Chapter 132: 132. Regrets
You can read 68 chapters in advance and GOT fic on -patreon.com/misterimmortal.
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Moony was there, complaining that he was studying to gain knowledge. The Ancient One dragged him out of there to the open training grounds, "Your cookies and milk bowl could spoil a lot of the books in there. Now, tell me why you're here?"
Moony turned his head towards his fur on his back and took out a piece of paper, "Woof,"
"A letter?" She took it and read it. it was a message from Hector. "Hmm, so he sent you here to learn a spell that can help you fight in space? Well, why didn't you come to me?"
"Wuwooo..." Moony argued.
*BONK*
Ancient One didn't understand, but she knocked on his fluffy head, "Hector told me to do this for stealing cookies and milk from the kitchen again,"
Moony, the drama queen he was, made crying noises and rolled on the floor, gaining the attention of some students practising nearby. They all swarmed him and gave him belly rubs. Ancient One just sighed, "You sure are a capitalist, just like Hector. Come with me now. I know the spell you need."
"Woof woof..."
...
Back in space, Veranke had signed a contract to ally with Hector. Now all they needed was an army, and Hector needed to go and talk with the eater of worlds.
But first, he brought Talos to his ship, and from there, they headed out to find a planet to make their new base, an alliance base from where Veranke and Hector will work. It will be created as a base for Skrulls and Hector, or any other ally that will join them later.
He spoke with Talos on the communicator, as both had gone different ways to find a planet, "Send me the information about all planets in Andromeda that have a dysfunctional government or war-like situation are going on. We will take over any of those. The possibility of there being a planet untouched and habitable is rare to none."
"Agreed, President Washington. I don't have a list of all of them, but there were some famously reported ones. I'm sending you the coordinates for them all."
As soon as they got them, it was time to roll. Time was of the essence; the moment the Kree found out what happened on planet Moran, an all-out war would ensue.
...
Time in space went by too fast. Travelling took much of it anyway, and often they would get in contact with time dilation that can slow or fasten time for them.
Just in search of a planet, two years passed. It was taking so long because most of the intel was old. Often times when they arrive at a planet, it's either already uninhabitable or an empire or a warlord has taken it over. But, of course, they don't want any conflict before the big battle, so that they would look elsewhere.
Hector's business was expanding fast, and with his provided missions to the Ravagers Syndicate, he had amassed an armada of 6,420 ships. A majority of them were light warships, but some were bigger ones. A lot of them were also normal transporters.
Due to this, his business empire was ever-expanding, now getting contracts from all places except Sakaar and Kree. Moreover, Shi'ar Empire was also interested in his business, as he transported fast and in large quantities.
Meanwhile, his shop for selling Earthly items on Xandar had now expanded into a whole supermarket. But Hector kept only one outlet to ensure that all items stayed exotic in the consumer's eye. He was simply doing what Apple and Supreme did on Earth. For example, a cup of ramen was sold for 30 Units, about as much as 30 dollars on Earth. But in space, 30 Units could buy one much more significant items.
It was capitalism to the extreme, and Hector didn't care. He was not forcing anybody to take it. It was supposed to be his cash cow from the start.
However, things were ever-changing on Earth. Especially in the life of a warmonger that had grown a bit old.
...
Earth,
Howard Anthony Walter Stark was 80 years old this year. He was a man with many regrets, as he was a capitalist bastard who loved to profiteer on the war until just six years ago.
He made all kinds of weapons and sold them around the world. His company was worth over 30 billion dollars. He believed he was in his rebellious phase for a long time as, due to Hector's policies, he had to adopt a lot of scummy tactics that he was not too proud of.
His eyes had opened, however, a bit too late. So he was trying to do all he could to earn back some of his humanity.
*Ding Dong*
The doorbell of the Stark Manor rang. "Maria, will you see who's at the door? God, I miss Jarvis. May his soul rest in peace."
The door opened, and a bulky, tall old man walked in, he too was as old as Howard, but in a much better shape, "God damn, it feels great not to be the president anymore. God knows how that old man did it for more than four decades."
"Kennedy, come here, take a seat. Dinner is about to be ready. Let's have a few glasses in my study first," Howard called him from the upper floor.
"Ugh... you sure are ruthless in making an old man climb stairs," Kennedy complained while moving.
Howard scoffed, "Shut up. I know you're still strong. While I have to wear bloody diapers... god damn diapers!"
The two old farts sat down in Howard's private study room. No sound could leave or enter there. Howard poured him a glass of wine. "Cheers to your successful presidency,"
"Thank you. Congratulations on letting Tony take the helm of Stark Industries,"
Howard sat down and sighed tiredly, "Yes, I had to do it after what happened in 91. Can't believe the old man saved me even when he's not among us."
Howard remembered the day when he had successfully developed the super-soldier serum and was going to the Pentagon to hand it over and then to a party with his wife. On that lonely road, a man on a motorbike stopped their car at night.
But just before he could harm them, Erik appeared in his X-Men clothes and twisted the man's metal arm. Howard and his wife's life was saved. It was like his rebirth, according to himself. If Erik was not there that night, he'd have one hundred per cent died.
"Huh, it took nearly dying for you to learn your lesson," Kennedy grunted in annoyance. He remembers what a pain in the ass Howard was for Hector.
"I'm regretful for that. Why else do you think I am trying to undo all my wrongdoings? I tried to make Tony understand; however, he's far too young. He doesn't care about where the money is coming from as long as it can maintain his lifestyle. Obadiah Stane has been of a bigger help, however.
"I hope after I'm gone, Tony can also learn his lesson and walk on the right path," Howard said with immense guilt in his voice. He could not sleep ever since he survived the attack. Every night he'd hear the screams of people that his weapons killed. Weapons he illegally sold to corrupt regimes.
Kennedy knew this very well and did not absolve him, "You know, the old man hated you for destroying his work of bringing some peace to the rotten world. I'm actually amazed you're still alive, as he has killed people for a lot less. He must have seen something in you.
"Anyway, what now? Why did you invite me? I was going to go on a date tonight." Kennedy asked.
▃?
"A date? You're eighty, my friend,"
Kennedy giggled proudly, "Hehe, so what? My hammer is still stronger than the Soviets ever had."
"*Sigh* I wish I had similar health, but I am ageing. I could prolong it with the serum, but that's wasted on me. I surely don't have the morals of the old man or Steve. Kennedy, I want to help you gain the upper hand again in Congress.
"I heard you've been losing grip. The new president is also not from your camp. I have money, take as much as you want. I don't want any bastard president to come and undo all the great work he did,"
Kennedy rubbed his clean shaved chin and thought, "Hmmm... money will surely help, but I'd rather appreciate dirt on various scandals of representatives and senators."
"Done, I will get it," Howard agreed instantly. He'd do anything at this point to keep Hector's legacy going. But sadly, he could not know that the old man was still alive and kicking alien asses.
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