----------------------------------------
August 12th, 2008,
The Red Room flying fortress hovered silently above the clouds, a menacing yet awe-inspiring sight - if it could be seen by anyone but them, that is, the technology on display was enough to make Justin salivate. Inside, Justin walked with a confident stride, flanked by Yelena, Domino, and Kaecillius - who had brought them all here. The corridors, once cold and clinical, now felt alive with potential under their new control.
Everywhere Justin walked he just saw potential. This could potentially see him hold a space station long before he'd projected it. Sure, it was a bit old, very obviously very Soviet, but Vanko would have a blast with that kind of thing.
Ivan's father Anton, would likely cream his pants at the idea of a Soviet built space station going up with the Vanko name attached to it, albeit not publically if they could help it. It is a secret station after all.
Yelena led the way, her movements efficient and assured, with a pep in her step, a bright smile had permanently been etched on her face since they'd taken it. "We've secured everything, and found all the self-destruct safeguards - the station is yours! And the Black Widows that were saved are already being reoriented according to their respective wishes!"
Justin had seen the numbers, after Yelena's horrible joke had been seen through eventually by Domino. About a third of the Widows still wanted to play the spy and assassination game - the rest just wanted a life. He'd orientate those towards being his Emperor's hands of sorts inside his own brewing mega corporation.
Trusted skilled operatives to keep his business a well oiled machine and his rule ironclad. What else could a man ask for?
Domino, twirling a knife idly in her hand, smirked. "You mean your army of deadly secretaries? It's like something out of a bad spy movie."
Justin chuckled, appreciating Domino's snark, having grown fond of it at this point. "An army of the most skilled operatives in the world, ready to execute my will? Sounds like good business sense to me." He said smugly, feeling very pleased about things.
Kaecillius, walking a step behind Justin, nodded with a deferential bow of his head. "Master Hammer, I believe this fortress holds untapped potential. With the right enhancements, we could blend technological and magical defenses, making it impregnable. I have several spells in mind that could fortify and strengthen this vessel for space."
He was so eager all the time. He sometimes reminded Justin of a puppy. A puppy capable of destroying the world with the right tools…
He'd better make sure he never leaves him alone at home for too long…
He hadn't checked up on Cho for a while too… He should probably do that.
Justin nodded his head, getting back on track after his little detour, and he had to admit he was intrigued at the idea, waving him on. "Go on, Kaecillius. What kind of enhancements are we talking about?" He asked.
Magic was still a sore spot for him, but his eyes had been forcibly opened, and he refused to just leave a resource at his hands untapped.
Now if only the Ancient One could stop sending him snarky e-mails…
And this stupid portal thing could stop being so damn hard to do, he believed in it for God's sake, he shouldn't be having so much difficulty.
Kaecillius's eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. "To start, Master, we can ward the entire fortress against detection and intrusion by normal kinds just like the sanctums, making it invisible to both technological and mystical surveillance. Additionally, we could implement spells that strengthen the structure itself, making it nearly impervious to attacks." He looked sheepish for a moment, "To match the sanctums you'd need assistance from those far more skilled than I, however."
Justin nodded thoughtfully. "Excellent start. Get together with Ivan and Forge and see how you can help strengthen and fortify what they're already working on." He grimaced slightly, "As for the other enchantments… I'm leaving them be, for now."
He did not want to owe the Ancient One that kind of favor. Not to mention the more obviously magical he allowed the space station to become - the more risks from magical people it would likely face.
Not to mention the risk he'd lose control of the station since he did not control magic.
As they walked deeper into the Red Room fortress, Yelena continued like they hadn't just segued into magic, "The Black Widows that accepted the task will serve as your hands, executing your orders and ensuring your will is carried out precisely. With their training, they'll be able to handle any task, from espionage to corporate negotiations to making a mean cup of coffee."
All said in a chirpy tone, Yelena almost moving towards valley girl territory if she didn't reign in her enthusiasm soon, Justin thought, making a note of teasing her about it later.
Justin's eyes gleamed with glee, as he exulted in the victory that gaining this station and it's inhabitants had been. "Perfect… They will be the unseen force driving my company forward, keeping my people honest. And with the eventual implementation of AI, we won't need many of them out in the world spying. Most of the operations can be handled from within my company, keeping our presence discreet."
It would after all not do for the world to realize he had a small force of Black Widows at his beck and call. Every slightly suspicious death in the world would be laid at his feet if people knew he had them.
Well people people. Those like Fury, HYDRA and the Mandarin would all figure it out he was sure. There was only so much he could hide things.
Domino snorted, giving Yelena a slight push to her shoulder. "Look at the cute mama duck looking after her little murderous ducklings." She teased.
Yelena was in such a good mood that she didn't even fire back, she just smiled at the impish bodyguard.
Justin laughed, shaking his head. "At least she isn't actually building me a harem." He pointed out dryly, "I'd never get anything done."
As fun of a thought as it was, he barely had time for sleep, let alone a harem.
It was too easy being a workaholic when the work was complete domination of everything.
He stood still as he laid a hand on the wall of the corridor they were standing in, "With this station reaching space, we'll be confirming our dominance over this world." He said, his mind already whirling with how much they could skip ahead in the space program with an actual functioning base in space.
And with Kaecillius able to bring people up and down, and able to bring a limited amount of supplies… That's a thought, I need to get him some students from my most trusted employees so they can learn the portal technique and shuttle supplies and personnel up and down continuously…
Portal Widows?
He shook his head with a small smirk on his face at the thought, the world wasn't ready…
He was going to do it anyway.
Which meant he had to reply to the damn Ancient One because he'd need a supply of sling rings… Well, at least she wasn't Stephen Strange, he'd take some snark over that Tony Stark - but with magic - copy.
Inferior copy.
Kaecillius spoke up, his tone reverent. "Your vision is unparalleled, Master Hammer. With the combination of magic and technology, your influence will be unmatched."
He'd gotten slightly worse, after meeting Helen Cho unfortunately, he thought.
Justin twitched slightly at the praise, but let it go. Even if Kaecillius was ruining his moment with his fanaticism. He was way too useful to actually snap at over minor things. Being worshiped in general was great, but something about people closer to him doing it rubbed him the wrong way.
They reached a large observation deck above Dreykov's office, apparently limited to just his personal use, where the view of the clouds and the vast sky beyond was breathtaking. Justin paused, taking in the scene. "This is just the beginning. With this station, and the resources we have, there's no limit to what we can achieve." Perhaps Earth isn't the limit after all…
Well… No reason to get that ahead of himself.
Domino leaned against the railing, her expression a mix of amusement and genuine admiration. "You've got the power, the brains, and the muscle, this really wasn't what I'd envisioned when I signed on, you know?"
"Regret anything?" Justin asked, curious.
Domino looked out over the sky, a coy smirk on her face, "Yeah, I should have asked for more money."
Yelena giggled as Justin just sighed with exasperation.
There could never be a serious moment with these people.
…
An hour later, Red Room control room.
They'd all gathered in the control room, Justin going over schematics and speaking over a conference call with Ivan and Forge, Kaecillius explaining his side of things already and now just listening attentively.
Justin was grinning excitedly, pacing back and forth, his mind racing with possibilities. "Think of the research and development we can do up there once this takes off, free from any prying eyes or governmental interference. We'll be able to innovate like never before." No more pesky laws or nosy heroes, intelligence agencies or busybody Metahumans!
They'd be entirely unrestrained, the advances they could make without having to worry about hiding black sites or obscuring supplies and personnel would be huge. Having a secret space station to go with the very public one he was setting up for in Africa, would be a complete game changer.
Domino leaned forward, her expression serious for a moment as she joined the conversation for the first time. "And what about the practicalities? How do you get this thing into space?" She asked, sounding honestly curious.
Justin gestured to the holographic display. "We've already got the basics covered. The fortress is designed to be self-sustaining in the air, so transitioning to space is the next logical step. We'll need to upgrade the propulsion systems and reinforce the structure, but with Kaecillius's magic and our tech, it's doable."
Now keeping its invisibility while flying up into orbit… That was another matter to deal with.
Ivan's voice crackled over the call, "Da, not hard, good Russian build!"
"...Don't worry everyone, I'm here to check over all this nice communist half assed engineering after Ivan touches it." Forge piped in, sounding very dry.
"Eeeh? American built is shit, last five years, maybe less, no good." Ivan disagreed.
"Russian shit is American shit, just with another label slapped onto it after picking it out of the trash." Forge fired back.
"Gentlemen, settle down, no need for an argument on this." Justin said, chuckling, the two of them argued equally as much as they had somehow become instant bros.
Kaecillius spoke up, joining in for the first time in thirty minutes, "I can create a series of spells to enhance the propulsion systems, making them powerful enough to break through Earth's atmosphere and into orbit." He offered eagerly.
Justin was well aware Kaecillius still wasn't a master and was not going to leave it to Kaecillius to be in charge of more systems, if they counted too much on magic they were in trouble if they lost Kamar-Taj as allies. But he appreciated the enthusiasm. So he shook his head, "Thank you for the offer, Kaecillius, but what you're doing is already enough."
"We can't drop other projects, but do take some time to figure out what you'll need." He told the engineer duo. They'd like drag in some of the others as well, their work going even better now that they'd had the super serum/Extremis blend.
Except for Forge of course, who remained as he was, as he'd no doubt be much less cooperative without the mind control. Ivan had been brought in on the secret out of necessity, because the man was smart enough to figure out something was going on when Forge would eventually continue to be unenhanced even when they finished the X-gene version.
The rest of the evening was spent in planning and arguments as they plotted ways to get into space.
Justin had once again stolen a march against his competitors.
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The next morning, Cairo.
In the heart of Justin Hammer's Cairo compound, Eileen sat in a sleek, modern conference room, her fingers drumming lightly on the polished glass table. Across from her, Sunil Bakshi leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips.
"So, let me get this straight," Eileen began, her voice cool and measured. "While I was out of commission, Justin acquired the Red Room which is apparently a flying fortress… Somehow… And he is now planning to convert it into a space station?"
I have lost so much respect for the intelligence agencies of the world… She thought, inwardly reeling at the idea a flying fortress could be kept hidden from everyone.
And dreading the idea it would be her job to figure out a way to keep Erik from dragging it out of the sky.
Sunil nodded, his expression one of dry amusement. "Indeed. It's been quite the busy period. And that's not even the half of it."
Eileen sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Go on."
"Well," Sunil continued, leaning forward with a theatrical flourish, "First of all, we now have a small army of Black Widows heading our way to serve as secretaries, middle management, and personal bodyguards amongst other things. Oh, and there's the little detail of Kaecillius our court wizard, using magic to enhance our defenses. Just your average month in the life of Justin Hammer, really."
He was enjoying this too much, she thought.
Eileen's eyes narrowed slightly as she fixed him with a cool glare. "Magic, yes, I noticed that, as hard as it was to believe. Of course. Why not? Anything else I should know?"
Magic… Like I didn't have enough things to worry about. Now wizards are on the list of threats, how do I even prepare for that?
"Let's see," Sunil said, ticking points off on his fingers. "We've got AI integration plans ongoing through a mind controlled Metahuman mechanical genius, a pending alliance with HYDRA, and the ongoing corporate espionage war. A cooperative effort with Tony Stark to mine Wakanda, which by the way was nuked to the stone age. And don't forget the personal favorites, Justin's endless charm and Domino's ever-present snark." Sunil smiled in a way that just ticked her off. "Oh, and we can't forget the fantastic HAMMER superhero team with the new Captain America - the former Winter Soldier."
How had this much happened while she'd been gone? Eileen almost felt like she'd been in a coma for a decade. She knew Justin moved at a frenetic pace, but this was getting ridiculous.
Also Wakanda was destroyed, not that she cared about those bastards, but complete annihilation, that was a bit much for her, and no doubt just added to the list of Justin's enemies.
Which made it her problem.
Eileen shook her head, a hint of exasperation creeping into her usually composed demeanor. "And how is Justin planning to manage all of this? He can't possibly oversee everything himself?"
It had been one of her biggest issues with the man, how much work he was doing on his own, not delegating enough to her and those around him.
Sunil's smirk widened. "Ah, that's where you come in, dear Eileen. You're to be his eyes and ears, his enforcer, his problem-solver. He trusts you to keep things running smoothly - simply a bit of an extension of the work you're already doing."
"Wonderful," She muttered, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "And how exactly am I supposed to keep a lid on all these... Moving parts?"
"Simple," Sunil replied, his tone light and breezy. "You use that brilliant mind of yours. And perhaps a bit of your, shall we say, unique abilities. Justin has high expectations, but he believes you're up to the task." He tapped a finger on the table lightly, "Plus you have a third of the rescued Widows who'd like to continue a more exciting career as a welcome back gift."
Eileen leaned back in her chair, her gaze drifting to the ceiling as she absorbed everything. "It sounds like a logistical nightmare. But I suppose if anyone can manage it, it's us." She murmured, already thinking on ways to expand the security team, avenues to sneak a spy or assassin in with their rivals and enemies to keep everything on track…
A few names she knew the world and especially Hammer industries could do without. She could arrange an accident or two, especially with pure professionals under her wing like the Widows…
"Precisely," Sunil said with a tiny mock salute. "Besides, think of it as an opportunity. We're at the forefront of something revolutionary. And who doesn't love a good challenge?"
Eileen's lips twitched into a reluctant smile. "You're right. This is an opportunity. And I do enjoy a challenge."
Sunil leaned forward, his expression more serious. "In all seriousness, Eileen, Justin trusts you. He believes in your abilities. And so do I. We're all in this together, and we have the potential to achieve something incredible, even more than we already have, this is world domination in the making."
Sunil more than anyone, Eileen knew, had seen exactly what Justin would become, his defection from HYDRA turning him into a diehard loyalist ridiculously quickly.
If she had issues with how much Justin was working, she was fairly sure Sunil had found a way to become a vampire or something, because she doubted he had time for sleep.
Eileen nodded, her resolve hardening. "Alright. Let's get to work. First things first, I need a detailed briefing on all current operations, key personnel, and any potential threats."
Sunil grinned, reaching for a tablet. "Already prepared. I've got everything you need right here. Let's dive in, shall we?"
As Sunil began to outline the current state of affairs, Eileen listened intently, her mind already working through solutions and strategies. Despite the chaos and complexity, she felt a spark of excitement. This was what she excelled at - turning chaos into order, making the impossible possible.
"And one more thing," Sunil added, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "You'll need to keep an eye on Domino. She has a habit of... Improvising and tossing surprises onto the board even more than she used to, that woman just does whatever she wants."
Eileen rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of affection in her tone. "Of course she does. I'll make sure she stays in line."
As they continued their briefing, she couldn't help the feeling of relief to have work to bite into, it helped lessen the worries of what happened - the feeling of helplessness.
She eagerly threw herself into the work.
----------------------------------------
Hours later, Cairo.
Justin Hammer paced the length of his lavish office, the Cairo skyline stretching out behind him through floor-to-ceiling windows at the very top of his building. He held his phone to his ear, his expression a mix of frustration and determination. On the other end of the line was General Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross, the constant pain in his ass.
He might own the President, but Ellis couldn't just willy nilly mess around with the Joint Chiefs of Staff without opening himself up to some risks and uncertainties.
"General Ross, let's not dance around the issue here," Justin cut him off, growing tired of his arrogance and intransigence, his tone firm and direct. "The Green Goblin appeared in armor that can only come from Norman Osborn. This isn't a coincidence."
The attack on Tony Stark, although beneficial in some ways to him, also worried him, Stark could have died in that attack. It was time to clip Osborn's wings. His team couldn't go after him unless he was in his suit, but he could force Norman to come, and take him then.
Except Ross wasn't playing ball.
Ross's voice came through the phone, stern and unyielding. "Hammer, you know as well as I do that Oscorp was attacked. The armor was stolen. This is not Osborn's doing."
Justin stopped pacing, gripping the edge of his desk. "General, that's a convenient story. But think about it - who else has the capability to produce that kind of tech? This has Osborn written all over it, a thief wouldn't be able to maintain and continue to arm the suit."
Ross sighed, the sound heavy with impatience. "Hammer, you're not getting your way this time, the President can't bail you out now, the contract is signed, it's a done deal. The decision is out of his hands now and firmly in the jurisdiction of the military. We have a binding agreement with Oscorp for their power armor."
Justin's voice grew more insistent. "General Ross, you're ignoring the obvious. This isn't just about stolen tech. Osborn is obviously the Green Goblin. He's directly involved, and by sticking with him, you're putting everyone at risk."
By now even Stark surely knew the same, a simple audio recording of Norman would be enough, let alone the fact the man would have no clear cut alibi for the attack.
The general's tone hardened. "This isn't about conspiracy theories, Hammer. Oscorp's technology is already being integrated into our systems, training operatives have already begun, through simulations. Changing suppliers at this stage would cause significant delays and setbacks. We can't afford that."
Justin's attempt to keep power armors out of the game until closer to the Chitauri invasion had backfired on him massively.
Emma Frost had a similar deal going with several European countries as well, just like Osborn here. Power armor was going to be a thing, too early. The problem was Osborn obviously couldn't be trusted to deliver without some sort of plot behind it.
Justin clenched his jaw, frustration boiling over. "General Ross, you're putting blinders on. Osborn has a history of instability. You can't seriously believe he's just a victim here - he will misuse this power, he will have put backdoors into the system of anything he delivers."
Ross's voice was icy. "You think I don't know the risks? We have protocols in place to deal with the fallout in that case, if there's backdoors we will find them, but there won't be... The armor was stolen - Osborn reported the theft immediately. We can't punish a company for being a victim of industrial espionage."
From the tone of his voice, Ross was almost outright accusing him of having a hand in it. Justin wanted to slam his phone into something. Preferably the generals face, unfortunately he was in Washington, out of his reach, unless he was willing to use Kaecillius and reveal that trump card just to smack Ross in the face.
It was still damn tempting.
"General, I'm telling you, Osborn is the Green Goblin," Justin reiterated, even with defeat creeping into his voice. "He's using the military contracts to fund his operations. If you don't act now, you're complicit in enabling a madman."
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Ross's response was unwavering. "Hammer, I've made my decision. The military is sticking with Oscorp. Your allegations are noted but they do not change the current contract. Focus on your own projects and let us handle this."
Justin took a deep breath, trying to keep his temper in check. "If you won't listen, I'll take this to the President. He needs to know what's going on here."
Ross's tone turned sharp. "You think the President will intervene in military contracts? Hammer, you know better than that, I already told you, he has no say in this, the contract is final. The President has nothing to do with this - the contract with Osborn stands, and that's final."
The line went dead, leaving Justin staring at his phone in frustration. He tossed it onto his desk, running a hand through his hair. The situation with Osborn was far from resolved, and Ross's stubbornness only made things more complicated.
Justin sank into his chair, his mind racing. He needed a new strategy, a way to convince the military to sever ties with Osborn. The stakes were too high to give up now.
Or… He just needed Osborn off the board.
If he couldn't hit the man with his team until he was in his suit…
Perhaps a simple assassination would either solve the problem permanently, or make the man jump into his suit, allowing his team to unmask him or destroy him at their leisure.
He picked his phone up again, dialing Eileen.
Osborn needed to stop being a problem.
And he'd need to get ahold of Emma too, she'd been dodging his calls ever since he revealed the name Sinister.
He was not someone you sent to voicemail!
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Same day, United States, Xavier's institute.
In the dimly lit study of the Xavier Institute, Hank McCoy, paced back and forth, his blue fur bristling with agitation. Across from him, seated in a wheelchair behind a massive mahogany desk, was Charles Xavier. The atmosphere between them was tense, filled with the weight of their recent discussions.
They had many disagreements lately, all brought on by the same man.
"Hank, please, sit down," Charles urged, his voice calm but tinged with weariness. "We need to talk this through rationally."
Hank paused, his piercing yellow eyes locking onto Xavier's. "Charles, I can't sit down while this is happening. Justin Hammer is conducting inhumane experiments, possibly on Metahumans. We can't just ignore this."
His fists clenched, as he thought back on the serum Justin Hammer had suddenly produced, not tested he'd said, like Hank would believe he'd inject a subordinate he was going so far for with an untested substance.
He was conducting illegal human trials. Hank just knew.
Charles sighed, steepling his fingers in front of him. "I'm aware of your concerns, Hank. But our intelligence on Hammer is still inconclusive. We don't have definitive proof that he's experimenting on Metahumans anymore."
Hank's voice rose, filled with frustration. "Charles, you know as well as I do that where there's smoke, there's fire. Hammer's history is littered with unethical practices - you already know he used to do it, it's why you made a deal with him isn't it? Turning a blind eye now is practically condoning his actions."
Charles's gaze softened, but his tone remained firm. "I'm not turning a blind eye. But we have to consider the larger picture. Hammer's resources and technology have been crucial in maintaining a delicate balance. Without his contributions, we'd be facing greater threats from other fronts." He slumped slightly, sighing, "Without his PR efforts our situation would be reaching an untenable status."
Hank's fists clenched at his sides so hard that they creaked. "So we tolerate a monster because it's convenient for us? What happened to our principles, Charles? What happened to fighting for what's right?"
Charles leaned forward, his expression earnest. "Hank, do you think I don't struggle with this? Every day, I weigh the consequences of our alliances. But look at our alternatives. Magneto's approach is one of aggression and domination. The Hellfire Club thrives on manipulation and power struggles. We can't align with them - who else is there?"
Hank's voice was filled with accusation. "So we choose the lesser evil and hope it doesn't consume us? How long before Hammer's actions force us into a corner we can't escape from?"
Charles met Hank's gaze steadily. "If we cut ties with Hammer, who do we turn to? Again, there's only Magneto, who would use force to achieve his ends? Or the Hellfire Club, who would exploit us for their gain? These choices are fraught with peril - the government will not help if we break ties, they are under Hammer's thumb."
Hank's shoulders slumped, the fire in his eyes dimming. "I just can't believe this is our reality, Charles. That we have to compromise our values to survive."
Charles's expression softened with understanding. "Neither can I, Hank. But survival often demands difficult choices. We must be vigilant, and we must be prepared to act if Hammer crosses the line even further. For now, we work within the constraints we have."
Hank sank into a chair, his anger giving way to a deep, weary resignation. "And if Hammer does cross that line? What then, Charles? How far are we willing to go before we say enough?"
How many Metahumans had died already because they moved the line to save themselves?
Charles reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Hank's arm. "We stay true to our mission, Hank. To protect our kind and to foster peace. And we remain vigilant, ready to act when necessary. I promise you, we will not let injustice go unanswered."
Hank nodded slowly, the tension easing but not disappearing entirely. "Alright, Charles. But know this - I will continue to investigate Hammer. And if I find proof of his crimes, we must act decisively."
Charles nodded, his expression one of solemn agreement. "Agreed, my friend. We will not stand by while innocents suffer. But we must be certain, and we must be prepared for the consequences of our actions."
Hank darkly wondered if Charles even realized how he sounded. He'd already signed away how many innocent lives?
No… If Hank got proof, he'd let Charles know, but he wouldn't just leave it at that.
Charles was obviously compromised.
He was allowing too much to achieve his dream.
Hank was a doctor. He couldn't do the same. His resolve firmed.
Justin Hammer needed to be stopped.
…
Charles Xavier sighed heavily as Hank left. He was closing in on a crossroad. Equality was within reaching distance - but it might require heavy sacrifices.
He hated himself for having decided it was necessary. The world was changing too quick, without Justin Hammer they would take the brunt of the hatred and chaos.
Hank… Charles had broken one of his own rules, had plunged into his mind, seen what he'd decided.
He'd have to choose.
Hammer, or Hank, one of his own.
Night fell, casting the office in shadows as she sat and brooded, unable to make a decision.
----------------------------------------
The next morning,
The streets of New York were bustling with life, the typical cacophony of city sounds filling the air - honking cars, the chatter of pedestrians, and the distant wail of sirens. Justin, Domino, and Phantazia were traveling in a sleek, black armored SUV, flanked by a convoy of security vehicles. The security team, outfitted with the latest tech and enhancements, was ever-vigilant.
With Eileen back on the job, they had begun being whipped into shape without mercy, despite their good work so far, Eileen had declared them fat and lazy, falling back on inferior military experience in her absence instead of her routines.
Normally he could just portal anywhere now, but this was a meeting with several of New York's congressmen and the Governor, so it was best to arrive normally, or the press would begin to wonder how he'd arrived without their notice.
"Feels good to be back in the Big Apple," Justin remarked casually, leaning back in his seat, glancing at Domino and Phantazia.
There had been a lot of Cairo lately, as he still had no proper New York office. Although the build would start this year.
Domino smirked, her eyes scanning the streets lazily. "Just another day in paradise."
Phantazia, cool and composed, nodded. "Let's hope it stays that way." She glared out the window at one of the security team SUVs, "They've grown lax lately, obviously Domino did not do a good job in filling in…" Her eyes slid to Domino judgingly.
Domino held her hands up, an innocent expression on her face, "Hey, I follow the boss around 24/7, I didn't have time to constantly bully the security team."
Phantazia's look was dry, "The security teams also follow him 24/7…" She pointed out.
As they turned a corner, the peaceful routine was abruptly shattered. Without warning, a hail of bullets rained down on the convoy from multiple directions. The initial shock was deafening, the sharp staccato of automatic gunfire echoing off the buildings. Windows shattered even through their bulletproofing, and the SUVs swerved, trying to evade the onslaught.
"Ambush! Get down!" Domino shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos as she instinctively pushed Justin to the floor of the vehicle.
He might regenerate almost any damage, but it didn't mean it was a good idea to get shot.
Who dares!? Justin thought in full on rage as he clenched a fist, almost pushing Domino away to run out there and give them a piece of his mind - but then his mind reasserted itself, that would be stupid. He had his people, they'd deal with it.
Justin's security team, equipped with Extremis, sprang into action. Even as some were hit by heavy munitions, their bodies began to regenerate, wounds closing almost as quickly as they were made. His security forces fought back with precision, their weapons spitting fire and noise into the cacophony of the ambush.
The calm street turned into a warzone within seconds. Dead civilians everywhere as the ambushers gave no thought to collateral damage.
Phantazia, her eyes glowing with power, stepped out of the vehicle and raised her hands. Waves of energy surged from her, unseen by anyone but herself, targeting their attackers. The hidden assailants, their identities obscured by tactical gear and masks, convulsed as their weapons sparked and malfunctioned, dropping from their grasp and their nerve endings lit on fire, leaving their fingers unable to even hold onto the malfunctioning weapons.
Domino, crouched low behind one of the SUV doors, expertly wielded her twin pistols. Each shot rang out with a sharp crack, echoing in the narrow streets. Her uncanny aim, bolstered by her luck powers, took down one enemy after another with lethal efficiency. She moved with a fluid grace, keeping Justin shielded while maintaining a relentless assault on their attackers.
Justin, staying low, felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins. The chaos around him was a blur of noise and movement. Gunfire rattled his ears, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder and smoke.
"Who the hell are these guys?" he shouted over the din, peering out at the masked figures.
"No idea, but they're well-equipped!" Domino shouted back, her voice steady despite the chaos. She laughed, uncaring about the death around them, their security team all regenerating their wounds, "They had no idea what kind of fight they picked!" She crowed, firing and killing a man in a 5th story window, the man falling out just as another stuck his head out of a 2nd floor window to fire, his neck breaking as 200 pounds of muscle fell on it from above.
Phantazia continued her assault, manipulating the electromagnetic fields to disable more weapons and to disrupt the electronics their attackers relied on. Sparks flew, and the enemy forces stumbled, their tactical advantages nullified.
The security team, despite being outnumbered, fought with a fierce determination. The Extremis in their veins made them nearly unstoppable, shrugging off wounds that would have incapacitated normal soldiers. The sound of their return fire was a constant barrage, a symphony of defiance against the ambush.
One of the SUVs exploded, the shockwave shaking the ground and sending debris flying. Justin's vehicle was rocked, but the armored plating held. "Find that bastard!" Domino barked, her eyes scanning for the next target.
The two members of the security team that had used the SUV as cover, appeared from within the flames, their skin regrowing as they retreated towards their teams, grabbing new weapons from their comrades back ups and returning immediately to the fight, barely dressed as their uniforms didn't survive the fire as well as they had.
A figure appeared on the roof above them, a rocket launcher poised to fire. Domino's keen eyes caught the movement, and she squeezed off a shot. The bullet struck true, and the rocket launcher fell from the figure's hands, detonating harmlessly in mid-air. Another bullet took the man out right after.
Phantazia, sensing a shift, concentrated her power on a group of attackers trying to flank them. Their equipment short-circuited, and they dropped to the ground, writhing as she also went after their nerves, agony surged through their bodies as she twisted.
Justin's mind whirled as he tried to process the chaos. He peeked out from behind Domino, seeing the tide of battle beginning to turn in their favor. "We need to get out of here, now!" The likelihood that something more is coming and these guys were just meant to pin us in, is high.
It's what he would do, at minimum.
"Working on it!" Domino replied, her tone unwavering. She motioned to the remaining security team. "Form up! We're moving out!"
The security team, still regenerating from their injuries, regrouped around the SUV. With Phantazia covering their retreat and Domino providing suppressive fire, they began to push back against the attackers, clearing a path.
As the convoy roared to life and sped away from the ambush site, the sounds of battle gradually faded. The immediate threat had been neutralized, but the questions lingered.
The convoy sped through the streets of New York, leaving behind the chaos and destruction of the ambush, and several dozen dead ambushers.
"Did we take any survivors?" Justin asked, eyes hard.
Phantazia smiled grimly, "We have two in one of the other SUVs, she said, a hand to her ear.
Domino laughed, a playful smirk on her face, "Oh, those boys are reaaally going to wish they didn't survive the ambush…"
"The teams?" Justin asked shortly, still reigning in his anger, at whoever dared to do this.
"No casualties, one team is traveling through New York on foot, since they lost their SUV, they'll dispose of their gear and scatter, and should be back by nightfall." Phantazia reported clippedly.
"Give everyone a bonus." Justin ordered, as he settled back in his seat, still tense, in case there was a follow up to that ambush. "Make sure they know they have my appreciation for their hard work today."
Without Extremis, his team would have been wrecked today. There was only so much any soldier could do against fire from both sides, and above, with heavy munitions.
"Find out who did this." He ordered, no more playing with them. Whoever ordered this hit…
I'm going to destroy them!
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Hours later, New York.
In the brightly lit war room of one of Justin's fortified black sites, the atmosphere was electric with tension and anticipation. Justin sat at the head of a large, round table, surrounded by his key operatives, Phantazia, Domino, and Yelena - with Sunil there via video conference. The room's walls were lined with screens displaying live feeds, schematics, and data on Roxxon Corporation's headquarters in New York, and their subsidiaries all around the state.
Justin leaned forward, his eyes sharp with determination. "Alright, we've confirmed that the attackers were hired by Roxxon. It's time we send a message they won't forget." Why Agger would do this, who knows…? They've been gobbling up all the other oil companies, they've actually been growing, why this attack?
The two surviving peons they'd grabbed had a different story of course, even under torture they'd constantly claimed Norman Osborn was behind this. Something which Justin might have fallen for, if the loony man wasn't out flying around in a Goblin suit.
No… If Norman wanted him dead, he'd come do it himself.
Luckily, Kaecillius had means to make people talk even more effectively than pain, and the real mind behind the attack was revealed, one of the mercenaries recognising the middle man paying them as one of Roxxon's pets.
He'd let the attacks on him go, as he grew stronger and stronger he'd seen no need in overly going after those weaklings that had attacked him as a knee jerk reaction - especially once they'd had the meeting in Bern under the aegis of the Mandarin. Even Osborn hadn't technically broken their agreement as he'd attacked no other member, as Stark hadn't been one of them.
Agger, the CEO of Roxxon, had been there though… What was he thinking?
Yelena, ever the fierce combatant, slammed her fist on the table. "We hit them hard. Full-scale assault. We take down their headquarters, show them that no one messes with us and get away with it." She was almost snarling, her face was that fierce, she'd been almost apocalyptic once finding out Justin had been attacked.
Eileen, her demeanor cool and calculated, shook her head. "A full-scale assault would be reckless. We need to be precise. A surgical strike targeting their key infrastructure will cripple them without unnecessary collateral damage. We need to be smart about this." She paused, cocking her head, "The CEO needs to have an accident however…"
Domino, lounging back in her chair with a sly grin, watched the exchange with amusement. As far as she was concerned, the problem was practically over now that they'd survived the attack with ease, "Why not both? A little bit of chaos mixed with precision. Keeps things interesting." She suggested, egging them both on.
Justin raised an eyebrow at Domino's comment but turned his attention back to Yelena and Eileen. "Yelena, your approach has its merits. We show strength which I like, but we can't afford to attract too much heat - I want them punished, hard, but we can't afford to have it tied to us. Eileen, what do you propose exactly?"
Eileen brought up a schematic of Roxxon's headquarters on the central screen. "We infiltrate their systems first. Use the Widows for what they do best, and disable their security, making them blind and deaf. Then, we send in a small, highly trained team to take out their key operations - servers, power grids, and communication hubs. It's clean, efficient, and leaves them scrambling."
Justin watched the schematic, thinking it over. It was good, but wasn't nearly harsh enough. He wanted Roxxon to suffer, for daring to go after him.
Sunil spoke up, his tone contemplative, "If we strike soon, everyone will know it was retaliation, without having evidence it was us. It will force other actors to step more carefully." He said nothing more for a moment, before continuing, "The only thing I would have to say about the plan is that it might be too understated for your purpose, sir."
Yelena crossed her arms, frowning. "I agree with Sunil, it's too understated. And besides, what if they fight back? We need to show them the price of crossing us. Fear is a powerful deterrent." She argued, "Everyone must know that they're being punished."
Domino interjected, her voice teasing. "Yelena wants a spectacle, Eileen wants precision. Why not combine both? We go in, make a mess where it hurts them the most, but with a plan. Hit their nerve centers, but also make sure it's loud enough that they remember it - take out the board and CEO in a spectacle, after ruining their entire headquarters from the inside."
Justin leaned back, considering the options. "We need to make a statement, but we also need to be strategic. Yelena, we'll incorporate your idea of a strong show of force, but with Eileen's surgical approach. Yelena, you'll lead the ground team, ensuring we strike fast and hard - I'll lend you Frank and Brock, without their suits they're still expert operatives. Eileen, you'll handle the cyber aspect, leading the Widows, disabling their internal security and server infrastructure - steal every bit of data they have." His eyes were hard as he watched them both, "Full black ops scenario, you can not be identified, kill anything that moves."
Yelena nodded, a fierce smile spreading across her face. "I can work with that. As long as they know we mean business and never dare to cross us again."
Eileen, ever composed, gave a curt nod. "Agreed. I'll ensure their systems are down when we strike. They won't see us coming."
Domino clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Sounds like a party. Too bad I have to guard the boss. You have to make sure to leave a lasting impression for me, eh?"
Justin crossed his arms, determined to see this through, but they had something else they'd have to do first. "Tentatively plan it for within the week, depending on when we can confirm Agger is in the building. I have a phone call to make first."
He stepped away, as the women of his inner circle, and Sunil, coordinated.
The room buzzed with activity as each of them set to their tasks, the air thick with anticipation. Justin watched them, a sense of satisfaction settling over him. Roxxon had made a grave mistake, and they were about to pay the price.
He himself had something else to deal with. He stepped into a corner, and dialed a number he'd never used after the meeting in Bern.
To his utmost annoyance, it took ten minutes to connect the call, a cool distinctly Asian accent answering, "Hammer, you wish to ensure there are no hard feelings, correct?" The Mandarin said immediately, wasting no time on pleasantries.
He already knew… Justin thought, mind whirling on if that was because he'd given Agger the idea or supported the attempt quietly, or if his spies were just that good that he immediately knew it was Roxxon.
Either way he wouldn't allow the Mandarin to act so superior, "I have not called to ask permission." He bit out, voice sharp, "I am simply due to common courtesy - warning you in case you have assets in danger of being caught in the crossfire."
As much as it rankled him, he didn't want to accidentally kill off one of the Mandarin's men if he had his fingers in Roxxon. Which he now suspected even more with how quickly he ascertained what he was calling for. He believed he'd win a war against the man, immortal or not, but it would cost him everything, setting him back in an unacceptable manner at this moment.
"I have no assets worth keeping in Roxxon." The Mandarin said tonelessly. "They themselves have broken our agreement, punish them how you see fit."
"... I'll be in touch." Justin said, waiting for an acknowledgement, not wanting to come off as too rude by hanging up, but instead the Mandarin just hung up on him.
He twitched, crushing his phone in his hand. On a good note, his retaliation on Roxxon wouldn't cost him anything with their little evil circle.
He still had no idea what the Mandarin was after however. Despite professing interest in Extremis he'd still not tried to get it, even in this call he'd made no effort for it.
He just had no idea what made the man tick, and that made him wary.
He put it out of his mind for now, going back to his team, they had a punishment to eke out. Or a slaughter, same difference.
As they worked through the night, finalizing details and preparing for the assault, the resolve to retaliate against Roxxon grew stronger. By the end of the week, they would be ready to strike, and Roxxon would learn that crossing Justin Hammer and his team came with dire consequences.
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The next day, New York, Hammer industries temporary offices.
Justin sat behind his imposing desk, his fingers steepled as he listened to Eileen, who stood with an air of controlled frustration. Domino lounged in a chair nearby, her expression one of casual interest.
She'd had some time to go through recent operations and changes, and had requested a meeting to go through some of them. He had the time, some of his self appointed minor tasks having begun to be delegated to his 'hands'.
Yelena was busy ensuring the Widows that would be staying around settled comfortably, while directing a few assets for the hunt for those still loose. She'd been annoyed to find that her mother figure had not been in the Red Room, and was determined to hunt her down.
So it was just the three of them, like old times.
"Justin," Eileen began, her voice holding a hint of irritation, "Why do we have one of our security teams under my control following some random scientists in New Mexico? It seems like a waste of resources." She looked at the expense report she was holding, "For the last two months!"
Justin leaned back in his chair, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Eileen, trust me, it's not a waste. I have a good hunch about New Mexico. Jane Foster's research is onto something big." Well that, and I want feet on the ground for when Thor arrives so I can know immediately.
Eileen arched an eyebrow, skepticism evident in her eyes. "Jane Foster? I've read your notes on recruitment targets, she's an astrophysicist or something, right? What could she possibly be working on that warrants our attention to this extent?"
Justin's smile widened. "She's been studying astronomical anomalies, something to do with Einstein-Rosen bridges - wormholes in other words. I have a feeling her work is going to lead to something groundbreaking. Something that could give us an edge."
Well, he wasn't so sure she'd be a worthy recruitment, but it was as good an excuse as any to why they were keeping an eye on her. He was just glad all the butterflies elsewhere had not stopped their presence in New Mexico.
Domino chimed in, her tone light and teasing. "Wormholes, huh? Sounds like you're betting on a sci-fi fantasy, Justin." She clicked her tongue, "No wonder you're always picking sci-fi for movie nights nowadays, you nerd!"
Eileen just rolled her eyes, fairly well used to ignoring Domino.
Justin shrugged, unfazed as well. "Sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs come from the most unexpected places. I'm confident this will pay off." Just not in actual wormholes…
Eileen crossed her arms, still unconvinced. "And what about the team in South America? Why are we wasting resources there?" She looked at the report, eye twitching, "Six different countries so far…"
Justin waved a dismissive hand. "Just keeping an eye on Banner."
He'd come to realize he wouldn't get the Abomination or Sterns, not an enhanced Sterns anyway, the butterflies had most definitely destroyed the Hulk movie scenario. Sterns without the enhancements were not worth any effort, Cho and Hansen already had things handled there, add in Conners as well and Sterns was just superfluous.
The Hulk was always worth keeping an eye on however. Just in case. Now that everything had changed, he certainly didn't want anyone to gain control of him for example - and point him at Hammer industries.
The man had already tried to sneak into one of the Hammer clinics in South America to steal a supply of Panacea to study.
Eileen's eyes narrowed. "Bruce Banner? The Hulk? What exactly are you hoping to achieve by monitoring him?" She grimaced, "Not to recruit him… Right?"
Justin leaned forward, his expression more serious. "Banner is a wild card. If he ever loses control, we need to know about it before anyone else does."
Domino let out a low whistle. "So, you're playing both sides. Watching Banner for his potential and keeping tabs in case he goes green and mean."
Justin nodded. "Exactly. We need to stay ahead of the curve. Both Foster's research and Banner's condition could have significant implications for us. It's about being proactive, not reactive."
Eileen sighed, her frustration giving way to reluctant understanding. "Alright, Justin. I see your point, but we need to be careful. Spreading our resources too thin could backfire." She warned, "If more people are coming after you, we need our security teams in high risk areas, protecting your assets, and you, not traversing the Amazon jungle."
Justin stood up, walking around the desk to place a reassuring hand on Eileen's shoulder. "I appreciate your concern, Eileen. But I have a good feeling about these moves. Trust me on this."
He couldn't exactly say he had metaknowledge about it all.
Domino, ever the pragmatist, stretched and stood up. "Well, as long as there's a plan. Just keep me in the loop if you need some extra muscle."
Justin chuckled. "Always, Domino. Now, let's get back to work. We have a lot to do and not much time to do it."
"Actually… I heard from Sunil you can actually fight now, with the skill of a drunken monkey, but still… A spar, sir?" Eileen asked, her eyes intense.
Justin hummed in thought, the paperwork beckoned, but it didn't sound nearly as exciting as working up a sweat.
"I'll join in, I'll even wear those special tights you like." Domino teased coyly.
"Spar it is." He decided.
Solely to help Eileen warm back up after so long of course.
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August 14th, Malibu, California.
Tony Stark's Malibu mansion gleamed under the California sun, a marvel of modern architecture perched atop a cliff with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. The house's automated systems hummed quietly, overseen by JARVIS, Tony's ever-present buddy and employee of the year. Tony stood on the terrace, a glass of scotch in hand, looking out at the waves crashing against the rocks below. Beside him, Pepper was busy reviewing some documents, her sharp eyes flicking up occasionally to glance at Tony.
"Relax, Tony. It's just a meeting," Pepper said, sensing his restlessness.
Tony took a sip of his drink, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, but it's not just any meeting. It's Justin Hammer, he's annoying enough when I don't need a favor…"
Pepper raised an eyebrow. "You think there's going to be trouble?"
Tony shrugged. "With him? Trouble's practically a given. But hey, it's also an opportunity to settle some things."
Just then, the sound of an approaching helicopter broke the tranquility of the scene. Tony and Pepper turned to see a sleek black chopper descending onto the helipad nearby. As the rotors slowed and the door opened, Justin Hammer emerged, dressed in a sharp suit, his usual confident swagger in place. Behind him, Ivan Vanko followed, his expression a mix of anger and disdain. The Russian inventor was a stark contrast to Hammer, with his muscular frame and tattoos visible beneath his shirt sleeves.
Tony grimaced, he'd gotten a heads up from Hammer that he'd be bringing the other man, and what Jarvis had found didn't exactly paint a great picture.
"Tony Stark!" Justin called out, spreading his arms wide in greeting as he approached. "Thanks for the invite. Beautiful place you've got here."
Tony still thought Hammer was just way too smarmy, and although he'd quickly found that the Goblin was actually Norman Osborn, not one of Hammer's - and wasn't that a trip? Why had the crazy goblin blown up his own company? - yet he still believed Hammer had been the one behind the attack on this very mansion.
And now he'd invited him. He was a bit surprised the other man actually showed up to be honest. Tony wouldn't have if it was reversed.
Tony handed his glass to Pepper and walked forward to meet his guests. "Justin… Ivan, welcome to my humble abode. Let's get this over with."
Hammer's smile widened as he extended a hand. "Straight to business? I don't know what's changed, but I like it, Tony."
Tony shook his hand, then turned to Vanko, hiding a grimaced behind a cocky grin, "Ivan. How's life treating you?"
Vanko's eyes narrowed, lips curled into a snarl, "Better than you, Stark, I create the arc reactor with my father, da, while you booze and whore like useless man."
Tony chuckled. "Fair enough. Shall we?" He gestured towards the living room, where they could sit and talk more comfortably. He didn't take offense to Vanko really, because from what Jarvis had dug up, he had a grudge brought on by his dear old dad in the first place. And If there was anything Tony could agree on, it was that Howard Stark was an asshole.
If Vanko hated Howard Stark, he couldn't be all that bad, Tony thought.
The group moved inside, the sleek modern design of the house contrasting sharply with the tension in the air. They settled around a low table, Pepper remaining standing behind Tony, her presence both supportive and watchful. Her eyes settled on Justin Hammer with distaste.
Tony knew from her frequent words on the subject, that she disliked the man more than he himself did at this point. Funny in a way, as she had used to be the moderating voice when it came to Justin Hammer.
"Scotch?" Tony offered, lifting a decanter.
Hammer nodded, replying flippantly. "Sure, why not?"
Tony poured a glass and handed it to Hammer, then turned to Vanko, who shook his head. "No pussy drink for me." He grumbled, crossing his arms.
"Suit yourself," Tony said, pouring a glass for himself. He sat down, taking a sip before speaking again. "So, what's this about, bringing big angry and russian when I invite you so nicely for a pow wow?"
Justin took a sip of his drink, savoring the taste. "Well…Tony, we've got quite a bit to discuss, I agree, But first, Ivan has something he wants to say, and I felt it was best to get this all over with, within a private setting."
Tony shook his head, not overly pleased with having to do this, he could have gone his entire life without having to face more of his father's bullshit coming back to bite him. "Alright, lay it on me." He huffed, gesturing at Vanko.
Vanko leaned forward, his eyes locked on Tony. "My father, Anton Vanko, he do work with your father, Howard Stark. They supposed to be partners, da. Stark betray him! had him deported, stole his invention."
Tony met Vanko's gaze steadily. "I've heard this story before, Ivan. And I'll be the first to admit, my old man was far from perfect. But you're barking up the wrong tree if you think I'm going to take the fall for his sins." He shrugged lightly, "Whether all that's true or not, you've won haven't you? You've got the arc reactor, it's not worth it for me to compete, so take it and be happy."
Vanko's fists clenched, but he managed to keep his voice level, even as he had a growling undertone. "Father create first viable arc reactor technology. He was genius. But your family took everything from us. Everything."
Tony glanced at Justin, who was watching with an amused smirk on his face, asshole. Really, how was any of this anything to do with him? Fucking Howard Stark.
Also, he was fairly certain Anton Vanko was not the creator of the technology, although from all evidence he had worked with his dear old dad on the project. It was impossible to find records to explain if his dad had actually had a hand in getting the elder Vanko deported, although Tony wouldn't be surprised if he had.
Tony sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Look, Ivan, I don't know all the details of what happened between our fathers. But I can tell you this - I'm not my father. And as far as the arc reactor goes - you beat me to it, take that as remuneration, because given a few months more I would have perfected it first."
Vanko's eyes flashed with anger. "You stand on the shoulders of giants and pretend to be one yourself." He spat.
Tony's smile was sharp. "Maybe. But at least I acknowledge the giants. Now, are we going to keep trading barbs, or are we going to talk about the real issues?"
Justin interjected, trying to steer the conversation back on track. "Alright, alright, let's cool it down." He gave Vanko a sharp look, the man scoffing, but settling down. "We're here to discuss some serious business, after all. Tony, you mentioned renegotiating our deal with Wakanda. Why the sudden change?"
The way the bastard was smirking, he knew damn well the sudden change. Even if he hadn't been behind the Green Goblin, he sure as hell was going to take advantage. Not that Tony could overly blame him, he'd do the same thing probably.
Pepper and Obi definitely would, both of them were very anti-Hammer lately, which rubbed Tony the wrong way - because he was supposed to be that guy, not being forced into being the reasonable one.
What's the world come to when Tony Stark had to be reasonable? He wondered.
Tony took a long sip of his scotch, before setting his glass down, his expression turning serious. "It's simple, I've lost time and resources due to the Green Goblin, and I won't be able to allocate the same amount of drones for our project as I had promised, so I'll need you to take over the slack for six months."
Justin looked amused, crossing one leg over the other as he leaned back, "Hoh? Anthony Stark needs my help?" He said slowly, a growing smirk on his face.
Tony rolled his eyes, taking another sip of his drink, the alcohol helping him deal with this bullshit. "Don't get too much of a stiffy, Justin. It's a temporary thing, I'm just being responsible, ensuring our contract is still carried out. I'm being nice here."
Justin frowned, cocking his head. "Responsible? Since when did Stark Industries get a conscience?" He mocked lightly.
Tony's eyes narrowed. "It's not about a conscience, Justin. It's about smart business. If we fail to do the job, we won't secure a steady supply of vibranium. And without proper drones we could cause political or environmental backlash. Adjusting our agreement benefits all of us."
Justin considered this for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright, I can see the logic in that. But what's your angle with the Green Goblin? Why mention him in your message?"
Tony leaned forward, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "Because it's a threat we can't ignore. Osborn's gone off the deep end, and he's targeting me, and you know he'll target you, you were in that meeting too, and I know you know it's Osborn behind the mask. We need to coordinate our efforts to deal with him, because if you fuck this up, Ross will be up both our asses."
Hammer wasn't his first choice as someone to work with, but they were already starting in Wakanda, and he might as well continue on with it. Unfortunately dressing up in his suit and flying over to punch Osborn in the face would have too many consequences for him to be able to pull it off.
Vanko snorted, looking delighted. "You think working under Hammer is the answer?" He was practically chortling after. Justin gave his subordinate a warning look, that Vanko completely ignored.
Tony shrugged. "In this case, yes, although it's with, not under." He stressed, giving Vanko an unimpressed look, "We all have something to lose if Osborn's allowed to run rampant. He's a loose cannon with too much power and not enough sense, and with Ross up his ass, it will not end well."
Justin nodded, taking another sip of his own scotch. "I agree. Osborn's a problem, and he needs to be dealt with. But let's not forget, Tony, this isn't just about Osborn. It's about our interests. We need to protect what's ours."
Tony understood him immediately, they couldn't lose out on the Vibranium, no matter what.
Tony's eyes met Justin's, a silent understanding passing between them. "Agreed. But we do it smart. No reckless moves." God dammit, what's the world come to when I end up working with this peacock?
Justin smirked, practically preening. "Smart. I can do smart." He said smarmily.
Tony wanted to throw what was left of his drink in his face. But he held back, he was supposed to be… Nice, now.
Pepper, who had been silently observing, stepped forward. "And what about the long-term implications? How do we ensure this alliance doesn't come back to bite us?" She asked, her eyes fixed on Justin, her tone biting.
Justin smiled at Pepper, his tone smooth. "Ms. Potts, we're all businessmen here. We understand the importance of a stable partnership. Once Osborn is dealt with, we renegotiate terms as needed. Flexibility is key."
She looked unimpressed, likely interpreting it as Tony did, Justin looking to further get a point in any renegotiation. Well, Tony had tons of things brewing right now, Justin would face some surprises if he thought he could walk all over him.
Tony glanced at Pepper, who gave a small reluctant accepting nod. "Alright. I guess we're allies. For now."
Vanko spat on the carpet, "This foolish, is bad idea, can't trust a Stark." He said darkly.
Tony sighed, "Some civility here please, do you know how expensive it is to dry clean a carpet?"
"Do you?" Pepper immediately fired, even as she glared at Justin and Vanko.
"... 50 grand?"
Everyone in the room just stared at him.
"Lower? Higher?"
"I'm not paid enough for this…" Pepper muttered.
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