Chapter 6 – The Plan Behind the Curtain
It was a quiet morning in the Stark household. Outside, autumn leaves were fluttering in the gentle breeze. But inside Kent’s room, the atmosphere was like a secret base. The sound of typing was rapid, blending with the hum of a small machine and the hologram screen constantly changing data.
Kent stood frozen in front of his desk, his eyes staring at the sketch of a large building with the Umbrella Corporation logo.
> [System: Are you sure this is the path you want to take?]
“There’s no other choice,” Kent replied softly. “If your prediction is correct, if I really get kicked out later… I can’t leave them unprotected.”
> [System: Hm, so we’re starting the ‘nameless hero’ phase now? Want to build a secret base, robot guards, super troops?]
“More or less.” Kent smiled slightly. “But before that, I have to make a big enough umbrella first.”
> [System: Umbrella…?]
“Umbrella Corporation.”
> [System: Wow, that's really creative. Starting a company with a name that traumatized me from watching Resident Evil.]
Kent ignored the sarcasm. It had been seven years since his first argument with Howard about the direction of his life. Since the age of 10, Kent had begun to realize that not everything could be discussed openly with his parents. The System, although talkative, had shown him fragments of the future: destruction, war, and—most painfully—separation.
He didn't know exactly when the Ancient One or the TVA would come. But the prophecy was strong enough to make him prepare.
---
At the dining table, it felt like a normal morning.
Maria spooned porridge into a small bowl for Tony who was feeling lazy to eat.
"Come on Tony, don't be picky."
"But I want to eat bacon like Brother Kent!"
"Bacon is for those who can wake up before eight," Kent said while ruffling his brother's hair.
Howard lowered his newspaper, looking at Kent with the expression he usually wore whenever Kent started to say something "unusual".
"So, what are your plans for this week? Still tinkering with the robot cat?"
"No, Dad." Kent looked at him seriously. "I want to start my own company."
There was a moment of silence.
"A company?" Maria tilted her head. "Honey, you're only 17."
"I know, Mom. But I have a... vision. Technology that doesn't exist today. I can't wait."
Howard chuckled. "You haven't even graduated from college yet."
"I don't need college if I can build an artificial neural network that can defeat all of Stark's protocols."
> [System: Okay, that was a bit arrogant. But it's cool.]
"What's your goal?" Howard asked, more serious this time. "What's the rush?"
Kent paused. He couldn't tell the truth directly. About the TVA. About the Ancient One. About how one day he might have to leave it all behind.
"Because... I want to protect you guys." he said finally. "I know it sounds weird. But sometimes, I feel like we don't have much time."
Maria looked at him softly. "Did you have a nightmare?"
"More like a premonition."
Howard looked at his son, then nodded slowly.
"Then show me that you're serious. Don't just be a smart kid. Be a man who knows his responsibilities."
---
The following days, Kent was busy preparing the foundation of the Umbrella Corporation. Not under the Stark family name, but as a new entity. He registered it legally, using a hidden network and dual identities so that it could not be traced immediately.
> [System: Are you a genius or are you really paranoid?]
"Both."
He began recruiting young scientists and anonymous geniuses from various countries through secret forums. Some were even from countries that had not yet entered the global technology map. His first project was not a weapon, but an automatic biometric protection system that could be activated remotely. A secret bunker was also being built underground with nanostructure technology.
At night, when Tony was asleep and Maria was watching TV, Kent sat alone in his study. A hologram file appeared in front of him—data from the System, a simulation of what would happen if he were expelled from the Marvel universe.
> [System: You only have a few more years. But... there's hope if you can activate all the backup technologies before then.]
"I know." Kent clenched his fists. "As long as they're safe... I don't care which universe I go to."
> [System: This is starting to sound like the ending to a Nolan movie.]
"Well, at least the ending was cool."