Since this was still business, Nolan felt there was no need for unnecessary drama. He kept the discussion smooth, polite, and almost leisurely. It was not like he was losing anything in this deal. In fact, he was practically earning a fortune for breathing.
The price of the Black Armor units was so high that even the stiffest military generals had no choice but to grit their teeth, hold their noses, and purchase one hundred and twenty sets. When Nolan heard the final number roll off their tongues, he nearly burst into laughter. Each armor only cost a few million to manufacture, yet the total profit now exceeded tens of billions. If there was ever a definition of "absurdly profitable," this was it.
The Terminator units were certainly reliable and significantly cheaper, but value was not always determined by price. Machinery did not grow, adapt, or evolve the way humans could. A suit that boosted a soldier's physical abilities severalfold was a dream weapon for any army. So when Hammer Industries announced their own powered armor, despite everyone knowing how unreliable Hammer's engineering was, the generals still rushed over instantly like moths to a flame.
Reality, however, hit them quickly and painfully. High precision armor was not something just any company could develop. Hammer Industries proved that rather thoroughly.
Fortunately for the military, Nolan's efforts to recruit elite scientists were finally bearing fruit. His Whiplash series suits were receiving a surprising amount of interest from high ranking officers, and orders began piling in rapidly.
Ethan did not possess Ivan Vanko's sheer brilliance, but there was no denying that he was an irreplaceable all-rounder. In the right projects, he became the critical component that held everything together. A perfect stabilizer.
At this rate, it would not be long before Locke Technologies was worth several hundred billion.
Previously, although his company was expanding quickly, Nolan was spending money even faster. He had even used the company's name to take out several loans just to support the constant stream of research and development. And then there was the system, which had already devoured an unimaginable amount of money without anything returning directly into his hands.
Eventually, after going through each matter meticulously, Nolan finally asked with a relaxed smile:
"Do you gentlemen need anything else?"
He stood up slightly, giving them a subtle hint that the main talks were already finished. Yet none of the generals moved. It was Ross who finally spoke.
"There is one more matter. It concerns a potential long term strategic cooperation between the military and Locke Technologies."
There it was. Their fox tail finally showed.
Nolan and Tony Stark exchanged the faintest smirk. The earlier topics may have sounded important, but they were nowhere near significant enough to warrant the personal presence of several top military leaders.
Nolan waited patiently, signaling for Ross to continue. Ross glanced at Tony Stark.
"Stark, what comes next involves national defense confidentiality."
Tony rolled his eyes dramatically but still stood and walked out, muttering under his breath. Only when the door closed did Ross continue.
"Mr. Locke, after the recent crisis, the military would like to officially invite you to participate in the Earth Defense Initiative."
He handed over a thick document. Nolan lifted it with interest. Earth Defense Initiative. The name alone hinted at massive budgets and endless resources. If the military was truly investing heavily in this, he could already imagine the level of influence and power it might bring him.
He wanted to tell them directly:
Forget building an Earth Defense Initiative. Hand me the money and I alone will be your entire defense plan.
But he held that thought in.
The contents of the document were incredibly detailed. It was a wide scale cooperative program touching on almost every corner of advanced technological research. Even the initial funding exceeded one hundred and thirty billion per year, and that was only the preliminary budget.
If he agreed to participate, at least thirty percent of that funding would end up in his pockets. And based on projections, the full annual budget might reach several hundred billion.
The temptation was undeniable.
In addition to money, the military would also provide wide scale logistical and resource support to Locke Technologies. Access, clearance, materials, everything would become more convenient.
But then Nolan found the catch.
All research conducted during the partnership, including breakthroughs, improvements, and prototype technologies, must be shared with the military without compensation.
Nolan closed the folder immediately.
"Apologies, but I am not interested in joining this program."
The generals exchanged looks of disbelief. If they placed this offer in front of Justin Hammer or any other weapons manufacturer, those people would sign before the ink even reached the paper. Yet Nolan declined without a second thought.
The plan might appeal to other companies, but for him it was utterly useless. Cooperation meant handing over his research, and Nolan held countless technologies that could rewrite history. Signing this agreement would mean delivering all his secrets right into the military's hands.
Ross frowned.
"You do realize we have other candidates."
"Please, be my guest."
Nolan replied casually.
Ross's expression darkened. Nolan simply leaned back, smiling.
"By the way, General, have you seen your daughter recently? I have. We talked a few times, and now that Dr. Banner has joined Locke Technologies, she seems quite pleased."
Ross's face instantly turned storm black.
He had not seen his daughter since the New York incident. Hearing this from Nolan felt like a slap. Ross could only glare before leaving with the other generals.
After they finally left, Tony walked back in.
"What did they want?"
"Nothing important. Just another ridiculous plan. I rejected it."
"That sounds like them. They are all idiots."
The bitterness in Tony's voice made Nolan grin. Apparently Tony was still holding onto the insults thrown earlier.
Tony suddenly grew serious.
"Nolan, this war opened my eyes. We talked about building the Watchers before, but now I understand just how desperately Earth needs a force like that. An alien invasion triggered by the very man who calls himself Earth's protector. And the higher ups are doing nothing. Nick Fury is still sitting comfortably in his office. If you hadn't exposed him in the hearing, the truth would have been buried forever."
Nolan nodded. He agreed completely.
"We need more people," Tony said firmly.
He was right. Two people were not enough to guard Earth.
Nolan thought for a moment.
"You are right. But recruiting new members needs caution. We cannot let just anyone join. Now, there is something I want to ask. Your arc reactor embedded in your chest. When do you plan to remove it?"
Tony inhaled sharply. After a moment, he replied:
"You said you know a good doctor."
"Yes. Stephen Strange. One of the top neurosurgeons in the world."
"Neurosurgeon?" Tony stared. "Seriously? I am not injured in the head!"
Nolan laughed loudly.
"Trust me. He is a genius. Neurosurgery is only his specialty. His skills in cardiothoracic surgery are just as impressive."
Tony rolled his eyes but noted the name.
Then his expression hardened.
"You know the Mandarin? Those recent attacks are his doing. I am going to deal with him."
Nolan almost choked.
"Tony, don't be impulsive. Maybe you are not afraid, but the people around you cannot carry the consequences of your recklessness."
Tony lifted his chin.
"It is just a bunch of terrorists. I can handle them."
Watching Tony's blind confidence made Nolan feel a headache rising. This man's arrogance might actually get him killed one day. The Mandarin's organization was only the surface. The true mastermind was Aldrich Killian, and although Killian was not the strongest foe Nolan had faced, the trouble he caused was immense.
Thinking of Killian reminded him of the Extremis Virus. Flawed but incredibly promising. If perfected, it would rival the Super Soldier Serum.
After Tony left, Nolan thought for a long while. Perhaps it was time to approach Killian or Maya Hansen.
His own physical strength was still far from enough to unleash the full power of the Mjolnir Armor. Extremis would solve that problem and more.
For now, he chose to speak to Maya Hansen first. She was pure, brilliant, and not manipulative like Killian.
And during this time, Tony Stark held a press conference, cursed the Mandarin from head to toe, and then publicly revealed his home address.
Nolan covered his face.
This idiot. Without protagonist luck, Tony Stark would have been blown into pieces years ago.
While Nolan silently mourned Tony's brain cells, he finally met with Maya Hansen. Without any hesitation, he revealed his purpose.
"I believe the Extremis Virus has extraordinary potential. You should know the name Locke Technologies. I am representing the company today, and I hope to work with Advanced Idea Mechanics on developing Extremis."
Maya hesitated.
"I have no objections, but anything involving Extremis must be approved by Aldrich Killian…"
"Of course. I only need you to talk to him. I believe Mr. Killian will definitely agree."
Nolan smiled like a seasoned fox.
Agree? Killian would sooner jump into a volcano.
But that was exactly what Nolan expected.
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