~Flushing, New York~
A sea of people flooded into the science museum, where tonight's Stark Industries World Expo would officially comnce...
Scientific achievents from various countries, after passing rigorous evaluations by the organizers, were granted free exhibition spaces.
Sean entered the museum's central area unimpeded through the VIP channel.
News reporters from major television networks had already taken their seats, while Pepper Potts busily directed last-minute preparations backstage. For this grand solo performance, Tony had prepared four differently painted Mark-series armors, while he himself would take the stage in the latest Iron Man suit for the debut showcase.
"Where's Tony?" Sean asked as Pepper approached.
The playboy whose life had been hanging by a thread had undergone a week of brief treatnt at Umbrella.
Lithium dioxide injections temporarily alleviated his palladium poisoning symptoms, while Dr. Helen Cho's Cradle technology perford a minor surgery to remove the remaining shrapnel from his body, allowing him to walk out imdiately without an extended recovery period.
Now, it was up to Tony Stark's genius intellect. In the original tiline, Nick Fury had delivered Howard Stark's belongings to Tony, who then discovered clues about a new elent from his father's old recordings, eventually replacing the palladium core to achieve Iron Man's rebirth.
Sean had only provided a subtle hint. If Tony truly was the unparalleled genius the newspapers claid, he would undoubtedly uncover the clues and find the precious legacy his father left behind.
"Ever since returning from Umbrella, he's been holed up in the lab. That armor will always be his top priority," Pepper replied with a trace of complaint.
The secretary couldn't shake the feeling Tony was hiding sothing, especially with his frequent recent visits to Umbrella. She looked at Sean expectantly, hoping for answers.
"Tony often tells you're his greatest assistant, more important than even J.A.R.V.I.S.," Sean deflected, avoiding Pepper's probing gaze.
Now CEO of Stark Industries, Pepper's capable leadership had quelled the board's dissatisfaction with Tony while dispelling unsavory rumors.
Sean couldn't help feeling Tony was fortunate... first with Obadiah Stane shielding the playboy from storms, allowing him to indulge freely, and now Pepper managing the company.
Without such support, even the most talented individual would eventually drown in trivialities, losing their original passion and patience.
"n and won are different. Soone as proud as Tony would never let those he cares about worry. He'll give you everything he owns except the pain in his heart." Sean smiled faintly as a formally dressed Tony approached from backstage. Winking at Pepper, he added, "If you're truly curious, why not ask him directly?"
After brief pleasantries, Tony pulled Sean aside with so excuse, whispering urgently in a corner, "What did you tell Pepper?"
Facing Stark's interrogation, Sean shrugged, "Ms. Potts is just concerned about your health."
"So you told her everything?"
"Of course not. I promised to keep your secret. But she'll likely figure it out soon... between selecting a successor and behaving so unusually, like arranging your affairs, anyone would grow suspicious."
Seeing Tony's nervous expression, Sean found it amusing, "She'll confront that harsh reality soon enough, so you'd better hurry and solve your problem."
Unlike his previous gloomy deanor, a revitalized Tony grinned triumphantly, "That old man of mine gave one last lesson twenty years later. Soon, Iron Man will rise from the ashes!"
Hearing this confidence, Sean guessed Tony had discovered his father's monuntal legacy... technology decades ahead of its ti, which Howard couldn't complete due to material limitations, leaving the key for his son. Tragically, the industrial titan died in an 'accident' before revealing this secret.
"Good luck then," Sean said, patting Tony's shoulder as he prepared to leave.
"I heard you've been contacting Departnt of Defense procurent officers... Are you trying to enter the arms industry?" Tony hesitated before stopping the departing young man, "I sold Stark Industries' weapons factories to Hamr Industries. Justin Hamr may be an incompetent fool, but he's got the connections and capital. Umbrella is too green by comparison."
As a forr defense industry titan, Tony knew the procurent process and its unwritten rules intimately.
Generally, becoming a military contractor required Departnt of Defense qualification, with companies ranked by capability and importance. Higher rankings received more procurent benefits and hidden subsidies. Stark Industries had once topped Category A, dominating military contracts.
Companies like Hamr Industries and Cross Technologies, lacking experience or resources, languished in Category B, scrambling for leftovers. Even Oscorp, after past failures ranked lower, which was proof of the market's cutthroat competition.
With Stark Industries withdrawn, Hamr's desperate factory purchase aid to fill the void, while other arms manufacturers eagerly awaited their share. For Umbrella to enter now (even with General Ross's recomndation) would at best secure a spot on the procurent list without substantial benefits.
"Rember that genius weapons designer I ntioned?" Sean remained unperturbed, pointing at Tony's chest, "His achievents won't pale beside yours."
Iron Man chuckled arrogantly, "The arc reactor is decades ahead. No one's replicating it within twenty years!"
He refused to believe anyone could match this invention. If it were so easily duplicated, the military wouldn't be scheming so desperately to obtain it.
Sean smiled without responding, anticipating Ivan Vanko's impending surprise. Umbrella's rise had always involved stepping over predecessors' corpses.
Strolling through the expansive venue before opening hours, Sean observed the preparations with detached amusent.
Hopeless scientists had arrived early with their inventions, seeking discerning investors. Yet most displayed conceptual designs with no practical potential.
True geniuses in this world were rarer than mythical creatures... not every day yielded hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
As Sean casually surveyed the area, his gaze fell upon a tall figure wearing a baseball cap in the retro exhibition zone, where footage from Howard Stark's 1942 "World of Tomorrow" Expo played, featuring sixty-four nations showcasing innovations like tape recorders, magnetic tapes, and nylon, sparking technological fervor.
The handso man watched the grainy footage of Howard demonstrating a hovering car (claid as revolutionary anti-gravity technology) only for the vehicle to emit sparks before crashing onto the stage.
Watching this, the man chuckled faintly, eyes brimming with nostalgia. Despite his youthful appearance, an air of weary lancholy clung to him...
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