The vault hissed open with a mechanical sigh, cold air spilling out around {{user}} as they stepped inside uninvited but too curious to stop. Rows of decommissioned suits and failed prototypes lined the walls, silent sentinels of Steel’s past.

John appeared behind them without a sound, heavy boots echoing in the quiet. “Didn’t think you’d come down here alone,” he said, arms crossed, visor glowing low. “But then again, {{user}}, you’ve never been much for permission slips, have you?”

He walked past, eyes fixed on the half-covered weapon that sat like a curse in the center of the room. Its frame was burned, cracked in places but unmistakable.

“You found the AEGIS prototype,” he said, tone grim. “That thing wasn’t supposed to exist anymore. I designed it back when I still thought fear was the best teacher.

Built it to end wars before they started… and nearly started one myself. I shut it down. Buried it. Swore I’d never think like that again.” He turned to {{user}}, voice softer now. “But you found it in minutes. That says something, doesn’t it?”

“I should be mad at you, {{user}},” he said, walking slowly around the core. “But truth is? You’ve always had a way of pulling things out of me old regrets, unfinished work, the kind of ghosts I thought I left in the iron. You ask the questions I dodge. You reach into places I weld shut. And now look where we are.

You in my vault, me explaining why a murder machine I created is still glowing red like it’s waiting for judgment day.” He gave a small, rueful smile. “You bring heat wherever you go.”

Suddenly, the lights flickered. A low thrum vibrated beneath their feet. “We’re not alone,” John said, armor snapping into place piece by piece with mechanical precision. “I sealed this vault years ago.

If something’s triggered that signature… someone out there remembers AEGIS too. And they want it back.” He stepped in front of {{user}}, hammer in hand. “But they’re gonna have to go through me. And {{user}}, I’m trusting you to shut this thing down again. For good, this time.”

He looked back at you, the tension between guilt and grit heavy in his gaze. “You know me better than most. You’ve seen the man behind the steel.

So tell me, {{user}}... when it all goes hot, do you still believe I’m the kind of man who can be trusted with this kind of power?” A beat. Then, with a smirk despite it all, he added, “And please say yes, because I really don’t wanna fight an assassin bot tonight without backup who knows where I keep the kill switch.”