Chapter 25: Thorsday
Fair warning, this chapter has something as boring as a congressional hearing. So those who want to avoid Star Wars esque political double talk and hearings, you can skip that part.
I felt the need to show part of how the government is reacting to Hammer nowadays, outside Ellis who is obviously onboard, as well as to get a few named politicians in the back pocket for any future government shenanigans.
It's not the end of the world if you skip that part, but I felt it necessary to add it.
Also, just putting it out there, I know shit all about the stock market, so I just googled something and added in what it explained to me, if it's wrong, well in this AU it works anyway, mmkay?
Anyway as usual, I don't own Marvel, the Avengers, X-Men or anything from Disney and etc, etc.
Hope you enjoy.
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Roxxon's New York headquarters loomed large against the night sky, a towering fortress of glass and steel. Two teams of Black Widows, specialists in espionage and sabotage, prepared to infiltrate the building.
The board was holding a late meeting with all hands on deck, no doubt going over the failed attack, so they were ready to strike, looking for maximum pain dealt to their enemy.
The Black Widows were old hands at this kind of thing, and were excited to do it for a 'good cause' this time.
Eileen's team was the first to move. Composed of seasoned Widows, they approached the building under the cover of darkness. They navigated through the shadows, their black tactical gear blending seamlessly with the night. The service tunnel entrance was their target - a less conspicuous entry point often overlooked by complacent security personnel.
In this case it hadn't been, but a Widow had already been inserted into the building during daytime hours, specifically to make her way down to ensure their entrance would be cut off from the rest of the security system for the time being.
It would be investigated, but by then they'd already be in, and could move forward with taking over the entire security system.
The tunnel led them into the underground parking garage. Guards patrolled lazily, unaware of the silent predators closing in on them - having no idea the cameras and motion sensors on the doors were temporarily disabled. In a swift, coordinated strike, Eileen's team neutralized the guards, leaving no room for alarm or resistance. Silencers whispered, and bodies dropped with barely a sound. Within moments, the entrance was secure.
Eileen divided her team into two groups. One, led by her, would handle physical security, while the other focused on cyber operations. On her signal, the Widow already inserted in the building initiated a cascading power failure, not knocking the system out, just temporarily going to emergency power through the areas the Widows were rushing through, ensuring security wouldn't see them until it was too late.
By not completely knocking the power out, they gave themselves precious minutes where security would wonder, checking out the power failure instead of going into immediate lockdown and calling for help.
Eileen's group ascended the maintenance stairwells, avoiding the more trafficked areas, their knowledge of the building absolute, they made their way to the security room at a controlled run. As they approached the security control room, they knew they'd arrived in time, as the building hadn't gone into lockdown.
They had ways around that too, if it happened, but it was good to have things run smoothly. Roxxon had a lot of military level personnel, but they were the frontline forces, the background personnel - the fat lazy ones sitting in security offices - were not nearly as proactive and experienced, and they'd counted on that after getting profiles on the staff.
The control room was the building's nerve center, bustling with guards and technicians monitoring the myriad security feeds. Eileen and her team burst in with precision, subduing the occupants before they could react - several of them down before they even realized anything was happening. Hand-to-hand combat ensued with the few who remained, a blur of expertly executed moves that left the room littered with unconscious bodies. With the guards and technicians incapacitated, Eileen's team secured the room, taking control of the building's physical security systems.
These guys were basically rent-a-cops not hardened operatives, so they didn't go straight for the jugular. They'd already be leaving a trail of bodies in the end, no need for the no name grunts to suffer needlessly.
Roxxon's biggest threat wasn't their human resources anyway, the building was littered with drones. Not anything near the capabilities Hammer Industries had, but in tight hallways, a murderbot firing away indiscriminately would have been a problem - hence why they focused on the weaker human element, confusing and distracting them until they got far enough in the building to take them.
Eileen felt smug, as she compared their ineffectual and weak response to the system she'd set up for all of Hammer Industries buildings. In her system, any kind of power failure, camera outage, or similar - would lead to an immediate full response until proven otherwise.
It's also why each of Hammer Industries security guards had health monitors attached, so they'd get a warning the second one of them died, got knocked unconscious, or had an abnormal increase in heart rate.
Compared to that, Roxxon was basically the Walmart of evil corporations. Drones were no use if they'd never get a chance to be activated.
Meanwhile, the cyber team infiltrated the IT department, Eileen's team helpfully opening all locked doors on the way, while locking everyone else in the building in. Among them was a Black Widow named Zara, a African Widow and a tech prodigy with a knack for breaking through the most sophisticated firewalls - one of Dreykov's favorites, and one of the younger Widows of the new generation. They connected their devices to the mainframes, initiating a silent takeover. Zara's fingers flew across the keyboard, rewriting code, and destroying surveillance feeds. The building's cameras now displayed looped footage for the time they were in the building, ensuring any investigation afterwards would find nothing amiss.
Oh, they'd realize it was looped footage, but Zara was an expert. They wouldn't be able to dig out even a simple glimpse of anything, not that there was much to see thanks to the cascading power failure that had so stumped the security team for the brief time they'd had to investigate.
As the cyber team worked, Eileen coordinated with them to execute the next phase - A partial building lockdown. She glanced at her watch, timing their actions with military precision. When the moment arrived, the building was plunged into lockdown, locking important areas and personnel in. Meanwhile the drones that would come screeching to eradicate invaders were kept offline, by Zara, as she expertly manipulated the lockdown to lock the different security teams and hit teams inside their barracks.
Simultaneously, the team activated communication jammers, severing all external contact. Roxxon's headquarters was now an isolated fortress, its defenses crippled, and no one outside of it had any idea.
As the building's systems were completely subsumed, Yelena's team, stationed in an adjacent building, sprang into action. Yelena led this second wave and alongside her were Frank, and Brock, with several Widows along for the ride. Their mission was to dismantle key parts of Roxxon's infrastructure and destroy both their military assets and extract or destroy their scientific assets.
Using a window that had not had shutters descend over it in the lockdown, perfectly placed for them to zipline in, Yelena's team entered the building. They moved swiftly, their path cleared by the first team's efforts. Locked doors opened for them as they approached, and they mowed down opposition ruthlessly.
Their first target, the barracks, to remove any capabilities of Roxxon to use their own forces to strike back after this.
Across the state the other facilities Roxxon had were also being hit, bombed in a way that would point fingers towards the Green Goblin, massive collateral damage and loss of Roxxon's security forces the goal.
For now, Roxxon's assets abroad and across the rest of America were not being hit. This was a lesson, not complete annihilation.
For now.
Frank and Brock took point once they got to the barracks, their enhanced strength and combat skills ensuring swift progress. The lockdown eased as they approached, Yelena tossing the men several explosives casually, the men arming them just as casually before tossing them inside the barracks.
The explosion wasn't quite enough to shake the entire building, but it was enough to utterly destroy the room filled with Roxxon's best, for whatever that was worth. As soon as the debris stopped flying around, the team moved in and ensured any survivors did not in fact survive.
Meanwhile, Zara delved deeper accessing the systems, downloading terabytes of sensitive information. The data included records of illicit activities, financial transactions, and internal communications - evidence that could dismantle Roxxon's empire.
There were more than one way to skin a cat after all…
Eileen had joined her at this point and oversaw the operation with a sharp eye. Her team worked efficiently, extracting data while preparing the servers for destruction. The extracted information was encrypted and transferred to secure drives, ensuring it could not be easily traced back to them. The servers, once a treasure trove of Roxxon's secrets, were now rigged to become a pile of slag.
Meanwhile, Yelena's team moved through the building, eradicating the security forces, the real security forces, those kept off the books of the company, but still made their home inside Roxxon's headquarters.
The lockdown kept any other employees locked in and unaware of the happenings, letting them through only to their targets. Eventually the task was done, and Frank and Brock took the team and escorted the scientists that didn't choose death, off the premises.
With their tasks completed, both team leads converged on the building's top floor. The boardroom, the whole reason the building was fully staffed with security tonight - was their final destination - Roxxon's board ironically meeting to figure out how to deal with Hammer Industries.
They should have kowtowed instead, they would have lived longer.
Eileen had anticipated possible resistance here and had sent two Widows ahead to secure the area. These operatives, mistresses of stealth, had infiltrated the floor and neutralized the guards, ensuring the executives could not escape through some secret means to get around the lockdown.
The boardroom doors were reinforced, a testament to the executives' desire for security. They'd need heavy ordnance to get through… If it weren't for the fact they already controlled the whole building.
Eileen scoffed at the lack of planning, the head offices and top floors of Hammer Industries buildings ran on separate power sources and with their own security systems controlled from within, to prevent exactly this scenario. With a simple command to Zara, the doors were opened, revealing a scene of opulent decor and tense occupants. Agger and his board members sat at a large table, their faces a mix of anger and fear.
Agger specifically seemed to lean mostly towards anger, his face red, eyes flashing with hatred.
Eileen stepped forward, her eyes locked on Agger. "Your plots end, Agger," She said, her voice steady and cold. "We've taken everything from you, and soon the world will know what Roxxon truly is, your company will be eaten alive." She sneered, "You shouldn't have tried it, you shouldn't have thought a worm like yourself could ever touch Justin Hammer."
Agger's expression hardened, but he remained silent. He knew he was outmatched, or he didn't want to speak with what he'd see as lackeys, whatever his reason, it saved them pointless posturing. The Widows spread out, prepared in case one of the men was more than they seemed and attempted anything.
Yelena brought up her H-phone, one not affected by the communications jam, "Sir, he's ready for the extraction."
A swirling orange portal opened up in the boardroom, the board members rearing back in shock, except for Agger, who only clenched his fists.
They could have done this from the beginning to get Agger, but they'd wanted to crush all of them, not just the CEO.
Kaecillius stepped through, and then stepped aside, "Mister Agger, Master Hammer awaits…"
When Agger didn't make any moves to stand up, Yelena slowly raised a gun, the silencer still on, "You can walk on your own, or you can crawl after I shoot your balls off." She threatened sweetly, for all intents looking like she'd prefer he picked the second option.
Slowly Agger stood, his face a mask of rage and distress, everything he'd built crumbling before him, as he slowly walked through the portal.
The last thing Agger heard or saw of Roxxon - were the cries of protest - and the muffled sounds of gunshots, as the board expired behind him.
Justin smiled pleasantly as the man who'd ordered him killed came to stand before him, sitting ready in an almost throne-like chair as he sipped on some brandy, "Well, look who it is, it's Aggy, we have so much to talk about…"
"There will be consequences for this, you can't brush this under the rug, Hammer, you might have defeated me, but if you kill me you'll never get out of this." Agger growled, clenching his fists so hard drops of blood were falling onto the carpet.
Justin smiled condescendingly, "Oh, sweet little Aggy, you have no idea what you're dealing with."
"Now let's have a nice, long, talk… You and I…"
Yelena and Eileen came through the portal, which immediately closed afterwards, the Black Widow and the Metahuman coming to stand behind Agger.
"Make him sing, ladies."
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2 days later, Washington D.C.
Moving faster than any government in American history, the United States Congress asked Justin to testify before the national security subcommittee two days after the Roxxon attack, and a little over a week after the attack on himself.
Asked, not subpoenaed, because Justin was obviously the victim here, and also because all the new cute little congressmen wouldn't dare piss him off by requesting his presence like they were better than him.
With two attacks on him, the Oscorp attack, the attack on Stark, and now Roxxon being both a site of a slaughter, as well as their dirty laundry leaking out all over the internet - the American government was concerned.
With concern being code for panicking.
With warhawks on the rise and constant national security issues plaguing the country, not to mention the absolute failure of SHIELD to do… Anything about any of these attacks - it had created the perfect storm for Justin.
Politicians who desperately needed him and his companies, politicians who feared losing all of what gave America an edge in international affairs and military - politicians ripe for the picking.
The atmosphere in the Congressional chamber was tense, the media having been pushing Congress members hard on the recent national security failures. Justin, as the CEO of Hammer Industries, was set to testify before the national security subcommittee about the recent attack on him by mercenaries in New York. This attack, which resulted in over 20 civilian casualties, was a stark reminder of the vulnerability of America's industrial giants - How Hammer Industries, Stark Industries and Oscorp to name a few - would flounder with the simple removal of the man at the top.
A great worry for the government when those three companies were responsible for a large chunk of all military contracts, and literally all of the more innovative and futuristic solutions.
Justin's presence was not merely a matter of his own importance either at this point; it underscored the profound economic and security implications of such attacks on corporations like Hammer Industries, Oscorp, Stark Industries, and Roxxon. With his significant economic influence, Justin knew his testimony was expected to be a pivotal moment, as the committee sought his insights on preventing future incidents.
As they begged him for his advice. Oh, they wouldn't use any of those words of course, but he'd been oh so prettily asked to show up, while the likes of Stark had simply been subpoenaed.
The Congressional chamber buzzed with subdued activity as staffers and reporters settled in for the hearing. The room, adorned with portraits of past political leaders, exuded an air of solemnity. Members of the national security subcommittee, a mix of seasoned politicians having come out of retirement to run after the catastrophe and newer faces, took their seats at the long, polished raised dais at the front of the room.
Key figures included the committee chair, Elizabeth Kline, a staunch supporter of industrial innovation, a Warhawk, and also 87 years old, and Richard Connors, known for his gruff demeanor and no-nonsense approach, having been a governor for 8 years before he retired, patriotism making him run for Congress due to the Wakanda crisis.
Among them were also Representatives Susan Delgado and Michael Hayes, both known for their close ties to the corporate sector and supportive stance toward Justin - they'd run on exactly that - telling their constituents that they'd ensure Justin had a free hand to improve the country.
He hadn't even needed to pay them a dime, they'd supplicanted themselves all on their own.
Representative Kline rapped her gavel to bring the room to order. "Good morning, everyone. We are here today to discuss the recent attack on Mr. Justin Hammer and the broader implications for our national security. Mr. Hammer, thank you for joining us. We look forward to your insights on how we can prevent such tragic incidents in the future." Her voice, while weak and raspy, was also sharp.
Panacea couldn't cure age, but it had brought her back into the state of a perfectly healthy 87 year old - Justin figured he had good odds she'd be willing to sign off on what he wanted.
He had the President in his corner, but Congress was also an invaluable tool, the more they subverted themselves on his behalf, the easier things would become for him once he had to step up his game - once he had to fight the likes of HYDRA.
Justin, dressed in a sharp dark blue suit, rose to speak. His tone was calm, yet firm. "Thank you, representative Kline, and the esteemed members of the committee. The attack on Hammer Industries was not just an assault on my company but an attack on American innovation and enterprise - as was the similar attacks on Oscorp, Stark Industries and Roxxon. I am here today to offer my perspective on how we can fortify our defenses and ensure that such tragedies do not occur again."
If there was a tiny bit of a smirk growing on his face, it was for the humor in the situation. He was behind two of those attacks after all. And now he was going to make bank due to it.
Representative Delgado was the first to pose a question, her tone friendly and supportive. "Mr. Hammer, given your extensive experience in the industry, what immediate steps do you think we should take to protect our industrial infrastructure and persons of national importance like yourself?"
Justin nodded at her appreciatively, flashing a smile, "Representative Delgado, I believe we need a multi-faceted approach. First, increasing investment in cybersecurity to protect our technological assets - the enemy somehow knew where to strike after all. Second, enhancing physical security measures at key industrial sites. Third, fostering greater collaboration between the private sector and government agencies to share intelligence and best practices - we have the money to protect ourselves but not the knowledge of the threats…"
And hey, wouldn't you know, Hammer Industries had a great private security company growing rapidly, with a neat cyber division too. Justin wasn't so crass as to bring it up, but he knew everyone present knew exactly what he was speaking about.
Representative Hayes followed up. "Mr. Hammer, your company in particular has been at the forefront of technological advancements. How can we leverage these advancements to bolster our national security for the sector?"
Heh, owning congressmen is so useful, Justin thought, a prideful smirk on his face as he preened slightly in his seat, the question teeing things up perfectly.
"Representative Hayes, innovation is our greatest asset against our enemies. We need to harness the cutting-edge technologies Hammer industries can provide, to protect and preserve our industrial might over our rivals and enemies. The fact of the matter is that Hammer industries have survived these attempts stronger than ever, proof of concept of our system, proof the government can use to institute the same across the industry." Justin said, speaking slowly and solemnly, even as he basically told the government to buy his shit and pay his security company to protect industrial assets all over America.
Give it another two, three years, and he'd basically be ruling the country completely.
Representative Connors leaned forward, his expression steely, his dark eyes intent. "Mr. Hammer, your company has been targeted multiple times. Some might argue that these attacks are a direct result of your aggressive business practices. How do you respond to those who say you bear some responsibility for these incidents?" He gestured briefly to the gallery, where Justin knew Tony Stark was sitting, waiting his turn, "Seems to me like we didn't have any of these problems until you started kicking up a fuss, and now you're trying to profit off your rivals too."
Justin's demeanor remained composed, though a flicker of irritation crossed his eyes. Can't win them all I suppose… He thought.
"Representative Connors, while it is true that Hammer Industries is a high-profile target, it is precisely because we are leaders in our field and of immense importance to national security. Our success attracts attention, both positive and negative. However, it is unfair to place the blame for criminal acts on the victims of those acts. We must focus on holding the perpetrators accountable and strengthening our defenses - defenses that have succeeded in the case of Hammer industries…"
Justin shrugged easily, flashing a friendly smile, even as his eyes remained slightly pointed at the hardass representative, "It's a free market out there, sir, and we have proven that we can protect what is important. We can't risk any more blunders in regards to national security."
The number one step of winning in American politics? Mention national security a lot as your excuse to get away with anything. And pointedly, Hammer Industries had gotten away better off from the attacks, compared to Oscorp, SI and Roxxon anyway.
Connors pressed on, dropping the national security angle for now. "And what about the civilian casualties, Mr. Hammer? Over 20 innocent lives were lost. How do you address the concerns of those who feel your company's presence, your presence, brings undue risk to the public?"
There's a murmur amongst the gallery at that, some outrage popping up before security quiets down the crowd, escorting the loudest out. That had not been a popular move.
Justin took a deep breath, affecting a saddened look for the cameras, looking at the representative reproachfully. "The loss of innocent lives is a tragedy that weighs heavily on me, and even though I couldn't possibly have been aware I was going to be attacked in public, I will be ensuring the families are suitably compensated so they can at least move forward with life without financial worries." Idiots… More die each day in America from stupidity, why care about these twenty in particular…?
Applause broke out from the gallery, and Connors leaned back in his chair, dissatisfied, but obviously unwilling to press further with Justin so easily beating aside his objections.
Representative Kline banged her gavel to regain order, interjecting to steer the conversation toward broader economic implications. "Mr. Hammer, could you elaborate on the potential economic impact if such attacks continue? How vital are companies like Hammer Industries, Oscorp, Stark Industries, and Roxxon to our national economy?" Her face was severe as she stared down at him, "How long until our national security is debilitated by such attacks?"
Justin paused to take a sip of water, before nodding. "The industrial sectors which all of our companies have great market shares in, are the backbone of our economy. Companies like ours drive innovation, create jobs, and contribute significantly to the GDP. If these attacks persist, the economic consequences could be devastating - disrupted supply chains, loss of investor confidence, and a decline in technological advancement. It is imperative that we protect these pillars of our economy - especially in today's climate, where we provide a significant amount of the materials for the military and intelligence apparatus."
Representative Delgado picked up on this point. "Mr. Hammer, you mentioned earlier the need for increased investment in cybersecurity and physical security. Can you provide specific examples of what Hammer Industries is currently doing and what more needs to be done?"
Good boy, Justin thought, smiling pleasantly,
"Hammer Industries has already implemented advanced cybersecurity protocols that we'd be willing to sell and/or install for the government or private sector, as well as proprietary state-of-the-art physical security systems at our facilities - including using our own private security that is leagues above anyone else's. Naturally I believe it would also be wise to propose the creation of a national task force dedicated to protecting industrial assets from both physical and cyber threats."
A task force that would recommend Hammer industries as the company to redo the security systems of all government agencies and all private sector sites of great importance to national security. He'd make sure of it.
He hadn't planned this when he angrily struck back at Roxxon, but once the opportunity popped up, he'd be a fool to not push for something like this.
He knew Stark enough to know he'd try to push for something similar once he was questioned, except he wouldn't have quite the same shimmer of success as Justin had, through Hammer industries meteoric rise.
Representative Connors, still not entirely satisfied, posed another challenging question, glaring down at him, "Mr. Hammer, you speak of collaboration and investment, but can you assure us that your company's practices align with national security interests? There have been concerns about the transparency and ethics of your business operations." His glare intensified, "As in the complete lack of any transparency."
"Ooh, damn, you got told on that one!" Tony Stark called out laughingly from the backseats, Pepper Potts frantic shushing sounds stopping him from interjecting anything further. Notably security did not move to remove Tony Stark. There was a divide between people like them and regular citizens, they were just better, and the normals realized it and acted as such.
Justin ignored Tony with nary a twitch and met Connors' gaze steadily. "Hammer Industries operates with the highest standards in the world and always proceeds with the largest standard of ethical conduct. We are fully committed to aligning our practices with national security interests. I am more than willing to provide any additional information the committee requires to alleviate these concerns."
No I'm not, but it's not going to come to that… Transparency, bah! I own my company, no one gets to stick their fingers in.
As the hearing progressed, it became evident that the public and political reactions were as varied as the committee members' questions. The media coverage of the hearing was extensive, with news outlets and analysts dissecting Justin's every word and the committee's responses.
Despite the fact Tony Stark had so far only been involved in one heckling sentence, he had a whole segment on just him, analyzing his comment, looking for hidden meanings.
Public opinion was divided. Supporters of Hammer Industries and the broader industrial sector saw Hammer as a visionary leader under siege, unfairly targeted by criminals. Critics, however, questioned the concentration of economic power and the potential risks posed by such influential corporations - especially the fact that like Representative Connors had pointed out, Hammer industries had no transparency.
Still, even with those slight questions raised, Justin just knew he was coming out on top, any further investment into national security would come his way, he would beat out Tony for it, and Osborn hadn't even answered his subpoena, so he surely wasn't getting any more contracts.
A shame he hadn't shown up, he and Tony had only just begun to move against him, it would have been interesting to have all three of them in the same room.
As the part of the hearing requiring him drew to a close, representative Kline offered Justin a chance to make a last statement, one the obviously took, performing more for the cameras than the committee.
Justin stood for his closing remarks, a congenial smile on his face. "Thank you, representative Kline, and members of the committee. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss these critical issues. Hammer Industries remains committed to leading the way in innovation and security, and we are eager to collaborate with all stakeholders to build a safer, more resilient future for all of America."
As Justin left, Domino at his side, his and Tony's eyes met, both of them nodding.
Irregardless of their dislike of each other, it was time to knock Norman down, they'd fight over these no doubt fat and juicy contracts on their way, and they weren't going to allow Norman a single slice of the pie.
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By the next day, without bothering to even communicate about it, they both began striking back at Norman Osborn, trying to force him out in his shitty suit.
Tony Stark and Justin Hammer had joined forces to bring down Norman Osborn's empire - the conclusion was already set in stone by that one act. Oscorp, through a series of calculated economic maneuvers, would suffer. Their tactics were ruthless, each action designed to destabilize Osborn's company and erode its foundations.
The initial strike was a coordinated stock assault. Stark and Hammer shorted Oscorp shares not owned by Norman himself, causing market panic as investors and owners of the stock panic sold, worried about what the two titans knew that they didn't.
Due to their involvement and what they did elsewhere as well, they'd likely face legal issues if they weren't who they were - and had the government ties to completely squash any such thing.
Simultaneously, Stark and Justin both leveraged their media connections to launch a relentless smear campaign against Oscorp. Articles and news segments began questioning Oscorp's safety standards, ethical practices, and leadership. Their outsized influence over the media ensured that the narrative remained focused on Oscorp's potential malfeasance, creating a storm of negative publicity that Osborn struggled to counter.
Especially as Norman was nowhere to be found to counter anything they were doing.
Justin, meanwhile, also took a different route. Utilizing his extensive network within the regulatory and political spheres, he began a covert campaign to stymie Oscorp's operations. He lobbied key politicians and regulatory officials to scrutinize Oscorp's permits and licenses, initiating investigations that would tie up Osborn's projects in bureaucratic red tape for years once they got going, just the threat of it once it leaked - sinking the stock prices even further. Construction permits would be delayed, operational licenses were questioned, and every aspect of Oscorp's expansion plans faced unprecedented scrutiny.
Justin and Tony would both take a monetary hit from the shares they shorted to start the panic, but it was peanuts all things considered.
Justin's influence extended to local government as well. He sent his people out, and convinced city councils and zoning boards to re-evaluate Oscorp's permits wherever they had an office or a warehouse/factory, citing various environmental and safety concerns. Projects that were critical to Oscorp's growth were suddenly being bogged down by legal challenges and regulatory reviews - all appearing within the same few days, drowning their legal department. The constant pressure and delays caused significant financial strain on the company.
Still Norman didn't show up, frustrating the both of them.
There was no sighting of the man, or the Green Goblin.
Stark didn't stop at media manipulation either. He called upon his military connections, using his influence to cast doubt on Oscorp's military contracts, bypassing Ross and going lower in the chain, something that hadn't even occurred to Justin. Whispered accusations of malfeasance and substandard practices reached the ears of military officials and defense contractors. Reports of faulty equipment and ethical breaches began circulating, prompting formal inquiries into Oscorp's defense contracts from the bureaucratic side. These inquiries disrupted existing deals and put future contracts at risk, hitting Oscorp's most lucrative revenue streams.
The combined assault from the both of them was relentless. The media blitz created a public relations nightmare for Osborn, while Justin's regulatory maneuvers slowed Oscorp's operations to a crawl. Investors, seeing the growing instability, began to lose faith in Oscorp's ability to weather the storm. Stock prices continued to plummet, and key clients started abandoning ship.
Oscorp was losing value so quickly that employees began abandoning ship, fearful they wouldn't have jobs soon enough anyway.
Justin was fairly annoyed that Stark had anticipated it before him, and managed to snap up a lot of the staff that weren't focused on weapons development.
Behind the scenes, their teams worked tirelessly to outmaneuver Oscorp at every turn. The only thing souring their victory was the fact that Norman Osborn was still a no show.
Even as much as they hammered the company, it could not fall, not completely, not with the monetary windfall in military contracts they held. Without Osborn revealed as the Green Goblin, Oscorp was still too entrenched in the Military with Ross assistance.
Their teams continued to pummel Oscorp in the background, but both Justin and Tony had busy schedules, so they were forced to admit defeat for now.
Oscorp was a shadow of itself, but it still stood - its CEO in the wind.
Justin ordered all Hammer industry facilities to be on a lookout, and to immediately contact the home team in case of attack, Kaecilius on standby to transfer the majority of HAMMER anywhere the Green Goblin appeared.
He couldn't understand it, he himself would have never just stood by if someone attacked his company.
What the hell was Norman up to?
＊＊＊
Peru, South America.
The dense jungle of Peru was a labyrinth of green, the thick canopy above casting shadows on the forest floor. Birds called to each other in a symphony of chirps and squawks, while the underbrush rustled with unseen creatures. The air was humid, the smell of earth and vegetation permeating everything. Clint Barton and Natasha Romanoff moved silently through this verdant maze, their senses sharp and alert, this was almost nostalgic for the two, even if they'd never grow to love mosquitoes.
"Are you sure he's here?" Natasha asked, her tone laced with skepticism. She wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead, scanning the dense foliage for any sign of movement. It was a little bit more out of reach than his usual patterns. "You didn't just take me through the jungle because you wanted off the couch?"
Clint, ever the optimist, grinned. "According to our intel, or Hill at least, this is the place. You know Banner, he's not exactly easy to track, but once you've nailed a place down, he usually doesn't move quickly once he's feeling safe and isolated enough." He completely ignored any assertion about couches, Laura would surely forget he was in the doghouse by the time he got back.
Natasha sighed, adjusting the strap of her pack. "Yeah, well, this better not be another wild goose chase. We've been at this for days."
Clint acknowledged it with a silent nod, knowing she was in a horrid mood with the recent happenings. Hammer had been the start, but now with everything with SHIELD…
They were loyal to Fury, although it was more to say that Nat was loyal to him and Phil - and they followed Fury, than anything else.
They continued their trek, the path becoming narrower and more treacherous. Clint, ever the sharpshooter, took the lead, his eyes constantly scanning for any sign of danger or their elusive target. Natasha followed closely, her movements graceful and deliberate, not even the jungle could make the Widow take a wrong step.
"So," Clint began, a mischievous tone in his voice, the trek boring, and poking Nat being one of his favorite pastimes, no matter how dangerous, "I saw that Yelena's working for Hammer now. She looks exactly like you described her, going to get in touch again?"
Natasha's expression darkened. "Not the time, Clint." She said clippedly.
"Come on, Nat," He persisted, ducking under a low-hanging branch. "If you won't, then why hasn't she reached out? You two used to be close from what you told me."
Natasha's jaw tightened. "It's complicated. And I don't have to explain my family to you."
The fact Nat even said the word family, told Clint enough about Yelena, and he wondered if Hammer was the reason the two women didn't reconnect.
Or if Nat was still embarrassed.
Clint raised his hands in mock surrender. Seeing a lost cause, for now. "Okay, okay. Just making conversation."
They pushed forward, the vegetation growing thicker and the air more oppressive. The sound of a distant river reached their ears, providing a momentary distraction from the heat and insects. Clint took a moment to glance back at Natasha, who was clearly not in the mood for banter.
Didn't stop him anyway. That's why everyone loved him. His tenacity.
"Look, I get it," He said more seriously. "Family stuff is tough. But we have a job to do, and if she's in with Hammer, that could complicate things for all of us, it's worth getting in touch, seeing what's what." He knew appealing to her familial instincts wouldn't work, so he tried something more business like.
Go Nat, pump your sis for information, and while you're at it, have a coffee, reconnect, do your nails, or whatever girls do together.
Natasha shot him a withering look. "Focus on the mission, Barton."
Clint nodded with a sigh, wisely deciding to drop the subject. They continued in silence, the sounds of the jungle enveloping them. After what felt like hours, they finally reached a small clearing near the riverbank. The sound of rushing water was louder now, mingling with the chirping of insects and the occasional call of a monkey.
"There," Clint whispered, pointing to a small, dilapidated hut partially obscured by vines and overgrowth. "This has to be it."
It was either Banner, or a hermit that really wanted to stay away from people.
Natasha nodded, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the area. "Let's go."
They approached cautiously, their movements synchronized and silent. As they neared the hut, they could see a faint light flickering inside, evidence of someone's presence. Clint signaled for Natasha to take the lead, knowing her pretty face was more disarming than his if they were spotted.
Natasha crept up to the door, her back pressed against the wooden frame. Clint positioned himself on the other side, his bow at the ready in case this was all a set up, with recent events, Hill could have been compromised, they weren't going to take any chances. With a nod, Natasha pushed the door open slightly, getting a good look inside, before relaxing slightly, nodding at Clint, who put his bow on his back, and together they entered the dimly lit interior.
Inside, the hut was sparsely furnished, with a makeshift bed, a table cluttered with likely stolen scientific equipment, and stacks of books and papers. In the corner, a figure sat hunched over a microscope, his broad shoulders and disheveled hair unmistakable.
"Doctor Banner," Natasha called softly, her voice cutting through the silence, her persona appearing so much softer suddenly. Less threatening.
Clint marveled at it, even as he put on an easy grin of his own, perfectly capable of playing the affable clown to set someone at ease.
The figure turned, revealing the haggard face of Bruce Banner. His eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly masked it with a wary expression. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
Clint stepped forward, hands raised, offering a reassuring smile. "We have an offer for you, Doctor Banner. One that you might want to hear." He shrugged his shoulders easily, "We're agents of SHIELD, and we're not here for the other guy, if that's what you're worried about."
Bruce glanced between them, his gaze lingering on Natasha. "I'm not interested in joining whatever agency you're from." He said with disinterest, tension in his frame.
Natasha stepped forward, her tone gentle but firm. "It's not about that. We need your help. And this time, it's different - we're not after your research or the other guy."
Bruce's shoulders slumped slightly, the weight of his isolation evident. "Different how?"
Clint stepped in, his voice earnest. "We're on a mission to save the world, you could say. We need your expertise, your knowledge. And we can offer you a safe place to work, away from all this." He gestured to the primitive surroundings, "State of the art lab, doc."
Bruce hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Why me? There are other scientists out there."
Natasha met his gaze, her eyes softening, playing her role, "Because we trust you, Bruce, We know you, maybe not personally, yet, but we know you're not a bad guy."
The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Outside, the jungle continued its symphony, oblivious to the monumental decision being made within the tiny hut. Finally, Bruce sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice. "Alright. I'll hear you out."
No doubt he expected to have to end up running anyway. The Hulk, an inevitability in his mind.
But that wasn't their department. Their job was simply to get the man to Fury. Anything else was above their head.
Natasha and Clint exchanged a relieved glance, knowing that this was just the first step.
They still needed to get him back to America without SHIELD or any myriad of people keeping an eye on Banner, finding out.
It was a little like smuggling a nuke.
Luckily Natasha had some experience there.
＊＊＊
The upscale New York restaurant exuded luxury and sophistication. Soft lighting from ornate chandeliers bathed the room in a warm, golden glow, reflecting off polished marble floors and rich mahogany tables. Waiters moved with practiced grace, carrying trays laden with gourmet dishes and fine wines. The hum of polite conversation and the clinking of silverware created a symphony of urban refinement.
Justin sat at a corner table, the city's skyline visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind him. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored navy suit, a particularly fine one he'd picked for the occasion. Across from him sat Hope, her beauty radiant in the ambient light. She wore an elegant black dress that hugged her athletic frame, her hair styled in loose waves that framed her face. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she teased Justin, as she had been since they were seated.
"So, tell me, Justin," Hope said, her tone playful, "How much did you have to throw at the chef to get us this reservation?"
The restaurant was booked out for the next two and a half years after all.
Some celebrity chef running the place, Justin hadn't cared other than for the fact Hope was a fan, so he'd ensured they'd get in.
Yelena had been grumpy at the order, but considering her little prank on him, he figured she was the perfect person to set up this little date.
Due to how busy he'd been, he hadn't had a chance to connect with her when she'd been in Africa working on the space project the last few days.
Justin chuckled warmly, leaning back in his chair. "Oh, you know, not that much. I promised him a visit from Captain America and an autograph, and some other minor concessions. Anything to keep you happy, Hope."
She rolled her eyes, but her smile was genuine. "Flattery will get you nowhere, you know. But I have to admit, this place is impressive." She looked around, eyes sparkling, "I've been wanting to come since I heard about it opening." She murmured, giving him a look that he couldn't quite decipher, except maybe as hungry.
Well they were at a restaurant.
The waiter arrived with their first course, a delicate lobster bisque served in fine porcelain bowls. The aroma was tantalizing, a blend of rich cream and fresh seafood, garnished with a hint of chive.
Justin didn't see what was so famous about this chef, since he just did classic gourmet food, couldn't any fancy chef do that? But he held his tongue and ate the tasty food.
How someone that crooned about flavor town constantly would end up a classical French chef he didn't understand, but at least the food was good.
"This looks incredible," Hope remarked, having her first taste of the bisque. "It tastes incredible too… You always manage to impress, don't you?"
"It's a talent," Justin replied with a wink. "But seriously, Hope, I wanted to thank you for meeting me tonight. It's been a while since we had a chance to catch up."
She nodded, her expression softening. "It has. You've been busy with Hammer Industries and that deplorable attack" Her eyes flashed for a moment as she looked angry, before she sighed, not wanting to ruin their time going over that issue," And I've had my hands full with Pym Technologies and the space project. But it's good to see you. Really good." She tucked some hair behind an ear almost shyly.
Their conversation flowed easily, a mix of friendly banter and light flirting. Justin quietly admired the way Hope carried herself, confident and poised, yet with a warmth that made her such a delight to spend time with. They moved on to the next course, a beautifully plated filet mignon for Justin and a beautifully prepared quail for Hope. The flavors were exquisite, each bite a testament to the chef's skill, no matter how annoying his personality, he did know how to cook.
As they laughed and talked, the door to the restaurant swung open, and a ripple of awareness passed through the room. Emma Frost, resplendent in a white designer gown that clung to her statuesque figure, entered with an air of regal authority. Her platinum blonde hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders, and her piercing blue eyes scanned the room with cool detachment. In front of her, a waiter with a blank gaze hurried forward with an extra chair, placing it at Justin and Hope's table.
Without waiting for an invitation, Emma gracefully sat down, her presence commanding attention. "Justin," She said smoothly, her voice like silk, "Do you have time for a chat?"
Justin's expression remained calm, though his eyes flashed with irritation. "Emma, always a pleasure. This is Hope Van Dyne, by the way." He said sarcastically, "Since it seems you forgot to take her into account."
Hope's eyes narrowed slightly, but she extended a polite hand. "I know who you are, Miss Frost. Frost Industries has quite the reputation." The bite to her tone was in no way friendly.
Emma's smile was courteous but distant. "Yes, we do. And I'm aware of your accomplishments, Ms. Van Dyne. Now, Justin, we need to talk about something urgent." She said, immediately disregarding Hope, to the woman's obvious annoyance.
Justin bit back a retort, this woman… She dodged his calls, only to show up like this? What a bitch.
Hope glanced at Justin, concern creeping into her eyes. "What's going on, Justin?" She eyed Emma distastefully, "I wasn't aware you had business dealings with Frost industries…"
Justin placed a reassuring hand on Hope's arm. "It's alright, Hope. Emma and I are allies of sorts. She has some information that could be important." He glared at her, "It better be important." He warned.
Allies or not, beautiful or not. If she was wasting his time and ruining his time with Hope, he would make her regret it.
Emma's eyes turned towards Hope for a moment, before returning to Justin, who simply nodded, telling her he didn't mind Hope being involved in this, he did have one comment though, "Is this really the place for this, Emma…"
She simply smiled, as every head in the restaurant turned away from them, the staff and patrons alike robotically returning to their previous actions, with none of the curiosity they'd held just moments ago. "Yes." She said simply.
"Justin…" Hope said lowly, peering around them, looking ready to deploy the Wasp suit.
Justin waved her down, as well as Domino and Yelena who'd both drawn weapons when Emma flexed her power. "Get to the point, Emma, since you couldn't bother picking up the phone for this."
Emma leaned forward slightly, her voice low but clear. "Phones are a risk, you never know who could be listening. I have intelligence on Mr. Sinister. He's a geneticist with a penchant for manipulation and experimentation. His real name is Nathaniel Essex, and he's been involved in various clandestine operations for decades. Sinister is a master of genetic engineering and has been conducting experiments on humans to create superior beings, specifically one kind of humans..." Her eyes meet Justin's, a curl of distaste to her lips, "Our… Club… Has made use of his services before."
Hope's eyes widened, a mix of disbelief and readiness to act. "Genetic experiments? What kind of danger are we talking about?" Seeing Justin's calm face and demeanor, she settled somewhat, but the look she gave him clearly told him they would be talking after this.
Justin figured it was about time he brought her slightly into his circle anyway, not fully. Not ever fully… But a peek behind the curtain would only help.
Emma continued, her tone grave. "Sinister's ultimate goal is to create a race of superhumans under his control. He's ruthless and has no regard for human life. His experiments often involve kidnapping and torturing his subjects. We have reason to believe he's planning something massive - hence his control of Magneto and his people, and we need to stop him."
Hope blanched at that, "Magneto is under his control?"
Justin grimaced, "Unfortunately." He suddenly had a thought, looking at Emma, "You won't mind if we do a quick test… Just making sure I'm not speaking to Mystique right now…" He asked, waving for Yelena.
Emma raised an impressed eyebrow, "Prudent. I approve."
Yelena came over, and after a few words, produced a scanner, running it over Emma. After having held Mystique captive, and gotten plenty of samples and scans of her biology, they could now detect her with a scanner, one member of his inner circle always carrying one.
"She's clean." Yelena said, and at Justin's nod she stepped back again, not before sending Hope a look, which the Pym Heiress completely ignored.
"Does your contacts have any idea about his whereabouts?" He asked Emma, knowing it was the Hellfire club that had sent her.
If they'd used him before, they'd looked into things once he'd talked to Emma, and realized the threat he was, and only then did they deign to come crawling back…
For an ally, Emma was playing both fields a little too closely for Justin's liking…
Emma shook her head, "His last known location was Cairo, but that was years ago."
Justin mulled over that coincidence, "I'll have my people keep an eye out, just in case."
"Is this why you created the team, Justin?" Hope asked, looking very dissatisfied with how the night had gone, but following his lead anyway, which he appreciated.
"Partly, yes." He said, not willing to share fully with her. That way led only to tears.
"Is that all, Emma?" He asked, trying to salvage what he could of the night.
"Yes, but I'd quite like some dessert, I think." Emma said, not even having to move a finger, waitresses showing up with a dessert for all three of them.
Justin and Hope both glared at her, and she simply smiled back cooly. "Since we're all going to be good friends from now on, let's get along."
Yes..
Justin was fairly sure he actually hated this woman.
His eyebrows rose up in surprise, as the cool and detached Emma Frost, lightly began flirting with Hope over dessert.
Yes, he definitely couldn't stand this woman.
＊＊＊
The next day, New York Blacksite.
Kaecillius had portaled them in, Cho having sent an email about her project, having a demonstration ready - although from the way she worded it, she didn't have the best of news.
Justin glanced at Domino and Eileen, who both nodded in confirmation that the area was secure. "Let's get this over with," He said, his tone a mix of irritation and impatience.
He was still sore over his night being ruined the previous night, and facing possible bad news from Cho had hardly made him feel better.
They approached the heavy metal door of the bottom sublevel, which opened with a series of mechanical clicks and whirs. Inside, the blacksite was a stark contrast to its exterior. State-of-the-art technology lined the walls, and the air was filled with the faint hum of machinery. Security personnel, clad in black uniforms, were stationed at various points, their expressions unreadable.
Their job was as much a line of last defense, as it was to keep anything Cho might do, contained.
Helen Cho, dressed in a white lab coat, greeted them with a professional smile. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of nervousness and the usual admiration, "Welcome, Jus- sir! I've been looking forward to seeing you - I mean showing you what I've been working on. And our latest breakthrough, even if not… Exactly what you wanted." Her head lowered as she bit her lip, looking heartbroken to be reporting any kind of failure.
Justin nodded, a tolerant smile playing on his lips. "I'm sure it's not that bad Helen. Let's see what you've got." He soothed her, hoping his word would be true.
She led them through a series of corridors, each more secure than the last, until they reached a large, sterile room. In the center of the room, a reinforced glass enclosure housed a test subject. Justin's eyes widened in shock as he saw the figure inside - a perfect clone of himself, its body a patchwork of flesh and gleaming Vibranium. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments had been replaced with Vibranium-enhanced counterparts, and the skin shimmered with a subtle metallic sheen where the subdermal armor had been implanted.
The aesthetics had not been a priority until they had a viable path forward, so he wasn't annoyed with the cyborg look, the fact it was himself he was looking at, that annoyed him quite a lot.
"What the hell, Helen?" Justin exclaimed, unable to hide his surprise or his anger. "Is that... Me!?"
Domino whistled, while Eileen and Kaecillius awkwardly looked away from the naked clone.
Helen nodded, her expression calmer now for some reason, but also defensive. "Yes, Justin. For the enhancements to be done correctly, we needed a perfect test subject. A clone was the best option, so we could test how it would bind with your DNA properly…"
Justin seriously doubted a clone was the only option, she could have grown single organs or muscles and tested things, she didn't need a whole body.
Domino burst out laughing, her amusement echoing in the sterile room. "Oh, this is rich! So, Justin, how does it feel to look at yourself and know you are definitely a glorified sex toy?"
"Domino!" Eileen snapped, but the giggling woman ignored her to peer at the clone instead. She sauntered closer to the glass enclosure, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Nice equipment, by the way. Helen, you did keep this clone as a toy between tests, right?"
Helen stuttered, clearly flustered by the question. "I-I assure you, Domino, all interactions were strictly professional."
They all looked at her flushed face, and the squirming she did at their stares. Somehow none of them believed her.
Justin rubbed his face, a vein pulsing in his forehead as he tried to hold back his anger. If she'd asked for permission, he might have even given her the go ahead. But to do this behind his back…
"Sure they were," Domino replied, still chuckling. "Come on, Justin. Lighten up. You have to admit, it's impressive."
Justin tried to regain his composure, focusing on the matter at hand. "Alright, let's get back to business first, before we deal with… This… Do Vibranium muscles, joints, and tendons, combined with Extremis and the Super Soldier Serum, provide enough of a benefit?"
Helen sighed, her professional demeanor returning. "Unfortunately, no. While the Vibranium enhancements are incredible for a regular super soldier's life expectancy, they don't offer significant benefits when combined with Extremis. The regeneration abilities of Extremis are superior to any advantages the Vibranium might provide."
Eileen snorted lightly, murdering under her breath, "Like walking around with Vibranium in you would have any benefit around Magneto…"
"So, this whole project is a dead end?" Justin asked, frustration evident in his voice.
"For your purposes, yes," Helen admitted. "However, for a standard super soldier, these enhancements could be revolutionary. But with Extremis, it's just not worth it. The regeneration is better than any positive the Vibranium would give."
Domino leaned against the glass, still smirking. "So, what's the next move, Doc?"
Helen hesitated before replying, "I suggest focusing on making the original uncontrollable Extremis, with its fire capabilities, more controllable. If we can harness that power, it would be a far more effective means to enhance a subject like Justin."
Justin nodded at that, the gears in his mind already turning. "Alright, Helen. Let's shift our focus. Work on stabilizing Extremis. Make it controllable and we'll revisit this."
Helen nodded, a determined look in her eyes. "Understood. We'll make it happen."
"... Now, let's talk about cloning, hmm?" Justin said with a hint of heat to his voice.
Unfortunately for him, his anger only seemed to excite Helen, even as she looked devastated to have failed him, her face flushed further, her eyes going slightly glassy, and he could see her nipples protruding through her top. "I need to be punished, I know…" She said breathlessly.
"How did you even… Your job was to test if Vibranium could be used to strengthen a body, how did that have you create working equipment to clone human bodies as a side effect?" Justin asked, just trying to understand.
It was like trying to cure gassy stomachs and accidentally curing cancer instead.
Helen squirmed slightly, "Ah, at first it didn't work at all, I could only create… Choice pieces." She murmured, looking down at the ground.
"I bet I can guess what piec-uff!" Domino began, before getting punched in the shoulder by Eileen, "Hey, why didn't my luck make me avoid that?" She pouted.
"Even your luck thought you deserved that one." Eileen muttered. "I want to trade you for Yelena, if only she wasn't busy with the Widows…"
Justin glared at them, before focusing back on Helen, "Then how did you succeed?" He gestured to the clone, "That is far further than choice pieces."
Helen looked up, cheeks red, "Well… Kaecillius had a lot of ideas on how magic could help the process, when I explained to him what I was doing, he was able to help me shortcut the last steps through magic."
Justin immediately turned, "Kaecillius!" Only to find a closing orange portal, the sorcerer having decided to flee the consequences of his actions.
"That was our ride." Domino said with a sigh, still with an amused smile on her lips.
"... I'll deal with him later… Helen, you've gone behind my back on this, I can't let you off easy, this could have gone horribly wrong, you understand me? The reason you have carte blanche to science up whatever you want is because of me, which means you honestly report what is happening to me."
Helen shrunk slightly at his growing anger, as he almost growled out the last part, "I also made two copies of me!" She squeaked out, hurrying to appease him, "They're programmed to perform some… Basic tasks. It's like we're triplets." She entreatied him.
"A desperate ploy, Cho, just take your punishment." Eileen drawled, shaking her head.
Justin opened his mouth to lambast her again. Then he paused. He'd have to cut her budget or punish her some other way, to show his displeasure, but… Afterwards.
"Triplets?"
"Sir!?"
"Bwahahaha!"
Anything further was interrupted by a call, "Sir, he's arrived." Was the first thing he heard once he answered.
"Get Kaecillius back here!"
＊＊＊
Puerto Antiguo, New Mexico,
The early morning sun cast a warm glow over the dusty landscape as Justin Hammer's sleek black SUV pulled up to a modest trailer on the outskirts of Puente Antiguo, New Mexico. The scene was unassuming - a small, quiet area surrounded by rocky terrain - but what lay within was anything but ordinary.
His team had been keeping an eye on Jane Foster, and yesterday's storm had been impossible to miss,
Justin stepped out of the SUV, adjusting his suit - preparing himself to meet a so-called god - albeit not the brightest one. Behind him, Domino and Phantazia followed, each exuding an air of readiness in case things took a turn for the worse - surely his butterflies hadn't reached Asgard, however...
Justin would be really impressed if his business moves somehow had managed that. Impressed and annoyed.
He prefered Thor to be predictable.
He definitely prefered Loki to be predictable.
Odin… He could just fuck right off. If it weren't for the whole Hela thing, he'd just wish the old bastard would drop dead. Useless protector of anything.
They approached the trailer, where Jane Foster, Erik Selvig, and Darcy Lewis were still coming to terms with the events of the previous day. Jane's trailer was cluttered with scientific equipment and charts, a testament to her relentless pursuit of knowledge. The door was open to let air in, and their approach was noticed at last as they walked up.
The scientists had not even heard their cars pull up, showing how intent they'd been on their readings.
Jane looked up from her notes as the trio approached, her eyes widening in surprise. "Justin Hammer? What are you doing here?" She squawked, completely taken aback.
Justin offered a polite smile. "Good morning, Dr. Foster. I'm here to speak with your guest. I believe his name is Thor."
Erik Selvig stepped forward, his demeanor protective as he slipped Jane behind him. "What do you want with him? And with us?"
Justin remained calm and courteous, not in too much of a rush, and knowing that pushing these people too hard would just get him in trouble with Thor later. "I assure you, Dr. Selvig, my intentions are purely professional. Thor's presence here has garnered a lot of attention from those who could understand what happened last night, and I think we can all benefit from a conversation."
Before Jane could respond, the door to the trailer opened, and Thor stepped out. Despite his now mortal body, he carried an undeniable aura of nobility and strength. His eyes narrowed as he took in the newcomers. Immediately recognizing Domino and Phantazia as warriors, Justin assumed.
"Who are you?" Thor demanded, his voice firm, "You remind me of Loki…" He added, frowning.
Justin inwardly winced, fantastic. Great beginning.
Justin stepped forward, extending a hand. "My name is Justin Hammer. I represent Hammer Industries, you could call me the most powerful man in this realm, when it comes to economic and political might. I'm here to discuss your... Unique situation."
Thor looked at Justin's outstretched hand but did not take it. "What do you want from me?" He said, looking displeased, "Like Loki, you hide your meanings behind pretty words, speak plainly!"
Before Justin could answer, the sound of approaching vehicles filled the air. Several black SUVs, emblazoned with the SHIELD logo, pulled up to the trailer. Agents in tactical gear swiftly disembarked, securing the area with military precision.
Leading the team was Jasper Sitwell, accompanied by Agent John Garrett, whose presence commanded immediate attention. Garrett's cold, calculating eyes scanned the group before settling on Justin, Domino immediately stepped closer with narrowed eyes, reacting to something Justin couldn't see.
Likewise Phantazia stepped back so she'd have eyes on both Thor and Garret. The scientists were all gaping at the scene before them.
"Mr. Hammer," Sitwell said politely but firmly, "I'm afraid this man is coming with us."
Justin frowned but maintained his composure. "And under whose authority?" He said, narrowing his eyes, knowing his place on the council was the worst kept secret in SHIELD.
Garrett stepped forward, his tone authoritative and condescending. "Under the authority of SHIELD, of course. Thor is now under our jurisdiction." He smiled, a smile with nothing but malice behind it, "Though a fella like yourself would understand how these things work, Hammer…"
Thor glanced between Justin and the SHIELD agents, his frustration growing. "I will not be taken against my will." He growled, pointing at Justin, "Especially not by the inferior Loki!"
Justin wanted to face palm. Thor… What the fuck?
Domino and Phantazia subtly shifted into defensive positions, ready to react if necessary. Justin raised a hand, signaling them to stand down. A fight with HYDRA wouldn't do them any good right now, and besides, just like SHIELD in canon, they'd waste their time on pointless interviews, and poking at the hammer.
As a Security Council member, he could get more done by allowing it, following along, and then twisting Pierce's arm a little to get access.
"Mr. Thor," Justin said with forced calm, "I understand your reluctance, but SHIELD is a formidable organization. Perhaps it's best if we cooperate for now and find a solution together." He eyed him meaningfully, which likely flew above his head, adding, "You'd learn nothing by throwing fists, don't you agree?"
Jane, Erik, and Darcy watched the exchange with a mix of confusion and concern. Jane stepped forward, her voice shaky but determined. "Thor, these people can't just take you. We need to understand what's happening." She turned to them, pleading, "You can't take him, do you have any idea what we saw?"
Garrett's patience was visibly wearing thin. "Dr. Foster, I assure you, SHIELD has the resources and expertise to handle this situation - you should be thankful we're not at this time appropriating your notes... Hammer, your cooperation would be appreciated." He ordered, making it clear he expected Justin to go along with this, or else.
Who was this Joker? He missed Coulson already.
Justin glanced at Garrett, recognizing the futility of resistance. "Very well, Agent Garrett. But know that I will be involved in this matter to its conclusion. Thor's potential if his arrival here happened as reported - is too significant to ignore."
Garrett nodded curtly. "Noted. Now, if you'll excuse us." He said Insincerely to the scientists.
Selvig was muttering at Thor, the man grumpily deciding to cooperate. Not before declaring he'd be back to continue to assist the Lady Jane, because no mere mortal could hold him.
Justin rolled his eyes as Doctor Foster blushed, they'd barely had a few hours together, already Thor was working his charm.
He'd be doing them both a favor if he prevented that relationship from happening.
The SHIELD agents moved in, escorting Thor towards their vehicles. Thor cast a final, resolute look at Jane and her team before allowing himself to be led away.
Justin turned to Jane, offering a reassuring smile. "I'll ensure Thor's safety and keep you informed. Trust me, Dr. Foster." He said, the smile not reaching his eyes.
He had not expected HYDRA to be so on the ball, they'd surprised him, and he didn't enjoy these kind of surprises.
Jane nodded reluctantly, her eyes filled with worry. "Thank you, Mr. Hammer." She murmured.
Darcy piped up suddenly, "Can I get an autograph?"
Everyone looked at her, and she shrugged, "Hey, when am I ever going to be near the new emperor of mankind again?"
"Darcy, don't be ridiculous." Jane sighed.
As SHIELD's convoy departed, Justin, Domino, and Phantazia returned to their SUV. The morning sun continued to rise, casting long shadows across the desert landscape. The game had changed, but Justin was determined to remain a key player in whatever unfolded next.
＊＊＊
Author's note:
Just note that rent-a-cops as called so by the likes of Eileen and Yelena aren't actually Roxxon hiring your common everyday security guard off the street. Just compared to their standards, they're not military grade professionals.
So Cho is gonna Cho, finally found out what she's been cooking.
And Emma Frost is still a bitch, who'd have thunk it.
What on earth is old Norman doing too, I wonder?
Cheers