Sorry about Part 1, I didn't realise it was that short until i posted it. My appologise. Here's Part 2, enjoy. - Spearhead

1 month since Chitauri Siege

Tony stood on a walkway overlooking the construction of the X-01 and X-02 Star Shuttles. The basic frame work had been completed and now the guts of the shuttles were being fitted. The Star Shuttle were a modified design of the standard Space Shuttles.

The Goa'uld sub-space sensors, Goa'uld life-support systems, Goa'uld artificial gravity generators and repulsor engines that had been 'designed' by Edward Morra were ready and would be fitted into the vessels. These two prototypes would also be carrying these upgrades for the International Space Station.

If these proved successful, then the Mk2 Star Shuttle would be approved for construction. The Mk2 was designed for long term solar system missions, at least, that's what the government thought. It was, in fact, more for the top secret Naquadah survey mission he and Eddie had planned.

Once they had several samples of Naquadah, and got permission from the US government, they could begin mining the element. That would then allow them to reverse-engineer all of the technologies belonging to the Tel'tak.

The construction workers continued their labours as Tony watched. A smile grew on his face as he watched the ships take shape.

2 months since Chitauri Siege

Eddie was looking over some report that showed the results of a deep surface scan of Mars done by the Mk2 Star Shuttle. It showed several small deposits of Naquadah, just enough to build two hyperdrives and three sub-space engines so they could search the surrounding systems, but not enough to continue his plans.

They'd already begun building more Mk2 shuttles to replace the four vessels already built. The four original Star Shuttles were being slated for ISS supply and personnel runs. Eddie really didn't care what was happening to the Mk1's, they were now the property of the US government.

Things had been quiet since the Chitauri Siege. But he had E.D.I constantly scanning the news feeds and international relation reports. He knew that somewhere and for some reason, something would happen to threaten the current state of peace.

The Alteron platform was fully repaired and ready for activation at any time. It still, of course, retained all of the original Mk2's abilities.

The gold-titainium alloy, the repulsors, anti-tank missiles on the wrists, anti-personnel guns on the shoulders and flare launchers on the hips all remained installed. But Eddie had changed the colour of the holographic HUD to white, he added a one-time-use hand-mounted laser weapon on each hand and a long white cape.

The cape didn't add anything, except it made Alteron seem more mysterious and mystical. Eddie needed that to keep his identity secret, he wasn't Tony Stark.

4 months since Chitauri Siege

Carl Van Loon sat in his office smiling to himself. Ever since he signed over half of everything he owned to Eddie Morra, he'd been enjoying the benefits of NZT-48. His profits had skyrocketed ever since he began buying and seeling shares from every corner of the globe.

The small business that he kept running for 'old times sake' was nothing more than a retirment job. He still held shares in Van Loon Associates, but he was retired from running the show. He'd chosen to scale back his management roles and run the family farm.

The New York Times was the only paper he had ever read and it would stay that day until he died. News of Morra/Stark Technological Division building shuttles with functional artificial gravity, advanced sensor suites and life support systems that were revolutionary, had recieved the front page in all the major papers.

While he held no shares in Stark or Morra Industries, the worth of Van Loon Associates shares had increased due to Eddie co-owning the company. Rumours were floating around about a possible Lunar or Mars outpost being built in the next few years, thanks to these new technologies that were being released by Morra Industries.

Carl suspected that Stark would donate an ARC reactor or two to these outposts to help solidify his position as a pioneer of space travel along side Edward Morra. Eddie was already pushing for the first spacial mining rig to be built and activated, but the UN and US was in no hurry to approve.

Finished, Carl set his paper on the large oak desk and stood up to look out over the grassy farm fields. Change was coming to the world and he didn't know if it was ready of not.

6 months since Chitauri Siege

Lindy looked at the stars. Just sat looking at the amazing view that her orbital visit provided. The artificial gravity made it feel like she was still on Earth, except the view told her otherwise. She had decided to join Eddie on the ISS as he oversaw the final checks of the new Bio-dome before it was bought online.

Having been built in segments before being shipped into space, the Bio-dome was a true master piece. The glass dome was made up of interlocking, air-tight triangles that when complete connected to the already assembled base.

When activated, the dome would give the stations inhabitace a large garden, in which they could grow food to become self-sefficient. There was no soil or seeds on the station, yet. But even if there were, the UN was deciding if the ISS should use soil or hydroponic equipment to grow their food with.

Stark had offered a first batch of Intelli-crops for the dome and that was accepted all most straight away, in fact the shipment was schedualed to arrive in a week or two. But those crops would grow until the UN made up it's collective mind.

8 months since Chitauri Siege

Now most of the damage done during the Chitauri Siege had been repaired. Only a handful of buildings still needed beautification and New York would be back to normal. A small group of people had gathered to watch the News broadcast, talking about recent space travel.

"Recent events have immediatly entered the history books." The male presenter said, smiling.

"It's true. Morra/Stark Industries have been working around the clock to not only finish the latest upgrades to the International Space Station, but this morning they also recieved word from the UN approving their aplication for a Lunar Settlement to be built." The female News reader who wore too much lipstick, explained.

"It's rumoured that Edward Morra will head up into space to oversee the total construction process of the Lunar base, while his wife continues to run Morra Industries." The man informed.

"While Mr. Morra heads into space, Mr Stark has released a statement saying his fiance will be CEO of Stark Industries, while he focuses on being Iron Man." The female smiled.

10 months since Chirtauri Siege

Tony was looking out of his Star Shuttle's window, down at the Lunar settlement called Lunar Prime. Eddie had been here for a month overseeing the construction and activation of the site. Tony was merely visiting. The eventual settlement was, at the moment, nothing more than seven modualar buildings and the beginnings of a Bio-dome.

The plan was only in it's opening stages. The first step was to set up a small outpost that could house the construction workers who would build the rest of the colony. The second step was to begin building the first three Bio-domes, this was the level they were currently operating on. The third step was to begin building a spaceport and colonial accomidation.

Every step after that was expansion of the colony. More colonists meant more space, more space meant more food, more food meant more Bio-domes. At least until the Mars settlement had been started.

As the Star Shuttle touched down, a air tight walkway that looked simular to the ISS docking port, extended out to the shuttles airlock from one of the bigger modual buildings. Tony got up from his seat and walked over to the opened airlock. He quickly walked down to the buildings airlock and officially entered Lunar Prime.

As the airlock behind him hissed shut, the one infront of him swung open to reveal Eddie stood smiling at him.

"Tony! Welcome to the moon." Edward beamed.

"Great to be here." Tony nodded.

"Come to check up on me or the colony?" Eddie asked.

"What colony?" Stark joked.

"Funny." Eddie nodded. The two headed away from the makeshift spacedock and walked off into the outpost.

"So, what brings you all the way to Lunar Prime?" Eddie asked, showing a little concern.

"Nothing, I just came up here to see how the largest investment in the modern era is doing. We've spent enough money on this project to fund an expedition to locate a habitable planet. We need this stunt to work. The companies need to start seeing a return, besides the Naquadah you've been mining. We need colonists up here." Tony explained.

"I know. We worked for two days straight just to get the Bio-dome base built. It's slowly taking shape, as I'm sure you could see from your arrival, but I need more guys up here." Eddie admitted as they turned a corner and found a large window that overlooked the dome construction site.

"More guys won't come until they know the risk is minimal. Too many horror stories about suffication from suit damage and apartment venting." Tony reminded, watching a team of five suited figures placing another triangle into place.

"We both know that was suicide! He took his helmet off as soon as he stepped out of that door!" Edward reminded Tony.

"I know that and they know that. But for them, the benefits don't out weight the risks. If we can get a Bio-dome up in the next few weeks, I can talk to boards into continue the funding. But if not, we're selling this place off to the highest bidder. Meaning Japan or Russia will just expand on our foundations and make our profit." Tony explained.

"I'll see what I can do. If we pull double shifts, we can have it done in sixteen days. But we need more hands." Eddie reinforced.

"That timetables fine. You get that dome built in sixteen days, I'll get you anything you need." Stark nodded, before turning back to the view.

"What about the Lunar vehicals I requested?" Eddie asked as his watched two guys walking over to the site to begin their shifts.

"The board didn't want to send any up encase we need to abandon." Tony admitted. He started looking at the pair as they joined in the work effort and two from the original five, began heading back to the nearby airlock.

"I see." Edward nodded. He sighed heavily.

"But I managed to bring you some aayway. Nothing special, six small buggies. They'll get four guys from A to B, but they're not designed for rough terrain. Use them to travel short distances, like from the airlock to the dome." Stark explained.

"That just made our jobs a whole lot easier." Eddie smiled as they continued to watch the pair slowly walk back to the airlock.

1 year since Chitauri Siege

Eddie stood looking out over Lunar Prime. In the past 2 months the settlement had grown, from several modual buildings, into three Bio-domes and a network of walkways between them and the modual buildings. People in space suits could be seen all over doing tasks like perfoming maintainance, setting up new equipment or planning the lastest expansion.

Tony walked up from behind him and place a hand on his shoulder. The two watched the stars and the activity on the surface.

"We've come so far in a year. I didn't think it was possible." Edward said, proudly.

"It's all because of you. Well, because of the Tel'tak. This was your vision, your dream. You made it a reality." Tony admitted.

"I couldn't have done it without you Tony." Eddie smiled.

"Yeah, you wouldn't have." Tony teased.

"I'm leaving for a while. I'm leaving Morra Industries and all my other shares to you until I return. I know you'll take care of things while I'm gone." Edward explained.

"I've known you were leaving for a long time." Tony nodded.

"Am I selfish for going?" Eddie asked, worried.

"We have a defence fleet, because of you. We have plasma weaponary that can rip through any Earth-based materials in a single shot, because of you. You're going in the hopes of helping others, there's nothing selfish about that. And I would know." Anthony reminded.

"You're right. Are we ready?" Eddie asked.

"Everything checks out. The Tel'tak main Naquadah generator is repaired and has plenty of Naquadah, the Vibranium ARC reactors are hooked up and ready to go." Tony explained.

"What about supplies?" Eddie quirried.

"You have enough food and water for three months. The ship also has data modules with all the combined knowledge of Stark and Morra Industries, the Alteron platform is aboard, E.D.I has been intergrated into the ships systems and five Morra-guards are in sleep mode." Tony read off his list.

"Excellent." Eddie smiled.

"I also took the liberty of loading enough spare parts for you to make two new Morra-guards." Stark informed.

"Thank you, for everything." Morra nodded.

"My pleasure Mr. Morra." Tony said, extending an arm. Eddie shook the mans hand with delight and pleasure.

"Shall we?" Tony asked. Eddie just nodded and they headed to the classified hanger bay. This bay was so secret, it wasn't even on the official plans for the settlement. But it would be shown in the newest set of 'additions' to the facility as they built colonist accomidation.

The two men entered the large hanger that was full of crates and equipment all stacked against the walls. Eddie headed to the Tel'tak and smiled before entering the ship. Tony closed the hangers airlock behind Eddie and made his way to the hangers control room.

Lindy was already on the ship, waiting for her husband. He sealed the ships door behind him and made his way over to the pilots seat.

"You ready?" Lindy asked her husband.

"Yes, we're going to build the biggest empire in history." Eddie smiled as he held her hand over the centeral partitian. He placed his hands on the red orb controls and the engines hummed to life.

"E.D.I?" Edward asked thin air.

"Yes, Mr. Morra?" E.D.I replied with a question.

"Contact hanger control and request permission to leave." Eddie smiled.

"Permission has been granted. Hanger doors are opening now." E.D.I replied. The lights in the hanger darkened as the rood retracted to allow the Tel'tak to leave.

As it cleared the hanger, the Tel'tak sped up and accelerated off into space. The ships design didn't cause any panic, it just looked like an ordinary cargo hauler, but the sound of the ship did turn a few heads among the nosey space teams.

"Honey, would you do the honours?" Eddie asked, smiling.

"What do I press?" Lindy asked, rising out of her seat and heading for the Tok'ra drive.

"The green jewel." Eddie replied.

"Activating in 3...2...1!" Lindy said, counting down before she pressed the gem. A white flash disorientated both Eddie and Lindy, but the energy burst looked just like a hyperspace window on anyone who was tracking the ship on Earth or Lunar.

Where were they?

Well I hope you enjoyed that. The next chapter will be basically the same as the original, so it shouldn't take too long to nip and tuck. Please review. -Spearhead