When it came to the so-called "invasion," Nolan barely paid it any attention.
With the Red Queen managing his digital defenses, no one could possibly breach the core systems of Locke Industries.
Even if someone did have the skill to infiltrate, all they would find were elaborate decoys hidden within the firewalls false data laced with traps. Those who took the bait would quickly learn their mistake, and the lesson would not be a pleasant one.
In fact, Nolan had planted dozens of such digital landmines. Part of him even looked forward to the day some overeager hacker stumbled upon them; sometimes, a little chaos could lead to unexpected benefits.
He turned his attention back to his work and looked across the lab.
"Dr. Green, how is your research with Dr. Helen Zhao coming along?"
Dr. Green was, like Helen Zhao, a specialist in nanotechnology brilliant, ambitious, and confident. Unlike the aloof and professional Helen, Green carried a vibrant energy that filled the room wherever she went.
"It's going quite well," Dr. Green said with a bright smile.
As she spoke, her lab coat slipped slightly from her shoulder, revealing a hint of smooth skin and the curve of a toned figure that showed no trace of her thirty years.
Nolan glanced at her out of instinct, his expression unreadable.
He had the distinct feeling that she was trying to flirt with him but without any solid proof, he couldn't exactly call her out on it.
"That's good to hear," he said calmly. "The Cradle of Life Project is a top priority for Locke Industries. Keep it moving forward."
He turned his gaze away, doing his best to keep his composure.
Truth be told, even someone as disciplined as him found it difficult to ignore the subtle temptation in her voice.
When their discussion about the project concluded, Dr. Green didn't leave immediately. Instead, she lingered near his desk, her tone shifting to something more curious.
"Boss, have you ever heard of the Extremis Virus?"
Nolan froze for a moment. Of course he knew about it.
By his estimation, however, the Extremis Virus should still be in its early development stage an unfinished experiment locked away in A.I.M.'s labs. How could she possibly know about it already?
Feigning ignorance, he asked casually, "The Extremis Virus? What's that supposed to be?"
Dr. Green leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming with interest.
"I got this information from a friend. It's a genetic modification program currently being developed by A.I.M. They say it's revolutionary capable of granting extraordinary abilities to humans. Some even claim it can regenerate lost limbs."
Nolan listened silently as she continued.
"It reminds me of your Super Soldier Serum project," she went on. "I was thinking, what if we combined both concepts? The Extremis Virus could enhance the Serum's potential beyond our imagination."
Nolan tapped his fingers against the desk, thoughtful.
It wasn't surprising that she knew about the Super Soldier project; while classified, the name itself wasn't exactly a secret, especially to someone working so closely with Dr. Zhao.
After a few moments of consideration, Nolan shook his head.
"Not for now. I have no intention of merging those two technologies."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Dr. Green's face.
"Well, if you ever change your mind…" she said lightly, then paused before adding with a teasing grin, "By the way, how are your two lovely girlfriends doing?"
Nolan's expression hardened instantly.
"Dr. Green, let's get one thing straight. I have only one girlfriend. The other woman you're referring to is my secretary my personal assistant, nothing more."
"Really?" Dr. Green chuckled. "That's not what I've heard. Word around the lab is that you and your secretary are… rather close."
Nolan thought of Sharon Carter and sighed inwardly.
It was true that they spent a lot of time together, but that was simply because of work. Sharon was professional, disciplined, and despite her charm kept their relationship strictly proper.
"Is there anything else, Doctor?" he asked curtly.
Dr. Green held his gaze for a moment, then smiled knowingly.
"No, that's all for today."
As she turned to leave, her lips curved in a faint smirk, and she muttered under her breath, "Looks like this will take a little more time."
With a soft laugh, she disappeared down the corridor toward the Hive's lower research division.
Nolan, unaware of her expression, returned to his thoughts.
He had looked into Dr. Green's background before hiring her nothing suspicious had turned up. Still, something about her instincts felt… off. Yet, in his mind, everyone had their secrets. As long as her goals didn't conflict with his company's, he didn't care.
Suddenly, his surroundings began to blur.
The room twisted violently, and a dizzying wave of disorientation swept over him.
When the world finally stabilized, Nolan found himself standing in a strange, ethereal realm. A chill crawled up his spine. He recognized this place.
Or rather he recognized what it represented.
A calm voice broke the silence.
"Hello, Nolan."
He turned sharply. A bald woman stood a few steps away, her presence both serene and terrifying in its quiet power.
The Ancient One.
Every instinct in his body screamed danger, yet she merely smiled, unthreatening.
"I am the Ancient One," she said gently. "A sorcerer, of sorts."
Nolan forced himself to stay calm. The fear in his chest slowly faded, replaced by logic.
"I see. A sorcerer. Can't say I've ever met one before."
"Magic exists," she replied. "Though it's not quite what most imagine. And as for us… perhaps you don't know me, but I know you. I've seen many versions of you, across many timelines."
Her tone was light, but the words carried a weight that froze him in place.
"In most of them, you lived and died an ordinary man," she continued. "But in a few… you became something far greater. Or far more dangerous."
"What do you mean by that?" Nolan asked quickly.
He could feel that her words held meaning for his future.
The Ancient One only smiled, refusing to elaborate. Her silence told him everything she knew far more than she intended to say.
After a tense pause, Nolan finally exhaled.
"Well then, Ancient One, what is it you want from me?"
"I came only to observe," she said softly. "And to give you something. A gift, for the time when you'll truly need it."
She lifted her hand, and a small ornate box appeared, glowing faintly in her palm.
"When the time feels right, open it," she instructed.
"At least tell me what it does," Nolan said, frowning. "Otherwise, how would I know when to use it?"
But before he could finish, the world shifted again.
The colors faded, the light bent and then, he was back in his office.
The Ancient One was gone, as though she had never existed.
The only evidence of their encounter was the small box now resting in his hand.
Nolan stared at it for a long moment, brows furrowed. He hated surprises. And this this was the kind of surprise that made his skin crawl.
He knew what kind of person the Ancient One was: the Supreme Sorcerer, wielder of the Time Stone, guardian of countless secrets. Whatever she had given him, it was part of something larger.
He thought about throwing it away but something in her tone lingered in his mind.
With a weary sigh, Nolan placed the box on his desk.
"I need more power," he muttered. "If I can't even stand as an equal before people like her, then all this means nothing."
His expression hardened. "The Interstellar Arms Project must begin now."
He clenched his fists, his mind already racing ahead. "Come on, Thor… when are you going to show up?"
Just as the thought crossed his mind, the phone rang.
"Sir," Sharon Carter's voice came through, sounding faint. "Agent Phil Coulson is here. He's requesting to meet with you."
Coulson? That was unexpected.
Nolan hadn't heard from him in months.
"Send him in," he said.
When Coulson entered, Nolan greeted him with a polite smile.
"Agent Coulson, it's been a while."
Coulson nodded. "Mr. Locke, I'm here on official business. I'm sure you've heard of Captain America."
"Of course," Nolan replied.
Coulson's face brightened immediately. "A few months ago, we recovered his missing plane and Captain Rogers himself. He's alive."
Nolan feigned surprise, though inside, he was already calculating the implications.
"That's… remarkable," he said evenly. "So, what brings you here?"
"Director Fury wants to revisit the Avengers Initiative," Coulson explained. "We're forming the team officially, and Captain Rogers will be its leader. But the world has changed since the 1940s. The Director thinks… he might need an upgrade."
Nolan leaned back in his chair, already guessing where this was going.
"So, the Captain is here?"
Coulson smiled faintly. "Right outside."
In the lobby of the Hive Headquarters, Steve Rogers stood, taking in the sight of Locke Industries' futuristic design. Despite spending months adjusting to modern life, he still felt out of place amid all the sleek metal and humming technology.
That was when a holographic figure suddenly appeared before him.
"I'm the Red Queen, sir," she said politely. "Mr. Locke and Agent Coulson are expecting you."
Steve nodded and followed her into Nolan's office.
"Quite an impressive setup you have here," he said upon entering.
"Thank you," Nolan replied smoothly. "Captain Rogers it's an honor. I never thought I'd see a living legend in person."
Steve chuckled lightly. "Honestly, neither did I."
But when his gaze shifted toward Sharon Carter standing beside Nolan her tight-fitting secretary uniform contrasting sharply with the high-tech room his expression faltered for a split second.
It was… distracting.
Jealousy flickered in his chest before he could suppress it.
"So, tell me," he asked, clearing his throat, "what can Locke Industries do for me?"
Nolan's smile turned sharp. "A lot more than you'd expect, Captain. I guarantee it."
He leaned back slightly, confident and calculating. A new deal was about to begin and he could already see the profit gleaming ahead.
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