The Pentagon briefing hall was suffocating with tension. Rows of senators, generals and CEOs sat grim-faced, the echoes of Parker Defense's Nevada demonstration still rattling their pride.
General Ross slammed his hand on the table. "This boy is a threat to national security! No private citizen should command technology that outstrips the combined might of our armed forces!"
Nods rippled through the room. Defense contractors leaned forward, waiting to press their advantage.
Peter adjusted his tie and calmly tapped the tablet in front of him. "Funny. Coming from the same men who've wasted trillions in taxpayer dollars."
The main screen behind him lit up.
Exhibit A – The Numbers Don't Lie
Budget sheets scrolled across the display. Line after line highlighted in red: inflated costs, ghost projects, double-dipped contracts.
"Raytheon billed the Pentagon for missile defense systems that failed 60% of tests. Lockheed overcharged for stealth fighters that can't fly in the rain. Northrop diverted billions to 'research divisions' that never produced a single working prototype."
Gasps erupted in the chamber. Senators shifted uncomfortably.
"And then there's the army." Peter continued, voice sharpening. "Billions for vehicles designed to resist IEDs except the armor was cheap steel covered in composite paint. Soldiers died because of corner-cutting."
Ross stood, red-faced. "That's classified information!"
Peter's eyes burned into him. "No. That's blood and you don't get to bury it under paperwork."
Exhibit B – The Personal Ledger
The screen changed again. Now it wasn't budgets. It was photos. Emails. Deposits.
"Senator Stern. Offshore accounts tied to defense contracts. Funny how you always vote in favor of increased budgets for companies that pay you."
The senator sputtered.
"General Atwood. Luxury villas in Monaco, bought through shell corporations set up by Hammer Industries. Guess those procurement delays weren't accidents."
Murmurs spread like wildfire.
"And General Ross…" Peter paused, letting the silence stretch. "You like to call me dangerous. But what about your secret program? Funding unlicensed gamma research. Endangering civilians of Vista Verde. How many lives did you gamble with for power you didn't understand or couldn't control?"
Ross's face went stone pale. Fury's single eye flicked to him, like a hawk that has targeted it's prey.
Peter leaned forward, voice cold. "Don't mistake me for a naive kid. You wanted to paint me as a threat. But I've pulled back the curtain on all of you. And now the world knows the truth. Your greed is the real danger."
The chamber fell into stunned silence. Cameras clicked. Reporters scribbled furiously. The balance of power had shifted not just on the battlefield, but in politics.
Tony clapped slowly. "Damn, kid. Remind me never to get on your bad side."
Pepper gave a small, proud smile. Gwen, sitting behind Peter, mouthed that's my boyfriend.
As the meeting ended, Fury finally stepped forward, voice low and cutting. "Impressive. But you've just painted a target on your back, kid. They won't forgive this."
Peter met his gaze, unflinching. "Good. Let them come but you really don't understand what the IRS truly is do you Mr. Fury?"
Fury felt cold dread creeping up his spine because the IRS isn't something not even S.H.I.E.L.D messes with carelessly.
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