Rowan led Howard and Maria through the underground mansion's main hall. The walls were lined with advanced technology and ancient artifacts.
"You'll be meeting my other team members," Rowan explained. "They're also from Earth, but different circumstances."
Howard looked around, impressed. "This place is incredible. The tech here is beyond anything I've seen."
"Who are we meeting exactly?" Maria asked.
"The Waynes," Rowan replied. "Thomas and Martha. They run my operations in Gotham City."
Thomas and Martha Wayne approached from the side corridor. Both looked young and strong, their vampire transformations having restored their youth.
"Thomas Wayne," Thomas said, extending his hand to Howard. "And this is my wife Martha."
Howard shook his hand firmly. "Howard Stark. This is Maria, my wife."
The couples studied each other cautiously. Neither knew the other's reputation from their different worlds.
"You're both new to this?" Martha asked kindly.
"Brand new," Maria replied. "We're still processing everything that happened."
"The transformation takes time to understand," Thomas said reassuringly. "But Master Rowan guides us well."
A small figure ran into the room, moving faster than any normal child should.
"Uncle Rowan!" Catherine called out, jumping into his arms.
Howard's eyes widened. "How old is she?"
"Three years old," Martha said proudly. "But she grows fast. Catherine, say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Stark."
Catherine looked at the newcomers with bright golden eyes. "Are you the new family Uncle Rowan talked about?"
"I guess we are," Howard said, smiling despite his confusion.
"Can you fly too?" Catherine asked excitedly.
Maria spread her wings slightly. "We're learning."
Catherine giggled and spread her own small wings. "We can practice together!"
Later that evening, Howard and Thomas worked in the tech lab.
"You're an engineer?" Thomas asked, watching Howard examine a piece of Thanagarian equipment.
"Was. Am. I built weapons and armor for the military," Howard replied. "This alien technology is fascinating."
Thomas nodded. "Master Rowan wants us to build something special. A ship that can travel between stars."
"Using their metal?" Howard pointed to the Nth metal samples.
"Exactly. But we need more research first."
Howard picked up a tablet displaying satellite images. "What's this?"
"Antarctica," Thomas said. "Master Rowan believes there's a crashed ship buried in the ice. Advanced technology."
"How advanced?" Howard asked.
"Possibly more advanced than the bird people's tech," Thomas explained. "We're organizing an expedition. Full team, equipment, everything."
Howard studied the images more carefully. "This energy reading here... it's massive. Whatever crashed there wasn't small."
"That's why we need your expertise," Thomas said. "Can you build equipment to dig through that much ice?"
"Give me two weeks and unlimited funding," Howard replied. "I'll build machines that can melt through a glacier."
Thomas smiled. "Consider it done."
Meanwhile, Rowan sat in his study reading ancient magic books taken from the Urzatga demon's collection.
Shayera entered quietly. "Master, the Thanagarian combat manuals are translated. I can teach your team their fighting techniques."
"Good," Rowan said without looking up. "How effective are they against magic users?"
"Thanagarians struggled with magic-based enemies," she admitted. "Our technology works better against physical threats."
Rowan closed the book. "Then we need both. Your people's technology combined with demon magic."
"The invasion in ten years?" Shayera asked.
"Will find Earth much more prepared than they expect," Rowan said confidently.
Back in the lab, Howard was already sketching armor designs on a digital tablet.
"What are you thinking?" Thomas asked, looking over his shoulder.
"Powered armor. Enhanced with this Nth metal for flight capability. But also integrated with some kind of defensive magic," Howard explained.
"Magic armor?"
"Why not? If we're fighting bird people with advanced technology, we need every advantage."
Thomas nodded thoughtfully. "Master Rowan will like this approach."
Howard saved his designs. "When do we start the Antarctica expedition?"
"Next month. Full crew, heavy equipment, and enough supplies for six months."
"And if we find what we're looking for?"
Thomas looked serious. "Then we'll have the tools to protect this world from threats it's never imagined."
Catherine ran into the lab, wings fluttering behind her.
"Daddy Thomas, Uncle Howard, what are you building?" she asked curiously.
"Something to keep you safe, princess," Howard said, surprising himself with how naturally the word came out.
Catherine smiled brightly. "Can I help?"
"When you're older," Thomas promised. "For now, just focus on growing strong."
Catherine nodded seriously. "I will. Uncle Rowan says I'm special."
"You are," Howard agreed, watching her hover slightly off the ground without even thinking about it.
The future was taking shape, piece by piece.
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