The adrenaline from the dockside infiltration faded slowly, leaving behind a residue of fatigue from the danger teleport and a heightened sense of caution. The close call with the guard was a potent lesson: [Shadow Instinct] offered incredible evasion and awareness, but it wasn't foolproof against alert, well-equipped professionals. Direct confrontation was still firmly off the table. He needed more layers, more options than just dodging and analyzing.
He had 805 IP and a fresh B-Rank Lottery Chance. Saving for the B+ fusion of his current Aspects felt like the long-term play, but the dockside incident highlighted his lack of any real defensive or offensive capability beyond basic evasion. The empty Aspect slot wasn't helping him right now, but a powerful stored Aspect could be crucial later. He decided to roll the dice again.
"System, use the B-Rank Lottery Chance."
The mental wheel spun, shimmering with potential. Adam hoped for something tangible – energy projection, enhanced strength, anything that offered more than just awareness or movement. The wheel slowed, locking onto a symbol representing impact and energy.
[Lottery Complete!]
[Congratulations, Host! Acquired B-Rank Aspect: Kinetic Absorption (Minor)!]
[Aspect: Kinetic Absorption (Minor) (Rank B)]
[Type: Active/Passive, Energy/Defense]
[Description: Passively absorbs a small percentage of kinetic energy from physical impacts, reducing damage taken. Absorbed energy can be stored temporarily (low capacity) and potentially discharged in unfocused kinetic bursts or used to slightly enhance physical strikes. Active focus increases absorption rate but drains stamina.]
[Integration Cost: 150 IP]
Kinetic absorption. Interesting. It wasn't direct offense, but it was a much-needed defensive layer. The ability to mitigate physical impacts, even slightly, was invaluable. The potential to store and discharge energy, even in a minor way, offered future possibilities. But then came the inevitable notification:
[Aspect Stored. Integration Slots Full (-/3).]
He now had two potentially useful Aspects sitting on the bench: [Data Packet Analysis (C)] and [Kinetic Absorption (Minor) (B)]. He briefly considered swapping out the C-Rank DPA for the B-Rank KA. The defensive boost was tempting. However, his recent successes relied heavily on the synergy between [Accelerated Calculation] and DPA for finding intel opportunities. Sacrificing his primary IP generation method for a minor defensive boost seemed like a poor trade-off, especially since integrating KA would cost 150 IP he didn't have to spare right now. No, the priority remained freeing up a slot via fusion. KA would have to wait.
With that decided, Adam turned his [Accelerated Calculation] and integrated [Data Packet Analysis] towards the dockside footage once more. He focused on the partial logo on the crates and the tactical gear. Cross-referencing the symbols with known corporate designs and underground insignia databases yielded a strong connection. Not Hammer Industries directly, but the specific angular design elements and the coded chatter strongly matched patterns associated with the Ten Rings. His future knowledge clicked into place – Stark's recent escape from Afghanistan (the timeline fit), the advanced weaponry they somehow possessed... It seemed the organization, or at least elements of it, were already active and dealing advanced tech Stateside, possibly selling off surplus acquired during or after Stark's capture. This was a dangerous development.
As he was processing this, news alerts started pinging online. Tony Stark returned to US soil. Press Conference scheduled. Adam immediately pulled up a live stream. He watched, fascinated, as the recently escaped billionaire, looking surprisingly composed, walked to the podium and dropped the bombshell.
"I saw young Americans killed by the very weapons I created to defend them," Stark declared, his voice resonating with newfound conviction. "...And I have decided that I am shutting down the weapons manufacturing division of Stark Industries, effective immediately."
Chaos erupted among the reporters. Obadiah Stane, visibly blindsided and furious, tried to intervene but was brushed off. Adam watched with a smirk. It was happening, right on schedule. His [Accelerated Calculation] instantly analyzed the implications – the immediate, massive dip in Stark Industries stock, the power vacuum opening in the arms market, the inevitable scramble by competitors like Hammer Industries, the increased scrutiny on illegal arms dealers like the Ten Rings.
The world just got a lot more complicated, and potentially, a lot more dangerous for someone like him operating in the shadows. But chaos also meant opportunity.
His path was clear. He needed IP for fusion, now more than ever. The Ten Rings operating in NYC with advanced tech was a direct threat he needed to be better equipped to handle or avoid. Stark's move would shake up the black market, possibly creating new intel opportunities. His next fusion target would be combining [Accelerated Calculation (B)] with the stored [Data Packet Analysis (C)]. That should yield an enhanced analytical Aspect (likely B+), freeing a slot for Kinetic Absorption, and making his intel gathering even more potent.
"System, estimate fusion requirements for [Accelerated Calculation (B)] + [Data Packet Analysis (C)]."
[Analyzing... Potential Fusion: Accelerated Calculation (B) + Data Packet Analysis (C) -> Possible Outcome: Cognitive Stream Processor (B+) or Data Weaver Mind (B+).
Estimated IP Cost: 1000 IP. Success Chance (No Catalyst): 85%.]
1000 IP. He had 805. He needed just under 200 more. He could almost taste it. He turned his attention back to his laptop, the news about Stark still buzzing. The market was reacting wildly. Perhaps, amidst the chaos, there was one more piece of predictive intel he could find, one more quick score to push him over the threshold. The digital ghost logged back in.