Disclaimer: This is a fan-created story inspired by elements of MCU & DC Comics, including Krypton and its characters. This work is purely for entertainment and is an original reinterpretation of existing lore. All recognizable characters, settings, and concepts belong to their respective creators and rights holders.
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Chapter 46 — A Deal with a Genius
After leaving the black market hub in Hell's Kitchen, Von and Koryn walked several blocks through the crowded streets of New York. The city was alive with noise—cars rattling along the road, distant factory whistles, and the endless murmur of people trying to survive another day.
Koryn glanced around cautiously.
"This world is… chaotic," he muttered. "Mortals everywhere. Noise everywhere."
Von simply smiled faintly.
"Chaos often breeds opportunity."
They soon arrived at a modest brick building where the name Arthur & Associates — Legal Services was written on the glass door.
Von knocked once before entering.
Inside, shelves filled with law books lined the walls. A tall man stood behind a desk reviewing documents.
"Good day," Von said calmly. "I'm Von, and this is my butler, Koryn. We are here to seek legal advice to purchase a vast piece of land in the corner of New York near Hell's Kitchen."
The man looked up.
"Come in," he said, standing and offering a handshake. "I was expecting you. William already informed me about your situation. I'm Arthur. Nice to meet you."
Arthur appeared to be in his early thirties. He had broad shoulders, sharp features, and a posture that looked more like a trained fighter than a courtroom lawyer.
Koryn leaned slightly toward Von and whispered quietly.
"He looks like a soldier."
Von nodded faintly.
Arthur motioned them to sit.
"So," Arthur said, "how much land are we talking about?"
Von answered without hesitation.
"I want to buy about 10 acres of land."
Arthur froze.
His pen stopped moving.
"Ten… acres?" he repeated slowly.
He leaned back in his chair, clearly troubled.
"That is… not a small purchase."
For those who don't know how large 10 acre is
📐 Example sizes
Acres
Size (square feet)
Simple idea
1 acre
43,560 sq ft
about ¾ soccer field
2 acres
87,120 sq ft
about 1.5 soccer fields
5 acres
217,800 sq ft
small farm size
(AN: it is about roughly 7-8 football field wide)
Arthur tapped the final number.
"Ten acres would be about 435,600 square feet."
He looked directly at Von.
"That's enormous… especially in New York."
Koryn crossed his arms.
"And the problem?"
Arthur sighed.
"The government will notice immediately. Land purchases that large trigger zoning boards, city planning offices, financial investigations… it becomes a bureaucratic nightmare."
Von remained calm.
"Can it be done?"
Arthur thought for a moment.
"Hmmm… I want to help you," he admitted. "But at that size we will encounter a lot of trouble. Especially here in New York."
He leaned forward.
"But I do have connections inside the government."
Von's eyebrow lifted slightly.
"Oh?"
Arthur nodded.
"If we structure the purchase carefully… shell companies, staggered ownership filings… and perhaps a little political persuasion…"
He smirked.
"…we might make it happen."
Von stood.
"Good. That will be sufficient for now. Update me once you make progress."
Arthur nodded.
"Of course."
Outside the office, Koryn looked at Von.
"What now, my king?"
Von turned toward the skyline.
"Now we visit the genius who will unknowingly help build our future."
Koryn raised an eyebrow.
"You mean the Stark?"
Von smiled.
"Yes."
"Let's go to Stark Industries."
The Stark Industries headquarters towered over the surrounding buildings.
Inside the lobby, a receptionist greeted them.
"Good day. How may I assist you?"
Von stepped forward.
"Good day. I am here to present a business proposal to Mr. Howard Stark."
The receptionist blinked.
"Did you file a scheduled meeting with the president?"
"No," Von said calmly. "We just arrived from another country. Please deliver this notebook to Mr. Stark. Once he sees the contents… he will understand the value of the proposal."
The receptionist hesitated.
"…Alright. Please wait."
She handed the notebook to an assistant.
Upstairs, inside Stark's personal lab.
Machines covered every surface. Engines, metal components, experimental parts—it looked less like an office and more like the playground of a mad scientist.
The assistant approached.
"President Stark, someone wants to meet with you. We blocked them since they don't have a scheduled meeting. But they said once you see the contents of this notebook… you'll understand."
The assistant handed him the notebook.
Howard Stark flipped it open.
His eyes widened.
"…Hmmm."
He flipped another page.
"…Fascinating."
Another page.
Then he leaned back.
"Call them in, Tracy."
Moments later, Von and Koryn entered the lab.
Howard looked up.
"So," he said casually, holding the notebook, "what's the deal?"
He tapped the pages.
"Do you even realize how important the contents of this notebook are?"
Von nodded calmly.
"Yes."
"And that is precisely why we want to make a deal with you."
Howard leaned forward with interest.
"Go on."
Von spoke.
"We are currently purchasing land in the outskirts of New York bordering Hell's Kitchen. Unfortunately, that acquisition may attract government attention."
Howard smirked.
"And you want Stark Industries to smooth things over."
"Precisely, we know you have a close relationship with the government."
Howard flipped the notebook again.
"But before we talk business… explain this."
He pointed at a diagram of a propulsion system.
"This is a propulsion evolution chart. Turboshaft, turboprop, turbofan, turbojet… and even ramjet concepts."
Von stepped closer.
"You understand it already."
Howard leaned back.
"Explain your logic."
Von began calmly.
"A turboshaft engine converts combustion energy into rotational shaft power rather than thrust. The turbine spins a shaft which can drive machinery like helicopter rotors."
Howard nodded.
"Right."
Von continued.
"A turboprop uses the same turbine energy but drives a propeller through a gearbox. Instead of high-velocity exhaust, thrust comes from moving large volumes of air backward."
Howard leaned forward.
"Efficient for slower aircraft."
Von pointed at another diagram.
"A turbofan introduces bypass airflow. The fan pushes a massive volume of air around the core engine. Most thrust comes from that bypass air rather than combustion gases."
Howard grinned.
"Fuel efficient and quieter."
Von nodded.
"But the real breakthrough is here."
He tapped the next diagram.
"Turbojets focus on pure exhaust velocity. The compressed air burns fuel and exits through a nozzle at extremely high speeds. Ideal for high-speed aircraft."
Howard's eyes lit up.
"Supersonic potential."
Von continued.
"But beyond that… the compressor becomes unnecessary."
Howard froze.
"…What?"
"Ramjets use forward motion to compress incoming air. No compressor blades. At high speed, air compresses naturally before combustion."
Howard stood.
"You're describing missile engines."
Von nodded again.
"And beyond that… scramjets."
Howard blinked.
"The airflow remains supersonic through combustion."
He stared at Von.
"That would allow speeds above Mach 5."
Von smiled slightly.
"And finally…"
He pointed to the last diagram.
"Rocket propulsion."
Howard spoke quietly.
"Fuel and oxidizer carried onboard."
"Exactly," Von replied. "Meaning propulsion without atmospheric oxygen."
Howard looked stunned.
"This… this progression changes everything."
He leaned back in his chair slowly.
"This invention will redefine war."
He tapped the notebook.
"No more land wars."
He looked up.
"Air warfare."
Von nodded calmly.
"I know."
Howard studied him carefully.
"And you brought this to me because…?"
Von's answer was simple.
"Because you are one of the brightest minds in weapon technology."
He paused.
"And because you are a businessman with integrity."
Howard smirked slightly.
"You've done your homework."
Von extended his hand.
"So… Mr. Stark. do we have a deal?"
Howard stared at the notebook again.
"…What exactly do you want in return?"