Dealing with those annoying American tycoons who only operated from the shadows didn't require Reid to make a move.
Using supernatural abilities against that kind of enemy would've been beneath him. Besides, with Luthor stepping in personally, he didn't need to worry at all.
But once the mutant issue finally came to an end, something else began to draw his attention.
It was already close to the year 2001, yet Reed Richards still hadn't reached out for any kind of technical support.
"Green Lantern."
Reid stood on the rooftop of the LexCorp building. After calling out softly, it took less than a few seconds before a streak of green light tore through the night sky, and 'Hal' landed right in front of him.
"Something wrong? The U.S. military's been a real headache lately. They keep hoping I'll return to service like I did during the Civil War."
The origin story Reid had created for him had earned wide public support, but it hadn't completely cut ties with the U.S. government.
Even though America's current two-party system had formed after the Civil War, 'Hal,' having participated in it under his own name, was still viewed as part of the military.
However, compared to his original backstory, this version had one major advantage.
Time.
The Civil War had taken place centuries ago. Sure, the military could use that history to invite 'Hal' back into service. But just the same, he could easily refuse by claiming he was from a different era altogether.
If Reid had stuck with the original version of 'Hal's' story, things wouldn't have been that simple.
Because in that case, the moment he refused, the military would have painted him as disloyal or unpatriotic, accusing him of abandoning his country. But the new origin story gave the public a clear and reasonable explanation they could accept without being misled.
It had been over a hundred years. How could any modern officer expect a soldier from a century ago to still serve today? If that were the case, what were today's soldiers even getting paid for?
Of course, even with Reid giving 'Hal' a valid excuse to say no, the shameless persistence of the military didn't change. Despite him rejecting their offer multiple times, they continued sending representatives every day, trying to recruit him back into service.
"It's about Reed Richards."
While waiting for 'Hal' to arrive, Reid had already used his telepathic powers to scan New York City. He'd located Reed's position.
But things weren't going the way he had planned. Originally, he expected that once LexCorp obtained U.S. clearance for space development, the man would come to them seeking technological support, mainly due to his feelings for Susan and the company's capabilities.
Yet, even without any active space programs, Doom Industries had somehow convinced Reed to partner with them.
That was unexpected.
"Victor... I overlooked that point," Reid muttered. "Reed would absolutely prefer to work with a stronger company like LexCorp. But now, Victor went to him personally, asked an old classmate for help. Of course he agreed. These future superheroes are all the same, too soft-hearted to say no."
Hearing that, 'Hal' gave a slight nod. He understood what was happening now. Still, he asked another question.
"Even if that's the case, why tell me? Hal Jordan isn't officially part of LexCorp. You even wanted me to try making contact with S.H.I.E.L.D."
"You're right. I'll take care of Victor. Even if he's got help, he still needs federal approval for space development to complete Reed's experiment. And even with that approval, he'll need a fully equipped space station."
Doom Industries couldn't possibly achieve that.
Maybe with enough effort, the two geniuses could solve the technical problems. As for government approval, perhaps they could trade enough benefits to get it before the next president takes office.
But building those facilities would still take time.
LexCorp had spent years constructing the massive space station now floating above the United States. Thinking Doom Industries could get everything ready before the cosmic storm hits was nothing but a pipe dream.
"But this time, I need you involved. I've changed my mind. It's not just about Reed anymore. I want to make sure no one gets superpowers. Or more accurately, I want to control all of the cosmic storm's power for myself."
"I understand."
That was all 'Hal' needed to hear.
There were too many controllable factors in the origin story of the Fantastic Four. As long as they still needed LexCorp's support for space development, whether they gained powers or not was entirely up to Reid.
After discussing a few more details, 'Hal' left. Since he'd be working closely with S.H.I.E.L.D. in the future, it wouldn't look good if he got too close to LexCorp.
Once he was gone, Reid didn't rush off the rooftop. But he called out to his system again.
"System, explain this to me."
[What would you like me to explain, Host?]
The system responded instantly in his mind.
"Why doesn't Hal Jordan, or I should say the Green Lantern role card, have a character mission?"
[That is due to the system upgrade.]
"Upgrade?" Reid frowned. "As far as I remember, you don't have any upgrade function. The last time I got a new ability, it was because I acquired the Space Stone. And even the clone ability, if anything, it came from the stone. You just projected the role-playing feature onto it."
He had long since studied every power he had thoroughly, and had already figured out that after obtaining the Space Stone, the system itself hadn't changed at all.
It was his own body, having come into contact with the stone, that had gained the ability to create clones. Or rather, Martian Manhunter's physiology, under the influence of the Infinity Stone, allowed his clones to be solid and stable enough to handle the system's role-play cards.
[At first, I didn't have such a function,] the system replied. [But over the years, based on my observations, you're not someone who follows rules. Even I can't predict what you'll do next. And the system is not allowed to forcibly control your behavior.]
By the end, its voice had softened.
It clearly remembered the scene when Reid had sliced open his own cheek just to force the Joker out.
Perhaps, to prevent something like that from happening again, the system had since avoided limiting him by force. Instead, it began adapting to his actions.
After Alfred took care of Gotham, when Reid wanted to build his own force, the system gave him the Lex Luthor card.
When Carol's arrival loomed on the horizon, it gave him the Martian Manhunter card.
When facing mutants, an intricate and covert threat not easy to handle in the open, it gave him the Batman card.
It looked like he was simply drawing cards. But in truth, the system had been picking the most suitable cards based on his current situation and quietly placing them into his hands.
"So now that there are no more character missions," Reid asked, "how am I supposed to get new cards?"
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