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Cairo, Egypt, September 7th, 2009
Justin stood in the center of Cho's state-of-the-art laboratory, his eyes scanning the array of advanced equipment and the sterile, metallic surfaces that reflected the cold, clinical environment, some signs of Cho's personality existed here and there, a very expensive coffee machine, a few anatomical drawings of his body, pinned up, a small painting of a South Korean landscape barely visible behind a large machine.
And the rumpled cot in the corner that showed that she'd slept over in the lab much too often.
Helen Cho bounced on her feet in front of him. Her dark hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and her eyes shone with a mix of excitement and obsession. She moved with purpose, her white lab coat flowing behind her like a cape as she bounced from foot to foot. Today was a significant day; they were testing the latest iteration of the Extremis serum, which now included splices of Asgardian DNA.
After all, they'd left a smorgasbord for them, it would have been foolish not to take advantage. Asgardians were some of the toughest bastards out there, although not everyone was capable of surviving in space, tanking the Hulk, and all other Thor related feats - they were still superior to humanity. For now.
Without their Arc reactor weaponry and Extremis, they would have died against even the weakest of guards a year ago in New Mexico. Even Asgardians at the lower spectrum were not able to handle high end energy weapons blasted into their faces.
Annoyingly enough, Thor probably would shake it off. It was hard to tell, he seemed to vary between getting his ass kicked and then not with no real rhyme or reason.
They still hadn't heard back from Asgard, which he was thankful for, because they were nowhere near ready for the meeting down here yet, politicians…
"Justin, sir, are you ready?" Helen asked, her voice carrying an attempt at professionalism to mask her underlying fervor. She was flanked by three identical clones, silent and efficient, moving about the lab with an eerie synchronization. These clones were Helen's creations, working as her lab assistants, devoid of independent thought, but capable of executing simple commands with precision.
They were in a word… Creepy.
Justin now knew, thanks to Nail, that Helen had a clone of him living with her, a living sex toy. Something he had… Accepted. She had stopped badgering him as much, now that he knew the reason, well… He still preferred Justin two to be a mindless toy over Helen doing something crazy to him.
If she was happy, he was happy. Especially when she was happy far away from him.
Justin nodded, his eyes meeting Helen's with a steely determination. "Can't wait to try this," He replied, rolling his shoulders to loosen up. He could feel the serum coursing through his veins, a warm, almost fiery sensation that made him feel invincible. This was the Extremis serum, version 4.0, enhanced with Asgardian DNA. If all went well, this would be his ticket to unmatched power and durability against anyone on Earth.
They'd already cracked the fiery part, without exploding, allowing him to imitate a dragon if he so wished, melting metal with his hands, or breathing fire - without that orange glow that would have marked him as too other, for his sensibilities - except a brief flash when he used it. With the Asgardian durability added onto that and the super soldier serum, there wouldn't be anything on Earth that could touch him except the very few absolute monsters…
God damn Magneto….
"Let's begin with the strength test," Helen said, gesturing to a very thick metal slab positioned in the middle of the lab. It was anchored to the ground, meant to withstand tremendous force. "I want you to punch through this."
Justin stepped forward, flexing his fingers. He focused on the metal slab, feeling the Extremis heat up inside him. The sensation intensified, and his skin briefly flashed with an orange-red hue around his fist. He clenched his fist, the heat concentrating in his hand until it felt like he was holding the sun itself in his hand, though not in a painful way.
With a roar to psyche himself up that he immediately felt embarrassed about, Justin swung his fist forward. The impact was immediate and explosive. His fist met the metal with a searing heat, and the slab split apart as if it were made of paper. Molten metal dripped from the edges of the break, sizzling and hissing as it hit the ground. Justin stood back, smiling slightly at the effect. The power was incredible, and the realization of what he could do with it made his heart race.
He'd already been capable of ripping through metal with the upgrade to Extremis, but it appeared, as they suspected, that Asgardian blood would further enhance what was already there. With this upgrade, he'd be able to just run through a tank, melting it on his way through and not even slow down.
What it would do to an enemy combatant… Justin was feeling very good right now. The past year and its discoveries were really setting him up for victory.
Helen's eyes sparkled with excitement as she observed the results. "Remarkable," She murmured with barely held back joy, jotting down notes on her tablet. "The Asgardian DNA seems to have integrated perfectly with the Extremis serum, enhancing both your strength and thermal output."
Justin grinned, flexing a little, "Feels pretty damn good," He admitted. "What's next?"
Helen gestured to the clones, who quickly set to clearing the debris for her. "Kaecillius has the next test." She almost purrs out, as her hands track across his chest, attaching sensors with far more detail than was strictly necessary.
Kaecillius, who had been standing back with Domino and Phantazia, walked forward, arms crossed, as he bowed his head slightly, to Helen of all people, before then doing the same to Justin. Helen blushed, looking away, and Justin raised an eyebrow, wondering what that was.
"We'll test your resistance to magic now," Kaecillius said, his voice raspy and deep. "Magic is an unpredictable force, especially when it interacts with enhanced physiology, the texts at Kamar-Taj allude to Asgardians having a natural resistance to magic to an extent."
It probably explained why so many Asgardians had an aversion to magic as a threat, Justin thought. It also likely explained why Loki's favored magic was illusionary, targeting senses, instead of direct magical attacks.
Justin nodded at his magical minion, steeling himself, Helen watching her different machines, practically vibrating on the spot. He watched as Kaecillius began to weave intricate patterns in the air, golden sparks trailing from his fingers.
Kaecillius muttered an incantation, and a bolt of sizzling energy shot from his hand, striking Justin square in the chest. For a moment, Justin felt a tingle, as if something was trying to get under his skin. But that was it, a somewhat annoying tingle. No damage, no marks, his skin blemish free, his regeneration not even needing to kick in.
Helen watched with rapt attention, her eyes wide. "Fascinating," She whispered. "The Extremis has adapted perfectly, integrating the Asgardian resilience. It's… Incredible."
Domino whistled, "Making my job kinda superfluous here, boss."
Justin gave her a dry look, "Unless injecting your DNA gives me luck powers, I'll always need you, don't worry about your paycheck quite yet."
Domino tittered behind a raised hand, eyes glinting, "Boss, so forward, and here I thought it was the man who was supposed to 'inject' the woman…"
Phantazia sighed, and Domino immediately gave her a sheepish look, miming zipping her lips.
"One test isn't enough for a baseline." Phantazia said sternly, crossing her arms, "Kaecillius, again, a different spell." She ordered.
Kaecillius looked to Justin, who nodded, because she wasn't wrong. There was nothing scientific about throwing one spell and calling it a success.
For the next hour they tested many spells, finding that direct damage spells didn't do much, to a point. Once Kaecillius went into a set of higher end spells, Justin did begin to take damage, although less than what the spell was supposed to do. And unfortunately, things like binding spells still worked just fine. It seemed anything that was poised to try and push past the body's outer layer was what Asgardian resistance focused on, caring nothing for what went on above the skin.
Kaecillius lowered his hands after throwing a final spell that managed to briefly pierce through Justin, a rare look of surprise crossing his face - the spell was supposed to be able to blow his torso to chunks. "Impressive, Master." He said. "Your resistance to magic is formidable. This will give you an edge against mystical threats."
Justin let out a breath, always feeling somewhat off whenever he took damage to his internal organs, even if they immediately regenerated. It was a mental thing, he knew. So he shook it off, looking at Helen, "So?"
Helen's fingers flew over her tablet, recording the data. "Your physical enhancements are beyond our expectations. The combination of Extremis, the Super Soldier formula and Asgardian DNA, is giving you not only immense strength and thermal control but also a significant resistance to magical and likely physical attacks. We need to run more tests, of course, but… This is revolutionary." She looked up, her face shining, "This will change humanity!"
Maya would be upset to have missed this, but she was currently in space, working in the research lab there, he'd have to remember to congratulate her for her part in making this possible.
Justin nodded at Helen, satisfaction swelling within him. He glanced around the lab, taking in the gleaming equipment, the silent clones, and the hovering screens displaying his vitals. This was the future he was building - one where he stood at the pinnacle of power, untouchable and unstoppable.
At least… Until he was the bright shining beacon leading humanity, and had ascended even further - then all humans could eventually begin to transform into this ideal. Asgardians were dangerous Warriors, but what if they'd had 7 billion of them? And the technological innovations of geniuses like Stark, Forge and Vanko?
Earth was going to move into the do not fuck with category, he would ensure it.
"Before we move on," Justin said, his voice taking on a more serious tone, "I need to ask you something, Helen." He'd been meaning to talk to her, but purposely didn't spend a lot of time in her company, so now was as good as any time to ask her.
Helen looked up from her tablet, curiosity piqued. "Yes, Justin?"
Justin took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "There's been a rise in a... Let's call it a Hammer cult. People who worship me, almost religiously, and they seem to know an awful lot about my personal habits and preferences. Do you know anything about that?"
Nail was a godsend, Justin hadn't paid any attention to the small smattering of nutjobs that called him a Messiah, even if he smugly enjoyed that people understood his rightful place. With Nail active, he'd found that the organization was real, global, and very organized.
And Helen's name popped up a lot.
Including in a holy text that vividly described the time he took her virginity.
Helen's eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked almost childishly delighted. "Oh, you noticed!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "I may have... Encouraged a few admirers. It started with just a small group, but it seems to have grown quite rapidly." She preened slightly, "They call me high priestess, you know!"
Domino had to walk away, covering her mouth to cut off her laughter at Cho's eager admittance, as Phantazia twitched in annoyance, her eyes zeroing in on Cho, reevaluating her threat profile. Kaecillius seemed wholly unsurprised.
Justin gave him a flat look, before turning back to Helen, as he frowned, a mix of flattery and irritation bubbling up inside him. "Encouraged how, exactly?"
Helen's enthusiasm didn't waver. "I might have shared some insights and personal details with them to foster a more... Intimate connection. It's all for a good cause, sir. These people adore you. They see you as a savior, someone who is changing the world." She looked at him with wide adoring eyes, "They see you as you should be seen."
Justin rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Helen, you can't just create a cult around me. That's... Dangerous. People get crazy ideas, and it can spiral out of control."
Already Nail had found dangerous amounts of chatter about possibly assassinating Tony Stark to pave the way for Hammer industries. And copious amounts of crappy gay fanfiction, because apparently even cultists couldn't decide whether to kill Tony or ship him.
Helen's expression faltered slightly, a hint of disappointment creeping in. "I only wanted to show them how amazing you are. You've done so much for humanity, for science... For me. They should appreciate you."
Justin sighed, trying to keep his frustration in check. "I appreciate the sentiment, but we need to be careful. The last thing we need is a bunch of zealots causing problems. You need to cut your involvement " He eyed Kaecillius, "You too if you're involved." He added dryly.
Helen nodded, her eyes sincere. "I promise, Justin. I'll be more discreet." She wrung her hands together, looking upset that her actions had inconvenienced him.
Justin nodded, satisfied for now. "Good. Now, what's next on the testing agenda?"
Helen brightened again, her excitement returning. "We have a series of durability tests lined up. Let's see just how invulnerable you really are." She chirped.
For someone that professed to love him, and saw him as a Messiah, she didn't seem to have any issues with harming him, Justin thought, I'll never be able to understand her.
The clones moved swiftly, bringing out various implements designed to test his resilience. There were blades to test his skin's toughness, heavyweights for impact resistance, and chemical agents for toxicity.
First, Helen directed one of the clones to test the sharpness resistance. The clone approached with a surgical-grade scalpel, its edge glinting under the lab's bright lights. Justin stood still, allowing the clone to press the blade against his forearm. To his astonishment, the scalpel didn't leave a scratch, the blade's edge dulling against his enhanced skin. They then tried several types of blades and received the same results.
They next tried to burn him, to the same effect, no damage whatsoever.
"Incredible," Helen muttered, jotting down notes again. "Your epidermis is not only heat-resistant but also impervious to human strength cutting instruments."
Next, they moved on to impact testing. The clones set up a device resembling a battering ram. Justin braced himself as the heavy metal shot forward towards him, mechanically helped to reach a high speed. The impact was like a freight train, but Justin stood his ground. The force barely moved him, the kinetic energy dissipating across his body harmlessly.
"Your skeletal structure has been significantly reinforced," Helen observed. "The Asgardian DNA is providing a level of durability that far surpasses our initial projections." She looked at her notes, pursing her lips, "Further than what we projected for an Asgardian too, it seems the enhancement effect to the Super Soldier serum and Extremis, has strengthened all your baselines by significant margins as well."
"Only one test left for impact…" Helen said, eyes flicking to his bodyguards.
Domino immediately skipped forward, "Oh, me, me! Pretty please can I shoot him!"
"You don't have to sound so excited." Justin pointed out.
Domino just grinned impishly, "Getting a free shot at your boss? Shit, boss, I'm living the American dream here." She drew out one of her regular guns, "Don't worry, as a favor, I won't aim for your balls."
"Don't do him any favors." Phantazia muttered, drawing Justin's and Domino's attention, Justin gaping at her.
"Eileen!?"
She shrugged, "Anything to make you less of a horndog is the best option."
Domino laughed, and before Justin could prepare himself, she shot him, once, not in the balls, thankfully.
Helen hummed, racing forward to grab the bullet, which had flattened and fallen to the ground. "No damage. We'll have to test with higher caliber, of course, but for now… Sir, you're bulletproof." She declared.
"Ah, what a shame." Domino teased, holstering her gun, hip bumping Phantazia as she went back to her post. "Guess you're gonna have to keep living with it, eh?"
"You're as bad as him." She scoffed, a hint of pink briefly on her cheeks, before she looked away.
Finally, they tested chemical resistance. The clones carefully applied various acids and toxins to small patches of Justin's skin. Each time, his skin didn't even seem to notice.
Helen's excitement was palpable. "The integration is perfect," She said, her voice tinged with joyous awe. "Your body has adapted to a durability beyond what we saw in the Asgardians we experimented on!"
"Nail, put everything about today, and this serum, under complete information lockdown." He ordered, pleased with the progress.
"Yes, sir." The sweet Irish voice replied immediately, "Access level Omega implemented."
Helen pouted, "Sir, but that means even I won't be able to touch it without authorization."
Justin gave her a look, yeah, that's kind of the point…
"Do you, or do you not currently have a clone of me at home?" He reminded her, voice growing sterner.
Helen blushed, poking her fingers together, "Uh-hmm… Y-yes?"
Nail immediately interjected, "She has two, surveillance indicates that she enjoys both at the s-"
"Shut it!" Helen shouted, cheeks flaring as she yelled loud enough to overpower what else Nail was saying.
Justin rubbed his forehead wearily, "Nail, put the clone program under Omega level access as well." I do not need this to become an issue. Or for her little cult project to suddenly get one.
"Affirmative, sir." Nail said smugly. He had a feeling if the AI had a tongue, she'd be happily sticking it out at Helen right now.
"B-but sir! What if I need a third… For, f-for research purposes!?" Helen wheedled.
"Then use one of your own clones." He said dryly.
He looked over, and saw that the others had already left the lab, removing themselves from Helens crazy, so he hurriedly made his excuses, idly wondering if he should do something about the fact Helen and Nail were loudly arguing with each other as he left.
They were big girls, they could deal with it, surely.
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Same afternoon, Hammerhaven.
Justin stood in the center of his high-tech office, a holographic display glowing before him. The hologram projected a circular table where the figures of the World Security Council members flickered into view, each seated in their respective locations around the globe.
Gideon Malick's sharp features were among the first to materialize, his face set in a stern expression. He was an older man, but his eyes held a cunning sharpness that hinted at his long career in the shadowy corners of global politics. To his left was the new Chinese representative, Minister Zhang Wei, a portly man with a calm demeanor, but eyes that betrayed his calculating nature. The other members soon followed, each bringing their unique aura of authority and influence to the meeting.
The last year or two of events had taken a remarkable toll on the council, only Malick still there from before Justin's appointment. The world had changed, and world leaders and governments had changed in their purpose and direction in that time, necessitating a change even at the World Security Council.
"Mr. Hammer," Malick began, his tone dripping with barely concealed disdain. "We need to discuss the upcoming negotiations with Asgard. It's imperative that the World Security Council has a proper seat at the table."
Justin smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Good to see you too, Malick." He said coyly, "But I'm afraid that's not going to happen."
Minister Zhang spoke up next, his tone more diplomatic. "Mr. Hammer, surely you understand the importance of global cooperation. Asgard is not just another nation. Their technology and resources could benefit all of humanity. Allowing the Council to participate would ensure that these negotiations are conducted in the best interests of the entire world." Translation, their best interests, Justin thought.
No one got onto the council without having significant pull in world politics. Except perhaps Zhang, who likely needed at least some sort of agreement with the Mandarin to ply this game.
Justin's eyes flicked to Zhang, then back to Malick. "The interests of the entire world, huh? Funny, I thought you all were already fighting tooth and nail to get your own governments a seat at the table. Why should I let you double-dip?" He taunted easily, fully comfortable with the situation.
His seat was already assured, hence why they were all on their knees slobbering over his cock to get in. Well except Malick, who at least was delightfully consistent with his dislike for him.
The French representative, Camille Rousseau, a beautiful olive skinned woman with silky raven hair down to her back - who he suspected was given the position because the French believed he'd allow her an advantage due to her looks, leaned forward, her hands clasped together. "Justin, this is bigger than any one company or country. We're talking about an interstellar power. We need to approach this as a united front." She pleaded, using his first name.
Ah, I was right. He thought, funny how the WSC who'd seemed so big before, was now… Just a distraction, something he had no real reason to fear. With Nail online, he already knew them, down to what underwear they wore, to what porn they browsed, (Rousseau was heavily into subbing, Malick was surprisingly straight laced.) To what they're planning to do tomorrow. He knows it all.
Justin chuckled, shaking his head pityingly at the French woman. "A united front? Coming from the World Security Council? That's rich. How about you all focus on your own internal negotiations? Because as far as I'm concerned, Hammer Industries is handling this just fine."
Malick's eyes narrowed, his voice taking on a more menacing edge. "Don't be foolish, Hammer. You're playing with forces beyond your understanding. If you think you can monopolize this relationship with Asgard, you're gravely mistaken. There are consequences for overstepping your bounds."
Justin's smirk widened into a grin. "Consequences, Malick? Like what? Are you going to send a strongly worded letter? Maybe have your goons knock on my door? I have Captain America as my page boy now, he'll throw them out with the trash." He gestured dismissively, a condescending look to his grin, "Face reality Malick, you can't touch me, all you can do is beg for my consideration."
Minister Zhang interjected smoothly, "There's no need for threats, gentlemen. Mr. Hammer, perhaps we can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement. My government is prepared to offer certain... Incentives. Financial and business incentives."
Justin's eyes glinted with amusement. "Bribes now, Zhang? I'm flattered, really. But I don't need your money." That's not to say I'm not… Open, if it's Wenwu talking through your mouth.
With a simple thought, he contacted Nail through his mental implant, asking her to dig deeper into the Chinese and what they were up to, even as the other inconsequential members of the WSC tried different avenues to change his mind.
There would be limited seating for the Asgard conference, as decided by… Him, because he was the one Asgard was asking for negotiations with. And he didn't intend to waste a seat on these people. They'd have better luck trying to convince their governments to make them their representative.
The British delegate's frustration was palpable. "This isn't about power plays, Hammer. This is about the future of our planet. The Asgardians have capabilities we can't even dream of. Don't let your ego jeopardize this opportunity for all of us."
Funny thing to claim. Everything was about power plays in politics. That was the game.
Justin's demeanor shifted slightly however, his smile turning icy. "Ego? This coming from a group that's scrambling to control every piece of the pie they can get their hands on? Let's not kid ourselves. You all want a piece of the action because you know how valuable it is. But here's the thing - I've already secured the trust and interest of Asgard. They know Hammer Industries, they know me. They don't know the Council. You all are just names on a piece of paper to them."
He put his hands down on his desk, leaning forward, a chilled smile on his face, "And gentle beings, I decide what's on that piece of paper too, this is my game, you're extras."
Malick leaned back in his chair, a cold smile playing on his lips. "You're making a dangerous gamble, Hammer. One misstep, and you'll find yourself very alone. Powerful enemies can be made with a single decision, you're taking it all on yourself, but that means your solely responsible when it goes wrong too."
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Justin's gaze locked with Malick's, unflinching. "I don't make gambles, Malick. I make calculated moves towards victory. And right now, my calculation says that Hammer Industries has the upper hand. If you want in on this, you need to play by my rules."
The tension in the holographic room was palpable. Zhang's calm mask slipped for a moment, revealing his irritation. "This isn't the end of the discussion, Mr. Hammer. The Council has considerable influence, and we intend to use it." He shared a look with the Russian delegate, both of them looking aggrieved at his cocky attitude.
Justin nodded, his expression one of mock understanding. "Oh, I'm sure you will. But remember this, Influence only goes so far. Results are what matter. And right now, I'm the one delivering those results. The only one."
Rousseau sighed, her frustration evident. "Justin, for the sake of all of us, think carefully about your next steps. The Asgardians are a potential ally that we can't afford to mishandle." She tried to go for an earnest pouty look, but he thought she looked more like a duck.
Justin's smile widened slightly, though it never reached his eyes. "Don't worry, Camille. I have no intention of mishandling anything. I know exactly what I'm doing. And as long as you all remember that, we'll get along just fine." As in back off and let me do me, you're useless now, a puppet council.
Malick's eyes bore into Justin's, a silent promise of future conflict. "This isn't over, Hammer. We'll be watching." He growled out, seeing the writing on the wall, and having nothing to push against him with.
Justin leaned back in his chair, his confidence unwavering. "You do that, Malick. Enjoy the show."
With a flick of his wrist, Justin ended the holographic transmission, the images of the Council members fading away. He stood up, stretching his arms and looking out over the city. The meeting had gone exactly as he had anticipated. They were desperate to get in on the action, but he held all the cards. And as long as he stayed one step ahead, the power would remain firmly in his hands.
Justin couldn't help but chuckle to himself. The World Security Council thought they could intimidate him, bribe him, coerce him. They had no idea who they were dealing with. He was Justin Hammer, and he was playing a game they couldn't even begin to understand. He was going galactic, and here they were, playing provincial with each other.
Pierce would have a seat at the table to keep him appeased, but these jokers? They just didn't understand how entirely useless they were now.
Pierce paid lip service to them, and then did what he wanted, and Justin couldn't be arsed to even do the lip service. He'd outgrown the council.
It felt… Good.
He felt like he was reaching towards that zenith, where no one else could touch him.
"Nail, Malick is not needed." He said softly, staring out over his city.
"It will be done by morning, sir."
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September 8th, New York.
Justin sat comfortably on the plush couch of "The Late Show" set, the vibrant lights reflecting off his sharp suit. The audience buzzed with excitement as the host, a charismatic comedian named Tom Hargrove, leaned forward, his grin as wide as ever.
"Justin, always a pleasure to have you here. Now there's been some controversy lately, and I'm not talking about the aliens, I understand you can't really say much on that." Tom said, laughing as the crowd boos. "I know, I know, gotta love government NDA's folks, but seriously, what's up with Hammer Industries getting control over the corrections system? There's been a lot of noise around that."
Ah, it's so nice being on a show where you own the person asking the questions. Justin thought, smiling pleasantly at Tom, and the camera, as he answered, "Well, Tom, there's been some misconceptions that we're brainwashing American citizens which couldn't be further from the truth." Well… Depending on one's definition of brainwashing.
He tapped his head, winking at the camera, "I myself have the same style mental implant as the prisoners under our care, it's perfectly harmless."
Tom laughed, "Hey, look at that, some big bruiser named Bubba in Folsom can now say they have something in common with Justin Hammer!" The crowd laughed and cheered as the applause sign lit up.
Justin had created yet another company, with America as the testbed as he owned the government to such a degree he could get away with privatizing the entire correctional system. Hammer Corrections and Rehabilitation now runs every prison in America. And although they've only been at it for two months so far, the world was taking notice.
He chuckled along at Tom's joke, before explaining it further, "It's really quite simple, instead of wasting taxpayers money on putting someone in a box for 20 years, we install this implant, and run them through their sentence in a virtual world, that will last month's at the most in the outside world, but their entire sentence in their minds." He splayed his hands out, smiling genially, "Humanely giving people the consequence for their crime, while rehabilitating them through classes and behavior programs through their sentence - with no chance for them to get into drugs, make criminal connections with other inmates, or be victimized or further radicalized, as can happen in a normal prison system."
There was a reason he tended to make these public announcements on talk shows and the like - no one ever asked the hard questions. Like what exactly are you teaching them.
They did their job, and would do their job even more efficiently now that Nail was in charge, but Justin also wasn't completely altruistic. A funny thing to think when he was eating up the entire correctional budget just for himself. Anyone going through the system would leave it with a positive view of him and his business. Full stop, everyone that goes through the prison system, even for a 2 week jail sentence.
"I think it's a marvelous thing, isn't it folks?" Tom said, clapping his hands, applause reverberating across the set.
"Now that we got my curiosity out of the way - and silenced all those negative nellies complaining about Hammer Corrections. You've got something big to share with us tonight, don't you?" Tom's tone was enthusiastic, perfectly setting the stage for Justin's announcement.
"Absolutely, Tom. Tonight, I'm unveiling something that's going to revolutionize how we live our lives. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you HammerAll, the everything app." Justin paused, letting the anticipation build. The audience leaned in, their curiosity piqued. They were all conditioned by now to expect something amazing whenever Justin did this kind of announcement.
"HammerAll," He continued, "Is not just another app. It's the only app you'll ever need. Entertainment? We've got Netflix, Spotify and YouTube integrated seamlessly, coupled with a few others you'll come to enjoy, especially you gamers! Do you want social media? Instagram, Twitter, all at your fingertips. Shopping? Amazon and Uber are just a tap away, same for your Uber ride hail. Need to pay for it? We've got PayPal built-in. You can buy a pizza, order groceries, even have your pharmacy prescriptions delivered, all from one place. HammerAll is designed to simplify your life by bringing everything into one easy-to-use interface."
The large screen behind them came to life, showcasing the sleek interface of HammerAll, showcasing how one press of the app would bring up the multitude. Justin stood, taking a few steps towards the screen, and with a flick of his wrist, the app's various features lit up.
"Look here," He said, pointing to the entertainment section, "You can stream your favorite shows and videos without ever needing to switch apps. Your playlists, your watchlists, everything is right here."
He swiped to the social media section. "Keep up with your friends, your followers, your favorite influencers all in one feed. No more app hopping, everyone will be there, and so will you."
Next, he showcased the shopping features. "Whether you're buying clothes, ordering a ride, or even groceries, it's all here. You can browse, select, and pay in a few simple steps."
Justin tapped a button, and the payment interface appeared. "And paying? It's as easy as pressing a button. With PayPal integration, your transactions are secure and instant."
The crowd erupted into applause, impressed by the sleek design and the convenience it promised. Justin basked in their admiration, his smile confident and cocky. He knew this would be used everywhere. People would go to town for convenience, and there wasn't much that could beat this app's convenience.
"Now, I know what you're thinking," He said, pacing back to his seat, "This sounds too good to be true. But it's real, and it's here. HammerAll will be available on all HammerTech devices starting tomorrow." He winked, "Most of it is even free, with only a small subscription fee for the higher end apps."
Money wasn't the main reason behind this, influence was. With Nail running everyone's twitter feed, their internet searches, their ads, their YouTube pop ups, their podcasts recommendations. The world would slowly become more Hammer by each day. But if he gave the app out completely for free, people wouldn't fully trust it, so he added a small almost inconsequential fee for the Netflix and Spotify options as a bundle.
Tom jumped in, his excitement mirroring the audience's. "That sounds incredible, Justin. I mean, this could change everything!" He waved his arms wildly, "You're talking about people being able to run their entire life from just one press of a button!"
"That's the plan, Tom," Justin replied, his eyes gleaming with barely hidden excitement. He turned to the camera, his gaze piercing through the lens, addressing millions of viewers directly. "HammerAll. Available tomorrow. Be ready to upgrade your life."
The screen flashed behind him, Upgrade your life! Flashing by in large letters. Suck on that, Tony.
The applause was thunderous, the audience on their feet. Justin gave a final wave before the show cut to commercial. The rest of the show was barely worth paying attention to, as he sat on the couch as some vapid celebrity gushed over him. As soon as the cameras were off, he made his way backstage, his expression shifting from charming to calculating.
"Nail," he spoke softly, addressing his AI assistant embedded in his glasses, "How hard did Stark Industries' stock drop in the last few minutes?"
With Stark switching more and more of his military contracts to more defensive purposes, the electronics market was one of his major money getters. And he'd just dropped a bomb on him.
A moment later, Nails' calm, sexy voice replied, "Stark Industries' stock has dropped by 9.2 percent, sir."
Justin frowned, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face. "Only 9.2 percent? I was expecting a bigger hit. What do we have to do to make it 20?" He said, not really needing to go that hard, but it was all part of the rivalry.
If he couldn't completely crush Stark, he could at least make sure that the entire world knew he was inferior. In a friendly way...
Nail responded, "Would you like me to analyze potential strategies to further impact Stark Industries' market position?" She almost sounded gleeful.
Domino, the only one of his retinue that had followed him to the show, muttered something about Terminator, as they kept walking.
Justin ignored her, and nodded, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Yes, do that. And get me a full report by morning."
As he strode towards his car, Justin couldn't help but reflect on the evening's success. HammerAll was poised to dominate the market, integrating every aspect of modern life into a single, user-friendly platform. Entertainment, social media, shopping, payments - everything was consolidated into one powerful app.
Justin wasn't just thinking about convenience and the way he could twist people's thinking his way. He was also thinking about control over the markets. By integrating these services, HammerAll would collect vast amounts of data, giving HammerTech unprecedented insight into consumer behavior. It was a goldmine of information that could be leveraged for future innovations and strategic moves.
Back in his office, the lights dimmed to a comfortable glow as Justin sank into his chair. The room was quiet, the only sound being the hum of the city's nightlife through the large windows. He tapped his desk, bringing up a holographic interface where Nail had already started compiling data on Stark Industries.
"Show me the analysis you have so far," Justin commanded, watching as graphs and charts materialized in front of him. The drop in Stark's stock was significant, but it wasn't the punch he had hoped for. Yet, he knew that HammerAll was just the beginning. With its release, HammerTech was set to become an even more dominant player in the tech industry.
Stark and him would be the only ones of note left now, no way the other companies don't throw in the towel after this, he thought, smugly. Everyone would want HammerTech, no one with any kind of internet presence would settle for less.
Justin leaned back, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. The World Security Council, Stark Industries, even the global markets - they were all pieces on his chessboard, and he was making his moves.
Tomorrow, the world would wake up to HammerAll, and everything would change.
----------------------------------------
The next day, hours after HammerAll is successfully launched, Hammerhaven.
Justin sat in his office at HammerHaven, the skyscraper that served as the nerve center of his operations until New York finished his new headquarters.
Seated across from him were Yelena and Domino. Yelena lounged in her chair, exuding an air of casual readiness, just waiting for a reason to go into motion. Domino, ever the wild card, leaned back with a cocky grin, just waiting for whatever came next, having become loyal enough that Justin thought he could probably stop paying her and nothing would change.
Not that he would do that. But he could. And that comforted him, in a way. People weren't just around him because he made them money.
"Alright, let's get down to business," Justin began, his tone brisk and authoritative. "Nail, give me a detailed report on Norman Osborn and his whereabouts."
It was time to begin to really dig into his enemies, Nail had over a week to familiarize herself with the global internet and communication systems, if she couldn't find it, it didn't exist.
A holographic display flickered to life on Justin's desk, and Nail began to speak in her almost flirty, accented voice. "Norman Osborn has been tracked to China, although his signal is bounced around so expertly it's impossible to locate an exact location. His recent activities however suggest he is currently operating under the aegis of Xu Wenwu, otherwise known as the Mandarin."
Justin raised an eyebrow, a mixture of curiosity and annoyance crossing his face. "Wenwu, huh? That complicates things. Nail, how sure are we of this information?" Does that mean the Mandarin is now running Oscorp…? And the military is now buying their prized power armor from China? Oh, that's going to mess with national security…
Nail's response was immediate. "The tracking is based on Osborn's use of electronic devices as well as a few shots on social media where he appeared in the background of someone's photo in Beijing. The signals were traced to many different locations in China, which correlates with Wenwu's known areas of influence - the photos were all in Beijing."
Yelena leaned forward, her interest piqued. "What is Osborn doing with The Mandarin? Are they working together, or is Osborn just hiding out?" She mused, cocking her head, thoughtfully, "We might need physical assets to investigate further…"
Yelena, your answer is always to send a Black Widow. Justin's thought, wryly. Ever since she became in charge of her fellow Widows, she'd been incredibly focused on their careers. Too bad they still hadn't located her mother or Dreykov's girl. I'll put Nail on that in a bit, we got bigger fish to fry right now.
Justin tapped the desk, having been thinking for a moment. "It's hard to say without more intel." He said finally, "Although I'm not convinced yet that sending Widows into the Mandarin's demesne is a good idea. Osborn's also a slippery one, and Wenwu isn't exactly known for transparency, we still know frustratingly little. But whatever they're up to, it's not good for us."
The Mandarins organization did use cell phones and computers, so they knew much more than they had before, but it seemed nothing overly important to Wenwu himself was stored digitally. Like his location.
Domino smirked. "You think? Osborn and the Mandarin together sounds like a recipe for disaster. We need to keep a closer eye on them." She drew a line over her throat with her thumb, "Or deal with it now, before it becomes an issue."
Justin nodded, his mind already racing through potential strategies. "Nail, continue to monitor Osborn. I want updates on any significant movements or communications." He wasn't ready to choose to move against Wenwu yet.
They had some time to gather more information.
"Understood," Nail replied immediately.
Justin turned his attention back to the AI, moving to the next subject, and frankly, the more pressing one. "What about Magneto and Sinister? Any news on them?"
Nail paused for a moment before responding, sounding grumpy in a cute way. "Tracking Magneto and Sinister has proven more challenging, sir. However, we have been able to track Mystique for brief periods through very limited electronic use and CCTV footage. She has been caught on camera a few times in identities I cracked through her messages." The AI sounded apologetic as she added, "There doesn't seem to be any noticeable reason for her movements, although they seem limited to Northern Europe or Canada so far."
Justin frowned, leaning back in his chair. "And what about direct contact between her and Magneto or Sinister?" He asked, annoyed, because at this point it was beginning to become a little ridiculous.
"There has been absolutely no contact between Mystique and either Magneto or Sinister electronically," Nail reported. "Furthermore, there is no electronic communication from either Magneto or Sinister to any device I've had access to. However, there is a lot of chatter in the metahuman community about a paradise for all of mutant kind - specifically naming it as mutants, not metahumans. This propaganda is spreading through word of mouth, but I've intercepted a few text messages among friends who've shared the literature - which have allowed me to learn of this word of mouth rumor."
Yelena sighed, crossing her arms. "A paradise for mutants? Sounds like Magneto's dream come true." She grimaced, "And there's no way that's not going to be very dangerous for us."
"Or it's Sinister's twisted idea of a utopia, as he's in charge…" Domino added with a distasteful look. "Either way, it sounds like they are building up something, and that is likely going to be aimed at us."
With metahumans being championed by Hammer industries, anyone trying the Homo Superior bullshit would be gunning for them first. Take away the metahumans defenders, and then profit as the whole mutant question explodes giving them their race war. It was already a hot topic across the globe, only the alien reveal really simmering down the hate from some groups.
It was better than in any X-Men reality he'd ever heard of before he got reincarnated here, but there was still a Sentinel program running somewhere. Nail was already following that trail, having discovered a lot of the backers, but hadn't quite found where it was located.
Which again was a similar problem to Sinister and Magneto, which makes him wonder what kind of Marvel bullshit he's missing. If they had a secret moon base before him, he was going to be pissed.
Justin rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the situation. "This 'paradise' could be a front for something much more sinister. We need to find out where it is and what they're planning."
Yelena nodded. "Agreed. But with no electronic trail to follow, how do we find them?"
Justin's eyes narrowed in thought. "We need to lean on our contacts within the metahuman community. Someone has to know something. Nail, prioritize gathering intelligence on this so-called paradise. Use any means necessary."
"Understood," Nail replied, "I am limited however in the lack of electronic use by those that spread it."
Justin leaned back, considering his next moves. The pieces on the board were shifting, looking like they were soon coming to a head, and he needed to stay ahead of the curve. "Yelena, I suppose you get to send out your Widows after all, I need something for Nail to latch onto."
Yelena's expression was serious, even as her eyes sparkled. "We'll get it done, Justin. Whatever it takes."
The room was quiet for a moment as they all considered the challenges ahead. Justin knew they were facing powerful enemies, but he also knew they had the resources and the determination to come out on top. Only the fact his enemies seemed to realize his threat and were moving very cautiously - was saving them at the moment.
He refused to be reactive.
They'd track them down, and deal with them one by one. Sinister and Magneto first, the Sentinel program. Shaw and Selene, Wenwu and Osborn. One by one, the dominoes would fall.
This is my Era, you losers are surplus to requirements now. He thought, eyes pouring over the information Nail laid out.
My time, my planet, get off my lawn, you filthy malcontents.
----------------------------------------
Later that night, Hammerhaven.
Justin, Yelena, and Domino were sprawled across the large, plush couch in Justin's opulent living room, surrounded by the best entertainment equipment money could buy. The soft glow from the giant flat-screen TV bathed them in a cozy light. Bowls of snacks, mostly popcorn and chips, were scattered around them, within easy reach for when the urge to munch struck.
The trio had settled in for a night of relaxation, a rare respite from their usual high-stakes endeavors. On the screen, a classic action movie played, the sound of explosions and witty one-liners filling the room. Despite the high-octane scenes, the mood in the room was relaxed and comfortable. Justin rarely let his hair down, so to speak, so these few moments were precious to him when they happened.
Yelena was nestled against Justin's side, her head resting on his shoulder. Her blonde hair cascaded over his arm, and she absently twirled a strand around her finger. On the other side, Domino lounged with her feet propped up on the coffee table, a bowl of popcorn resting precariously on her lap. Then again, the lady of luck could probably rest the bowl on a finger while jumping out of an airplane and not lose a kernel.
Justin reached for a handful of popcorn, only to have Yelena playfully bat his hand away. "Hey! Hands off my popcorn," She teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Justin chuckled, leaning in to steal a kiss on her forehead. "What's yours is mine, quite literally, I pay for everything." He pointed out.
"No such rule when it comes to snacks," Yelena retorted, but her smile softened the words, before she cheekily added, *Besides, everyone knows when it comes to snacks, it's every woman for herself!"
Domino rolled her eyes, though she couldn't suppress her grin. "You two are disgustingly cute, you know that? Just smooch already."
Yelena's eyes sparkled with mischief. "You're just jealous, Dom. Maybe you need to join us more often. Right, Justin?" Her grin turned coy, "Or are you just egging us on, cuz you like to ~watch?"
Justin glanced over at Domino, his expression playful. "Well, there's always room for one more."
Domino raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Is that so? Maybe I will." Her smile turned positively sinful as she stretched out, displaying her body in the tight purple nightgown she was wearing. "I do owe you that one promise…"
Yelena shifted, resting her head on Justin's lap and reaching out to tickle Domino's foot. "Oh? What's this promise? Something fun?" Her eyes grew half lidded as Justin's hand ran down her back, nails raking her skin, "Or something naughty?"
Domino let out a surprised throaty laugh, jerking her foot away. "Hey, no tickle wars here, you cheating Widow!" She pouted, pulling her legs up under her, purely 'accidentally' showcasing that she wasn't wearing panties. "You'll have to interrogate me to get any answers out of me, 'lena!"
In retaliation for the tickles, she grabbed a handful of popcorn and flung it at Yelena. With her reflexes, Yelena easily dodged, the kernels scattering harmlessly across the couch. Not to be outdone, Yelena grabbed her own handful and threw it back, but Domino was equally quick, dodging with ease.
"This is pointless," Domino said with a laugh, though she grabbed another handful, her eyes glinting with challenge.
"Maybe," Yelena agreed, "But it's fun."
Justin watched them, a smile playing on his lips. He felt a warmth spread through him, not just from their playful antics, but from the sense of camaraderie and closeness they all shared. It was rare moments like these that reminded him of what really mattered amidst all the chaos.
As the popcorn fight died down, Domino leaned back, her laughter echoing softly. "Alright, alright, truce."
Yelena grinned, settling back down against Justin. "Truce."
Yelena reached over and grabbed Domino's hand, pulling her closer. "Come here, Dom. Let's all cuddle. You know you want to."
Domino hesitated for a moment, then relented, sliding closer and nestling against Justin's other side. "Fine, but only because you're so persuasive." She sniffed, but her smile was honest and warm.
The three of them settled into a comfortable silence, the movie continuing to play in the background. Justin's arms encircled both women, holding them close. Yelena's fingers intertwined with his, while Domino rested her head on his shoulder.
"This is nice," Domino murmured, her voice soft.
"It is," Justin agreed, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "We should do this more often."
Yelena smiled, her eyes closing as she relaxed into the warmth of their embrace. "Agreed. More movies, more cuddles, more us."
Eventually Yelena's hands began roving above and beyond what cuddling meant. Domino not seeming to mind, if her half lidded stare and the way she licked her lips were any tell.
Justin looked down at Yelena, then over at Domino. "I think it's only fair we move on to interrogation now, don't you think?" He said mildly, a glint in his eyes. "Domino did offer to let you practice your skills, Yelena…"
The look in Yelena's eyes as she slid off his lap and zeroed in on Domino, could only be called predatory.
Domino let out a breath, giving them both a warning glare, although with the amount of need in it, the glare didn't really dissuade either of them. "Fine, but it's just skin, you're not allowed to catch feelings." She murmured, even as Yelena's hands crept up her shapely thighs.
It was a nice relaxing night.
----------------------------------------
The next morning, Hammerhaven.
Justin stood in the spacious underground gymnasium of his HammerHaven estate, his muscles tense and eyes locked on his opponent. The room, fitted with advanced training equipment and reinforced walls, echoed with the sound of their movements whenever they clashed. His opponent, Phantazia, was poised and ready, her eyes gleaming with determination. The air was thick with anticipation, a stark contrast to the calm voice of Sunil speaking through the connection in his glasses.
"Military contracts are up across the board," Sunil reported, his voice crackling slightly through the speaker - Justin's glasses weren't as sturdy as him, and had taken a minor hit earlier, which seemed to have affected speaker quality. "Countries across the globe are scrambling to bolster their defenses after the latest global incidents. So far it seems major nations are rushing ahead in trying to reach a military budget of 3-4 percent GDP."
Considering two years ago most NATO nations weren't even meeting the targets of 2 percent of their GDP, it was an astonishing turn around. And vastly profitable. With Stark slowly butting out of the field - to the agonized screams of his shareholders, and Stane. Hammer Industries, Frost Industries, Oscorp, and some minor companies like Lockheed Martin - made bank.
Justin nodded at Sunil's report, pleased that even the most reticent countries when it came to military expenditure - weren't slowing down spending. He barely managed to dodge a lightning-fast jab from Phantazia in his distraction. "Good, keep pushing our newest models. Highlight the tactical advantages of the Arc batteries over bullets." He grunted, blocking a powerful kick with his forearm, the impact reverberating through his bones. "And make sure the PR team emphasizes our reliability over Stark Industries flip flopping and Oscorp and their everything. We need to keep up the pressure."
He was still allied with Emma Frost, so he wasn't shooting as hard across the bow against her company, for now. She'd done well in weaseling out secrets about Selene and Shaw and sharing them with him, both who had magical defenses Nail couldn't pierce, they'd unfortunately found out the hard way.
Compared to Hammer Industries, she was a minnow. He was almost a Trillionaire now, and would probably hit that mark soon - only the fact he kept spending money like water was hindering him from reaching it already.
Sunil's voice was steady, unfazed by the sounds of the intense sparring match, Phantazia making sure Justin's new upgrade was put through its paces until he was familiar with it. "Understood. Also, you have another meeting invite for Bern. They're pushing for a face-to-face discussion about the changed world we face."
The Mandarin wants to try and put leashes on us all again, huh? Funny thing to try when he's already leashed Osborn, breaking our pact..
Justin didn't want to make the Mandarin an outright antagonist. Yet. But he was also far too strong now, to accept a subordinate position even for one meeting.
Justin ducked under a sweeping kick, launching a counterattack that Phantazia deftly avoided, sliding under his kick that could have crushed a tank, sweeping for his legs, which he just managed to jump over. "Reject it," he said, breathing steadily. He could feel the heat of the Extremis burning through his veins, but Phantazia was relentless, her agility and precision pushing him to his limits, she didn't have enhancements to his level, but she wasn't far below him, and she had experience.
Justin was fairly certain that with the last year of training and his enchantments, he could kill Captain America in a fight. But it would be a long drawn one where he kicked Justin's ass until his regeneration and durability wore the man down to the point Justin could get a proper killing blow in. Not that he wanted to have to go that far… He had people for that.
Reminder to self, find out where the fuck Fury, Cap and Banner are!
Sunil paused on the other end of the line, his hesitation evident. "Are you sure about that, sir? The Mandarin is a significant player. Rejecting him might cause some ripples."
Justin practically owned the Kingpin anyway, and had a profitable relationship with Tiberius Stone, an ally in Emma Frost, and Sebastian Shaw might be convinced to let him know what was discussed. So there really was absolutely no reason for him to go.
Although the Kingpin might not show… He'd been having Spiderman problems. Something Justin stayed far away from.
Justin deflected a rapid series of punches, his own movements becoming more fluid as he adapted to Phantazia's rhythm. "Reject it," He repeated, his voice firm. "But tell Wenwu I'm willing to meet. One on one. Let's hash things out once and for all." He added, willing to see just how strong the Mandarin thought he was.
If he believed himself unassailable, he'd reject Justin's offer outright, continue with the meeting in Bern, and likely attempt to go after him. If he believed they were closer to equals, or even found himself wary, then he had no choice but to accept a meeting to work things out - or risk engineering an antagonistic relationship with his stubbornness.
Phantazia seized the moment of distraction, landing a solid kick to Justin's midsection that sent him staggering back. He winced, doubling over briefly before straightening, his resolve hardening. Even with his new durability, a Super Soldier/Extremis enhanced kick tickled a bit. "As you say, sir." Sunil replied. "I'll handle it."
Justin grunted as he took a kick to his crossed arms, being pushed back, "How are our friendly Skrulls doing?" He asked Sunil.
Fury really had a set of balls to send them in, when he knew the likes of Natasha and Mystique had failed. Justin had been using them for shit duty ever since. Seeing no real reason to kill them and harvest them for useful stuff. Yet.
Sunil had a note of amusement in his voice as he answered, "Ah, they're currently combing through the Sahara desert, the part we haven't repurposed anyway, testing different sand particles for me."
Justin laughed, almost taking a punch to the nose, before he retaliated, managing to just about clip her by the ear, "Keep me updated, maybe have the sand samples destroyed in an accident, have them redo the work after." He found great amusement in torturing the little Skrulls, who had not manage to hide who they were or why they were there - even before he had Nail.
Justin ended the call, feeling he made the right decision. His new enhancements, the addition of Nail, he was in a better position to handle almost anything at this point. "Alright, Eileen, let's see what you've got," He said, cracking his knuckles. The sparring match had taken on a new intensity, both fighters fully committing to their attacks now that Justin wasn't distracted.
Phantazia's movements were a blur, her strikes precise and unrelenting. Justin fought back with equal ferocity, his Extremis-enhanced strength and speed pushing him to match her blow for blow - his extra strength and speed a decent match for her greater experience, at least for awhile. The clash of their bodies echoed through the gym, each hit resonating with the force of their superhuman abilities.
Justin aimed a powerful punch at Phantazia's head, but she ducked under it, delivering a swift uppercut to his jaw that rattled his teeth. He stumbled back, shaking his head to clear the stars from his vision. Phantazia pressed her advantage, launching a series of rapid kicks that forced Justin to retreat, his defenses faltering under the onslaught as he tried to counter, but only found her countering his counters.
From the sidelines, Yelena's voice rang out, a mix of amusement and disappointment. "Boo, Justin! You're getting your ass kicked!" She leaned casually against the wall, a smirk playing on her lips.
Domino, standing beside her, watched the match with keen interest. "Nice form, Phantazia," she called out, her eyes glinting with appreciation.
Phantazia glanced briefly at Domino, a cool smile curving her lips. "Are you complimenting my skills or my ass?"
Domino's grin widened. "Yes," She replied, her tone playful.
Phantazia laughed, the rare sound captivating, yet her focus never wavered from Justin, as she raised a hand, waving him to her mockingly.
Justin growled, pushing himself off the wall and charged at Phantazia with renewed determination. He unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks, his movements a blur as he tried to regain the upper hand. Phantazia met him blow for blow, her agility and precision countering his raw power.
Justin managed to land a solid hit to Phantazia's shoulder, but she retaliated with a swift roundhouse kick that caught him in the side of the head, sending him crashing to the mat. He lay there for a moment, not really dazed, with his durability and regeneration, more like… Annoyed that he still couldn't take her down.
Yelena let out a mock sigh. "Come on, Justin, I've seen you do better. Don't let a girl beat you up that easily." I could do without the cheer squad and their comments, he thought, letting out a sigh.
Justin groaned, deciding he'd had enough anyway, rolling onto his back and looking up at the ceiling. "You're not helping, Yelena," he complained, pushing himself up to a sitting position.
Domino sauntered over, offering him a hand. "You did alright, boss. But you've got to admit, Phantazia's got some serious skills, it will take more than a year of sporadic sparring to match her."
Justin accepted her hand, allowing her to pull him to his feet. He rubbed the back of his neck, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, yeah. She kicked my ass fair and square."
Phantazia walked over, her breathing steady despite the intense match. "You've got potential, in a drawn out match, you'd win." She admitted, brow furrowed, "You lack the skill a dedicated fighter would have, but you're not too far off, close enough to go toe to toe at least, and then your natural edge will work in your favor."
Justin nodded, acknowledging her words, it is what he believed as well. "I'll hopefully never be in such a fight, but it's good to know I can handle myself." He turned to look at Yelena and Domino, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Next time, though, I'm bringing backup. You two are joining me in the ring, saving me from getting my ass kicked."
Phantazia raised an eyebrow, smirking, "Oh, I think we can do that, with one change, you really need to learn how to fight in a group setting…"
Justin blanched. "Hey now…"
Yelena chuckled, a challenging smile curving her lips. "Oh, you're on, We'll see who comes out on top, all of us against the boss, sounds like fun." She winked at him.
Domino laughed as well, giving Justin a playful punch on the arm. "Bring it on, boss. I'm always up for a good fight, I'm curious to see how many seconds you survive."
My people are bullying me… Justin thought, but his lips twitched.
I'll allow it. This once.
----------------------------------------
Triskelion, Washington D.C.
Justin walked through the expansive halls of the Triskelion, flanked by SHIELD agents who led him to the top office. As he approached the office of Alexander Pierce, he mentally prepared for the high-stakes discussion ahead. He wasn't quite ready to rip up HYDRA yet, they were useful for pushing the world in the direction he wanted. A new world order.
They just had different ideas on who would be at the top in the end.
Pierce's office was an impressive space with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of Washington D.C. He motioned for Justin to take a seat as the agents closed the door behind them, a genial smile on his face that was as fake as ever.
"Justin," Pierce began, his voice smooth but with an undertone of urgency, "We need to talk about the upcoming diplomatic meeting with Asgard. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we can't afford to squander it, or let the fools that govern make decisions on what is best for us."
They still hadn't heard from Asgard, but knowing Thor, Justin felt there was a chance it had already been decided, and Thor would just let them know at the last moment, having no idea how these things worked. He was probably more used to planning keggers than high stakes political meetings.
His mother, if he got the right read on Thor when he was here, would likely allow him to lead until she needed to step in. So he felt he had a good handle on the situation.
Justin leaned back in his chair, his expression calm and confident. "I agree, Pierce, you know this. But we need to ensure that we handle this properly. The Asgardians aren't just another country - they're an interstellar power with capabilities far beyond ours… For now. We need to be calm about this, confident, but not arrogant or greedy."
Pierce nodded reluctantly, his gaze intense. "We can't let civil servants negotiate this, Hammer. We need to extract as much as we can from these negotiations. Advanced technology, resources, knowledge - all of it. But we have to be strategic about this. We can't let this slip through our fingers and fall into the hands of every world government." He had a look of distaste on his face, "This needs to be kept in house."
Justin smirked slightly. "So, you want SHIELD to be the primary beneficiary of this deal? Keeping the spoils for the select few?" Good luck with that. Although with his reach, he might be able to pull it off…
Pierce's lips twitched in a half-smile. "Something like that. SHIELD can utilize these resources effectively, ensuring that they're used for the greater good, without the interference of bureaucratic red tape and international politics." He said mildly, only hinting at what they both knew.
Justin folded his arms, considering Pierce's words. "I'm on board with that I suppose." He acknowledged, since it didn't hurt him to agree to something that would likely happen anyway once Pierce got his hooks into whoever the world governments would send as representatives. And a stronger HYDRA was still not a major concern for him yet. Nail was already deep inside their systems.
There was one thing however…"There's one major sticking point as I see it. Hela. She cannot be included in any deal we make. She's too dangerous." He said firmly.
She is too much of a wildcard, even without being on Asgard and getting the power from that, she would likely be the strongest woman on Earth.
Pierce raised an eyebrow, looking unimpressed, leaning forward slightly. "Hela is a powerful asset, Justin. She's been discarded by her people, her family, If we could control her -"
"You can't control her," Justin interrupted, his tone firm. "Hela is a wildcard, a force of destruction. Bringing her into this equation would be a catastrophic mistake. She's not just a threat to Earth but to the entire universe." He meet Pierce's gaze firmly, "She conquered entire realms, and she's had a thousand years to do nothing but hone her skills."
Pierce sighed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "You may be right. But what if your prison technology could work on her? Could we contain her using Hammer Corrections' advanced systems?"
Justin shook his head, but almost hesitated, because maybe… No. "No. Our tech is impressive, but it's not designed to handle a being of her caliber. Hela's powers are beyond anything we can manage. Any attempt to contain her would be futile and reckless." He made a dismissive gesture, "A regular prisoner with twenty to life might spend a few months in the real world, experiencing all that time virtually, Hela has been alone for a Millenia, it would take a complete reworking of the tech to make anything that would work."
Pierce leaned back, a contemplative look on his face. "Then we'll need to ensure that the Asgardians understand our stance on Hela. Unless… Can you rework the tech?"
Justin grimaced, Forge probably could, but the risks… "We'd need an Asgardian to test on." He said, too flexible to completely turn the chance down. For all he knew Thor would refuse to deal without Hela being involved in the deal.
Which actually… Sounded exactly like something he'd do.
"If they desperately want this… We can argue for a delay on her arrival, to let us test the technology on Asgardian psyches first." He said slowly, reluctantly allowing for the matter to be at least considered going forward.
Pierce smiled, not even hiding the greed in his eyes, "They might even want the technology for their own prison, upping the trade value we have available."
Justin snorted, thinking on Asgards definition of prison time. Solitary confinement, forever. "I don't think they're going to be interested in something that makes life easier for their prisoners."
Although now that Odin wasn't in charge. Maybe that would change.
Justin sighed, settling in for some harsh negotiations with the HYDRA leader. If this Hela thing might end up happening, he needed to ensure he held the key.
Doing a Winter Soldier redux, but with Hela this time - was not something he'd allow.
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