Leon knew the opportunity was ripe. With Tony Stark's reputation with the U.S. military in shambles, arranging a meeting with a general wasn't just easy—it was practically inevitable. Especially a general like the one he had his sights on: the kind willing to walk a fine line between official protocols and shadowy deals, so long as the endgame promised benefits for America.
Leon's strategy was simple yet calculated. He had spent weeks ensuring everything was in place, crafting the perfect scenario to catch the general's attention. The testing site had been meticulously prepared, every piece of gear and equipment displayed to maximize impact. Today wasn't about bureaucracy or small talk; today was about results. And General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross was a man who valued results.
As Ross entered the testing bunker, flanked by aides and a lesser general Leon didn't recognize, Leon was ready. He stepped forward with an affable grin, arms open in a mock gesture of camaraderie.
"General Ross, an absolute pleasure! Still as fit as ever, I see. How do you manage it?"
Ross wasn't one for pleasantries. His eyes scanned the room with military precision, his gruff voice cutting through the air.
"Leon, this better be worth my time. I don't appreciate having it wasted. Spare me the flattery and show me what you've got—or don't bother."
Unfazed by the general's bluntness, Leon's grin widened.
"Straight to the point—exactly what I admire about you, General. Follow me."
He gestured toward the heart of the testing site, where the centerpiece of today's demonstration awaited: a fully equipped T-45 Power Armor unit, standing tall and imposing under the harsh fluorescent lights.
"Before we begin."
Leon said, pacing in front of the armor like a showman ready to unveil one of his masterpieces.
"let me just say that what you're about to see isn't just innovation—it's revolution. A solution to the problems plaguing modern warfare. Affordability, durability, and unmatched offensive capabilities, all in one package."
He snapped his fingers, and the demonstration began. A tester climbed into the T-45 Power Armor, its systems coming to life with a faint hum. The suit moved with an effortless grace that belied its size, catching a tossed handgun mid-air and spinning it theatrically before holstering it. The tester struck a ready stance, and the room's attention locked onto the display.
Leon's voice took on a commanding edge.
"Observe."
A staff member fired a volley of rounds from a standard issue military rifle at the armor. As the bullets approached, a shimmering blue energy shield flared to life, absorbing each shot without so much as a scratch on the armor beneath. The shield rippled, then stabilized, its glow a testament to Uzumaki Industries' cutting-edge technology.
Leon watched as the skepticism etched into General Ross's face gave way to grudging interest. The display was doing its job, and Leon relished every second of the shift. The rhythmic plink of bullets deflected by the shimmering energy shield resonated through the bunker, an auditory backdrop to the demonstration of technological superiority.
Ross, ever the stern realist, folded his arms but stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the armor's performance.
"Energy shields? Not bad."
He admitted, his tone begrudging.
"But small arms fire is one thing. Can it handle heavier ordnance? RPGs? Armor-piercing rounds? What happens when the enemy brings the heavy artillery? Something you'd actually see on the battlefield?"
Leon smirked, a hint of smugness slipping through. He had anticipated this line of questioning.
"Oh, I thought you'd never ask, General. Allow me to escalate the stakes."
He gestured to his team, who quickly prepared a series of more formidable tests.
An assistant wheeled out a launcher, and moments later, an RPG was fired directly at the T-45 Power Armor. The projectile screamed through the air and struck the energy shield dead on. A brilliant flash illuminated the room as the explosion was absorbed, the T-45 Power Armor emerging unscathed. Gasps rippled through Ross's aides, but the general himself simply nodded, his sharp gaze unrelenting.
When the smoke cleared, the armor stood untouched, its shield shimmering faintly before stabilizing.
The aides exchanged astonished glances, while Ross's lips pressed into a thin line—a telltale sign of a man intrigued despite himself.
Leon continued his pitch smoothly.
"The shield isn't just about durability; it's smart. It redirects kinetic energy, dispersing the force outward to minimize strain on the power source. That means even a sustained assault won't breach it without exhausting an enemy's resources. And, of course, the armor underneath? Standard military-grade titanium alloy plating, capable of withstanding a direct hit should the shield ever fail—though, between you and me, that's unlikely."
Leon continued smoothly.
"And that's not all. The onboard battery—proprietary Uzumaki tech, naturally—provides over 336 hours of operational time, shield use included. In case you're wondering, that's two weeks of continuous deployment without recharging. All for the price of 30 million for each unit, with equipment and armament included."
Ross's piercing gaze shifted from the armor to Leon.
"And what about offensive capabilities? A good defense is all well and good, but I need something that wins wars, not just survives them."
Leon turned to his team again, snapping his fingers. The tester inside the T-45 Power Armor retrieved a sleek energy rifle from a nearby rack. The rifle hummed to life, its barrel glowing faintly.
"This, General, is the Vanguard Rifle. Fires superheated plasma rounds capable of melting through tank armor. And thanks to the armor's onboard targeting AI, even a rookie could score a bullseye from 500 meters."
The rifle discharged, its shot striking a reinforced barrier on the testing range. The barrier didn't just crumble; it liquefied, molten metal dripping onto the floor.
Ross didn't speak immediately. He turned to his aides, then back to Leon.
"Alright, I'll admit, this is impressive. But let's cut the theatrics. What do you want, and what do I get?"
Leon clasped his hands behind his back, his tone shifting to one of calculated professionalism.
"Simple, General. You back Uzumaki Industries as the premier supplier of military tech. In return, you get access to exclusive deals and early prototypes like this one. Oh, and I'll even throw in my personal assistance in 'restructuring' Stark's influence. Let's just say… Tony's not going to be your headache much longer."
Ross studied Leon for a moment, his sharp mind weighing the offer. Then, with a slow nod, he extended his hand.
"Fine. You've got a deal—for now. But don't make me regret this, Leon. I don't tolerate failure."
Leon shook the general's hand firmly, a victorious grin playing across his face.
"General Ross, I promise you—failure isn't in my vocabulary."
Minutes later, the demonstration had moved outside the bunker to a rugged testing field designed to push the T-45 Power Armor to its limits. General Ross and his aides stood in a designated observation area, watching as the armor began its open-terrain trial.
The operator inside the suit maneuvered with startling agility for such a massive piece of equipment, crashing through trees, smashing concrete walls, and barreling through abandoned cars with the force of an unstoppable battering ram. Each impact sent debris flying, yet the armor showed no signs of wear.
Ross observed the chaos intently, his arms crossed, his sharp gaze following every move.
"Impressive power."
He admitted grudgingly.
"But what happens when the terrain turns against it? A tank can do all this, but a tank can't move through certain environments."
Leon, standing beside him, gave a sly smile.
"Ah, General, that's where the T-45 surpasses mere tanks. It's not bound by the limitations of traditional ground vehicles. Observe."
As if on cue, the T-45 Power Armor operator directed the suit toward a massive sinkhole that had been intentionally created for the test.
The chasm stretched wide, its edges crumbling slightly under the weight of the suit as it approached. For a moment, it seemed like the demonstration had hit an impasse—until the unexpected happened.
With a sharp hiss, thrusters located in the legs and back of the armor ignited, releasing a brilliant blue flame.
The T-45 Power Armor launched into the air, clearing the sinkhole in a single, controlled arc before landing smoothly on the other side. The ground trembled slightly under its weight, but the suit remained perfectly stable.
The aides gasped audibly, their amazement poorly concealed. Even Ross raised an eyebrow, a rare flicker of surprise crossing his typically steely expression.
Leon turned to the general, his grin widening.
"Flight capabilities built into the armor. Perfect for traversing difficult terrain, reaching elevated positions, or quickly redeploying troops in the field. Tanks can't do that, General. And neither can most other power armors on the market."
Ross remained silent for a moment, his mind clearly calculating the implications. Finally, he spoke, his tone begrudgingly impressed.
"This is a game changer. But flight tech comes with vulnerabilities. How well does it handle aerial threats?"
Leon's smile never wavered.
"General, I anticipated that question. Let's take it up a notch."
He gestured toward a control panel, and a series of automated drone turrets sprang to life in the testing area. The turrets locked onto the T-45, firing live rounds and guided missiles at the suit.
The operator activated the energy riot shield mid-flight, deflecting the incoming fire with ease as the armor zigzagged through the air.
The demonstration ended with the armor landing once more and taking out the turrets with a precision plasma rifle shot.
Ross turned to Leon, his expression grim but approving.
"You've got my attention, Uzumaki. If this is what your company can deliver, we might just have ourselves a long-term partnership. But don't get cocky. I'll be watching closely."
Leon gave a respectful nod.
"I wouldn't expect anything less, General." Inside, though, he was already planning his next move. This was only the beginning.