"Long time no see, Howard."
After finally extricating himself from everyone's admiration and cheers, Luke returned to the Strategic Scientific Reserve's temporary base.
As soon as he walked through the gates, he saw Howard Stark, the chief scientific adviser, busily at work.
Howard wore many hats and held several identities.
He was both the Allies' largest weapons sponsor and an exceptionally intelligent, renowned scientist.
Not only was he immensely wealthy, but he was also highly capable with his hands, having invented plenty of novel gadgets for the Allies.
Many big shots in the Department of Defense held this arms tycoon in high regard.
Naturally, the Strategic Scientific Reserve would not overlook someone as talented as him.
Under the title of scientific adviser, Colonel Phillips had drafted Howard into the military—though the old-fashioned soldier did not particularly like him.
"Luke—do I need to call you Brigadier General, sir?"
Howard turned around, glanced at him, and chuckled.
"Congratulations, you've become an Allied hero yet again! Honestly, I really envy you. All you have to do is give your name, and countless women throw themselves at you. Meanwhile, I have to show off my car keys, reserve a table at an upscale restaurant, and display my wit and charm before those pretty girls are willing to sleep with me."
During his days at the Strategic Scientific Reserve, Luke had gained a fairly clear understanding of Howard.
Unlike the mature, steady, serious founder of S.H.I.E.L.D. he would become later on.
This arms tycoon who was leading Stark Industries toward prominence was not much different from his son.
He liked proving his powerful masculine charm by picking up beautiful women.
That mouth of his never offered praise or approval for anyone else—apparently, that was the Stark Family's customary arrogance and sharp tongue.
Compared to Tony Stark, who had yet to become Iron Man and only had eyes for machines and women.
Howard had just one more hobby than his son: making money.
In merely a few decades, Stark Industries had caught up with established giants such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics, attempting to stand shoulder to shoulder with them before eventually surpassing them.
Howard's smooth social skills and genius mind deserved a large share of the credit.
"I imagine your tricks don't work every time either, do they?"
Luke teased him lightly.
Within the Strategic Scientific Reserve, many people said that the free-spirited playboy had risked going to the front lines entirely because of that cold, beautiful female agent, Peggy Carter.
He wanted to pluck that gorgeous, alluring, thorny red rose and taste her sweetness.
Unfortunately, Carter barely gave him the time of day and had rejected his invitations on numerous occasions.
"After that flight, Carter and I went out for cheese fondue."
Howard looked smug, like a victorious soldier.
"Mr. Stark, surely you don't think I don't know that your so-called 'cheese fondue' is just cheese and bread? If eating bread together meant winning a woman's heart, then wouldn't half the women in New York have slept with you?"
Luke deliberately mocked him.
"What do you know? You need patience when dealing with women."
Rather than getting angry, Howard assumed the air of an experienced elder and lectured him. "You have to be like Don Quixote charging at windmills—fail, then try again. At the same time, don't abandon all your standards and act too desperate. That will make her think your feelings are cheap and not worth taking seriously. But you must also show concern and always be there when she needs you. If a woman's heart is a sturdy castle, then I am surely the greatest siege general in the world!"
"Since Carter agreed to have dinner with me, taking the next step won't be far off."
Watching Howard lavishly praise himself, Luke smiled faintly.
In that regard, he really did resemble his son.
It seemed narcissism was one of the Stark Family traditions as well.
However, in Luke's view, Howard was both a successful businessman and one of the world's foremost scientists.
Compared with his son, Iron Man's father was actually superior in every respect.
First, there was the Arc Reactor, the core technology used in Tony Stark's high-tech armor.
Howard had developed it as early as a century ago. He simply had been constrained by the materials and limitations of the era, making miniaturization impossible.
Otherwise, no matter how brilliant Tony was, hammering out a suit of armor in a dark, damp cave and designing an unprecedented cold-fusion energy source would have been pure fantasy.
His father had already paved the road for him to become a superhero!
Later, when Tony became Iron Man and suffered from palladium poisoning, the new element that solved the problem had also been discovered first by Howard and left behind for his son.
In other words, his father's mind had been ahead of the entire age!
The reason Tony would achieve so much in the future, aside from Stark Industries providing immense financial and technical support.
Was, more importantly, that he had inherited the knowledge his father left behind!
That was the most precious inheritance of all!
"I heard you snatched Lockheed Martin's fighter jet contract before, and recently secured another passenger aircraft contract that was supposed to go to them. Some people in the Department of Defense are already unhappy with you."
Luke mentioned it casually.
Howard, who had been busy studying Hydra's energy weapons, looked displeased. He said cuttingly, "I discussed this with the secretary. Fierce competition between peers is unavoidable. If Lockheed Martin is dissatisfied, then their researchers should work harder and try to keep up with my genius brain!"
The fact that Howard, who had just been suave and teaching him how to court women, instantly turned so sharp-tongued.
Showed that Lockheed Martin had indeed placed considerable pressure on Stark Industries.
"What is it, Brigadier General? Are you planning to lend a helping hand and help Stark Industries through this crisis?"
As a smart man, Howard quickly read another meaning into Luke's words.
"Forgive me for saying so, but this is probably not something you can get involved in."
The man at the helm of Stark Industries tactfully indicated that Luke's current status might not be enough to help.
After all, the rank on one's shoulder marks was one thing, while the authority one truly wielded was another.
Unless Luke could sit in Eisenhower's position, perhaps then he would have a say.
"No one can say what the future holds, right, Howard?"
Luke examined the Strategic Scientific Reserve's new weapons and spotted a gleaming silver round shield below.
"Can I have this? Steve will definitely like it."
Lost in thought, Howard waved his hand, signaling Luke to take whatever he wanted.
After all, judging by rank, Luke ought to have been the leader of the Strategic Scientific Reserve.
"But are you sure Rogers would use that thing? It's only an unfinished product."
Sensing Luke's vague intention to cooperate, Howard's attitude shifted somewhat again.
He was a pure businessman, far from possessing any lofty ideals or admirable virtues.
An arms dealer hoping to make a fortune from war could not possibly value morality and conscience too highly.
As for patriotism, that was something one only realized after reaching the pinnacle of one's career.
Just as only successful entrepreneurs became enthusiastic about charity and displaying their compassion.
"Trust me, Steve will absolutely fall in love with it at first sight! I really don't want to see him going into battle carrying a trash can lid."
Luke said with a smile.
Perhaps because he had been beaten up since childhood and often used trash can lids from the roadside as weapons, Captain America had developed a fondness for fighting with a shield.
"This shield is made from a very special material called 'Vibranium.' It can absorb kinetic energy, conducts almost no heat or kinetic energy, and in a sense, it's indestructible!"
Howard explained.
"Unfortunately, this material is far too rare! We can't equip the entire army with it!"
Seeing Howard's regretful expression, Luke's eyes flickered. He happened to know of a place containing enormous Vibranium deposits.
Wakanda.
A seemingly backward Third World nation that was actually technologically advanced, yet deliberately presented itself as extremely underdeveloped.
Hidden among the mountains of Africa, very few people even knew of its existence to this day.
"I can visit it sometime."
Luke looked at the shield in his hand, its surface reflecting his youthful face.
P.S. Thanks to Taishang Zuowangxin for the 1,000-point reward, The Demon Left Behind by Social Practice Activities for the 1,000-point reward, Yijian Guixu Lai for the 1,000-point reward, Gallicayr for the 700-point reward, and Combat Power XX Unmatched for the 100-point reward. Hearts~
P.S. 2: New week, new set of three essentials. Dear readers, remember to vote and add this to your collection~
P.S. 3: Also, let me explain: when I occasionally include pinyin, it isn't because I think you readers are illiterate. It's just a way to avoid censorship. I really don't mean to look down on you~ (crying.jpg)
Before you continue