Chapter 114: He Says He's the Bat-Man
"Ladies and gentlemen. Over the past several hours, you've all seen some disturbing images in the news."
The Middle East, in an uninhabited mountain range hundreds of kilometers from the nearest U.S. Air Force base.
This location had been chosen as the site for Stark Industries' latest Jericho missile demonstration, rather than the Stark Expo at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York.
Tony Stark stood in his suit and dark red sunglasses before a group of high-ranking military officers.
Among and beside these officers, soldiers with cameras captured Tony Stark's upper body in frame.
Tony was conducting a global livestream, showcasing Stark Industries' newly developed Jericho missile to the entire world:
"The weapons I create are meant to protect this nation and maintain peace throughout the world. But perhaps some corrupt officer or some damned logistics operation made a mistake."
"This allowed weapons meant to protect peace to become threats in enemy hands. Why? Because they weren't smart enough, weren't loyal enough."
Tony Stark extended his palm, directing the camera toward the Jericho missiles deployed beside the officers.
"So we're not talking about weapons anymore. We're talking about solutions."
"Before the Jericho missile launches, each submunition has an independent identification code. It only answers to my clients. You know what that means?"
"It means that even if terrorists steal it, it's just a pile of expensive scrap metal. Without military authorization, it can't even leave its own launch vehicle."
The Air Force officers present had already heard this pitch. They were simply performing for the live broadcast cameras, continuing to listen as Tony Stark worked to restore his company's reputation:
"We can't change the past, but what we can do is ensure the future doesn't repeat it."
"Stark Industries' mission has never changed: to provide the United States and its allies with decisive advantages, trading minimal cost for the most lasting peace."
As Tony Stark's words concluded, the Jericho missile launcher beside him slowly elevated. A missile trailed flame into the sky, flying toward the distant mountains.
The missile split into dozens of smaller warheads and exploded. Before the dust cloud swept up by the shockwave could engulf Tony Stark, he slowly spread his arms:
"The Jericho missile is the latest embodiment of that promise."
After the smoke cleared, Tony Stark pointed at the soldier filming him.
"Hey, that's it. Turn it off."
Tony Stark walked to the beverage cooler that had been brought from his private jet, removed a bottle of champagne, and raised it slightly toward the officers:
"To peace."
In the City Hall subway station, Batman watched the livestream on his workstation screen.
Tony Stark stood perfectly fine before the military officers, proudly displaying his weapons.
As the camera panned across the officers, Batman froze the frame.
"Barbara, identify these officers in the frame and search the entire internet for their contact information."
Unable to reach Tony Stark, Batman prepared to take a roundabout approach, hoping to contact the officers currently with Tony.
"Bruce, Colonel Rhodes' contact information is publicly available and has been retrieved. Other officer identity information may require hacking into military intelligence organizations. Continue?"
"Use a virtual number to call Colonel Rhodes." Batman's words came rapidly.
The moment he finished speaking, the Oracle AI had already dialed Colonel Rhodes' contact using a virtual number. After several rings, someone answered:
"Hello?"
"I'm Batman." Batman cut straight to the point, identifying himself directly in hopes of getting the man's attention. "I need you to put Tony Stark on the phone immediately. He's in danger."
"What?"
Far away in the Middle East, Colonel Rhodes stood with champagne alongside Tony Stark. His forehead creased with lines as he looked at the virtual number displayed on his phone, then at Tony Stark beside him, before simply holding the phone to Tony's ear.
"Who?" Tony bent his head slightly, his ear next to the phone Colonel Rhodes held up.
"Tony Stark." Batman lowered his voice. "Get into an armored vehicle now. Whatever happens, don't come out."
Tony Stark's forehead also creased with lines. He frowned and glanced at Colonel Rhodes.
"He says he's the Bat-Man," Colonel Rhodes said quietly to Tony. "You know this character?"
Tony Stark shook his head. He didn't know Batman personally, but living in New York, he'd inevitably heard the recent rumors about the vigilante.
"If you're trying to extort me by taking advantage of my company's stock drop, you've got the wrong idea." Tony Stark spoke into the phone.
In the City Hall subway station, Batman's expression remained unchanged. He knew Tony might not believe words coming from "Batman," but he wouldn't use Peter Parker's identity to warn him either.
"Get into an armored vehicle immediately. I suspect Obadiah intends you harm."
"You got proof?" Tony Stark's interest was piqued. This was the first time he'd encountered this novel style of scam. "Go ahead, tell me how you're planning to con me."
"I'm still gathering evidence." Batman's low voice came through the phone.
Tony Stark's face immediately showed disinterest. He waved at Colonel Rhodes, signaling him to hang up.
But Batman's warning still prompted Tony Stark to quickly climb into a military Humvee. Colonel Rhodes was about to follow him in, but Tony Stark blocked him at the door:
"Sorry, Rhodey. I already claimed this Humvee. You take the one behind."
Colonel Rhodes rolled his eyes. Rather than insisting on sharing a Humvee with Tony Stark, he held up his phone and waved it in front of Tony:
"Turn on your phone. I don't want your calls coming to me again with me having to hold the receiver for you."
As the armored vehicles drove toward the Air Force base hundreds of kilometers away, Tony Stark sat in the Humvee's back seat and pulled out his phone.
He'd turned it off on the private jet. Now he pulled it out, hesitated for a moment, then chose to power it back on.
Within minutes of turning it on, a virtual number called. Tony chose to decline it, but immediately another call came through.
This time it was from Stark Industries veteran Obadiah Stane.
Tony Stark could ignore other people's calls, but not Obadiah's.
Tony pressed the answer button and heard Obadiah's cheerful voice through the speaker:
"Tony, how did it go?"
"Everything went smoothly. Looks like we're going to make a killing this time," Tony said casually.
"Well done, Tony." Obadiah's voice sounded excited. "See you tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay."
Tony Stark stared at Obadiah's name displayed on his phone after the call ended, thinking for a moment. A soldier accompanying them leaned over:
"Tony, can we get a photo?"
Tony Stark pocketed his phone and smiled at the soldier. "Sure."
He watched as the soldier pulled out a camera and handed it to the person in the front passenger seat, then made a peace sign for the camera.
On the other end, after hanging up, Obadiah Stane couldn't help but laugh out loud.
He sent out Tony Stark's location information that he'd just traced through the phone call, then poured himself a glass of champagne and drank it in one gulp:
"To Tony Stark."
Boom!
A missile fell from the sky, blasting the Humvee Tony Stark was riding in into the air.