Stark International's Big Project

The Factory was so enormous that Aaron estimated that it would take roughly three days to walk across it on foot but he was enjoying the walk as Tanya Stark introduced him to her Company's latest enterprise, The Sentinel Project but although The CEO of Omen had sent him to secure the contract if possible Aaron still had reservations about using Sentinels to round up those with abilities and gifts that the population at large considered unnatural even if they were the result of natural evolution.

"Tell me Ms. Stark... Aren't you concerned by the potential misuse of Sentinel Technology by The Government or by Foreign Nations?"

Tanya stopped., "Yes, of course we at Stark International are concerned by the potential misuse of any of our Technologies but we cannot allow that to dictate our course or turn us from our goal of making The World a better place... And besides we build extensive failsafes into our products to prevent tampering or misuse."

"But that alone doesn't negate the possibility of sabotage or unforeseen malfunctions... Does It?," Aaron asked challengingly.

"No, It doesn't but we test each system, circuit, and mechanical mechanism extensively to iron out any kinks in the operation of the machine overall and we employ some of the best programmers in The World full-time to stay ahead of or to sort out any software problems that could possibly occur.," Tanya replied somewhat irritated.

"Forgive me Ms. Stark. I don't intend to challenge your authority or to imply that Stark International's work ethic is anything less than impeccable but as The Representative of Omen it is my responsibility to thoroughly investigate any potential snags in our working relationship. I personally have nothing but respect for You and Your Family but at the same time I cannot allow it to color my decision. This is after all business.," Aaron stated smoothly and with precisely applied ****.

Tanya visibly relaxed., "I understand but Stark International and all of it's employees have sacrificed a great deal to make this project a reality... In the hopes of making The World that much safer from the growing scourge of SupraNormals."

Aaron's face twisted momentarily but if Tanya noticed his disapproval she didn't give any hint of it., "Not all SupraNormals are Villains out to Destroy The World... Some are just trying to make a living and raise a Family like everyone else. It seems unfair to classify them all as hostile threats and mark them for incarceration or termination because they were born with a few extra or anomalous genes."

It was Tanya's turn now to show her disapproval only Aaron definitely noticed the subtle shift in her facial expression and the stiffening of her posture. It only lasted for a few fractions of a second but it was definitely there.

"She Is Very Controlled... If It Was Someone Else They Likely Wouldn't Have Even Noticed The Look of Disgust That Flashed Across Her Face In That Brief Split Second Before She Consciously Suppressed Her Subconscious Reactions. Intriguing... I'll Need To Be Careful Around Her.," Aaron thought as his mind analyzed the signals her body was unintentionally broadcasting. Aaron took a deep breath and released it slowly, forcing his body to adopt a more relaxed and friendly posture. Tanya seemed momentarily confused... Almost like she was trying to decide whether what was in front of her was real or some phantasmal figment of her subconscious then suddenly the look in her eyes came into sharp focus.

"Do you have any more concerns?," Tanya asked in a soft bordering on submissive whisper.

Aaron gestured with his hand and the two continued walking again., "What is your stance on SupraNormals, Ms. Stark?"

Steel began to seep back into her voice as she spoke., "I feel that they are perhaps the single greatest threat to Humankind since the invention of Modern Firearms."

"But surely you must agree that not all SupraNormals are Evil?"

Tanya nodded stiffly.

"Equating The Powers of SupraNormls to Firearms is in my opinion a bit harsh but I do agree that they share some similarities at least on the surface.... A Gun is a Tool that turns a person into a weapon and depending on the person holding that Weapon. It can be used to protect the lives and freedoms of others or to just as easily take those lives and freedoms..."

"Yes But...," Tanya interrupted feebly.

Aaron held up his hand to silence Ms. Stark., "... That principle also applies to those with superhuman abilities... Some try to use their powers to help others while some use their powers to pursue their own selfish ambitions. It is because of a few bad apples that all superhumans are condemned. It is unjust to sentence the many for the crimes of but a few. There are Millions if not Billions of SupraNormals estimated to exist Worldwide and yet only a handful of them are actively involved in criminal activities."

Tanya was quiet.

"Let me ask you Ms. Stark... Do you think its fair that you and I are treated by others in our own country like second class citizens simply because we do not share the skin color of one of the larger population subgroups?"

Tanya was still Silent.

"... Or have you simply grown numb to it?"

After several moments Tanya spoke., " I Am Not Numb! It is the way of this World. We all survive the best we can but SupraNormals do not merely threaten the survival of the individual but the integrity of the whole as well. I am not the only one that feels this way... Many feel as I do but if it will set your mind at ease... Those that have been cleared by The Governments of The World to operate or given permission to live their lives provided they don't use their powers will not be actively sought out unless they commit some sort of crime."

"Her Stance On This Issue Is Firm... I'm Not Going To Budge Her It Seems. Oh Well.," Aaron lamented to himself.

Aaron had succeeded on sussing out her true feelings on the subject of SupraNormals and he wasn't willing to push the matter any further so he decided to change the subject and steer it back to the topic he was actually here to discuss.

"And what is this if I may ask?," Aaron asked as he gestured to several hovering Sentinels.

Tanya's dour expression vanished and she began to perk up., "Oh That is our New Sentinel Overseer. Can you believe The Civilian Models are roughly the size of a frisbee?"

"You don't say.," Aaron grinned politely as he flashed back to The Cloaked Overseers at The Hospital.

"Oh yes. These are The New Combat-Enhanced Models. More Armor and Weaponry than the previous Model and alot faster and maneuverable despite their increased size."

"Was The Upgrade really necessary?," Aaron asked with genuine curiosity.

"While still serviceable in a limited capacity The Original Overseer Units aren't adequate enough for use against The More Powerful SupraNormal Threats out there so we've designed these babies for tougher threats and have dedicated the remaining Older Models to Surveillance. We've even deployed them to surveil Local Hospitals and Major Population Centers for Any Actionable Threats and we've instructed them to Alert The Proper Authorities."

Aaron was a bit Disturbed by her Enthusiasm but he wasn't about to allow his unease to find its way into his voice. The last thing he needed was to be labeled a sympathizer with SupraNormals especially given his unusual appearance and the mistaken perception that sometimes accompanied it.

"Really, I was just at All Souls Memorial earlier today and I don't recall seeing any of your Sentinels.," It was obviously a lie and Aaron hated lying but sometimes exceptions needed to be made and besides he was in enemy territory despite how friendly everyone here acted.

"Well First, I hope your visit wasn't anything serious.," She said, appraising Aaron with a critical eye like a Jeweler evaluating a new diamond.

"Not at All... Just a Simple Wellness Checkup but Thank You for your concern Ms. Stark."

"Tanya... If you Please.," She said almost a little too aggressive and Aaron could swear he saw the beginnings of a blush on her cheeks.

"Alright Tanya... Call me Aaron."

There it was... That was definitely a blush on her Beautiful Face now, "[Clears Throat]... As to your question. You wouldn't have seen them. They are equipped with The Latest Thermoptic Stealth Technology available... After all we don't want to tip off our target and unnecessarily escalate an already volatile situation and we definitely don't want to panic the public and risk needless deaths due to panic."

"I See.," Aaron said thoughtfully., "A very wise decision if a bit sticky ethically."

Tanya smiled knowingly.

Aaron and Tanya continued to walk and discuss the merits of The Sentinel Program and The capabilities of The Sentinels until they came to a small ground transport similar to a medium-sized automobile.

Stopping, Tanya gestured for Aaron to get in., "You know I was quite impressed with the brief you sent over. It was clear to me within the first couple of paragraphs that it was the work of a formidable intellect and after discussing things with you I can see that not only was I correct in my assessment of you but I didn't give you enough credit. You have a firm grasp of The Sentinel Program's Technology and the hardware upgrades and software updates you suggested are nothing short of Genius."

Tanya started the vehicle and with a barely audible hum they were on their way., "It'll be faster if we drive the rest of the way. You've undoubtedly noticed The Factory is quite massive."

Aaron nodded, making himself comfortable in his seat. Tanya turned to Aaron and resumed their conversation about The Sentinel Program after programing the small work vehicle's on-board computer with the co-ordinates of their destination.

It only took about fifteen minutes for Aaron and Tanya to reach their intended destination, The small car slowed to a stop at the end of a huge corridor which opened into a colossal room and to one side was a gigantic mechanical apparatus reminiscent of a chair or throne and on it sat the gargantuan form of a robotic humanoid and on either side of it were rows of smaller mass-produced Sentinel attack units.

Aaron stepped out of the car and looked up at the colossal mechanical entity and he felt a strange sense of foreboding. Hearing the sound of heels tapping on metal, Aaron looked to his side and saw a smiling Tanya Stark.

"Isn't he magnificent?," Tanya asked with no small amount of awe and wonder in her voice., "I call him Mastermold... and he is The Heart of Stark International's Sentinel Program... A massive mobile factory capable of designing, refining, and manufacturing Sentinels En Masse."

"Hmmm Very Impressive."

Spurred on by Aaron's compliment, Tanya continued to gush about Stark International's prized creation., "Mastermold is capable of producing around 20 of The New Mark 10 Sentinels an hour and The Manufacturing Process is entirely self-contained... All It requires is an ample supply of raw materials and a suitable power source."

Aaron approached the Titanic Mastermold and The Gigantic Machine's huge yellow eyes lit up bright red as it tilted its enormous head down to look at Aaron and Ms. Stark.

Aaron felt a chill race across his spine as the enormous humanoid machine looked down at him.

"Good Evening Ms. Stark and Guest.," Came Mastermold's deep booming voice in greeting, though Aaron got the distinct impression that Mastermold's optics were trained solely on himself.

"Good Evening Mastermold!," Tanya yelled back in reply., "What's the ETA on the newest Sentinel?"

"27 Seconds Ms. Stark.," Responded Mastermold without a second's delay.

"Ah Good.," Tanya turned to Aaron., "It appears we're just in time for you to see the birth of one of Stark International's Sentinels."

Aaron watched with interest as Mastermold's entire body pulsed with tremendous amounts of electrical voltage then his eyes widened seconds later when Mastermold began to countdown., "5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."

Mastermold's enormous chest slid open and a platform extended to reveal a newly constructed Sentinel. Seconds later, A huge hydraulic mechanical arm unfolded from the wall and lifted the newly minted Sentinel from the platform and sat it down on its feet on The Factory Floor not far from where Aaron and Tanya were watching but before Aaron could fully contemplate the implications of such a rapid production rate, The platform extending from Mastermold's open chest retracted and the doors closed only to open again seconds later to reveal another finished Sentinel on the extending platform which was set down near the other one.

"Isn't It Incredible?," Came Tanya's ecstatic voice.

Aaron felt a disturbing sense of Déjà vu as he watched The Sentinels being produced.

"Why Do I Feel Like I've Seen This Before... In Another Time and Another Place?," Aaron thought. He couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom he felt radiating from the mammoth machine.

"And Dangerous.," Aaron finally replied.

"Only to Our Enemies!," Tanya added with Zeal.

"But Who Are.. OUR Enemies?"