"Nolan, how are the upgrades to our APU combat mechs coming along?"
Since he would be gone for quite some time on this upcoming trip, Nolan came to see Bruce Banner before leaving.
The APU combat mech was the flagship unit of Rock Technologies. Its cost-to-performance ratio was unmatched, and its firepower was more than enough to handle any conflict at the current stage.
There were certainly more advanced models available, but Nolan felt they lacked universal practicality. Their high research costs outweighed the profits they could bring, while the APUs remained the most profitable choice by far.
So instead of purchasing other mech technologies, Nolan had Bruce Banner and Ivan Vanko lead a team to redesign and improve the APU series.
"Progress is going pretty well," Banner replied, clearly in good spirits.
"I have to admit, the people you assigned to me are all geniuses. Give us a few more months and the second-generation models will be fully ready."
As he spoke, Banner suddenly paused, then looked at Nolan with a suspicious expression.
"Tell me something. Did you really build the first-generation APU combat mech by yourself?"
"Of course."
Nolan nodded calmly.
"Unbelievable talent," Banner muttered with a shake of his head, a mix of envy and frustration on his face.
The APU mech was not the most advanced thing in the world, but its concept and its brutally minimalistic design made it iconic.
If Nolan had created only the APU, Banner would not have been shocked. But that mech was only one product in Nolan's arsenal. There were the Terminator series, standard exoskeleton suits, the Black Armor units, the Thunder Hammer suit Nolan wore himself, and the unforgettable Titan Armament.
Some of the technologies overlapped, yes, but Banner had studied them all. The differences between each system were so significant they could drive any scientist mad.
Not even Tony Stark could achieve that kind of insane cross-disciplinary mastery.
Banner was willing to bet his intellect on that.
For example, even though Tony kept upgrading the Mark armor series, their core framework and primary systems never fundamentally changed.
"I heard that," Nolan said with mild annoyance.
Banner snorted. "Do you think I'm afraid of you hearing it?"
Then he continued, more serious now.
"You know, your projects involve so many vastly different fields. If you focused on just one of them, you would reach heights no one could imagine."
Nolan listened attentively. Once Banner finished, he nodded thoughtfully.
"I think you're right. However… no. I refuse."
Banner's expression darkened instantly, and Nolan could only shrug.
What else could he do?
He did have legitimate scientific ability. The Super Soldier Serum and the Goblin Formula had enhanced his memory and mental agility, and years of unrestricted experimentation in the system's lab had deepened his expertise.
Given enough time, he could develop something that could crush the Titan Armament.
But no matter how good he was, nothing could beat the system itself.
"Have you never heard the saying that mastering one field helps you understand others more easily? That constant cross-application is the source of my progress."
Banner blinked in confusion.
He had heard that saying before, yes, but applying it like this? Across fields with almost no connection?
Impossible.
Yet Nolan had already proven with his results that it did work for him.
"…Fine. I still do not understand it, but maybe it truly is the best path for you," Banner said reluctantly.
Then he added, "Tony Stark invited me to help refine his new artificial intelligence system. After I finish APU-2, I might go work with him for a while."
"Artificial intelligence?"
Nolan's mind sparked.
Ultron?
He considered it for a moment and relaxed. He still had the Mind Scepter. As for how to deal with it, he had already decided to visit the Ancient One.
No matter why the Ancient One had not intervened in the matter of the scepter, Nolan would simply hand off the dangerous artifact to someone who could keep it safe. It was better not to keep something like that on himself.
"At that time, I might need to borrow some Rock Technologies equipment. I hope you won't mind," Banner said.
"Of course not."
Banner was now part of their small group, the organization Nolan founded, the Watchers. Helping each other was part of the deal. As the creator of the team, Nolan would never refuse.
After finishing company arrangements and saying goodbye to his acquaintances, Nolan prepared for the journey ahead. A trip through the cosmos was no small thing. He would not return within a few months.
Finally, at the agreed-upon time, Loki arrived.
"Where is your ship?" Nolan asked.
"Three kilometers northwest," Loki answered.
He was about to lead the way when Nolan lifted his right hand.
With a surge of magic, a golden portal appeared before them.
Loki stared, dumbfounded.
"Is that magic?"
Magic and Asgardian divine power were not the same, but similar enough that Loki recognized it instantly. When had Nolan learned actual magic?
Loki suddenly felt as if his plans had been completely derailed.
"Let's go," Nolan said, walking through the portal without waiting.
Loki followed reluctantly.
A single step transported them directly to the ship. Loki's expression tightened.
Then Nolan drew another portal. This one was massive, saturated with Nolan's magic. Within it flashed the interior of a colossal underground base.
Rows upon rows of mechanical units stood in perfect formation. Armed robots, familiar battle suits, and even the Titan Armament itself could be seen inside.
A moment later, suits of Thunder Hammer armor marched through the portal, followed by other specialized robots. Finally came the massive Titan Armament, walking out with the sound of alarms echoing from inside the base.
Nolan smiled. Since he was going to make a deal, he needed samples.
And beyond samples, strength was essential to any successful negotiation.
He had learned that lesson well.
"All right. Let's move," Nolan said.
Loki nodded, though suspicion flickered in his eyes. He now believed that Nolan had planned all of this from the very beginning.
As they traveled, Nolan seemed more familiar with the ship than even Loki was.
"How long until we arrive?" Nolan asked.
"About three days," Loki answered after checking the console. "I only hope the Ravager conflict has not begun yet. If a war has already broken out, making this deal will be difficult."
Three days.
Nolan nodded.
The vastness of space had fascinated him at first, but after days of the same view, even he grew bored.
"By the way, Loki, I heard you and Thor have an older sister?"
Loki stiffened.
"Yes," he said with a frown. "I suggest you avoid that topic. For Asgardians, she is a forbidden subject."
Nolan snorted. "What, will mentioning Hela make her suddenly return?"
Loki's expression darkened.
"In our legends, Hela will one day rise again from the land of the dead."
"Interesting. If she ever comes back, you should introduce me," Nolan said.
Loki glanced at him, suppressing a sneer.
If you ever meet Hela, he thought, you will not be coming back.
Meanwhile, on the Ravager Planet.
This place was paradise for Ravagers, home to countless factions, each ruling its own territory.
Among them, Yondu was one of the most infamous.
"Loki is still not back. Is that worm trying to play us?" Yondu growled.
A subordinate replied, "He wouldn't dare. He is wanted everywhere. Only the Ravagers are willing to shelter him."
"Boss, once that pretty-boy shows up, we should gut him for making us wait," another shouted.
More voices chimed in, grumbling.
Yondu slammed the table, instantly silencing them.
"We wait three more days. If he still does not show up, we move without him. With our strength, those Rufemond people are nothing. We can crush them!"
His crew cheered.
"Crush them!"
Civility was not something Ravagers were known for.
Suddenly, Yondu asked, "Any news on Quill?"
"I heard someone is hunting him down. Not sure if it's true."
Yondu struck the man across the face.
"He is not a fool. You are the fool!"
He sighed, his eyes turning worried.
He had heard some troubling rumors.
This time, that kid might really have gotten himself into deep trouble.
He, of all people, knew exactly who Quill's father was. And even Yondu did not dare cross that man.
Three days later.
After the final space jump, a beautiful planet appeared before the ship.
Loki exhaled in relief, excitement flickering across his face.
"Welcome," he declared. "To the Ravager Planet."