In addition, inside a certain top-secret research institute, they lavishly used components made from secondary kryptonite. Thanks to that, an engine model that had been locked away in storage for years, dismissed as useless only because its design was too far ahead of its time, finally produced an experimental prototype.
Testing of that prototype was proceeding in an orderly fashion. Based on the data obtained so far, the success of this over-advanced engine allowed their aviation industry to overtake on the curve, far surpassing the publicly acknowledged top-tier engines of every country.
There was only one key problem.
The synthetic material for several of the most important components actually came from abroad!
It was the product of Zod Heath, the century-defying genius who had recently become famous among the upper-middle circles!
This meant that the output and supply channels of this critical metal were controlled by others.
For any mature force with ambition and decisiveness, this was absolutely unacceptable. It would make them desperate to get it under their own control.
"That secondary kryptonite really is good stuff. You have no idea, a lot of research institutes have caught the scent lately. They're applying to me every day."
"It's gotten to the point I don't even want to answer calls."
"I know it's good, but where am I supposed to get secondary kryptonite to give them?"
"The fact that Zod Heath hasn't restricted exports already is pretty decent. The biggest share still gets taken by the U.S. More than anything else, if the U.S. decides to clamp down, then there won't be any secondary kryptonite at all."
"So Fifth, you need to work harder on your end!"
"Even if you can't get the formula or the manufacturing process, it'd still be best to trade for more."
The middle-aged man with glasses, the one being called "Fifth," sat by the window at the round conference table. Hearing that, the corner of his mouth twitched, but he didn't dare argue. He could only say quietly, "Minister, I'll do my best…"
At this stage, most people in the upper circles already knew that secondary kryptonite alloy could be used to make tools with miraculous effects, drastically improving the efficiency of high-level technicians.
A national strategic asset.
But under deliberate concealment, only a tiny number of major figures and top experts in related fields knew the truth.
Secondary kryptonite's effects did not stop there.
As a new alloy whose material performance far exceeded the upper limits of existing human materials science, its existence allowed humanity to manufacture truly era-defining technological products. They would no longer be illusions in a well, no longer mirages on water. For the first time, they had a real, tangible possibility of being achieved.
That alone was enough to make every major power use any means necessary to obtain it.
As more and more factions acquired secondary kryptonite through various channels, research institutes and tech-capable corporations worldwide went crazy over this new material.
Some mad scientists even shouted that if you gave them enough secondary kryptonite, they could make nuclear fusion a reality.
Of course, that was obviously exaggerated. The problems of fusion weren't just materials issues.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be "always fifty years away."
Naturally, Tony Stark, Zod Heath, and the nearly successful Otto were special cases.
But without a doubt, secondary kryptonite could greatly raise the upper limit of many technologies.
Beyond making processing tools, using this new alloy in key components could even make it possible to bring certain next-generation blueprint equipment into reality.
Even if such next-generation equipment could not be mass-produced as a result, it was still an enormous boost to technological strength.
That was also why Zod Heath was seen as a century-defying genius. If not for certain considerations, he would have already become the Father of New Materials.
Zod Heath naturally understood what changes his secondary kryptonite would bring to humanity's materials field and beyond. That was why after he developed original kryptonite and AA-grade kryptonite, he did not choose to sell them. New materials were enough to overturn humanity and spark a Fourth Industrial Revolution. Even the predicted Fourth Industrial Revolution of AI robots would be overturned.
However, an industrial revolution that came too fast would have an enormous impact on the world. The benefits were real, but the drawbacks were also huge. Zod Heath couldn't just dump everything out at once.
As for the U.S. restricting exports of secondary kryptonite?
Believe it or not, the moment other countries that had tasted the benefits of secondary kryptonite formed a coalition and sanctioned the U.S., what then? No matter how strong you are, can you fight the whole world?
The same logic applied to War Machines. In fact, Blade Technology Industries' products had already begun selling worldwide. It wasn't quite on Umbrella Corporation's fantasy-level scale, but in terms of sheer size, there was already no company that could compare.
Under Zod Heath's instructions, Black Queen quickly located the U.S. "Poseidon" aircraft carrier plan.
Blade Technology Industries had currently delivered around ten tons of secondary kryptonite. Zod Heath was closely watching where that batch went. He always felt there was something off about the "Poseidon" aircraft carrier plan. Luckily, in the realm of networks, Black Queen had no rival. Even if Ultron appeared later, he still wouldn't beat Black Queen. U.S. firewalls and technicians couldn't even detect that Black Queen had already broken in and begun browsing those top-secret files.
"Flying aircraft carrier?"
What Zod saw was only the plan's summary. The detailed materials were likely stored as paper files, or even kept with no written record at all, relying on specific personnel to memorize the information.
But even with just the phrase "flying aircraft carrier," Zod had a guess.
"Project Insight?"
Zod tapped the desk.
If they intended to use secondary kryptonite to build a flying aircraft carrier, then it made sense.
This was the millennium era. Project Insight had indeed already been initiated. Three super helicarriers would require an astronomical quantity of secondary kryptonite, unless they only planned to plate the outer armor.
HYDRA really was impressive.
Zod, of course, wasn't going to stop them. It would let him make a fortune. And besides, did super helicarriers pose any threat to a Kryptonian?
Even if he didn't imitate some idiot and ram warships with his head, electromagnetic force alone was enough to twist those three helicarriers into pretzels. They posed no threat at all.
"Urd, adjust the price of secondary kryptonite. Say our output is limited. From now on, it's 10,00010,000 dollars per gram," Zod said.
He felt the original 8,0008,000 dollars per gram was too cheap. Since it was HYDRA, the U.S., and S.H.I.E.L.D. footing the bill anyway, he might as well raise it.
Urd nodded. In fact, she also felt secondary kryptonite should go up in price. After all, lately she'd been hearing endless good news driven by secondary kryptonite.
The influence of this new alloy was only now quietly emerging. Compared to War Machines and the AIDS miracle drug, it was even more impactful.
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