Just as Harry was promoting ctOS, Norman was also canvassing for votes everywhere.
Mississippi.
"A few months ago, Aliens crashed onto my head. They literally crashed onto my head, right here."
Norman pointed to the top of his head towards the crowd below, and laughter erupted from the audience.
"It hurt a lot, but thankfully I was wearing a helmet—helmets are very important; they prevent accidental injury and protect the most important part of you."
Norman pointed to his head.
"But on the day the attack happened, not everyone was wearing a helmet. In fact, you could say that we, the entire United States, weren't wearing our helmets properly."
"We need a better defense mechanism to protect ourselves."
"Not just to protect the United States, but to protect this fragile blue Planet."
"And so-called protection is definitely not launching nuclear missiles at our own cities—especially when we don't even know if it will work."
"The World is changing, and we should be prepared for it. This preparation isn't as simple as painting a suit of armor in the colors of the Stars and Stripes."
Just as Norman was halfway through his speech, the huge electronic billboard behind him was hijacked.
A video in the style of the 1940s or 50s began playing, featuring a cold-looking man wearing sunglasses as the protagonist.
"Some people think I am a Terrorist, but I consider myself a mentor."
"United States, get ready for a lesson."
Norman spread his hands towards the crowd below and rolled his eyes at the big screen.
"Here we go again," Norman continued, "You see, guys like this are the ones who should be monitored, but the CIA knows nothing about it and instead monitors our own people and allies."
"Yeah!" a bearded, burly man shouted from below to hype up the atmosphere, "The only thing they can do is give that thing called War Machine a new paint job. Pathetic!"
Boos erupted.
Norman smiled and continued: "The day the Aliens attacked, many citizens put on powered exoskeletons and fought alongside us. I really don't know why the Pentagon is so panicked."
"Heroes are right here among us; these Terrorists are nothing to fear."
Unlike other places, in places like Georgia, the voters are mostly rough and rugged.
Even though the big billboard behind him was still blabbering on, they weren't afraid at all.
"And Norman Osborn, you have rejected my teachings. I wonder what you will be like when my people come for you."
"Without those high-tech gadgets, without those bodyguards, unarmed, can you really have an equal conversation with me?"
The scene quieted down.
This part was newly added; previously, it was only targeted at President Ellis.
Norman was completely unfazed: "Interesting. I would actually like to meet him face-to-face, but unfortunately, he is nothing but a Joker hiding everywhere."
"Haha, I like the way you talk, Osborn, but do you dare to have an old-fashioned showdown with me?" A big-bellied man stepped out of the crowd, showing off his thick arms, looking like he wanted to arm-wrestle.
This guy looked like he was nearly two meters tall, with a build like a WWE wrestler, and in particular, he was wearing a cowboy hat.
The people here were the type who loved to watch the excitement, and everyone started jeering and cheering.
Norman smiled: "Are you the strongest one here? Is there anyone stronger than him?"
"I am the strongest here, what do you say? Regardless of the outcome, as long as you dare to have a showdown with me, all my good brothers will vote for you."
"Your cowboy brothers?" Norman stepped down from the podium, and the bodyguards not far away tensed up. "Relax, I like cowboys."
"Fine, let's find a spot."
The two found a table, sat down, and locked hands.
The strength in Norman's enhanced hands was measured in tons; let alone beating this burly man, beating everyone here wouldn't be a problem.
Was Norman really going to beat this burly man? Of course not.
The burly man quickly exerted force, discovering that this refined entrepreneur's strength was not weak at all, and both of their faces quickly turned red.
However, the scales of victory inevitably tilted towards the burly man, and after holding on for nearly a minute, the burly man achieved victory.
"Wow! The winner is the burly cowboy!"
Norman pulled back his hand. "You're really strong, big guy."
"You are the one who is much better than I imagined; this Osborn is a real man! That's more like it. I was just wondering if you would put on your fancy suit!"
After arm wrestling, these cowboys wanted Norman to stay for a beer, but Norman declined.
"Finally, I want to tell this Terrorist."
Norman said to the camera: "I am not afraid of you. I am right here. Just as you said, you are nothing but a jerk who attacks the elderly, women, and children. In New York, Illinois, and Tennessee, we have already built defensive lines. Soon, the entire United States will be connected as one, with no more weaknesses."
"And you, no matter where you are, I will drag you out—get ready to bury yourself."
This scene spread across the entire internet, with the headline "Norman Osborn provokes The Mandarin."
Ending the speech, Norman made a call to Connors.
"Dr., how is the project going?"
On the other side, Connors was calibrating the high-tech prosthetics on Alex.
"Very well, but I saw the recent news. The equipment on him needs to be reinforced for heat and blast resistance."
"Good, complete the plan as soon as possible."
Alex's left hand and left foot had already been completely replaced with high-tech prosthetics, and these prosthetics were more tightly connected to his body.
Every one of his movements transmitted brain activity data back to the laboratory. Not just him, but all subjects participating in the Apollo project were the same.
This data would facilitate prosthetic upgrades and the development of brain science.
"Dr., I have to say this feels a bit strange—one side is mechanical, the other is flesh."
Alex moved his limbs.
His body had been injected with a protein complex, a project Harry had isolated from the Spartans enhancement technology, used to enhance muscle strength.
Injecting a small amount of this complex could strengthen Alex's body, and the probability of side effects appearing was also much lower.
"That's why we need to balance the strength on both sides of your body."
These prosthetics were not just prosthetics; with the input of commands, sheets of armor extended from the prosthetics and then covered his limbs, spine, and head, just like the mark armor.
Besides enhancing the strength of the other side, the mechanical data transmitted back also allowed Connors to better research and think about what to do next.
Semi-biochemical, semi-mechanical enhancement was actually not as unified and harmonious as pure mechanical or pure biochemical modification, but it allowed researchers to have a better understanding of both technologies.
After the armor covered him, Alex felt much better.
"Am I Iron Man now?" Alex looked at the cool outer armor in disbelief.
"Strictly speaking, no. You don't have repulsor cannons, jetpacks, or micro-missiles on you."
"I know, I know, Dr. There's also no big glowing battery on the chest. I just think this is cool."
Connors smiled when he heard this: Actually, there was such a piece of energy.
"David will like it," Alex stroked his mechanical body.
David was his son. Upon hearing this name, Connors was stunned: "Is your son's name named after the robocop crew?"
Alex smiled embarrassedly: "Yes."
Connors thought this man was quite interesting; his own name was the same as the one in the movie, and he had given his son an identical one too.
But now he was indeed "robocop".
"Now your equipment is fully activated. Your left prosthetic hand is equipped with a modified Cobra venom, which is a neurotoxin. It is non-lethal, but it will make enemies instantly lose consciousness."
Alex raised his left hand, and a targeting box appeared in his field of vision. It looked like it was auto-targeting.
"If nothing goes wrong, this should be the next generation of law enforcement ammunition. Use it boldly, robocop," Connors said.
Bang!
Alex fired the ammunition at the dummy.
-------------------------------
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