Volume 8: The Fourth Impact Chapter 30 We generally call it the "Cage of the Wise"
Fox Nest, a research institute under the Council of Hope.
Mason has never been here, and there is very little information about this place even in the Star Society system, but the smartest group of people Mason has met in his parallel world adventure so far basically come from here.
The research team composed of Tony No. 7, Supreme Beast and the legendary God-like people. These true geniuses who were gathered from various worlds do not need to fight, nor do they need to worry about the existence of themselves and their families. Their life security is the highest level in the entire council system.
Basically, if they want something, they just need to make a report and someone will come immediately to meet their needs.
Tony No. 7, who has the most interactions with Mason, has joked more than once that after the impact, the quality of life of people like them not only did not decline because of the doomsday, but improved a lot.
This fully proves that talents are not only valuable in the 21st century, they are also the highest-end resources at all times. However, those who enjoy such high-standard benefits naturally have to bear heavier responsibilities than others.
The only reason Fox Den exists is research.
The organization conducts necessary research on impact events and all areas related to them. Since its establishment 17 years ago, it has produced many amazing results.
For example, the large star map of parallel worlds used by the current exploration system of the Star Society, and the World Gate, the most important carrier for these pioneers to travel between the worlds. The body of this thing was designed and produced by the first group of researchers in Fox Nest.
In addition, just like the logistical duties performed by Team K in the current Resistance Alliance, Fox Nest also undertakes the mission of designing various weapons for the soldiers in the Conqueror system and providing military advice when necessary, as well as the overall maintenance of the Cleaner Corps with numerical advantages and the upgrade and iteration of the cannon fodder soldier production line.
If the Council of Hope is the "brain" of the entire system, then the mysterious organization Fox Nest is the thinking center of this brain.
Precision, professionalism, rationality, efficiency and other praise words can be used to describe this organization, but conversely, cold-bloodedness, cruelty and ruthlessness are also its synonyms.
For example, in the preparation stage of an impact, they only need to modify one data in the analysis report they submit to the Council, which can cause multiple worlds to be strategically abandoned.
The resources at the disposal of the Council of Hope are enormous, but the organization cannot choose to save everyone when a decision is needed.
Of course, as the impact situation enters the "deep water zone", as the cruel world battle royale is about to come to an end, as the number of worlds surviving the impacts decreases and the strength of the existing individuals becomes stronger and stronger, the "good days" of the Fox Nest scientists are also over.
Tony Seven did not fully reveal to Mason the serious situation they were facing.
The fact is that a major review has already begun in the Fox's Nest.
Since five days ago, research groups have been continuously disbanded, and many researchers have had their identities revoked on the grounds of "wasting resources" and "low value."
Those who are luckier will be sent to a garden world or assigned to the Cleaner Corps as staff officers, while those who are unlucky will be dragged out on the spot.
The researchers at Fox Nest are angry but dare not speak out against this treatment. Although they have achieved remarkable results in other fields, they have made little progress in the most important mission that Fox Nest was supposed to undertake when it was established.
In seventeen years, they have hardly come up with any timely and effective response to the shock.
If you don't do your job well, you will naturally not be so confident when facing layoffs.
“I have created more than 30 highly effective war weapons for the Conquerors! I have participated in the design of the Pioneer Star Chart! I have made contributions to the Council!
You can't do this to me!
My project is perfect! This is shameful academic suppression! My experimental results prove that I only need a few more resources to develop a response to the impact... ah! "
When Tony No. 7 finished meeting with Mason and changed back into his researcher uniform and walked into his work area, he heard a pig-slaughtering howl as soon as he entered the door.
That was the voice of M.O.D.O.K. 4, its piercing sound signature very recognisable.
Tony No. 7 blinked, made himself a cup of coffee and walked over to watch the excitement. Many researchers who worked together in this experimental area had gathered here.
They looked with different expressions at MODOK 4 who was being forcibly taken away by the Fox Nest guards.
The big-headed intelligent robot had energy-limiting devices on his hands and was placed on a suspended trolley in a very awkward position. He was put on a blue device to block out the sound of the noisy robot.
Many guards in white armor were cleaning up this guy's laboratory. All kinds of data were downloaded and backed up and then the originals were destroyed. They were busy, and judging from their skillful movements, it was not the first time they had done this.
Tony Seven took a sip of coffee.
The relationship between Tony and the MODOKs has never been good, but seeing his old rivals in the research field being treated like this makes this prodigal genius feel a little sad.
"Isn't M.O.D.O.K. 4 in charge of the 'Impact Shield' project? I remember that project had a high priority. How come it was suddenly…"
He whispered to Amadeus Zhao No. 8, who was clenching his fists beside him. The latter curled his lips and replied softly:
"That project was cancelled. The Pharaoh team in charge of reviewing it submitted a report after several tests, believing that it was impossible to produce an ideal 'impact shield' with our current technological level, and continuing the research would only be a waste of resources.
I heard that they arranged new work for the MODOK team and wanted to transfer them to the Conqueror Sequence as staff officers, but these arrogant guys refused.
I heard that they had a conflict with the Pharaohs, and now they have been captured and imprisoned to await trial after the attack is over."
"Another waste of resources? That's a terrible excuse."
Tony No. 7 narrowed his eyes and looked at MODOK No. 4 who was taken away. He whispered:
"The feasibility of their project is obviously very high, and everyone agrees on this point. I think the reason behind this matter is not that simple..."
"Shh, now is the time for you to learn to shut up, if you don't want to go to the detention room with M.O.D.O.K."
A familiar voice sounded behind Tony Seven.
He looked back and saw that it was Beast Hank in a white coat with the emblem of Utopia on his chest, representing his true identity.
The supreme beast.
His status in Fox Nest is higher than researchers like Tony No. 7. He is also a member of the review committee responsible for evaluating the work results of his peers. At this moment, he is holding a very sophisticated tablet in his hand as if on patrol.
"The Fourth Impact is approaching, and everyone is under great pressure. I don't think you have time to stand here and mourn for the suffering of others."
Hank looked around and said in a tone that was neither light nor heavy:
"Have you finished your research? Have you written your reports? Has your paper been approved?"
It was like a classic speech by a mentor to his graduate students, causing the researchers who were watching the excitement to disperse immediately. Some people even complained about these "bastards of the review council" in a low voice behind their backs, but no one dared to say it out loud.
"Come with me."
The Supreme Beast said to Tony Seven, and his businesslike tone made Seven's heart skip a beat.
He followed Hank to his work area. This mechanical laboratory full of futuristic technologies was filled with various styles of armor and weapon models.
This is Tony 7's specific job in Fox Nest. In addition to being responsible for front-line observation when an impact occurs, he also needs to provide personalized upgrade suggestions to Conqueror Sequence armor users on weekdays.
He is more closely tied to the "War Engineer" and Conqueror sequences, so he is not worried about being "unemployed" in a short period of time.
"In ten minutes, a group of Fox Den Guards will be here with you."
The moment the door of the laboratory closed, Hank didn't waste any time and said directly to Tony No. 7:
"The crime you were charged with is 'disturbing unity'. As for why you were arrested at this time and the real reason for your arrest, I believe you know it.
You've been in contact with that guy a little too often, and you've been going to Osborne Tower a little too often, but don't worry about this involving your companions.
The other Tonys are clean and they are able to stay here to complete your project."
"whispering sound."
Tony No. 7's heart sank, but he didn't seem to care and just curled his lips and said:
"So, I was implicated by Mason?"
“Pretty much. Because of his recent activities, the Council has labeled all information and personnel related to him as unstable factors.
The connection between you and him is very secretive, and they can't get any solid evidence, but in the current situation it's somewhat unnecessary to talk to the board of directors about the rules.
I guess after this impact is over, Fox Nest will be officially closed.
The resources provided to us have already enabled them to achieve sufficient results, and they also need to allocate resources reasonably to cope with the more brutal game ahead.”
The Supreme Beast glanced at the tablet in his hand and said slowly:
"I'm just here to remind you. If you have any 'contraband' in your hands, get rid of it immediately, or you'll be caught and executed on the spot."
"Thank you."
Tony No. 7's face turned serious. He put down his coffee cup and turned on the quantum computer beside him. He inserted the hard drive given to him by Mason and uploaded all the simulation data about the cosmic tuning fork to the backup database of Tony's army. Then he began to delete the world fusion theory model that Tony and his team had previously made for Mason.
This scene made the Supreme Beast behind him narrow his eyes.
Especially after seeing that the world fusion theory that had been openly abandoned by Utopia was pushed to the next stage by Tony's army, he breathed a sigh of relief without showing any emotion.
That was the method that the mutants had come up with to deal with the coming of the doomsday in this era, and it was the result of the hard work of everyone in Utopia.
"I say, has the situation become so serious?"
Tony No. 7 asked in a low voice while he was busy:
"If there is no Fox Nest, how will those stupid and crazy congressmen prepare to deal with the troubles that come next? This impact is not the end. Are they ready to give up?
Or are they going to continue with their stupid 'End Star' plan?"
“Neither.”
Hank coughed and said:
“They just decided to act.”
"action?"
Tony No. 7 was stunned for a moment, then asked back:
"That's a scary thing to think about, Hank.
You see, I'm about to be arrested, and it's unknown whether I can leave the detention area alive, so I want to ask you a very important question, and I hope you can give me an answer.
Everyone in Fox Nest has the same questions as me about the projects that were recently canceled.
For example, the impact shield developed by the MODOK team was the result of research that lasted for twelve years and was repeatedly verified in two impacts.
Their idea is definitely feasible! Moreover, they successfully protected 28 colliding garden worlds in the third impact. The design is basically complete and only needs to be fine-tuned to become a conventional defense system and be adopted.
But just as they were about to complete the final revisions, the project was terminated. You say that MODOK is wasting resources, but in fact, I think you are the one who is wasting resources. "
"First, let me correct one of your mistakes."
Hank waved his hand and said:
"The MODOK team has completed the design modification, and the impact shield project has been successfully completed. The full set of data and drawings have been uploaded to the Council's Doomsday Database.
Secondly, the reason why the MODOKs got into trouble was not because of their design, but because they joined the small group formed by Ronan, the commander of the sixth sequence of the Conquerors, half a month ago.
They are asking for trouble.
Just like your private contact with Mason, they probably anticipated the end of Fox Den and wanted to find a new owner. Unfortunately, they chose the wrong partner.
It was just a 'fishing expedition', and the M.O.D.O.K.s and some lower-level councillors were the fish that were caught."
"I'm not interested in the fate of those mechanical heads! That's not what I want to ask."
Tony No. 7 completed the data deletion. After entering the command to format the database, he stood up, picked up his coffee cup, and turned back to Supreme Hank and said:
“I want to talk about the project itself!
Since I joined Fox Nest three years ago, I have seen too many promising projects suddenly come to nothing at some point. It seemed like normal academic deliberation, but now I think that this was not normal.
Tell me honestly, does the Hope Council have the same "salvation plan" as Mason? I mean at least the kind that is feasible in theory!"
This question made Hank silent. After a few seconds, he nodded and said:
“Yes , and more than one.
The 'Pocket Universe' project proposed by the Fantastic Four sixteen years ago, the 'World Dimension Upgrading Quantum State' plan completed by Hank Pym fourteen years ago, the 'Era Survivors' life enhancement experiment promoted by Bruce Banner eleven years ago, and the ancient project that has existed since the birth of Fox Nest.
The 'New Gods Breeding' experiment that avoided the impact by simulating the fourth dimension where Apokolips was located, and even the Speed Force Matrix that Mason submitted not long ago.
These projects have all been tested on a theoretical level, they can all be called 'saving plans', and each one has an estimated success rate of no less than 10%. "
"but……"
Tony No. 7's eyes widened. He said:
"But I've never heard of this! If they had a plan , why did they just sit there and... Wait! Where are those people? Where are the researchers who came up with a possible solution?
They were all…"
"Waste of resources, obstruction of unity, worthlessness, uncontrollable tendencies, militarism, dictatorial tendencies, etc."
Hank looked at Tony No.7 and said quietly:
"Why do you think these ridiculous charges, which can't even fool their own people, are placed in the research institution of Fox Nest? MODOK, who was just taken away, and you who are about to be taken away, will witness the final fate of those outstanding talents with your own eyes.
Tony, listen to me, the dark ages brought about by the impact are never a simple technological issue.
I have personally witnessed the birth of the Council of Hope. From the moment it was born, this organization was no longer simply trying to survive the apocalypse and be reborn.
People like Mason just want to end the disaster.
Others who saw the 'opportunity' wanted more.
This cosmic era is about to end, but it does not prevent the birth of a monster Leviathan that will devour doomsday resources to grow and dominate the next era.
You must have heard the saying that chaos is the ladder to power.
They have already climbed up, so why would they destroy the ladder that could lead them to a higher level with their own hands, just to save a group of people they don't even know?
Why?
Is it just because the innocent people are pitiful?
Kindness and conscience are luxuries in this era.”
"They have so many plans but are unwilling to implement them, just for this ridiculous reason?"
Tony smashed the coffee cup in his hand to the ground, and he shouted angrily as the debris flew everywhere:
"Then what is the value of our existence here?"
"The greatest value of Fox Nest is to prevent our wisdom from being used by others. We often ridicule the Garden World as a pig farm, but isn't Fox Nest also a 'smart fish tank' in the hands of the Council?"
Hank glanced outside the laboratory and saw the Fox Nest guards in white armor walking towards them.
He shook his head and said to Tony No.7:
“Didn’t I say that?
We are the ladder in their hands. Those guys who want to play the role of savior have already stepped onto the altar, so naturally we have to take away the ladder to avoid competition from latecomers.
But don't worry, Tony.
They may be good at monopolizing and creating darkness, but they are novices on the road to salvation, and there are people who have already started earlier than them.
Wait patiently in the cell and never choose suicide.
I guess you and I will have the opportunity to witness the wonderful scene of the collapse of the dark altar built by our wisdom, just as the stars have just collapsed.
That must have been a great scene.”
The moment the guards opened the door of the laboratory, Hank coughed, reached out and tore off the researcher badge on Tony's chest. He said to the angry Tony in a cold voice:
"Tony Stark No. 7! You will be sentenced to imprisonment and await trial for obstructing unity! Do you want to plead guilty? This is your right."
