Epilogue
Strange Visitor: Iron Before Steel
Epilogue
December 20th, 2009 – LexCorp Headquarters
Manhattan, NY
“… I am Iron Man.”
The crowd of journalists on the monitor went crazy as Tony Stark pointed to one familiar plucky reporter for a follow-up question. The rest all shouted their unintelligible queries at once. Stark began answering each in turn, smirking the whole time as he played to the audience.
Lex Luthor leaned back behind his desk and switched off the television on the opposite wall. He stared open-mouthed at the now black screen for several long moments before he broke out in loud laughter.
The door to his office opened, and a concerned Mercy Graves looked down at him from the entranceway.
He quickly dismissed the concern and explained the situation to his bodyguard. He then pulled up an inventory app on his computer, showing what projects were on hand in the building and where the mothballed projects were currently being stored.
Stark had pulled off a masterstroke. He’d completely shuttered his company's weapons division while personally developing the most sophisticated platform ever devised, effectively cornering the market before anyone else even knew it existed. It was brilliant.
At the very least, it would completely throw off the global balance of power in the long term, but the Iron Man weapon would also effectively force the status quo to remain static for now. Stark had already indicated he wouldn’t supply the military any longer, at least not with weapons.
So, he intended to use Iron Man to prevent global conflict personally.
It was… inconceivable.
Luthor located what he was looking for and immediately headed for sub-basement C. Mercy was at his heels immediately, as always. They stepped into the elevator at the end of the hall, and Luthor keyed in his access to the restricted level below.
“Stark has just flipped the world on its head, Mercy. The premier weapons manufacturer on the planet halts all production, then unleashes one final invention to reset the board on a global scale. It will be years before anyone can approach what he’s done. It’s absolute genius.”
Mercy seemed unsure. “So what is he planning to do with the weapon then?”
Lex smiled back at her. She was more intelligent than the average person, but Stark was like himself, always looking ahead. “That’s the best part. I think he’s planning to use it to do exactly what he said!
He’s going to demolish the capabilities of smaller regimes to inflict genocides or suppress their people. The only powers on the planet that can safely continue to operate as they see fit are the nuclear ones. Tony Stark has just begun a new technological crusade that hasn’t been seen since the Space Race in the 1960s. And LexCorp has a leg up that no one else knows about.”
Lex grinned as the elevator door slid open. He marched toward the unit where the manifest on his office computer indicated the weapon was stored. Power would be an issue, and it certainly wasn’t anywhere near as impressive or polished as Iron Man, but it was a start.
Who’d have thought dear old Dad would have done something right?
Stark would need help with this new project – global police action couldn’t be done by just one or two men. All four newfound business partners would eventually need to get involved – Richards and Kord could provide logistical support and software immediately.
The four of them could start to usher in a new era of peace – yes, perhaps peace enforced by arms, but peace nonetheless.
Lex Luthor hadn’t been this excited for quite a while.
They finally arrived at their destination, unit AC 544-1983. He tried to remain calm as he punched in the code to unlock the safe doors that kept the more dangerous creations of LexCorp protected when they were no longer in use or development.
Behind the large steel storage doors was his own battle suit! It had originally been conceived and constructed by his father a decade or two ago. Part of some large government contract, Weapon Plus, if Lex remembered right. It hadn’t gone anywhere, though, and after sinking far too much money into it, his father had closed it down and written it off as a failure.
Lex had other options now. He looked up as the door finally slid open… to see an empty storage space where the armor should be!
He stared in disbelief, unable to speak until his bodyguard broke the silence.
“What are we supposed to be seeing here, Lex? I expected something a bit more impressive coming from you.” She craned her neck and even stood on her tiptoes, trying to get a look at something that wasn’t there.
Someone had stolen his very expensive and hazardous – even unfinished and inactive – armored warfare battlesuit!
Lex sprinted back toward the elevator and shouted, as there was nothing else he could do at the moment but scream for help from the one staff member who might know something.
“MISS TESCHMACHER!!!!”
________________________________________
KordTech, Inc. Main Office
Chicago, IL
“… I am Iron Man.”
Ted Kord sat back on his living room couch and flipped off the television. He could only shake his head with a wry smile as he considered what Tony Stark had been up to under the entire world's nose over the past six or seven months.
Ted’s phone, one of his company’s latest models, buzzed as he received an incoming call. A glance at the name on the phone showed one of only two names he could expect to contact him at this very moment. He picked it up and, with a quick swipe, put it to his ear.
“Reed, I assume you’re watching the press conference as well? Yes, I thought so, too. He’s outdone himself this time… No, I don’t think so. I think he’s kept it from everyone. Lex is probably as surprised as the two of us… I’m certainly not taking it personally. I assume you have a few things on the back burner that you haven’t shared with the rest of us, either. I know I do… You should. It can’t hurt to see what he’s willing to share now… No, from what I've seen, the weapons system isn’t really what I’m interested in. I’d be much happier if he showed us what kind of user interface it’s got under the hood… I honestly hadn’t thought of that, no. He has to have solved the inertial problems, or they would have had to hose him out of that thing after the bus… He hasn’t said anything about it to me, so I expect he’ll be there. Text him tomorrow to be sure, but as far as I know, we are meeting as planned on the fifth… Right, I’ll see you then, Reed. Have a nice holiday yourself.”
Ted ended the call and set the phone down. Reed Richard rarely took anything personally, so Tony’s little ‘side project’ that he had been working on since they’d started their little business consultations didn’t phase him. Mostly, it just made the man want to examine the system in more detail.
Ted didn’t hold it against Tony either; after all, he knew better than most people how important it was to keep secrets.
Ted stood up from the couch and headed into the next room, his bedroom. He closed the door after entering and quickly scanned the room. You can never be too careful.
He walked to the far wall and, with a quick tap from the back of his closed fist, popped open a hidden panel cut into the wall. A numerical keypad waited. He punched in his nine-number code, and a door-sized section of the wall clicked and whirred as the secret entrance to his lab slid open.
Ted strode to the table in the center of the room as he heard the door close behind him. The table was empty save for one small wooden box in the center of the wide glass-covered surface. He pulled out the chair and sat before the desk, making himself comfortable.
Lights immediately flickered around the room as Ted steepled his fingers and stared at the box.
The dynamic of their new little group was still being tested as they met monthly to discuss their ideas and how to help shape the future of humanity, but some things were immutable. Each of the four men - Lex, Reed, Tony, and himself – had their own strengths and specialties, but all of them would have to be counted among the most intelligent human beings alive today.
Lex was the best businessman of the four. Reed was the theoretical genius. Tony was the unmatched engineer and mechanic. And Ted… Ted was the programmer. His software was simply the best there ever was.
Every technological breakthrough in software over the past ten years depended on Ted Kord or one of his programs, applications, or scripts. There just wasn’t anyone on Earth who could match his technological level today.
But he couldn’t take complete credit for that.
Because each of those programs, applications, and scripts stemmed from the same source, the same thing was ultimately responsible for all of it. Now, Ted was still the one who had made all of the discoveries. He had reverse-engineered it all, and he knew that there weren’t many, maybe none, other people out there who could have done it.
But he never could have pushed the boundaries of the field he now dominated without it.
Ted reached out and flipped open the wooden box. A soft blue glow suffused the area around him, and a gentle hum began to pulse through the air.
Ted tapped the table's surface in front of him, and a set of holographic screens blinked into existence around him, creating a three-dimensional workspace of light. Words and numbers scrolled across multiple windows in the holo-screens as data poured forth from the sensors and digital interface set into his lab.
“Hello again, old friend. Shall we continue?"
________________________________________
OSCORP – CEO’s Office
Manhattan, NY
“… I am Iron Man.”
Dammit! The man is a menace to weapons manufacturers and decent businessmen everywhere!
Norman Osborn angrily pushed the off button on his display remote and threw it across the room. Tony-Fucking-Stark had just undone all of the good work and progress his company had made over the past year.
Not literally; the projects at Oscorp were looking better and better with each passing trial and test.
But figuratively, he’d just been set back decades. Stark had just set off a new global arms race! Every weapons designer since the Second World War has focused on recreating or surpassing Abraham Erskine’s Super Soldier Serum. Tony Stark strolled up and said, ‘No thanks, I’ve got something else in mind.’
Logistically, it seemed foolish for the man from an outside perspective. He’d closed down the weapons manufacturing division of his own company… which was primarily a weapons manufacturer! And then what had he done?
Created a new weapon platform!
But Tony Stark proved again that he was not called the Merchant of Death without good reason. He could claim that the system was meant to demolish the old balance of power and usher in a new era of peace, but Norman Osborn knew better.
It was just another ploy to catch the competition off guard.
And it almost worked. But Norman wasn’t a 'rest on his laurels' kind of director.
He logged into his desk computer and started pulling up files from R&D that he hadn’t been so focused on lately. Bioweapons and genetic manipulation weren't the only things that they’d been up to lately.
Perhaps he could combine these new human enhancements with some sort of field equipment… yes, that was it. That was the way, pairing the new modified human soldiery that Oscorp was developing with more dangerous weapons and armor than the original plan had called for.
It could be done.
One file caught his eye. He opened the folder and began to review the specs of the drone division’s latest prototype. After several minutes, he realized that the potential was there. It would never compete with Stark’s Iron Man in speed, but its maneuverability was competitive. If it was paired with an enhanced pilot, perhaps armored in some sort of mechanized exoskeleton armor, it had the potential to rival Stark’s masterpiece.
Norman Osborn looked at R&D's concept art for the OSC-101 Wingless Aero-Glider, code-named ‘Gremlin,’ and let his mind plot away.
________________________________________
NSA Black Site – Cadmus Laboratories
Waller stalked down the sterile hallway of her off-the-books medical lab.
Officially, it fell under the NSA, should anyone ever discover it, but it was one of her most dependable locations for medical examinations and autopsies.
Cadmus was the scientific arm of her own ARGUS organization. Much like her own ARGUS was formed by slicing off a piece of a larger intelligence operation, so too was Cadmus – born straight out of SHIELD’s Science, Technology, and Research Labs.
And it was all hers.
She reached the examination room quickly, noting it was empty save for two of her agents and a table, upon which something was covered by a plain white sheet.
“Report,” Waller barked at the senior most agent of the pair.
Emilia Harcourt didn’t waste time answering. “We managed to grab the corpse, as ordered, but the armored suit was never an option. Stark locked it down before the corpse was cold. Good luck getting anything from his office now. He’s upped security to a level you wouldn’t see anywhere except one of our sites or maybe Fury’s.”
Jessica Drew continued once Harcourt fell silent. “Our onsite coroner finished the examination about an hour ago. The deceased is a former leader of one of the Ten Rings cells in western Asia, one Raza Hamidmi al-Wazar. He’s the one who kidnapped Stark last year at Stane’s direction, as we now know. When they failed to kill the target, Stane destroyed the cell, all but Mr. Raza here. It seems he kept Raza alive to pilot one of his weapon suits and intended to use the man to finish the job Stane paid for.”
Waller lifted the corner of the sheet to look at the body. The fatal injury was evident from the burned flesh, but there wasn’t as much damage as she’d expected. But a big question remained.
“How did Stane control a fanatical terrorist who should have been far from compliant? Why did he help? He couldn’t have expected Stane to let him live. Did he hate Stark that much?” Why work with the man who had destroyed his organization?
Harcourt smirked as she held up a tiny silver sphere. “With this. It’s more impressive than it seems. Techs had a helluva time disarming the little thing. They said it’s got enough juice to breach a solid exterior door frame. Guess where we found it?”
Waller held the small globe between her fingers and peered at it with sharp interest. She glanced at Harcourt with a raised eyebrow when the woman didn’t immediately respond. “Well… go on.”
Emilia tapped the base of her skull with a manicured fingernail where the neck meets the head. “Let’s call it mandatory surgery. It can be triggered with a remote detonator, according to the techs. One push of a button, and the recipient is short a head. Nice little insurance policy, if you ask me.”
Jessica Drew glanced at Harcourt with a troubled expression for a moment.
Amanda Waller looked at the silver sphere between her thumb and index finger. She held it up to the fluorescent lights of the cold lab and gazed at the tiny bomb smaller than her own fingernail.
This… this I can use.
Amanda Waller smiled.
________________________________________
Himinbjorg
The Realm Eternal
He gazed across the vast distance that spanned and linked the Nine Realms and sighed in contentment at the unimaginable view. Yggdrasil still awed him after all these long years. The World Tree was not something one easily underestimated or took for granted—billions of stars, hundreds of billions of worlds, and trillions of souls.
All under his vision.
His molten gold eyes flicked back and forth. He drank in the sights and happenings across the Realms and beyond every second of his watch. Heimdall, Gatekeeper of the Bifrost and Watcher of the Cosmos, stood his charge within the confines of the Himinbjorg at the end of the Rainbow Bridge.
It was oft a lonely vigil, but it was his duty to the throne of Asgard. One he would never willingly shirk.
Heavy footsteps from the bridge behind him announced his unexpected visitor – one he knew well and owed his loyalty to by sacred oath.
“My King, you grace me with your company. What would you have of me?”
Odin, son of Bor, the Allfather, took a stance next to him and watched along in silent contemplation. The King of the Aesir was troubled; that was evident. Heimdall waited for his liege to respond, perhaps to unburden himself of what availed him, perhaps to make a request of his dutiful sentinel.
After several long moments and a rather telling sigh, the Ruler of Asgard and Keeper of the Realms answered. “Nothing, my friend. Simply your sharp ear so an old man can unburden himself momentarily. My sons are… a handful, as always. Bickering and sniping like fishwives on Midgard rather than the Princes of the Realm that they are. I needed a moment away before I banished one or all of them to the corners of creation to give myself some peace.”
Heimdall resisted the urge to grin. The princes' rivalries and mischiefs were legendary but rarely mean-spirited or dangerous. Well, at least for two of them – the third was mischief incarnate and too clever and ambitious for his own, perhaps all of Asgard's good.
Heimdall merely nodded along and allowed his king to continue.
“Frigga has them scrubbing the dining hall now – by hand, mind you, no magic – for their latest scheme. I’ll spare you the details, but it involved our visiting ambassador from Alfheim, three dishes for the planned feast later this evening and a goat. Loki, of course, was the chief architect of the foolish plot, but Thor and his brother were more than happy to go along with it. At least Baldur recognized that Loki’s intention all along was to cause trouble, but Thor still thinks it was his idea.”
The Allfather shook his head in exasperation at the roguery of the princes, though Heimdall was fairly certain Odin was restraining a grin of his own. The sons of Odin were getting too old to be causing such childish trouble now, but that didn’t make it any less humorous if you weren’t on the receiving end.
“Perhaps the princes can be put to work for a time,” Heimdall offered. “There are no shortages of conflicts and piracy across the Realms and beyond at any given moment. It has been long since the might of Asgard was truly challenged. It may be past time to remind the Universe why we should still be feared and respected.”
Odin grunted in response and nodded thoughtfully at the suggestion.
“That suggestion has merit. Have you seen something that concerns you specifically?” The King asked him.
Heimdall thought for a moment and gazed back across space and time. Finally, after considering the question and gathering his thoughts, he answered.
“Nothing specific, my King. There are always those who seek to destroy and dominate those around them, but none within my sight are ready yet to challenge the might of we Aesir. The Kree are still poorly prosecuting their conflicts against the Skrull and Xandar. The Nova Corp polices the galaxies as it can but mostly focuses on holding back the Kree. The Brood lurk at the edges of known space, waiting for their chance to infect or consume all they can – which will be an issue at some point, though they are not ready yet. The Shi’ar remain within the confines of the borders set by our ancient treaty. The story remains the same across the realms and beyond. Though something is hiding just beyond the edges of my sight, Allfather. It is deliberate in its evasion; I am most certain of that. I cannot tell you what it is as of yet.”
Odin nodded again. “The Skrulls on Midgard… they are still behaving themselves, yes? The world still falls under my protection.”
Heimdall nodded. “Yes, they currently pose no threat, as I can see. How long that will remain, I cannot say. They chafe and yearn for a home of their own. It was foolish of the humans to offer them sanctuary and promise them a home. I don’t see how such a thing will be possible at their current level of development. Though, they have progressed much recently…”
That got Odin’s attention. “Oh? In what way?"
“One of their most talented weaponsmiths has just created a new suit of armor far beyond anything yet seen by the humans of Midgard. It does not approach our technology and magics… but is a big step forward. This smith may continue to advance and become a threat to other worlds in his lifetime. There are others of his ability now, as well. It is rather impressive for Midgard, if I may say so.”
Odin frowned. “Perhaps. But as you say, they are still far from us. I’m not worried about the Midgardians themselves, and shan’t be for my lifetime, I should think.”
Heimdall agreed. “That is most probable, Your Majesty. However, outside interference is starting to become a worry. There are many from outside the Realms that are starting to take notice of Midgard, and some have taken shelter there for various purposes. A pair of Majesdanians have recently made the world their home. A group of Eternals still take shelter there, as they have for millenia. The crown princess of Tamaran has also taken an unusual interest in the planet, though I am unsure why. I can see flerkens, Kherubim, an Astonian and others. Most appear to be hiding from larger threats, but I can only guess their true intentions.”
Odin nodded before reaching out and laying a hand on Heimdall’s shoulder. “I thank you for your words and warnings, my friend. Keep at your vigil, as always, and let me know if these become a larger problem or threat. I will think more on your suggestion about how we can remind the Realms and more that while we may not be the Forerunners, we are their heirs and not to be trifled with. Now, I must return to the palace. My wife has cheerfully reminded me that the Queen of Almarac is still waiting on my decision about a betrothal for Thor and her daughter. As if I would subject any of my children to those barbarians if there were a single breath in my body or brain in my skull.” The Allfather gave Heimdall an affectionate pat on the shoulder before heading for the doorway.
Heimdall warred with himself for a moment before speaking once more. “My King, there is one more thing. Something, or someone, has been moving about on Midgard – and they are hidden from my sight and hearing.”
Odin stopped and turned, his eyes now filled with concern. It wasn’t unheard of for powerful entities to avoid the gaze of Asgard’s Watcher, but it was rare and not seen on Midgard.
“Is it their seidhr? Frigga tells me that they are more powerful than we usually imagine.”
“No, majesty. I am familiar with their magic. This is different. It feels… older. More foreign, yet at the same time familiar. I cannot place it, but I know that it is there. I can see the people of Midgard reacting to him and his movements. But the one in question is barred from my vision. It is a powerful spell—that I can say for sure.”
“And this person… is he a threat to be dealt with?”
Heimdall thought in silence for several long moments before he answered the King. “No, Allfather. I do not believe that he is there to cause harm. If that changes, you will be the first to know.”
Odin gave a sharp nod, turned, and marched out of the Himinbjorg.
Heimdall turned back to the Bifrost and the larger Universe. He once again scanned the reaches of the cosmos, looking for threats and warnings among the stars. Every so often, though, his gaze was drawn back to Midgard.
Drawn by the shadow of what the seer could not see.