After parting ways with Steve, Andy returned to Orokin Technology, his mind buzzing with ideas. Steve's suggestion had reminded him of a feature he had long overlooked: armor components.
Some components from the G-series tech were usable, but Andy had always ignored them. They offered only cosmetic effects, nothing that truly enhanced performance. Yet, as he considered the possibilities, Andy realized they were perfect for a different purpose—redecorating and customizing his armor without unlocking appearance tech.
Though they wouldn't drastically change the armor's structure, even subtle modifications could break the monotony of a uniform look.
After a careful search through the G-series archives, Andy found the armor component he was looking for: the Hakuna Armor.
Frankly, it wasn't impressive. Andy had no intention of following its manufacturing process to the letter. Instead, he projected the Hakuna armor into the lab. Its strange shapes hovered in midair, waiting for him to work.
"Audes, help me disassemble all the armor in this projection."
The armor fragmented like shattered building blocks, the external shell separating entirely from the internal core. Andy's fingers hovered over the projection, deleting the messy exteriors with a swipe. Only five core devices of various shapes remained, awaiting his next move.
Instead of touching them, Andy began designing a new armor structure.
Although armor components didn't improve the Warframe's combat abilities significantly, they did provide some defensive support if the armor took a hit. He molded the virtual materials, testing designs that shifted between heavy plating and intricate hollow structures.
None satisfied him. Many looked exquisite, yet they restricted the armor's range of motion. One, carved with a snarling lion, was beautiful but impractical. Andy reluctantly set it aside, keeping only the lion sculpture as inspiration.
Hours passed. Finally, Andy had crafted the perfect external structure: a semi-enclosed armor set adorned with fierce lion faces on every piece. Satisfied, he brought up the virtual projection of the Holy Sword, applying the new armor.
The once-plain holy sword transformed into a wild warrior, its appearance now reflecting raw power. Andy tested the design on Electric Man and Magnetism. Though Magnetism had to wait for now, the Lion Armor suited the other two perfectly.
Next, Andy combined the armor core with the Lion Armor, a crucial step. The core maintained the connection between the components and the armor, ensuring they functioned as one.
When the final piece clicked into place, Andy activated the manufacturing bay. But he wasn't only producing armor components—he was creating energy shields.
These shields weren't just for personal protection. The world had grown dangerously unstable, and Andy needed to safeguard his family and friends. He optimized the shield's output to extreme thresholds; once fitted to an armor suit, each could deliver nearly a thousand shield points.
The energy shield generators were disguised as watches, compact and easy to wear. The production line churned, quickly generating more than a dozen shields. Simultaneously, the Lion Armor components were manufactured at an even faster pace.
Andy equipped the Holy Sword and Electric Man with the armor. Installation was seamless: the armor core automatically adjusted, locking the components into place. Removing them without special tools was impossible.
Once outfitted, Divine Rapier and Electro resembled generals marching into battle. The shoulder armor extended protectively, the chest plate's glowing energy forming the eyes of a ferocious lion. Ankle guards reshaped the calves into a lion's form, completing the transformation. Even the arcs of electricity on Electric Man emphasized the lion motif, giving the suit an imposing presence.
Andy stepped back, satisfied. If Stark mocked him again, Andy knew exactly how to respond: dismantle the Mark series and create something better.
Meanwhile, back in Hell's Kitchen, Kingpin was dismantling Hand's operations with ruthless efficiency. He had crushed their assassins, tossing them into a meat grinder that reduced them to dust.
Madam Gao, one of Hand's Five Fingers, quickly contacted Kingpin.
"Kingpin, why destroy my base?!" she demanded, incredulous. She had no quarrel with him; this action threatened to tarnish his reputation.
Kingpin's response was cold: "Your assassins didn't follow my rules. This is the cost of defiance."
Furious, Madam Gao crushed the phone in her hand, leaving shards scattered across her desk. "Find out immediately what orders he gave."
She slammed the phone onto a nearby assassin's head, shattering it instantly. The assassin didn't flinch, bowing respectfully instead.
"There are 500 kilograms of high-purity goods in that outpost," Madam Gao warned, her gaze icy. "If anything is missing, your heads will pay the price."
The assassin remained motionless, then carefully began cleaning the room, gauging the bloodstains and shattered phone pieces before leaving. The order was clear: retrieve the shipment, and live to tell the tale. Madam Gao wasn't bluffing—any mistake would be fatal.