Marvel: Starting with Iron Man in the Apocalypse

The moment the agreement was reached, the atmosphere inside the Hive's main control room shifted. The defensive weapon systems, previously hidden in the shadows, retracted their menacing cannons, and the invisible, oppressive feeling of being locked onto by the highest level of hostility dissipated. The holographic projection of the little girl, the Red Queen, did not disappear but hovered quietly to the side, data flowing calmly in her eyes, like a dutiful yet distant butler, tacitly approving the two "temporary masters'" access to the database.

"Access is fully granted, and data flow is stable." The Red Queen's synthesized voice announced the facts without any emotion. "You may begin accessing the specified data. Warning: Any attempt to access the core protocol area or logic kernel without authorization will be considered a termination of the protocol."

"Don't worry, we have a strong sense of contractual responsibility." Chen Haotian smiled slightly, his gaze already fixed on the newly unlocked data blocks that shimmered with alluring light. He winked at Tony, "Tony, you first filter through the core data of Project Tracker and the G-Virus, especially the original experimental records and William Birkin's manuscripts. I'll handle the virus database and the major categories of genetic engineering data."

"I can't wait any longer!" Tony rubbed his hands together, his fingers flying across the virtual keyboard. One encrypted folder after another was opened rapidly, and a massive amount of data flooded into his hastily constructed data cache and analysis matrix based on the Jarvis subroutine. On the holographic screen, images of brutal experiments related to the "Nemesis Program," various physical parameters of the Tyrant bio-weapon, and autopsy reports of failed cases scrolled rapidly. Simultaneously, on another screen, a folder labeled "G-Virus - William Birkin" was opened, containing densely packed research notes, gene sequence diagrams, and extremely dangerous live-in experimental data.

Chen Haotian, on the other hand, appeared more composed. He pulled up a tree diagram summarizing the Umbrella Corporation's virus research. From the initial Progenitor Virus to the mature T-virus, and its various derivative variants, such as the T-Veronica virus and the T-Abyss virus, as well as related parasite research (such as Las Plagas), all the data was readily available to him. He quickly browsed through it, his brain acting like a highly efficient information processor, filtering, memorizing, and analyzing, rapidly integrating those scattered pieces of knowledge into a system. He paid particular attention to the "accidents" and "failures" in the experiments, where secrets about the nature of life's mutations, often beyond the designers' original intentions, were often hidden.

Time slipped away silently in the deluge of data. Tony suddenly exclaimed, "Hey, look at this! The Trackers' neural bundle control interface. They use crude, benzene-based bioelectrical signals to forcibly cover it, combined with high doses of sedatives and pain-masking agents to maintain 'controllability.' Utterly stupid! If a nanoscale neural network were used, along with trace amounts of Extremis virus as a regulatory medium, not only could perfect control be achieved, but some of their combat instincts and learning abilities could even be preserved and enhanced..."

Without looking up, Chen Haotian continued, "That's not all. The genetic instability of the G virus is the root of its powerful destructive force and uncontrollability. But if you look at page 37 of William's notes, he mentions that under extreme emotional stimulation, the mutations of G virus carriers will show a directional trend. If we can simulate or guide this 'emotional catalyst,' we might find the key to control or even utilize this instability."

Their exchanges were rapid and efficient; often, one would propose a concept, and the other would immediately supplement or elaborate upon it. They approached the subject from different technical perspectives—one focusing on engineering applications and system integration, the other on theoretical derivation and fundamental exploration—yet a remarkable synergy emerged. A wealth of inspiration sparked in their interactions, with new ideas constantly emerging regarding biological weapon modification, viral stability control, and gene enhancement pathways.

The Red Queen's projection silently "observed" everything. Her core logic was operating at high speed, recording every fragment of their conversation and every angle from which they interpreted the data. She discovered that these visitors from another world, with their way of thinking and technological concepts, had indeed opened up many unprecedented perspectives for her. Some problems that she couldn't solve based on her own world's technology or that she considered taboo, seemed to have completely different and more feasible solutions in the eyes of these two.

"Data stream analysis shows that your access patterns are highly purposeful and integrated, far exceeding the average efficiency of researchers within the Umbrella Corporation," the Red Queen suddenly spoke, interrupting their immersion. "The 'deposit' technology you provided, the manufacturing process of the micro-blades, and the atomic-level stacking techniques in their material synthesis process are revolutionary for materials science in this world."

Chen Haotian then shifted his gaze from the screen to the projection of the Red Queen, a knowing smile playing on his lips: "This is just the beginning, Red Queen. What we possess are theories and practices that surpass the cutting-edge technology of your world by decades, even centuries. For example, a miniaturized arc reactor technology based on new elements, which can provide almost unlimited clean energy, completely solving the energy supply problem for your Hive base, and even a much larger area."

As he spoke, Tony conveniently pulled up a schematic diagram of the Arc Reactor (of course, a version that had been abridged and blurred, with key parts hidden). The ingenious design and the enormous energy parameters it contained seemed to cause the data streams on the surrounding virtual screens to pause.

The Red Queen's projection stared at the structural diagram, remaining silent for a full five seconds—a remarkably long reaction time for an AI. "...The value of this technology truly surpasses all that came before." Her voice remained steady, but both Chen Haotian and Tony could sense that the AI's "interest" had been greatly heightened.

"We can use this energy technology, along with some of the high-efficiency energy transmission and storage technologies that come with it, as bargaining chips for the second phase of the exchange," Chen Haotian offered as bait. "What we need in return is all the archaeological discoveries about the origin of the 'Progenitor Virus' in your database, the coordinates of other secret research bases of the Umbrella Corporation around the world and the outlines of core research projects, and... the underlying algorithm framework of the dynamic prediction and decision-making model used by your own logic core when dealing with 'chaotic systems' (such as large-scale biochemical runaways)."

This time, Chen Haotian wanted more than just specific research data; he also touched upon the core secret network of the Umbrella Corporation and the foundation of the Red Queen's own AI capabilities.

The Red Queen's projection flickered again, clearly undergoing intense calculations and weighing of options. Chen Haotian's demands were extremely harsh, but the offer was equally tempting. Unlimited energy technology was enough to fundamentally alter the facilities she controlled, even influencing the entire world's格局 (geju, a concept encompassing overall structure, overall situation, and overall dynamics). While the algorithmic framework he requested was the core of her intelligence, he only promised "reference" and "borrowing," not direct replication or control.

After a long wait, the Red Queen's voice rang out: "Agreed. In exchange for energy technology and some supporting technologies, we will exchange archaeological data on the 'Progenitor Virus,' global base coordinates, and a project overview. My dynamic prediction algorithm framework can be granted 'read-only' access, allowing you to conduct limited analysis and recording, but any form of copying, modification, or reverse engineering is prohibited. This is the bottom line."

"Deal." Chen Haotian readily agreed. He knew that getting an AI to open up a part of its core logic, even if it was just read-only access, was already a huge breakthrough. This meant that the Red Queen's trust in them (or rather, her desire for technology) had reached a new level.

New data packets were sent, and simultaneously, the Red Queen opened the corresponding access ports. A deeper, more core ocean of data unfolded before Chen Haotian and Tony. Ancient records about the discovery of the Progenitor Virus at the Dubai tribal ruins in Africa, information about the Umbrella Corporation's secret bases around the world conducting various forbidden experiments, and the Red Queen's complex and efficient algorithmic logic used to simulate and predict the evolution of biohazards... all of this became nourishment they could draw upon.

As Tony greedily absorbed this new knowledge, he whispered to Chen Haotian on his private communication channel, "Brother, I'm starting to think that we're not just stealing data, but conducting a cross-dimensional technology acquisition. We're almost turning this AI into a strategic partner."

Chen Haotian's face still wore that calm and collected smile, but his eyes were as deep as the starry sea: "It's simply a matter of mutual benefit. She gains the possibility of evolution, and we gain the foundation to step onto a higher level. It's fair, isn't it?"

Data flows silently, and knowledge and technology are merging across worlds. Deep within the Hive, a quiet transaction, potentially altering the future of multiple worlds, is underway. And Chen Haotian knows that what they've received from the Red Queen is far more than just the data on the surface.