Chapter 3
Chapter 3: A Year Later - Moscow
Ivan Vanko made his way to a broken couch where his father lay, his gaze fixed on Tony Stark, brimming with anger.
"Ivan, Ivan, that should be you. All I can give you is the knowledge I have," his father, Anton Vanko, said.
Ivan let out a yell of rage as his father closed his eyes forever. Ivan then began constructing a miniaturized arc reactor, one that would allow him to power a suit similar to Stark's. He aimed to defeat Stark's armor and eliminate him on live TV. He was determined to make the god Americans believed in bleed. The arc reactor he was building lit up, indicating its completion.
"Just you wait, Stark. You think nobody is as clever as you, that you are perfect. I will humiliate your armor and kill you with the arc reactor your father stole from mine," Ivan yelled delusionally into the sky.
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Stark Expo 2010
Tony Stark stood at the center of the stage. He had just jumped off a plane and used his Iron Man armor, which he called his Mutation powers, to land on the stage, eager to showcase his innovations to the world. Following that, the Ironnettes, an idea Pepper had proposed to attract a different type of investor, performed their routine. Now, Tony stood on the stage, ready to unveil the new technology he had developed using knowledge acquired from the QuantumForge.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining me today," Tony began, his charismatic voice resonating throughout the massive expo hall. "Today, we're not just here to talk about the future; we're here to shape it. That's what the Stark Expo is and will always be: a place where like-minded people can come together and share their visions for the future."
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause as Stark's holographic presentation commenced. He gestured to the massive screen behind him, and it came to life with images and diagrams.
"Our first innovation," he declared, "is something that will revolutionize the lives of the less fortunate. We all know the incredible potential of prosthetic limbs, but what if I told you we could take it a step further? Introducing the Stark BCI Prosthetic Arm!"
A gasp of amazement rippled through the audience as the holographic arm appeared on the screen, complete with an intricate web of sensors and connectors.
"This arm," Stark continued, "reads the neural signals from your own brain and replicates them in real-time. That means you can control it just like you would your natural limb. Reach out, pick up objects, feel the touch – it's all there. It's a game-changer for amputees and anyone looking to enhance their abilities."
The crowd was awestruck, realizing the profound impact this technology could have on countless lives.
"But that's not all!" Tony's enthusiasm was infectious. "Let's move on to our second innovation."
The holographic display shifted, revealing a futuristic cityscape protected by a shimmering, translucent barrier.
"Behold, the Stark Energy Barrier! It uses cutting-edge Arc Reactor technology to generate a protective dome around any area. Whether it's a city, a military installation, or even your home, this barrier can repel physical and energy-based threats. No more worrying about intruders or natural disasters!"
"Now, let's talk about Non-Lethal firepower," Tony grinned mischievously. "We've developed 'Stark Energy Weapons,' including guns that shoot energy bullets and rays designed to restrain, as well as energy swords with blades akin to lightsabers." He picked up a sleek energy gun and fired a burst of energy into the air, creating a dazzling display of colored lights and sparks.
"The possibilities are endless," Tony declared. "Whether it's for self-defense or exploration, our energy weapons will redefine how we protect and defend."
As the crowd absorbed the wonders before them, Tony wasn't done yet. "Now, let's talk personal protection on the go!"
Tiny devices flew out from Tony's belt, projecting energy shields around him. "Stark Energy Shields," he explained. "Compact and portable, they provide an additional layer of protection for our everyday heroes."
The crowd cheered and eagerly awaited the next piece of technology.
"Now, for the pièce de résistance, the future of space travel." He unveiled a model of the "Starkship," a sleek and advanced spacecraft. "With an Arc Reactor-powered Warp Drive, this Starkship can achieve faster-than-light travel by using massive amounts of Arc Reactor energy to contract space in front of it and expand space behind it. It's a revolution in space exploration that will take us to the stars and beyond."
The audience gazed at the Starkship model with a mix of wonder and awe.
Tony Stark paused for a moment, a sly smile playing on his lips as he took a deep breath. "But wait, my friends, we have one more marvel to reveal. One that will redefine the way we interact with the world, communicate, and learn. Introducing the 'Stark Neural Gear.'"
The audience fell into a hushed silence, captivated by the mere mention of this revolutionary technology.
Tony continued, "Think of the Stark Neural Gear as the smartphone of the future, but without the screens. It can seamlessly read and write data from and to your brain. That's right, no need to swipe or type – your thoughts will be the interface."
As he spoke, the holographic display projected images directly into the minds of the attendees. The crowd collectively gasped as they saw information, messages, and even breathtaking virtual landscapes materialize in their minds.
"With the Stark Neural Gear," Tony elaborated, "your brain becomes the most powerful processor on the planet. We're talking about an unparalleled level of connection and immersion. You can access the internet instantaneously, search for answers, communicate with anyone, and even experience virtual reality games that engage all five of your senses."
He gestured toward a volunteer from the audience who had been testing the Stark Neural Gear. The volunteer's eyes widened with amazement as they experienced the sensory overload of a virtual reality adventure. Laughter, cheers, and even the scent of a virtual garden wafted through the air.
"And here's the kicker," Tony added with a grin, "you can have data output directly to your brain. Imagine instant answers to any question without evidence of cheating, directly downloaded into your memory. It's a brave new world, my friends."
The audience couldn't contain their excitement, imagining the possibilities. Students would become walking encyclopedias, athletes would enhance their performance, and artists would create masterpieces beyond imagination.
"Of course," Tony chuckled, "there might be some challenges along the way. I can already hear the teachers groaning at the thought of students having access to all the answers in their heads during exams. But hey, progress comes with its own set of quirks, right?"
The crowd erupted into applause, a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The Stark Neural Gear was a technological leap that had the potential to reshape society, redefine how humans interacted with information, and open up an entirely new frontier of possibilities.
As the applause died down, Tony Stark stepped back, his eyes shining with the knowledge that he had once again pushed the boundaries of innovation.
"Thank you for being here today," Tony said as he basked in the afterglow of the Stark
Expo, "and I hope you enjoy the rest of the expo. Remember, the future is now, and it's ours for the taking."
Tony walked out with Happy. He signed autographs, ruffled a kid's Peter Parker's hair, even though he didn't know it yet. He made it to the car and saw a woman standing, leaning on the car.
"Look what we've got here, the new model," Happy said.
"Hey, does she come with the car?" Tony Stark said.
"I certainly hope so. Hi," Happy Hogan said.
"Hi. And you are?" Tony Stark said.
"Marshal," the woman replied.
"Irish. I like it," Tony Stark said.
"Pleased to meet you, Tony," Marshal said.
"I’m on the wheel. Do you mind? Where are you from?" Tony Stark said.
"Bedford," she replied.
"What are you doing here?" Tony Stark said.
"Looking for you," Marshal replied.
"Oh really? So you found me. What now?" Tony Stark replied with suspicion in his tone.
"Serving subpoenas," Marshal replied, trying to hand him a letter, but Tony didn’t take it.
"So this is how it's gonna be. Tell your bosses that they can expect my legal team to be ready and there too," Tony said.
"You are hereby ordered to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee tomorrow morning at 9 am," she replied before leaving.
"Hey, Happy, call Pepper and have the legal team ready. I'm gonna fly to Washington DC," Tony said as he felt the energy from his X-Gene course around him, forming the Iron Man armor around him.
"Of course, boss," Happy said as he took the driver's seat and called Pepper, witnessing the amazing sight of Tony flying away.
"Hello, this is Tony Stark's secretary," a female voice said.
"Pepper, it's me," Happy said.
"Hey, Happy. Is Tony okay?" Pepper asked.
"Yeah, yeah, he just took off flying. He told me to tell you that the Senate's after him, and to prepare the legal team. We're gonna sue them for so many counts of human rights violations," Happy replied.
"Okay, I'll get the legal team ready," Pepper replied as she hung up the phone and started calling the lawyers.
Author's Note: Please review!!
(Note: I've revised the text for grammar, punctuation, and clarity, but I haven't removed or altered any information as requested.)