At Edwards Air Force Base, a transport plane landed on Hangar 22. Sean and the Department of Defense officials descended the boarding stairs, the howling wind whipping at his clothes. Besides General Ross, the entourage also included Tony's friend, Colonel Rhodey, and government officials from the Military Committee.
The energy weapons symposium was held at eight in the morning. Sean submitted Umbrella's cooperation proposal, which thoroughly detailed the concept and design of energy weapons. That afternoon, they arrived at the nearby air force base for field testing.
As he entered the base, Sean spotted Justin Hammer as well. This bespectacled arms-industry tycoon had a distinct businessman's air about him. Ever since Hammer Industries had bought up the weapons manufacturing plants sold by Stark Industries, he had begun calling himself by that title. Newspapers that had accepted his favors also embellished their reports, trying to elevate him into a genius like Tony.
Unfortunately, the public did not buy it. Hammer Industries had long been a second-rate company in the arms industry, far behind a top-tier giant like Stark Industries. Its helmsman, Justin Hammer, was equally unremarkable, lacking Tony's glittering résumé worth showing off.
"Hammer Industries has always had good relations with the Department of Defense procurement officers," General Ross said in a lowered voice.
Sean smiled faintly. He could not summon the slightest interest in an opponent with no challenge whatsoever. Even if he sent Ivan out, Ivan could easily deal with him.
"I don't recall Hammer Industries having any new products worth showing off," the young man said with a curled lip, his tone mocking.
A smile spread across General Ross's face. As a high-ranking military official, he naturally knew Justin Hammer's true capabilities. "We can't expect everyone to be Tony Stark. Compared to that playboy, at least Hammer Industries'