It was one hell of a crazy weekend. I thought dad was kidding when he said we were going to Cancun. Don't get me wrong sipping on Mai Tai's on a beach is pretty great it was just really unexpected. The other thing that was unexpected was me out drinking Rhodey. Yup that happened. Don't think dad is ever going to let him live that one down.
Speaking of Dad, he was acting strange the entire weekend. He had this look like he wanted to say something but kept changing his mind. He also kept bring up how I needed to get out more and not spend so much time alone. At one point he brought up that he wasn't going to be around forever. Then I drunkenly told him, "you survived being kidnapped by terrorists, having shrapnel imbedded in your chest and your ex business partner trying to kill you Chances are you're going to out live me." He got pretty serious after that and decided to help me finish a bottle of tequila. Overall it was a pretty good birthday.
His behavior got even weirder than usual. He started making plans for a yearlong convention, which in my opinion is just a giant tribute to his ego. I didn't tell him this of course. I've been trying to figure out what's wrong with him. There were a few times during Christmas he got dizzy and light headed. He looked tired all the time. The bags under his eyes were darker than normal. I hacked Jarvis a few times to see if dad had any files or medical records that might explain what's going on with him but I had not luck. The only thing I did find was that dad had made some recent alterations to his will. I didn't even know he had a will. Whenever anyone brought it up he would always postpone it or say he didn't need one. Now I know something's going on.
Six months Later- Nora's POV
I was in my apartment in Boston reviewing some material for a class. Axl was lying next to me on the couch. The TV was showing a Live Feed of the Stark Expo. The camera showed dad landing on the stage and the suit dismantling. He was wearing a tux under the suit. Wow that must have been uncomfortable. The crowd was cheering his name and dad loved the attention.
"It's good to be back. You missed me?" He greets them.
Some one yells at him to blow something up.
"I missed you too. Blow something up? I already did that. I'm not saying that the world is enjoying its longest period of uninterrupted peace in years because of me. I'm not saying that from the ashes of captivity, never has a greater phoenix metaphor been personified in human history. I'm not saying that Uncle Sam can kick back on a lawn chair, sipping on an iced tea because I haven't come across anyone who's man enough to go toe-to-toe with me on my best day." And there he goes showing off again. A little humbleness wouldn't kill him or maybe it would. I wonder if I do that. I'm sure I don't or someone would have pointed it out.
"I love you Tony!" A woman in the crowd yells. I can bet you whatever you want she was like forty and was wearing a t-shirt that was way to tight with dad's face on it.
Dad continues with, "Please, it's not about me." The crowd can't stop cheering. "It's not about you. It's not even about us. It's about legacy." Oh crap he's giving them the same speech he tried giving me years ago to take an internship at SI. I get the chills just thinking about the fight that it caused.
"It's about what we choose to leave behind for future generations. And that's why for the next year and for the first time since 1974, the best and brightest men and women of nations and corporations the world over will pool their resources, share their collective vision, to leave behind a brighter future. It's not about us. Therefore, what I'm saying, if I'm saying anything, is welcome back to the Stark Expo."
Then dad continues with, "And now, making a special guest appearance from the great beyond to tell you what it's all about, please welcome my father, Howard." His smile looks more faked when he says that. I recognize the video as the one he was watching my birthday weekend.
I turn off the TV and text dad.
Totally nailed the landing. Still can't believe you wore a tux under the armor, I would not want to be the one doing your dry cleaning.
He replies'
Wasn't too bad. I adjusted the cooling system so that helped. So you going to check out the expo sometime this year?
I laughed and replied.
Depends on my schedule. The biomedical exhibit looks pretty cool.
Dad replies back about thirty minutes later
I just got subpoenaed to appear in front of the Armed Forces Committee by a hot marshal. Got to go kid can't text and drive to DC at the same time.
I knew this was going to happen eventually I just hope dad doesn't make them mad and they act out of spite. Oh who am I kidding of course he's going to piss someone off.
The Next Day
Dad's Senate Meeting was actually televised. Made for some good entertainment while I drank some coffee.
"Mr Stark, could we pick up now where we left off? Mr Stark. Please." Senator Stern or senator jerk wad as I called him called out to dad after one of dad's many interruptions
Dad was talking to Pepper about something when he turned around and said "Yes dear?"
"Can I have your attention?" Jerk wad asked obviously annoyed.
"Absolutely." Dad responded obviously being sarcastic.
"Do you or do you not possess a specialized weapon?" The senator asked.
"I do not." Dad responded the most serious he'd been since the start of the hearing.
I chose to take advantage of the moment and sent him a text
Dad I get this guy's a jerk but please try to behave. If you piss him off he might just take the suit out of spite.
"You do not?" Senator Jerk wad responds
Dad looks down at his phone briefly before saying, "I do not. Well, it depends on how you define the word weapon."
"The Iron Man weapon." Stern says sounding more like a question than a statement.
"My device does not fit that description." Dad retorts. Oh boy. Here we go. The man is like a kid. You tell him not to do something and the minute you turn around it's the first thing he does.
"Well… How would you describe it?" Jerk wad asks apparently thinking dad was finally going to be serious.
"I would describe it by defining it as what it is, Senator." Dad says
"As?" Jerk wad prods.
"It's a high-tech prosthesis. That is… That is… That's actually the most apt description I can make of it." Dad responds. He is technically telling the truth. The suit is kind of a prosthesis it just happens to shoot lasers and small missiles.
"It's a weapon. It's a weapon, Mr Stark." Jerk wad tries to correct.
"Please, if your priority was actually the well-being of the American citizen…" Dad starts to argue. Oh no. It's starting.
"My priority is to get the Iron Man weapon turned over to the people of the United States of America." That can't happen. It'll be Stane all over again.
I get my phone and send dad another text.
Don't let that happen!
Dad looks at the message and then says, " Well, you can forget it. I am Iron Man. The suit and I are one. To turn over the Iron Man suit would be to turn over myself which is tantamount to indentured servitude or prostitution, depending or what state you're in. You can't have it." The prostitution thing was a bit overkill but effective.
"Look, I'm no expert…" the senator starts. Obviously…
"In prostitution? Of course not. You're a senator. Come on." Dad comments. At that I have to laugh. I wasn't the only one the crowd laughed. Dad waved to them. He looks at Pepper and she is obviously not happy with dad's behavior.
"I'm no expert in weapons." Stern says. Didn't have to tell us. "We have somebody here who is an expert on weapons. I'd now like to call Justin Hammer, our current primary weapons contractor."
Justin Hammer was dad's main competitor when dad was still making weapons. It wasn't much of a competition since dad got most of the big contracts. I thought Dad had a huge ego but this guy is much worse."
"Let the record reflect that I observed Mr. Hammer entering the chamber, and I am wondering if and when any actual expert will also be in attendance." Dad says into the microphone. Let the mud slinging commence.
"Absolutely. I'm no expert. I defer to you, Anthony. You're the wonder boy. Senator, if I may. I may well not be an expert, but you know who was the expert? Your dad. Howard Stark. Really a father to us all, and to the military-industrial age." Hammer starts. Oh shit he had to go there. "Let's just be clear, he was no flower child. He was a lion. We all know why we're here. In the last two years, Anthony Stark has created a sword with untold possibilities. And yet, he insists it's a shield. He asks us to trust him as we cower behind it. I wish I were comforted, Anthony, I really do. I'd love to leave my door unlocked when I leave the house, but this ain't Canada. You know, we live in a world of grave threats, threats that Mr Stark will not always be able to foresee. Thank you. God bless Iron Man. God bless America."
"That is well said Mr Hammer." Stern says, "The committee would now like to invite Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes to the chamber."
"Rhodey?" I say almost at the exact same time dad says, "Rhodey? What?"
Dad gets up to greet him. I can't hear what they say to each other but the look on my godfather's face says it all. He doesn't want to be there.
"I have before me a complete report on the Iron Man weapon, complied by Colonel Rhodes. And, Colonel, for the record, can you please read page 57, paragraph four?" Rhodey made a report about the suit? This is the first I'm hearing of this. What else isn't dad telling me?
"You're requesting that I read specific selections from my report, Senator?" Rhodey asks Jerk wad.
"Yes, sir." Jerk wad says.
"It was my understanding that I was going to be testifying in a much more comprehensive and detailed manner." What did he say in that report that he's trying to avoid mentioning it?
"I understand. A lot of things have changed today. So if you could just read…" Stern tries to get Rhodey to read his report.
"You do understand that reading a single paragraph out of context does not reflect the summery of my final…" Rhodey starts to argue before he's interrupted.
"Just read it, Colonel. I do. Thank you." Stern says well sternly.
Rjodey sighs before saying, "Very well. "As he does not operate within any definable branch of government, Iron Man presents a potential threat to the security of both the nation and to her interests." I did however, go on to summarise that the benefits of Iron Man far outweigh three liabilities and that it would be in our interest…"
"That's enough Colonel" Stern interrupts but Rhodey just continues.
"…to fold Mr Stark…"
"That's enough" Stern tries to stop Rhodey from continuing.
"…into the existing chain of command, Senator." Rhodey finished.
"I'm not a joiner, but I'll consider Secretary of Defense, if you ask nice." Dad replies sarcastically. The crowd laughs at this. "We can amend the hours a little bit." Dad says.
I text him again.
Too much paperwork and I don't think Pepper would be clearance to do it for you.
Dad looks down at the and smirks and quickly types something
True. Besides I think I'd have to spend more time with chuckles over here. His bald spot is reflecting the light right into my face.
That makes me laugh so hard I almost choke on my coffee.
"I'd like to go on and show, if I may, the imagery that's connected to your report." Stern says.
"I believe it is somewhat premature to reveal these images to the general public at this time." Rhodey argues.
"With all due respect, Colonel, I understand. And if you could just narrate those for us, we'd be very grateful. Let's have the images." Stern practically orders Rhodey. I wonder what images are they talking about.
That's when it hits me. I know what they are about to show I get my phone out and send my dad a text.
He's going to show the attempts to recreate the suit. I'll send you the links.
Rhodey starts to narrate the videos, "Intelligence suggests that the devices seen in these photos are, in fact, attempts at making manned copies of Mr Stark's suit. This has been corroborated by our allies and local intelligence on the ground…"
Dad looks at the phone and gets the message. He starts tapping away.
Rhodey is still narrating, "… indicating that these suits are quite possibly, at this moment, operational."
Dad stops him before he continues. "Hold on a second buddy. Let me see something here." That's when I know what he did. "Boy, I'm good. I commandeered your screens. I need them. Time for a little transparency. Now, let's see what's really going on."
"What is he doing?" Stern says starting to worry about whatever stunt dad is about to pull.
"If you will direct your attention to said screens, I believe that's North Korea." Dad starts narrating. The first video of a suit shows it falling on it's side.
"Can you turn that off? Take it off." Stern barks out trying to not panic. Then Hammer stands up.
"Iran." Dad says as a video of a suit that can actually fly, well for a few seconds before it crashes. At this point Hammer is trying to find a way to shut the screen off.
"No grave threat here. Is that Justin Hammer? How did Hammer get in the game?" Dad says as a video starts to play.
"Justin, you're on TV. Focus up." Dad says as Hammer is now desperately looking for the off switch.
The audio on the video plays and you can hear Hammer giving the pilot instructions. "Okay, give me a left twist. Left's good. Turn to the right. Oh, shit. Oh, shit." Ouch that looks painful. Hammer finally unplugs the TV.
"Wow. Yeah, I'd say most countries, five, ten years away. Hammer Industries, twenty." Dad says. Well he proved his point lets just hope its enough to get them off his case.
"I'd like to point out that that test pilot survived." Hammer says. He is really not helping. Chances are his stock prices just dropped and he might have even lost a few contracts.
"I think we're done is the point that he's making. I don't think there's any reason…" Stern tries to say before he's interrupted.
"The point is, you're welcome, I guess" Says dad ever so humble
"For what?" Stern asks.
"Because I'm your nuclear deterrent. It's working. We're safe. America is secure. You want my property? You can't have it. But I did you a big favor." Dad says. When will he ever learn? He stands up and then looks over to the crowd. "I've successfully privatized world peace."
The crowd starts talking among themselves. Then dad says, "What more do you want? For now! I tried to play ball with these ass-clowns." Why to poke the bear dad? So close to making it out with out pissing anyone off too much.
"Fuck you, Mr Stark. Fuck you, buddy. We're adjourned. We're adjourned for today." Stern shouts as dad gets up to leave.
Dad got up and put on his sunglasses. He looks over at Rhodey and Pepper. They are both not happy with Dad's antics. I'm not either but what can I do.
I Get my phone and text Rhodey
How bad?
Rhodey replies back almost immediately.
You saw the hearing. You know how bad. Your dad is out of control kid. He's always been arrogant and cocky but now he's just reckless and has no regard for the consequences.
I replied back
He's been off lately. I tried asking him and he just plays it off. I hacked Jarvis and nothing out of the norm.
He replies back,
I don't know Nora, but if he keeps this up there isn't much I'll be able to do.
I let out a sigh. I need to figure this out fast before he does something more reckless and dangerous.
Later on the same day-
I got back to the apartment around 8pm. I did a few hours at the clinic and studied for a bit at the library.
I got on my computer and decided to video chat dad and see what was going on.
"Hey kid, enjoy the show?" He greets.
"It was pretty entertaining. Didn't know one person could turn so many shades of red."
"Yeah he was pretty easy to mess with. And I know what you're going to say I shouldn't have taunted him like that. I'm poking a sleeping bear its going to come back to haunt me blah blah blah."
"You took the words right out of my mouth but all things considered he did kind of deserve it. Doesn't mean I agree with the way you acted or handled things but I do get where you're coming from"
"So I have news, I decided to name Pepper CEO of Stark Industries."
"Wow wasn't expecting that. I thought you were going to say you two were dating.
"What? Why would you think that?"
"Well for one thing your are totally into her and you actually care about her opinion instead of blowing her off at the first chance like you do to very other woman you've ever met."
"I don't blow off every woman I've ever met?"
"Name three women you're friends with and I don't mean friends with benefits either."
"Well there's …"
"Not counting me, I'm biologically inclined to be on your side almost unconditionally."
"uh…"
"See my point." I say with a smirk.
"Ok just because I value her opinion and is one of the few people I trust does not mean I have feelings for her.
"Sure it doesn't. So what finally made you decide to make Pepper CEO?"
"I've been thinking about a lot of things recently. The whole getting kidnapped and almost dying made me start thinking about my legacy and my successor. I first considered asking you to take my place but you've never wanted it and I know what its like to have something forced on you. I wasn't that much older than you are now when I became CEO. Figured Pepper already does the job may as well make it official."
"I don't think there's anyone else more qualified for the job. Is that the only reason you decided to do this now?" I'm trying to give him a chance to tell me before I have to resort to other methods.
"No that's pretty much it." He uses his thumb to rub the bridge of his nose and that's when I see it. A smidge of blood.
"Are you sure? Because there's something on your nose that says otherwise."
"What do you mean…" He looked at the reflection on something near the screen. "Shit." He cursed.
"Anything you need to tell me dad?"
"Its probably just a cut from when I was working on the car earlier."
"How did you cut yourself?" I ask.
"I scratched myself with a loose screw when I was tuning up Dummy."
"I thought you were working on a car?"
"I was." He says.
"I don't believe you."
"Kid I'm telling you its nothing. Don't worry about it."
"If it's nothing then why are you lying?"
"Nora stop over reacting" He says.
"I'll stop over reacting when you stop lying to me."
"I'm telling you its nothing so just stop blowing this out of proportion."
"Dad look me in the eye and swear to me nothing is going on."
"You are making…"
"Dad can you tell me the truth or not?"
"I already am telling you the truth."
"Dad I know when you're lying. You have a tell so drop the bull shit and tell me what's going on with you."
"Nora I already told you there is nothing going on." And that's when I see it. Dad's right eyebrow twitches slightly.
"You know what dad, call me when you're done bull shitting me. You can lie to the entire world but I always thought I was the exception."
"Kid don't-" And I hung up on him.
I hear a whine and I look down to my right. Axl is just sitting there looking up with his head tilted. "When will he ever learn buddy?" He jumps up on the couch and lays his head on my lap.
I hear my phone ring. Lean over to the coffee table and answer the phone without checking the caller ID. Thinking it was dad I answer, "What?!"
"Sorry did I call at a bad time?" That's when I realize it wasn't dad calling but Erik Selvig.
"Oh Erik, Sorry I thought you were someone else."
"Boyfriend?" He asks. Why does everyone keep asking about my love life?
"No I am still very much single and not ready mingle." I say with a laugh. "So what's new? How's the research going?" I ask trying to change the subject.
"That's actually why I was calling." He says, "So I have a friend that works in Geneva, with the Large Hadron Collider. He invited me to his upcoming presentation and to possibly help him out with a second opinion with a project he's trying to get funded. I can't go since I promised to help Jane with her work in New Mexico so I suggested you. Would you be interested?"
"Wow, I would love to go. When would I have to be there?" I ask.
"Next week, Can you make it? I know you're probably busy with school."
"No I actually have a few weeks off. I can make it."
"Perfect, I'll email you the information. Better start looking at flights."
"I will thanks Erik. Say hi to Jane for me." I met Jane Foster about two years ago when I was helping Erik with his research over the summer. She's quirky but brilliant. Next to Erik she's one of the leading experts on the Einstein-Rose Bridge.
"I will have a good night Nora."
"Same to you and Thanks again." Then I hung up.
Well at least something's worked out. Now if I could just figure out what's going on with dad. If he won't tell me then chances are he probably hasn't told Rhodey either. That leaves me with one option, the only person/thing who knows and sees everything related to Dad, Jarvis.
It's not going to be easy. I update his security protocols all the time. Not to mention all the recent modifications dad's done to make Jarvis more accessible and compatible with the suits. I better start hacking.
Two Days Later-
After two days of running different algorithms, reprogramming, and decoding I finally managed to get into Jarvis' central server. I thought to myself if dad were trying to hide something where would he put it. I checked all the files that were marked for deletion. There was nothing there except some very compromising photos I did not need to see. I decided to check Jarvis' history and check any programs or simulations he has run recently.
A bunch of searches on the Ten Rings recent activity, a Google search for someone named Natalie Rushman, any news coverage on the Stark Expo, the schematics for the arc reactor and alternatives for Palladium.
Why would he need an alterative for Palladium? The reactor is working perfectly. That's when I start to think back. Dad always looks tired. He's slightly twitchy. He looks pale. The cut on his finger reminded me of diabetes's patients' fingers when they use their glucose monitor. Oh shit I am such a moron!
"Friday look up symptoms of Palladium poisoning."
"Yes boss. The initial signs would be fatigue, dark sunken eyes, nervous twitches especially in extremities, and pale skin with pronounced veins."
Dad has Palladium poisoning. Oh fuck. My design for the miniature arc reactor is killing him. Oh shit!
I ran to my phone and called dad but he didn't answer.
I texted Rhodey.
Hey Rhodey have you seen dad?
He responds almost immediately
Last I talked to him he was on his way to Monaco for the Grand Prix
AHHH he's dying of Palladium poisoning and instead of finding a way to fix this he's doing to watch a car race. Okay he's only showing a few symptoms maybe we still have time. I'll find a way to fix this. I'm not going to lose my dad.
I turn on the TV and the first thing I see is dad in a racing outfit, putting on the Iron Man suit and avoiding electrified whips being used by some angry guy with something that looks like an arc reactor on his chest.
It's going to be a long week.