"As you command, Master." Ego's voice gradually faded away, as if it had never been there.
Homelander then reached out and pressed the communication button by the bedside.
"Skynet."
"I am here, sir." Miss Skynet's virtual image manifested in the void.
"How is the progress of the experiment on Hope's side?" Homelander got straight to the point.
"Progress is severely hindered, sir," Skynet reported truthfully.
"Due to your Enlarging and Shrinking Lamp technology being too advanced and complex, Ms. van Dyne needs time to fully grasp the technology and perfectly integrate it with the stable characteristics of Pym Particles."
"This requires massive calculations and countless trials and errors; it's difficult to complete the closed loop in a short time."
Homelander rubbed his chin and said, "So, has the original formula for the Pym Particles been obtained?"
"What was obtained is incomplete, sir," Skynet replied.
"Ms. van Dyne did indeed take over all the data from Dr. Hank Pym, but she has never displayed the complete formula on the lab's internal network system."
Skynet pulled up several surveillance recordings. "Based on the phased progress of the experiment, Ms. van Dyne manually inputs parts of the code and formula step-by-step on an independent, closed workstation for fusion testing."
"She completes the entire critical process independently and clears the data cache immediately after the experiment. She protects the complete formula with airtight security."
Homelander watched the surveillance footage and nodded slightly.
This was normal. For a strategic-level technology like Pym Particles, no clear-headed scientist would reveal it unreservedly to subordinate researchers, let alone allow it to leave traces on a network server that could be hacked at any time.
Hank Pym had spent his whole life preventing others from stealing his technology. As his daughter, Hope's vigilance in this regard was only higher.
"It seems I'll have to make a trip to San Francisco personally."
...
West Coast of the United States, San Francisco.
Vought International Branch, Cutting-Edge Physics Lab.
This lab possessed Vought's highest security clearance, with all access rights directly controlled by Skynet.
Hope van Dyne was standing in front of a massive circular instrument, focused intently on adjusting a series of parameters.
The instrument before her was the 'Gulliver Tunnel' combined with the Pym Particle formula; it was currently flickering with highly unstable arc light.
"Adjust the frequency compensation of magnetic field generator number three..." Hope quickly issued commands into her headset.
"Ms. van Dyne, the decay rate of the Pym Particles has exceeded the threshold. The quantum channel cannot maintain a stable state," a researcher reported loudly, looking at the alarm on the screen.
"Then increase the energy output of the proton collision! Force it to stabilize!" Hope gritted her teeth and persisted.
"But this will lead to resonance overload, the experiment could become dangerous..."
"Do as I say!" Hope interrupted the researcher, her tone resolute.
She had no time to waste. To help her, Daniel was trapped in the Quantum Realm, his fate unknown.
With every second delayed, his Hope of survival grew slimmer.
Just as Hope was staring intently at the energy bar.
*Beep—*
The airtight door of the laboratory opened from the outside.
"Ms. van Dyne."
Manager Mary walked in.
Hope's eyes were fixed on the jumping data on the screen as she spoke without turning her head.
"I'm very busy right now, Manager Mary. If it's documents regarding the budget or material sign-offs, leave them on my desk. I'll look at them later."
Mary walked to Hope's side, maintaining a professional smile.
"It's not administrative matters, Ms. van Dyne. A high-level executive from Group Headquarters wants to see you."
"Refuse him," Hope said succinctly. "I don't have time for any form of business socialing."
"I suggest you go see him, Ms. van Dyne," Mary did not leave despite Hope's refusal. "This executive has immense authority; perhaps he can provide you with some unexpected help."
Hope frowned, staring at Mary's steady, smiling face.
During her time working at Vought, she had found Mary to be an extremely special presence.
She was nominally the laboratory manager, but her power was immense. As long as it was her decision, she received timely feedback almost every time, with no one interfering.
Since Mary said this person could help...
For Daniel.
Hope bit her lip and finally compromised.
"Where is he?"
"Please follow me."
Hope took off her lab coat, casually tidied her hair, and followed Mary into a dedicated elevator.
*Ding—!*
The elevator doors opened.
"Please go in, Ms. van Dyne. He is waiting for you inside," Mary made a gesture of invitation.
Hope nodded and stepped into the spacious and bright reception room before her.
At the end of the reception room stood a tall figure seen from behind.
He was facing away from the door, looking down at the view of San Francisco Bay.
It was a deep blue combat suit and a striking stars and stripes cape.
Hope's footsteps suddenly halted.
She looked at that charismatic back in shock.
"Homelander?"
Hearing the footsteps behind him, the figure slowly turned around.
"Good afternoon, Ms. van Dyne." Homelander revealed a smile full of approachability.
Hope stood in place, her heart filled with shock.
She never imagined that the high-level executive Mary mentioned who could help would be this Homelander, who had just saved the Earth and was revered by all of humanity as a God Among Men.
Regarding Homelander, Hope's perception had always been quite good. During the doomsday crisis, he was the one who saved all of humanity.
Especially after she learned that Daniel had a deep personal friendship with Homelander, she felt a natural sense of trust.
"Oh... good afternoon, Homelander." Hope stepped forward somewhat stiffly.
"I didn't expect the group executive coming would be you."
Homelander smiled and stepped forward, pointing to the leather sofa nearby.
"Please sit, Hope. There's no need to be so formal here. I am Daniel's best friend. I believe you are as well."
Hearing the name "Daniel," Hope's eyes couldn't help but turn slightly red.
Homelander sat on the sofa opposite her, withdrew his smile, and his gaze became somewhat sorrowful.
"I heard about Daniel's situation." Homelander sighed. "Daniel is not just my subordinate; he is my most trusted family."
"We once endured countless nights side-by-side in the laboratory. You were what he talked to me about the most, Hope. Bar none." Homelander's words were full of nostalgia.
Hearing this, she couldn't help but recall the scene of their affectionate confession on the beach.
Tears finally couldn't help but slide down.
"Prompt! Gained special popularity value +5000! (From Hope van Dyne)"
"It was I who dragged him into this..." Hope sobbed. "He shouldn't have ended up like this..."
Homelander pulled out a tissue and handed it to her.
"It's not your fault, Hope. That's Daniel; he is always willing to give everything for the person he loves."
"Thank you, Homelander. Daniel often mentioned you to me; he said you are a true hero."
After Hope finished wiping her tears, Homelander began to get to the main point.
"Hope, Mary reported the situation of the Gulliver Tunnel project to me. I know your experiment has hit some bottlenecks and progress has stalled."
"Yes, Homelander." Hope nodded. "The technology of the Enlarging and Shrinking Lamp is very precise. I tried to fuse my father's Pym Particles with it, but there is still a rejection reaction in the underlying architecture of quantum mechanics."
She spread her hands helplessly: "I still need time for testing."
"Time is exactly what we lack most right now." Homelander looked directly at Hope. "Every second Daniel spends in the Quantum Realm is an extra second of danger."
Hope's fingers couldn't help but tighten on the corner of her clothes.
"That is why I am sitting here today." Homelander threw down his bargaining chip. "I want to be fully involved in this experiment."