204 My SI Stash #4 - The Hammer Effect by Rain Reid (MCU)

-Author has been working on SI MCU/DCU fics since 2019, he has lots of them like a SI Hulk, SI Iceman and even a SI Thanos! This one's more my style with a powerhungry MC and also a SI Justin (the CEO of Hammer industries). What can I say? I like those odds.

Sypnosis: Power, Power, Power. Everyone wants it. No one wants to lose it. It corrupts, It performs miracles. It causes untold devastation. Power, the aim of all madmen. The thing that allows them to enable their impetus. I want power, and with where I'm going, I'll need it to ensure my survival, after all there's much of it up for the taking.

Rated: M

Words: 23K

Posted on: Webnovel or https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13358319/1/The-Hammer-Effect (Rain Reid)

PS: If you're not able to copy/paste the link, you have everything in here to find it, by simply searching the author and the story title. It sucks that you can't copy links on mobile (´ー｀)

-I'll be putting the chapter ones of all the fanfics mentioned, to give you guys a sample if you wan't more please do go to the website and support the author! (Hey, luckily the author seem to have already uploaded all of his works in Webnovel! Marvelous.)

Chapter 1-3 (exceptional)

THE BEGINNING

?

XXXX

"Welcome," the hooded figure said politely, like an experienced salesman. The room was a stark white without a hint of blemish or imperfection, it was - unnaturally - serene. And it was apparently endless judging from the lack of boundaries or borders of any kind. "Could be kind enough to come this way" the figure gestured me forward. I followed without much thought.

"Thank you for being so cooperative, I'm sure you must have realised where exactly you are. But if your still in denial, then allow me to remind you. This is the soul section, Limbo the dimension outside of spacetime and matter, the in-between where dead souls with enough karmic accumulation get sent" It explained. I realized that it's voice was disturbingly genderles. But still I nodded to show my understanding. "I see" I said. I was aware of my death, it was nothing noteworthy. I won't dwell on it, I mean I had just died, so what was I to do? Scream or maybe beg to get my life back? No, I deserve this.

"I admire your composure. It'll make things easier," the figure praised me, without a hint of genuine substance in its voice. To its left, a wheel appeared. Like one of those wheels on game shows, fortune wheels. "This is the Nirvana Wheel. Every soul from your dimension with enough karmic accumulation, gets to spin it once to decide it's final fate"

I closely observed the wheel, spotting various locations and a large variety of abilities, ranging from fictional ones to mundane enhancements. There was even Heaven and Hell on it.

"Allow me to make you a rare offer, not because you're special or unique, none of you are. I am in need of some karma, the ones you have in your possession to be specific. I will take half of them from you, and in return I will allow you to choose your destination, retain all memories of your past life and send you directly into the adulthood of your reincarnation body. Doing away with the tedious infantile and childish years."

"Are you able to let me choose my reincarnation body?" I asked. I didn't want to get reborn as an insect or an animal, not if I can help it.

"I cannot." it answered swiftly. Dashing my hopes of a secured human body.

"Are all the words you have said here, in honesty?"

"Yes, we are in our most fundamental forms here, it is impossible to lie. And I have no reason to do trick a mortal soul" Strangely I could tell that it spoke the truth.

"Very Well, I accept your offer." There was no reason not to. I wanted to leave this place and hurry on up to my new life.

"You have made a very wise choice. Now please spin the wheel to obtain an ability, skill or enhancement for your reincarnation body." it directed.

I placed my hand on the oddly warm but almost intangible wheel and spun it with as much might as I could muster. I watched in trepidation as various abilities flew past the needle point. From Superior Kryptonian abilities, to expert goat herding of Hanonra. The wheel began to slow and it looked as though the needle would point to the Master Combat prowess of Imhotep as an ability. But looks can be deceiving. The momentum made it rotate just millimeters, and the needle's edge nearly pointing straight at godly janitorial skills before finally pointing to Supreme intellect of Leonardo D. Vinci. Saying I was ecstatic did not begin to remotely define just how good I felt.

"You seem to have quite the bit of luck on you. It's almost sad that it's all gone now along with your karmic accumulation. Moving on, tell me where your preferred destination and we should be done here."

"Send me to, T. …"

"Excellent choice. I wish you a miserable existence, die sooner mortal soul, so the fires of hell might feast on your wretched soul." It's voice displayed a sick sadistic glee, the first hint of real emotion it actually made.

"Well, Fuck you too"

"Goodbye, You will remember nothing of this realm neither of the things that transpired within."

"Don't need to"

*. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *

New York City - America.

October 14th, 2010.

"I am Iron Man". The words rang in my skull like the sound of thunder. I sat, reclined in a comfy luxurious office seat - that was doing wonders for my spine - and I looked to the flat screen plastered on the wall, watching Robert Downey Jr, call himself Iron man. Nothing special, nothing shocking, it's been a scene I have seen about a hundred times now. Just an - amazingly good - actor saying his line….

Except he wasn't. This wasn't RDJ, this was Tony Stark. The billionaire playboy CEO of Stark industries, and resident super genius. This was no longer a character in a movie, this was an actual living person, in his own world.

How am I so sure? Even if I were to act ignorant and embrace denial like a flimsy cloak for protection against the flaming truth, the facts were before me. The Super spy agency called SHIELD. The massive skyscraper that was currently under construction, the Stark tower. The fact that a man called Steve Rogers was the most patriot of the nation and the world's first super soldier.

I myself was living proof. As I stared at the screen, I was visually taking apart the electronic device in my head, like A CAD simulation, each individual piece was laid bare before my eyes, how each component would compliment another, how various settings would work better than the rest. Thousands of ways to improve the TV. Not only that, but the flaws in my chair, how I was actually wrong in thinking that the seat was helping my spine, how it's angle of elevation would do much wonders.

I was seeing the structure of things and how to make them better. The connections between vastly different fields, the solutions and problems dancing around in my head. How to build what my imagination projected. Some were working models, others were just illustrations, pieces of the puzzle missing, pieces of advanced math equations, scientific understanding, anatomical information and much more, needed to fill the gap, knowledge required for me to properly construct the operational models, to build them in the real world. I needed more knowledge, I didn't know what I didn't know. You can't fill an empty cup with air - unless you compressed it- and expect it to be heavy, it needs something of valid substance - essence. I needed knowledge to fill the gaps in the machine, the right gears to make it operate well.

I had no idea how I became this way. I was never a genius or a prodigy, I wasn't stupid but I wasn't prodigal either. I had a good head on my shoulders with a more than average amount of common sense. Now, I'm a walking supercomputer. And that's not even talking about how I'm still alive. My death, I remember d-

"Sir, is something troubling you?" A heavily accented but clear cultured voice roused me from my thoughts. I gave the speaker a good look ; A forty-three year old man, with slightly graying hair, his facial features amiable but stoic, dressed in a pristine black suit, his posture straight with a minute bow, arms folded behind him. He was Jack, trusted personal assistant and Butler of I, Justin Hammer.

That's right, Justin Hammer, sole CEO of Hammer industries, business rival and unsuccessful copycat and second rate enemy of Tony Stark. Well actually business was booming, courtesy of Stark Industries dropping out of weapon productions, allowing Hammer industries to be one - if not the only - main weapons, and primary systems contractor of the DoD(Department of Defense) and the military. 'Still can't believe I'm in the Marvel verse, will have to find out if it's the MCU, don't wanna run on assumptions'

"Sir?" The Butler queried again, a hint of worry in his tone. He probably thinks I'm distraught at Tony's revelation, after all Past-Hammer was constantly working his as off to match him in anyway he could, and he had been failing miserably. I should stop getting absorbed in my thoughts.

"Jack, my good man. Have I ever told you how much I appreciate your presence in my life? Without you to lend a helping hand, I would be a mess, my business would be a mess." I said with a smile, reaching for my phone. Ain't no harm in praising your employees when they knew of your deepest secrets and you would need them to know much more.

"Why, thank you very much for your praise sir. I'm just doing my duty, it fills me with joy watching you grow all these years into what we have today."

"How long have we been working together? How long has it been Jack"

"Sir, it must have been fifteen years by now." he nodded with nostalgia in his tone. "Aye, you were young, much younger than you are now. I must say you matured beyond expectation sir" We both laughed.

"Jack, I appreciate your loyalty. Very much, you deserve a double raise," I stood from my seat and approached the man, slinging my somewhat flabby arm (need to start working out, I was already drawing up workout programs) over his broad shoulders, I gestured for us to exit the office. "I'll need you more than ever in the times to come, old friend. Things are going to get… interesting. I know I've never said this, but I see you as the only family I have. So, Jack can I trust in you for more years to come?"

The man's eyes widened in surprise, and then a bright smile blossomed on his face" Of course sir, till these old bones can't go on anymore, and even then you'd have my well wishes"

"Thank you, Jack." I extended my hand for a shake. He reciprocated "No, thank you Sir"

We went on to speak of the old days. Me learning more history of the body I now inhabited. And when he was done, I gave him the orders for the night : To renovate one of the floors into a fully dedicated gym. I already had workshops which would double as labs, personal ones in the company building.

And secondly to get me books. Books on a variety of subjects. Text books, journals, magazines and whatever reading material I could get my hands on, and I could get my hands on a lot. And then all the company records, contracts, meetings and everything concerning Hammer industries. And a lot of sweets, I needed the sugar.

I miss my smart phone. The year was 2010, they were smart phones but not as smart as the phones of the 2019 era. Not mentioning the newly discovered quirk that I enjoyed tapping on the small hard buttons - it's going to get old real soon- the phones had. Touch screen capabilities were too slow for what I needed. I was already drawing up mental plans for other technology my company would be involved in (my newfound intelligence assisted heavily) , creating branches from the main weapon focus of my company.

I entered the bathroom. Almost flinching away upon meeting my reflection. A reflections strikingly different from the one I had known for the past twenty-four years. Brownish blond hair in a business but unfitting style, clear black eyes with slight myopia corrected by the metal framed glasses. This guy cannot have moustaches at least not with this kind of care. Beard gang people. I laughed silently at the joke, my brother would've done the same had he witnessed it. I pulled the glasses off and washed my face, feeling the flesh beneath my hands. This wasn't a dream or a hallucination, this was really happening. I felt all over my body, resting my hand over my beating heart — a sure sign of life. And silently stared at the reflection again.

Who the hell are you? I am a guy who's in way over his head with a healthy dose of self doubt and a grand aim just budding in his mind. Acting confident, hoping and planning it all works out. I need to work so the hope becomes a reality. I don't know how I got here, - it's beyond me and I can't dwell on that- but I know what I can get here, I can get powers, I can become more than just human, I can have immortality!. There's even Magic! I can obtain much, it will take handwork, Lies, ruthlessness, deceit, bravely, courage and my new found intelligence. But I CAN do it. I CAN! and I WILL!

I slapped my chest loudly to motivate myself after the mental speech/self hypnosis session. Reminding Jack to find me a new stylist via text, I just realized that 90% of app and Internet content provider companies I knew back in my world didn't exist here. I saw business opportunities.

Chapter 2

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO TAKE IT.

*. *. *. *. *. *. *

Moscow - Russia.

December 2nd, 2010.

*. *. *. *. *. *. *. *

The whole revamping of the company's assets, management and contracts took two months - one of those which I spent reading and experimenting holed up in the workshop. I now had the branches I sought, some being other companies which I bought and brought under the Hammer Industries banner, I needed a large amount of hardware and material imports and some other tools to finally begin the type of production I had in mind which wouldn't be until the end of this year, if all the acquisitions went well.

For now, I've been shipping out a large assortment of digital services for the budding smartphone and rapidly growing Internet market. Of course one step at a time, the current hardware specs on the current devices made it so that I couldn't put out the real powerful stuff, that would soon change. Iron Man's armor is nothing short of a miracle at this technological stage. Oh, I also created Netflix and minecraft, I know, I know. Boo me, evil corporation bad guy stealing others ideas. Yeah well, none of those people even exist in this world, is it bad that I want to bring joy to people?

And I've been working out too, it has become very evident, as it should considering that I not only hired an gym/combat instructor but I've also been taking cocktails to help build my body, cocktails I've made myself based on my now very extensive knowledge and grandmaster level skill on biochemistry, biology, physiology and anatomy. And the workout regimen I've tweaked over time to adequately compliment my rigorous exercises.

By next year, I should be getting my doctorate on the various fields I had applied to. Knowledge is power.

So why was I in Moscow? You'll see in a moment.

"Boss, he's subdued" a voice spoke through the bone conduction audio piece. I rubbed my hands together to get that warm cozy feel back in them as I walked through the thin snow blanketed ground. The weather was colder than I anticipated. Even with the heat trapping fabric, I still felt the occasional chill. I dusted off the white flecks that settled on door handle and twisted it open. Stepping into the very humble abode that was in shambles. Utensils and vodka bottles littered the tight room, with pieces of clothes and garnets strewn about . A small color TV displayed white static in the corner - a result of the interference signal generated by a scrambler device on me- , right above the weathered tools resting on a workbench, and old newspaper clippings.

What drew my eye were rolled up pieces of blue canvas.

"What you want! What you want you bastard!" Ivan Vanko yelled at me, trying frantically - and failing - to throw off the two large men that had him pinned to the ground.

I grabbed the canvas and peeled them apart. My mind already at work recording the plans in written it white. Restructuring it down to the smallest component and then reconstructing it in my subconscious over and over, running different combinations and configurations as I browsed through the canvases. 'Don't get lost in thought, now isn't the time.' I reminded myself. Folding up the canvases and securing them in my hands.

"NO! NO! That mine, that mine! Put back down you bastard!" He yelled in anger, hatred dripping off his words.

I stared the pinned man in his eyes. He could not make out my face through my ski mask. I reached into my jacket and pulled out my weapon. A gun strikingly similar to a desert eagle, but in matte silver, with a glowing green bar on its side. I aimed and pulled the trigger. There was a momentary hum and then a scent of ozone. Ivan Vanko's head was liquefied. Incinerated and partially disintegrated, it was a smoking piece of destroyed flesh on his head. The green charge on the prototype plasma pistol now in red, slowly charging up to green. I had to develop a better powersource which wouldn't be a problem as it was structured in my head. I understood the cost of death, for I had once suffered it. It didn't jarr me to do what I had to, not after mentally preparing myself for it over and over and over again. I still could not rid myself of his hate filled eyes that seemed to look through my soul, I continued to see their burning glare even when they weren't there. May his soul find peace.

One of the men shoved a piece of cloth into the alcohol bottles, setting it on fire and throwing it down the room. The building ignited, as we walked out the door. I boarded an inconspicuous cream colored car parked across the street watching the house go up in flames. The men going different paths as though we never even met or were involved in prior heinous crimes nor the now viciously spreading fire. We would all reconvene on another pickup point during the return trip. I popped a strawberry flavored candy in my mouth, enjoying the taste as it rolled around my tongue, gesturing for Jack to take us away.

"Holyshit"...I forgot to save the bird.

|~~*.*.*.*.*.*.*. *. *~X~*. *. *. *. *. *. *~~|

*. *. *. *. *. *. *

New York city - United States of America.

December 23th, 2010.

*. *. *. *. *. *. *. *

"Sir" I heard a voice call for me, but chose to ignore it. I was too absorbed in my work. My hand zoomed across the paper, laying lines then connecting them to another, drawing up whole new shapes and bringing them to life in a detailed artistic view that even I was entranced by, beneath the illustrations were the schematics — like skeleton beneath flesh, the accompanying equations being the muscle fibers the part that moves the skeleton, allowing it to become operational and the sketch of the final product, receiving the cosmetic treatment — the skin. The clean, sleek outward appearance that would appeal to aesthetics. I admire my creations, they are as much a work of art as of science, but I never wanted to be stagnant, to be satisfied at this level : I can do better, I can always improve, I repeated, like a mantra to guide my way. I pushed the paper back, and went back to connecting wires, logic gates and microchips on the latest project's main processor. On a screen to the left of my workbench, terabytes of codes in an utterly foreign language occupied the whole panel, code being compiled after going through diagnostics and then generated to fit the standard.

The operation systems of all my personal devices were reworked from the ground up, meaning I created and implemented my own operating system and coding language, I call it Nails ( get it, my name is Hammer and the nail is- nevermind), massively improving electronic security of my devices and putting them decades ahead of the current tech standard. Of course the rest of my company tech and products ran on an improved OS called Manna derived from the Nails OS, fully compatible with any other OS on the planet and adaptable to all other electronic devices, yes even a digital clock or calculator could run its ported OS.

Once again I heard my loyal butler's voice "Sir, you'll be late for your appointment. You must hurry if you wish to avoid that" he reminded with urgency.

"Damn, I'm almost done, Jack. Let me get these arranged" I said, annoyed at the disturbance, not towards my Butler but the ones who set the appointment. Tito, my robot assistant came to my aid. With Its short dwarfish stock and sleek streamlined build, it gently and efficiently roamed the workshop picking papers and canvases strewn around the room into a neat file. Then it picked up the various tools and set them to their containers. Before I knew what was happening the robot grabbed the instrument in my hand disrupting my concentration, it zoomed to the rack on its wheels hung the tool it on a rack.

"Hey!" I yelled at the innocent looking robot who returned my stare and couldn't find it in myself to blame it, after all I programmed it this way. I was working on an AI, well it was a work in progress. The amount of code needed was absurd, it made you sick just thinking about it having to write all of that. But I gotta do what I gotta do.

"Computer, create digital models of all the illustrations and schematics on the papers. Run operational simulations on Hexa - 1 to 564 within preset parameters. Monitor the heat generation in relation to power accumulation." I spoke voice commands to the Virtual intelligence that governed my computers.

[Affirmative] an electronic voice stated, sounding strikingly familiar to Siri. An automated scanner - one of many robotic arms - mounted to one of the workbenches began its operation, stuffing papers and capturing their contents.

"What's the current progress on the element - S?" I asked moving the holographic projection of a glowing atom over and about, expanding and collapsing it's structure.

[53.61%]

"Redirect 50% processing power from the element - S fabrication model to simulations on Hexa. I'll be able to fill in the gaps for element - S on my own. Oh, and send project Ph-40 to the Maker branch, filed under 'ready for production'"

[Affirmative]

I sighed in resignation finally rising from my seat, and stretching with my bones making loud satisfying pop, I grabbed a whiff of my odour. "How long have I been here?" I asked no one in particular but my trusty Butler still answered. "Almost two weeks sir" handing me a cup of fragrant coffee.

That wasn't the longest I'd spent holed up in here "I see," I said, sipping on the warm coffee as I walked to the exit of the workshop, Jack in tow. "Is everything set for departure?" I asked, crossing the passage to reach the elevator.

"Of course Sir."

"You're a lifesaver, Jack." I said, boarding the elevator, the door shutting behind me. Jack heading on to do what other duties he had left. "top floor" I spoke. The elevator moving swiftly to the apartment suite.

The doors slid open and I was presented with my apartment suite. A luxuriously furnished room with a number of my very own hand made paintings occupying the walls in large golden frames.

I crossed the sitting room headed straight for the shower in my bedroom. Throwing my clothes off I jump in. The beads of warm water washed away the accumulated fatigue and stress I didn't even know I had. I scrubbed my body clean, running various designs improvements through my mind. And thinking of what'd I'd sell to my investors.

You see all the stuff I've been doing? All those nifty tech upgrades and revamps, the power consumption of the hammer building - after tonight that problem would end - the employee salaries, even my own living expenses, they cost a LOT of money. And do you know where that money comes from, military contracts. The various other branches haven't started bringing in profits yet, as they are still in an early phase. The app revenues and other digital content profits are just beginning to take off, the profits aren't that much substantial yet, I know it will be soon, most likely during and after Christmas and the New Year's celebration. One good thing though is that the Hammer brand name is beginning to really take hold.

I shaved the short fuzz along my more defined jaws and lower chin. Pushing the faded sides of my now coal black hair backwards. Admiring my face and now clearly defined musculature, I worked hard for it. Not to mention that I looked exactly like a movie star, the one who played Justin Hammer in the MCU, Sam Rockwell. Thinking of it now, I look like he did in that recent movie where he was the red nose killer, with that girl from pitch perfect… Anna Kendrick in the movie Mr. Right. I pulled and patted my hair a bit more and viola I was ready. Yeah, I'm really not a cosmetist when it comes to my aesthetics.

I proceeded to suit up, literally, Jack got me a black Armani suit that made me want to start calling myself John Wick. And with that done, we set off for the Edwards Airforce Base.

Chapter 3

POWER TAKES WISDOM IS TO USE IT WELL.

General Thaddeus Ross and other high ranking military men sat around a presentation table, dressed in their pristine military uniforms with their ranking badges and medals standing out on their beast pockets and shoulders respectively, as though to announce to everyone that the power these men had at their beck and call didn't come freely. Even when relaxed their postures were straight, their gaze forward and disciplined. Years of conditioning and training the men in this room had gone through gave them that, Ross nodded in pride. His eyes wandered over the various pristine jet fighters being proudly showcased lined along the length of the hanger, next to the helicopters and various exposed engines about to be fitted to their respective vehicles — displaying the military might of the Edwards Airforce Base.

Ross noticed the raven haired man in a slick black suit, leading others who carried briefcases behind him walking towards the table. He almost wouldn't have recognized the man had it not been for his eyes. Ross knew Justin Hammer, a slimy business capitalist, Tony Stark wannabe, selling weapons to D.O.D and war profiteering. Just another one of the merchants of death.

But this man was different from the Justin Hammer he knew, this was a man with a purpose in his steps and confidence in his chest. The fire in his eyes was infectious, as was the enthusiasm in his handshake.

Justin Hammer spread his arms wide apart and greeted. "Good afternoon Gentlemen, thank you for having me, I know you're all very busy so without much ado let's cut right into the meat here" He said, pulling off his coat and sliding his gloves on. Ross was impressed, normally they'd beat around the bush trying to butter their buyers up before offering their products. His was the more get to the point type of guys.

"Firepower, that's what you need, it's what you've been asking for so long, well today will perform all about it," Hammer started by opening the largest briefcase. He easily retrieved a matte black machine gun, by the looks of it it should've been heavier than it seemed in his hands. "This is the HM - 160, dragon, medium machine gun. Six individual barrels, each, twenty-two inches in length. Seven sixty-two Cal, nato standard. 3000 ~ 8000 rpm rate, max range of 1,932 yd" some whistled at the Firepower that weapon carried.

Hammer smiled then continued, " I know you're asking yourselves why I'm picking this up like it's a piece of paper. Well that's thanks to a new alloy developed by Hammer Industries R&D. What you need to know is that it weighs 70% less that want it normally should. And the recoil? That's the fun part, these right here are magnetically charged inertia dampeners, state of the art shock absorbers. So state of the art in fact that you won't find them anywhere else but in Hammer Industries and the H-line supercars. Hence the increased rpm, the other specs include…." the man began explaining.

Ross watched in a trance as the man before him stole their hearts and had them salivating with each new and improved weapon he showcased more tasty than the last. This man is going to take Stark's place, Ross was certain of it. He might not openly admit it, but he was satisfied. Hammer really turned his game up a notch. These weapons were necessary to secure the interests of his nation, to ensure the peace within its borders and to deter its enemies.

"Don't you sometimes just wish you can take apart a tank with a single shot? How about obliterating that bunker with just one hit? And it doesn't even have to be one of those those large air strike missiles, you don't need a tomahawk or the MOAB. No, not when you have this, something you can carry around in your pocket," Hammer reached onto the smallest case, pulling out what looked to be a silver colored cigar sized missile with small circular furrows along the length of its head.

Treating it uncharacteristic gentleness, he raised it high "This baby is the definition of Firepower. The rotating drill head will give it access through the thickest sheets of metal or concrete, allowing it to then detonate it's payload after reaching it's set destination. It will rip a bunker, out of a bunker, hidden in a bunker. It will tear apart a tank like a sledgehammer through glass, this is the mangog micro missile. Don't judge it by its size, judge it by its might, because this thing won't stop until it causes absolute devastation." He said, with emphasis on the last word as he deposited the weapon back into the grey molded foam inside the briefcase.

"So, Gentlemen, tell me which one you prefer and let's talk about those contracts." Hammer flashed a brilliant smile.

*. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *

"Hammer, I gotta say son, you have your head in the right place." General Ross, praised shaking Hammer's hand.

"Just doing the best I can to keep our soldiers safe".

Major General Meade decided to interject "Ain't that an understatement. Hammer, see the senator's been breathing down my neck for us to "deal" with the Iron man situation. With the way things are going over with Tony, it's impossible. But if we do have a lead on the tech, I'll need you to work your magic on it."

"Of course captain, you have my number" Hammer answered.

"Talking about Iron man, why won't you make that type of tech" one of the men asked.

Because then you'd hound my ass into handing it to you. And If I don't, you'll take away your funding right when I need it the most. Hammer mentally stated "Sir I believe I made my reasons clear, the iron man tech is miracle we can't replicate at the moment. The power source and on board systems required to make it possible just aren't as developed as Tony's. Hence the reason why I'm working on this." Drawing out his phone he clicked a hard button below the phone's touch screen, a hologram projection flared to life, displaying a 3d interactive image of four six legged Vehicle with various armaments and weapon systems he swiped at the projection and a sleek aerodynamic black drone shaped like a missile with foldable wings took the place of the six legged vehicle, micro rotors were seen on the inside of the wings, and various payloads and heavy duty machine guns on the underside of the machine.

Some of the men silently gasping in wonder, at both the phone's technology and the vehicle. This should keep you all happy enough until I don't need the funding. "This is the Manticore : An all terrain and - got your back navy- aquatic, smart stealth UAV tank, with as much Firepower and armor you can dream of. Next to it is the wasp :for when you just need flight, absolute stealth and a healthy dose of destruction above all else. And the best part, we don't even have to send our men out to the battlefields, they could be in bases like this and control the deployed machines. Of course it's all in a conceptual phase right now, but by next year it could be reality"

"I like where you're heading with this" another praised.

"Is that phone on the market yet?"

"Actually today's the Grand unveiling, which I have to get to right about now. I'll send over an exclusive contract for you military folks with specialized versions. Consider it an early Christmas present, trust me you'll love it." Hammer saluted with a smile, making his exit.

"Based on all I've seen today, there ain't a reason not to" said the general.

*. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *.

The bright lights were focused on the stage entrance, all around the hall were Christmas decorations. A man with a sledgehammer over his shoulder and a red cone cap on his head, stepped through the entrance. The audience applauded in mixed reactions as the man walked to the center of the stage. They thought he might have been one of the workers. But he looked nothing like a construction worker, with his open neck long-sleeve and black trousers and shoes. In fact he looked more like a model that spent much time working on his physique. His charisma became evident when he smiled.

"Hi everyone, I'm Justin Hammer CEO of Hammer industries. But you already know that. The question on your mind is why am I on the stage with a sledgehammer, I assure you it is not for comedic purposes, although I do have a few good Hammer puns. Allow me to hit the nail on the head," The audience chuckled at his joke.

The dark haired man reached into his pocket and withdrew a phone "This is one reason why you're here today. The Grand unveiling of Hammer phones and a variety of other products. This is the Hammer X - 2 Phone, 7in organic lcd touchscreen, 13MP front and 22MP back camera with dual LED flash, 32gb internal storage, 4gb ram, running the latest version of MOS - manna operating system-, 4g capabilities, yadda yadda yadda. Too much technical talk, you can get a more in depth list of the specs on your pamphlets. Now let's get to the good stuff. What does it do that any other phone can right now? A lot. First let's try a simple test. Is it waterproof?"

He walked to a clear glass jar of water and dunked the phone inside while still playing a video on it. "That's a yes. The Hammer X-2, is the first of its kind in the world, don't believe me? Google it right now" minor exclamations rang through the audience, "Tired of your screen breaking everything your phone falls? Get a look at how much punishment can this phone take" he placed the device on the stage floor, raising his sledgehammer overhead, he brought it down furiously on the phone. They were gasps from the audience accompanying the resultant bangs with each swing he took at the phone. "Phew," he exhaled playfully, picking up the phone, still in one piece and still playing the video. The only evidence of the previous punishment it suffered being the thin scratches on its exterior and micro cracks on its screen. "It's one hard to kill phone." he joked, earning him applause and laughter.

"A hundred and sixty-eight hour usage time on a single hour charge alone - were already at work to lessen the charge time even more. Thanks to our pioneering trilayer graphene batteries. And last but definitely not least, ladies and gentlemen, people of Earth, I give you the first fully functional holographic array on a handheld device. 'Phone, projectors on'" a projection of light from the ends of the phone screen brought to live a 3d image, alternating between various settings, themes and videos. "Fully interactive, fully operational, with zero lags and bugs. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the future, and it's here. Hammer Industries, putting the power in your hands!" His energetic presentation earned him an even more lively reaction from the audience.

"Oh, I almost forgot, everyone in this auditorium is getting a free Hammer X-2 and logo shirts, Merry Christmas you wonderful People!"

The sound of thunderous applause and uproarious cheers filled the hall, as the man bowed grabbing his cone cap and tossing it to an excited fan, handing the stage over to his employees who would give an in depth explanation as well as showcase the rest of the products. As he retreated to the reception area, where he would politic with advertisers, creators, potential suppliers and buyers over a glass of fine wine and calm music.

He retired for the night with a reporter for company, she got an intimately in depth scoop, as they did more than just let their mouth speak, using their bodies to communicate on the most personal level.

….

Ethereal visages plagued his dreams. Eyes that burned with malevolence stared through him. Screeching, vengeful voices roared in his ears; 'BASTARD!' 'Put back down you bastard!'

The man woke up at midnight 'Ok ghost of Vanko, I know the last part was supposed to be scary but I can't help but find it too damn funny' he silently chuckled '"Put back down bastard". Hah!', gently lifting the covers as he rose from the soft bed. Tucking the reporter in - whose name had already begun to be pushed to the back of his mind by the various plans, schematics, devices that needed constructing and various alterations that he could make. The man left the room, walking down the hallway and boarding the elevator that would lead to his workshop. He yawned, 'I'll sleep in the workshop, bear with me body this is all for our continued survival, we need to just finish rigging up the reactors, writing a shit ton of codes, check the simulation outputs…..' he said to himself. Running a list of things to be done. 'Merry Christmas, Me.'