After making up his mind, Rorschach didn't waste any time.
Instead of cruising around more, he turned the Cadillac around and headed straight back to Howard Stark's mansion.
"Hey, Rorschach! Feels good, doesn't it?"Howard Stark had already heard the car coming and walked outside with a grin. He was clearly enjoying himself.
Rorschach was tempted to say the experience was pretty underwhelming—nothing like the cars from the future he remembered—but he offered a polite smile."Of course, Mr. Stark. Loved it."
"If you like it, that's all that matters."Howard was beaming, proud to see his car appreciated.
Rorschach parked and handed the keys back to Stark. After a pause, he looked serious and said,"Mr. Stark, I've got a request. It might sound strange… maybe even a little embarrassing. But if you agree, I'll consider the favor I did for you repaid in full."
That got Howard's attention.
His favors didn't come cheap—he knew the value of his help. Whatever Rorschach was about to ask, it must've been important.
"I'm listening," Stark said, curious.
"I want to buy the car," Rorschach said straight out, voice full of emotion. "I drove it once, and now I can't stop thinking about it. I need it."
He played the part of a young man who had just fallen in love—with a car.
Howard stared at him, stunned."You're serious?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. "You're not pulling my leg?"
A car. Of all things—this kid wanted to cash in a Stark favor for a car?
And he wasn't even asking for it as a gift. He wanted to buy it?
"I know it probably sounds foolish," Rorschach said, nodding earnestly. "Maybe even immature. But it's what I want. I can't explain it, but I'm drawn to it."
Howard looked him over, studying him for a few long seconds.
He had expected someone like Rorschach to be more reserved, maybe more mature. But then again… the guy was still young. And Howard remembered being young all too well.
"Kid," Howard chuckled, "I did all sorts of dumb, impulsive things when I was your age. You're not the only one."
He stepped closer. "That car? It's just metal and paint. If it means that much to you, you can have it. No payment needed. And as for that favor you're trying to cash in—forget it. My favors aren't that cheap."
Howard handed him the keys again.
"But just so we're clear," he added, "we're even now."
"I understand," Rorschach said with a nod. "You don't owe me anything."
This went smoother than he expected.
Then again, for someone like Stark, a car—even a Cadillac—was small potatoes.
"Well, congrats, Rorschach. You just earned yourself a new ride." Howard gave him a sly smile.
"Thanks, Mr. Stark. I appreciate it. Goodbye."
Rorschach got back in the driver's seat, started it up, and drove off.
Howard watched the car pull away, shaking his head with a chuckle."Still just a kid…"
Now that the car was his, Rorschach's mind shifted.
What's next?
Figuring out what made this car special was the whole reason he wanted it. He needed answers—and fast.
If anyone could help, it was Hank. The guy was a genius.
Given their bond, Rorschach knew he could count on him.
But… that idea didn't sit right for long.
He couldn't bring this car back to Xavier's.
No way. The others couldn't see it. Not Charles, not Eric, not even Moira.
Because this car, for reasons he couldn't fully explain yet, was tied to his system.
And that system was the secret he could never let anyone discover.
Whatever this "energy source" inside the car was, it wasn't normal.
It was similar to what powered his strength—connected, somehow—but it wasn't something he could extract. At least, not yet.
But maybe… maybe by understanding this "unextractable" energy, he could get closer to figuring out the extractable kind.
That alone made the car worth more than anything else in the world right now.
He turned down another street, pulled into a side lot, and scanned the area.
No tails. No S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. No mutants.
Satisfied, Rorschach got out and gave the car another inspection, but just like before, there was nothing obvious.
Nothing hidden under the dash, nothing in the trunk, nothing behind the panels.
Still, something was there.
He needed to get the car dismantled—but done right. By a pro.
This wasn't a job for a hobbyist with a wrench.
It had to be someone who knew their way around old-school builds and custom work.
And just down the block, Rorschach spotted exactly what he was looking for: an auto shop. The kind that looked greasy, loud, and full of guys who didn't ask questions.
He pulled up, parked, and got out.
"Whoa, man! You seeing this right now? Is that a Cadillac?"
One of the guys working outside nearly dropped his wrench. His wide eyes and dropped jaw said it all.
Even if the car looked outdated to Rorschach, here it still turned heads.
"People drivin' that kinda ride don't usually stop here," another said, a mechanic in a trucker cap with the look of a shop owner.
He stepped forward. "What can we do for you?"
"Repair job," Rorschach said, cutting to the chase. "Or more like a tear-down. Which one of you has the best hands in the business?"
The crew chuckled, but one stocky middle-aged man stepped forward with a grin.
"That'd be me. Name's Old Jack. Been doing this for twenty years. Ain't a machine I haven't taken apart and rebuilt twice."
The shop owner—Ryan, according to the name on his jacket—nodded in agreement."He talks a big game, but yeah… he's the best we've got."
"Old Jack, huh?" Rorschach asked. "You free right now?"
Jack glanced back at his boss."Hey Ryan, I got time?"
Ryan rubbed his chin for a second. Rorschach clearly had money—maybe even serious money—and they weren't about to let that walk out.
"For this guy?" Ryan nodded. "Yeah, Jack, go ahead."
"All right then," Rorschach said, looking Jack in the eye. "Let's get started. I want you to take this thing apart—carefully."
Whatever was hidden inside this Cadillac, Rorschach was going to find it.
Even if he had to rip every bolt loose to do it.