Ben's casual mention of retrofitting classic vehicles had struck a chord with Agent Coulson that went far deeper than professional interest. The prospect of combining his beloved vintage automobiles with cutting-edge hover technology was almost too wonderful to contemplate. For a man who collected everything from 1940s baseball cards to pre-war jazz records, the idea of preserving classic aesthetics while embracing futuristic functionality represented the perfect marriage of past and future.
Coulson found himself leaning forward with genuine enthusiasm, his usual professional demeanor temporarily forgotten as he began to envision the possibilities. "Would the retrofit process affect the original engine components? I have a 1962 Corvette that's been fully restored, and I'd hate to compromise its authenticity..."
Natasha Romanoff rolled her eyes at her colleague's obvious fascination, clearing her throat with a pointed cough. Here was one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most experienced agents, completely captivated by a teenager's sales pitch about flying cars. The situation was almost too unprofessional to believe, yet somehow entirely predictable given Coulson's well-known obsession with vintage Americana.
The subtle reminder brought Coulson back to the present moment with visible embarrassment. He scratched at his hair and pressed his lips together, clearly struggling to suppress his excitement about the hover technology. "I apologize," he said, attempting to regain his professional composure. "I assumed that Primus would continue building on the success of the self-healing serum and focus primarily on advancing biotechnology applications."
"The self-healing serum is already generating substantial profits, and we've barely scratched the surface of its market potential," Ben replied with a knowing smile. "Why would we rush into oversaturating a market that's still expanding? There's plenty of time to explore other opportunities while maximizing our current advantages."
"So you really do have additional biotechnology applications in development?" Coulson asked, his eyes lighting up with renewed interest. This was exactly the kind of intelligence that S.H.I.E.L.D. had sent him to gather.
Ben glanced meaningfully at Coulson's increasingly sparse hairline. "Oh yes, we've made remarkable progress in treating male pattern baldness. The results have been quite impressive in our preliminary trials. I suspect it will be one of our biggest sellers when we bring it to market."
The revelation hit Coulson like a physical blow. The man who had faced down gun barrel and threats without flinching took a sharp intake of breath at the prospect of a genuine cure for hair loss. "Please," he said with barely concealed desperation, "make sure to notify me the moment it becomes available for purchase."
Even Natasha found herself momentarily speechless. She had worked with Nick Fury long enough to know that the Director's own relationship with hair loss was a sensitive topic. The idea of him maintaining his legendary composure when faced with a proven baldness cure was almost laughable.
Pepper Potts, meanwhile, had been observing the exchange with growing interest. Clearing her throat delicately, she approached Ben with an expression of carefully maintained professionalism. "Excuse me, Mr. Parker," she began, her voice carrying just a hint of nervousness. "I was wondering—whether you might have developed anything that could help with... enhancement?"
She gestured subtly toward her chest, forming the approximate shape with her hands in a way that she clearly hoped was discrete.
Ben followed her gaze and found himself looking directly at Natasha's already impressive figure. The Black Widow was certainly not lacking in that particular area, making Pepper's request somewhat puzzling. Rather than embarrass anyone by pointing out the obvious, Ben decided to respond with diplomatic tact.
"I appreciate the inquiry," he said gently, "but I've always believed that natural proportions have their own appeal. Sometimes smaller can be more elegant."
The comment landed with devastating precision. Pepper's face flushed crimson as she realized how her question must have sounded, and for a moment she looked like she might actually commit murder right there in the Primus laboratory.
Fortunately, the awkward moment was interrupted by the practical matter of expo planning. Ben spent the next several minutes outlining his requirements for the exhibition space, discussing the technical specifications needed to safely demonstrate the hover car technology, and addressing logistical concerns about crowd control and safety barriers.
"I think it would be beneficial for you to see the venue in person," Pepper suggested, grateful for the opportunity to move past her earlier embarrassment. "You'll have a better sense of the space and can make any necessary adjustments to your presentation."
Ben nodded his agreement, seeing no reason to decline. The trip would give him a chance to survey the other exhibitors and better understand the competitive landscape he was entering.
As the group prepared to leave, Ben noticed Natasha making what she thought was a subtle movement. While the others were focused on gathering their belongings, she had quietly reached toward the corner of a nearby table and attached something small and nearly invisible to the surface. The device was clearly a bug, designed to monitor the laboratory in their absence.
Ben made no immediate reaction to the placement, but he discreetly pulled out his phone and sent a quick text message to Dr. Connors: "Uninvited guests have left some gifts. Please avoid the main lab until further notice."
A few minutes later, the group of five departed from the Primus building and headed toward the expo site. The journey took them through several boroughs of New York, past the increasingly expensive real estate of Manhattan and into the outer areas where large-scale construction projects were more feasible.
"The Stark Expo obviously couldn't be held in Manhattan," Pepper explained as they drove through the city traffic. "Even with Tony's resources, acquiring enough contiguous property there would take years of legal battles and demolition work. The expo site covers nearly six square kilometers, which would require relocating entire neighborhoods if we tried to build it in the city center."
The logistics of the project were indeed staggering. In addition to the massive exhibition halls, the site included parking for thousands of vehicles, temporary housing for visiting dignitaries, security checkpoints, and all the infrastructure needed to support what was essentially a temporary city.
"Speaking of exhibitors," Pepper continued, "you're not the only company making final preparations today. Several other major participants are conducting site visits and setting up their displays."
Ben understood the implied hierarchy. The most prestigious and well-funded companies received their invitations earliest and were given the prime exhibition locations, often without being charged the substantial fees that smaller companies had to pay. It was an unfair system, but it reflected the economic realities of organizing such a massive event.
After nearly an hour of travel, they arrived at the expo site. The scale of the construction was impressive even by New York standards. Massive temporary structures rose from what had been empty industrial land, connected by wide pedestrian corridors and surrounded by extensive parking areas.
"This is the Stark Industries exhibit," Pepper said, gesturing toward an imposing structure of glass and steel that dominated the central area. "Over there you can see Hammer Industries' exhibit space." She pointed to a smaller but still substantial building that seemed to be trying very hard to project an image of technological sophistication.
Ben was pleased to note that his assigned location was well away from Justin Hammer's operation. The last thing he wanted was to be associated with that particular brand of corporate incompetence.
They continued walking toward the biotechnology section, where the undisputed leader was the Osborn Group. Norman's exhibition space was already under construction, with teams of workers installing sophisticated display systems and security measures. It was clear that Norman had received advance notice of the expo and had been planning his presentation for some time.
"I had originally planned to place Primus in this section," Pepper admitted with some embarrassment. "I was under the impression that you were primarily focused on medical applications, so the biotechnology area seemed like the natural fit."
"The location doesn't matter much to me," Ben replied. "As long as we have adequate space and proper safety measures for the hover car demonstration, I'm flexible about the specific placement."
As they walked through the biotechnology section, Ben noticed another group of workers setting up a display area. The company logo was unfamiliar, and something about the operation caught his attention. He pointed toward the man in an expensive suit who was directing the installation work.
"I don't recognize that company logo," he said. "Are they based in New York?"
"That's the Life Foundation," Natasha replied before Pepper could answer. Her encyclopedic knowledge of expo participants was clearly the result of thorough preparation. "They're a biotechnology company from San Francisco. The man you're looking at is Trevor Cole, the founder and CEO."
Ben's eyes narrowed at the mention of the Life Foundation. The name immediately triggered memories of his knowledge about the symbiotes—alien organisms that had bonded with various hosts throughout Marvel's history. The Life Foundation had been central to many of those stories, conducting unethical experiments in their pursuit of what they called "evolutionary advancement."
The presence of symbiotes in this world presented both opportunities and dangers. Ben was particularly interested in the genetic material of these alien organisms, especially considering that his knowledge of the Ben 10 universe included similar symbiotic aliens. The potential for cross-referencing DNA from both sources could lead to fascinating discoveries.
As Ben was considering the implications, Trevor Cole noticed their group approaching. While Ben might not have been widely recognized yet, Cole certainly knew who Pepper Potts was. The CEO of Stark Industries represented exactly the kind of high-level connection that could transform the Life Foundation's prospects.
Cole approached them with the calculated enthusiasm of a man who had spotted a valuable networking opportunity. "Ms. Pepper Potts," he called out while still several yards away. "What an unexpected pleasure to encounter you here."
The Life Foundation was operating on a completely different scale than Stark Industries, and Cole was clearly aware of the vast gap between their respective positions in the corporate hierarchy. A personal introduction to Pepper Potts was the kind of opportunity that could lead to investment partnerships, technology sharing agreements, or other forms of collaboration that would benefit his company enormously.
"Hello, Mr. Cole," Pepper replied with the kind of polite but distant smile that experienced executives used to maintain professional courtesy while discouraging unwanted conversations. "I'm just showing our guest around the exhibition space."
Her tone and body language clearly indicated that she had no interest in an extended conversation, but Cole was persistent. His narrow eyes fixed on Ben with obvious curiosity, and his expression showed both surprise and confusion at encountering such a young person in Pepper's company.
"I don't believe we've been introduced," Cole said, his voice carrying the kind of forced friendliness that barely concealed his calculation. "I'm Trevor Cole, founder and CEO of the Life Foundation."
"Ben Parker," Ben replied, stepping forward and extending his hand. "I'm the founder of Primus Technologies."
As their hands met, Ben's watch emitted a brief yellow light—a signal that his scanning systems were analyzing Cole's biological signature. The device was searching for any trace of symbiotic contamination or unusual genetic markers that might indicate contact with alien organisms.
Cole didn't immediately accept the handshake, instead pausing to process the unfamiliar company name. "Primus Technologies," he repeated slowly, clearly struggling to place the organization within his mental database of industry players.
"Perhaps you've heard of our primary product," Ben offered helpfully. "The self-healing serum that's been making headlines recently?"
The revelation transformed Cole's entire demeanor in an instant. His eyes widened with genuine surprise and newfound respect as he grasped Ben's hand with sudden enthusiasm. "You're the inventor of the self-healing serum! My deepest apologies for not recognizing you immediately."
Cole's grip was firm and prolonged, his expression becoming increasingly animated as he spoke. "I'm Trevor Cole, founder of the Life Foundation. I have to say, I've been tremendously impressed by your work. The concept of accelerated healing aligns perfectly with our own research..."
As Cole launched into what was clearly a prepared speech about the Life Foundation's mission and vision, Ben glanced down at his wrist. The scanning device showed no unusual readings—no symbiotic contamination, no alien genetic markers, nothing that would indicate Cole had yet encountered the extraterrestrial organisms that Ben knew were connected to his organization.
Ben's interest in the conversation immediately evaporated. Without the symbiotes, Trevor Cole was simply another corporate executive trying to network his way to success. There was no value in maintaining a relationship with someone who couldn't provide access to the alien technology Ben was seeking.
"Well, Mr. Cole," Ben said coolly, interrupting the other man's monologue, "we have other appointments to keep."
He pulled his hand free from Cole's grip and turned away, his dismissive attitude making it clear that he considered the conversation finished. The sudden shift from polite interest to outright dismissal left Cole standing there with his mouth still open, struggling to process what had just happened.
Trevor Cole's initial confusion quickly transformed into something much darker. The young man who had seemed so promising just moments before was now treating him with obvious contempt, despite Cole's attempts to establish a collegial relationship. The humiliation was made worse by the fact that it was happening in front of Pepper Potts, someone whose opinion could significantly impact his business prospects.
Arrogant little brat, Cole thought bitterly. You invent one product and suddenly you think you're too good to associate with established professionals. We'll see how long that attitude lasts when you're competing against companies with real resources and experience.
His resentment was compounded by his belief that Primus Technologies was nothing more than a front operation for the Osborn Group. In Cole's mind, Ben Parker was just a figurehead, probably selected for his youth and media appeal while the real scientific work was being conducted by Norman Osborn's team. The self-healing serum was likely another Osborn innovation, rebranded and marketed through a subsidiary to avoid regulatory scrutiny.
Ben, meanwhile, was completely unconcerned with Cole's wounded feelings. If anything, he was hoping that the man's injured pride would motivate him to accelerate his symbiote research. The sooner Cole encountered Riot, Venom, or any of the other alien organisms associated with the Life Foundation, the sooner Ben would have an opportunity to acquire their genetic material.
The potential applications were fascinating to consider. Ben's knowledge of the Ben 10 universe included several symbiotic alien species, each with their own unique properties and capabilities. Cross-referencing the DNA of Marvel's symbiotes with the genetic templates from his own universe could lead to breakthrough discoveries in biological enhancement and adaptive technology.
More intriguingly, Ben knew that the symbiotes were connected to Knull, the ancient entity known as the God of the Symbiotes. While Knull himself was not technically a symbiote, his influence over these creatures was absolute. The possibility of eventually encountering genetic material connected to such a powerful cosmic entity was worth almost any risk.
Of course, Ben also understood that Knull represented a threat on a multiversal scale. The entity's power to corrupt and control symbiotic organisms made him one of the most dangerous beings in existence. Any research involving symbiote DNA would need to be conducted with extreme caution and multiple containment protocols.
After parting ways with the frustrated Trevor Cole, Ben followed Pepper through the remaining exhibition areas. They finalized the specifications for his display space, discussed safety requirements for the hover car demonstration, and addressed various logistical concerns about crowd control and media access.
"There's one thing I've been wondering about," Ben said as they completed their tour. "I haven't seen Tony Stark at any of these planning sessions. Is he not directly involved in organizing the expo?"
The question caused Pepper's expression to darken slightly. She had been dreading this topic, partly because she didn't fully understand what was happening with Tony, and partly because she was concerned about her own role in the situation.
"Tony has been... preoccupied lately," she said carefully. "He's been spending most of his time in the workshop, working on armor upgrades and other projects. I think he's treating the expo as something that can be handled by the administrative staff while he focuses on the technical aspects."
The truth was far more complicated and troubling. Tony Stark had become increasingly reckless and self-destructive in recent weeks, behaving like a man who believed he had nothing left to lose. He was spending entire nights in his workshop, emerging only to make public appearances as Iron Man that seemed designed more for personal gratification than public service.
Pepper had initially hoped that Tony's return to active heroism would help stabilize his emotional state, but the opposite seemed to be happening. He was taking unnecessary risks, engaging in dangerous stunts, and generally acting like someone who was actively courting disaster.
The most frustrating aspect was that Pepper had no idea what was driving this behavior. Tony had always been prone to mood swings and periods of intense focus, but this felt different. There was an underlying desperation to his actions that suggested he was dealing with something significant, yet he had shared none of his concerns with her.
Their relationship had become increasingly strained as a result. Pepper's responsibilities as CEO kept her busy with corporate matters, while Tony seemed to be retreating further into his private world of technology and superheroics. They had barely spoken in the past two weeks, the longest period of separation since Tony's kidnapping in Afghanistan.
The parallel was uncomfortably apt. During Tony's captivity, Pepper had been consumed with worry about his safety while being unable to help him. Now, Tony was facing some unknown crisis, and once again Pepper found herself on the outside, watching someone she cared about struggle with problems she couldn't identify or address.