Pepper arrived quickly, as efficient and poised as ever. After greeting Su Zhan, she gave a concise update on the company's situation. She reminded him that Damage Control, the company she recommended, had been responsible for much of the postwar reconstruction in New York after Stark Industries suffered severe losses. Because of their reliability and reputation, she believed they were the best choice for his new base.
Su Zhan could not help but smile at Pepper's meticulous professionalism. "You're so thorough, it's almost unsettling. Honestly, I'm starting to worry what I'll do if I get too used to having you around!"
Pepper just smiled, saying nothing. Her calm confidence made it clear she was in her element.
"Can you arrange a meeting with the company? I'd like to talk with them myself," Su Zhan asked.
"I know where their office is. It's better if we go directly. If they came all the way out here, it would be inconvenient, and you'll get a better sense of the company in person," Pepper replied thoughtfully.
"Then would you mind coming with me?" Su Zhan asked, appreciating her foresight.
"Of course," Pepper answered. "Do you want me to call Blink for a portal? It's not exactly close to the coast."
"No need. I'll take you there myself. Would you rather fly or go by boat?" Su Zhan grinned.
Pepper considered for a moment, then smiled. "Let's fly. It's convenient—and after last time in the Iron Man suit, I have to admit, it was pretty fun."
They walked to the shore, and Su Zhan conjured a suit of armor for Pepper, crafted from energy and colored a deep green. Pepper's eyes widened in delight as she tried it on. With a thought, boosters activated beneath her feet, and she lifted off the ground, hovering in the air.
"This is incredible! It feels so real," Pepper exclaimed, her voice full of wonder.
Su Zhan smiled, controlling his own energy to fly alongside her. Together, they soared toward Manhattan.
They landed at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, in front of a striking iron-and-glass building: the headquarters of Damage Control. Passersby stared in amazement as they touched down, but Su Zhan and Pepper paid them no mind.
Inside, Pepper handled the introductions at the front desk while Su Zhan observed the company's scale and atmosphere. It was clear that Damage Control was a massive operation, with a steady flow of staff and clients.
Soon, Pepper led him to the top floor, where they met Anne Marie, the company's operations director. Anne Marie was a capable, sharp-eyed woman whose presence radiated authority. Pepper took the lead in the negotiations, her experience and business acumen on full display. Su Zhan was content to let her handle the details, focusing instead on assessing Anne Marie and the company's reliability.
As the discussion wrapped up, Su Zhan spoke up. "Ms. Anne," he said, his tone suddenly more intense.
Anne Marie turned to him, and for a brief moment, Su Zhan used his mental powers to ensure she was telling the truth. He asked about the security of the construction plans, the possibility of backdoors, and whether any blueprints or arming maps would ever be sold or leaked. He wanted to be certain that, if someone tried to target his base in the future, there would be no hidden vulnerabilities.
Anne Marie's answers were thorough and reassuring. Damage Control's reputation was built on trust and discretion. All plans were destroyed after a project's completion, and employees were carefully vetted. Nothing was ever sold to outside parties. Su Zhan was satisfied. He withdrew his mental influence and subtly altered Anne Marie's memory so she would not recall being controlled.
With the final contract signed, Damage Control promised to complete the base within a month and dispatch a team to begin work soon.
As Su Zhan and Pepper left the Iron Building, he could not help but chuckle. "That name is… something else," he remarked, shaking his head.
Pepper smiled. "Now that we're out, do you need anything else, or should we do a little shopping?"
"I'd love to," Su Zhan replied. "Let's get you some new clothes. You came in such a hurry, you barely had time to pack."
Pepper laughed, and the two set off down the avenue. Despite her usual businesslike demeanor, Pepper's style in private was surprisingly feminine and relaxed. After a short while, Su Zhan found himself carrying several shopping bags, each one filled with dresses, shoes, and accessories Pepper had picked out.
He insisted on carrying everything himself. "When you're shopping with a woman, you never let her carry the bags. Besides, you've been working hard—let me treat you."
Pepper smiled, touched by his thoughtfulness. "I haven't had a day like this in ages. I hope I'm not boring you."
"Not at all. I'm just worried you'll get tired. You're in high heels, and your legs are so slender," Su Zhan teased.
They soon spotted a cozy coffee shop and decided to take a break. They set their bags aside and ordered coffee. As the waiter brought their drinks, Su Zhan was about to say something when a sudden commotion erupted outside.
Pepper gasped, startled. Su Zhan turned to look. Through the window, he saw chaos in the street. A car had crashed, and a man was being lifted into the air by a set of mechanical, octopus-like arms—Doctor Octopus, unmistakable in his menacing metal harness, was attacking. He hurled the man against a wall, drawing screams from the crowd.
Su Zhan's eyes narrowed. "Doctor Octopus," he muttered. The man pinned to the wall was none other than Spider-Man, Peter Parker—one of Doc Ock's oldest rivals. Su Zhan watched, amused, as the two clashed with practiced skill.
But then, he noticed something else. Above Spider-Man, clinging to the wall, was a dark-skinned figure with a twisted, monstrous form—Venom.
Su Zhan could not help but smile. "Well, things just got interesting."
The city was about to get a lot more lively.