Not only that, Iron Man also discovered that the arc reactor on the blueprint didn't use palladium anymore, but rather an element called zirconium.
Obviously, in another parallel future timeline, he had already solved the palladium poisoning problem and synthesized a new element.
Zirconium.
Unfortunately, the blueprint only had zirconium's symbol Zr, without the synthesis method. This new element still required Iron Man to synthesize it himself.
But that didn't stop Iron Man from starting production of the Mark 7 immediately.
"JARVIS!"
After a quick scan of the blueprints, Iron Man ordered JARVIS, "Model based on these blueprint parameters, replace the arc reactor's element with palladium, and run a full feasibility check!"
JARVIS immediately executed the order without hesitation. In front of Iron Man, projections of Mark 7 armor parts began to appear one after another.
Eventually, those projections perfectly combined to form a complete Mark 7 armor.
"Verification complete, sir, no issues detected." JARVIS reported promptly.
"Good!"
Iron Man was very satisfied. So this blueprint could be used directly, saving him a lot of time.
Knowing that the Chitauri invasion would come in a few years, time was the most precious asset for Iron Man now.
"JARVIS, start production according to the blueprint!"
Without wasting words, Iron Man gave the command.
JARVIS was a mature AI, so no worries there. Iron Man now focused all his energy on solving the palladium poisoning problem.
...
At the Triskelion Building.
After returning from the Arctic, Nick Fury had been busy nonstop.
Captain America's defrost and revival, Winter Soldier investigations, upgrades to the joint dark energy base's security, investigations on key figures discovered during the briefing, and other future-related preparations...
Nick Fury was completely swamped.
"Sir, as always, they erased every trace. We haven't uncovered anything."
In the office, Black Widow reported seriously to Nick Fury.
Nick Fury nodded; he wasn't surprised. The Winter Soldier had been active for so many years but still seemed like a ghost.
Many intelligence agencies doubted his existence; his operations were just that clean and efficient.
Tracking someone like that? Easier said than done.
He never had high hopes to begin with.
"How's the Captain's condition?" Ignoring the Winter Soldier for the moment, Nick Fury glanced at Black Widow and asked.
"The Captain's body is gradually recovering. I believe he'll wake up soon." Black Widow replied.
Knock knock!
At that moment, a knock came. Coulson stood outside holding a folder.
"Sir, I'll take my leave then." Black Widow greeted Nick Fury and left the office.
Coulson placed a stack of personnel files on Nick Fury's desk.
These were files of people matching the portraits.
"Sir, these are the people with high matching portraits, but unfortunately, they're all ordinary civilians. No wizards."
As Coulson opened the files and reported, Nick Fury flipped through them.
"Max Millrod, a middle school teacher in the Bronx; Stephen Strange, a neurosurgeon—wow, this guy's a genius..."
There were seven people total, all matching the portraits to some degree. After a glance, Nick Fury tossed the files on the desk.
"Are all the people here?" he asked Coulson.
"All here, sir." Coulson confidently answered, "Maybe he's like Batman and hides his identity."
"Or maybe he's not yet a wizard. Coulson, the Endgame should happen in over a decade, right?" Nick Fury added.
"Makes sense, sir." Coulson nodded in agreement.
"So you know what to do?" Nick Fury asked matter-of-factly.
"Of course, sir, I do." Coulson replied immediately.
What else? Everyone would be under strict surveillance. Any trace, report immediately.
As a top agent, Coulson needed no further orders from Nick Fury.
After Coulson left, Nick Fury finally sat down to relax, stretching to relieve fatigue.
After a short break, Nick Fury stood up again, heading to Stark Tower.
Post-briefing, there were many things to discuss with Iron Man.
Most importantly, upgrading the joint dark energy base's security level—no room for mistakes.
Without delay, Nick Fury headed toward Stark Tower.
...
What Nick Fury didn't know was that a conversation was taking place in Alexander Pierce's office on the top floor.
"Sir, although Iron Man's appearance was unexpected, we still could have succeeded."
Crossbones reported seriously to Alexander Pierce.
Hydra's mole had already reported Iron Man's appearance to Winter Soldier, and they had fully prepared.
Those grenade launchers and an extra squad were specifically to deal with Iron Man.
"So... what exactly caused the mission failure?" Pierce took off his glasses and looked down at Crossbones.
"Romanoff Natasha." Crossbones answered.
"Black Widow?" Pierce nearly laughed, "If that's your excuse, it's a poor one. We both know Black Widow can't affect the battle."
"Sir, I thought so too." Crossbones said seriously, then shifted tone, "But at that moment, Black Widow knocked Winter Soldier unconscious and unable to fight."
"They seized that critical moment to steal our aircraft, leading to our total defeat."
"Yes, sir, the main culprit behind this failure is Black Widow."
Pierce was stunned. After a long moment, he said seriously, "Report everything that happened back then, leave no detail out."
"Remember, every detail!"
(Note: The new element isn't named explicitly in any movie; zirconium here is my own creation, and some can create and send me cover for fanfic novel on my patreon. )
(End of Chapter)