Marvel: Starting with Iron Man in the Apocalypse

Beneath Stark Tower, in the deep space originally used to store Tony's early armor prototypes and some heavy experimental equipment, a radical transformation was underway. The ink was barely dry on the agreement when Tony's signature drive for action erupted.

"Jarvis, initiate the 'Ark' protocol sub-item, 'Border' laboratory construction procedure." Tony stood in the center of the previously empty site, surrounded by exposed concrete structures and massive metal load-bearing columns. Wearing specially made holographic interactive glasses, he rapidly moved his hands in the air, bringing up a dense array of design blueprints and construction instructions.

"Command confirmed. Construction of the 'Barrier' laboratory has commenced." Jarvis's steady electronic voice echoed in the vast space. "Construction units are in place, material transport channels are open, and the first phase of basic structural reinforcement and energy barrier installation is expected to be completed within seventy-two hours."

As he spoke, dozens of hidden passages silently slid open in the ceiling and walls, and a swarm of uniquely designed automated engineering robots emerged. They varied in shape; some had multiple robotic arms, precisely performing laser cutting and welding; others hovered at their bases, spraying special polymer composite materials to rapidly construct new partition walls; still others emitted a deep hum, effortlessly hoisting heavy alloy panels into place. The entire construction site was orderly and astonishingly efficient.

With his hands in his pockets, Chen Haotian strolled leisurely among the busy robots, as if visiting a futuristic art exhibition. He watched as the rough concrete walls were covered with composite armor plates shimmering with metallic luster, and the floor was paved with a special material that combined explosion-proof, energy shock resistance, and self-cleaning functions, quickly dividing the huge space into different functional areas.

"Not bad efficiency," Chen Haotian commented, his tone tinged with appreciation. "It seems our 'engineer' is not only skilled at making tin cans, but also adept at infrastructure construction."

Tony didn't turn his head, remaining focused on the holographic projection in front of him, which displayed the node distribution map of the energy barrier. "This isn't ordinary infrastructure, Haotian. The core of the 'Barrier' laboratory is an independent energy system and multiple isolation barriers. We need to ensure that anything brought back from another world—whether it's a virus, an energy body, or those seemingly harmless 'gadgets'—doesn't leak into our main world." He pointed to the complex pipelines being embedded in the walls and ceiling. "These lines connect to independent small arc reactors, physically isolated from the building's main network. The energy barrier has three layers: physical isolation, energy field shielding, and a 'rule interference field' designed based on the characteristics of the void energy crystals we brought back. Theoretically, it can suppress most phenomena that are not governed by the laws of this universe."

He paused, then finally turned his head to look at Chen Haotian through the holographic image, his eyes sharp: "Especially those zombie virus samples you brought back and that strange metal fragment; they will be stored in the highest-level quarantine area. I don't want to wake up one morning to find several 'superhero' zombies biting people everywhere on the streets of New York, or something worse."

Chen Haotian walked to an area that had just been separated by an alloy fence, and whose interior was still undergoing further reinforcement and sealing. He nodded and said, "Caution is a virtue, especially in our 'industry.' The highest isolation zone... let's call it 'Pandora,' it's quite fitting." A meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

Tony snorted, offering no comment on his naming taste, and instead pointed to another large, designated area: "That's the 'Furnace' area, mainly used for analyzing and processing large quantities of materials brought from the otherworld, such as abandoned vehicles, building wreckage, or... an entire generator? It's equipped with large crushers, high-precision material sorters, and preliminary elemental analysis equipment. Next to it is the 'Forging' area, where valuable otherworldly materials can undergo preliminary processing and testing."

He then pointed to another area where a series of more sophisticated instruments were being installed: ultra-high-speed centrifuges, molecular-level scanning tunneling microscopes, gene sequencers, and more—a dazzling array. "This is the 'Analysis' area. Fine-grained analyses in biology, chemistry, and materials science are conducted here. We need to figure out why those zombie viruses exhibit reduced activity in the Marvel Universe, yet display unusual stability, and also the specific properties and application boundaries of those void energy crystals."

Finally, he pointed to the very center of the laboratory, to a reserved circular area. The floor was paved with a special energy-conducting metal, and a complex energy-focusing device hung from the ceiling. "This is the 'Navigation Station,' or, as you put it, the 'Teleportation Hall.' Stable spatial passages will open and close here in the future. The most stringent monitoring and defense systems will be deployed around it to ensure the passage is controllable and to deal with any... 'uninvited' guests."

Chen Haotian surveyed the emerging interdimensional research base, which already displayed astonishing technological prowess and rigorous logic, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He could sense that the transmigration rune within him seemed to resonate subtly with the environment, a feeling of perfect harmony washing over him.

"Very well thought out," he concluded. "Independent energy source, multiple layers of isolation, clearly defined functional zones, and a dedicated teleportation control area. This goes beyond the scope of an ordinary laboratory; it's more like a... forward outpost, or rather, our 'safe house' and 'logistics center' in the main universe."

"That's right." Tony snapped his fingers, and the holographic projection switched to a 3D structural diagram of the laboratory. Different areas were marked with different colors, and the energy flow routes, material transmission pipelines, and the locations of safety gates were clearly visible. "'Boundary Barrier' is not just a laboratory; it is the cornerstone of our interdimensional activities. All the knowledge, technology, and resources obtained from other worlds will be analyzed, transformed, and absorbed here, ultimately strengthening ourselves and this base. At the same time, it is also our first line of defense against potential threats from other worlds."

He looked at Chen Haotian, his tone tinged with a challenge: "Your runes provide the possibilities, my technology and resources turn them into a controllable reality. Isn't that the meaning of the alliance?"

Chen Haotian laughed, a laugh that carried his characteristic carefree and unrestrained spirit, yet his eyes held a clear understanding and approval: "Of course. Adventure requires romantic imagination, but even more so, a solid deck and a precise compass. It seems our 'ship' is becoming more and more presentable." He walked to the highest isolation zone, named "Pandora," and through the not-yet-fully-sealed observation window, he could see the cryogenic preservation equipment and multiple energy locks being installed inside. "So, when will the first 'guests,' those virus samples and metal fragments, move into their 'presidential suite'?"

"Once the equipment is debugged, move it immediately," Tony said confidently. "Jarvis will monitor the entire safety process, and a temporary energy shield will be activated during the move. I don't want any accidents to happen under my building."

Over the next few days, the "Barrier" laboratory beneath Stark Tower was nearing completion at an astonishing pace. Chen Haotian wasn't idle either. Using the access granted by Tony, he consulted some of Stark Industries' non-core databases on materials science, energy physics, and artificial intelligence. Combining his pre-transmigration knowledge with the vague perceptions brought by the runes, he made suggestions for improving certain details of the laboratory. For example, he added "energy buffer loops" based on rune principles at some key connections to deal with possible spatial energy backlash.

While reviewing these suggestions, Tony occasionally quipped about "mysterious Eastern intuition," but he mostly adopted them and implemented them using his superior engineering skills. In this complementary collaboration, a unique tacit understanding was slowly forming between the two.

When the last energy barrier was calibrated, the independent energy system was operating stably, and the multiple locking devices in the "Pandora" area issued a confirmation signal that it was ready, the "Boundary" laboratory was officially put into use.

Tony and Chen Haotian stood on the "navigation platform" in the center of the laboratory, looking at the brand-new, cutting-edge technological environment around them, as well as the analytical equipment and defense systems that were quietly waiting in specific areas.

"Well then," Tony said, his voice ringing out clearly in the silent, vast laboratory, "our 'Interdisciplinary Research Alliance' has finally gotten a decent start."

Chen Haotian felt the faint energy emanating from the conductive metal beneath his feet, and the runes within his body were more active and stable than ever before. He took a deep breath, as if he could smell the air filled with the aura of the unknown and adventure.

"A good start." He smiled, his gaze sweeping over the various functional areas before finally settling on the heavy "Pandora" isolation door. "Now, it's time to begin our 'unpacking' work. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of...surprises those 'gifts' from the apocalypse will bring us."