Chapter 108: The Beginning of Catching Up to Cosmic Civilizations
Without saying much else, Harvey teleported back home. In the blink of an eye, he returned, holding various gravity devices that Sonya had helped him purchase.
"I'll be staying on Earth for a while, taking it easy," Harvey added. "Once you've sorted everything out and are ready to leave, just give me a call."
Placing the equipment on the ground, Harvey waved and left.
After Harvey had gone, J.A.R.V.I.S. quickly scanned the strange-looking devices and spoke up, "Sir, based on my scans, I'd advise against activating these devices in the lab. The sudden changes in gravity could destabilize the area, causing significant damage and delaying your research."
"Yeah, I figured. Manipulating gravity… that's probably a foundational element of building spacecraft," Tony mused. He crouched down and opened the crates, staring intently at the bizarre contraptions inside, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
One of the major hurdles in human space exploration is the inability to effectively manipulate gravity. That's why astronaut selection is so rigorous. Solving the gravity problem wouldn't just mean untold riches — though Tony wasn't hurting for cash these days — it would also revolutionize space travel.
If Tony could figure out how to reverse-engineer these alien gravity devices, it could lead to breakthroughs in spaceship development. Right now, humanity's grasp of these technologies is limited by materials and knowledge. But with real alien tech in front of him, Tony could start analyzing and replicating them. Even if the first versions weren't perfect, they'd give him a solid foundation.
Invention often springs from a sudden flash of genius, but more frequently, it requires painstaking research, deep knowledge, and a wealth of experience. Having existing technology to study made everything much easier — like standing on the shoulders of giants.
Compared to the advanced civilizations of the cosmos, humanity was still a child. But with the right tools, they could start growing up fast.
After handing over the equipment to Tony, Harvey returned home and took a much-needed bath.
"Sonya, could you prepare some tea for me?" he called out casually, only to be met with silence.
A glance around reminded him that he was back on Earth, and Sonya wasn't here. She had been taking care of him for nearly six months, and Harvey had become used to it.
Chuckling at his forgetfulness, he let his golden armor dissolve, revealing a relaxed, casual outfit. He hopped in his car and decided to head out for a bite to eat.
Driving around New York, Harvey eventually ended up in Chinatown, where he ordered some of his favorite dishes. Word had already reached S.H.I.E.L.D. that Harvey was back on Earth, and agents were under strict orders to steer clear of his whereabouts.
Though no one knew exactly where Harvey had disappeared to for the past few months, Nick Fury had made it clear to avoid provoking him at all costs. There were ways to handle other super-powered individuals, but Harvey was an entirely different beast — one who operated outside the confines of law and morality. He was dangerous, and Fury didn't want S.H.I.E.L.D. caught in the crossfire.
Their last encounter had ended peacefully only because Coulson had managed to make a decent impression, and Tony Stark had put in a good word. But if things went south again, Fury wasn't sure if even Captain Marvel could step in.
After finishing his snack, Harvey spent the afternoon driving around New York, unwinding. In his time on Xandar, his focus had been on growing his strength. Even back on Earth, he'd been planning how to get Tony into space.
But now that those pieces were in motion, Harvey allowed himself to truly relax for the first time in a while.
Cruising through the city, he eventually attracted the attention of a few women. After some playful exchanges, Harvey, feeling a bit nostalgic, picked out one who was not only beautiful but also had the right mix of looks and personality.
Unlike his time on Xandar, where he maintained the guise of Kassadin and held back from indulging in physical pleasures, Harvey was now free to embrace his old lifestyle.
The next day, Harvey woke up around noon. After one last intimate moment, he handed the woman two million dollars, severing any lingering ties.
Money was no issue for Harvey. Stark Industries alone funneled him two to three hundred million every month. He could easily blow through half a million a day and still not make a dent in his income.
He wasn't one for unnecessary complications. Better to keep things simple than to let a fleeting connection become a source of annoyance.
For the next twenty days, Harvey indulged in a carefree routine of eating, driving, and meeting new women. The life of a wealthy man, with no responsibilities to tie him down, was both simple and extravagant.
During this time, Sonya reached out with updates from Xandar. Many visitors had come, hoping to meet Harvey, but most left after a few days without seeing him, dismissing his teachings as a scam. Only eight people remained, undeterred by the wait.
Some had even started spreading rumors that Kassadin's island retreat was just a ploy to swindle them out of money.
Sonya had sought Harvey's advice on how to handle these naysayers. Harvey, however, was unfazed. He was confident in the strength of his teachings and knew that the Void's power wasn't for those who were impatient or quick to judge.
If people didn't have the patience to wait a few days, how could they be trusted with the immense power of the Void? In Harvey's mind, such individuals would likely misuse their abilities, breaking the teachings' rules and causing trouble down the line.
Eliminating these threats would be easy, but it wasn't worth the hassle. Harvey's goal was to build a following of people with the right temperament — individuals who wouldn't crumble under pressure or be corrupted by power.
He might not have the strength to reshape the universe just yet, but he could still choose the right allies.