Every weld mattered.
Su Xun swiftly completed the soldering work, then picked up the newly crafted chip and ran a power test.
"No issues. Next step—plug it in and start coding."
He removed the chip and walked into the workshop, where a second-hand computer—purchased from a nearby factory—waited. Powering it on, he retrieved a chip adapter and carefully inserted the chip, connecting it via the USB port.
[Ding—Unknown program detected. Block?]
Ignoring the alert, Su Xun clicked No and entered the chip's programming interface. There, he began writing the code for the JARVIS-like AI system.
Enhanced by his augmented cognitive clarity, Su Xun's programming speed and technical proficiency bordered on the monstrous. Within just half an hour, he had completed an entire intelligent system.
"Phew. Done!"
He let out a breath of relief, grabbed a pack of hand-torn bread, and washed it down with a swig of mineral water.
Refreshed and full, Su Xun prepared to activate the system, initiating the link between the AI and his Iron Battle Suit. But just as he was about to begin, his phone rang.
He glanced at the encrypted number on the screen and smirked slightly. "Must be them."
He answered, "Hello."
A deep, confident male voice responded. "Hello. My name is Chen Jin. Judging by your voice, you must be quite young."
Su Xun knew the name. Chen Jin was a senior figure in the Hua'an Alliance and the commander of Z City's allied forces.
"You're calling to triangulate my location, aren't you?"
A red alert lit up on his phone screen:
[Location trace successfully intercepted.]
"Of course not," Chen Jin chuckled. "You're a cautious one, aren't you?"
"Let's talk cooperation."
"Very well. I won't beat around the bush. We want to work with you. And we want you in the Alliance Army."
"Do you want the Iron Man... or me?"
"We want the suit. But more importantly, we want the mind that built it."
Su Xun spun lazily in his chair. "Then I have conditions."
"Name them," Chen Jin replied, without hesitation.
"I'll send you a list."
"Go ahead."
Before he could finish the sentence, someone entered Chen Jin's command office with a sheet of A4 paper in hand.
"General, you've got a fax."
Chen Jin took it. As his eyes ran down the list of items, a laugh erupted from his chest. The clerk beside him blinked in confusion, then quietly backed out of the room—stealing one last glance at the general who couldn't stop laughing.
"You crafty little fox. I couldn't hack your phone, so you hacked the entire Z City Command Center?"
But his voice held no anger—only admiration.
"If you can fulfill the conditions on that list," Su Xun said with a smile, "I'll consider joining the Alliance Army."
"You want your identity kept secret. That's fine. We'll list you as a teenage genius, public record and all. But the rest of this..."
Chen Jin paused for a moment.
"You want a lab big enough and materials sufficient for your needs—but how do we know what those needs are?"
"You give me everything I ask for. If you can manage that, I guarantee every soldier in the Alliance will be equipped with a battle suit."
"I'm guessing you've got more up your sleeve than just that suit."
"Correct. The insectoid invasion is just the beginning. One day we may face even more terrifying beasts. That's why I'm preparing to build mechs and warships to match."
"Excellent!" Chen Jin declared without hesitation.
They hadn't spoken for long, but Su Xun had already won his admiration. This young man was precisely the kind of ally he'd been looking for.
"As long as you don't waste what we give you, you can have whatever you want."
"Deal."
With enough materials, Su Xun could upgrade his suit far beyond the capabilities of Stark's original MK50.
He cast a glance at the iron battle suit resting on the lathe, lips curling into a satisfied smile.
"Pleasure doing business."
"When can you come?"
"You give me the location, and I'll be there."
"Alright. But let me make one thing clear in advance. If you want to enter the research institute, I have no objections—and I can even arrange for the largest facility they have. However, the old folks there aren't as easy to deal with as I am. True, I placed them there, but if you don't measure up and they kick you out... well, there's nothing I can do."
"That's not going to happen."
Before Chen Jin could finish, Su Xun cut him off.
"Good. Confidence is what I like to see in young people. Then it's settled. Tomorrow morning, report to Z City University of Science and Technology. I'll have someone escort you to the institute. However, we've never met before—how are we supposed to recognize you?"
"Tomorrow morning at eight, in front of Z City University. I'll be wearing a black shirt with fine stripes, and carrying a black wheeled suitcase. Those should be distinctive enough."
Su Xun glanced down at his clothes. It seemed this was the only outfit he owned.
Distinctive?
Chen Jin rubbed his chin. As long as they could recognize him, no point being picky.
"Alright then. See you tomorrow."
After the call ended, Su Xun gazed at the image of the Iron Battle Suit glowing on his phone screen and smiled with satisfaction.
"Next up—time to awaken my AI system."
He turned to the computer, moved the mouse, and launched the "JARVIS Intelligent System" program. A moment later, a translucent humanoid figure appeared on the screen.
[Sir, welcome to the JARVIS Intelligent System. Delighted to be of service. Would you like to rename the system?]
Rename?
Not a bad idea.
"Rename."
[Awaiting your voice command, sir.]
"Nikola."
Nikola Tesla—his favorite physicist.
[Renaming complete. Nikola is honored to serve you.]
"Good."
Su Xun nodded, then carefully removed the chip that stored Nikola's program from the computer. It was already fully integrated. Now came the final step: implanting it into the battle suit.
With the chip in hand, he approached the suit, opened the helmet, and inserted it. He had already installed a semi-intelligent energy management system in the helmet—now, he simply needed to integrate Nikola's program into it.
Turning back to the computer, he gave his command.
"Nikola, synchronize the factory's smart systems with the Iron Battle Suit."
"Understood, sir."
[Beginning synchronization: 1%...]
[50%...]
[100%. Synchronization complete.]
"Excellent."
Su Xun retrieved the chip from beneath the helmet.
"Conditions here are limited. Once I'm at the institute, I'll be able to upgrade Nikola using their supercomputer."
He looked around the space, a familiar sight that stirred a tinge of emotion.
"A full year," he murmured.
It had been exactly a year since he sold his weapons on the black market, earned enough money, and bought this factory on the outskirts. Since then, it had become his secret lab of black technology—and more importantly, his home in this world.
He felt a trace of reluctance to leave. Before departing, he decided to give the place one final transformation. One day, this would become his hidden base.
Without delay, Su Xun began packing up the factory. He had already modified it extensively. Plasma weapons were installed in nearly every corner, the electrical system was overhauled, and a full security grid was in place.
Should any intruder—or creature—approach, high-voltage electricity would be discharged, and Nikola would immediately activate the defense system. The plasma weapons would then launch a coordinated attack.
When everything was finally prepared, Su Xun sat proudly in front of the computer and said to Nikola,
"So, what do you think? Isn't your creator an absolute genius?"
"Sir, you are indeed quite intelligent. However, when such words come from your own lips, it borders on arrogance."
"Nikola, is this how you speak to your creator?"
"Sir, Nikola intends no offense."
Su Xun smirked. Something about that reply didn't sit quite right.
"You've certainly inherited JARVIS's sharp tongue to perfection."
"Nikola is grateful to you, sir—after all, you are the one who brought me into existence."
...