be copied or transferred." He shrugged, his posture relaxed. "However, I understand your concerns. Pure 'trust' does indeed seem pale in the face of such enormous benefits and risks."

He stepped forward, his finger tracing a line in the air. The screen switched to a complex 3D model composed of energy circuits and rune nodes. "I can grant you some 'secondary privileges'," Chen Haotian began to reveal his cunning side, throwing out a carefully prepared bait. "For example, stable spatial channel maintenance technology. Once the channel is open, you can use specific energy interfaces and algorithms to intervene in its stability, size, and even set up one-way energy filtering barriers to a certain extent. This means that in a known, relatively safe world, you can independently be responsible for maintaining the channel and scheduling resource transfers."

Tony's eyes lit up slightly; this was indeed a significant concession. Maintaining the channel independently meant having considerable autonomy at the operational level, reducing absolute dependence on Chen Haotian's personal condition.

"However," Chen Haotian's tone shifted, his smile unchanged but his eyes deepening, "the core permissions of coordinate locking, initial activation, cross-world navigation, and emergency protocols for dealing with unknown risks must be under my control. This isn't about lust for power, but necessity. The runes are deeply intertwined with my consciousness, and many operations rely on a kind of... 'intuition' and 'resonance,' which cannot be fully analyzed using existing scientific language, much less safely delegated. Forcibly separating them could lead to unpredictable consequences, such as randomly throwing us into some high-magic, high-martial-power perilous place, or triggering a rune backlash."

He pointed to the DC metal fragment in the isolation chamber: "Like this, without my rune sensing, even if you get your hands on it, you'll probably have a hard time deciphering the laws it contains in a short time, and you might even trigger a more dangerous energy rampage."

Tony remained silent, his fingers unconsciously tapping the metal edge of the control panel. Chen Haotian's conditions sounded reasonable, even generous, granting him operational freedom while retaining his most core and seemingly inseparable permissions. But this still didn't address his fundamental concern—if Chen Haotian were to encounter problems, the very foundation of the league would crumble.

"Secondary access... sounds good." Tony spoke slowly, his tone regaining its usual sharpness. "But we need clearer definitions. For example, what are the specific quantitative standards for this 'certain degree' of intervention? Who sets the rules for setting up the energy filtering barrier? Also, regarding the exploration of the new world, must you be the one to lock the coordinates, or does the Alliance have the right to propose, or even, if your 'intuition' allows, jointly decide on the exploration priority?"

He walked to another control terminal, quickly pulled up several legal and commercial contract templates, and his fingers flew across them, making changes and deletions. "Cooperation can't rely on verbal promises and brotherhood—although our brotherhood is a bit of a rip-off," Tony said without looking up. "We need an agreement, an agreement that's as detailed as possible, covering rights, responsibilities, benefits, risk sharing, intellectual property ownership, and crisis management procedures."

He raised his head, his gaze sharp: "For example, how are the profits generated from utilizing technology or resources from another world distributed within this world or the alliance? How is responsibility defined for potential cross-world pollution or civilizational conflicts that may arise during the research process? Even... if one day, Chen Haotian, you are unable to exercise your 'core authority' for any reason, how will the alliance survive? Are there any contingency plans or technological backup schemes?"

Tony's questions came one after another, precisely targeting the most sensitive and vulnerable aspects of the partnership. This wasn't just the meticulousness of a tech enthusiast, but also the instinctive caution of Iron Man, who had experienced betrayal and bore immense responsibility.

Listening to Tony's rapid-fire questions, Chen Haotian showed no impatience; instead, his smile deepened. This level of negotiation was what made it interesting. If Tony readily accepted everything, he would suspect his genius brother was plotting something else.

"Quantitative standards can be jointly formulated based on energy reading thresholds and spatial stability coefficients. The barrier rules will be discussed by us in the initial stage, and can be reviewed by the Alliance Technology Security Committee in the later stage." Chen Haotian responded calmly, demonstrating the meticulous logic of a top student. "In exploring the new world, the coordinates are locked to me, but for the exploration priority, we can establish a contribution point system, which will be decided by core members—currently you and me—through a joint vote based on resource needs and risk assessment."

He walked over to Tony, looking at the rapidly forming agreement framework on the screen, and added, "Profit sharing will be calculated based on contribution. You can draft the basic framework; I have no objection. Cross-world pollution and civilizational conflict... these are indeed of paramount importance, requiring the establishment of the highest level of security regulations and rapid response mechanisms. Violators, regardless of their identity, will be punished by the alliance." As he said this, a hint of coldness appeared in his tone.

"As for the last point..." Chen Haotian paused, looked at Tony, and his eyes were complicated for a moment. "Technical backup is currently not feasible, that's the truth. But as for contingency plans... we can set up a 'dormant clause.' If I really encounter an accident, the alliance will automatically enter a dormant state, all cross-world activities will be suspended, and you will be responsible for safeguarding all existing research results and resources until... a new turning point occurs, or the alliance naturally disbands."

This proposal essentially gives Tony a "safety valve," and is also a tacit acknowledgment of Tony's status as the second core player.

Tony stared at Chen Haotian for a few seconds, seemingly assessing the sincerity in his words. Chen Haotian's conditions were uncompromising on core authority, but in other areas, he offered considerable concessions and a clear plan, even considering the worst-case scenario.

"Contribution point system... Security Committee... Hibernation clause..." Tony repeated these keywords under his breath, his brain racing, assessing the pros and cons and feasibility of these clauses. "Intellectual property rights: Stark Industries will have priority operating rights for commercial products developed in this universe based on interdimensional technology, but research sharing within the Alliance is not subject to this restriction."

"Sure," Chen Haotian readily agreed.

"The initial members of the alliance are limited to the two of us. Any new members, regardless of which world they come from, must be agreed upon by both of us and signed with a soul contract or an equivalent agreement that is absolutely binding." Tony put forward another key condition, which was to prevent the dispersion of power and internal leaks.

"That suits me perfectly." Chen Haotian nodded.

Inside this technologically advanced analysis center, the two men exchanged words, as if dividing an invisible yet vast empire. There was no gunfire, but every word they uttered concerned the future and immense interests. Tony, with his shrewd business acumen and legal knowledge, meticulously refined the details of the agreement, attempting to plug every possible loophole; Chen Haotian, on the other hand, relied on his profound understanding of runic abilities and a strategic vision ahead of his time, upholding principles in core areas while flexibly yielding in non-core areas, guiding the agreement towards a direction that benefited him and ensured the long-term development of the alliance.

This game has no absolute winner; it's about finding a delicate, dynamic balance. As dawn breaks outside the window and New York prepares to welcome a new day, a draft of the "Secret Cooperation Agreement of the Trans-World Research Alliance," spanning dozens of pages and detailing all terms, finally takes initial shape on the main control screen.

Tony rubbed his slightly sore eyes, looked at the final document on the screen, and let out a long sigh. "It seems that, at least on paper, we're about to become a real 'alliance'."

Chen Haotian stretched his stiff neck, his face still bearing that enigmatic smile: "Talking theory is just the first step, Tony. The real test will come after the agreement is signed, in the next world we're about to enter."

His gaze inadvertently swept over the isolation chamber containing the DC metal fragments. The runes within his body were slightly warm, seemingly foreshadowing an even more magnificent future, quietly approaching before the ink on the agreement had even dried.