Chapter 34: 34
I knew that we were short staffed that wasn't exactly new information. I just didn't realize how dire the situation had left us. I have never built a successful business before every project I was part of was a scam nothing built to last. Although I know enough to float a company for a few years it paled in comparison to actual experience.
Sure I could use the excuse of not understanding the culture and asked for outside help from individuals like Tony Stark but that would be giving too much power away. Unfortunately for now I just need to wing it and plug the holes as they appear until a better solution could be made or until I get my legs under me.
As for solving my current concern I have a few options. I could try to recruit scientists from this world but there were many issues with this. Likely most of the best scientists would already be working elsewhere or would be heroes possibly villains. Apparently it was hard for the common man to even break into supervillainy without a PhD. (Doctor Octopus, the Lizard, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Mr. Freeze, etc)
My other safer yet risky to myself was summoning individuals from the system. On paper this seemed like the best option I needed someone who filled in the gap. I could easily summon them to push things along. This also came with downsides people would ask questions about where I got these individuals that conviently appear as I needed.
I was certain that although Fury said that he trusted me that was only about as much as a spy trusted anyone. Amanda Waller was another concern unto herself she could easily stand in my way and wouldn't even pretend as to why. If she suspected that I could summon individuals freely she would recruit me aggressively or see me destroyed.
For now I decided to table the issue as I needed to decide on a supplier now that Hammer industries was finally out of the running. This time I would be meeting Lex Luthor in a more formal setting along with Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark. Apparently this was Tony's idea yet somehow Lex and Bruce agreed. How he managed this and why he choose to use this remained a mystery to me.
Lex: Now that we are all here I think we should discuss our involvement in the prosthetics designed by Black Technology
Tony: I thought we'd discuss it over a few drinks before diving directly into the topic
Bruce: Sorry but I can't partake during business the board would have my head especially after I tried to write off taking a yatch full of models as a business expense
Tony: Yatch full of models? You really know how to live!
Lex: Charming story Bruce as always... now if we could focus on the matter we've came for...
"And what exactly did you all come together for? I know it is in regards to the optics but I am unsure of what exactly"
Tony: The goal is to bring the licensing price down and for us to each be given rights in it's production. Hammer industries had no intent to actually receive the license for production of your product they were just driving up cost.
Bruce: Exactly this technology should be available to everyone but at the current bid the only way to make up for the losses would be to raise prices.
Lex: Yes, unfortunately we live in a world where we have to pay for the things that we want instead of just getting them for free. How tragic...
Bruce: That's not what I was saying Lex. According to the original presentation by Julian Black's company the optics were designed to be affordable for almost everyone
I just listened to the back and forth between them wondering which side should I take. On one hand if I followed Lex I would make a lot of money but I was certain that Lex would try to reverse engineer the optics to steal the technology. Lex would try to create their own software for the optics but I was certain that it would be a while before he had anything comparable. Following Bruce's suggestion would still make me a lot of money just significantly less but I would have become a household name and a near saint in the eyes of the common man. I decided to wait and see what Tony had planned first before making a decision.