Leo spent the rest of the day collecting his new "toys" into special boxes that he had prepared at Stein's request. The power armor and the special Wardrobe with the prepared individual suits were placed on special pallets, as their combined weight was excessive.
Around 19:00, a large van arrived at Leo's villa. The driver was Happy , a reliable security guard whom Stein had known for many years, he pushed all the boxes and pallets into the van, after which he got into the car with Leo.
Leo knew that the next few hours would be quite boring, so he took out his scroll and started playing the recently created game. Despite the respectable age of 6 years for a portable device since its release, the scroll is still the flagship on the market. Some companies, especially at exhibitions, created games specifically for the scroll. Often these games were created with the purpose of showing off the capabilities of the engine and the company, although players did not really care about this.
Around 8:30 PM, Leo and Happy were driving across the Brooklyn Bridge when suddenly Leo felt a blow and his vision went dark.
Leo came to almost instantly, then looked around. To his left was Happy , lying in the airbag. Leo unfastened his belt, then winced. He felt his right hand filling with blood from a new huge bruise. Leo immediately checked Happy , he lost consciousness due to the force of the impact. If it weren't for the airbag and the belt, Happy could have died. Leo passed out due to a large overload of 2-3 g.
- Hello, ambulance? There's a space shuttle that crashed on the Brooklyn Bridge. At least one person was injured in the crash ... No , he's unconscious... No, there are no visible injuries... Yes, he's wearing a seatbelt. You better send a few ambulances. There's a lot of people hurt here.
Leo quickly called an ambulance . After which he took a closer look . The area was so-so. The side reference was a black and white mess from a space shuttle, and almost nothing was visible on the left. Leo, without thinking twice, used his glove, which had Kinesis and Stasis modules installed. He calmly knocked out the front window with Kinesis , and then climbed out onto the hood of the car.
It just so happened that Happy managed to brake at the last moment. There were only 3 meters left from the edge of the bridge cliff, because the shuttle managed to touch and drag the van about 5 meters behind it. Less fortunate drivers were either crushed to death or pushed into the water. And due to this cause of the accident, almost everyone in the next 50 meters got into an accident, simply crashing into each other.
- Alla, Uncle Stein? It's me, Leo.
- Hi, Leo. Are you calling out of boredom?
Stein's voice was calm and kind. It was clear from their conversation that this was not the first time that detailed calls had taken place.
- Not exactly. We had an accident here. An unusual one , though.
- Are you okay?
For Stein, the most important thing was Leo, after all , during all the time they spent together, Leo became almost a son to Stein.
- Yes, Happy managed to brake in time. I'll show you the video now.
Leo then showed a video of the surrounding area.
- I understand. I'll help with the evacuation and pick you up with the van. Don't go anywhere... And is Happy okay?
- Yes, he just passed out from the blow. I've already called the ambulance .
- That's great, I'll also mobilize your company's vehicles so that this all ends faster . See you later.
After finishing speaking, Leo looked around again. In front of him was the biggest traffic jam, consisting of hundreds of cars that crashed into each other, on the left was a large cliff overlooking the sea, on the right was the empennage of the shuttle, as well as a large amount of debris.
And behind him was the culprit of the accident himself.
Leonardo's heart pounded wildly in his chest, so loudly that it drowned out all other sounds.
Leo wanted adventure?
He got them.
And he realized that he could die.
At that moment, Leo envied mutants and Logan in particular more than ever before.
Logan was super strong , super fast, super durable , super resilient , and super tough.
Leo wanted to be that strong.
And for some reason Leo felt an inexplicable "something" pulling him towards the shuttle. The boy couldn't explain what exactly was pulling him, he was as if in a trance, entering the shuttle. He tore the door open with Kinesis , and then went inside.
As expected from a shuttle, everything inside was nailed down, there were practically no objects that could move freely. There was some kind of compartment behind an obviously heavy and strong door, but Leo was not interested in it.
- Hm? What is this?
Leo felt like he was stepping on something slimy, it was only a few millimeters thick, but Leo could feel the difference.
Lifting his leg, he noticed some kind of mush from a cellophane bag on the floor, which was now spilling over the edge.
Leo ignored the package, as well as the strange feeling he felt in the shuttle, and then went to the pilots.
The pilots themselves were in spacesuits, but due to the unsuccessful landing, both of them had their seats and even their seat belts locked. And even the seats flipped onto the floor.
In other words, they sat upside down.
And after 4 hours of continuous hanging upside down, death occurs.
Leo didn't think twice before lifting the unfortunate astronauts and their chairs and placing them properly against the nearest wall.
Leo looked around again, but still didn't find anything interesting, so he exited the shuttle.
The next 4 hours were extremely monotonous.
Leo woke Happy up and filled him in on the situation, and then they both checked the contents of the van. Thanks to the straps and chains that were firmly attached to the built-in shutters of the van, everything remained in place.
Leo also made a note to ask Stein to at least write Happy a bonus.
Then the rescuers arrived to look at everyone who might have fallen to the bottom, medical assistance and the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The Ministry of Emergency Situations began to clear away the human rubble, handing over the wounded to the doctors, of whom there was an abundance here. Most of the "first line" vehicles were practically crushed, and therefore the Ministry of Emergency Situations spent a long time and persistently cutting out the vehicles to get the victims out.
Leonardo managed to call Jean and tell her what happened, calming everyone in the mansion.
Well, when it became obvious that the bridge would not be opened anytime soon, since the road surface and the bridge ropes were damaged, Stein called a cargo helicopter to pick up the van and Leo and Happy .
And so this crazy day ended.
××××××
The next morning was a little strange. Leo got out of bed, washed himself, and ate while listening to the news from the day before.
An unexpected magnetic storm passed by the shuttle and disabled some systems, which led to the crash. Because of this, 40 people died, but if this magnetic storm had passed on the ground, many more people would have died, because most of the complex electronics would have simply broken down.
Then Leo realized how fragile human life and ordinary technology are.
A little later, Leo went with Stein to a special site for the presentation of new toys. Yes, Leo was taken along, because if something happens, he will be able to explain the features much better.
And at the end of the hour of waiting, during which the site was being prepared, the military made an announcement.
Leo didn't recognize the four men, but he did recognize Rhodey . Leo couldn't remember his exact rank, but he was the contact for Stark Industries.
- Nice to see you. I know we're all busy people, so I suggest we get straight to the test.
Stein was a man of action, and immediately after greeting he got down to business. The military were not against it either .
- Let's start with something simpler . This is the Sniper Rifle "Seeker". Despite its very modest weight of 7 kilograms, the shot power is comparable to that of the Barrett M82 rifle, and the sighting range is about 1500 meters. In non-combat mode, the rifle folds. Rhodey , help conduct the tests .
()
- Yes sir.
After that, Rhodey took the rifle in his hands and began shooting at light armored vehicles. There was nothing strange in the test, since it was just a note of a large and bulky Barrett .
- What is the approximate lifespan of shots?
- About 5000, then you will need to change the barrel. It can be up to 10000 if you clean and service it on time.
Stein answered the questions quickly, as Leo wrote down detailed passport details.
- Is there anything else?
- Not exactly a combat one, but I can't help but show you the next one. This is a laser wide-beam cutter. It can cut most types of solid materials , even melting through composite armor. Unfortunately, the range and rate of fire leave much to be desired.
()
Although Stein spoke somewhat devastatingly about the weapon, he still fired at a column of reinforced concrete. The half-meter column could not withstand such power, simply collapsing. After that, he fired a mine that destroyed a reinforced wall similar to those used in fortified areas. It became obvious that this weapon was very useful in storming such structures.
- Holy shit...
Rhodey couldn't help himself, as usually powerful explosives and rocket launchers were used for such cases .
- Yes, but for now it's just a prototype.
Stein showed this cutter specifically to knock out at least some funding for the development of such technologies. He is sure that this batch will be bought out immediately, but he is not sure in what volume.
- Next we have another experimental model of weapons - the Pulse Rifle. Don't be afraid of the bulkiness of this rifle, it weighs 2.7 kilograms, and with a magazine 3.2 kilograms. The sighting range is 500 meters, high shooting accuracy, low noise and a decent rate of fire. Not to mention the caseless projectile and built-in rocket launcher .
()
After that, Stein began shooting targets on his own. The usual steel targets used in shooting galleries and training grounds, as well as concrete blocks, did not withstand 200 hits.
- The US Army is interested in this rifle, but we need more testing. The volume of purchases will be determined after the tests.
Rhodey didn't even need to consult the other experts to figure that out.
- Excellent start, there are still several small arms ahead. I will present them together. The Power Pistol is designed to destroy buildings, as well as light armored vehicles. And our masterpiece, the Power Cutter, is designed for pinpoint destruction of armored targets .
()
Stein immediately used the Pistol's normal fire to blast the brick wall to shreds, followed by alternate fire to destroy the reinforced concrete frame at a greater distance.
The cutter, when fully charged, began to pierce tank armor, despite all the layers and active protection.
A minute later, the military committee immediately issued its assessment.
- The army is ready to buy the Pulse Rifle, Power Pistol and Power Cutter for special units right now. The number of purchases will be discussed later. What about armor?
Stein started talking about the Wardrobe station, which individually customized a new type of armor that replaced bulletproof vests up to and including type 4. And that's not to mention the IKS - individual self-sufficiency complex !
However, the military was not particularly interested in such an overly complicated technology. Despite the excellent protection, this kit limited the movement of soldiers, tied them to stations, and therefore the military abandoned this equipment.
Stein realized this and therefore suggested other armor.
- This armor is somewhat simpler, but much more versatile. This set of power armor is designed for open combat and support of armored vehicles. The installed armor is enough to withstand a direct hit from a missile. This power armor also has an air filtration system and radiation protection.
()
The ease of use of this armor, independence from the station, autonomy, large power reserve, as well as relative cheapness conquered the military. This armor will be mass-produced under the designation T-51 and T-60.
Stein was very excited about today's presentation and the upcoming contracts.
However, Leo, who had recently experienced a situation in which he could have died, was somewhat upset.
Leo wanted every soldier in his country to be well-provided for, to have the best chance of survival, but the military decided to better strengthen every 100 and 1000 soldiers with new gadgets in the form of power armor and Titans, respectively.
The legendary confrontation between the "shield and spear", which has been going on since the beginning of human civilization, and which actually ended at the end of the last century, was due to the fact that there were not enough materials for making "Shields and Spears".
Now?
Now it is much easier and cheaper to make a powerful "spear" that will kill people by the hundreds and thousands.
And Leo was a little scared by this.
Stein noticed how depressed Leo looked, so he decided to talk to him.
- Leo, why are you so sad? Your inventions have been adopted. It is your inventions that will protect our country. Isn't that a reason for joy and pride?
Stein put his arm around Leo in a fatherly gesture, trying to support him.
- I just don't understand why my suits with IKS weren't accepted. I didn't work on the weapons for that long, and I made the power armor in practically one evening. I spent most of my time creating IKS. A full-fledged multifunctional armor that will be effective in any conditions. It also completely protects against most small arms, with the exception of very large calibers. Why weren't they accepted?
It wasn't the first time Stein had talked to Leo, and therefore he knew that he had many traits from his mother, who always tried to do the right thing. Leo believed that by strengthening the army, he would protect his country, and therefore he went to meet him.
Now Leo doesn't know what to do. He learned that life is fragile, because just one accident could take the lives of dozens of people.
- You see, war doesn't work the way you think. No one exchanges weapons with their opponent and waits for the opponent to respond. If the military bought your IKS, they would be able to arm, for example, 10,000 soldiers. Now they can arm 1,000 soldiers who can compete with armored vehicles. Having bought T-51 and T-60, they can fight much more quickly and swiftly, reducing the time of the war itself. Thus, in the event of any conflict, far fewer people will die.
- Clear…
Leo understood the logic his uncle was trying to convey to him. Leo had never been to war, even war games like strategy games didn't appeal to him, they were too boring and monotonous.
- So you can consider ICS as your secondary project. As a basis for your future inventions, which will definitely surpass your current creations.
- Okay, I get it. I won't dwell on it ... And I'll focus on creating BB now, so I won't be able to do anything else for a while.
Stein just chuckled.
- Don't worry, rearmament is a long process. Your creations won't enter the mass segment sooner than in 3-4 years. While these weapons are tested, while the approximate number of purchases is agreed upon, while we re-equip our factories for production.
- Well, that's good.
- Yeah, so let's go to Stark Industries. You wanted to see your grandfather's projects, right? I'll give you a tour and make a list of what you need for your lab. The builders will have time to add another underground floor.