CHAPTER FOUR
Not needing shoes because her legs were made of a steel-titanium alloy, and face it, she wanted her legs to be the most important thing from the waist down, Toni stepped out on the red carpet at the Disney Concert hall. She wore a cream colored slip with a black lace overlay. The skirt revealed several inches of her thighs, her knees, and her new prosthetics. Her shortened hair was gelled upwards so it defied gravity. Most of the make-up she opted for had more natural colors, except for her smoky eye and ruby red lipstick.
She strutted out of her Audi, being swarmed with press. She walked through them to the red carpet, right up to Obadiah who was giving an interview. "... Weapons manufacturing is only one small part of what Stark Industries is all about and our partnership with the fire and rescue community..."
He quickly became distracted by Toni's entourage of reporters.
"Toni, remember me?" A reporter called out.
"Sure don't... You look great, Hef." She tapped an elderly man with several women surrounding him, on the shoulder. He smiled and waved.
"Toni, where did you get your metal legs?" Another reporter yelled.
"I made them!" She yelled back.
"We're going to have a great quarter," Obadiah assured the reporters who hadn't swarmed to Toni.
"What's the world coming to when a girl's got to crash her own party?" Toni asked playfully, crossing her arms.
"Look at you. Hey, what a surprise!" Obadiah said.
"I'll see you inside," Toni told him.
Obadiah leaned towards her, whispering, "Hey. Listen; take it slow, all right? I think I got the board right where we want them."
"You got it. Just cabin fever. I'll just be a minute," Toni said. She walked inside, not having to worry about tripping in heels as she was not wearing heels, and her legs were self-balancing. "Give me a Scotch. I'm starving," Toni told the bartender.
Agent Coulson approached, dressed in a simple velvet black gown that had a full skirt, short sleeves and a modest neckline. "Ms. Stark?" She asked.
"Yeah?" Toni replied, glancing at the taller woman.
"I'm Agent Coulson," Agent Coulson introduced herself.
"Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. The lady from the..."
"Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division," Agent Coulson recited smoothly.
"God, you need a new name for that," Toni said, chuckling slightly.
"I hear that a lot. Listen, I know this must be a trying time for you, but we need to debrief you. There are still a lot of unanswered questions, and time can be a factor with these things," Agent Coulson said politely. Toni became distracted by Piper in a tuxedo.
"Let's just put something on the books," Toni said, trying to wave the female agent off.
"How about on the 24th, at 7:00 PM, at Stark Industries?" Agent Coulson suggested.
"Tell you what. You got it. You're absolutely right. Well, I'm going to go to my assistant, and we'll make a date," Toni told him. She then walked over to her fiancé in the tuxedo. "You look fantastic! I didn't recognize you," Toni said.
"What are you doing here?" Piper asked.
"I should ask you the same thing, going to a party without me? How unlike you, Piper," Toni said.
"I had assumed that your laying low involved no public events," Piper said.
"I didn't even get an invitation," Toni shrugged.
"You didn't get an invitation?" Piper questioned. "I thought you of all people-"
"Something funky is going on, Pipes," Toni told him. "Nice tux."
"It was a birthday present- from you, actually," Piper said.
"I know, I have excellent taste," Toni replied. "Let's dance."
"Oh, no thank you, Toni," Piper shook his head.
"Am I making you uncomfortable?" Toni asked. "I would have thought about all the times we were rolling around doing the mattress mamba-"
Piper shushed her loudly, "There are people here!"
"Wonderful observation, Pipes," Toni replied. Somehow, despite his protests, Toni was able to get the larger man to dance with her. "I could fire you if that would take the edge off."
"You say that every time, I doubt you would be able to tie your shoes without me," Piper smiled.
"I'd make it a week, sure," Toni shrugged.
"Really? What's your Social Security number?" Piper asked.
"Five," Toni said.
"Five?"
"Right," Toni nodded.
"Right. You're missing just a couple of digits there," Piper told her.
"The other eight? So I got you for the other eight. How about a little air?" Toni suggested, motioning at the doors.
"Yes, I need some air," Piper said.
The pair went to the roof, seeing the skyline of Los Angeles.
"That was weird," Piper said.
"The dancing, it was totally harmless-"
"Not the dancing, we're engaged; I've stopped worrying about what everyone I work with thinks. You never got an invitation?"
"Or a memo about that board meeting, and I have checked with JARVIS, and JARVIS is omniscient, so I know it wasn't lost in my head," Toni said. "And then, when I was in Afghanistan, the Ten Rings- that's what the people who kidnapped me are called- had a bunch of Stark Industries weapons, but I checked the orders, and there was very little sent to that area, not anywhere close to what I remember-"
"You think something is happening, like under-the-table dealings?"
"I'm worried it's a dirty board member," Toni said.
"Is that why you took us up here, no one has eyes and ears up here?" Piper asked.
"Do you believe me?"
"It's crazy, but I do," Piper told her. "I've learned when you actually look at orders to prove a point; you have a point to prove."
"Thank you, we should go downstairs," Toni said. "Before someone realizes that we're missing."
"Actually uh, can I stay up here a while longer?" Piper asked. "I just need a moment. May I have a drink, please?"
"Got it, Okay," Toni nodded.
"I would like a vodka martini, please."
"Okay."
"Very dry with olives, a lot of olives. Like, at least three olives," Piper said.
A FEW MINUTES LATER
Toni was downstairs at the bar, again. "Two vodka martinis, extra dry, extra olives, extra fast. Make one of them dirty, will you?"
"Wow. Toni Stark. Fancy seeing you here," Christine Everhart approached.
"Carrie Earhart?" Toni asked.
"Christine Everhart," Christine Everhart corrected.
"My apologies, I'm not good with names," Toni shrugged.
"You have a lot of nerve showing up here tonight. Can I at least get a reaction from you?" Christine asked.
"Panic. I would say panic is my reaction," Toni said
"I was referring to your company's involvement in this latest atrocity," Christine said.
"Yeah. I don't know what to tell you," Toni said. "Personally, I wonder who catered this because I tried a hors d'oeuvre and-"
"I actually almost bought it, hook, line and sinker," Christine said.
"Are we talking about the same thing? Because I'm talking about deviled eggs-"
"Is this what you call accountability? It's a town called Gulmira. Heard of it?" Christine handed her pictures of the Ten Rings using the Jericho to attack civilians. Toni's smile dropped.
"What the fu- fudge?" Toni stopped herself from swearing. "When were these taken?"
"Yesterday."
"I didn't approve a shipment."
"Well, your company did."
"Well, I'm not my company," Toni said. "But, I've been checking the database, and we haven't had a single weapons shipment since my announcement. So to tell you the truth- I think this was stolen."
"Stolen?"
"Well, that symbol, same from the people who kidnapped me. And, when they attacked to kidnap me, they attacked an entourage several cars, most of them loaded with weapons, including the Jericho missiles you see here. And you can quote me on it- when I was rescued; the military destroyed and confiscated a lot of weapons that these people had stolen, but what kind of terrorist puts all their eggs in one basket?" Toni told Christine. Toni learned from a young age, lying gets you places. Especially when the lies you tell have a basis of truth. When under duress, Toni Stark became the best liar on the face of the planet. "Do you mind if I keep these, Christine? I'd like to inform the board as soon as possible."
"Be my guest," Christine said.
"Thank you." Toni said. "Hold the martini's for me," She told the bartender. She walked outside, to Obadiah.
"Please, do you mind?" Obadiah asked Toni, pushing a camera away.
"Have you seen these pictures? What's going on in Gulmira?" Toni asked.
"Toni, Toni. You can't afford to be this naïve," Obadiah whispered.
"You know what? I was naive before, when they said, "Here's the line. We don't cross it. This is how we do business." lf we're double-dealing under the table... Are we?" Toni asked.
"Toni, your picture, please!" A reporter shouted.
"Let's take a picture. Come on. Picture time!" Obadiah said, smiling and posing with her. Toni put on a prize-winning faux smile. "Toni. Who do you think locked you out? I was the one who filed the injunction against you. It's was the only way I could protect you," Obadiah whispered. He walked away, leaving Toni shocked. Toni went inside to get the Martinis to her and Piper, the only other human being she could trust.
THE NEXT DAY
Toni had crept out of bed early that morning, and was sitting in her workshop, toggling with her suit's arm. She angrily watched the television.
"The 15 mile hike to the outskirts of Gulmira can only be described as a descent into hell, into a modern day Heart of Darkness. Simple farmers and herders from peaceful villages have been driven from their homes, displaced from their lands by warlords emboldened by a new-found power. Villagers have been forced to take shelter in whatever crude dwellings they can find in the ruins of other villages, or here in the remnants of an old Soviet smelting plant. Recent violence has been attributed to a group of foreign fighters referred to by locals as the Ten Rings. As you can see, these men are heavily armed and on a mission. A mission that could prove fatal to anyone who stands in their way. With no political will or international pressure, there's very little hope for these refugees," The reporter said. Toni angrily stood up and threw her screwdriver onto the work bench. "Around me, a woman begging for news on her husband, who was kidnapped by insurgents, either forced to join their militia... Desperate refugees clutch yellowed photographs, holding them up to anyone who will stop. A child's simple question, 'Where are my mother and father?' There's very little hope for these refugees, refugees who can only wonder who, if anyone, will help."
Toni approached her assembly machine and stood, activating it.
HOURS LATER
Faster than the average fighter jet, Toni raced to Gulmira. One of the men who had kept her captive was wreaking havoc and barking commands at his men. Toni landed next to them. A man opened fire with his assault rifle. Her suit was far stronger than his bullets, once his clip ran out; she punched him, sending him flying. She activated her repulsor rays and killed several other guards. She paused only when she noticed the guards who held captives, hoping she would have terrible aim. On the heads-up display, JARVIS identified the enemies from the civilians, using small tracker missiles stored in the arm unit; she killed all the captors, freeing the families. A boy rushed towards his father, exclaiming "Papa!" happily. JARVIS identified where the leader was, making a phone call. Toni grabbed him through the weak drywall and pulled him into a circle of angry freed captors. "He's all yours." She said, the voice modifier making her tone more androgynous.
Toni then flew off to take down the Jericho missiles, but was hit by a tank shell. She collapsed into the ground, forming a large crater. She climbed out. Another shell shot at her, but she side-stepped it. She launched a missile at the tank and walked away as it exploded behind her. Then she made quick work of the Jericho, destroying it and flying off into the distance.
She was flying, when she got a call. "Hello?"
"Toni?" A voice questioned.
"It's Rhodes," The voice said. She couldn't hear it very well with her flying.
"Sorry, hello?"
"I said it's Rhodes."
"Speak up, please."
"What in the hell is that noise?" Rhodey asked.
"Oh, yeah, I'm driving with the top down," Toni lied.
"Yeah, well, I need your help right now."
"It's funny how that works, huh?"
"Yeah. Speaking of funny, we've got a weapons depot that was just blown up a few clicks from where you were being held captive," Rhodey told her.
"Well, that's a hot spot. Sounds like someone stepped in and did your job for you, huh?"
"Why do you sound out of breath, Toni?"
"I'm not, I was just jogging in the canyon," Toni lied.
"I thought you were driving."
"I was jogging, and now I'm driving," Toni said. "And I'm still out of breath."
"You sure you don't have any tech in that area I should know about?" Rhodey asked.
"Nope!" Toni said shortly, something was approaching.
"Okay, good, 'cause I'm staring at one right now, and it's about to be blown to kingdom come," Rhodey said.
"That's my exit!" Toni said, swerving to avoid the two F-22's that approached.
She was being tailed by the two, her head's up display suggested supersonic, "Hit it," She told JARVIS.
"Inbound missile," JARVIS warned.
"Flares!" Toni exclaimed. They set off the missile, and Toni went into free-fall. "Deploy flaps!" While Toni stopped moving, the F-22's went past her. She went onto the underbelly on one. She called Rhodey again.
"Hello?" Rhodey responded.
"Hi, Rhodey, it's me," Toni admitted.
"It's who?" Rhodey asked.
"I'm sorry, it is me. You asked... What you were asking about... is me."
"No, see, this isn't a game. You do not send civilian equipment into my active war zone. You understand that?"
"This is not a piece of equipment. I'm in it. It's a suit. It's me!" Toni exclaimed.
Then, she was spotted. The F-22 started doing barrel rolls; she fell into the other one, ripping off its wing. The pilot launched out, but he couldn't release his chute. Toni rushed down to the falling pilot to aid him, despite the fact she knew she was being aimed at.
"You've been re-engaged. Execute evasive maneuver," JARVIS commanded.
"Keep going!" Toni said. Reaching the pilot, she grabbed him and released his chute.
"Toni, are you there?" Rhodey asked.
"Thanks," Toni said, no longer being pursued.
"Oh, my God, you crazy bitch, you owe me a plane. You know that, right?" Rhodey asked.
"Yeah, well, technically, he hit me. So, now are you going to come by and see what I'm working on?" Toni asked.
"No, no, no, no, no, no, the less I know, the better. Now, what am I supposed to tell the press?"
"Training exercise. Isn't that the usual BS?"
"It's not that simple," Rhodey said.
AN HOUR LATER
"An unfortunate training exercise involving an F-22 Raptor occurred yesterday. I am pleased to report that the pilot was not injured," Rhodey told the press, "As for the unexpected turn of events on the ground in Gulmira, it is still unclear who or what intervened, but I can assure you that the United States government was not involved."
MEANWHILE, IN MALIBU
Piper walked in to Toni's workshop while the suit was still being disassembled. "It's is a tight fit, Ma'am. Ma'am, the more you struggle, the more this is going to hurt," JARVIS said.
"Be gentle. This is my first time... I designed this to come off, so... Ow... Hey... I really should be able to..." Toni groaned.
"What's going on here?" Piper asked.
"Let's face it. This is not the worst thing you've caught me doing," Toni said after a pregnant pause.
"Are those bullet holes?" Piper asked, concerned.
AN HOUR OR SO LATER
Toni was working on her suit, Piper walked in with coffee.
"Hey. You busy? You mind if I send you on an errand? I need you to go to my office. You're going to hack into the mainframe and you're going to retrieve all the recent shipping manifests. This is a lock chip," She handed him a USB drive.
"Is this about that thing we talked about on the rooftop yesterday?" Piper asked, taking it
"Yes," Toni said. "This'll get you in. It's probably under Executive Files. If not, they put it on a ghost drive, in which case you need to look for the lowest numeric heading."
"And what do you plan to do with this information if I bring it back here?" Piper asked.
"Same drill. They've been dealing under the table, and I'm going to stop them. I'm going to find my weapons and destroy them- as in the weapons," Toni said, assuring him.
"Tony, you know that I would help you with anything, but I cannot help you if you're going to start all of this again," Piper said. "I-I might have to leave."
"You stood by my side all these years while I reaped the benefits of destruction. And now that I'm trying to protect the people that I put in harm's way, you're going to walk out?"
"You're going to kill yourself, Toni. I'm not going to be a part of it," Piper told her.
"I shouldn't be alive, unless it was for a reason. I'm not crazy, Pipes. I just finally know what I have to do... And I know in my heart that it's right," Toni said. "This is the second thing in my life I have felt the most sure about."
"You're all I have, too, you know," Piper told her. "What was the first one?"
"Saying yes," Toni said. Piper smiled, picked up the USB, and walked out.
AN
We're getting close to the end, maybe two more chapters tops.
SOURCE
intheir .uk/trans cripts/tran script_iron _man.