Dr. Hank Pym—one of the scientists Solomon valued most—was someone for whom Solomon would agree to many conditions, just to get him to work under his banner. But this damned old man would never agree to some things. Solomon knew that perfectly well. Which was why, instead of aiming for Pym himself, he turned his attention toward the "Cold Vault" of Pym Technologies.
The Cold Vault housed the sum of Pym Technologies' research over the years. Many of those technologies, though incomplete, were already dangerous.
After Darren Cross disappeared and the explosion at Pym Technologies made headlines, the FBI tried to enter under the pretext of investigating. But anyone with a brain knew the truth behind this so-called "investigation." That WWII tank Dr. Pym had tossed into the plaza was a clear signal: Pym Particles could still be manufactured. Politicians familiar with Pym's prior ties to S.H.I.E.L.D. and Howard Stark saw an opportunity to justify seizing technology under the guise of national security.
While the core information on Pym Particles likely wouldn't be compromised, who could say the same for the other black-tech buried in that vault?
That's why Solomon suggested a surgical strike—a bombing that would obliterate all traces of the Cold Vault's existence.
"I can assure you, I'm the only one on this planet who can carry out a saturation bombing on U.S. soil and leave no trace behind," Solomon said slowly, as if he were doing Pym a huge favor. In return, all he asked was access to a few classified research projects. Hope's eyes widened in horror when she realized her father might actually be considering such a monstrous proposal. Scott Lang instinctively shrank back, aware that neither he nor his old prison buddies could compare to these people—who could casually decide the fate of hundreds with the flick of a finger. Criminals at least valued human life to some degree. These men? They'd wipe out a building full of employees just to protect a secret.
Solomon, sensing Scott's fear and Hope's concern—without even using mind-reading—sighed and raised his voice.
"What the hell is wrong with you people?" he snapped. "You're the successor of Pym Technologies, Miss van Dyne! Would you rather let employees die than give them a few days off? Or are you worried about the damn stock price? News flash: your stock's already in the toilet!"
"S-sorry, I just thought—" Hope stammered, her cheeks flushed red.
"What, you thought I'd drop a bomb while everyone was still working in the building?"
"No, I just…"
"A regular bomb wouldn't even scratch the Cold Vault," Pym interrupted, saving his daughter from more of Solomon's jabs. "I built it myself—deep underground, reinforced with concrete and steel. A simple blast wouldn't be enough to destroy the data."
"What about bunker busters, then?" Solomon asked casually. "Or tactical nukes? I've done some excellent work in hydrogen bomb design. I could drop five clean nukes at once, simultaneously and with pinpoint precision. Just give me the location, and I'll erase every shred of evidence. Oh—and one more thing."
He turned to Hope and said with a smirk, "I've already dumped all my Pym Tech stock. If you two agree, I can short the stock again. I'll handle everything myself, and even the SEC won't find a single irregularity. You'll walk away without a scratch, and the insurance will have no excuse not to pay out."
"I'm not worried about that, Mr. Damonet…" Hope muttered.
"If you're worried I'll bomb the government," Solomon said lightly, "don't. After a nuke, only cockroaches survive. I promise the U.S. government will be just fine."
"That's enough! What I'm saying is—the bombing will leave people jobless!" Hope exploded.
She was clearly furious now, and gave her father a "how the hell are you friends with this lunatic" kind of look. Scott Lang, meanwhile, couldn't hold back his laughter. He earned glares from both father and daughter, but that didn't stop him from glancing at Solomon with an expression of surprised delight.
Now he knew exactly what kind of sites Solomon probably browsed.
"I like this guy," Scott grinned. "He's got a killer sense of humor."
"Ten minutes from here there's a gay bar," Solomon quipped. "But if we go for a drink and then need to use the restroom, it might take us two hours to leave."
"HAHAHAHA!"
The two burst out laughing and high-fived like old friends. They raided Dr. Pym's fridge for all the high-end beer, completely unopposed—since both Pym and Hope were too busy preparing for the coming operation to stop their antics. They talked for hours, including discussions about Scott's ex-wife and daughter. Solomon even promised to take Scott to a Tita Vantis show, reasoning that the poor man needed a "single guy's night out" after prison.
That plan was quickly crushed by Hope, who subtly implied Scott might not be single for much longer—and that her father should definitely not find out.
Furious and exasperated, Dr. Pym kicked them both out of his house under the pretext of "not wanting to see that idiot's face again."
But before Solomon stepped out the door, Pym handed him a document. Hope also finalized the bombing schedule, promising to find a plausible excuse to evacuate the Pym Tech office building and give Solomon the green light.
"We're going to infiltrate the Cold Vault first," Solomon explained back in the Eternal City. "Clear it out. Then you'll access the server room, insert the trojan-loaded USB drive, and our cyber team will extract all research data. Finally, our assault transport will launch bunker busters from the East Coast and destroy everything."
The operation was small enough that Solomon didn't need help from the intelligence department. The Sisterhood could handle it on their own. The only assistance they needed was a few heavy lifters to haul the tech out—freeing the girls to focus on the actual work. Upon hearing the plan, Malbus, stationed on Mars, grew intrigued. His magical avatar back on Earth relayed his request to tag along on the Cold Vault mission.
"There are so many high-tech civilizations in the galaxy," Malbus marveled. "Yet Earth always manages to cook up something beyond comprehension. Do you have any idea how terrifying that is to a scientist?"
"It's just how messed up the universe is," Solomon shrugged. "I don't even know why aliens are so obsessed with invading a backwater planet at the edge of the Milky Way. Do they still need oil after switching to ion propulsion?"
"My Lord," Malbus said, "that joke is a little much."
"I know," Solomon replied, his smile fading. "But when you're facing a future this dark, you need a little optimism. Laugh while you still can. I have to face this nightmare for thousands of years. Isn't that just like sitting at a computer, binge-eating junk food until you get so fat your skin chafes and bleeds, and eventually you're so heavy you can't stand and have to shit in your chair like a NEET?"
Malbus grimaced. "Your analogy… is disturbingly vivid."
"And unfortunately accurate," Solomon said, deadpan. "Let's get to work."
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I Am Zeus, KING OF GODS (Chapter 79)
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 391)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 471)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 677)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 1059)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1418)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1422)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1452)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1504)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld!(Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 703)
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