Chapter 22 : Gunfire

It couldn't be mistaken—it was Howard Stark!

Rorschach's eyes lit up.

What was someone of his status doing in a cheap dive like this?

Was the legendary playboy stalking some girl? Waiting to make a move?

Rorschach couldn't help but entertain the thought.

After all, when it came to womanizing, Howard Stark made even Tony Stark look like an amateur. The man had no shame—not even when it came to his friend's wife.

What a savage.

"Wait a minute…"

"At this point in time… S.H.I.E.L.D. must already exist, right?"

"Howard wouldn't be here just for fun… he's probably on a mission."

With that possibility in mind, Rorschach suddenly perked up. If something was going on, he might be able to trigger a quest.

"Raven," he said, pausing mid-step, "If Caliban's really as sensitive as you say, maybe it's best if I wait outside. Don't want to spook him."

Raven glanced back, but didn't question it. "Caliban's inside. I'll handle it. You stay here."

She disappeared into the back.

Rorschach slid into a seat and casually ordered a drink. Outwardly, he was just another loner at the bar.

But inwardly, he was laser-focused on Howard Stark.

And sure enough, his patience paid off.

"Sir, it's been over two hours. Are you sure he'll show?"

The young bartender continued wiping glasses, his tone hushed as he spoke to Howard Stark.

No wonder old Henry was "sick." This kid wasn't a temp bartender—he was an agent. S.H.I.E.L.D., most likely.

"He'll come," Howard said, calm and confident. "The Soviets don't forgive traitors—especially not scientists. We're his only shot at protection."

"Still, why hasn't he shown yet?"

"Would you waltz into a place like this without checking it out first?" Howard replied coolly. "He's probably already here, watching."

"Understood, sir."

The whispered exchange ended there.

They thought no one could overhear in this noisy tavern. They didn't know Rorschach was listening.

"A Soviet defector… a scientist?"

Rorschach's mind worked fast.

Could it be… Anton Vanko? The father of future villain Ivan Vanko—Whiplash?

The timeline did match.

If Stark was here for him, then this was a historical moment.

A big one.

Maybe even a mission trigger…

Squeak.

The tavern door creaked open again.

A rough-looking middle-aged man stepped inside. Nobody paid him much attention.

Nobody except Howard Stark.

His eyes lit up.

Bingo.

Anton Vanko.

"I told you," Howard said with a smug grin, downing the last of his drink. "He'd show."

Then he walked over with that signature Stark confidence, wearing the smile of someone who thought ten steps ahead.

"Charlie! You made it!"

"Don't even talk to me about it," Anton muttered. "Hans is a bloodsucker. I finished waxing and he still made me re-wax. Total nightmare."

They chatted casually, making their way to a quiet corner.

Only then did Anton pause and squint.

"You're Howard Stark?"

"Of course," Howard said proudly. "I'm basically famous. Don't tell me you didn't check me out before showing up."

"I did. But you could've been a shapeshifter for all I knew," Anton replied coolly. "But hey, disguises are easy to test."

He leaned in and asked a complex technical question—something only someone like Stark could answer.

Howard nailed it.

Anton nodded, finally convinced.

"Alright. You get to see what you want now."

Anton pulled out several folded sheets from inside his coat.

Howard scanned them quickly—and smiled.

Bingo again.

They were fragments of Anton's groundbreaking energy research. Not complete, but enough to see the direction.

It was real.

And with it, Howard Stark's vision for the Arc Reactor could become reality.

"Perfect," Howard said. He tucked the papers away. "Let's go."

But just then—

Click.

A bearded man suddenly stood from a nearby table. Gun in hand. Aimed directly at Anton Vanko.

Gotcha.

Did Vanko really think the Soviets wouldn't track him to New York?

"Look out!"

One of the tavern waiters lunged, tackling Howard and Vanko to the ground.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gunfire erupted. Chaos exploded. Screams and shouts filled the room as people scrambled.

But not Rorschach.

He stayed where he was, calm as ever.

Because at that very moment, his system interface blinked to life.

[New Quest Generated:]Objective: Protect Howard Stark and ensure he remains unharmedReward: 50 Origin Points

"Fifty?" Rorschach blinked.

Only fifty? That felt… low.

Killing Sabretooth got him a hundred. This? Half that?

Then again, these weren't A-tier enemies. Just foot soldiers. Grunts.

Fair enough.

Still, a mission was a mission.

And Rorschach was already moving.

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