[center][h2][COLOR=red]I R O N  M A N[/COLOR][/H2] [img]https://iconbug.com/download/size/256/icon/332/iron-man/[/img][/center]
[COLOR=red][indent][sub][I]Stark Mansion, Malibu, California[/I] - [I]7 Years Ago[/I][/sub][sup][right]Issue 1.01.03: Come Fly with Me[/right][/sup][/indent][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][sub][B]Interaction(s):[/B] [I]None[/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][b]Previously:[/b] [I]Issue 1.01.02: [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5082729]All or Nothing at All[/url][/I][/right][/SUP][/indent][/color]

[color=red]"Alright, this is test number thirty nine for the Battle Suit Mark II, name pending."[/color] Standing among the various tools and spare metal components was Tony in a silver, somewhat sleek suit of body armor that lacked a helmet. He stood absolutely still, calling out into the armory. [color=red]"FRIDAY, can you run a flight diagnostic for me?"[/color]

[color=aba000]"Just a moment..."[/color] The armory was filled with awkward silence for a moment, until the cheery female voice once again filled the room. [color=aba000]"Flight systems are operational."[/color]

Tony nodded, giving a small smile as he looked down. With a small jet of energy, the suit slowly rose off the ground for a brief moment, before slowly falling back to the ground. [color=red]"Alright, I haven't blown up yet."[/color] Tony took a deep breath before looking straight ahead. [color=red]"Alright... one final test... let's let all the plumes out."[/color]

[color=aba000]"Are you sure?"[/color]

[color=red]"Just do it."[/color]

Tony screwed his eyes shut as whirring emerged from his suit and he extended his arms forward. The palms of the suit slowly lit up as other small weapons began to emerge around the suit. A single missile emerged from the top of the right wrist, while the muzzle of a flamethrower emerged from the left. The right shoulder revealed a miniature missile launcher, and the calves revealed flare launchers. And, to Tony's surprise, nothing exploded. The inventor smiled wildly. [color=red]"I am a genius, and we are good to give this baby a test drive. FRIDAY, what are the odds of paying back Raza?"[/color]

[color=aba000]"Corporal Rhodes did relay the intel this morning, but it is going to be a 10 hour flight. Assuming they haven't mobilized by then-"[/color]

[color=red]"I don't need a lecture, FRIDAY. Just tell me the odds."[/color]

[color=aba000]"Well, sir..."[/color]

[COLOR=red][indent][sub][/sub][sup][right][/right][/sup][/indent][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][sub][B][I]4,500 feet above the Atlantic Ocean[/I] - [I]Present Day[/I][/B] [I][/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][b][/b] [/right][/SUP][/indent][/color]

[color=c4df9b]"With all due respect... this is a terrible plan."[/color] Bethany Cabe sat with her arms folded sternly. She had chosen a formal black jumpsuit for today's occasion, which happened to work perfectly with her bright red hair and the large sidearm strapped to a holster on her belt. Her expression was unimpressed, which made even Tony Stark nervous.

[color=f26522]"I'll have your back."[/color] While Happy's resting face was rather stoic and unamused, the upturned corners of his mouth and cheery language made it clear that Stark's "bodyguard" was trying his damnedest to be the optimistic voice on the private jet.

[color=red]"JARVIS will be doing a lot of the legwork once we're in there. Stick to the plan, and we should be able to get in and out with time to stop in Rome for pizza on the way home."[/color] Despite attempting to be reassuring, Tony's grip on the suitcase sitting in his lap tightened as his knuckles appeared white.

JARVIS' voice called out over the private jet's intercom in that moment. [color=gold]"We will be touching down on New Mideaum momentarily. Prepare for VTOL mode."[/color] As the three passengers rested back in their seats, the jet began to rapidly slow down. Within a few minutes, the jet had practically slowed to a stop and was slowly descending vertically. Tony looked out of his window and down towards the small Mediterranean island they were approaching. It had a couple sparse buildings on it and a large stretch of ground paved to form a makeshift helipad. As the jet approached the helipad, Tony could make out a couple of figures waiting below.

Once the jet touched down, Tony was the first to make his way down the stairs. Waiting just a few yards away were a woman in white wearing a golden mask and the man of the hour. Mordecai Midas was wearing a golden colored suit, shirt, and tie. The tan skinned business mogul smiled and held out his arms for an embrace. Stark internalized his eye rolling as he put on a fake smile and moved in to meet the embrace after setting his briefcase on the ground for a moment. Midas was the first to break the silence over the sounds of the dying jet engines. [color=f9ad81]"It is a pleasant surprise to have you visit us, Mr. Stark. I trust your flight was pleasant?"[/color]

Tony gave a curt nod as he broke the embrace, giving Midas a brief pat on the arm. [color=red]"Of course, and I do believe I owe you some introductions."[/color] Tony turned and motioned to his two compatriots, who were being carefully eyed up by the woman in the mask. [color=red]"This is my personal bodyguard Happy Hogan, and this is my chief of security Bethany Cabe."[/color]

Midas held out his hand to greet each one individually. Happy's grip was firm and brief, while Bethany's held a hair longer as her gaze examined each feature on the business mogul's face. With those brief greetings out of the way, Midas paused a moment to finally address the proverbial masked mystery woman on the helipad. [color=f9ad81]"Ahhh, and I almost forgot. Mr. Stark and company, this is Ms. Whitney Frost. She is the chief of security for Midas Management."[/color]

Tony held out his hand to Whitney for a handshake, but she simply stood in place with her arms folded. After what felt like an eternity of awkward silence, Stark shook his head and lowered his hand to pick up the briefcase at his feet. [color=red]"Right... well, do you mind if we start the tour?"[/color]

[color=f9ad81]"Of course, Mr. Stark. Please, follow me."[/color] Midas turned on his heels and began walking from the helipad out towards the shoreline. Tony tilted his head slightly as he followed and his compatriots followed. Just as the business mogul approached the shoreline, a carefully crafted rock pathway rose up from the water. At the end of it, a glass elevator was waiting with the doors open. Mordecai Midas looked back over his shoulder with a smile. [color=f9ad81]"I hope no one is claustrophobic."[/color]