The complete T-800 in Nolan's possession was designed as a half-biological, half-mechanical unit. But for now, he had stripped away the unnecessary biological elements. What stood on display was a towering machine, its frame radiating a sleek, futuristic sense of technological artistry. Every detail of its design had been sharpened to evoke awe.
Nolan knew one thing with certainty: the moment high-ranking officers from the military laid eyes on this creation, many of them would not be able to look away. This was not just a machine it was an idea, a promise of what warfare could become.
Even Tony Stark, the so-called golden boy of defense technology, faltered for a split second when he saw the T-800. His eyes narrowed, scanning the humanoid figure from head to toe, clearly recognizing that something about it was beyond ordinary engineering. But Tony quickly recovered, masking his shock behind arrogance.
He smirked, gave a dismissive wave, and muttered loud enough for those nearby to hear, "Obviously still garbage."
Without another glance, he pivoted on his heel and strolled back to the Stark Industries booth, basking in the entourage of officers and industrialists that trailed behind him.
Nolan chuckled quietly.
He knew the truth. The T-800 might be a prototype, incomplete and riddled with flaws. On the battlefield, it wouldn't last more than three minutes before collapsing under its own weight. But it wasn't built to fight not yet.
It was built to impress. And in that role, it was flawless.
"Tony Stark, for all his genius," Nolan mused inwardly, "couldn't build a single T-800 arm right now if his life depended on it. Let him sneer. He's brilliant, but I'm not bound by the same rules."
Nolan adjusted the presentation layout at his booth and then wandered casually toward the other exhibits. His eyes lingered on the shining centerpiece of the expo: Stark Industries. With Tony at its helm, their reputation was unmatched. Every move Tony made attracted cameras, journalists, and eager buyers.
But Nolan clenched his fist, his thoughts sharp as steel. One day, it won't be Stark standing in the spotlight. It'll be Rock Industries.
Tony Stark might be a genius recognized by the world, but Nolan had something far greater an otherworldly system backing him, a cheat code in reality itself. If Tony relied on brainpower alone, Nolan had both brains and the unfair advantage of technology pulled from beyond this world.
And besides, Nolan thought with a smirk, "Who said I don't have brains? I've got the credentials too. Doctor Nolan Rock don't underestimate me."
He shook the thoughts away with a soft cough and returned to observing the competition.
The event was dominated not only by Stark Industries but also by giants like Oscorp and Hammer Industries. The military, ever cautious, would never allow Stark to monopolize the arms trade, no matter how superior his technology appeared. They would diversify, ensuring multiple suppliers thrived.
Justin Hammer was a perfect example of this strategy. Though his weapons were notoriously unreliable and often failed spectacularly, his company thrived because of one undeniable truth his prices were cheap. Sometimes, Nolan suspected Hammer sold weapons at a loss, just to secure contracts and undercut Stark.
Soon, the military delegation arrived. Generals and colonels in full dress uniform headed straight toward Stark Industries.
Nolan didn't mind. He expected as much.
Justin Hammer, however, looked ready to explode. Watching the brass march past his booth without a glance was like swallowing glass. His jaw clenched so tightly Nolan thought his teeth might break.
At the Stark booth, Tony Stark stood tall, confident, and commanding. He spoke with flair, describing each product with a performer's ease, his voice carrying over the crowd.
Finally, with a flourish, he pulled away a draped cloth, revealing a sleek missile behind him. His smile widened as gasps filled the air.
"This," he declared, "is the crown jewel of Stark Industries. The first of its kind, equipped with our newly-developed anti-gravity stabilization system and rapid-response strike capabilities. Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the Jericho Missile the undisputed ruler of modern warfare."
On a large virtual screen beside the missile, footage began to roll. The audience watched as the Jericho missile deployed mid-air, splitting into dozens of smaller warheads. The simultaneous detonations tore apart the test range in a spectacle of fire and destruction.
Even the most stoic generals leaned forward in their seats, their eyes betraying barely contained excitement.
Tony's grin grew wider. "Some say the best weapon is one you never need to fire. I disagree. The best weapon… only needs to be fired once. The Jericho Missile embodies this principle. Its range, destructive power, and precision make it unmatched. It carries Stark Industries' proprietary smart control systems ensuring accuracy beyond anything currently on the market."
A colonel stepped forward, his voice brisk. "Power and accuracy. Those are the two things that matter most."
"Exactly!" Tony snapped his fingers dramatically. "And that's what we deliver. Watch the footage again if you doubt its power. Tell me does anyone here still have questions?"
The murmurs among the officers shifted into open admiration. Many nodded approvingly, jotting notes or whispering to aides. Within minutes, the military had placed preliminary orders for a batch of Jericho Missiles.
Of course, official contracts would require live tests. The Pentagon wouldn't purchase unverified toys, no matter how dazzling the videos looked. But it was clear that Stark Industries had already secured another lucrative deal.
Nolan watched quietly, his expression unreadable. He had to admit Tony's product was exceptional, and his charisma amplified it. Stark wasn't just a salesman; he was a genius whose work sold itself.
But Nolan also knew something Tony didn't. The Jericho missile, as impressive as it looked, would soon lead to Tony's downfall. He recalled vividly how Stark was captured during the field test. Nolan's lips curled into a thin smile. Time to prepare some funds. Once Stark Industries takes a hit, their stock will plummet. That's when I move in and buy shares. Easy money.
The expo continued. The military inspected booths from Oscorp, Hammer Industries, and several smaller firms. They placed minor orders across the board, ensuring balance. Private security companies and smaller arms dealers also roamed the floor, looking for equipment suitable for their limited budgets.
But when they passed Rock Industries' booth, most didn't even slow down. The corner placement, the relative obscurity of the company, and its reputation as a newcomer all worked against Nolan. To them, Rock Industries was untested, unreliable, not worth the risk.
Nolan didn't let it bother him. He waited patiently.
As the expo neared its end, the military delegation finally made its way toward his booth. A colonel who had attended Nolan's earlier private presentation stepped forward, his voice curious.
"So, Mr. Rock… has the SAR-1 Combat Robot been fully developed?"
Nolan's smile was calm and assured. "Of course. The SAR-1 is our flagship model. As I explained before, it is a multi-role combat platform with exceptional stability, durability, and performance metrics. Whether in support fire, reconnaissance, or heavy lifting, it excels. Please, watch this demonstration."
He activated a screen, and a detailed simulation played. The SAR-1 strode across digital battlefields, engaging enemies with suppressive fire, shielding soldiers, and carrying equipment. Its performance was crisp, efficient, and above all, reliable.
Compared to the prototypes from other companies, SAR-1's superiority was obvious. It wasn't flashy, but it was practical.
The officers exchanged thoughtful glances, their interest piqued.
Then, a private security contractor, clearly more pragmatic, asked the most important question of all: "And the price?"
Nolan chuckled. "Eight hundred thousand dollars. That's all it takes to own a SAR-1 unit. Think of it not just as a robot, but as a mobile weapons platform providing firepower, logistics, reconnaissance, and more. If you wish, Rock Industries can arrange live demonstrations in the field."
The number drew murmurs immediately.
Eight hundred thousand was steep, but for elite private military companies and top-tier security outfits, it was attainable. More importantly, the cost-to-value ratio was enticing. One SAR-1 could change the dynamics of a small conflict zone.
Nolan's mind was already racing with calculations. The production cost for each SAR-1 was roughly three hundred thousand, factoring in materials, labor, and logistics. That meant half a million dollars in profit for every single unit sold.
He resisted the urge to grin too broadly. The expo had only just begun, but already, the seeds of Rock Industries' rise were being planted.
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