84: Organization's Building

"Knock? Does this lab even have a door? It's all glass," Lyon said as he walked over.

"What are you up to? Why the special cover-up? Is it specifically to keep me out?"

"Judging by the shape, this is your new suit of armor, right? I didn't see you bring it back when we returned."

Curious, Lyon reached out to lift the black cloth, but Tony quickly slapped his arm down with a chop. "Hey!"

"Step back! Stay away from my baby! Keep at least three meters away!" Tony spread his arms protectively like a mother hen guarding its chicks.

"What's the deal?" Lyon tapped his finger against Tony's chest. "Are you pulling this routine now? Did you forget I have X-ray vision?"

Tony straightened up and sneered, "X-ray vision? Go ahead and give it a try!"

Lyon raised an eyebrow and activated his X-ray vision, but to his surprise, he couldn't see through the black cloth.

Stunned for a moment, he realized what was happening. "Wow, really? You coated the cloth with lead? Are you planning to make a Superman Buster suit or something?"

"You're wrong there," Tony crossed his arms and smirked. "An anti-Superman suit is coming in the future, but this one... this armor will definitely exceed your expectations."

"So before its official debut, I absolutely can't let you take even a peek!" Tony said with utmost confidence. "Just wait for it. When the day comes for the Ten Rings to challenge us, you'll be as shocked as a frog jumping out of a well for the first time!"

"So, about a month from now?" Lyon glanced at the humanoid figure covered by the black cloth.

"Well, I'll look forward to being truly amazed rather than just amused," Lyon said with a smile.

Tony waved dismissively. "So, what did you come here to talk about? If there's nothing important, go ahead. I still need to keep working on this suit."

"Tomorrow, I plan to take little Sherry to New York," Lyon shrugged. "I just wanted to see if you wanted to come along, but it looks like you're too busy."

"New York? Going to your new office building?"

"Yep, I'm going to see Natasha, get Sherry her official documentation, and introduce her to the Widow team."

"I don't mind, but yeah, I can't go tomorrow. Just give my regards to the girls for me."

Tony paused for a moment and added, "One last question—after tomorrow, is Sherry going to be called Stark?"

"No, she'll still be called Birkin," Lyon shook his head. "Even though her parents weren't great, that surname is her only connection to her past and present."

"I can't just cut Sherry off from everything that came before, even if we're in a new world."

"It would be like denying the first twelve years of her life, which would be terrifying," Lyon remarked.

"Hmm... it's hard for me to argue with you on this one," Tony nodded. "I never imagined the rebellious bad boy would be so empathetic."

"Who's the rebellious one in this house? Are you sure you're not talking about yourself?" Lyon threw a parting shot at Tony, showing him the back of his head as he headed upstairs.

...

The next morning, Lyon and Sherry, after finishing breakfast, flew to New York.

As they soared through the clouds, little Sherry couldn't stop screaming and exclaiming in excitement. Finally, they landed on the rooftop of a 30-story office building in Franklin District.

Once on the ground, Sherry jumped up and raised her hands in excitement, cheering, "That was amazing! It felt totally different from being on a plane! Can we do it again, Big Brother? Let's fly like this when we go back!"

"Haha. No problem, no problem," Lyon said, swiping his card to open the alloy door on the rooftop. "On the way back, we'll fly as long as you want."

As they stepped inside, the building's electronic system chimed in.

"Welcome to New Tech Tower, Master Lyon," said a sub-system of JARVIS that managed the building's operations.

"New Tech Tower? Was this building previously owned by a company called New Tech?" Lyon asked, leading Sherry into the elevator.

"Yes, before you acquired it, this building belonged to New Tech Light Industry Manufacturing Company," JARVIS responded.

Lyon had decided that the newly established organization needed a public headquarters in New York. Considering that the city might face countless future crises, Lyon had just randomly chosen this building — not too tall, not too short — for its practicality. It was a standard office building, and if it ever got destroyed, he wouldn't feel too bad about it.

As for all the acquisition processes and the subsequent renovation work, Natasha had handled it, leading the Black Widow team with JARVIS's assistance.

Today was Lyon's first time stepping inside.

"Is Natasha here in the office today?" Lyon asked.

"She's currently in Tennessee dealing with Pioneer Tech, sir."

"Oh right! I almost forgot after spending several months in the Resident Evil world. She did mention that she was planning to acquire Pioneer Tech under Stark Industries."

Lyon patted his forehead. "How's she doing? Does she need any help?"

"Miss Natasha is currently engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the company's president and is unable to respond to your inquiry at this time," JARVIS reported.

"The acquisition process is this violent? I really came at the right time..." Lyon muttered, glancing in the direction of Tennessee.

His gaze pierced through layers of obstacles, seeing Natasha delivering a downward kick that sent Killian sprawling across the ground.

"Yikes, that must hurt," Lyon murmured.

"Without having injected the Extremis virus, Killian is no match for Natasha," he concluded, no longer paying attention to the fight. Dealing with an underdeveloped Pioneer Tech was child's play for Natasha and the Widow team.

"So?" Changing the subject, he asked, "How many people are in the building now?"

"There are currently 140 agents in the building working on renovations, sir," JARVIS replied.

Only Lyon would think to use the most elite agents for something like renovating an office. But the Widow team seemed to enjoy it. After all, this building would soon be theirs to use.

The building renovations were being handled entirely by the Widow team. Not only could they shape the space into their own desired vision, but they also experienced the satisfaction of being in control. It was a win-win.

Lyon still vividly remembered from the movies that when Yelena simply changed the button style on a jacket once, she cherished that jacket deeply because it was the first time she had ever tasted freedom in her life.

"Half of the Widow agents are here, huh? They really enjoy renovations," Lyon remarked with a chuckle. He then asked, "What about Yelena? Where is she?"

"Miss Yelena is currently painting a mural on the first-floor lobby, sir," JARVIS responded.

"A mural?" Lyon's head filled with questions. "Let's head to the first floor and take a look. By the way, was there a mural in the original renovation plans?"

"There was not, sir," JARVIS replied promptly. "It was Miss Yelena's idea for the first floor."

The elevator began its descent.

Sherry has been holding Lyon's hand quietly, observing the surroundings with curiosity, and silently writing down the names mentioned by Leon.

Soon the elevator door opened.

Before he even stepped out, a mural with red and blue as the main color came to his face.

It was a Superman cartoon.

The Superman in the painting has a similar face to Lyon, but he wears a traditional uniform, which is to wear underwear outside.

Lyon's head immediately shut down.

"Big Brother Lyon, that's you! You look so handsome! But why are you wearing your red underwear outside?" Little Sherry asked out aloud.

________

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