of Shields and SHIELD
"Melted Sir?"
"And refined. If memory serves, that thing was a vibranium/iron alloy. I need the vibranium."
"May I ask why?" JARVIS inquired.
"Sure you can. With all what I had to do for the Ingrates, research had to go on the back burner these past years, but I do recall I noted some similarities between Starkium and Vibranium, according to Howard's notes. I need to test that, and thoroughly, before publishing anything."
"We do have an item somewhat similar in storage, Sir, but I'm afraid it doesn't look..." Tony threw a glance at the holo display and waved a hand.
"Nah, that's the thing. The original one.
I don't think Rogers ever knew, but Howard was a bit more even keeled about him before he did his Capsicle thing. It's later it turned into an obsession and a semi religion, with Peggy as the high priestess: They both build the Captain America legend... And then they started believing it.
Anyway, to cut the story short, Vibranium was always extremely valuable, and at the time, dear old dad was not all that rich yet. So, that Frisbeee was collateral to a few loans Howard contracted to build his business.
Never quite got why he just let Rogers have it to start with... Until I met Captain What'smineismineandwhat'syoursisminetoo, that is.
So, either the Board made some noise because the thing wasn't on inventory anymore, or dear old dad wanted his vibranium back, so he switched it for an Adamantium one at the first opportunity. And then he played a bit with his very own toy, since he had it back."
"And Mr Rogers didn't say a thing?" JARVIS tone was slightly doubtful, but Tony only shrugged.
"Dunno. I'd say he didn't notice the difference, so as long as he thought it was HIS shield, everything was good in Asshole Land, I guess. Howard must have refined the curve a little so it would Frisbee better, and as for the weigh, I guess the difference was not that noticeable for a super soldier. Don't really care, to be honest.
Oh, and while we are talking about idiots, Jarv, I need you to send a note to PR and Legal: We are going to change policy with the Press. From now on, we're going to sue when they cross the line. Every time. And in the serious cases, we're gonna take away the ads."
"Is this wise, Sir? You were always good with the Press."
"Was I really? Unfortunately, it's too late not to have sex with Everhart, but even if she led the pack, the others weren't far behind. That was a Obie policy, Jar, and like all Obie policies, it was not done with my interests in mind. Ever wondered why I was the only billionaire treated that way?
Try slandering Bezos or Gates this way and you'll see a squadron of lawyers descends on you.
Me, I was fair game.
I was the irresponsible genius that could be let to play in his lab, but Heavens forbid I get out of it and touch something serious like business. The fact that all my shortcomings, either real or imaginary, ended up on the front page ensured that."
"That and the fact you don't like business, Sir."
"I like business just fine. I dislike having to explain myself over and over again to a bunch of old guys who basically distrust me because they don't understand physics, and always viewed me as too young, then too irresponsible, to be taken seriously.
Basic fact that I was making all the stuff that made them rich notwithstanding.
Nah, the Press has to get in line, it will make our job easier in the long run. And while, you're in the mail business, contact my platypus to know when he'd be free to come see me. Once you got his date, lock it with Peps and Happy."
"I do hope it is to *come clean*, Sir?"
"Yep. If I ever did one stupid thing, it was to cut me off the real friends I had at that moment. Left the door wide open for all sorts of vermin infestation.
Also, got to strategize. Pepper was the best CEO SI ever had, but I want to ease her into it this time. Once that bunch get used to have her *relay* my instructions, it'll be a smoother transition.
Another thing, not putting Happy through the *Iron Man bodyguard* torture again. He was a damm good head of security, even with his problematic relationship with spiders.
And of course my honeybear to liaise with uncle Sam."
"And me, Sir?"
"Oh, JARVIS, we gonna be really busy, you and I, but I trust you to keep an eye on SHIELD. Once Nathashalie goes down the sprout, you can be sure they're gonna try to hack this place. We've got to give them tit-for-tat.
Also, got to find how deep the roots go in SI... I would be nice if the FBI investigation would be the ones to find that... And to see their reactions. The post Data dump mess led me to believe that the FBI, CIA, and the rest of the alphabet soup knew about them, but that one, they weren't very popular... Two, no one was really sure where they belonged exactly. I've begun to wonder if the local mailman had more federal legal authority than Fury did.
Probably going to be fun to find out, won't it JARVIS?"
The moment of silence that followed was very telling, and so was the dryness of the AI's voice as he answered.
"If you say so, Sir."
Tony laughed. Truly and really laughed.
It had been years.
It was good to be back.