Location: Stark Industries Research & Development Wing, New York – August 1943
The next morning, the secured R&D wing of Stark Industries was in full swing. Engineers and technicians worked on early-stage prototypes under the watchful eyes of military inspectors. The weapons Rayn had introduced—the AK-47, MPX, and semi-automatic rifle—were being reconstructed based solely on the detailed blueprints he had provided.
Rayn stood at a drafting table, carefully sketching a simplified modification of the AK design—making it easier to manufacture with the limited metallurgy of the 1940s. Though he wasn't trying to revolutionize war technology for glory, he knew the balance of power was a fragile scale—and every pound of steel mattered.
Howard Stark walked in with two mugs of strong black coffee. "You're already up and redesigning my factory, Colonel?"
"Figured I'd save your engineers a headache," Rayn replied, not looking up. "You'll need an entirely new assembly line for the rotating bolt system. These aren't like M1 Garands."
Howard chuckled. "You're turning me into a factory of the future overnight. You know that, right?"
Rayn finally looked up. "That's the idea. And I'll keep providing weapon schematics, improvements… even armor design ideas if we scale right. I won't run out of ideas for a long time."
Howard passed him a coffee. "You've definitely earned your 50 percent."
Later That Week – War Department Office, Washington D.C.
Back in D.C., the news of Rayn's sudden rise was a cause for both admiration and suspicion among the military brass. A 20-year-old colonel who'd risen faster than almost any soldier in the war, now a co-owner of the most promising weapons company in the country?
But Rayn wasn't careless. Every breakthrough he'd given the army—innovative tactics, rapid-deployment supply networks, custom rifle tuning to improve marksmen precision—was traceable, testable, and demonstrably effective.
General Phillips, the grizzled veteran who had once led Project Rebirth, had taken an interest. He reviewed Rayn's battle reports, always signed in his firm handwriting, always precise.
"Damn strange," he muttered to an aide. "The kid fights like a soldier, thinks like a general, and invents like Stark. I don't know what the hell he is, but he's winning us this war."
Meanwhile – Captain America's Propaganda Tour
While Rayn was revolutionizing the battlefield and industries behind closed doors, Steve Rogers was still performing in front of crowds in a star-spangled costume, selling war bonds and punching fake Hitlers on stage.
Though Steve didn't resent Rayn's success, he watched it from afar with a bittersweet sense of admiration. The two had been close. Rayn had once shown him something incredible—his shadow manipulation, the only power Steve had ever seen with his own eyes that defied science.
But Rayn had kept his distance lately. He was climbing fast, and Steve was still just a symbol.
At night, Steve would sometimes sit alone backstage, looking at Rayn's military photo on the latest issue of Time. "He's really doing it," he whispered. "I just hope he hasn't forgotten why he started."
Back in New York – Rayn's Office at Stark Industries
Rayn's office had no gold, no lavish decor. It was sterile, efficient, filled with blueprints, logistics reports, and weapons parts laid out like a war artist's palette.
Howard entered, tossing a classified folder on Rayn's desk. "Military wants to move forward with your bolt-action redesign too. Said it cuts jamming issues by 40%. You're not sleeping, are you?"
"I'll sleep when the war's over," Rayn muttered.
Howard nodded, lighting a cigarette. "So, what's the next move? This factory's got capacity. You've got vision. What now?"
Rayn leaned back, fingers steepled. "We expand. First weapons, then logistics. Eventually medicine. I have knowledge that can change lives—not just end them."
Howard raised an eyebrow. "You're thinking post-war already?"
Rayn nodded. "You'll see. Weapons are only the beginning."
To Be Continued in Part 3…