Madelyn returned to her seat, picked up the cup of cold coffee, and took a sip. Her expression settled back into calm, and her fingers stopped tapping.
"Stark Industries' weapons division has been shut down. Their military clients will look for new suppliers." Her voice was very even. "Those people need missiles, fighter jets, drones. Vought International doesn't make those, but we can work with the people who do. Contact Hammer Industries. They've been waiting for this opportunity."
The assistant made a few notes on the tablet.
"There's one more thing."
The assistant's voice was a little hesitant. "Tony Stark said at the press conference that they're going to transition into clean energy and use the Arc Reactor to provide free energy for the whole world."
Madelyn's hand paused.
"Free?"
"Free."
Madelyn was silent for a few seconds. Her mind raced: the Arc Reactor, free energy, Stark Industries' stock price would rise, Vought International's energy division would take a hit, and the oil companies partnered with Vought International would reconsider their contracts. She took a deep breath.
"The Arc Reactor is still only a prototype. The technology is immature, and the costs can't be brought down. It's only fit for empty talk." After thinking for a moment, Madelyn made her judgment.
Madelyn picked up the stone-cold coffee and took another sip. She didn't put the cup down, just held it there, her fingers lightly tapping against the side.
No one in the conference room spoke. Homelander sat with one leg crossed over the other, Queen Maeve was expressionless, A-Train lowered his head to look at his phone, and The Deep clipped the trident accessory back at his waist.
"Commercializing the Arc Reactor will take many years at the very least."
Madelyn set down her coffee cup.
"The technology is immature,