Standing in the alleyway, Harry spoke up:
"Long story short, first thing's first: I want you to come to Osborn for a physical examination. At the same time, because what happened to you was an illegal human experiment, the authorities will finalize your new identity."
This condition was already very good for Luke—though a reduced sentence and being subjected to human experimentation might not be equal, one always has to look forward.
Besides, the implications of human enhancement technology were self-evident. He had even prepared himself to be dragged back for human research, so when he heard this condition, he suspected he had misheard.
Luke asked with some confusion, "That's it? No other conditions?"
Harry nodded. "That's it. I've seen the records of the experiments conducted on you. Overall, it was a disaster—academically speaking."
Luke continued to ask, "But how can I trust that you won't lock me up there for slice-and-dice research?"
Harry was amused. "Are you serious? Mr. Cage, if Osborn wanted to deal with you, you'd already be a corpse by now."
Luke Cage's "invulnerability" was only against conventional weapons. What did Harry have? Gauss rifles, high-energy lasers, plasma blades...
Let alone Luke Cage's skin, even the Abomination's body would be sliced and minced.
Luke wasn't a fool either; he only asked the question out of habit—just like when powerful villains in movies confront the protagonist, they always ask something like that.
Considering the disparity in their strength, refusing would bring him nothing but harm. Honestly, there was no choice to make, so he nodded.
Harry was satisfied with Luke's cooperation and continued, "The second thing: the situation in the Harlem District is too poor. Have you considered doing something for this place? Or perhaps doing something for your minority brothers?"
Hearing this, Luke didn't react immediately.
Harry's idea was to build Luke Cage up as a representative for minorities, just as the U.S. government had built up Captain America. Norman would also need a minority representative to help him stabilize the domestic situation.
After all, minority votes are still votes.
As everyone knows, the United States is a nation of immigrants, with a complex racial composition and unique circumstances.
Due to historical issues, these minorities find themselves in an awkward social class, unable to access more resources. Consequently, they can only resort to illegal activities at the bottom of society.
But the more illegal things they do, the more they are looked down upon. The more they are looked down upon, the less they can access resources. Relying on this adversarial nature to separate themselves from other groups, they cling to so-called "gang culture," barely surviving here.
Yet, they are still citizens with voting rights. In the end, these minorities can still elect their own representatives, who in turn are inextricably linked to gangs.
Corporations elect a group of representatives, and gangs elect a group of representatives; essentially, there's no difference. It's just that if the gangs want to enter Congress, they'll have to work a bit harder.
Once gangs go legitimate, they can become enterprises that live off crime in private while appearing completely legal on the surface. But obviously, that's difficult.
Criminal industries don't pay taxes. No taxes mean Congress's pockets aren't very full, and if Congress's pockets aren't full, it means they can give less to Osborn—
So, this problem still needs to be solved; otherwise, the only option would be to find a way to get Congress to legislate that criminal activities must be taxed.
Luke Cage thought for a while and said, "I once had a friend who said the same thing, but I just want to be an undisturbed ordinary person living an ordinary life."
Harry said, "I like your mindset, but your brothers don't think that way. I give them opportunities to learn and to have a proper job, but they always insist on starting gangs.
Did you know? Over 60% of young Black men in the Harlem District have a criminal record, yet the President doesn't mind giving them a chance.
But they—spending their relief money on wine and women, showing no initiative—I must say, this patience will run out sooner or later. What will they do then?
I must remind you, Mr. Cage, you might be 'invulnerable,' but if these brothers of yours participate in criminal activities, a single bullet can send them to the afterlife."
Luke said with some irritation, "Why does it sound to me like you're using the lives of these brothers of mine to threaten me?"
Harry shrugged—believe it or not, I can absolutely do it.
All it takes is for ctOS to raise the danger assessment level for these guys by one notch, and officers definitely won't ask a single question before firing—after all, if they're slow to shoot, they might be the ones heading to the afterlife.
In the past, someone might have hesitated at such an approach or even felt the sting of conscience afterward, but not anymore.
ctOS has already decided for them; they are merely the executors.
Harry said, "Anyway, I'm making this proposal to you because I think you have the qualities of a leader and won't bother me with some nonsensical human rights issues. You can think about it."
Luke clearly felt that this Osborn was a far cry from the image he had imagined, and he was full of doubts about Harry's proposal.
So he asked, "Why did you think of this? I mean, you don't look like someone who's doing this out of some noble ideal."
Hearing this, Harry laughed. This big guy's intuition was quite sharp.
"Because they aren't willing to engage in productive work, nor are they willing to undergo training to join the military. They spend all day here engaging in shady gang activities, which makes things very difficult for my father and me.
And you should see the kind of nonsense those Black representatives proposed at the state legislature last year—I'd rather they discuss working hours than hear them use anti-discrimination as an excuse to debate idiotic proposals like 'Chinese people don't need money, so their subsidies should be given to Black people.'
I hope you can make your brothers broaden their horizons a bit and clear their heads—even if they don't want to study, going into rap would be a hundred times better than looking into this stuff, you know what I mean? At least that can be considered artistic creation."
Harry felt he was talking unexpectedly much about the Black community—but in reality, there were just so many problems. He only hoped this Power Man, who supposedly had "charisma not inferior to Captain America," could get the minorities to cause fewer headaches.
In fact, this situation had already started appearing in these neighborhoods lately; some people even wanted to rush into Osborn stores to steal civilian exoskeletons. Of course, Osborn wasn't going to give them the chance for a 'five-finger discount.'
"Anyway, that's my proposal. Tomorrow at noon, come to the Osborn Tower, and don't forget our deal. I shouldn't need to tell you where the Osborn Tower is, right?"
Luke pursed his lips and nodded. "We usually call that place 'The Fortress.' I'll be there on time. I hope you're a man of your word."
Harry waved his hand and turned to leave—the smell in this place was just too awful.
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