Avengers: Unbreakable
The Avengers and all related characters and settings are the property of Marvel Inc. and their respective affiliates. All rights reserved (by them, not me).
Episode 1: Confluence
Chapter 14
Previous relevant chapter: 5
Stark Industries Global Headquarters, Queens, New York
Tony Stark stood in his lab at Stark Industries studying an electronic wall display. His father entered. Tony spoke without looking.
"Twice in one week. I'm impressed."
"I just wanted to let you know I'm leaving you in charge," Howard Stark said. Tony looked at him now.
"In charge of what?"
"Just until we get back."
"Where're you going?" Tony asked.
"I'm taking your mother on that driving tour out west."
"Oh really?"
Howard Stark moved toward his son. "Yes. I've been promising it to her for years. I decided it's time I start taking seriously my commitments (he was standing directly in front of Tony now) . . . to my family."
Tony looked around him, keeping his gaze fixed on the wall display. "Well, Dad, I think that's wonderful."
"Then maybe you should try it sometime."
"Taking my mother on a driving tour out west?"
"No. Taking seriously your commitments to your family."
Tony was still focused on the display. "Well, I'd get right on that. But right now, since you've left me in charge, my schedule's pretty packed." Tony looked at his dad again. "Besides, I didn't commit to becoming CEO. I just committed to thinking about it."
Howard smiled, shook his head and started to leave.
Tony called after him. "Flight, you said."
"Eh?" Howard turned back.
"The repulsor. You said if I could reduce the weight to power ratio, it could have applications in flight."
"Yes."
Tony nodded toward the display. "Maybe something like that?"
Howard Stark turned to look at the display. His eyes narrowed with interest and thought, and he considered it silently for many moments.
"Well, well, well," he said at last. "Very interesting. Yes, quite possibly."
He started to smile, and his eyes brightened as he took in more of the details.
"Yes. Quite possibly indeed."
He studied a moment more, then turned to Tony. "Well, I'll look forward to seeing more of that when I get back."
Tony nodded, and Howard turned to leave again.
"Hey Dad?" Tony called after him again. Howard looked back again. "Seriously. Have fun. I think that's really cool, what you're doing with Mom."
Howard smiled. "See you in a week."
Howard Stark walked out, and Tony looked back at his display. On it was an intricately detailed schematic of what looked like a modern, high-tech suit of armor.