[code]Robert had been poked and prodded for almost all his life. Every time he had been freed, the agents of his freedom had become his oppressors. Now? Now he had a way out of all of this. A benefactor, all he had to do was do one job, and his future would be his own once more. Succeed, and a brand new identity was his reward, a clean slate and a future of his own making. For the first time in over a decade, he would be the master of his destiny. Shifting uncomfortably in the itchy, ill-fitting suit, he smoothed his tie with one hand as he secured his credentials onto the outside of his breast pocket with the other. Approaching the security checkpoint as his hand was near his breast pocket, he pulled out a small capsule and slipped it into the palm of his hand, rubbing it from his chin over his mouth and up to his hair in a smooth motion. He deposited it into his mouth on the way. Before he reached the security guard, he crunched down on the capsule, the foul taste nearly bringing up bile from the pit of his empty stomach. Robert felt a strange coldness spread throughout his body as the pill took effect. Credentials checked, he stepped through the scanner. Instead of alarms blaring, it just flashed green, and he was waved through onto the lot. Warehouses and offices surrounded him. Security officers stood at every possible juncture as they were headed towards a large glass building, with STARK INDUSTRIES emblazoned upon the side, swear trickled down his forehead, and even he was unsure whether it was due to the beating Calironia Son or simply nerves about what he had to do.[/code] [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/nck50RJ.png[/img][/center] The empty suit stood in the corner, watching them both like a silent guardian. No words were being shared between the two friends as they sat in silence, waiting for the press conference to start. Jim's phone had been ringing all afternoon, officers and teammates trying to get in touch with him to check in. No doubt by the end of the day, his record would have a great big AWOL stamp at the top of it. Jim held no illusions; he would receive a court-martial for the events of today. A few years ago, it would have been for the death of innocent civilians, now it was more likely to be due to his involvement in taking one of Lords toys away from him. Tony sat, pensive. Jim was beginning to realise how pale his friend was looking. Almost hollow and empty. Deep, dark bags underneath his eyes, sleep had never bothered Tony in the past; it had been an optional activity beyond a few hours and a couple of cans of energy juice. Perhaps it was the stress getting to the inventor that was the problem, if there was a problem. A real problem, he would have told Jim about it. The two shared everything; they practically conspired against the President of the United States together. They had no secrets. Broken from his reverie as Tony took a long swig of that green gunk he had been drinking the last couple of weeks. [color=skyblue]"That gunk has to be the weirdest fad I've ever seen, and I remember that Supermodel you dated who only ate things beginning with vowels.[/color] Tony swallowed and laughed. [color=orange]"Ah, Nancy! At least breakfast was easy."[/color] Jim raised an eyebrow. [color=orange]"She had eggs, I ate Oreos."[/color] Jim chuckled to himself slightly. [color=orange]"You know Rhodey, you don't [i]have[/i] to be here for this. You could distance yourself, you'll probably still never fly again but you could leave the force with your honours and your pension."[/color] Jim shook his head. [color=skyblue]"This is the right thing to do, and honestly, I think that ship sailed the moment I ignored the call from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs."[/color] [color=orange]"Oh..."[/color] [color=skyblue]"Yeah, General Hammond isn't going to be happy about that."[/color] [color=orange]"I'm sure we can find a position for you at Stark. Probably better paid too-"[/color] Jim held his hand up. [color=skyblue]"I'll figure something out, I can always fly commercial."[/color] Jim chuckled slightly to himself and Tony joined him. [color=orange]"I can just hear it now, welcome to flight 35 from PAX West, here's a fun fact about me I used to be the [i]Iron Patriot.[/i]"[/color] [color=skyblue]"At least people would know they were going to make it to their destination, you've not had a failed mission yet, just one last one to do-"[/color] [color=coral]"The dreaded press interview."[/color] Pepper spoke as she entered the room, the two men turning their heads to face her. She handed a tablet to Tony, her hand lingered on his shoulder for a moment as he smiled his thanks up to her taking it. [color=coral]"Here are your notes for you to completely ignore during the conference, just in case you decided you actually want to go with the prepared speech."[/color] Jim saw the smirk before it happened. [color=orange]"It's not likely."[/color] [hr] [img]https://static1.cbrimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TONY-GIVES-A-SPEECH.jpg[/img] The raised stage stood at the end of the hall. [i]STARK INDUSTRIES[/i] was plastered on the end of the podium. Pepper introduced him and walked off the end of the stage and out of the hall, no doubt having other more important duties to attend to. Like starting work on the damage control with Obadiah and the board. Tony cleared his throat as he walked forward, Rhodey stood at the back in his suit. The faceplate opened as he stood at ease. Arms behind his back, surveying the room for potential threats, not that there would be any in this room. All the security that people had to go through to get into this briefing, security was almost tigther as attending a press conference at the White House. [color=orange]"If you forgive me, we'll leave all questions till the end."[/color] The reporters who were coiled up like springs, ready to jump up with questions, shifted in their seats. Relaxing slightly. [color=orange]"During the war with the Reach, I built the first ever War Machine armour. Working closely with my friends over at S.H.I.E.L.D. Not to sound immodest, but the War Machine program became one of the most important and powerful weapons we had to use to fight the reach [i]until[/i] the emergence of SuperMan, of course."[/color] He took a drink from his glass. [color=orange]"At the end of the war, President Ellis commissioned the Iron Patriot program, with our very own Colonel James Rhodes-"[/color] He cast his hand back to point at Rhodey, and there was a light, polite applause in the room. [color=orange]"-This program was under a trial basis. Due to more [i]recent[/i] events, and the current climate, I am sorry to report that we will be shutting down the Iron Patriot program-"[/color] The reporters all stood up in a roar, cameras flashed and reporters clamored as they all attempted to shout their questions over the din. Tony held his hand, attempting to calm the crowd, but they continued to try and shout and scream to be heard. Tony tapped the microphone, waving his hand to try and push them back down so that he could continue on. [color=orange]"Come now, people please, let me speak..."[/color] The crowd quietened, only one man stayed standing. His eyes locked on Tony. Tony looked back at him, into those eyes. Those orange, glowing eyes. His own widened. He heard the [i]clunk[/i] as the Iron Patriots faceplate closed. The room went from a chaotic cacophony to deathly quiet. Others turned to look as the man climbed up onto a chair, his whole body glowing now as he climbed back up onto his chair. His voice but a whisper, but not one person in the room failed to hear it. Not one person at home watching the news had any doubt what was said. For the man climbed upon his chair and said. [color=Tomato]"[i]For Genosha.[/i]"[/color] Then an explosion tore through the room, and all the news feeds went black.