Nolan glanced at Crystal. In his eyes was a depth that was impossible to notice unless one looked very carefully.
He smiled.
"That description might not be entirely accurate.
"The main cannon of the Imperial Titan is incredibly powerful, but destroying the Moon itself is impossible. Its firepower is not that great."
Crystal had barely begun to relax when Nolan continued speaking.
"However, destroying the Moon and destroying everything on the Moon are two completely different things. If the Imperial Titan fires its main cannon at the Moon, the shockwave created by that level of force would unleash a storm powerful enough to tear apart everything on its surface.
"Nothing could survive it unless it could withstand a world ending disaster."
The Aenian race lived on the Moon in a unique city called Arlantis.
Arlantis served as their sanctuary.
For the Aenians to survive on the Moon, the city obviously possessed defensive systems capable of shielding them from attacks. Otherwise, the harsh lunar environment alone would have destroyed it long ago.
But there was a difference between ordinary natural disasters and a shockwave created by an attack capable of destroying the Moon.
Such a sudden impact would trigger an unprecedented storm across the lunar surface.
Power on that scale had no blind spots.
Could Arlantis withstand it?
Crystal did not want to consider the answer.
Yet deep inside, she already knew.
It could not.
This was not the kind of intermittent lunar storm the city was designed to endure. Even if Black Bolt himself were there, working together with the city's defenses, they would never survive an attack of that magnitude.
"Scared?" Nolan asked casually.
From the corner of his eye he noticed the color draining from Crystal's face.
She tried to maintain her composure, but under the weight of his words, fear was slowly slipping through the cracks.
Tony Stark, however, did not notice anything strange about Nolan's secretary.
"What a terrifying weapon," Tony said with genuine admiration.
If the Imperial Titan truly possessed such destructive power, combined with its other weapons and its ability to move, its deterrence was indeed beyond that of nuclear weapons.
"But if someone misused it," Tony added, his voice turning serious, "it could become a huge threat to the world."
There was real concern in his tone.
Because of the Aenians, Tony had changed his earlier intention to shut down Stark Industries' weapons division and instead participated in the construction of Earth's Defense Ring.
But at least those weapons were designed to defend humanity, not threaten it.
The Imperial Titan was different.
It had the potential to do exactly that.
"This kind of weapon shouldn't even exist," Tony said. "Human nature is flawed. We can't guarantee it will never be used improperly."
Nolan nodded in agreement.
"You're right. That's why the conditions for activating it are extremely strict.
"For normal threats, the Titan base network is more than enough. The Imperial Titan can only be deployed in one scenario, when humanity faces an extinction level crisis.
"At that time, the activation keys will be jointly controlled by multiple nations. Without those keys, this giant machine will simply hang above humanity like the Sword of Damocles."
Of course, that only applied if Nolan himself was excluded.
He did not bother saying that part out loud.
After all, the Imperial Titan had been built almost entirely by him. Every piece of core technology came from his own hands.
Activation keys?
To Nolan, those keys meant absolutely nothing.
"Mr. Lock," Crystal suddenly spoke, carefully controlling the emotion in her voice, "does that mean the Imperial Titan will never actually be used?"
Nolan smiled.
"Oh, it will be used."
His tone remained calm, but to Crystal it sounded like the whisper of death.
"Even if the Titan is rarely activated, once something like this exists, people will naturally want to test its real power.
"After all, no matter how impressive the theory sounds, no one truly knows its capabilities until they see it for themselves."
He paused for a moment, then added casually,
"The Aenians would make an excellent target. They pose a threat to humanity, and I already have a good idea where they are.
"Someone will eventually want to eliminate the threat while also testing the Titan's power.
"Let's see… in about a week there will be a council meeting. I might as well present my proposal there."
Crystal clenched her teeth, struggling to keep her emotions from showing.
One week.
In one week, Nolan Lock would effectively pronounce a death sentence upon the Aenian race.
She had to act before then.
Tony Stark, on the other hand, looked intrigued.
"You know where those Aenian people are hiding?"
His eyes gleamed with interest.
"Tell me. I'd love to test my new Iron Legion."
Tony was a superhero.
But he was a human superhero.
The Aenians were not under his protection.
If he had to choose, he would rather see a potentially dangerous species disappear than risk humanity's safety.
Nolan chuckled softly.
"That's a secret. If you want to know, ask the people at the White House next week.
"I can't let you steal the fun of the hunt."
Tony snorted.
"I should have known. Nothing good ever comes out of your mouth."
Still, he did not push the matter further.
If Nolan Lock already had a plan, then the Aenians would never escape their fate.
The two men continued their conversation calmly, discussing matters that filled Crystal with growing dread.
Thankfully, Nolan had not shared the secret yet.
If the person she needed to kill changed from one man to two, she might truly lose all hope.
She had to strike soon.
She could not be sure Nolan would keep the secret forever.
At that moment Nolan spoke again.
"That's enough for today. Alisa, let's head out. I need to return to the company.
"I didn't bring my Thunder Hammer armor with me this time. It makes me feel a little uneasy."
Crystal's eyes suddenly lit up.
She had just found her opportunity.
Tony Stark barely reacted. Compared to Nolan Lock, the Imperial Titan in front of him was far more fascinating.
Even ten bikini models would not capture his attention like this machine.
Once he left this place, he knew he would never be allowed near the Titan again.
The politicians would make sure of it.
To be honest, Tony himself was already tempted to tinker with it.
"What a shame," he muttered. "Such a magnificent machine, and it was built by Nolan Lock."
Security in the base watched him like hawks. They did not even allow him to touch a single component of the Titan.
Meanwhile, Nolan and Crystal headed toward the underground parking garage.
They encountered no one along the way.
Crystal's heartbeat quickened.
It was unexpected, but this might be her best chance.
Lock Technology headquarters was Nolan's stronghold. During the past months she had never found an opportunity there.
And once he returned to the Titan base later, he would likely be protected by that terrifying armor. The base itself also had extremely high security.
But now…
There was no one around.
"These days the base is finishing its final stage," Nolan said casually. "All the staff are stuck at their stations and can't leave. They'll probably resent me for a while."
In his mind he added silently:
Come on. Make your move.
I have prepared the perfect opportunity for you.
This is your final chance.
Nolan watched Crystal carefully from the corner of his eye.
Crystal, make your choice. If you decide to switch sides now, I can spare you.
After all, I'm not a bloodthirsty person.
Thinking back on his past actions, Nolan felt quite justified in that statement.
Aside from the Hydra Madam, none of the women connected to him had died.
"I'm really too kind," Nolan muttered to himself.
At that moment he noticed the change in Crystal's expression.
They had reached the empty underground parking lot.
If she struck here, they would have at least five minutes to kill Nolan Lock and escape.
With Lockjaw's teleportation ability, five minutes was more than enough.
"Boss," Crystal said suddenly.
She stopped walking and pressed a button on her communicator.
Nolan turned back and looked at her with a gentle smile.
"What is it?"
"My name isn't Alisa," she said.
"I am an Aenian. A member of the royal family. Medusa is my sister."
Nolan widened his eyes slightly in exaggerated surprise.
Crystal's suppressed emotions finally exploded.
"If it weren't for you, I would still be living happily on the Moon. At least for many years we wouldn't have to worry about humanity.
"You guessed correctly. The Aenians really are on the Moon.
"But unfortunately for you, that knowledge will go with you to hell, you bastard.
"For half a year I've felt sick just thinking about what I had to do. Now it's finally over."
Her face twisted with rage.
This humiliation had been building inside her for months.
Nolan sighed.
"I thought after working as my secretary for half a year, you might have fallen for my charm at least a little.
"Seems I overestimated myself. What a shame."
His calm demeanor unsettled her.
Too calm.
Faced with sudden death, shouldn't he be terrified?
Why did Nolan Lock look as though he had expected everything?
No.
Impossible.
She reviewed every step she had taken. She had made no mistakes.
If he had known earlier, he would have acted already.
"Your fate is sealed, Nolan Lock!" she shouted. "No one can change it!"
"You're right," Nolan said.
"But your fate was already sealed the moment you decided to act.
"Don't you think this is all a bit too convenient? You just learned about my plans, and suddenly you have the perfect chance to kill me."
"You planned this?" Crystal asked in shock.
But she quickly regained her composure.
"It doesn't matter even if you did."
She sneered.
"Did you think I came alone? My people are coming. Without your armor you're just an ordinary man. I alone am enough to kill you."
Flames ignited in her palm.
This was her ability.
She could control the four fundamental elements: earth, air, water, and fire.
In addition, she possessed enhanced physical strength.
That was why Medusa believed she was the perfect candidate.
She was young.
But she was powerful.
The flames surged forward.
In an instant Nolan was engulfed.
Crystal smiled.
Nolan Lock had been easier to deal with than she expected.
Even if he knew her identity, he could not possibly know her abilities.
But the next moment the flames dispersed.
Crystal's pupils shrank.
"How are you still alive?"
Nolan smiled.
"Isn't that obvious? If an attack like that could kill me, I wouldn't be standing here."
"That's impossible!"
Crystal launched another attack, summoning the power of wind.
But Nolan remained perfectly calm.
"You can't hurt me," he said lightly.
Crystal trembled with rage.
But it was useless.
Against Nolan's data enhanced body, her powers simply lacked the means to harm him.
Just as despair began to creep into her heart, the air suddenly rippled.
A loud bark echoed.
Lockjaw had arrived.
In an instant the remaining elite warriors of the Aenians appeared.
Medusa scanned the scene.
Aside from Nolan Lock, there was no one else.
She did not know why Crystal had not killed him yet, but this was clearly their best opportunity.
"Well done, Crystal," Medusa said.
Crystal finally relaxed a little.
Even if her own power had failed, there were many warriors here.
Nolan Lock would die today.
"Nolan Lock," she said coldly, "this time you're finished."
Yet Nolan remained relaxed.
He smiled and said,
"Alisa, do you remember the device you brought back?"
Crystal frowned, confused.
Then she saw Nolan pull out a small object, no bigger than his palm.
Her eyes widened in shock.
That device should have been at Lock Technology.
Why was it here?
Of course she recognized it.
"Kill him now!" she screamed.
The other Aenians immediately attacked.
But at that exact moment a low vibration filled the air.
A silent infrasonic wave surged outward.
In the blink of an eye, every Aenian present felt the same horrifying realization.
Their powers had stopped working.