NOVEL NEXT Chapter 28: 28
I tried to convince Fury to use my new optics that would soon be on sale in less than a week once we nail down a production facility but he wasn't willing. Even though Fury wasn't interested that didn't mean others weren't in fact without much advertising it quickly became one of the most trending topics all over. The main reason was that with Thoris and Cortona's assistance, we were able to drive down the overall cost significantly while remaining cutting-edge.
Although I lacked the ability to mass produce such a product that didn't mean others couldn't. This caused a flurry of activity in the production industry as bidding wars took place on which companies would be allowed to manufacture the product. The four front runners were Lex Corp, Stark Industries, Wayne Enterprise, and Hammer Industries. Even though Hammer Industries was one of the top competitors they didn't seem to be truly fighting for the contract. Instead, it appeared they were just keeping their name in the spotlight for PR purposes and driving up the price of the contract to hurt the competition. It was a scummy way to do business but one that benefited me so I didn't care.
The business side of things wasn't the only benefit great scientific minds began to reach out as well. Individuals like Reed Richard, Hank Pym, and Lucius Fox. Although someone like Reed could have figured it out eventually he was never someone to focus on such issues unless it affected him or those close to him. As for Hank he never displayed interest in this area of expertise as his focus is on shrinking and ants which is why I was a little surprised to see him take such a keen interest in our work. I don't think I need to explain to Lucius he is usually too occupied with Batman's gadgets.
Unfortunately, not everything is good as Cortona has been constantly fending off hackers from all over the world. One of the worst came from an annoyingly smart girl in Wakanda as she constantly changes her strategy after every defeat. At first, she just wanted to peek into our work but now she has become addicted to trying to get inside our systems and unravel how Cortona was developed. At least that is what Cortona has told me the Wakandan didn't originally believe the info about Cortona but after encountering she became obsessed. It has gotten so bad that Cortona asked me to get her to stop not because she couldn't handle it but because it was eating up a lot of attention. Which is why I am now on a video call forcefully opened with Shuri.
"So care to explain why you are harassing my AI by trying to break into our systems?"
Shuri: How did you hack into Wakanda's systems that should be impossible!?
"I am literally from a dimension far more advanced than this world it was possible from the very beginning before you even tried to hack into our systems. Though I am shocked that you piece that together yourself as it is public knowledge"
Shuri: Then I guess you weren't full of shit after all
"And you have yet to answer my question unless you are implying that your doubt is the reason but that would be petty now wouldn't it?"
Shuri: I think that you are a snake you pretend to care for humanity but have yet to do anything significant to prove that
"Have you ever considered that I was studying your world? Assessing it to determine it's worth? You wouldn't just hand out gifts to others you don't know except everyone to play nice, would you?"
Shuri: You have many valid points but I don't trust you. You seem like a swindler I don't know what your end goal is but I will figure it out. If you can prove me wrong find this emperor of mankind you always preach about maybe then you could convince me
Without another word, she cut off communication from her end. I guess not everyone was as accepting of my bullshit as I had believed, although it was disappointing that I couldn't bed her with my charm. Hopefully, I could change her mind in the future, but it will be difficult.