When I opened my eyes, the bright fluorescent lights caused me to squint. I blinked a few times, and the blurry figures hovering over me began to come into focus.
"Looks like he's waking up," one of the figures said.
A man in a white coat leaned in closer. "Lucas, can you hear me? I'm Dr. Smith. You're in the hospital. You've been through a lot, but you're going to be fine."
I groaned, trying to sit up, but a sharp pain in my shoulder stopped me. "What happened? The Expo...?"
Before Dr. Smith could answer, another familiar voice chimed in. "Lucas, it's Pepper Potts. You were shot during the incident at the Expo, but you're safe now. The Expo is secure, thanks to you.
I turned my head to see Pepper Potts and Tony Stark. I was too tired to care if I was in trouble or not.
"I'll leave you to it, Ms. Potts, Mr. Starks." The doctor said before walking out.
Pepper looked at me with concern. "How are you feeling? Is there anything you need?"
"Just some answers," I said weakly. "What happened?"
Tony crossed his arms and looked at me with an expression that I couldn't read. "You saved the day, Lucas. The Ghost Dragons managed to lock down the Expo, but you were able to hack into our security system and override the lockdown. You also managed to reboot our security bots and get them to assist in the evacuation. Without your help, the situation could have been much worse."
"So, I'm not in trouble?" I asked, still processing what Tony told me.
"Look at this guy. Saves the day and then asks if he's in trouble." Tony shook his head, but I could at least tell his tone was teasing.
"You're not in trouble, Lucas. In fact, we wanted to thank you. You showed great courage and initiative, and you saved a lot of lives," Pepper said with a smile.
"But you're also extremely lucky. You took a bullet to the shoulder, which could have been a lot worse. You're going to have to take some time off work to recover, but with some rest and physical therapy, you should make a full recovery."
"Only worked for Stark Industries for a little over a month and I get shot. I didn't see that fine print." I joked. I groaned after my chuckled. The wound was sensitive to movements.
"Hey, at least you're alive." Tony said. "And not to mention you're the talk of the town."
"I'd rather not." I groaned. "I stop two robberies and then help the spider people save the Expo. I'm gonna have to stay inside to avoid the media."
"Well, I can't blame you. But you did help a lot of people. I know for a fact you'll be part of the family for a while." Tony said.
"I hope you'll have time to attend the ceremony, Lucas," Pepper added. I blinked in surprise.
"Ceremony?" I asked.
"We're hosting a special ceremony to honor the brave individuals who helped prevent a tragedy at the Stark Expo. We're also going to award a few people with special medals for their actions. I'd love for you to be there."
I scoffed. Last thing on my mind was getting awarded. I was only living by my philosophy, 'If not me, then who?'.
"I just did what anyone else would do in those situations. I don't deserve a medal," I said, shaking my head.
"You're too modest, Lucas. You're a hero," Tony said with a smirk.
There was a knock on the door. I looked over to see a very familiar face come through.
"Hi. I'm Cindy Moon, from the Daily Bugle. Sorry to interrupt, but I was supposed to tell you that I'm a friend of Peter's." She said.
Tony raised an eyebrow and then smirked. "A friend of Peter's, huh? Well, Lucas, looks like you've got friends in high places."
He turned back to me, his expression softening. "Listen, Lucas. You did something incredible. You stepped up when it mattered most, and that's something to be proud of. Take the time you need to recover. We'll be here for you, and when you're ready, there's a place for you back at Stark Industries."
Tony then looked at Cindy. "Ms. Moon, I'm sure you understand the importance of rest and recovery for our hero here. Maybe you could help us by not making him too much of a celebrity just yet.
"Cindy nodded, smiling warmly. "Of course, Mr. Stark. I'll make sure he gets the peace he needs."
Tony gave me one last pat on the shoulder. "Get some rest, Lucas. You've earned it." The two of them left and Cindy entered.
"Mr. Rojas, it's Cindy Moon from the Bugle. We met at the Expo. I heard about what happened and wanted to see how you were doing," she said, her voice filled with genuine concern.
"I've been better. Just another day in New York, right?" I responded with a chuckle.
"I'm glad you're okay. You're a real hero, you know that?" Cindy smiled at me.
"Thanks. But I was just doing what anyone would have done in those situations. If not me them who?"
She nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of professional interest and personal concern. "I won't take up too much of your time. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. If you don't mind, I might write a piece about the incident, highlighting your bravery. I was hoping to conduct some interviews about you. You've been in the news quite a lot recently."
I looked at her and sighed. I wasn't comfortable with all this, but I also didn't want to be rude to Cindy. "I don't really want to be in the spotlight, but I guess it's better to get the story out there, and it's only fair to give you the scoop. I just ask for some time to process everything. I'm sure you understand."
"I do. I'll make sure to contact you before I submit anything to the editor. Here's my card. Please, give me a call when you're ready. I can interview you here, or after you're discharged. I don't mind either way." Cindy handed me her business card. "I'll leave you to rest now. Get well soon, Lucas."
"Thanks, Cindy. I'll be in touch."
With that, Cindy left.
As I lay here with a bullet wound in my arm, I think back to the things that happened to me that led me here. Being shot with the possibility of death really makes you reflect on things.
Where to begin? The beginning is always appropriate. Lucas Rojas. 27 years old. I moved to New York for a fresh start after my fresh starts. Most people don't get to start over. They have to lay in the bed they made. But I didn't have that choice as a kid. I suffered at the consequences of others.
My mother and father were a powder keg ready to explode. I don't know if it was because of personality or the Hispanic culture, but they're romance was a firework. The passion was there, and it burned hot. But once the explosion was over, everything went to sh##. I was born. And I was already at a disadvantage. I had ADHD, but no one knew. I was all over the place, and it drove my mother crazy. Can't say I blame her though.
At age six, they finally divorced. And the moment she could, my mother joined the military. That was my first taste of the lifestyle that would shape me. I lived all over: Kentucky, California, Maryland, North Carolina, and Florida. The lifestyle was chaotic but interesting. But on a personal note, my mother was a broken soul. She was a single mother with a child that had ADHD. I applauded her for keeping it together for as long as she did. But that patience ran thin too.
I was emotionally and mentally abused. I'll say it. While the rest of the world held their breath when the Fantastic Four was heading off disasters, I was trying to survive my own. I was torn asunder. I was a good kid. I was a bad kid. I was a smart kid. I was the stupidest kid. Which one was I? I had no stationary foundation. I had no confidence. I tore myself apart. And it caused me to want to take my own life.
I'll tell you what it was like to grow up without a hero. Captain America came out of the ice and the US was roaring with cheers at his revival. People believed again. I wanted to believe. But I didn't. I didn't feel this patriotism my mom and her new husband had. Captain America was supposed to be a source of hope, but he wasn't for everyone. I don't blame the guy, how could he know that someone like me was struggling. I was a nobody. And if I couldn't believe in him, then who could I truly believe in?
I had no one. I was alone. I grew up alone. On the outside I looked normal enough. But on the inside, I was a mess. I had no one to talk to, no one to turn to. I was drowning in my own thoughts and feelings, and there was no one around to throw me a lifeline. But I finally had enough. When I was of age I left home. I didn't care if my mom begged me not to go. The consequences that I suffered from weren't mine, but the results of the people before me. I wasn't going to suffer any more, so I joined the Army.
At seventeen I joined the military. The sooner I left the better. I became a 25B, an IT Specialist. I learned about technology and the evolving world that came with it. The military beat the structure into me, and I was grateful. Sure, I had the opportunity to leave the lifestyle, but I kept it going. Ten years later, the military had been a part of my life for twenty years. I'm basically retired.
At the end I couldn't progress anymore in my career. I didn't meet the threshold for promotion, and I had to go. But the transition program gave me an opportunity of a life time. I was able to intern for Stark Industries. I learned so many things that I would have never know before. I brought my skills and knowledge, and they gave me the top quality tools to use.
I want to say that I'm no hero. I'm impulsive and rash. My ADHD was the bane of my existence. I couldn't retain information I wasn't interested in. My motivation waned. And the one thing I took with me from my youth was depression. Perhaps all these choices I made to save people were more so selfishness than selflessness. Each time I ran into danger, I wasn't thinking about saving people. I was thinking about doing something, anything. My body knows justice. Just not justice for me. My mind knows kindness, just not for me. My life changed when Mr. Stark welcomed me into his world. I finally found a place where I belong.
"Alright. Let me sit and pull out my notes. I'm ready to start when you are." She looked at me thoughtfully. "Lucas, you've been through so much recently, especially at the Expo. What drives you to step into danger and help others, even when your own life is at risk?"
I took a deep breath, meeting her gaze steadily. "Do you want what's good for the paper, or the truth?" Cindy leaned forward slightly, her expression sincere.
"The truth, Lucas. Your story is important, and I want to tell it the right way. Just be honest with me." I smiled sadly to myself. Anyone else would be ecstatic to be known as a hero. They would tell this reporter everything. They would probably embellish some parts and lie about others to look good. And they would accept whatever medal they'd get at this ceremony Mr. Stark is talking about. But I don't feel like any of that. Selfishly, to be called a hero is good enough. At the very least I'm not who I used to be.
I looked to the floor and nodded.
"I don't know." Was my response.
Cindy paused, letting the silence stretch for a moment before speaking softly. "It's okay not to have all the answers, Lucas. Sometimes the truth is just as much about the questions we ask ourselves as it is about the answers. What do you feel when you're out there, helping people? What drives you in those moments?"
I opened my mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come out. Was I afraid? Was I afraid of being judged for the real reason I did it?
"Can I ask you a question before I answer?" I requested.
Cindy nodded, her expression attentive and reassuring. "Of course, Lucas. Ask me anything."
"What drives you to want to pursue these types of stories?" I asked.
Cindy took a deep breath, considering her answer. "I guess, for me, it's about making a difference. Growing up, I saw a lot of people struggling and felt helpless. Journalism gives me a way to shed light on important issues and the people who make a difference. It's my way of trying to help, to give a voice to those who need it. And sometimes, it's about finding hope and inspiration in places where it's least expected."
I didn't expect that answer. I'll be honest, I wasn't thinking about what the answer would be. I wanted to hear her motivation, her reason for doing what she did. I was hoping to find a bit of confidence once I knew her reason.
"The reason I put myself out there like that is simple. I have a personal philosophy I developed. It helps me in making snap decision in incredibly important moments like the Expo. I call it 'If not me, then who?" I said.
Cindy nodded, looking thoughtful. "So, when you see a problem, you feel compelled to act, even if it puts you at risk?" Cindy nodded, a look of admiration in her eyes. "That's a powerful philosophy, Lucas. It takes a lot of courage to live by that, especially in situations as dangerous as the Expo. I think that kind of mindset is what makes you truly heroic, even if you don't see it that way."
Heroic. Hearing it is so much different than feeling it. I've been called a hero and yet I feel like I'm the farthest from it.
"The truth is that I'm being selfish when I make those decisions. When I do something to save people, it's not because it's the right thing to do. I do it because not doing makes me feel... worthless."
Cindy leaned forward, her expression softening. "Lucas, I get it. Sometimes, the reasons we do things aren't always clear-cut or noble. But that doesn't diminish the value of your actions. You've made a difference, saved lives. Even if you're driven by personal feelings, the outcome is still heroic. It's okay to struggle with these feelings. What matters is that you care enough to act, and that makes you more of a hero than you might realize."
I chuckled a bit.
"You're good at this interview thing." I shared.
Cindy smiled. "Thanks, Lucas. I just want to make sure your story is told honestly. Your experiences and feelings matter."
I took a deep breathe. I feel a tiny bit more confident.
"Alright. Ask away." I said.
She started by asking me about my background and motivation, which I answered. She then asked me about my military experience, which I also explained. She also asked me about my personal philosophy, which I also shared with her. Finally, she asked me about the Stark Expo incident and how I felt about being called a hero. She also asked me about my challenges and struggles, as well as my aspirations for the future. She also asked me about my support system and whether the incident at the Expo had changed my perspective on anything.
"What do you hope people take away from your story?" Was her final question.
I stayed silent for a moment. A message behind my actions. What I hope people would see...
"That the only thing holding us back is ourselves. We're all capable of doing anything. All it takes is the right motivation." I answered.
Cindy nodded thoughtfully, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "That's a powerful message, Lucas. Thank you for sharing your story and being so open. I think it will inspire a lot of people."
She began to pack away her notepad, but I was still curious about some things.
"One more thing. When you approached me at the Expo, you asked my name. I realized, my name never made the news. How did you know who I was?" I asked, hoping to catch her off guard.
Cindy hesitated for a brief moment, but quickly composed herself. "I did some research for my article. Stark Industries keeps detailed records of their employees, especially those involved in key projects. Your name came up during my prep work. I wanted to make sure I had accurate information for my story."
"And they give them away like that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Cindy gave a small, apologetic smile. "Well, not exactly. I might have pulled a few strings and used some of my contacts to get the information. It's part of the job, you know. Making sure I have all the facts straight. But I promise, it was all above board."
"My last question. Who is Peter? And who is he that Mr. Stark let you in the room when you mentioned him?"
Cindy paused. "Peter Parker. He's a close friend of mine and... well, let's just say he has a special connection with Mr. Stark. They've worked together on a few projects. When I mentioned him, it was just to vouch for me being here. I wanted to make sure you were okay, Lucas." It felt like she chose her words carefully.
My heartbeat quickened. Not because I was nervous, but there was this pulsing gut feeling that compelled me to ask. The "benefits" of ADHD. I overreached.
"You barely know me. You name drop an associates of Mr. Stark to... see if I'm ok?" I wasn't angry, but if the military taught me one thing, it was to pick apart the facts people tell you. The military, at the end of the day, was a business and filled with politics.
Cindy's expression softened slightly, and she took a small step closer, lowering her voice. "Lucas, I know it might seem strange, and honestly, I hesitated coming here because I wasn't sure how it would come across. But sometimes you meet people who make an impression on you. Your bravery at the Expo... it struck a chord with me."
She paused, glancing down for a moment before meeting my eyes again. "Mentioning Peter was a way to get in here, yes. I thought it might help smooth things over with Mr. Stark. But my concern for you is genuine. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."
I studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright, Cindy. I appreciate your concern. It's just... in my experience, people usually have an angle. But if you say it's genuine, I'll take your word for it."
I paused, then added with a small smile, "You showing up here... it means something. So, thank you. Maybe actions do speak louder than words."
Cindy smiled back. "I'm glad I could make a difference. I know what it's like to feel alone, and I'm grateful you're not going through this on your own. I have to get back to the office to write this up. I'll send you a copy when it's done, if that's okay."
"Well, that's a bit of a shame," I said with a playful smirk. "Means I won't get to see you again."
Cindy chuckled softly, a hint of a blush on her cheeks. "Who knows, Lucas? Maybe our paths will cross again sooner than you think. Take care of yourself."
"I'm counting on it. Until then." I gave her a small wave. She returned the gesture and left the room, closing the door gently behind her. As soon as she was gone, I let out a heavy sigh and leaned back against the pillows, my head spinning. Cindy Moon. I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation. Maybe our paths would cross again, and I looked forward to it.
The familiar doors of Stark Industries opened. I had to use my other hand since my arm was still tender. My heart was racing, but for the first time in a while, it was for a positive reason. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I walked down the hall and to the elevator. I entered and managed a relaxed sigh.
"Mr. Rojas."
"F### jeez!" I yelped. One thing I didn't miss. "Good morning, F.R.I.D.A.Y." I said with a sigh.
"I'm sorry for scaring you. You may have been aware of my presence. I'm an artificial intelligence system that was created by Mr. Stark to assist him in his work-"
"F.R.I.D.A.Y.," I chuckled, "I didn't forget you."
"I'm glad. Mr. Stark, Ms. Potts, and the rest of the Stark Industries staff are pleased to see you back in the company. They are waiting for you in the lab."
"Did you just give away my surprise welcome back party?" I inquired with a chuckle.
"I'm sorry. I was told to tell you where to go upon arrival. I did not inform you of the surprise." F.R.I.D.A.Y. defended.
"So, there is a party. You're smart, F.R.I.D.A.Y. But not smart enough to lie." I teased.
"I am an artificial intelligence. I do not have the ability to lie. However, I can misinform. For example, I can tell you a lie of omission, by failing to correct assumptions. For instance, you assumed there was a surprise party, but there is no proof of this. I may simply be taking you to the lab as instructed. There is no guarantee of a surprise party." F.R.I.D.A.Y.'s tone was calm and patient.
The moment the doors opened there was a torrent of applause. There was a holographic banner that said 'Welcome back' and a cake.
"No guarantee of a surprise party, huh?" I asked F.R.I.D.A.Y.
"Well, now you know." The AI quipped.
"You're not as innocent as you like to act." I joked.
"I'm not sure what you mean, Mr. Rojas." F.R.I.D.A.Y. replied.
"The hero hath return!" Tony said with a laugh. "Lucas, how's the shoulder?"
I shrugged. "Well, I'm not dead so I'd say pretty good." I grinned.
Pepper chuckled, giving me a hug. "How are you?"
"Better. Still a little sore, but I'm okay," I said.
"Well, we're glad to have you back. Now, you need to get back to work. We've got a lot to cover." Pepper said.
"Yes, ma'am," I replied with a salute.
Pepper rolled her eyes and Tony laughed. "Kids, always a riot."
Tony looked at the cake. "I think it's time for that slice of cake!"
"It's also time for Lucas to get to work. You can have cake after you've finished your assignments." Dr. Patel said.
I sighed. "Alright, alright. But first, a piece of cake."
"I'll take you up on that deal." Dr. Patel said with a chuckle.
It was nice being back. A sense of normalcy in all the crazy sh## that's happened to me so far. I looked at the cake and a grin formed.
"Yeah, I'll start with cake.
The morning started like any other. It had been a month since the Expo attack. I was back at work, and everything seemed to be going smoothly. My shoulder was almost back to normal, and I was getting back into the swing of things at Stark Industries. I woke up every morning and jogged the neighborhood. I'd go home and get ready for work. I'd go to work, then go home to sleep and repeat.
I looked at the clock. I was early for work.
I arrived at work and got to my desk. Work was the same except for one particular day. I had decided to eat breakfast out. There was this place I'd see on my way to work. The Moondance Diner. It was a typical diner, nothing special. But the food was good, and the atmosphere was nice. Plus, it was cheaper than eating at a fancy restaurant.
I decided to give the diner a try. Upon entering I felt like I went back fifty years. The interior was all booths with checkered floors. The ceiling was made of red and white tiles.
"A seat for one, sir?" A waitress asked.
I nodded.
"This way, please."
I followed the woman to the booth. As I sat down, I glanced around. The diner was full of people, some eating, others chatting, and some reading the newspaper. The air was filled with the scent of coffee and the sound of chatter. My eyes roamed the diner until it landed on a familiar face. Without hesitation I stood and walked over.
"This seat taken?" I asked Cindy Moon.
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, hi! No, no, go ahead. Please."
I slid into the booth. The waitress handed me a menu.
"My name is Jenny and I'll be your server today. What can I get you?" She asked.
"Orange juice. And a banana nut muffin." I ordered.
"I'll have the same." Cindy said.
"Two orange juices and two banana nut muffins. I'll be right back with that." With that the waitress left.
"Hi, Lucas," Cindy said shyly.
"I promise, I was not stalking." I joked. Weird joke. So, I had to stick to my guns. "I had this place on my mind for a while now and decided to give it a try. Imagine my surprise to see you here."
Cindy laughed nervously. "I come here often. I like the atmosphere and the food is pretty good too. It's a nice little place to relax and get away from it all."
I nodded. "I can see why. It's definitely got that classic diner vibe. Thought I was on the set of Back to the Future."
Cindy giggled. "I love that movie. I can totally see Marty McFly sitting in one of these booths."
"Oh, so you're a fan." I said.
"Of course," Cindy said. "Who isn't?"
I paused a moment before talking.
"I, uh, I got your article. And I wanted to say thank you for leaving my name out of it. I really appreciate it." I thanked her.
Cindy smiled. "Of course. I promised you I would. I hope the article wasn't too negative."
"Nah, it was fine. 'Hero man saves day for a third time. He can't keep getting away with this!'" I read the title in a mock-serious voice.
Cindy chuckled. "Well, it's true. You've been in the news a lot recently, Lucas. You're going to have to lay low for a while to avoid attracting any more attention."
"If I keep bumping into Daily Bugle's number one journalist, I might have some trouble doing so." I said with a smirk.
Jenny returned with our orders.
"Here you go. Enjoy." Jenny smiled and walked away.
Cindy picked up her muffin.
"Well, it looks like the Daily Bugle will have to find another hero to write about. I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon," Cindy said.
We both chuckled.
I raised my glass of orange juice. "To staying out of the spotlight."
Cindy raised her own. "To staying out of the spotlight."
We clinked our glasses together and took a sip.
As I ate my muffin, I couldn't help but glance at Cindy. Her eyes were focused on the paper in front of her. I was stick between wanting to charm her and not bothering her. And quite frankly, I felt like I overstepped by coming over. I felt my stomach turn in knots.
"You know, I've read your articles on the Spider-Men and Silk," I said.
She looked up with a surprised look. "You did?"
"Well why not? I felt honored to have anything written by you." I smirked.
She blushed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Thank you, Lucas. That's very kind of you," Cindy said, her voice soft.
"Those spider people were very nice. Very fun too." I said.
Cindy chuckled. "They're not bad. You know, I actually met Spider-Man once. Well, I didn't meet him per se, but I did see him in action."
"I was able to work with them. And I have to tell you, I might have a crush on Silk." I admitted, jokingly of course. After running into Silk three times, why not?
Cindy blushed deeply, her eyes widening. "Oh, really? Well, she's pretty amazing. I mean, who wouldn't have a crush on her?" She smiled shyly, her cheeks still tinged with pink.
"You're saying I have competition? Well, that's unfortunate. I actually met her twice before, and I have to say, she's quite the charmer." I admitted.
Cindy's blush deepened, and she laughed softly. "Well, I'm sure she'd be flattered to hear that. And who knows? Maybe she's got a soft spot for you too," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Whoa... my heart just did a backflip and were talking about someone else. I hid my anxiety behind my cheekiness.
"I hope so. I'm a pretty great catch," I joked.
Cindy giggled, her smile growing. "Oh, I'm sure you are. Just don't let it go to your head," she replied, playfully rolling her eyes.
I smiled at Cindy. I don't know what the hell is happening, but I can't take my eyes off of her.
"Are you single?" My mouth said. It outpaced my brain for sure.
Cindy's eyes widened slightly, and a blush crept back onto her cheeks. "Um, yeah, I am," she replied, a bit flustered but smiling. "Why do you ask?"
Oh... she answered the question. I can't not continue. Can't get nervous, not allowed.
"I would like to know if I could see you again sometime after this. On an unofficial capacity, of course. Some might call it a date." I answered.
Cindy's smile grew and her cheeks flushed. "I'd like that, Lucas. I'm free on Friday night, if that works for you," she said.
"Friday sounds good. Sounds perfect. I'd like to see you again... In a friendly manner, of course." I said.
Cindy chuckled softly. "Well, I'll be looking forward to it. And Lucas?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad I ran into you this morning. I'm not sure I could've handled the awkwardness of asking you out. So, thanks," Cindy said with a smile.
I was shocked to hear Cindy admit that. It was cute.
"You? Awkward?" I teased.
"Okay, maybe not awkward, but I definitely would've chickened out if I had to be the one to ask."
"W-wait. Ask ME out?" I said.
"Yeah. I had this whole speech planned out and everything. But you beat me to the punch. So, I'm glad you came over to my table."
"I...You... you were going to ask me out? I mean the last two times we met was between the Stark Expo and a hospital bed. Neither too romantic I can assure you." Suddenly I'm happy that I came to this diner.
"Yeah, I know. But I thought, hey, what the heck? Might as well give it a shot. And I'm glad I did. You're a really cool guy, Lucas. I'm looking forward to Friday," Cindy said, a gentle smile on her face.
I grinned. "Me too, Cindy. Me too."
I left the Moondance Diner feeling on top of the world. I looked down at my phone to look at her number for the umpteenth time. Met the girl twice and suddenly I have a date this Friday. Am I that mesmerizing? Kidding. Can't get a fat head because an attractive girl said yes to a date. I know it was just my luck. But the more I thought about it, the more I wondered. What if she only agreed to not embarrass herself? Damn you brain.
"Hey, F.R.I.D.A.Y.?"
"Hello, Mr. Rojas. What can I do for you?" F.R.I.D.A.Y.'s pleasant voice responded.
"Did you wait for me to call out to you so you wouldn't scare me? I noticed when I was coming up the elevator." I pointed out. You'd think after working here for so long I'd get used to her voice telling me good morning in the elevator. But, I can never NOT jump.
"You are very observant, Mr. Rojas. And no, I didn't wait for you to call out to me. I've been programmed to be aware of your presence and alert you to my presence, unless otherwise instructed."
Bull... She doesn't want to admit it, but F.R.I.D.A.Y. can be considerate, as much as she likes to claim being programmed for this and that.
"Thanks, F.R.I.D.A.Y. Is there any work that needs to be done today? Or can I catch up on paperwork?"
"No, Mr. Rojas. Currently, Dr. Patel is out of the office doing errands. Mr. Cho, Ms. Williams, and Ms. Carter are in. Also, Ms. Hill is here, she expressed she wanted to speak with you."
"Dr. Patel's out of the office? I didn't even know she could be out of the office. She's basically married to her job. Should I be worried?" I asked.
"Not at all. She is meeting with a representative of Oscorp. She has scheduled the meeting for most of the day."
"Oscorp, huh? Well, that's interesting. I wonder what they want with us. I guess I'll find out when she gets back. Thanks, F.R.I.D.A.Y.."
"You're welcome, Mr. Rojas. And by the way, congratulations on your upcoming date." .D.A.Y. said. You sneaky A.I..
"Wh- H- Ah-" As much as I wanted to respond, she left me speechless. Knowing her, "programmed" herself to tease me.
"Y-yeah. Th-thanks, F.R.I.D.A.Y."
"My pleasure, Mr. Rojas. Have a good day."
I finally composed myself and took a deep breath. Alright, time to meet with Maria Hill.
I took the elevator to a different floor. I knocked on the door to Maria Hill's office.
"Come in, Rojas." Hill's voice called out from the other side.
I opened the door and stepped inside.
"Good morning, Ms. Hill. You wanted to see me?" I asked.
Maria Hill, former member of the security agency S.H.I.E.L.D.. At one point she was the head of the organization, and then she retired. That's all I know about her.
She stood behind her desk, reviewing some documents on her tablet. She looked up as I entered, her piercing blue eyes meeting mine with a mix of intensity and professionalism. Hill was dressed in her signature no-nonsense attire: a dark navy suit jacket over a crisp white blouse, paired with tailored pants that emphasized her commanding presence. Her hair, jet black and sleek, was pulled back into a tight ponytail, revealing her sharp, defined features. Despite her stern demeanor, there was a sense of underlying warmth and respect in the way she interacted with those around her. Glad to know that this secret organization didn't take away her capacity for kindness. The Army does that to people sometimes.
"Good morning, Mr. Rojas. Yes, I wanted to check in on you and see how you're doing. How are you feeling?" She asked, her voice softening slightly.
"Much better. I'm getting back into the swing of things at work, and I'm feeling good overall. Just, you know, the shoulder." I answered. She nodded her head. She gestures for me to sit.
"I apologize for calling you out of the blue. It pertains to the terrorist attack on the Stark Expo. I'm sure you've been interviewed a great many times, but there were some things I wanted to clarify. Your situation was especially concerning. Stark systems being compromised at the level they were, we want to make sure everything's in order." She explained.
"I understand. I'm happy to answer any questions you have." I assured her.
"Well, first off, let's talk about your role in the Stark Expo incident. I know you told your side of the story to the authorities and the news outlets. What I want to know is the state you found the systems in when you locked down our assets and had to override certain things. We're our baselines wiped or something else? And please know that our conversation is confidential. This will be going to Mr. Stark for review." Maria informed.
"I understand, and I'll do my best to answer your questions. As I shared before, Dr. Patel told me to secure Stark assets. I knew that a terminal was one floor above, since the Stark Convention Center floor didn't have any. Silk, one of the heroes, took me and when I approached the terminal, there several things I noticed. One, I was able to log in, but immediately noticed that my information was being logged. I could tell because the terminal had slowed down once in, which shouldn't be the case. While locking down our assets, I checked the logs and found a program was running to send my info to an outside source. I managed to block it, but it took away from the terminal's resource in ensuring the lockdown." I explained.
"Second, while I was trying to lift the access for the show floor, I was being monitored. My inputs were being repeated back to me. I noticed the delay, but at the same time I had to get the task done. Once I had, I disconnected the terminal from the network and kept the data safe for recovery." I concluded.
"And you're sure it was the Ghost Dragons? Not a disgruntled employee or hacktivist group?" Ms. Hill asked.
"I'm positive. They used a zero-day exploit to compromise the system. Which is crazy because the zero day exploit would have hit our network in a specific way to take it down. We have redundancies in place to safeguard against that. And yet it hit the redundancies too. Which meant whoever did the cyber-attack part had plenty of resources to do it." I shared.
"Could it have been an insider?" Ms. Hill asked.
"I thought of that at first, but the way the attack was designed...it had to be an outsider. If it was an insider, they'd already have access to the system. They'd either make it seem like someone else did it or erase their logs. Or they would do both. But you can't erase the system you accessed."
Ms. Hill nodded. "That makes sense. Thank you for your time and your answers, Lucas. I'll pass on your information to Mr. Stark, and he'll take it from there."
"Thank you, Ms. Hill... If I may. Is the investigation still not done?" I inquired.
"They're still conducting their interviews and investigating leads. Unfortunately, we don't know if the attack is over." She answered. That's concerning. The attack was over a month ago and they're still looking into it.
"I see. Well, hopefully you and Mr. Stark will be able to figure it out. I hate to think there's a cybersecurity threat out there that's capable of doing what the Ghost Dragons did."
"We're working on it, don't worry. We won't let them get away with what they did. And if they're still out there, we'll stop them." Hill's words were comforting.
"Is that all?"
"For now. I may have some follow-up questions later, but for now, you're good to go."
"Thank you, Ms. Hill. I'm glad I could help." I said with a nod.
"Anytime, Lucas. I'm always here if you need anything. And again, I'm glad you're doing well."
"Thanks again. I appreciate it." I gave a final nod and went to my floor. With Dr. Patel gone I went to the others who were present to help out on their projects. One of them was Samantha Carter. She was ex-military like me, except she was an officer. Even though we both were out of the service, I enjoyed teasing her by saluting. I saluted as she was walking by.
"Ma'am."
"At ease, soldier." She rolled her eyes and gave a faint smile.
"How's it going, Sam?"
"It's going. I'm working on a project for Oscorp. It's a partnership, so Dr. Patel is the lead, but I'm assisting her with some of the technical details. How are you, Lucas?"
"I'm doing fine. Got a new cool bullet shaped scar in my shoulder, so that's cool right?" I said with a slight chuckle.
"That's awesome. Adds character. Maybe you'll have a story to tell your grandkids one day," Sam said with a grin.
"Well, if I get that old, sure." I sat by a nearby chair. Her part of the office was separated by a glass wall. A desk, a terminal, her computer, and a large screen to see and share data. But the best part was the military memorabilia she decorated it with. Her awards, commands, achievements, and coins. Lots of coins. She saw me looking.
"I'm not sure I can count all of those." I joked.
"Well, I've got a lot of years in, Lucas. It adds up. Eventually they want to stop writing the paperwork for awards and just dig into their pockets for a coin instead. I would know, I was one of them." She joked. I laughed. Military stuff.
"What's this with Oscorp? And why am I just hearing about it today?" I asked.
"It's a contractual thing. The terms are vague, and the document is thick as hell. But in short, we're helping them with cybersecurity measures for their research labs and facilities. They're trying to beef up their protections, and I guess they figured who better to help them than Stark Industries?"
"Ironic as we just survived a cyber-attack." I pointed out.
"I know, but apparently their proposal was submitted prior to that. And hey, it's good to work with them. More money is good, and the security challenge is intriguing. Plus, it's not like we're going to be working on any sensitive projects for them. We'll just be helping them improve their own security."
"Well, I'm happy to hear we'll be working with them. Anything else in the pot? I'm free until Dr. Patel comes back and gives me the next hip thing." I asked.
"Oh, we've got a few things in the works. Nothing major at the moment, but I'm sure Dr. Patel will have something for you once she gets back from her meeting. In the meantime, why don't you help me with this? I've been struggling to come up with a secure authentication system for these guys, and I'm hoping you can offer a fresh perspective. I'll pay you with lunch." She offered. I was about to answer until my phone went off. As I pulled it out, I couldn't unlock my phone fast enough to read the text Cindy sent me.
Cindy: Hey! I was thinking...how about dinner tonight? :)
Whoa that was quick. Went from Friday to today.
Lucas: You sure? You have until Friday to turn me down for our first date.
Cindy: Haha, well I don't plan on turning you down. How about 6 at my place? I'll send you the address.
Lucas: Yeah, I'd love to.
Why do I feel like a teenager suddenly?
"Hot date?" Samantha asked. My mind was somewhere completely different.
"Huh?" Was the sound I was able to coherently reply with.
"That puppy dog smile you had on your face. I'm guessing you just got a date with a lucky lady?" She asked.
"Yeah, it's just a, uh, a friend. A friend of a friend. She's a friend of a friend. You know, a friend's friend." I replied. I said friend too many times.
"I see. Well, I hope you have a good time with your friend's friend. But don't let it distract you from the job at hand. Because we've got work to do, mister." With that I stood and pocketed my phone, my motivation sky rocketing.