[Handset - Video - Encrypted to Foreigners]

[highprofilerichkid]

Weird question, but has anyone else been contacted by any of the kedan out of nowhere? Asking about your work, or anything like that?

[Technically the saying goes 'two is a coincidence, three is a pattern,' but any scientist knows that sample size is dependent on the question being investigated. In this case, Tony thinks that n=2 is significant.]

Comments

[looksfine]

There have been no recent, significant changes to take note of. To the best of my current knowledge, as I am not 100% to all company intel, the business continues to run at an acceptable rate.

I have certainly not been denied any of my amenities nor resources since the original deal was struck.

[highprofilerichkid]

That's good. Do you think they've gotten any friendlier towards Foreigners since they kicked us all out?

We don't have a whole lot of Foreigners at the College, but nobody's against them. There's just not as many Foreigners into science as there used to be.

I was just thinking, it's been really good for relations with the kedan whenever we've helped them with technological advancement. Maybe it would help to get people involved in SI again.

[looksfine]

I am unable to ascertain the precise degree of change in interpersonal relationships, and can only affirm that the majority of interactions I have witnessed in recent times have outwardly appeared positive.

Are you implying you would like to resume leadership of the company?

[Although "resume" was not the most accurate term here, considering it was an alternate Tony Stark who had begun Stark Industries in Keelai.]

[highprofilerichkid]

[Tony hesitates for a fraction of a second, then shakes his head.]

No. [Regardless of what he would like, that ship has sailed.]

But the Foreigners got kicked out back when there was a lot of bad blood. Things have been better for a while – it would be good to have Foreigners and kedan collaborating there again. SI is still a pretty big deal when it comes to technological development in the city.

[The College doesn't skimp on R&D, but it's still an educational institution at its core, not a business.]

[looksfine]

[Recalling those times, Aya could not argue his point. Even her own relationship with the then-head of the company had been...rather frictious at times.]

Agreed.

Although I would note that their advances still do not yet compare with the most efficient scientific technologies of my universe of origin.

[Just saying.]