"Aryan," he said, standing up. "Thank you for coming."
"Stan," I said, walking over to shake his hand. "It's been a while."
"Davos, wasn't it?" he said. "Your father was still running the show then."
"He was," I agreed. "You look well."
"I look tired," Edgar corrected, gesturing to a chair. "Please. Sit."
I sat. "Madelyn mentioned urgent security needs. You sound like a man preparing for a siege."
Edgar sat down, folding his hands on the desk. "In a manner of speaking. I'll get straight to the point, Aryan. I don't have the luxury of dancing around the issue. Vought is under attack."
"The drug cartels?" I asked, feigning ignorance.
"If only," Edgar said dryly. "We are dealing with a hostile entity. A sophisticated organization with military grade capabilities. They have struck our assets with impunity."
"And you want me to sell you a proton pack?" I joked.
Edgar didn't smile. "I want you to sell me the 'Argus' grid."
I leaned back, letting out a low whistle. "Stan. The Argus satellite network is proprietary. It's still in beta testing with the DOD. I can't just hand over the keys."
"I don't want the keys," Edgar said. "I want real time thermal and facial recognition tracking on a global scale. I want to know when a mouse sneezes in one of my facilities."
"That's a tall order," I said. "And expensive."
"Name your price," Edgar said instantly.
"It's not just about money," I countered. "It's about allocation. My manufacturing lines for the sensor suites are booked solid for the next eighteen months. The Pentagon, the British MOD... everyone wants the new toys."
"I need them now," Edgar said, his voice dropping an octave. "I need the sensor suites and I need your new sonic incapacitation arrays. The heavy industrial models."
"The ones designed for riot control?" I asked.
"The ones designed to drop a rhino at fifty paces," Edgar corrected. "I need twenty units. Shipped immediately."
I tapped my finger on the armrest, pretending to calculate. "Stan, you're asking me to break contracts with the US government to supply a private corporation. That's political suicide."
"I'm offering you the future," Edgar said. "When the superhuman military bill passes, Vought will control the national defense. We will need a partner. A partner to build the infrastructure, the containment and the logistics. I am offering Spencer Industries the exclusive contract for the next twenty years."
I paused. It was a staggering offer.
"Exclusive?" I asked.
"Ironclad," Edgar promised. "You help me secure my house now and I will make sure your company is the only one building the walls for the next generation."
I looked at him. He was desperate. He was terrified of the unknown enemy that had burned his labs and frozen his Supes. He needed a shield and I was the only blacksmith in town.
"Fine," I said. "I'll shuffle the delivery schedule. I'll divert the sonic units from the Chicago order. You'll have them in three days. And I'll grant your security chief read only access to the Argus feed for the North American sector."
Edgar let out a breath. "Thank you, Aryan."
"Don't thank me," I said, standing up. "Just have your legal team draft that exclusivity contract. I want it on my desk by morning."
"It will be there," Edgar said, standing as well.
"I should get going," I said. "I have to go tell a General why his toys are going to be late."
Edgar walked around the desk. "I'll walk you out."
I raised an eyebrow. "You don't have to do that."
"I think it sends the right message," Edgar said.
We walked out of the office together. Stillwell watched us, her eyes wide. Seeing Stan Edgar escort anyone was a statement. Seeing him escort a twenty five year old arms dealer was a declaration.
We took the elevator down to the lobby.
"How is the rest of the business?" Edgar asked as the numbers ticked down.
"…booming," I said. "War is a growth industry."
"Indeed," Edgar murmured.
The doors opened. The lobby was busy. As we stepped out, the conversation died. Heads turned. Stan Edgar was a myth to most of these people. Seeing him in the flesh was like seeing a unicorn.
We walked towards the exit. Near the security desk, a crowd had gathered. Flashes of cameras were going off.
"Ah," Edgar said, stopping. "It seems we have a celebrity."
In the center of the crowd was Starlight. She was wearing the new costume… the white bodysuit with the high cut legs and the plunging neckline. She looked uncomfortable, her arms crossed over her chest as if trying to cover herself, but she was smiling for the fans.
"Starlight," Edgar called out.
The crowd parted instantly for the CEO. Starlight looked up, her eyes widening.
"Mr. Edgar," she said, looking surprised.
"I'd like to introduce you to someone," Edgar said, gesturing to me. "This is Aryan Spencer. CEO of Spencer Industries."
Starlight looked at me. She blinked.
"Spencer Industries?" she asked, her voice skeptical. "The weapons contractor?"
"That's us," I said, smiling.
"But..." she looked me up and down. "You look... younger than I expected."
"I get that a lot," I said with a small smile. "I took over the family business a few years ago."
"I... wow," she said. "I expected... I don't know. Someone scarier."
"I can be scary if the situation calls for it," I said. "But today I'm just a fan."
"A fan?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I saw the video," I said. "The one of you saving that girl. It was impressive."
She flushed, looking down. "Yeah. Well. Not everyone thinks so."
"The people who matter do," I said. "Authenticity is a rare commodity, Starlight. Don't let them grind it out of you."
I glanced pointedly at her costume, then back at her eyes. "Even if they try to dress it up in... marketing."
She looked at me, surprised by the candor. "Thanks," she said quietly. "I'll try."
"Aryan," Edgar said, checking his watch. "I know you have a schedule."
"Right," I said. "Starlight. Pleasure meeting you."
"You too," she said.
I turned and walked out the glass doors. Marcus was holding the car door open.
I slid into the back seat of the SUV.
"Back to the penthouse, sir?" Marcus asked.
"Yes," I said.
The convoy pulled away.
I watched Vought Tower recede in the distance.