chsdbacks Chapter 134 Laboratory Establishment
Chapter 134 Laboratory Establishment
Three days after signing the technology-sharing agreement with Wayne Enterprises, Chen Haotian stood in front of a special passageway on the fifteenth basement level of the Wayne Building, watching workers move the last batch of equipment inside. The joint laboratory was quite discreetly located in the underground connecting level between the Wayne Building and the adjacent financial building; its entrance was cleverly disguised as an ordinary equipment room.
"Bruce is really cautious." Tony walked up from behind, holding the lab's blueprints. "This location not only avoids Wayne Enterprises' main surveillance areas, but also deliberately avoids the Batcave's regular patrol routes."
Chen Haotian took the blueprints and glanced at them: "He wants to observe us closely, but he doesn't want us to know his real secrets. Very much in line with Batman's style."
Nick Fury emerged from the shadows, a glint of magic in his single eye: "I've searched the entire lab area and found no obvious surveillance equipment. But given Bruce Wayne's character, he must have other ways to monitor us."
"It's alright." Chen Haotian stepped into the lab. "Let him see what he wants to see, we'll do what we're supposed to do."
The laboratory's interior was quite spacious and divided into several functional areas. The most prominent was the central energy research area, where core equipment transported from Stark Tower had already been installed. To the left was the magic research area, specifically for analyzing the energy properties of Amazonian artifacts. To the right was the biotechnology area, equipped with the latest medical equipment provided by Wayne Enterprises.
"Lucius is really generous." Tony stroked the brand-new lab bench. "These devices are the latest developments from Wayne Enterprises; some of them aren't even available at Stark Industries."
"They want to gain our trust by offering the best terms." Chen Haotian walked to the energy research area and activated the test device for the Ark Reactor. "Let's get to work. First, get the basic equipment working properly."
Over the next few hours, the three of them got busy. Tony was in charge of debugging the energy equipment, Chen Haotian organized the research data obtained from Wayne Enterprises, and Nick Fury set up a protective barrier in the Magical District.
At 2 p.m., the automatic door to the laboratory slid open, and Lucius Fox walked in with several technicians.
"I hope the conditions here will meet your research needs." Lucius looked around the already well-established laboratory. "If you need any additional equipment, please feel free to contact me."
Chen Haotian looked up from in front of the holographic projection: "The conditions are excellent. However, what I'm more concerned about is, when can we begin researching those special items?"
Lucius smiled slightly. "That's precisely why I'm here today." He gestured to the technicians behind him to place a metal box on the lab table. "As per the agreement, Wayne Enterprises is opening up a portion of the collection to you. This is the first batch."
Chen Haotian opened the metal box, inside which were three items neatly arranged: a Krypton fragment emitting a ghostly blue light, an Amazon bracelet engraved with ancient runes, and a jet-black meteorite fragment.
"This meteorite..." Chen Haotian keenly sensed the special energy fluctuations emanating from the meteorite.
"It came from a meteorite that crashed in Kansas," Lucius explained. "Our research has found that it can suppress the powers of certain individuals with special abilities. Considering your research focus, you might find it interesting."
Tony walked over and scanned the meteorite with his detector: "Interesting energy signature, like some kind of radiation... wait, could this be..."
Chen Haotian stopped Tony from continuing with a look. He knew what it was, of course—Kryptonite, Superman's weakness. Bruce's sending this item was clearly a test.
"Thank you for Wayne Enterprises' generosity." Chen Haotian calmly closed the metal case. "These items are indeed very helpful to our research."
Lucius nodded. "Also, Bruce wants to remind you that while the lab's security level is very high, Gotham always has some...unwelcome visitors. I suggest you strengthen your security measures."
"We will." Chen Haotian shook hands with Lucius. "Please thank Mr. Bruce for his concern."
After Lucius left, Tony immediately asked, "That meteorite, could it be...?"
"Kryptonite," Chen Haotian confirmed. "Bruce is testing whether we understand the secrets of this world."
Nick Fury approached, a wary glint in his single eye: "He suspects we know about Superman's existence."
"That's not all." Chen Haotian opened the metal box, took out the Kryptonite, and examined it closely. "He's testing our understanding of this world. If we demonstrate familiarity with Kryptonite, it's tantamount to admitting we know Superman and his weaknesses."
Tony frowned: "So what should we do?"
"Continue the research, but don't show any particular interest." Chen Haotian put the kryptonite back in the box. "Focus on the kryptonite shards and the Amazonian artifacts. Wait until Bruce thinks we've 'accidentally' discovered the properties of kryptonite before showing any reaction."
Over the next few days, the work in the laboratory proceeded smoothly. Chen Haotian and Tony focused on studying the energy properties of the Kryptonian fragments, while Nick Fury attempted to decipher the magical principles of the Amazonian artifacts.
"This energy structure is incredible." Tony looked at the rotating energy model in the holographic projection. "Kryptonian technology is far more advanced than Earth's, yet their energy source is so...simple."
Chen Haotian adjusted the parameters of the energy detector: "The Kryptonians use stellar radiation as an energy source. If this technology could be integrated with the Arc Reactor, it might solve our energy compatibility problem between the two universes."
On the other side of the laboratory, Nick Fury was carefully applying magical energy to the Amazon bracelet. The runes on the bracelet gradually lit up as the magical energy was infused, emitting a soft golden glow.
"Amazing..." Nick Fury murmured, "The magical rules contained within this bracelet are completely different from those in the Marvel Universe. It's more like a... blessing, rather than magic as we understand it."
Chen Haotian walked over and observed the changes in the bracelet: "Different universes, different rules. That's why your magical abilities manifest differently in the two universes."
A week later, late at night, Chen Haotian was the only one left in the laboratory. He stood in front of the central control console, watching the data scrolling on the screen. The initial fusion experiment of the Kryptonian fragments and the Arc Reactor showed encouraging results, but the energy fluctuations were still unstable.
The lab door slid open silently, and Bruce Wayne walked in. He was dressed simply in a shirt and trousers, looking like he had come on a whim.
"I hear your research is progressing well." Bruce walked to the control panel, his gaze sweeping over the data on the screen. "Lucius has been full of praise for your efficiency."
Chen Haotian showed no surprise: "Technological integration is more complex than expected, but the overall direction is correct."
Bruce's gaze fell on the metal box beside him: "Any discoveries about those collectibles?"
"The energy properties of Kryptonite shards are very unique, and we are trying to understand how they work," Chen Haotian deliberately avoided the topic of Kryptonite. "The magical energy within the Amazonian artifacts is also of great research value."
Bruce nodded and asked casually, "I'm curious, what are your thoughts on the current state of Gotham?"
Chen Haotian keenly sensed that this was another test: "Gotham is like a volcano waiting to erupt. The surface is calm, but dangerous energy surges within."
"A very apt analogy." Bruce's gaze sharpened. "So, how do you plan to deal with a possible...eruption?"
"Prevention is better than cure." Chen Haotian met Bruce's gaze. "The technology we're researching might come in handy at a crucial moment."
Bruce paused for a moment, then took a small data storage device from his pocket: "This contains some unpublished research data from Wayne Enterprises on clean energy; it might be helpful to you."
Chen Haotian took the memory device: "Thank you. This is indeed very valuable to our research."
After Bruce left, Tony emerged from the shadows: "He's been watching us. During our conversation just now, he tried to get information out of us at least three times."
"As expected." Chen Haotian inserted the memory into the console. "But he also gave us what we really needed. This research material will greatly speed up our progress."
Nick Fury also came from the Magic Zone: "The magical barrier detected a faint energy fluctuation; Bruce is carrying some kind of invisibility device."
"Let him see." Chen Haotian began browsing the data in the memory. "The important thing is what we're actually researching, not what he thinks we're researching."
In the days that followed, the laboratory's research made groundbreaking progress. Chen Haotian successfully fused the energy properties of the Kryptonian fragments with the Arc Reactor, developing a new type of energy core. Nick Fury also gradually mastered the magical principles within the Amazonian artifacts, gaining more precise control over his magical abilities.
A month later, on the day of acceptance testing, Lucius brought Wayne Enterprises' technical team to the laboratory. Chen Haotian showed them the test results of the new energy core.
"Incredible..." Lucius looked at the test data. "Energy output efficiency has increased by three hundred percent, and the stability far exceeds expectations."
"This is just preliminary result," Chen Haotian said. "If we continue research, there may be even greater breakthroughs."
Lucius nodded with satisfaction: "Wayne Enterprises has decided to increase its investment in the joint laboratory. Bruce has specifically instructed that your research be fully supported."
After seeing Lucius off, Tony couldn't help but chuckle, "They were completely absorbed in the new energy core and didn't notice the real progress we're making in our magical research."
Nick Fury conjured a ball of golden magical energy in his hand: "My research into the Amazonian artifacts has given me a deeper understanding of the rules of magic in the DC Universe. I can now reliably use magical abilities in both universes."
Chen Haotian looked at the operating equipment in the laboratory, a thoughtful glint in his eyes: "The laboratory is now on track; it's time to consider the next step of the plan."
As night falls, Gotham's lights flicker in the distance. In this hidden underground laboratory, three individuals from another universe are quietly altering the technological and magical landscape of this world. And they know this is only the beginning.