Chapter 68: 68. Meeting Ancient One, Again.
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White House, 1957
The Cold War was at its peak. The USSR was trying to increase its nuclear arsenal and spy efforts. They were getting befitting replies everywhere they could. The best thing this time was that in Europe, there was no divided Germany. Germany was still under American occupation as it moved towards becoming a capitalistic economy. Meanwhile, some other Eastern European nations were also influenced by America more than USSR due to Hector's years-long propaganda efforts.
But, most often trouble comes from home. Suddenly he noticed something dangerous, a few weapons manufacturers started selling weapons to a few communist nations. It was not a direct sale to USSR, but instead, nations that were influenced by it. There was also China and North Vietnam's communists. .com
After a bit more digging he found out that a nexus had been formed that involved multiple arms companies that were selling their items. They worked on the concept that together they were too big to be pushed over by the law agencies.
And whose brainchild was it? Howard Stark. Hector quickly called the man to his office to speak.
"I know what you are doing. Going behind my back, selling arms to America's adversaries. I warned you not to fall too deep into this arms business, you don't listen. Do you not remember what I did with Ford and GM(Opel) for selling vehicles to Nazis? I fined them and forced them to not let the Detroit Auto Industry be destroyed." he said in a threatening tone.
But Howard seemed too easygoing. He had forgotten that he was not talking to a simple politician here. "What I am doing is strictly business. We live in a free market, you can not make a company stop doing business. And besides, all the money we make, we send a lot towards the government in lobbying."
"And I thank you for the charity. Every penny that any lobbyist gives us is sent to orphanages, old age homes, veterans hospitals and helping the poor. I got receipts for each penny. So son, don't think you can fool or strongarm me. Many have tried and failed. I'm giving you the last warning, stop building the Military-Industrial complex. You can sell weapons only to those nations that we consider neutral or allies." Hector simply laid down the terms. He cares not if this was Tony's father. What the man was doing was absolutely wrong.
Howard angrily stood up, pointing at Hector, "Says the man who made riches by selling attack helicopters. We are a multi-billion dollar industry and you can't stop us. Doing business is our job, bringing profits is our aim, that's how America became rich. All the political repercussions are yours to handle. That's how it has always been."
Hector stayed as calm as possible. "I sold those helicopters only during wartime. Whenever there is no war, they are simply passenger aircraft. Son, get on the right path while you have time. Don't make a decision that you might regret in years to come."
"To hell with your morals. Morals don't run a nation. Morals don't make you rich. I've said it before, I'll say it again. You're too old, your thinking is too old, just resign and let someone who understands business take over. Goodbye," he left, fuming to himself.
Hector sighed, reclining back on his chair. He pressed the bottom, letting the door to the small secret chamber open.
"Did you record all that?" He asked.
Agent Carter nodded while saluting, "Everything, sir. Can't believe Howard has fallen this low."
"Money does that to people. He's too arrogant right now, basking in the glory of his achievements. His mind is clouded by success. But I will use this recording if he gets too out of hand. Meanwhile, I'm signing CAATSA, Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. All companies that sell weapons or crucial tech to our enemy countries will face sanctions. Any country that buys weapons from our enemies will face sanctions." He lifted his pen to sign a few papers.
Agent Carter sighed, taking a seat. She was a regular at this office, being the director of SHIELD. She learned too many things from him, often feeling as if Hector could see the future.
Hector felt bad for this woman, ~Perhaps, it's time to give her the gift.~ contemporary romance
"Agent Carter, do you miss Steve?" He questioned.
She was taken aback, Hector had never talked about Steve with her before, "I-I'd be lying if I wasn't. I do miss him."
"Then, would you like to join him? I mean, not in death. Agent, what I am about to tell you must be kept strictly confidential, Steve is still alive, he's just stuck in ice in a hibernation state." He dropped the bomb.
Honestly, the only reason he didn't take Steve out of the ice was that he didn't want him to be a wrinkly old man when the age of avengers arrives. The modern world needed America's ass.
"W-What are you saying, sir? This... if you are joking then it's not appropriate." She stuttered.
"I am not joking. I don't know exactly where he's stuck be he is stuck in there. So, you need to tell me, do you want to join him or not? If you do, then you will have to take retirement and go on hibernation because this isn't the right time to bring him out. USSR is already scared crazy with me, if even Steve comes, they will be distributing Nukes to nations like it's candy." He reasoned, sounding absolutely firm and confident.
She soon enough realised he was not lying by the look on his face. And it didn't even take her a minute to make a decision, "I want to be with him, sir."
"Good, then be prepared for tomorrow. You will be getting a super-soldier shot in a week. Start preparing for your retirement. You can smile now," He shook her hand.
She just instinctively left the office, no questions asked, but even when out of the building, her mind was wondering if what just happened was even real.
...
Hector had gone wondering about something at this point. Did the Endgame happen in the future where he didn't exist? Will the older Steve return in time to be with Peggy? The movie never gave away which year he went to.
Before these questions were not answered, putting Peggy into hibernation was foolish. Another thing necessary was to find Bucky since the man was used by the Soviets in killing many high-level targets around the world. From Kennedy to Howard.
"Moony, you always complained that you are not strong enough to be around me, right? Let's go and make you stronger then." He called the fluffy boy.
Confusion over Moony's head, he joined Hector on a flight straight to Nepal. It was a secret visit so nobody was informed. Their destination was Kamar Taj. Logan didn't tag along since he was responsible for training Erik.
Keeping a big hood over his head and making an illusion to show Moony as a simple Huskey, he walked to the building he felt to be most magical. Once there, he knocked, *BAM BAM BOOM*
"Oh, it broke down." Yes, the door to Kama Taj broke down, revealing a shocked and scared monk who was about to open the door.
Hector greeted him, "Namaste, I am here to meet the Ancient One,"
"Wowoooo..." Moony also stood on his hind legs and clapped his paws to namaste.
"Please enter, the Ancient one awaits you," The monk invited them in. Hector had to lower himself a lot due to the short height of the door. Once he was in, the monk tried to nail the door back in its place comically.
He headed straight in with Moony. The place seemed like any other normal wooden house. But he knew there was something special there, so after walking a bit, he found himself in a courtyard that overlooked a giant cliff. It was as if the building existed in two places at the same time. One in the busy city of Kathmandu and the other in the middle of the mountains.
"Good Morning, Mister Presidents, it's been a while," the Ancient One's voice came from behind.
She walked to Moony and gave him a biscuit, "Who do we have here? The world's most famous good boy. Here, eat these."
Moony giggled shyly and waved one paw as if saying, "Oh you, stahp it,"
Hector shook her hand, "Correct. It's good to see you again, Yao. I finally came here to ask something from you."
Ancient One seemed flushed for some reason, "Sure, how can I help?"
~Strange, I didn't remember her to be this easy to please,~ he noticed the change.
She was getting excited internally, wondering if Hector was here to learn the art of sorcery. If he was, then that would make her order the strongest in the world. No dark entity will be able to stand in their way.
Hector glanced at Moony, munching on the biscuits happily, "I want you to teach sorcery to my boy here."
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"What?!"
[A/N: Honestly, this is the most logical way Howard was able to keep his company in business and get so rich. Yes, he was a great scientist but not particularly a great man. He became wiser in his later years but here he's just 40 and ambitious. He doesn't hate Hector, but his policies as president.]
Btw, no, Ancient One is not the FL.]
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