AN: To get ahead of certain questions: Captain Marvel won't be a thing in this story. Considering her power, there are no good options to handle her in any story that's not focused on Captain Marvel. I would have to either nerf her greatly, make her a non-entity for the major plot points like the mainline Avengers movies did, in which case she might not even exist, or have her feature as a regular human character who can have impact on the story. I chose the last option. Here, Carol Danvers is a general in the US Air Force, one who has bit of first-hand experience with aliens. To a bit lesser extent the same will be true about the Hulk, who will still be the Hulk, but we'll see how powerfuld and durable exactly he is when facing aliens. The Asgardians are another issue - they tend to be as powerful and durable as the plot requires, which doesn't work for this story. This isn't a story where a handful of god-like characters make everyone else irelevant, or at least should considering how powerful said characters are supposed to be.

Disclaimer: I do not own any movies set up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or Star Wars movies, cartoons, games, books, or comics. They belong to their respective copyright owners. This story is not created with a commercial aim. It is not for sale or rent.

Phase 4: Changing world II

=IS=

Part 1

=IS=

The Conspiracy of the century continues to unravel! Hundreds of SI employees were arrested on charges of bribery, fraud, weapons sale, and potential treason!

USA Today

Rumors persist in Washington about potential Senate hearing over Stark Industries scandal.

C-SPAN

Kidnapping and shootout in Tampa connected with Tony Stark's abduction in Afghanistan!

New York Times

Tony Stark has a daughter!

US Weekly

=SI=

Stark mansion
New York, US

The next few weeks were a whirlwind of activity. Investigations discovered nearly a thousand compromised SI personnel all over the continental US. Over two-thirds were among the security, engineering, and maintenance staff responsible for various manufacturing plans. Over a hundred believed they were building "ghost" weapons for the US government. According to them, it was either for special forces or to sell to allies that we couldn't offer advanced weapons without political repercussions. The rest of the bastards were corrupt crooks.

Ward's initiative got him quiet recognition because it was his contact with Stane that helped uncover the rot much faster than it would be otherwise possible. Stane's attempt to cover his tracks copied and flagged many suspicious files, some holding on ghost drives attached to the SI's internal networks. That saved a lot of time and headaches for everyone trying to excise the rot.

I wish I could be surprised. However, I knew from experience that you couldn't get such an operation like the one I suspected existed without many people supporting it. Even if the people involved knew only a fraction of the overall picture, there would have to be many who had to close their eyes and go along with the scheme to make it possible.

It was simply impossible for a handful of people to make as many advanced weapons vanish and find their way into the hands of terrorists without anyone else being the wiser.

Even if everyone burned in the combined investigations were a fraction of the SI's personnel in the US alone, those were still a lot of people. There were even murmurs about Senate hearings, and a few voices from the competition pushed for nationalizing SI.

That's where many sleepless nights since getting home began to pay off.

Despite everything that was happening, my name still had some influence left. Playing nice with the Special Task Force and the military did help.

That was how I ended up meeting a group of US military brass in my home. Since the US military helped me get Jarvis' servers back here from California, they've been impatiently waiting for a presentation about what I could offer them. Strictly speaking, this wasn't a bribe.

In practice, this meeting had the potential both to alter my future and change the world.

We met in a refurbished conference room, made to be as secure as possible. It had no windows and was deep within the mansion. Sound-dampening material lined the walls, and jammers and scanners for bugs had their slots and independent power sources. The only connection to the outside world when the room got sealed was a hard line to Jarvis' new server space in the basement.

Considering the importance of the meeting, a group of vetted SHIELD Agents led by Ward came to visit to inspect my security and ensure there were no unpleasant surprises.

I was at the head of a mahogany table, the same one that Howard once upon a time used to gather the SI's Board of Directors around, mentally preparing myself for the meeting.

Ward led the brass to the door, nodded at me, and stepped to the side.

First to enter was a striking woman in her mid-fifties wearing an Air-Force uniform. This was Carol Danvers. She was the first woman to reach a flag rank in the US Air Force. Thanks to my new contacts in SHIELD, I knew she was one of the rare people with first-hand experience with aliens.

The second was a familiar and not exactly welcome face. This was Lieutenant-General Thaddeus Ross, the same man who mucked up that Hulk fiasco couple of years back. His presence was an unpleasant reminder that there were beings on this Earth and in the galaxy that could squash me like a bug as I was right now. Well, this meeting was the first significant step towards changing this.

Next came another Army General – Samuel Scudder. He was a lean man with light cocoa skin. Notably, he was the man in charge of the US Special Operations Command. If one branch of the US military knew of the alien threat and was expected to be first responders in an accident, it was the special forces, obviously.

Finally, we had Admiral James Jones, Navy. He was a bald dark-skinned man who briefly reminded me of that bastard Windu. At a second glance, the resemblance was superficial, luckily for the Admiral.

These four had only one thing in common besides their high ranks. They were all aware of the potential alien threats.

"Lady and gentlemen, please take a seat." I gave them my best professional Tony Stark smile I had – awe the brass so that you can sell them more weapons.

"Stark." Ross scowled. "We're not here to watch a weapon demonstration. Cut the theatrics. The place is secure, isn't it?"

"A demonstration? No. A glimpse of a possible future? Certainly. Jarvis?"

"Sir, my hard line is the only connection to the outside world. All jammers operate at a hundred percent capacity. The available scanners can't detect anything out of the ordinary. SHIELD Agents swept the room for bugs shortly before the arrival of your guests, Sir."

"Some of us have been waiting to see what you can do when you put your mind to it, Mr. Stark," Scudder spoke calmly. "The suit we recovered in Afghanistan was fascinating if impractical, but that was to be expected considering your circumstances and goal."

"We all know you're very much aware we aren't alone in the universe. There are threats we're hilariously outclassed by out there." Danvers stared at me curiously. "I understand you are either a potential threat or uniquely qualified to do something about it. We're open to hearing what you have for us. But please, don't waste our time with bullshit."

"I must agree with our colleague, Stark." Ross shifted on his leather chair and crossed his legs. "For once, SHIELD came clean with what can be a piece of vital information. Fortunately for you, people above my head decided to give you a chance. Don't waste it."

"Ah, so that's how it is." I smiled and let everything that was Tony Stark leech away. I straightened up and crossed my hands behind my back. "You're right. Barring any friendly aliens who are military veterans, I doubt there is someone more qualified than me on Earth right now to figure out how to keep our world intact.

"Mr. Stark, I think it's high time we all get on the same page. Summarize your credentials and show us what you can offer. Our presence here today is a gesture of good faith and proof that we're ready to play ball." Danvers explained. "Within reason, of course."

"I've fought in three galaxy-wide wars and a series of smaller conflicts. I was first a regular soldier, then an officer in the army and navy. To qualify for warship command rank, the nation I remember being of required a degree of engineering education. I specialized in fusion reactors, energy weaponry, and shield technology. Over the years, I've picked up useful knowledge on various advanced technologies, their use, and maintenance. However, I can't recreate the whole tech base from scratch by myself." I pointed out. "I can offer useful theories and pointers to research teams to work in fields I didn't specialize in. Are those credentials enough for you?"

Wary disbelief, a hint of respect, and raw hunger washed over me as soon as I focused entirely on my guests.

In particular, Ross' eyes shone with greed.

"What about super-soldiers? Ways to enhance people?" He demanded.

"I am aware of two practical ways that can be eventually combined and know that work—genetic and cybernetic enhancements. The primary issue with the former is that, to the best of my knowledge, here on Earth, we have very few methods that can safely alter the genome of adults in any feasible way. I can be of no help in that regard. However, with the right tools and know-how, genetic manipulation can make soldiers faster and stronger, significantly increasing their endurance and the rate they heal as well. The primary drawback is the need for much more calories to fuel a potentially huge increase in peak and average performance. Other issues could be problems with the heart and an increased risk of internal hemorrhages. The reason is simple - the blood vessel system won't necessarily be able to handle the strain of the increased performance. This includes the risk of brain hemorrhages. State-of-the-art equipment, enhancement methods, and the best people in the galaxy doing the procedures can greatly mitigate some of the risks." I explained and looked pointedly at the soldiers.

"We lack some if not all of those," Danvers noted. "The other option?"

"Cybernetics. Good enough cybernetic tech can greatly mitigate most practical risks for the enhanced person. The primary downsides are reintegration in civil society and how those people handle being more machine than flesh. The latter can lead to psychological issues. Developing civilian prosthetics alongside high-performance and endurance military ones can mitigate the first issue. Needless to say, you need to be certain of the loyalty and mental stability of any candidate you want to turn into a combat cyborg. They will also need extensive training to ensure they can safely use their enhanced capabilities. While this path is both viable and certain to work, we're years of research and development from making it viable. Until then, and even then, there are more practical ways to increase combat power, which would continue to be power multipliers for enhanced troops."

"Power armor. Better weapons." General Scudder suggested.

"Precisely."

I noted Ross was leaning forward and smiling in a way I would have found most disturbing before Afghanistan.

"I certainly like what I have heard so far, even if some of the implications are disturbing. Make your case, Mr. Stark. We'll hold any more questions until you've finished." Admiral Jones offered.

"Jarvis, spin up the holos, and put up Sunshine."

Holographic projectors came to life before me, building a 3-D image of a commercial fusion reactor.

"This is the foundation upon which we can reshape the world and prepare to defend Earth if we get enough time."

=IS=

Part 2

=IS=

Stark mansion
New York, US

Now I had their full attention. I could see speculaton in their eyes. Well, pure greed in Ross' case. He would have fit right into the old Sith Empire court.

"The next best thing to clean unlimited energy. Enough energy to eventually power anti-orbital weapons, city, theater, and planetary shields when we have the relevant tech. When miniaturized, fusion power cores can power up vehicles of all stripes for atmospheric and in-system travel. This includes weapon systems, engines, and shields. Tanks, APCs, and IFVs with direct energy weapons and shields. Small craft. Eventually, naval vessels, and I'm not just talking about a wet navy. That requires a single key component that makes everything else possible – enough power."

I paused and took a sip of juice. By now, my guests were busy taking notes. Good.

"The commercial uses of fusion power would change the world by itself. It will help boost the economy and allow us to pay for what comes next because a proper planetary defense is anything but cheap." I pointed out.

Danvers' eyes lit up with speculation while the others nodded.

"Next, for your military needs. It will be best to start with foundational technologies and low-hanging fruits that can be useful with current or easily developed technology. For example, a basis to work up for towards power armor. Jarvis?"

The holographic image of a fusion reactor dissolved in rays of light. In its place formed an ancient, by my standards, commercial exoskeleton.

"This is something many people are working on. I can have a working design for a prototype soon to build on. A basic exoskeleton will aid logistics. It will allow soldiers to carry larger loads for longer even in the lowest unpowered configuration." I got slow nods at that, but it was obvious they all wanted more.

I was more than ready to offer such incentives.

"Powered exoskeletons!" I announced with a flourish. "When we miniaturize fusion power cores enough to make mass deployment of combat exoskeletons practical, they will change the face of ground warfare. Even without armor addons, powered exoskeletons will allow common soldiers to use weapons that are otherwise vehicle-mounted or stationary easily. It will be relatively easy to add soft armor to make them nearly immune to shrapnel and highly resistant to pistol rounds. Later models with heavier armor, combined with advances in materials science, can allow for armor highly resistant to rifle bullets, even armor-piercing ammo. At that point, we'll be blurring the point between combat exoskeletons and proper power armor."

"I can see the logistics use. What is the difference between such units and proper power armor?" Ross demanded.

"Proper power armored suits can be environmentally sealed. Depending on the design, they offer great NBC protection and can be easily used in a hard vacuum. They can potentially mount jump or rocket packs, depending on the available tech, to greatly increase mobility. As a matter of course, power armor will be highly resistant to artillery, except for direct hits. A special gell layer within the armor would act as a shock absorber and a buffer against blunt impacts and, more importantly, the overpressure waves of explosions. In practice, with the right tech, a soldier might be able to shrug off most grenade types exploding in their face. Advanced sensor and ECM packs would offer increased situational awareness, communication, and defense against guided weapons when the tech is there. Power Armor can be extremely deadly to any ground forces in rough terrain and city fighting. They are great at boarding ships and stations as well. Not to mention that depending on the weapon tech available, troops without power armor or equivalent protection would die without achieving anything of value."

By now, I could practically read Ross' thoughts. The man wanted it all yesterday. Preferably delivered in bulk.

"This is great long-term, Mr. Stark. What else can you offer us short term?"

"I'm working on replicating various alloys and building materials I'm now familiar with. These alloys should allow for lighter, tougher armor and make for reinforced structures that can sustain more punishment. Some of what I know is possible, and I believe I can feasibly replicate will be long-term projects due to various factors. We will need to overhaul and improve industries gradually and fill in holes in the tech base. For example, I can only offer pointers for developing what I would now consider modern sensors. Some 'low hanging' fruits would require we get to the point we have an industry in orbit because practical development would require microgravity conditions. When we're deploying practical fusion, I will be focusing on developing useful engines to make access to orbit as easy as practical. In the long run, we'll need a full-scale orbital industry and mining of the solar system going."

"This covers practical defense in the short term. Can we assume we'll need a much better power source for shield technology?" Admiral Jones asked.

"I must say, this is a more ambitious vision than anyone expected," Denvers noted.

"This is my world too, you know. I keep all must stuff here. And I would prefer my daughter to grow up in a world that some two-bit space pirate hasn't been able to conquer." I reminded the General and took another sip of juice.

Besides, what did they expect? I was giving them precisely what they asked for!

"That's correct, Admiral." I continued. "Shields require sustained relatively high output and the option for a quick ramping up of power fed into the shield matrix to sustain it under duress. Further, primitive shields can have issues with radiation bleed, making them impractical for personal use without power armor or equivalent protection. Larger scale devices can get away with design choices that irradiate areas around the shield emitters but not the bulk of the defended surface. The more firepower you need to stop without adverse effects, the more advanced shield equipment you need. In that regard, considering the advanced weapons we should be able to build, infantry scale shields are likely to be only viable for power armor units."

"There are always drawbacks." General Scudder commented. "You did mention weapons?"

"Unless you have ways to consistently and safely break physics over your knee. We won't be close to that level in the foreseeable future." I noted. "Jarvis?"

The holograms of exoskeletons dissolved in their place formed drawings and notations about various blaster and laser weapons.

"Infantry scale particle beam weapons, and hybrid larger scale systems. Laser cannons. Fusion reactors for the laser cannons. They can practically scale to deal with shielded small craft and act as light artillery and direct-fire weapons for small craft. For capital ship weapons, hybrid systems using lasers to energize gas for a combination of a plasma bolt and particle beams are much more efficient. If possible, to safely create, store and utilize, antimatter beam weapons are, of course, much more destructive. However, the required support systems would make that impractical for us. Perhaps we might think about antimatter warheads in a few decades if we have the relevant technologies. The need for containment usually makes fusion warheads the better and cheaper choice. The safer one too."

"Would advanced fighters and bombers need direct-fire weapons for anything but last-ditch self-defense?" Danvers asked.

"That's a good question, General. ECM, shields, and potent point defense can make stand-off duels pointless. A fighter or bomber might be able to take out only a handful of shielded targets with missiles. After that, practical air support would be up to direct fire unless you have a huge advantage in available aerospace craft in the theater of operations. Adding point defense to small craft can further mitigate the effective kill ratio of missiles. This, of course, depends on the technology available to both sides."

"Damn, you appear to know what you're talking about, lad." Admiral Jones chuckled. "I certainly like what I've heard so far."

"I have a hundred years of additional memories and experiences to thank for that. When I have the time, I'll write down what I remember from power armor tactics training manuals and write again the orbital insertion one."

"Orbital insertion?" Scuddler asked. "Like in Starship Troopers?"

"Power Armor of the right type and the right equipment can allow for effective orbital drops of infantry and vehicles before planetary shields can fully initialize. That takes longer than spinning up city and theater shields. Thus deployed ground forces can go after power stations, shield generators, and ground-to-orbit weapon installations. Their strategic purpose is to create a safe beachhead for invading forces and their supporting fleet. Tactically, orbital drops could quickly bring down reinforcements to contested regions. I was one of the officers who tested the idea, then created a proper doctrine for the use of orbital insertions."

"That's not something we'll find useful anytime soon, but it would be good to have a doctrine for when we might need it," Ross grumbled.

Was that a hint of respect that I got from him?

"You've jumped from orbit?" General Scuddler asked.

"I remember making multiple combat drops leading regimental and army-sized battle groups. I can assure you, as Tony Stark, I was too busy drinking and sleeping around to even think about anything like that. But that's not who I am now. Our memories merged and ensured I grew up, so to speak."

By the end of the meeting, we had a preliminary agreement. I would get the commercial fusion power plant design ready for testing. Then I would have to focus on better materials and first-generation exoskeletons. Finally, I would need to give the military prototype energy weapons to demonstrate I knew what I was talking about. That would be a test. If successful, I would enjoy broad support from the US military and government.

=SI=

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