The agents exchanged bewildered glances after Stark's verbal assault.
If there weren't so many witnesses present—and if they weren't concerned about their professional reputations—they would have certainly resorted to more aggressive measures.
"...I spent days mourning at the ruins of Bagram Base, only to come home to this outrageous treatment! Military personnel have died, and you—you're the cancer of this country!"
"Enough, Stark. Cease the profanity."
A commanding voice cut through the chaos.
The distinctive figure that caught Jason's attention approached in his iconic black long coat. All agents immediately parted to make way for him.
Nick Fury held a stack of documents in his hand. "The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division has completed its investigation. The two Jericho missiles were not launched through standard protocols. There was an inconspicuous vulnerability in the control system that the perpetrator exploited to launch the missiles. I believe this... backdoor-like weakness wasn't intentionally created. Is that correct, Mr. Stark?"
Stark's face flushed as he gritted his teeth, enunciating each word clearly: "Absolutely not!"
Fury turned to address the assembled agents, raising the documents in his hand. "Everyone, here is relevant evidence regarding the vulnerability in the Jericho missile control system. It also contains proof that Stark was indeed imprisoned throughout this period, which you can verify independently. I see no justification for his arrest at this time."
The agents looked at one another. Some began reviewing the documents, while others contacted their superiors to relay the new information.
Eventually, the crowd dispersed.
Fury approached Stark with a grim expression. "Tony Stark, we need to discuss—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Stark collapsed backward onto the tarmac.
Fury, Sitwell, and the other remaining agents panicked.
Jason's eyes widened. Damn, did Stark's anger literally kill him?
Pepper, who had finally been granted access to Stark, rushed over with tears streaming down her face. The medical team that had been on standby hurried to the scene.
Fortunately, after examination, they determined he had merely fainted from extreme stress.
His physical condition had deteriorated significantly during captivity, and the emotional confrontation had pushed him beyond his limits.
Poor guy, Jason thought. A seriously injured captive finally makes it home, only to be surrounded and interrogated by government agents. When had playboy Stark ever endured such an indignity?
Seizing the moment of chaos, Jason grabbed Yinsen's arm. "If you don't want to be detained by SHIELD, come with me!"
Still shaken by the agent's earlier threat, Yinsen nodded quickly.
Jason took advantage of the commotion, pulling Yinsen toward the perimeter. They reached the wall, and with a powerful leap, Jason vaulted over it with Yinsen in tow. They slipped quietly beyond the airport grounds and hailed a taxi.
"Yinsen, I heard your family was lost in the war?" Jason asked once they were safely away.
Yinsen's expression darkened. "Yes."
Jason nodded thoughtfully. "I own a pharmaceutical company developing new medications to benefit humanity. If you're willing, I'd like you to join my research team. I guarantee your work will save thousands of lives. I can also provide substantial funding to your hometown to support the local population."
Yinsen was momentarily stunned by the offer.
Jason continued, "Additionally, I promise to use my influence to end the war in Afghanistan as quickly as possible."
Yinsen looked shocked. "You have the power to influence the highest level of the U.S. government?"
Jason smiled enigmatically. "Well... in a manner of speaking. My actions certainly impact their decisions."
"As long as the war in my homeland ends soon, I'm willing to do anything!" Yinsen declared fervently.
"You're a great man, my friend!"
Jason escorted Yinsen across the Hudson River to New Jersey, which was separated from New York by the waterway.
Alexandra owned a large, secluded manor there that had been converted into Jason's scientific research facility.
Dr. Karen was currently working there, conducting experiments with vampire blood.
After introducing Dr. Yinsen to her, Jason proceeded to the adjacent laboratory.
Anton and Ivan wore white lab coats as they studied drawings and images on computer screens.
They were reviewing the schematics of the Mark I armor and the Arc Reactor that Jason had obtained from the cave.
Seeing him enter, Anton quickly stood up and sighed. "I'm not in Tony Stark's league. Although Howard and I invented the Arc Reactor together, I never imagined such advancements were possible. That he completed this in a cave is truly remarkable!"
"Tsk!" Ivan kept a toothpick between his lips and responded dismissively. "He just has unlimited resources, so he always gets first access to the latest scientific developments. Father, you've been isolated from the scientific community for decades—naturally, you've fallen behind."
Anton was furious, pointing an accusatory finger at his son. "You disrespectful boy! Remove that toothpick from your mouth and show some respect to our employer!"
Jason waved his hand indifferently. These minor squabbles didn't concern him. What mattered was how much value this father-son duo could provide.
"So, do you understand the design schematics for the Arc Reactor and this armor?"
Anton and Ivan exchanged knowing smiles, and Anton shrugged. "Whenever you need it, boss, we can build it for you! However, I wouldn't recommend such crude armor. I can design something far superior—capable of flight, stealth, underwater operation—anything you desire!"
"Excellent."
Jason nodded approvingly. He had initially estimated that Anton and his son combined might equal roughly 0.5 Starks.
Now he was reconsidering—perhaps they were closer to 0.6 or even 0.8?
He took a deep breath and spoke solemnly. "I have two assignments for you. First, use the Arc Reactor technology to create a super-bomb. The more powerful, the better. At minimum, it should surpass conventional nuclear weapons and rival hydrogen bombs!"
Anton and Ivan exchanged alarmed glances.
Ivan abandoned his nonchalant demeanor, swallowed nervously, and asked cautiously, "Uh... Boss, are you planning to... destroy the world? Who provoked you to this extreme?"
Jason smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, I have no intention of detonating Earth. You'll understand my purposes in due time."
The two scientists looked at each other before nodding reluctantly.
Anton asked, "What's the second assignment?"
"Armor. I need the most powerful armor in existence!"
Anton nodded in understanding. "I see, boss. Don't worry, Ivan and I will utilize our expertise to create the most formidable armor possible, guaranteeing that you'll—"
"No, you misunderstand," Jason interrupted.
What?
Anton and Ivan stared at him blankly.
Jason's lips curled into a smile as his body suddenly levitated. Silver lightning crackled around him like dancing dragons!
"I need you to design an Armor specifically for me!"
Holy shit!
Witnessing their boss floating in mid-air surrounded by electrical energy, Anton and his son felt their knees weaken.
Jason retracted his powers and, noting their stunned expressions, snapped his fingers to bring them back to reality.
"This armor needs to provide massive electrical energy, so a single Arc Reactor won't suffice! I want six! It must be imposing yet agile, capable of supersonic flight, deep-sea diving, and ideally space—ah, remember to address the high-altitude icing problem. Most importantly, it requires substantial defensive and offensive capabilities..."
As Jason enthusiastically outlined his vision, Anton and his son accepted the daunting assignment with resigned expressions.
After some discussion, Ivan raised a critical concern.
The primary challenge in creating such powerful armor would be acquiring suitable materials.
Jason had anticipated this obstacle.
Initially, he had considered vibranium, but it was prohibitively expensive.
Purchasing it was impossible.
Stealing it? He didn't even know Wakanda's location yet.
The African continent was vast, making the search for this elusive metal impractical. So his attention shifted to another exceptional material: adamantium!
If his information was correct, a small reservoir remained at Stryker's base.
Though insufficient for full adamantium armor, strategically reinforcing critical components would qualitatively enhance the entire suit's defensive capabilities!
Meanwhile, he had instructed David to locate the vibranium dealer named Ulysses Klaue.
Once they identified Wakanda's location, they could appropriate several tons of vibranium.
He smiled confidently at Anton and his son. "Begin designing the armor. I'll secure the materials."
Jason was about to leave when he suddenly smacked his forehead. "I almost forgot—this armor must be capable of generating a Faraday electromagnetic cage using lightning. That's absolutely crucial!"
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