"Forgive me for being blunt, but those suits of armor probably mean nothing to me."
Steve Rogers spoke calmly, his tone carrying a faint edge of disdain.
Nolan glanced over at Agent Coulson, his eyes saying everything he didn't.
You didn't tell him anything, did you?
Coulson sighed helplessly. The Captain had only been awake for a short while and was still trying to absorb decades of new knowledge. Unfortunately, that knowledge didn't include anything about Nolan or Lock Industries. To be fair, those details didn't seem as important as learning how to navigate modern life.
Nolan folded his arms and spoke evenly. "Captain, I know you're a perfect human specimen, the pinnacle of physical evolution but human technology has advanced far beyond what you remember from the war."
Steve's expression stiffened slightly. He hated to admit it, but the man was right. Even the cars outside fascinated him. Back in his time, automobiles existed, sure, but they were nothing like these sleek, powerful machines nor were they so common.
And that was just scratching the surface. Computers, smartphones, satellites things he could barely begin to understand.
"Even so, I'll reserve my judgment," Steve replied, his tone polite but firm.
Just then, Frank approached.
"Boss, we've noticed a lot of rats trying to sneak into Lock Industries lately."
"Caught any?" Nolan asked.
"Of course. No one gets past our security."
"Then I see no reason to worry."
As he spoke, Nolan's gaze sharpened. "Frank, do you know who this is?"
Frank turned toward the man beside his boss.
He was tall, powerfully built, radiating raw discipline and strength the kind that could only come from years on the battlefield. His face stirred a faint sense of familiarity, but Frank couldn't place where he'd seen it before.
Nolan spared him the effort.
"I think you've heard the name: Steve Rogers the one and only Captain America."
Frank froze. "Captain America? That's impossible. He's dead. How could he be standing here?"
Yet the longer he stared, the harder it became to deny. The resemblance was uncanny right down to the determined eyes from every poster and museum exhibit.
"Hello. I'm Steve Rogers," the man said simply.
"Holy " Frank swore under his breath. It felt like seeing a ghost.
Still, the shock faded quickly. Frank had been through enough warzones to adapt fast. Respect didn't mean fear.
He looked at Nolan, already guessing there was a reason for this introduction.
Sure enough, Nolan said, "Mr. Rogers, Frank is Lock Industries' most elite operative. Since you doubt our technology, why not settle it with a sparring match?"
Steve didn't immediately refuse. His eyes studied Frank muscular, scarred, and hardened by combat. The calluses on his hands alone proved the man was no stranger to real fights.
But Steve still shook his head. "There's no need. Frank is clearly an excellent soldier, but the difference between us would make the fight unfair."
Frank's brow twitched. That line definitely hit a nerve.
Nolan chuckled. "Unfair? Oh no, Captain. In my eyes, it's the opposite."
He didn't elaborate. Instead, he turned to Frank. "Consider this an opportunity. Show our hero what Lock Industries can really do."
Frank understood immediately and smirked. "Then let's give our Captain a proper demonstration."
Steve frowned slightly. That confidence he couldn't figure out where it came from. Did Frank really believe he could take on a super-soldier?
"Very well," Steve said, stepping forward. "Let's see what you've got."
Coulson watched from the side, half-amused, half-worried. He admired the Captain deeply, but the world had changed far more than Rogers realized. Maybe this fight would open his eyes.
"What's your secret weapon?" Steve asked. "You don't seem armed."
Frank replied calmly, "Please wait a moment, Captain."
He turned and left the room. When he came back, he was clad in a sleek, pitch-black suit of armor.
The armor gleamed under the light, all matte steel and sharp lines.
It was Lock Industries' first truly independent design a prototype Nolan had developed without relying on external systems or existing schematics. His personal masterpiece.
Steve blinked. "Full-body armor? I've seen some of these in the news. Can it fly?"
"No," Frank replied. "This model isn't built for flight."
He stood firm, his voice steady. "It's meant to enhance combat ability not replace it."
While Nolan had offered to install flight thrusters, Frank declined. He preferred agility and strength to flashy add-ons.
Steve took his stance, ready to test the man's mettle.
Nolan, however, couldn't help but feel a touch of pity. A Captain without his shield, facing the might of modern engineering this would be a harsh awakening.
Their eyes locked.
Then, in a blur, both moved at once.
Steve expected the armor to slow Frank down but he was wrong.
In a heartbeat, Frank was right in front of him, his leg snapping out in a vicious kick.
Steve barely dodged, countering with a strike of his own.
The room thundered with impact.
For a moment, they were equals pure speed and strength clashing, every movement sharp and deliberate. But as the fight continued, Steve's caution grew. He could feel it Frank's power wasn't normal. Every direct collision left his arms tingling.
Still, he managed to hold his ground. A small part of him felt relieved; losing here would've been unbearable.
Then Frank's voice cut through the air. "I hope you're ready, Captain. I'm done holding back."
He wasn't serious before?
Steve barely had time to think. Frank's armor flared the joints on his legs releasing a burst of kinetic energy that propelled him forward at blinding speed.
Before Steve could react, the black-armored warrior's kick sent him flying, slamming into the ground with bone-jarring force.
Silence.
Steve stared up at the ceiling, stunned. He had lost decisively.
Nolan smiled faintly. "So, Captain, what do you think of Lock Industries' technology now?"
Steve's cheeks flushed. "It's… impressive. I'd like to know how you achieved this. That armor gave him speed and power nearly equal to mine no, greater."
Coulson's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Mr. Lock, how much would it cost for one of these suits?"
For field agents, heavy firepower wasn't ideal. But a lightweight, flexible, and durable armor like this it was every operative's dream.
Nolan's grin widened. "Ah, that's not just any armor. This is my special edition only one in existence. But if S.H.I.E.L.D. really wants it…" He paused dramatically. "One hundred and thirty million dollars. No discounts."
Coulson's jaw dropped. "What the ?!"
Even the unflappable agent couldn't help swearing. That price was absurd!
Still, when Director Nick Fury got word, he didn't hesitate long. For regular agents, maybe it was too expensive. But for the ones he had in mind the future Avengers it was an investment.
He ordered three suits immediately.
Nolan's eyes sparkled. This was the real money-maker. The materials and tech together cost under three million per suit. The profit margin was astronomical.
When the buyers finally left, Nolan turned to Sharon Carter with a teasing smile. "Your agency sure has deep pockets."
Sharon rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her envy. As an agent herself, she'd love a set of that armor.
Nolan noticed the look and chuckled. "If you want one, I could build it for you."
"Too expensive," Sharon said quickly. "I'd never accept something worth that much."
"It's not that expensive," Nolan replied, amused. "A few million, at most."
Sharon gaped. "You're impossible!"
Nolan laughed softly, meeting her glare with a knowing smile. "Materials are cheap, Agent Carter. It's the technology that's priceless. So… do you want one or not?"
The question hung between them, and for a brief moment, even the ever-composed Sharon Carter looked tempted.
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