The soldiers of the ultra-terror group Ultimatum brought their weapons to bear on the armored man before them. Around them, the assembled scientific community that was participating in the futurist symposium called ‘Leaping Forward’ were held to their seats, afraid to move as Ultimatum soldiers kept the crowd covered. Reed Richards, Hank Pym and T’Challa, the Black Panther, were all unconscious on the auditorium floor. T’Challa’s bodyguards, the Dora Milaje, were also down and out.
“I don’t know who you are,” said the leader of the group, a woman from the sound of her, She looked down at the body of Tony Stark, a pool of blood surrounding him. “But you’re not Iron Man.”
“All right then,” said Iron Man. “You had your chance.”
STARKTECH SCANSUITE 9.0 RUNNING
STRUCTURE SCAN - 326 HUMAN LIFESIGNS (5 INDICATE REDUCED ACTIVE BRAINWAVE ACTIVITY - UNCONSCIOUS, 36 RODENT LIFESIGNS, VARIOUS INSECT LIFESIGNS. ANIMAL LIFE INDIGENEOUS TO LOCAL WAKANDAN LOCALE.
1 DECEASED HUMAN DETECTED - LIFESIGNS TERMINATED. IDENTIFIED AS: STARK, ANTHONY EDWARD
HOSTILES TARGETED AMONGST HUMAN LIFESIGNS AS FOLLOWS:
15 ARMED WITH PULSE RIFLES. 1 WITH PROJECTILE WEAPON. BALLISTIC SCAN CONFIRMS AS WEAPON THAT TERMINATED STARK LIFESIGNS.
PROCEEDING WITH TAKEDOWN. TACTICAL PREJUDICE PROTOCOLS ENACTED.
TARGETS LOCKED.
TAKEDOWN COMMENCING....
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#2
MAR 10 |
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“The Stark Protocols” Part Two
Stark Enterprises Corporate Headquarters, Los Angeles, California
Pepper Potts was in desperate need of caffeine.
She rubbed the bridge of her nose as she listened to Justine Hammer, Stark Enterprises’ new Executive VP of Operations, Janine Hammer. Hammer had been talking for fifteen minutes now and there seemed to be no end in sight.
“...and if we extrapolate the returns from the commercial application of magnetic repulsor application, we can then divert those funds to the development of Phase II of our expansion plans, namely the opening of magrep facilities in every state and province in continental North America.” Hammer paused to take a sip of water.
“Janine,” said Pepper, “Mr. Stark hasn’t approved the release of any type of repulsor technology in any form, let alone for commercial application. If I were to guess I’d say that, based on past experience, we won’t see anything like that released for public consumption...ever. Mr. Stark is extremely proprietary on anything related to the Iron Man technology.”
Janine Hammer didn’t waver in her stoic pose. Around the room were the various Vice Presidents and project managers that made up the overall leadership team of Stark Enterprises. Everyone was silent at Pepper’s comments. In Tony Stark’s absence everyone in the room knew that his Executive Assistant was the power that be.
Well,” said Janine, “I have Mr. Stark’s personal approval on this matter. In fact, I received his concurrence minutes before this meeting started.” She picked up her Blackberry and punched a few keys. “I’ve just forwarded said concurrence to you.”
Pepper checked her own wireless device and pulled up the message.
TO: JANINE.HAMMER@STARK.NET
FROM: IRON_CEO@STARK.NET
SUBJECT: MagRep Commercial Application Project
Janine,
I’ve reviewed your proposal and find it acceptable. Please brief the Management Team and begin implementation of Phase I as soon as realistically possible. I’ll discuss further upon my return from Wakanda. Have to run...things are heating up here.
Best,
T.
Pepper couldn’t believe it. This was Tony’s digital signature. Taking into account the time change, it appeared he had sent it as he was sitting in the opening ceremonies of Leaping Forward.
“That will be all for now, everyone. I’ll be in touch about rescheduling the remainder of this meeting. Thank you.” Everyone in the room immediately got up and left. The mood in the room was cold and everyone knew it. Within thirty seconds Pepper was alone with Janine.
“I’m sorry Mr. Stark didn’t inform you of his decision,” said Janine, “but the truth is what it is.”
“You expect me to believe that you convinced Mr. Stark to do what no one else has been able to, EVER,” said Pepper.
“Call him,” said Janine.
Pepper called Janine’s bluff. “Dial Tony’s Cell.” The in-room conference phone immediately dialed.
It rang four times then went to voicemail. “Hi, this is Tony Stark. You know what to do.”
“Tony, call me when you get this. It’s Pepper.” She ended the call.
“Let me know when he calls back,” said Janine. “I’ll be in my office.”
Pepper watched her walk out of the conference room. Bitch, she thought. Tony, what the hell were you thinking?
She grabbed a spherical device and tossed it to the ground. A purple light emanated from it that spread out and engulfed the room. Electronics and lights went out as the electromagnetic pulse played havoc with all electromagnetic energy in the room.
Iron Man still stood.
“You’re going to have to do better than that,” he said.
Energy beams lanced out from fourteen different ports on the armor and struck fourteen different Ultimatum soldiers. They all crumpled to the ground, leaving their leader standing alone.
“That was designed specifically to work against you,” said the Ultimatum leader. “Dammit.”
“Nothing you do can work against me,” said Iron Man. “Who sent you? How did you get past Wakandan security?”
“I--” she said before her head exploded. Iron Man whirled around to see where the shot had come from, but he realized quickly that it was no shot that had killed the woman. Her head had detonated; he could detect traces of the explosive in the red mist that had come into the air.
The doors to the auditorium were blown open on all sides as Wakandan security forces swarmed the room. Weapon sights were trained directly onto Iron Man, reflecting off his armor.
“Show’s over, gentlemen,” said Iron Man. He turned to look at the body of Tony Stark. Still dead.
Several of the scientists had moved to Stark’s body and began looking over it. One of them was Dr. Keith Kincaid, a physician with more than a passing experience with an injured Avenger, having acted as their staff physician for a number of years. Kincaid tore open Tony’s shirt to get at the wound.
“He’s dead,” said Iron Man.
Kincaid looked up for a second, angered at the armored Avenger. “I need a trauma team here, now!”
Wakandan security personel arrived at their position, medics assembling equipment into a trauma bay on site. Nearby, other medical staff were seeing to T’Challa, Reed Richards, Hank Pym and the Dora Milaje. T’Challa was the first to awaken.
T’Challa stood up, a little unsteady from the Ultimatum attack. He turned to his Chief of Security. “Jotender,” said T’Challa, “I want a full accounting of how this could have happened in thirty minutes.”
“Yes, my King,” said Jotender. “I will get to the bottom of this immediately.”
Iron Man looked at Jotender and watched the Security Chief as he left the room. “I’ll be back,” he said as he launched through the hole in the ceiling he had created with his entrance. The whine of repulsor jets faded seconds later.
“How is he?” asked T’Challa as he came beside Dr. Kincaid and the Wakandan medical triage team.
“His heart is beating again,” said Kincaid, “But he won’t last long. He’s too weak...and I fear the lack of oxygen has caused irreparable brain damage.”
“Teleport Command, this is King T’Challa, authorization TChaka Mbenga M’Tengu. Emergency teleport to the Royal Medical Suite, three in transit on my kimiyo card.” T’Challa reached out and laid hands on Stark and Kincaid. Seconds later, they all disappeared in a twinkle of light.
“Are you all right, Dr. Richards?” asked a medical tech to the leader of the Fantastic Four.
“Yes,” said Reed. But if Tony is nearly dead...then who was that Iron Man?
Iron Man stood in the deserted hotel room that had been the meeting point for the Ultimatum attackers prior to their assault. He had accessed the Wakandan security net and ran image recognition of all salient identification points of the Ultimatum leader whose cranium had exploded. He had come across one woman that matched her physical biometrics and tracked her through all security cameras to the general area of this hotel floor. Footage showed signs of tampering, but Iron Man’s data scrubbers worked out the deleted footage enough to find this particular room. Once inside, he scanned 16 different sets of fingerprints, all of which correlated to various criminal records and warrants...except one.
That one was found on another very unique database.
Iron Man phased through the wall and headed back to the auditorium.
Jotender consulted his holographic display as he coordinated the security and emergency personel. He was aware of the status of everyone present in the auditorium today, with the exception of King T’Challa and Tony Stark. Even the Chief of Security was not privy to the Royal Medical Suite without the King’s clearance. Still, he was in a position to ensure that all signs of this attack were taken care of...and that the true nature of this attack was still kept a secret.
“Security Chief Jotender,” said a voice directly beside him, “We need to have a little chat.”
Jotender turned to see the seven foot tall Iron Man beside him. Jotender prided himself on his awareness of his surroundings....he had no idea how Iron Man had come to be so close to him without his knowing. “I’m afraid I have no news on Mr. Stark’s diagnosis.”
“I’m not here about Stark,” said Iron Man. “I’m here to ask you why you betrayed T’Challa and colluded with Ultimatum.”
Jotender stopped his work and faced Iron Man. “I have no idea what you are talking about...and I am offended that you would make accusations against my allegiance to my King.” He stood up to Iron Man and looked him in the eye.
“I don’t care what you’re offended by,” said Iron Man as he laid a hand on Jotender and sent an electrical charge through the man that knocked him unconscious. “You’re guilty...and you will talk before we’re through.”
“What’s the meaning of this?” asked Reed Richards as he made his way through the remaining crowd of attendees. “I don’t know who you are behind that armor, but I assure you T’Challa will want a reason as to your tasking of his Chief of Security.”
“Back off, Richards,” said Iron Man. “This man is a traitor.”
“I’m afraid we’ll need to see proof of such an accusation,” said Reed,
“I said, back off,” said Iron Man as he erected a forcefield around himself and Jotender. “This is none of your affair.”
“No,” said a commanding voice from behind Iron Man. It was T’Challa, dressed in full Black Panther regalia. “You will release my countryman and we will discuss this like civilized men.”
“I haven’t the time to waste with you,” said Iron Man.
Black Panther swiped at Iron Man’s forcefield and shorted it out with his claws. “Your forcefield cannot stand against energized Vibranium. Stand down, whoever you are. Your employer would not be pleased.”
Iron Man stood tall before the Wakandan monarch. “Tony Stark is dead. I wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t.”
“Tony Stark is alive,” said T’Challa. “He is in a coma and receiving the finest medical care Wakanda can provide.”
“I think it’s time you told us who you really are,” said Reed Richards.
“I agree,” said T’Challa.
Iron Man looked first at Richards then to T’Challa. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”
“I think we do,” said T’Challa.
“If I do,” said Iron Man, “We then work on this traitor to find the source of this attack...and it’s true purpose.”
“True purpose?” asked Reed.
“He’s right,” said Hank Pym as he approached the men. “This attack was a distraction. It was never meant to succeed...at least, not much.”
“I agree,” said T’Challa. “Lift the helmet and reveal who you are.” He looked Iron Man in the eye again.
“Fine,” said Iron Man. “Have a look.”
The helmet faceplate pixilated and disappeared, revealing Iron Man’s face.
Reed Richards, T’Challa and Hank Pym were all thunderstruck....and speechless.
To Be Continued...
Next: In Iron Man #3: The new Iron Man follows the trail of the Ultimatum attack...and a certain Latverian dictator gets an interest in the new armored hero....not to mention a certain eyepatch-wearing secret agent! It’s in ‘The Stark Protocols - Part 3’!
Previous Issue | Next Issue
Pepper Potts was in desperate need of caffeine.
She rubbed the bridge of her nose as she listened to Justine Hammer, Stark Enterprises’ new Executive VP of Operations, Janine Hammer. Hammer had been talking for fifteen minutes now and there seemed to be no end in sight.
“...and if we extrapolate the returns from the commercial application of magnetic repulsor application, we can then divert those funds to the development of Phase II of our expansion plans, namely the opening of magrep facilities in every state and province in continental North America.” Hammer paused to take a sip of water.
“Janine,” said Pepper, “Mr. Stark hasn’t approved the release of any type of repulsor technology in any form, let alone for commercial application. If I were to guess I’d say that, based on past experience, we won’t see anything like that released for public consumption...ever. Mr. Stark is extremely proprietary on anything related to the Iron Man technology.”
Janine Hammer didn’t waver in her stoic pose. Around the room were the various Vice Presidents and project managers that made up the overall leadership team of Stark Enterprises. Everyone was silent at Pepper’s comments. In Tony Stark’s absence everyone in the room knew that his Executive Assistant was the power that be.
Well,” said Janine, “I have Mr. Stark’s personal approval on this matter. In fact, I received his concurrence minutes before this meeting started.” She picked up her Blackberry and punched a few keys. “I’ve just forwarded said concurrence to you.”
Pepper checked her own wireless device and pulled up the message.
TO: JANINE.HAMMER@STARK.NET
FROM: IRON_CEO@STARK.NET
SUBJECT: MagRep Commercial Application Project
Janine,
I’ve reviewed your proposal and find it acceptable. Please brief the Management Team and begin implementation of Phase I as soon as realistically possible. I’ll discuss further upon my return from Wakanda. Have to run...things are heating up here.
Best,
T.
Pepper couldn’t believe it. This was Tony’s digital signature. Taking into account the time change, it appeared he had sent it as he was sitting in the opening ceremonies of Leaping Forward.
“That will be all for now, everyone. I’ll be in touch about rescheduling the remainder of this meeting. Thank you.” Everyone in the room immediately got up and left. The mood in the room was cold and everyone knew it. Within thirty seconds Pepper was alone with Janine.
“I’m sorry Mr. Stark didn’t inform you of his decision,” said Janine, “but the truth is what it is.”
“You expect me to believe that you convinced Mr. Stark to do what no one else has been able to, EVER,” said Pepper.
“Call him,” said Janine.
Pepper called Janine’s bluff. “Dial Tony’s Cell.” The in-room conference phone immediately dialed.
It rang four times then went to voicemail. “Hi, this is Tony Stark. You know what to do.”
“Tony, call me when you get this. It’s Pepper.” She ended the call.
“Let me know when he calls back,” said Janine. “I’ll be in my office.”
Pepper watched her walk out of the conference room. Bitch, she thought. Tony, what the hell were you thinking?
She grabbed a spherical device and tossed it to the ground. A purple light emanated from it that spread out and engulfed the room. Electronics and lights went out as the electromagnetic pulse played havoc with all electromagnetic energy in the room.
Iron Man still stood.
“You’re going to have to do better than that,” he said.
Energy beams lanced out from fourteen different ports on the armor and struck fourteen different Ultimatum soldiers. They all crumpled to the ground, leaving their leader standing alone.
“That was designed specifically to work against you,” said the Ultimatum leader. “Dammit.”
“Nothing you do can work against me,” said Iron Man. “Who sent you? How did you get past Wakandan security?”
“I--” she said before her head exploded. Iron Man whirled around to see where the shot had come from, but he realized quickly that it was no shot that had killed the woman. Her head had detonated; he could detect traces of the explosive in the red mist that had come into the air.
The doors to the auditorium were blown open on all sides as Wakandan security forces swarmed the room. Weapon sights were trained directly onto Iron Man, reflecting off his armor.
“Show’s over, gentlemen,” said Iron Man. He turned to look at the body of Tony Stark. Still dead.
Several of the scientists had moved to Stark’s body and began looking over it. One of them was Dr. Keith Kincaid, a physician with more than a passing experience with an injured Avenger, having acted as their staff physician for a number of years. Kincaid tore open Tony’s shirt to get at the wound.
“He’s dead,” said Iron Man.
Kincaid looked up for a second, angered at the armored Avenger. “I need a trauma team here, now!”
Wakandan security personel arrived at their position, medics assembling equipment into a trauma bay on site. Nearby, other medical staff were seeing to T’Challa, Reed Richards, Hank Pym and the Dora Milaje. T’Challa was the first to awaken.
T’Challa stood up, a little unsteady from the Ultimatum attack. He turned to his Chief of Security. “Jotender,” said T’Challa, “I want a full accounting of how this could have happened in thirty minutes.”
“Yes, my King,” said Jotender. “I will get to the bottom of this immediately.”
Iron Man looked at Jotender and watched the Security Chief as he left the room. “I’ll be back,” he said as he launched through the hole in the ceiling he had created with his entrance. The whine of repulsor jets faded seconds later.
“How is he?” asked T’Challa as he came beside Dr. Kincaid and the Wakandan medical triage team.
“His heart is beating again,” said Kincaid, “But he won’t last long. He’s too weak...and I fear the lack of oxygen has caused irreparable brain damage.”
“Teleport Command, this is King T’Challa, authorization TChaka Mbenga M’Tengu. Emergency teleport to the Royal Medical Suite, three in transit on my kimiyo card.” T’Challa reached out and laid hands on Stark and Kincaid. Seconds later, they all disappeared in a twinkle of light.
“Are you all right, Dr. Richards?” asked a medical tech to the leader of the Fantastic Four.
“Yes,” said Reed. But if Tony is nearly dead...then who was that Iron Man?
Iron Man stood in the deserted hotel room that had been the meeting point for the Ultimatum attackers prior to their assault. He had accessed the Wakandan security net and ran image recognition of all salient identification points of the Ultimatum leader whose cranium had exploded. He had come across one woman that matched her physical biometrics and tracked her through all security cameras to the general area of this hotel floor. Footage showed signs of tampering, but Iron Man’s data scrubbers worked out the deleted footage enough to find this particular room. Once inside, he scanned 16 different sets of fingerprints, all of which correlated to various criminal records and warrants...except one.
That one was found on another very unique database.
Iron Man phased through the wall and headed back to the auditorium.
Jotender consulted his holographic display as he coordinated the security and emergency personel. He was aware of the status of everyone present in the auditorium today, with the exception of King T’Challa and Tony Stark. Even the Chief of Security was not privy to the Royal Medical Suite without the King’s clearance. Still, he was in a position to ensure that all signs of this attack were taken care of...and that the true nature of this attack was still kept a secret.
“Security Chief Jotender,” said a voice directly beside him, “We need to have a little chat.”
Jotender turned to see the seven foot tall Iron Man beside him. Jotender prided himself on his awareness of his surroundings....he had no idea how Iron Man had come to be so close to him without his knowing. “I’m afraid I have no news on Mr. Stark’s diagnosis.”
“I’m not here about Stark,” said Iron Man. “I’m here to ask you why you betrayed T’Challa and colluded with Ultimatum.”
Jotender stopped his work and faced Iron Man. “I have no idea what you are talking about...and I am offended that you would make accusations against my allegiance to my King.” He stood up to Iron Man and looked him in the eye.
“I don’t care what you’re offended by,” said Iron Man as he laid a hand on Jotender and sent an electrical charge through the man that knocked him unconscious. “You’re guilty...and you will talk before we’re through.”
“What’s the meaning of this?” asked Reed Richards as he made his way through the remaining crowd of attendees. “I don’t know who you are behind that armor, but I assure you T’Challa will want a reason as to your tasking of his Chief of Security.”
“Back off, Richards,” said Iron Man. “This man is a traitor.”
“I’m afraid we’ll need to see proof of such an accusation,” said Reed,
“I said, back off,” said Iron Man as he erected a forcefield around himself and Jotender. “This is none of your affair.”
“No,” said a commanding voice from behind Iron Man. It was T’Challa, dressed in full Black Panther regalia. “You will release my countryman and we will discuss this like civilized men.”
“I haven’t the time to waste with you,” said Iron Man.
Black Panther swiped at Iron Man’s forcefield and shorted it out with his claws. “Your forcefield cannot stand against energized Vibranium. Stand down, whoever you are. Your employer would not be pleased.”
Iron Man stood tall before the Wakandan monarch. “Tony Stark is dead. I wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t.”
“Tony Stark is alive,” said T’Challa. “He is in a coma and receiving the finest medical care Wakanda can provide.”
“I think it’s time you told us who you really are,” said Reed Richards.
“I agree,” said T’Challa.
Iron Man looked first at Richards then to T’Challa. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”
“I think we do,” said T’Challa.
“If I do,” said Iron Man, “We then work on this traitor to find the source of this attack...and it’s true purpose.”
“True purpose?” asked Reed.
“He’s right,” said Hank Pym as he approached the men. “This attack was a distraction. It was never meant to succeed...at least, not much.”
“I agree,” said T’Challa. “Lift the helmet and reveal who you are.” He looked Iron Man in the eye again.
“Fine,” said Iron Man. “Have a look.”
The helmet faceplate pixilated and disappeared, revealing Iron Man’s face.
Reed Richards, T’Challa and Hank Pym were all thunderstruck....and speechless.
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To Be Continued...
Next: In Iron Man #3: The new Iron Man follows the trail of the Ultimatum attack...and a certain Latverian dictator gets an interest in the new armored hero....not to mention a certain eyepatch-wearing secret agent! It’s in ‘The Stark Protocols - Part 3’!
Previous Issue | Next Issue