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For a moment, Black Widow said nothing.
Then she gave a small, knowing smile.
"Figures," she said. "You don't talk big, but you don't fall behind either."
Ethan didn't confirm or deny it.
"I build what I need," he replied. "Nothing more."
Her eyes stayed on him, sharp and calculating.
"And if S.H.I.E.L.D. asked for access?"
Ethan shook his head slowly.
"Then the answer would be no."
That made her chuckle quietly.
"I expected that."
She leaned back slightly, her tone turning more serious.
"So let me be clear. We're not asking you to hand over anything. Not designs. Not suits. Just help Tony survive."
Ethan looked toward the crowd for a second, then back at her.
"If he asks me himself, I'll help," he said. "Until then, this conversation stays exactly where it is."
Black Widow nodded.
"That's fair."
She hesitated, then added,
"But if he does come to you… can you really fix it?"
Ethan answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
That single word carried weight.
She studied his face again, then turned her gaze toward the bar, where Tony was laughing loudly, glass in hand.
"…I'll let him find his way to you," she said.
"Good," Ethan replied. "Then I will surely help."
They stood in silence for a moment, the noise of the party filling the space between them.
"Is there any chance you could build something for me?" she asked.
"Like what?" Ethan replied.
She tilted her head slightly.
"Something like that watch—but more powerful. I'm a spy and an assassin. I could definitely use something like what you built for Coulson and the Director."
Ethan thought for a moment.
"Hm. I'll see what I can do," he said. "But you'll have to pay for it."
She smiled faintly.
"Of course. I'll pay—just like S.H.I.E.L.D. paid for those two watches."
She took a step back, then added casually,
"It seems like customers are starting to line up for you."
With that, she turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Ethan was about to take another sip of his drink when someone approached him.
"Nice meeting you, Mr. Cliff."
Ethan turned and extended his hand.
"General Drake. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," he said, shaking hands with the U.S. military's current weapons procurement supervisor.
General Drake's grip was firm, practiced. The kind of handshake that came from years of command and expectation.
"I've heard a lot about you," the general said. "Arasaka doesn't usually open its doors like this."
Ethan gave a polite smile.
"First impressions matter."
Drake nodded, glancing around the floor before lowering his voice.
"I won't waste your time. The military is… reassessing its options. Recent events have shown us that relying on a single supplier isn't wise."
Ethan already knew what this was about. Stark was stepping back. Hammer was unreliable. The gap was obvious.
"If you're asking whether Arasaka plans to sell weapons to the U.S. military," Ethan said calmly, "the answer is no."
The general raised an eyebrow but didn't look surprised.
"Straight to the point. I respect that."
Ethan continued,
"Arasaka focuses on defense, security, and stability. We don't flood markets with weapons."
Drake studied him for a moment, then smiled slightly.
"Funny thing is, that's exactly why people want you."
He gestured subtly toward the crowd.
"Everyone here sees a company that isn't desperate. That makes you dangerous in a different way."
Ethan didn't react.
"Danger is relative."
The general let out a quiet breath.
"Then let me rephrase. If something big happens—something the world isn't ready for—would Arasaka stand aside?"
Ethan met his gaze, voice steady.
"No. But we won't act on orders either."
Drake nodded slowly.
"Independent."
"Yes," Ethan said. "Accountable."
"You must have heard of it," the general said.
Ethan chuckled.
"You mean my reputation? The nerd who lives in his basement?"
The general laughed as well.
"Yes. I was actually prepared not to see you today—but here you are. I've also heard that not many in your company has even seen your face. Just the top executives."
"As I said," Ethan replied calmly, "I'm an introvert."
"You don't sound like one right now," the general said.
Ethan just smiled.
"Let's cut to the chase, General," Ethan said. "What do you want?"
The general nodded.
"Tomorrow, the court will discuss the new weapon Stark has created."
"Tony Stark call it a safety measure," he continued, "but who is he kidding? It has the military written all over it."
"We want it in our army," the general said. "Just think how many lives it could save."
He paused, then added quietly,
"And how many soldiers wouldn't have to give up their lives."
"Tomorrow, Justin Hammer will help us obtain that technology from Stark," the general said.
Ethan nodded slowly.
"So you want me to help too," he said calmly. "Just like Justin Hammer?"
The question hung in the air.
"Yes," the general said at last. "Justin Hammer is useful, but it never hurts to have more voices on our side—especially one as influential as yours, Ethan Cliff."
"And why should I?" Ethan asked calmly.
The general narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Don't you care about the soldiers who lose their lives in war?"
"As I said before," Ethan replied evenly, "neither I nor Arasaka will ever be involved in weapons dealing."
"Surely you can make an exception for your country," the general said, leaning in closer. Then he added quietly, "Or are the rumors true—that more of your mother's blood flows in you than your father's?"
Ethan's eyes turned cold.
The next second, he chuckled softly.
"Funny, General," he said. "You're talking about the father who left when I was a child?"
The general stiffened slightly.
"But let me assure you of something," Ethan continued, locking eyes with him. "I will be there in court tomorrow."
The general smiled.
"That's a wise decision."
Ethan laughed.
"No, General," he said calmly. "I'll be there on Stark's side."
The smile slowly faded from the general's face.
"I'll make sure the U.S. government doesn't get that piece of technology," Ethan finished.
"And it will be all your fault, General" Ethan added as General Drake looked at him coldly.