Chapter 27: Obtaining the Prototype
Having worked through the night, Professor Erskine, being of advanced age, was somewhat exhausted. Mason, having also stayed up all night, was worn out as well.
After saying goodbye to the professor, he went straight to Steve's place. Because of the urgency, he didn't dare sleep long, setting his alarm for three hours later.
He had a whole day to locate Howard Stark and the prototype he possessed. This time, Mason was mentally prepared—even if it meant kidnapping, he was determined to get his hands on that prototype.
"Hey, Steve, what are you doing?" Having just finished breakfast, Mason saw Steve styling his hair in front of the mirror.
"Nothing, just going out to meet a friend," Steve mumbled.
Mason was taken aback.
"A friend? You have friends other than me and Bucky?" Looking at Steve's somewhat embarrassed expression, and recalling what he'd witnessed yesterday, Mason understood. So
this guy was going on a date!
A surge of resentment rose within him. Damn it, he was working so hard, risking his life, and Steve was going on a date?!
Is there no justice in this world?!
It seemed Steve and Agent Carter were getting quite close—he wondered how far their relationship had progressed. Mason had originally planned to have Steve accompany him today, but then he changed his mind.
Agent Carter was actually a key player—she knew many people in the Strategic Scientific Reserve, and more importantly, judging from the movie, a young Howard seemed to have had the hots for Carter.
Of course, for a playboy like Howard, Carter might not be someone he truly loved—it was more like a player's instinct.
Should he ask Carter for help? Mason hesitated. From their interactions, Agent Carter didn't seem to have a particularly favorable impression of him, and besides, this matter was critically important. Asking Carter for help would be tantamount to asking her to commit treason. Personal feelings aside, things could get seriously complicated.
"Steve, are you meeting Agent Carter?" Mason asked.
"I arranged to meet her this afternoon. I was planning to go out for a walk this morning. What's up, Mason?" Steve seemed excited about the date, already antsy with anticipation.
"Buddy, you can't wear that!"
Getting Agent Carter's help was impossible for him to accomplish himself—this had to fall to Steve. At least he could gauge her attitude through him, giving himself another option, whether it worked out or not.
"Listen to me, go to the department store this morning and get yourself a new outfit, at least something that actually fits." Mason advised earnestly, though his expression looked more like a wingman hyping up his buddy.
Steve looked down at himself, seemingly agreeing that his outfit wasn't quite right. Remembering Mason's experience with women, he realized there was some truth to what he said.
Mason pulled out half his cash and shoved it into Steve's hand. "Here, do your best—I have high hopes for you!" He patted Steve on the shoulder. "After your date, could you bring Carter by here? I need her help with something."
"Something for you!"
"For me?" Steve looked puzzled.
"Just tell her the truth. I'll be waiting for you here." Mason kept him in suspense.
If he told Steve directly that he planned to have Carter use her charm to get close to Howard and extract information about the prototype, even for Steve's own benefit, given his personality, he probably wouldn't agree.
But if Carter was willing to come, then things might work out differently. Of course, Mason wouldn't place all his hopes on Carter. He still had a whole day to get close to Howard, and at minimum, he was prepared to take drastic measures!
"Okay, I'll tell her what you said." Though Steve was confused, he agreed because he trusted Mason.
After they parted ways, Steve headed straight for the department store, while Mason changed his clothes and made a beeline for Stark Industries.
At this time, Stark Industries didn't yet possess the formidable reputation it would later enjoy, but as the federal government's designated weapons supplier, it was already beginning to make its mark.
Compared to established weapons manufacturers, Stark Industries had a clear advantage: Howard's numerous inventions.
However, Mason's subsequent experience was a complete bust. No appointment, no meeting. Unidentified visitor, no meeting.
Desperate, Mason even spent the entire morning staking out Stark Industries, but he couldn't even catch a glimpse of Howard.
As a defense contractor, Stark Industries was heavily guarded. Mason tried to sneak in, but he was nearly spotted after only a few steps. If he hadn't been quick on his feet and found cover, he would likely have been apprehended by patrolling security personnel.
In this era of war, such behavior could even lead to him being mistaken for an enemy spy and shot on sight!
Of course, his morning's reconnaissance wasn't entirely fruitless. Howard Stark was hosting a party at his mansion at 8 PM that evening.
This became Mason's only chance to get close to Howard.
"The men of the Stark family are all the same. Seems like beautiful women are the best way to approach them!" Mason sighed, a sense of frustration rising within him.
If this Dimensional Express company had simply put his soul into a gorgeous woman's body, there wouldn't be nearly this much trouble right now.
The party required invitations, and with Mason's status, he naturally couldn't obtain one. However, his lack of credentials didn't mean Professor Erskine was similarly disqualified.
After all the searching, everything still came down to Professor Erskine. Having made up his mind, Mason wasn't in a hurry to head back. It was still early, so he circled around Howard's mansion, carefully surveying the surrounding blocks and escape routes.
Preparing for the worst-case scenario—if he needed to take Howard hostage, he needed to be ready for a safe extraction. Time was running out; if he failed on his first attempt, he might never get another chance to get close to Howard.
Meanwhile, Steve, now dressed in a brand-new outfit, was waiting nervously in an alley near the office building.
"Hey, Agent Carter, are you free tonight? There's a great steakhouse nearby, I could..." Hodge, dressed in a standard uniform, his massive frame straining against the military fabric,
attracted the attention of several female employees in the office. Hodge puffed out his chest and extended an invitation to Agent Carter, but before he could finish, Carter cut him off.
"I'm sorry, I'm very busy today. I don't have time."
"How about tomorrow?"
Hodge persisted, his eyes blatantly roaming over Carter's figure. He'd been eyeing this capable female agent for a while now, and now that the opportunity had presented itself, he wasn't about to let it slip away.
"The serum Professor Erskine injected you with isn't something to parade around. As for your invitation, let me be crystal clear—I'm never available!" Carter firmly rejected Hodge, then pushed past him and walked out.
Hodge's expression darkened at the rejection. He clenched his fist and followed after her.
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