Chapter 24 Black Tower Space Station

　　Players disguised themselves as Toppa and moved between various forces with ease. Most people would give him some respect when they saw the logo of the Interstellar Peace Company. What's more, Toppa was one of the "Ten Stone Hearts", a senior cadre of the Strategic Investment Department, with a rank as high as P45.

　　"The company's dog, do you want to come to Beloberg to beg for food again?"

　　Some people give face, and naturally some people refuse to acknowledge it. Topa is of course aware of this. They are just some stray dogs, but they are lucky enough to get an invitation from Beloberg. It seems that this place is really dilapidated and even such things can be released.

　　"I'm sorry, Master Toppa, we will get rid of him soon." The company employee nearby apologized to Topa in fear and trepidation, and immediately called on a few grassroots employees to drag the guy who disrespected the company out of the hall.

　　Bronya noticed this scene, but she just gritted her teeth and asked the Silver Mane Guard to take over and ask the person to leave.

　　Player: "As expected of the Interstellar Peace Corporation, even if it has to be reduced to a planet for patching, it is still so notorious. If the energy is not really insufficient, I really want to reproduce the grandeur of the universe-level giant company."

　　System: "If I had this ability, would I still be working for the main system here? A giant company like Interstellar Peace Corporation that can directly influence the world is not so easy to deal with. All the energy we accumulated before was used to unlock Clipper. Now Interstellar Peace Corporation is just a piece of window paper."

　　Player: "You can only have a company if you have Klipper. After all, the company is the Amber King's licker. And energy is like money. You can only get more if you spend it."

　　System: "You really don't know how expensive firewood and rice are. According to calculations, if you want to continue to use the company's tiger skin, you have to be related to these world characters in every step. Now that Batman has been almost completely taken advantage of by Beloberg, who are you going to look for next?"

　　Player: "Companies are not fully deciphered. We don't even know what Pierpoint looks like. We can only rely on other maps to recover health. Apart from Pinocchio, the only place that is most closely related to the company is the Black Tower Space Station."

　　While the players and the system were discussing how to take advantage of the characters in the world, Bruce Wayne had already brought Tim to Toppa.

　　"Hello, beautiful Miss Toppa." Bruce raised his glass with a sweet smile on his face.

　　Topa quickly recognized the person in front of him and raised his glass with the calmness of a company executive: "Hello, Mr. Bruce Wayne, I wish you a pleasant evening."

　　"I heard that the company once provided a large loan to Beloberg?" Bruce asked casually.

　　Topa swirled the liquid in the champagne glass. "The debt has been overdue for half a century. Miss Bronya wants to use the big tin man to pay off the debt. I have to say, this is a proposal that is enough to make the company excited."

　　Bruce Wayne's heart sank slightly, but he didn't show it. He just pretended to be a fool and asked, "What does the company need that immobile thing for? To make Transformers?"

　　Topa chuckled, giving Bruce face for this silly joke: "If the company wants Transformers, why would they wait for Beloberg to ask? We are eyeing something more important."

　　"What is that?" Bruce Wayne asked.

　　"Mr. Wayne, you have spent several days in Beroberg. Haven't you heard that this city has any special beliefs?" Toppa changed the subject and kept the question in suspense.

　　"Faith?" Bruce made a recollection-like expression and deliberately mispronounced a syllable: "It seems to be the guardian god Kree...what is it?"

　　"It is the Amber King Klipper, the God of Preservation. He has awakened from his long slumber and rang the bell for the next Amber Age."

　　Topa wore a mysterious smile, with the arrogance of a senior executive of the world's number one enterprise: "Everything the company does is to dedicate everything it has obtained to the great Amber King."

　　That's why the Interstellar Peace Company, which shares the same beliefs, is willing to let Beloberg go. That's why the company is attracted to the big iron man, because the Pillars of Creation are undoubtedly a miracle, and only the power of the Amber King can make him move at the last minute to protect Beloberg.

　　"Excuse me, Mr. Wayne."

　　Bruce Wayne wanted to ask something else, but the player felt that he knew enough and controlled Toppa to go and greet other people. The radiant female executive was very enthusiastic about her work and in just a short while she sent out and received a lot of business cards.

　　The lively dinner ended under the grand fireworks. The musicians' drums beat the last syllable, and the company's executives boarded the ecological spacecraft assigned to her by the company amid the crowd. Faced with such a wealthy and willful enterprise, Batman, who had just smashed a bat fighter, could only sigh in despair.

　　The actual situation--

　　Player: "Retreat, retreat! Retreat quickly! The energy is dropping rapidly! Go to other parts of this world to fill the gaps!"

　　System: "Ahhhh, I told you not to show off! Go to Africa and sell shoes to the barefoot tribe!"

　　Under the shining starry sky of Beloberg, the Great Guardian Bronya stood alone.

　　Xier is going to preside over the relocation of wanderers in the lower area. The monsters in Rivet Town have been completely wiped out. Because of trespassing into the Iron Guard restricted area, Xiluwa not only has to serve in the Belloberg Museum for free, but also has to redeem herself from her crime and resume her work in the technical department. Jeppard is still guarding Belloberg, and his main job now is to catch thieves, liars and profiteers (especially Sambo here).

　　Bronya wound up a music box and watched the little man on the box turn gently. This was one of the gifts Cocolia gave her. Was it to celebrate her birthday, academic achievement, or promotion to commander?

　　Bronya couldn't quite remember. Perhaps her mother was just in a good mood and bought this music box for her on her way home from get off work. She was so gentle and loving at that time, and the time seemed so long and unreal.

　　"You're here, Batman." Bronya spoke slowly while listening to the music of the music box. She stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, and the glass reflected Batman's reflection.

　　"Hello, Bronya." Batman whispered back, "I need some information."

　　"I will answer you as best as I can within my authority." Bronya turned around and gently closed the music box in her hand. The flickering fireworks in the night illuminated her cheeks one by one, adding a touch of melancholy to the elegant and majestic guardian.

　　"What's going on with the Interstellar Peace Corporation?" Batman asked concisely.

　　"Belloberg has just established contact with this world. I can only tell you something very brief."

　　"Half a century ago, before Beloberg was frozen, the company suddenly appeared and provided an investment to the then-prosperous Beloberg. This investment was very beneficial to Beloberg in terms of the economy at the time, so the government at the time agreed to the project."

　　Bronya recounted the past events: "The company provided a large amount of technology and materials. That was a huge loan. Even without the half-century interest, it was not something that Beloberg could easily take out now."

　　"Ms. Topa, who is here this time, is from the company's strategic investment department and is the company's most professional debt collector. If we agree to her terms, not only will Beloberg be able to write off his debts, but he will also receive strong support from the company, allowing everyone to live a better life."

　　"What conditions?" Batman guessed.

　　"It's simple. Sell Beloberg to the company." Bronya smiled bitterly. "Not only the land, resources and technology here, but also the Yalilo residents who have lived here for generations. Their freedom will be bought out from birth and they will become lifelong employees of the company."

　　"This is the true face of the original investment. The company will not play tricks before the contract is signed. Their fangs will be exposed after the contract is signed. Fortunately, they are indeed fanatical believers of Cunhu and agreed to temporarily mortgage part of the debt with the Pillar of Creation."

　　"I understand." Batman nodded and did not try to comfort Bronya because she had made the right choice and assumed the corresponding responsibilities.

　　"You came to me specially, I'm afraid it's not for this matter?" Bronya didn't care about Batman's silence. He helped so much and caused the loss of airplanes worth more than ten billion, but his personality is just a cold face. Does he have to smile?

　　Batman hesitated and told the miraculous thing that happened on the battlefield at that time: "When Cocolia threw the final meteorite, I seemed to see Klipper in that fragment."

　　Bronya's eyes widened slightly for a moment: "You have received the attention of the Star God?"

　　Batman nodded, his bat ears drawing several arcs in the air.

　　"What is a Star God?" he asked.

　　"There have always been many different opinions about the origins of the Star Gods. They are like celestial bodies with spirits. They control a huge amount of imaginary energy and fulfill their own destiny. Batman, the energy shield that Jeppard once gave us is the embodiment of the power of protection."

　　"So this power is a gift from the star god?" Batman stretched out one of his hands, feeling the power flowing through his body. As a pure human being, being suddenly blessed by a mysterious creature obviously touched his sensitive nerves.

　　He released a little bit of energy and formed a bat-shaped shield in front of him.

　　Player: He still loves bats so much, he really does, it makes me cry.

　　Bronya smiled. "No, it just means that you are practicing the will of the protector. The protector star god Klipper has been forging the crystal wall of the subspace to protect and isolate the entire world. Very few people can get his attention. Beloberg has been standing in the wind and snow for more than a dozen years, and has never received such a gift."

　　"It is rumored that the biggest dream of Fleming Lewis and Dongfang Qixing, the founders of Interstellar Peace Company, is to offer all the building materials in the universe to the great Amber King. They even reserved a position of chairman for life for the Amber King."

　　"Even though the chairman never directed the company's affairs for a single day."

　　"I've never heard of these things." Batman was a little shocked. He didn't expect that the ultimate vision of the Interstellar Peace Corporation would be so crazy. He thought they were simply trying to dominate the world.

　　"There are at least a dozen star gods in the universe, and their temperaments are different. Cun Hu is the one who is the most indifferent to humans. The fact that he looks at you probably means that he recognizes your will to protect you."

　　At this point, Bronya said mischievously, "If you want, just by being watched by Klipper, I'm afraid you can write off your fighter plane."

　　"Beloberg will have a difficult road ahead." Batman changed the subject. Although he was also a capitalist and his Wayne Enterprises actually controlled the entire Gotham, he always had an instinctive aversion to the Interstellar Peace Corporation.

　　Maybe it’s because people in the same industry look down on each other.

　　"Don't worry. We have already gone through the most difficult road. The people from the company are very generous. If they are really sure that the Pillar of Creation contains the Amber King's miracle, they will even allow us to continue to develop and use the Pillar of Creation."

　　"Fortunately, the person who came was Miss Toppa." Bronya only lowered her head to look at the music box in her hand for a short while, and when she looked up again, the black bat ears had disappeared.

　　"Wow, the famous scene is gone." The player complained.

　　System: "The last bit of energy has been received. Now we will start installing the Patch Black Tower Space Station. Please note that this installation will cause turbulence in the world line. Players are requested to comply with the safety protection rules."

　　"let's start."

　　The sun is scorching, the cicadas are chirping, the sunshine in the metropolis is as bright as her Superman, and the people here are kind and generous, which is in sharp contrast to the dark and gloomy Gotham next door.

　　In front of the Daily Planet building, under the huge model of the earth, small town youth Clark Kent stepped into the door of the newspaper industry with his dreams in his heart.

　　As a journalist who has successfully reported on Superman many times, Clark has become a hot star in the Daily Planet. Although some of his colleagues are very resentful and jealous of his good luck, he is still the undisputed golden reporter.

　　Today, Clark, who had just finished a day of field work, was called back by his boss, Louise. Louise revealed that she would give a big news to this simple country boy.

　　"Hello, Louise." After knocking on his boss's door, Clark walked in and greeted him politely. Although they were very good friends in private, they still had to strictly abide by the work rules during work.

　　"Hello, Clark, come here." The strong woman Louise took off her glasses and rubbed her temples tiredly. Among the dozen documents she had just put down, the logo of the Interstellar Peace Company flashed by.

　　"What's wrong? Louise, I rarely see you so tired. Why don't you take a rest?"

　　Clark asked with concern. As Superman, he could easily observe a person's vital signs. He knew that there was nothing wrong with Lois' body, she was just a little overworked.

　　"I'm fine, Clark, thank you for your concern." Louise showed a reassuring smile, and after seeing Clark sit down, she pushed a cup of coffee to him before continuing:

　　"It's a project of the Interstellar Peace Corporation. It's the first time they've agreed to open the space station since the end of the Cold War. I spent a lot of effort to get an invitation letter from them."

　　As she spoke, Louise took out a dark gold card from the drawer and handed it to Clark.

　　"Is this the authorization card for the space station?" Clark was stunned for a moment, then quickly reacted. His fingertips touched the texture of the chip. Under the luxurious card was an unknown technology.

　　"That's right," Louise nodded. "The people in the company didn't want other newspapers to get a share of the profits, but when they heard your name, they agreed for the first time. I heard that it was the instruction of that lady. I suspect it has something to do with Superman."

　　Clark was really surprised this time: "Are you talking about the Black Tower lady? The one who has published countless groundbreaking results but has never received any awards, has been active since the last century, and there are even rumors that she went to save alien civilizations?"

　　"Yes, it's her, the greatest genius in human history. She alone can raise the technological level of the entire human race. She is the one who prints the black tower in the textbooks of all countries. She specifically asked you to visit the space station."

　　Louise said this with a hint of jealousy:

　　"Clark, interviewing Ms. Heita has been my dream since I was a child, but geniuses are always proud. Since the company funded the construction of the space station, Ms. Heita has never appeared on Earth again. Everyone knows that the Earth cannot contain this genius."

　　Clark was puzzled: "Then why did she suddenly open the space station again? She even agreed to other media besides the company to interview..."

　　Lois shook her head: "This is one of the purposes of our interview. Clark, you are the one chosen by Ms. Black Tower. I don't care whether it is really related to Superman or not. You have to do your best to deal with this matter."

　　Clark, or Superman, also looked serious: "I understand, Lois, interviewing Ms. Black Tower is also my dream, I will definitely not let you down."

　　"Great, I'll leave this matter to you. Remember to keep it confidential in front of other colleagues. The company's spacecraft will take off next Monday, and you have two days to prepare." Louise breathed a sigh of relief and began to explain the time and place.

　　"Flying into space, I never thought about it." said Superman, who traveled through the stars as a baby.

　　"Perhaps after the space station is opened this time, we will all have the opportunity to go on a space tour? Clark, if you really meet Ms. Black Tower, please bring me an autographed photo."

　　There was a gleam in Louise's eyes, the most romantic fantasy of mankind about space. Even if the gravity of reality held her tightly to the ground, mankind's dreams would transcend all time and space.

　　"Of course, my queen, I will bring glory to you." Clark performed a poor knight's salute.

　　"Oh, Clark, you are such a mischievous person." Louise laughed.

　　After get off work that day, Clark drove back to the countryside in Kansas to tell his adoptive parents the good news.

　　"Really? Clark, is it the respected Ms. Black Tower?" Martha was very happy. Her grandfather suffered from a rare disease and it was the medical device created based on a theory invented by Black Tower that saved him.

　　A theory that a genius comes up with in just one minute is enough to change the life of an ordinary person.

　　"I don't know, Mom. I'm not sure if I'm really capable of interviewing that big shot. All day today, I've been questioning whether I'm qualified professionally..."

　　The omnipotent Superman was inevitably a little confused. The Black Tower, the name alone was enough to shock the entire news industry. If it weren't for the company's special favor this time, these little people would not have the qualifications to board the spacecraft.

　　Compared to real superheroes, geniuses like Black Tower are more like legends.

　　"Believe in yourself, Clark," Martha gently stroked his shoulder, giving him support as a family member: "You got this opportunity, which is a recognition of your strength. Don't forget, you are Superman."

　　Clark's confused heart gradually became firm: "Yes, Mom, I am Superman, Superman can do anything."

　　"But don't be too tired sometimes, my child. This will always be your safe haven." Martha hugged her adopted son, whom she treated as her own, with her heart filled with pride.

　　That night, Clark and his parents enjoyed a delicious dinner. On the table was Martha's famous apple pie. He also helped his father clean up the cornfield at home. If time allowed, he could even peel corn from two acres of cornfield.

　　After a sufficient amount of work, Clark finally lay back in his childhood bed. He looked at the starry sky through the window of the house with fascination, as if he was overlapping with his childhood self who was looking up at the stars.

　　While he was rehearsing his interview script, the communicator rang at an inopportune time.

　　"Superman, it's me, Batman."

　　The hoarse voice caused by throat cancer pulled Superman back to reality. He groaned in pain, weakly like a worker who was forced to answer a call from his boss at one o'clock in the morning.

　　"What is it?" Clark replied humbly.

　　"Are you going to interview the Black Tower Space Station?" Batman asked straight to the point.

　　"Yes, that's right. It's an invitation from the Interstellar Peace Company. I heard that they plan to open the space station in the near future and recruit a group of interested staff members." Clark resigned himself to revealing everything he knew.