＊＊＊

Justin strode into the meeting room at the Pentagon like he owned it, only to stumble to a stop as he took in what he was seeing.

Ulysses Klaue grinned toothily at him, from where he was leaning back in a chair, feet comfortably up on the table, his hair and beard as disheveled and dirty as usual even here. The man was dressed in an antique military uniform that must be a hundred years old at least.

And it was laden with enough medals to make a North Korean dictator sniff and make snide comments about overcompensation. Justin twitched, trying to control his immediate distasteful reaction. Briefly he wondered what any officer at the Pentagon had thought, seeing such irreverent medals as the golden hot dog one - declaring Klaue the winner in the world championship hot dog eating contest.

Justin really hoped he killed the winner and took his medal… He didn't want to imagine Klaue winning it.

"...Klaue." Justin said cautiously, eventually, completely thrown for a loop. This was not who he had expected to meet at the Pentagon. Where was Ross? Or even the man he was meeting after that? In no way had he intended to meet with Klaue somewhere so public as the core of American military leadership.

Klaue blew him a kiss, smacking his lips together loudly, "Moving up in the world aren't we mate? You're looking at the number one expert on those Wakandan cunts, it's opened doors I tell you! I don't need no pardon anymore, pardon me," His grin widened, "Every damn country that can rub two rifles together is sucking my balls, I ain't a criminal anymore, see." He gestured expansively to his get up, waggling his eyebrows. "You're looking at Generalissimo Klaue, Baron of whateverthefuckistan, can't be arsed to remember what little shithole gave me the titles in return for my humble patronage."

Justin slowly moved to the table, sitting down, Domino taking a position by the door, arms crossed, Phantazia covering the outside hallway. "It's always nice to see friends make something out of themselves." He said dryly, nodding at Klaue, more to give himself a minute to think, then anything.

This could be potentially problematic. He'd intended to kill Klaue after taking ownership of his Vibranium, more to tie up a loose end than anything else, but this whole Wakandan situation had suddenly turned the despicable man into a resource. Justin definitely could not remove him now, which begged the question? His Vibranium? Had the man gone back on their deal now that he'd turned…

Respectable…

In the loosest meaning of the word.

"You and me mate - and no homo Hammer - we're like best friends aren't we? Two peas in a pod, spooning." Klaue chortled, one hand rubbing his chin through the unkempt beard, "I mean, the hit job you pulled on Stark…" Klaue kissed the tips of his fingers and then mimed an explosion using his hands - while also blowing out his cheeks. "Blew my mind, didn't know ya got it in ya!" He exclaimed loudly, before letting loose a loud guffaw which immediately gave Justin a tension headache. This man was just too annoying.

And too skilled. Because he knew Klaue's personality was tailored to throw people off - just as much as it was built on delusions of his own cleverness, and it still worked. There was just no way to sit down with the man and not find him incredibly frustrating.

Justin at this point preferred talking to Stark, and that… Said a lot.

"I didn't have anything to do with Stark's disappearance, Klaue…" Justin said placidly, with a neutral expression on his face, his body language purposefully laid back. On the inside, he was beyond irritated and he seethed as that theory was spewed out into his face. Klaue was far from the only one speculating on that! He'd even seen people on CNN openly speculate about the 'coincidental timing' of Stark's disappearance and Justin's rise. Not something he'd realized would happen when he planned everything out - he knew after all that it was all Stane, but perhaps that had been his blindspot, because that's not what it looked like.

There was no proof of course, because Justin hadn't had anything to do with it, he'd just known ahead of time, not that he could ever say that. But it was getting annoyingly clear that amongst business leaders, politicians, the media, and even the top military brass - the suspicion was there that Justin had arranged it.

Probably pushed on by the likes of Stane himself seeing a golden opportunity… Not that his other competitors weren't stirring the pot as well. It had run rampant during the first 48-72 hours until Justin's PR group rolled out their counterattack, the slow response coming from just how blindsided he'd been, counting too much on future knowledge that didn't matter now that he'd flipped the board. Something which Wakanda's attack had further simplified for him in regards to PR, thankfully.

Fucking Osborn had straight up held a press conference stating that Justin couldn't be trusted because he'd obviously put a hit on Tony Stark. Build something that works before you get on stage to point fingers, you fucking goblin!

Fucking accusing Justin of the whole thing didn't stop Norman from putting in a massive order for Arc batteries for Oscorp, so Justin assumed he wasn't that heartbroken over the possibility either. Opportunistic swine. He almost turned down the deal, out of spite. But it was in his own best interest to get everyone to improve humanity and its defenses, so he'd approved the sale.

He'd sued him for libel, of course, because that was just how the game was played. So that would be a couple million out of Norman's pockets eventually, not that small change like that mattered to either of them. Thankfully Wakanda was a perfect scapegoat right now so Osborn's idiocy was drowned out in the outrage. Justin and Bakshi and the Hammer industries PR team had worked overtime on seeding the thought in the public that Wakanda had gone after both Tony and Justin (once they realized Justin was getting the blame) - and Wakanda had just succeeded better with Tony obviously. If he was still alive, those dastardly bastards were probably pumping him for information on his tech. Not like the Ten Rings or Stane was going to say otherwise.

Justin had graciously offered a 100 million dollar bounty on any information that contributed in bringing Stark back alive. It had killed the momentum of the press talking about him having a hand in the disappearance. An easy promise, because Stark would get himself out, so he'd never have to pay.

By the time Stark came back, it would already be in the public's mind that Wakanda was behind his disappearance. Justin's opponents would still say it was Justin of course - but to the general public, the boogeyman Wakanda was behind it all, no matter what Stark claimed at that point - poor man must be beset by PTSD you know?

Or Wakanda used a cat's paw in the Ten Rings, really, it wouldn't even be difficult to get it all pinned on them.

Considering Stane would take that gift and run with it - the man's own godfather, it wouldn't be a hard sell to the public. For all that Stark was very famous - he'd never been actually well liked. Justin on the other hand had cured all the diseases. Solved the energy crisis, global warming - albeit eventually as it was all just getting started. What had Stark done for the everyday man?

Even if he bleated about Arc reactor tech being his? Then the public would turn on him. Because he never delivered it.

Stark would be too behind to ever catch up upon his return. If Stane didn't just steal the company from him, which was a possibility depending on how obstinate Stark would be. In that case… Justin would have to give the man some cash and a workshop - he still needed Iron Man.

He still held out hope Tony would beat out Stane and shut down his weapons division, but he could live with Stark being a number two and continuing to improve humanity - forcing him to do so this time, with Justin's own superiority rubbed in his face.

Klaue winked at Justin exaggeratedly, before looking around for cameras in the conference room, with wide eyes and a conspiratory grin on his face, "Of course not, Hammer." He stage-whispered, "We're both upstanding gentlemen, you're absolutely right, terrible business that thing with Stark, terrible." Then he winked again.

Justin really wanted to kill this man… Surely one murder wouldn't be too bad? Yet, someone in the government had obviously set this meeting on Klaue's behest, so he wasn't someone Justin could just kill… Right now. "So you're working for the US government now then?" He probed instead. What have you done with my Vibranium, Klaue…?

If the US or some tinpot dictator had all his Vibranium now, he was going to do very unpleasant things to the man, consequences be damned.

Klaue laughed, looking unbearably smug, "Nah, you know me, I ain't got no problem prostituting myself, oldest profession in the world it is, very respectable, profitable too." He bragged, slamming a hand down on the table, jutting his jaw out, scratching at his neck brand with the other hand as he continued, seemingly incapable of keeping entirely still. "But! You don't make bank whoring yourself to only one john do ya? These fellas paid top dollar, so they got the first bite on my info. I'm going to Beijing next week, Moscow, Islamabad, Berlin, you name em', they're wining and dining me, getting slobber all over my balls, they're so eager."

"How nice for you. I'm sure your expertise will come in handy." Justin said stiffly, not at all thrilled at the news. Klaue going to every high bidder with his insider information on Wakanda, made him practically untouchable, at least until Wakanda was fully bent over and done shitting out Vibranium. It just wasn't worth the headache to remove him right now then.

Not to mention killing him after he'd just finished selling his secrets to the US - but hadn't gone anywhere else yet… Might start a world security issue as the major powers all start poking at the US to get at the information. There was already likely some insane amount of diplomacy going on in the background between the major nations in even allowing Klaue to do this, sharing his info to everyone that wanted a piece of the Wakandan cake.

Everyone wanted Wakanda and their goodies and no one wanted to risk someone shooting up their only infosource while competing for his services. Diplomacy and worldwide cooperation works when everyone wants to just fuck the same people, Justin thought wryly, still annoyed, but finding small amusement in certain facets of the situation. War was good for him, because it also prepared the nations and gave them reason to practice and get good with the new technology he would be selling for insane profits - but he didn't want it to go too far.

Having the world get practice in for the real thing was all well and good, as the profits from those sales would allow him to proceed faster with everything else - but it would be pointless if say India and Pakistan blew each other up for it.

"Couldn't have done it without ya, Justin my old mate! Been fucking with those stupid cunts for years haven't I? But you…" He wagged his finger at Justin, his eyes lit up in glee, "One presser and BOOM!" He slammed the table hard, leaning forward in his seat, his toothy grin growing more sinister, "You up and fucked them so bad that a nuclear strike would be considered merciful in comparison!" The absolute relish in Klaue's voice spoke to just how thrilled he was with what had happened.

Klaue wasn't exactly wrong either, a nuclear strike might be preferable to China, Russia, India, Europe and the USA all fighting in Wakanda, not to mention African warlords and SHIELDRA popping in. Even Magneto might throw in his two cents for some Vibranium to play with. He couldn't feel sorry for them - they'd brought it on themselves. As the new primary weapons manufacturer for the United States of America and NATO - plus everyone else that wanted any, he'd get some Vibranium to play with either way.

But his own personal stash, that's what he needed to find out about. If he wanted into space sooner rather than later, he needed enough Vibranium for Vanko to play with to figure out better ways to do things - perhaps even ways to use Arc reactors power output to synthesize something even half as useful, that could be produced indefinitely - unlike the currently finite Vibranium.

Speaking of Vibranium…

"So, with us being such good friends… Our friendly little talk previously? What's happened with that, I wonder?" Justin pondered out loud, staring down Klaue. If the fool had double crossed him…

Klaue scratched his chin, looking almost sheepish. "Well… Seeing as you're so important now and did me a favor and all… I'm going to do you a favor and not backstab you like I was gunna do." All said without a lick of shame. Klaue reached into a chest pocket, lifting out a USB, which he sent spinning over the table to Justin. "Got all the deets for you there, take that Vibranium, and right shove it up Wakanda's ass for me!"

Justin grabbed the USB, standing up right after, giving Klaue a terse nod, before immediately exiting the room, not bothering to say goodbye.

Klaue's amused voice followed him out, "Make sure you catch the news later, I'm being interviewed, primetime!" The mad laughter that followed that statement boded ill for Wakanda. Couldn't happen to better people, Justin thought snidely.

If they'd spread the wealth… With people like Stark and Pym around, what could have been achieved already?

Note to self, get project Kilgrave moving forward, need to get Pym onboard, even if only for twelve hour intervals until he's wrung dry.

His daughter could do the rest after. They'd met many times due to conferences and the like, she was cordial enough, they both enjoyed making fun of Stark after all. Justin could see a fruitful partnership there, without Hank Pym.

"Well that was interesting." Domino muttered as she followed him down the halls of the Pentagon, speaking up once they were out of earshot of anyone, their military escort staying a respectful distance away.

"We're still going to…?" Phantazia asked, thankfully being smart enough to not talk about murder out loud in the Pentagon. Although if there was anywhere in the world right now where Justin could shoot someone in public and get away with it - it was probably here.

Military brass could stomach a lot for their shiny new toys. Just look at Ross.

"Not now… But one day." Justin promised darkly, "He's a minor irritant if anything." A minor irritant that felt like a giant boil you just couldn't get rid of.

"Hammer, get in here." A gruff voice called out ahead of them. General Ross was seen briefly poking his head out a door, scowling at Justin, like it was his fault he wasn't there. They shouldn't have ambushed him with Klaue then, they're lucky he's a reasonable megalomaniac.

This time he was not allowed to bring anyone into the room with him, Domino and Phantazia were forced to wait outside, which they took in stride, an assassination attempt was highly unlikely inside the Pentagon. Justin had clearances that the mercenaries he employed would just never be able to get. It was all polite fiction more than anything however, like standing outside a door really hid secrets from those two.

As always with the government, pageantry was the name of the game. More about being seen doing something a certain way, then actually being effective doing something.

"Sorry about surprising you with that degenerate, god damn CIA and the state department shoved him down my throat." Ross groused angrily, taking a seat at the head of a table which seemed filled to the brim with military intelligence specialists. "His only condition, other than the money, was for him to surprise you in there, so I was forced to play along, figured you'd play ball, glad I was right." The Warhawk looked like he'd sucked in something sour, before he shook his head, muttering something under his breath.

Justin was almost positive he heard something about Stark.

"It was an experience, but I've dealt with Klaue before, I don't appreciate the blindside, but understand your hands were tied." Justin said diplomatically, while fully intending to use the concession to bend the general over a barrel on prices later.

Or maybe the CIA would find his prices tripled for spooks. People would learn not to play petty intra governmental power plays with him…

"Alright, let's stop gossiping like old ladies, and start gossiping like god damn soldiers in the United States Army! What do you know about Wakanda, Hammer?" Ross barked out, a ripple of surprise going over the room. Apparently the intelligence officers hadn't been informed of the purpose of the meeting.

How ironic to have a bunch of intelligence officers gathered without any intelligence about why, Justin thought.

It was also odd that Ross was in charge of such a briefing, it was usually not his fiefdom.

Hammer let an amused smile play out on his face, who knew Ross could be funny though? "Well, I don't know much, but the captive I briefly held did - "

An hour later…

After a productive meeting with Ross - the man actually came off fairly pleasant now that he had a war to dig his teeth in - Justin moved onto the second reason he'd arrived at the Pentagon - well third, if you count his surprise meeting with Klaue.

"Erik Stevens, I presume?" Justin asked the young man that had been waiting patiently in the room, seemingly engrossed in the news, Wakanda the topic, or course. Justin stepped forward to shake his hand. The young soldier jumping up, seemingly wary of him.

"I have an offer for you, I'm aware of your history, and figured you might want some… Restitution." Justin's smile took on a bit of an edge.

Killmonger wasn't a trustworthy sort, but he was useful, as long as Justin didn't make the mistake of actually trusting him with anything truly important for now. Besides, he wasn't the same veteran he'd been in Black Panther, he was still a fairly fresh soldier, only a couple years in. Perhaps he wasn't a complete snake yet?

If project Kilgrave worked out better than expected, maybe that could be fixed too if he was.

Considering the way young Erik kept staring at Domino, and the way she showed off her physique in casual ways, a knowing smile on her face, teasing the poor soldier… Interesting… Perhaps simpler means would resolve it all anyway.

Ah, the future held so many things, Justin couldn't wait. He smiled as Erik Stevens slowly sunk into his grasp during the process of one simple conversation.

It was good to be him.

＊＊＊

Same time, Undisclosed location, Washington D.C

"Serious questions have been asked, you have not given us a satisfactory answer as of yet, Director." Alexander Pierce said sternly, the monitors behind his back showcasing the shady outlines of the world Security Council all murmuring their agreement.

Nick Fury, the lone man responsible for the intelligence failure of the god damn Millenia, at least if you listened to the Security Council… Stood calmly before their scorn, hands behind his back as his lone eye met Secretary Pierce's, the two men able to say a lot without words. Mostly along the lines of - can you believe these fools are waiting our time with this?

These kinds of days were the ones where Nick wished he'd never taken the damn chair from his predecessor. If only he could trust anyone else to do the damn job. Almost made him wish for a clone…

And Talos damn well didn't count, last time he'd had him cover for him - he'd come back to find that Barton believed Nick was secretly pining for Hill. Like his damn operation was a soap opera. Fucking skrulls…

If only the council hadn't fucked him with that cease and desist… Surely the skrulls could have gotten inside Hammer's circle…

They'd see what they could get out of Wakanda before the party kicked off, a better use of them anyway.

"Just because you don't like the answer doesn't mean it isn't satisfactory, councilors." Nick drawled, tilting his head slightly upwards and narrowing his gaze at his nominal superiors, "If I don't misremember the situation, I sent someone in to get close to Hammer, and when that failed, you ordered me to back off, denied that any further action were necessary, that you had Hammer's measure…" Nick clenched his fists behind his back, he'd known something was up with Hammer, but he'd been hamstrung after Widow's spectacular failure, and he now had to wonder… Who on the Council had known what? And what game were they playing? He knew there were factions within SHIELD, it worked to keep everyone on their toes, so it hadn't been much of an issue in his book, as they all worked towards the same goal, but this seemed deeper, more like… An infestation. "I know in our business we rewrite history all the damn time, but I fail to see how it helps in this situation - when I could be out there doing my god damn job and finding out how the hell this flew past everyone."

If it flew past everyone…

Which one of my agents had been suppressing news on Hammer? Because it's impossible for us to have been so blindsided without inside help, someone would have known something… He thought, looking at the different shades in front of him, wondering who exactly was working against SHIELD amongst them. One can not create a miracle cure, green energy - including motherfucking energy weapons better than their own phase 2 program - which Hammer had dropped in the world's lap like a proverbial hand grenade - without anyone knowing about it.

The intelligence apparatus of every major nation had been pantsed thoroughly by an uppity - silver spoon in his mouth - billionaire, but SHIELD was supposed to be better than that. He refused to believe no one knew. Which beggared the question?

Who, and why? Why would they keep it suppressed? To what end?

"I'm not sure I like your tone, Director." One of the shades said, its voice scrambled. Nick of course knew who he was, it was his job to know, but he'd leave them their pageantry. Saved him from having to stare at their ugly mugs when they wasted his time if nothing else.

There tended to be more wild flailing after the fact - then permission to prevent situations in the first place, the Council becoming more like the UN Security Council everyday.

Useless.

"I'm sure there's a lot of me you don't like, except the fact I get results." Nick's eye narrowed again as he snapped out coldly, "When I'm allowed to act!" He didn't see a point in being all that diplomatic, they knew what they were getting when they rubber stamped his appointment.

"We're getting distracted, we need to focus on the now, not the past." The only female member on the council stated bluntly. Nick would call her the one voice of reason - if she wasn't so obviously only looking out for her own interests - the woman constantly sticking her fingers all into SHIELD's innards.

Pierce cut in at that point, voice more mild now that he wasn't having to pretend to discipline Nick to appease the Council. "An excellent point, Councilor. What should be the strategy going forward in regards to Justin Hammer and Hammer industries?"

And he still missed the forest for the fucking trees..

Nick wanted to shoot everyone. What about Wakanda? About the internal failure of SHIELD? About the flaring of tension between India and Pakistan, the build up of chatter in the middle east as terrorist organizations smelled opportunity? Tony motherfucking Stark missing in Afghanistan! Right now they needed to prioritize. Hammer was up to something, sure, what business man wasn't? Yet, for all appearances, that something was actually not world conquest - for all that economic domination might seem like it, so Nick was willing to give him some leeway, for now.

He still didn't trust the bastard, but one thing at a time when the world is one fool away from being set on fire, and Hammer was still a known quantity - for all his surprises, he, as a person - was well documented thanks to Widow, even if she failed everything else.

He had a pathological need to be seen as superior according to Widow - so he couldn't ruin his reputation by blowing up the UN or something ridiculous.

"We need someone close to him, we can't be blindsided again, the world has been upended, chaos will ensue, allies will be enemies, enemies will be allies, we can not go in blind." A voice that Nick knew to be Gideon Mallick counseled. He continued, almost fervently, believing strongly in his words, as far as Nick could tell. "He needs to be managed, there can't be a free actor with his influence, he needs to be tied to us by some measure of chains, post haste."

He was right, but too late, that genie was also out of the bottle now, a pointless thing to focus on while the whole world was going crazy, they couldn't go back in time and get Hammer to be more careful in his approach, to get someone close to him, so they needed to deal with the hand they've been dealt. Hammer had known too much, had known about Widow beforehand - possibly had an inside man.

Only Fury, Coulson, Widow and Pierce had known beforehand about the op… Fury had already cleared Widow himself… Coulson as well.

Which put him in a conundrum. His lone eye found Pierce again, the man utterly calm in face of the world changing.

Fury couldn't believe Pierce would sell out SHIELD, but he couldn't believe Hammer would roll out limb replacement in a bottle either. Shit happened outside known parameters...His job was to roll with changing tides, to evolve as situations changed. He'd have to leave his own feelings aside and do his job…

"He is growing dangerously strong." Pierce acknowledged calmly, saying what everyone was thinking. That left alone, Hammer would grow too strong. Would have too much influence - or in other words, have more sway then the Security Council.

Nick gritted his teeth as another round of discussions set off from that, he glared at Pierce as the man sent him a commiserating look. This could all be done without his presence, they were wasting daylight arguing when they needed to talk to Hammer now! Not infiltrate, not threaten, it was too late for that. He thought.

They needed Hammer onboard if anything, to deal with the chaos he'd unleashed. If he was going to be dead set on changing the world… Fine, but on their side, with them in the damn loop.

It was better than it happening anyway while they scrambled with their damn heads cut off.

He straightened his back, preparing for the fight of his life. Convincing a bunch of paper pushing politicians and backroom power brokers to shut the hell up and just deal with a new major power on the board. Bring him to the table. Offer him a seat.

They were kidding themselves if they thought they could pressure, blackmail or threaten Hammer now. The world changed almost two weeks ago with the Arc reactor plant in Texas debuting, it changed even more when Wakanda was revealed a few days back. There was no putting all that shit back in the bottle - it was a new world.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

And just like the old world - the new world was filled to the brim with shit Nick Fury would have to deal with, with his goddamn hands tied behind his back.

Nick really did not like Justin Hammer. But he'd shine a seat for him on the Security Council himself - if that's what it took to get him and his innovations working for them, instead of exploding everywhere without control and any thought to the consequences.

The only hands that could steer this ship were his own. People couldn't be trusted to do the right thing.

He'd gladly let someone else clean up the disasters if he could ever find anyone fucking competent enough.

Nick Fury seethed, even as his face showed nothing but semi-polite disinterest - as councilors raised their voices to argue with each other about minor details.

If he'd known back when he sent Widow, just how much work Hammer would make for him, how many problems he'd create. How he'd upend the status quo.

He would have put a bullet in the motherfucker himself.

＊＊＊

Wakanda,

T'Challa watched helplessly as yet another man died, then another, standing numb before the corpses buried in the sand, another man succumbing to the heart shaped herb instead of earning Bast's blessing before one man woke, gasping, rising up from the sand, one man out of five, surviving.

Something had deflated in his father after the last council meeting after they received the world's response, like he was just going through the motions - it hadn't been long before the council took advantage, pushing for more Black Panthers.

There had been some successes, but far too many failures. They would run out of herbs long before they'd gain the superior force the council was advocating for to beat back the coming foreigners. If Bast herself disagreed with what they were doing, were they truly in the right?

He'd thought so. Had followed his father's teachings proudly. But now… Was the death of Wakanda truly something to be proud of? He hadn't realized the world could react so strongly, his teachings failing him by failing to show him the truth. His father… Failing him. Them.

"Be in peace with Bast, W'Kabi." He muttered, letting sand run out of his fingers, falling onto what was now the man's grave. Okoye was like granite, standing by the entrance, T'Challa felt for her loss, but there would be a lot of it going around soon and there would be no real rest for them.

Nothing but eternal rest…

He turned to leave, only to find Shuri standing there looking downcast. "Sister! What are you doing here, you shouldn't be here, where are your guards!?" T'Challa sent a blistering glare at his own Dora escort.

Shuri escaping her guards was a normal thing for the young girl, but at this time - utterly unacceptable.

"Brother… Are we going to die?" The five year old asked simply, breaking T'Challa's heart. He grabbed his sister and lifted her up in his arms, pushing his forehead against hers, what have our pride done? He thought, lost for words. He wet his lips, seeking for something, anything, any words to soothe his sister.

"You will not, I will ensure it." He swore fervently, there must be something that could be done.

If Wakanda was to die, surely the children deserved better? Even the outsiders must agree to that, surely?

Shuri was not responsible for their Fathers decision, for T'Challa proudly standing by, never wondering how destroying an outside threat could possibly be wrong.

Shuri was truly Innocent, the jewel of Wakanda, and his heart.

"We'll all make it, sister." He lied, kissing her forehead. Pressing his lips to it, to keep any further lies from spilling out.

Already mercenaries were testing their borders, a prelude to war. Death was coming, invited in by Wakanda in proud defiance.

T'Challa would find a way out. For his sister.

Wakanda was a people, not a nation.

They would survive.

＊＊＊

New York, Hellfire Club.

Sebastian Shaw pondered why exactly they'd never extended a hand to Justin Hammer before - as he observed the ground floor of the Hellfire club and the flurried activities of its patrons, from the viewing window of the inner circles sanctum.

The men and women down there, the elite of the business world, were ignoring the high class strippers and the freely offered designer drugs for once - not a single one taking one of the young men or women to a private room, all of them either on the phone or laptops - sending numerous messages across the world that changed the allocation of billions of dollars and made or broke companies and lives.

All currently because of one man.

"You spend most of your time in London. Hammer's international headquarters is there isn't it? Why was he never invited?" Sebastian asked the Black Queen idly, playing with a chess piece, a white queen in his hands. He had his eyes on someone, his sharp gaze easily finding her in a corner, fully composed as she conducted business. Emma Frost. Such potential… Such exquisite beauty.

To own such a thing…

Selene, herself a beauty almost without compare, if you could ignore the madness barely hidden in her eyes, answered huffily as she sat back in her throne, sipping on a vintage lost to history now. "I had my research, I didn't pay much attention to such things, he was nothing but a weapon dealer anyway, dime a dozen." She said dismissively, never one to acknowledge a mistake.

Sebastian knew there was no point in chastising the immortal mutant and sorceress - in theory they were equal, Black King and Queen. But Selene was not someone Sebastian would tangle with lightly, and she was terribly sensitive for someone her age. "Well, we've been missing a White King since the 'mysterious' disappearance of Donald. Perhaps Hammer would be a suitable candidate?" Sebastian suggested.

Donald Pierce had been on borrowed time after killing the previous king anyway - Sebastian could never allow a mutant hater to hold power in the Hellfire club for long. Unfortunately he hadn't actually gotten the pleasure himself. His gaze followed Emma as she stood to speak with her brother who'd entered the premises - she'd surprised him with her removal of Donald, especially as he had no idea how she'd pulled it off, hence the 'mystery'.

"I thought you wanted Magneto for the position." Selene drawled, barely paying attention, leaning back on her throne, putting one leg over the other, hiding her exposed sex from view.

Sebastian gave an agreeing hum, admiring the sweaty post coital form of his rival and occasional lover. "We've cooperated with him and Xavier to keep mutants on the down low, I'd thought of bringing him further into the fold, but Hammer is…" Sebastian thought of a word to describe the absolute chaos the man had unleashed, "One of a kind…" He finished, his own nude form not showing through the one way glass window as he stared down possessively at young Emma.

"Well, it's not like I care anyway, do as you will, as you always do anyway, Sebastian." Selene said uncaringly, as always more concerned with her own personal power over anything else. "He's not a mutant though, I've checked." She volunteered.

Sebastian chuckled, his thumb stroking the head of the white queen chess piece, "It's not an actual requirement for the position my dear. Unlike Donald, Hammer is a known mutant lover." His lips quirked into a covetous smile, Mystique had been very open about that last time they met.

"He could be very useful." Sebastian decided, his mind made up. Hammer would make an excellent White King. He obviously held no issues with discretion, considering no one had been aware of the aces up his sleeve.

The Hellfire club had people everywhere. And they hadn't heard a single thing. It was, in a single word.

Impressive.

His mouth twisted into a snarl as he saw that fool Warren Worthington Jr flirting with his Emma after specifically being ordered to stay away from her. "Worthington is playing with fire." He cursed out loud. Feeling a burning need to crush his pathetic skull.

"Worthington? Do you particularly need him for anything?" Selena asked lightly.

"Not at all." Sebastian growled, watching Emma laugh at something he said.

A brief flare of power was felt in the sanctum, Sebastian glancing back at Selene cautiously, "Dare I ask?" He asked slowly.

"He's dead." She sniffed, taking a slow sip of her wine, dangling her leg, drawing Sebastian's hungry attention. "Reached out and crushed his heart in his chest telekinetically, he wasn't that far away after all."

Sebastian's brows furrowed as he stared down at the very much alive Warren, the boy still flirting with Emma. "Warren is down there still. He's still alive, I'm watching him right now." He growled, wondering what Selene's game was.

She raised an imperius eyebrow, "Who's Warren?" She asked, impatience leaking through her voice. "You wanted me to kill Worthington."

Sebastian felt a headache coming on. Immortal sorceress she might be - but she was also a pain to deal with. "Warren Worthington Jr." He stressed through gritted teeth.

"Oh, I don't know that one." Selene said casually, "I killed the old one, I remembered him, he wasn't far from here, watching opera in fact."

"Heh, I guess that's punishment enough this time." Sebastian said, putting it out of his mind. Perhaps Worthington Jr would prove to make something out of himself now that he'd have to take the reins.

As long as he learned his place and didn't touch Sebastian's things.

And it was good to have a reminder why it was for all their benefits that Selene spent most of her time in London again.

It would be a pity to induct Hammer only to have Selene kill him immediately after all.

＊＊＊

Several days after the Pentagon meeting.

"We need to wrap this up, I need to get on a flight." Justin said, his H-Watch having gone off to remind him of the time.

His factories in South America and Africa were literally working triple shifts, 24/7 to keep up with the demand right now. Even with the wildly optimistic projections they'd imagined - they'd still undersold just how quickly consumers would jump on a bandwagon. The press from Panacea's unveiling and Wakanda's attack further driving demand for anything related to Justin.

His phones, tablets and watches were selling faster than he could produce them, which was severely straining his company as they'd barely rolled out their own satellite network and telecom business in the first place to deliver a full Hammer industries advantage by taking a slice of each step of the tech and telecommunications pie.

He'd been firing satellites up for the past two years, and if he hadn't been such a busy beaver with that - his launch now would have fallen flat as he was looking at close to 100 million new users across the world. In a week.

Even with all the hiring he'd done in preparation, they were still working overtime and running his people to the limit. Every facet of his companies were the same right now, he'd underestimated how revolutionary some of it was - how eagerly governments, companies and people would jump on it immediately.

Without an AI however, he wouldn't be able to install the backdoor he wanted, even though the satellites were all set up to perform the task on their end, to be able to track, hack and spy through his equipment, he was missing out on so much possible information right now… C'est la vie…

He'd get his Jarvis copy one day. Although changed to be more suitable of course. Maybe he'd name her Pepper…

Hah.

The clinics he had set up in advance were already drowning in applicants in the states, despite the fact they couldn't operate yet without FDA approval. They were simply taking down the names and contact information of interested parties for when they opened for business properly.

In some countries with less stringent governments… Such approval had been granted since day one, and there, the clinics were booked full already. For the next 4 and a half years.

He needed more clinics. More staff. More production, more everything.

He needed more companies to die already so he could take their people!

The current meeting had been yet another meeting with a representative from the auto industry - one set up because they wanted a contract for batteries and to cooperate on creating a completely green car - Ford this time. The new plastics and metal alloys Justinium powered Arc reactors had been able to create - drawing salivating looks from the auto industry.

Not to mention the interest from the likes of Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, etc.

Not only were there now batteries that economically made sense for a fully operational and high quality electric car, finally - but also plastics and mixed alloys that would be even better than aluminum or steel in a collision, and cheaper than what's already on the market for the chassis of cars - or would be anyway once there was enough Arc reactors around to help produce the alloys. The entire industry was having fits trying to get into Justin's pants.

The aeronautical industry was, if anything, even thirstier. Fuel as well as wear and tear and maintenance, were huge costs for them. It would take some years of design work and cooperation between companies - but the industry would soon become much more profitable, which would make it easier for people to travel, as air travel became much cheaper.

But more importantly, it would lead to advancement in fighter planes, and orbit capable planes. Justin would partner with all of them. Someone would make the breakthroughs he needed. And all of them would make him money.

"Oh, where are you flying to? If you don't mind me asking?" The blonde nordic looking sales representative - speaking on behalf of Ford, asked, with a smoldering look in her eyes.

Justin had noticed a theme in people sent to negotiate with him lately…

And a very distinct lack of CEO's and board members showing up. It seemed most major corporations suddenly had insanely attractive women between twenty to thirty-five in high positions. Perhaps it was just this MCU world - Men and women both, he so rarely ran into anyone not insanely attractive nowadays.

Case in point, Ford's supermodel sales rep.

"Johannesburg. I have a meeting with the African Union, I'm going to make them an offer they can't refuse." Justin quipped, winking at the woman, drawing a tinkling laugh out of her, as she shifted in her seat, purely by accident surely, dipping just low enough to showcase more of her decolletage.

"I'm sure they wouldn't refuse you, no one would nowadays, surely…?" She asked leadingly, the bedroom eyes were strong in this one, Justin couldn't help but to think.

Well, that's the point of an offer they can't refuse. He wanted to quip, but he held his tongue. He was a smooth operator after all.

In the background, Domino coughed lightly, hiding a snicker, as always poking at him, just because he had game and she wasn't getting any.

Some people were so petty.

Justin ignored it, mind already on Johannesburg, where he would truly make them an offer they'd be forced to accept. The eyes of the world were on Africa right now, and the countries within were definitely feeling the pressure. They were unhappy with every bit of news that came out on Wakanda, especially the bits from Klaue that confirmed Wakanda could have helped their neighbors for ages - but never did.

Klaue's interview had been an outright pack of outrageous lies, but Wakanda wasn't available for comments - so they were swallowed as wholesale truth by people.

The media was more skeptical in general. Most could smell a con artist when they saw one - but the news was good for clicks whether it was true or not - so they ran it.

Klaue claimed himself as a humanitarian (Hah!), who had been on a peaceful mission to help what he believed to be poor starving people in Wakanda, before stumbling into the real Wakanda, being caught, tortured and branded, for the crime of not being Wakandan.

He'd managed to escape, Wakandan slaves sacrificing themselves to attempt a breakout, accidentally taking a vehicle which had held some of their precious metal, which to Justin's relief he claimed to have abandoned long ago - rather than reveal Justin's purchase.

Then Klaue really went outrageous, claiming Wakanda manipulated countries all around them, painting Klaue as a weapons dealer, a criminal in an attempt to flush him out and end him, eventually forcing him to become just that, just to survive, as Wakanda kept trying to kill him for having survived seeing their land.

If Justin had put the spotlight on Wakanda. Klaue had in the last few days - not only poured gasoline on the fire, but cheerfully danced around it pissing on their entire people and soured any chance of a negotiation. Justin personally thought the slave part, a complete fabrication as far as Justin was aware - had been a nice touch.

"You know, I've heard Johannesburg is a beautiful city…" Elena, the lithe, yet athletic looking sales rep said in a breathy tone, giving Justin a suggestive look, the sharp intelligence in her eyes only made her sexier, her fierce negotiation during their meeting had been better foreplay to Justin than almost anything else a woman could pull off.

Justin ignored Domino coughing 'whore' and spoke over her, smiling at the pretty, yet fierce and clever woman, they'd be making a deal regardless anyway, so why not… "Is that so? My private jet doesn't have much room, but we could take another passenger on, if you don't mind sharing some personal space…" He suggested suavely.

Elena eagerly accepted, smirking like a cat that caught the canary. Whether this was all a part of a negotiation strategy, or an honest attraction to power on her part, or both. Justin soon left the room, a beautiful woman on his arm, and Domino trailing behind, the much revamped security team of twenty hardened veterans covering the building as they set out for his armored limo.

The secondary team in the outer circle keeping a watch of the area, numbering thirty more - would split up with one team driving on slightly ahead, one team taking the rear, his team of twenty keeping around him in their own vehicles. He wouldn't be caught with his pants down again.

Phantazia was ultimately in charge of his security, which did also include drones flying above scanning everything and everyone in his vicinity, while giving Phantazia eyes in the sky with which to direct the security team. Phantazia was already at the airport, securing his jet, another smaller squad of elites with her.

Once he revealed his HAMMER team - he'd be able to include one of them as a bodyguard now and then as well if needed.

Domino muttered about needing the 'good' headphones on the flight again, sticking her tongue out childishly at him, as Justin thought of his upcoming meeting, he wasn't worried about his safety for the moment, Phantazia had it well in hand.

With Wakanda revealed, Africa once again would suffer, it was just inevitable. No one, especially any of the African countries - believed the major powers of the world would share Wakandan spoils with them, not any serious amount anyway. Not to mention the pressure put on many of the countries near Wakanda from the likes of China and the US, to allow troop passage, to allow military bases to be set up, to provide logistics and services for what were basically invaders.

Oh, they'd pay for it, nothing would be given for free in likelihood, but the ties that came with, would be hard to discard afterwards. It didn't really make any African nation much happier about having their sovereignty violated just so that the west and east could plunder an African nation.

They didn't exactly have good experiences with previous attempts… And would have very mixed feelings on any foreign forces.

Even if they also hated Wakanda's guts, probably more actually, because they'd actually suffered while Wakanda sat by eating popcorn and watching the whole shitshow over the years. If not decried over not lending a hand during the colonization of the continent, the fact Wakanda never helped with the AIDS epidemic would be enough to forever earn Africa's hatred. There'd been a lot of suspicious muttering across Africa over the last few days - if one paid attention, (which Justin always did) wondering if all the attempts of African nations to improve their status, to band together, etc - had been sabotaged by Wakanda, the hidden nation preferring poor broken down nations as buffer states to help hide their own - rather than advanced civilizations that might reveal them.

Justin personally thought Wakanda was being led by people with more pride than brains right now, because Wakanda was just making it worse by not at least trying to get another story out.

He got a text, the notification flashing on his H-Watch, with a slow deliberate blink to activate his tech, he brought it up on his glasses, the product not yet made to launch, but giving Justin an interface to check texts and emails on the sly through his glasses.

They also were always recording to a system only he had access to and could play it back to him. He still deleted it all daily, paranoid that someone would gain access, another reason to get an AI to protect his stuff. He focused on the text, pleased to see the bugs the product had previously had been ironed out.

China rushing ahead to begin setting up a base, navy assets already on the move towards Africa, rumor that Kenya has allowed them succor under heavy threats of financial consequences for refusal. The text was from Bakshi, who still had a lot of contacts willing to talk to him thanks to the almighty dollar.

Well, that would set a bug under the ass of the US like nothing would if true…

Actual war was likely months away, mercenaries and warlords likely going to be bleeding for a while yet as nations prepared and set up. Unless Wakanda did something suicidal.

Another text came in, Justin pulling it up as Elena and Domino sunk into discussion, their heads close together as they whispered about something.

Word is also coming from the African Union, Bakshi warned, A private negotiator has arrived in Johannesburg and is claiming to intend to negotiate a peaceful resolution with Wakanda, asking the African Nations to condone his mission and hold off on allowing foreign nations to involve themselves until an effort for peace have been attempted first.

Justin stared at the text in incomprehension. A private negotiator? Who the fuck had the brass balls to stick their dick into this quagmire and try to stiff the nations of their payday?

Justin would likely get to meet them. And tell them to fuck off to their face. He wanted this war. He needed this war. It was perfect for starting the rearmament process across the world.

He needed Africa to work for him. And this was as good of an excuse as he'd ever get.

The African Union could theoretically all band together and invade Wakanda themselves, theoretically. It would be one way for Africa to get ahead. However, their militaries were neither on par with the major powers, nor well funded enough to both keep other powers out and fight a war at the same time, not to mention the logistics issues or the fact putting soldiers from nations who have been killing each other - on the same team, was a recipe for disaster. There was also the literal suicide it would be for several smaller nations to lose out on foreign aid if they tried to shut out the western and eastern powers like that.

The facts were that many nations in Africa depended on foreign aid to feed a not insignificant amount of their people, not to mention the medicine the UN and various organizations provided. Although that would be less of an issue with Panacea becoming available.

Which would take time, as production of the serum, the cradles, as well as the training and hiring of providers and security teams would take much longer then simply buying the locales to administer the treatment in.

But like with any new drug, Africa was the continent where people were the least likely to be able to actually afford it. But Justin could change that…

He was already reaching an almost heroic status amongst the people there for creating Panacea in the first place, even if they didn't have it yet. Imagine how it would be once they got it? Oh, Maya and Helen had done the work, with some assistance from Vanko - but Justin was who people knew.

He relaxed in the armored limo, enjoying a drink as Elena and Domino actually chatted like old friends all of a sudden, Elena somehow managing to win the bodyguard over within ten minutes, chatting about female rights from what he was hearing, and the efficiency in female mercenaries. Heh, the woman knew her audience.

Ford hired good people, Justin thought, hiding a smirk with the rim of his glass of whiskey. Domino wasn't calling her a whore now, was she?

He went back to his thoughts on how he could transform Africa to be what he needed. Letting the two women fill the air with background noise. Listening to two women with honestly insanely sexy voices - helped him relax more than the drink did.

So… The African Union.

The fact of the matter was that the African Union was in no way homogeneous. Many countries had frequently warred with each other fairly recently - many hated their neighbors or distrusted any outsiders, they were not cooperative in the same manner as the European Union was. (For a generous consideration of the word cooperative) So this war against Wakanda… It really held no real positives for Africa.

And to Justin. That sounded like a literal dream come true. The fact of the matter was that Earth was wholly unprepared for any extraterrestrial advance - even from lowly space pirates.

The Chitauri invasion would have been devastating if not for the plot derived ridiculously small portal created for them. There was no guarantee it would be that small again. Justin both intended to have the militaries of the world prepared - and start a space industry - to eventually morph into an actual space fleet, with hopefully a lot of Chitauri salvage giving them a boost eventually.

Not even Justin believed they'd have an operating space industry in four years, so the invasion might uplift their capabilities slightly depending on what chitauri tech they could get their hands on.

What Justin needed was the room to create an entire space industry from practically scratch, because then it would be his. He intended to strike a deal with the African Union. He didn't give two fucks about if the countries were democratic, tyrannies, run by a matriarchy - hell, Magneto could conquer one of the countries for all he cared. it wouldn't matter. He just needed them onboard.

He'd offer them all the free desalination plants to go with the - built at his own expense - unlimited energy capabilities of Arc reactors up and down Africa - bringing clean power and more importantly abundant clean water to Africa. It would mean he'd operate on a loss in Africa for years - at least a decade probably, but the rest of the world's profits would keep him afloat easily. Preferential trade deals signed in return for the cheap energy would pay him back ten times the cost eventually anyway.

He intended to spend every dollar he made elsewhere into building up an infrastructure to prepare for the future, he'd hire anyone with a pulse, he could pay them lowball wages for now, due to the conditions - in return for free Panacea for his employees, taking care of some of the societal issues due to having a healthy, disease free society. And garnering extreme amounts of loyalty to him and his brand.

Once things started to build up he could slowly raise wages to match. It would take a decade minimum, to build up enough of the workforce and educate them enough to be at an optimal level - one reason to choose Africa as well being the buy in from the populace would be huge - he wouldn't have to worry about finding enough people willing to work, or compete for people getting the education to get there - his MegaCorp would be the only game in town. His only lack would be in enough teachers and infrastructure to get people up to that level. But in the meantime he could fill that out with hires from overseas to get the ball rolling.

Not to mention he'd have plenty of qualified people to at least build up and start it with - the idea of Africans all being uneducated was derived from charity organizations showing videos of little tent cities of starving people, that was in no way indicative of all of Africa.

There would be enough people for him to get going. And his construction company would truly become global when he hired millions of Africans to it, and paid his own company to perform the work. An investment that would pay off well in the future after, as he'd never run out of things to build, and trusted his own company far further than outsiders.

Clean energy, water, jobs, infrastructure projects, roads, ports, airport expansions. Justin would do it all, would own it all, even if some of it he'd have to let the government in on in regards to infrastructure… And all of it without any risk that any of the fifty plus nations would ever be big enough to protest or ruin him - not that he'd ever give them a reason to.

Dealing with all these countries would be much easier than doing the same with the egotistical countries on the UN Security Council.

He was interrupted from his thoughts as Domino gestured for his attention. He raised a questioning eyebrow.

"I just hired her for you." Domino said bluntly, her eyes twinkling in mirth, "She's good people, you're welcome."

Justin coughed lightly, playing with his tie as he looked for a way to put his thoughts in words. It's not that he disagreed about hiring a competent worker, but..

Elena looked slightly worried as Justin didn't immediately affirm her hiring, but Domino waved a hand dismissively, "Don't worry, he's trying to find a polite way to say that if you're hired, he can't fuck you." She snorted, "And he really wants to!"

"Domino!" Justin coughed out, almost spilling his last finger of Whiskey all over himself.

"What? It's the truth, boss!" Domino said with a quirky smile, before turning to a blushing but also smirking, Elena, who was almost preening, "He had that policy before, to not fuck his employees, then he went and stuck it in this scientist with a crush working under him anyway, and she's been kinda pining since. So…"

Elena laughed lightly, pulling her ponytail in front of her in a smooth motion as she seemed to think the situation over, before smirking, giving Justin a dangerous look, "You could hire me in Johannesburg, I have to send my report to my bosses anyway before I can be… Hired…" She suggested. Suggestively.

Justin really didn't need the complications of another employee going all moon eyed at him, even if he thought Elena was a different breed of woman from Helen Cho.

Elena looked like she could go a round of MMA and then walk down a catwalk. Not quite the innocent and endlessly curious woman like Cho.

"Alright." He said. Completely contradicting his brain. What's the worst that could happen?

Way to go Justin…

He switched his mind to Africa again, putting the complications of his love life to the wayside. Damn his libido, he was fucking like Tony Stark after all…

He was sure he wouldn't get unanimous buy in at the start. The African Union was too divided, too many dictators would be hesitant to let him in until they realized he didn't give a shit about how many opposition leaders they tortured. But if he could get even thirty countries on board - the rest would fall in once they saw the build up begin.

Or they'd be deposed by a populace desperate for Panacea. Either worked for him…

Once they had enough Wakandan tech to figure out their aircrafts, which would boost their space capabilities - it wouldn't take too long to figure out space vehicles for mining asteroids and the like, perhaps a nice proper space station out there as well to process it.

With the likes of Vanko and Sterns (hopefully Hulk the movie would still happen there) putting their big brains on it. As well as other scientists putting themselves to use - and with plenty of Vibranium in the world's hands - coupled with arc reactor tech and unlimited energy, a space force wouldn't be a pipe dream anymore.

It just wouldn't be easy or quick either. Although the MCU world being kind of ridiculous, seemingly allowed for faster growth than was logical at times. He'd managed to build an Arc reactor plant in Texas in what, a year and a half?

And, Justin would with great distaste… Even contract the likes of Stark to do a couple pieces for space capabilities if necessary, he could put aside his dislike if it meant he boosted the probability to get Earth prepared sooner… If the man asked nicely to get to play.

America, the EU, China, they all had a possible quicker route to achieving all this. They had better everything. But they also had innumerable roadblocks. Red tape. Special interests, organizations like SHIELD and HYDRA, all of them were more prevalent and more intertwined with the major powers and would want their own pieces.

If this went through the UN, some pieces would be built in Russia, some in France, some in China, some in America and so on and so on - hardly speeding things up. Who knew what the likes of HYDRA would pull off there too.

For some reason HYDRA didn't have a huge presence in Mozambique or Angola, go figure.

They also would never accept Justin having a controlling interest in the space industry and space defense if he set up on their step. They'd want practically full control. He had the president by the balls in a general sense, but when it came to things this big - that wasn't enough to smooth the process over.

Even Ellis would fall on his own sword rather than put US interests in space under Hammer.

Considering how ineffective the UN was… Justin would not allow the major powers to control space. Hammer industries would become the premier mega corporation on Earth, and he would defend the planet, the major powers… Simply his customers. He didn't need China and the US waving dicks at each other in space - they had too many genocidal enemies out there to be able to afford that stupidity.

Oh they'd be there, on his space stations, his company producing the weapons, armor, tech, etc. He wouldn't be able to control every variable, since he needed the armies of the various countries - but he'd have the influence to be the voice above all else.

The Earth needed Hammer.

Now all he needed to do to really get it started… Was to convince a bunch of petty politicians, where at least a third were corrupt or held no interest in the betterment of their people, to go along with his wishes.

Luckily Justin already had done some work during these past two years, creating a substantial amount of jobs in Africa by building a ton of factories - majority of them in the southern and northwest parts - so he needed to spread that out, but it gave him some credit, showing that he fulfilled his promises.

After all, those factories had practically stood empty until recently as he didn't want to get exposed by beginning production too early. And yet he'd still paid to keep staff on, having them do training or education while waiting. Building goodwill.

That would give him the benefit of the doubt. Especially compared to the general view of US companies outside America.

They arrived soon after to the airport, his security safely getting him on the plane, Elena being a good sport about the second frisking before she was allowed onboard, her first frisking happening before their meeting. His security operating handheld scanners that could catch most anything nowadays.

Except fucking Mystique. He'd have to find something for that…

As he sat down in his luxurious seating area, an absolutely ancient man handed him a drink. Justin glanced at him in surprise, wondering when they'd started hiring octogenarians, then practically choked on his tongue when he really focused on the person in front of him.

The old man, looking remarkably similar to Stan Lee, patted him on the shoulder, "You're an interesting boy, Justin." He said with a roguish smirk, "But you're never going to be famous if you keep upping the rating over PG-13." He looked over at Elena meaningfully, Justin following his gaze.

When he looked back, there was no old man. Justin wasn't about to make himself look like a fool, so he used the playback feature on his glasses - only to find that they showed no such interaction.

Fucking Marvel, he thought, wondering if Stan Lee was One Above All or some shit.

Elena sat down next to him, and Justin stopped thinking about it. There were far better things to concentrate on.

Like the fact that Elena had taken ballet in her youth and was extremely flexible.

＊＊＊

Hours later,

Pym household. San Francisco.

Hope Van Dyne stared at her phone, not sure how she felt about the phone call she'd just recieved.

Her father walked into the room, giving her a puzzled look, "What's wrong, Hope? You look like you've gotten bad news…"

Hope blinked, gathering herself, giving her father a wry look, "Not bad really. Just strange."

Hank sat down at the kitchen table heavily, cleaning his glasses, "Alright, lay it on your old man, let me impart some wisdom."

Hope couldn't help but laugh, looking at him in some disbelief, "Wisdom dad? From the Hank Pym? Are you feeling alright?"

He grunted, pointing a finger at her, "I don't need you being smart with me, Hope, now tell me what's going on."

Hope played with the phone in her hands, trying to organize how she felt about it, "I think… Justin Hammer just asked me on a date…" She said, feeling confused."He just called me up from landing in Johannesburg, said he'd thought of me and wondered if I wanted to go out for dinner when he gets back to the states."

Hank let out a relieved sigh, earning a weird glance from Hope, "Okay, not the reaction I expected." She admitted, feeling slightly underwhelmed.

Hank chuckled lightly, standing up and walking over to the coffee machine, fiddling with it, before speaking. "I was worried for a second, but Hammer is constantly surrounded by supermodels and the like, so I'm sure this is harmless."

…"Excuse me?" Hope said, almost struck speechless, her phone clattering to the table as she dropped it in shock.

Hank blinked, looking confused as he peered back at her, "Yes? You're obviously not his type, honey. You're actually intelligent." He scoffed, "Not someone Hammer would go for."

"Dad… Stop talking." Hope ordered, grinding her teeth together, almost not able to believe what she was hearing. Unfortunately tact was not something her father had ever heard of.

Hank shook his head, making a pleased noise as the coffee machine spluttered into working order, "Hope, I don't know what's gotten into you, not being desired by the likes of perverts like Hammer is a plus, not a negative. It likely means this is a solely business related meeting."

Hope took a deep breath and counted to ten, but her father was still there when she was done, so it didn't work out as intended. "I am only good for talking business with, is that it?" She asked dangerously.

"I don't understand… That's your job, honey?" Hank asked, looking confused.

Hope snapped up her phone, her chair clattering back as she stood up suddenly, biting out at her father, "Well I'm going on this date, I'll be wearing a dress, it will be short, there will be dancing, and absolutely no business talk, it's a date!"

"Hope!? What's gotten into you!? Hope!" Hank called out as she stormed off.

"Maybe Justin Hammer!" She shouted back snidely, slamming the door on her way out.

Oh god… She thought as she leaned back against the front door.

Now she had to go on that date. And he probably wanted to see her for business just like her dad said. Ugh, why were men so stupid?

Why was he even calling her anyway?

＊＊＊

With Justin, minutes before his phone call to Hope Van Dyne,

Elena cuddled into his chest drawing little circles on him with nimble fingers that made him shiver, the jet inbound to Johannesburg now - a notification popping up on his watch as they start to land.

Remember to call Hope, start making inroads for Pym technologies before you forget again, dumbass.

Justin sighed as he searched for his phone, right, he better get on that, having so many businesses on the go, all the politics and work that went into it - he kept forgetting minor details - like Hope. God he needed more minions, competent ones. As it was Bakshi, Phantazia and Domino had barely had a day off in forever.

Also he was an asshole when he set reminders for himself.

Well, better just get her out of the way before he'd have the African Union and this negotiator to deal with.

He searched up her number and pressed call, stifling a yawn. Elena had really worn him out.

Worst case if he didn't have time, he could just substitute Elena for himself in doing a potential dinner with Hope, right? She was working for him now.

"Hey, Hope, it's Justin, Justin Hammer."

＊＊＊