[The students' reaction to the sudden itinerary change ranges from excitement to confusion, with most of them unable to understand why their trip has been mysteriously upgraded.]
[Mr. Harrington positions himself in the center of the group with the confident demeanor of someone who believes he has successfully advocated for his students.]
["That's right! The travel agency called this morning and offered us an incredible upgrade! You should have heard how forcefully I negotiated with them on the phone! I really gave them a piece of my mind and demanded better accommodations for my students!"]
[However, Mr. Dell, who had been within earshot of the conversation, immediately contradicts his colleague's heroic version of events.]
["The only thing I heard was you crying and begging them to help us!"]
[Peter and Ned exchange looks of mutual bewilderment, both understanding that their teacher's "negotiation" had nothing to do with their sudden change in travel plans.]
[Mr. Harrington, choosing to ignore his colleague's undermining comment, gestures dramatically toward their new transportation.]
["Just look at this upgraded bus we've been provided! This is the kind of luxury transportation that shows proper respect for educational travel!"]
[The students gather around to examine their new vehicle, and their amazement is genuine and immediate.]
["Whoa! This is incredible! Look at how modern and clean it is!"]
["This is amazing! The interior looks like something from a five-star tour company!"]
["I'm actually impressed, Mr. Harrington! However you managed this, thank you!"]
[Even Mr. Dell, despite his earlier skepticism about his colleague's negotiation skills, has to admit that the upgraded bus is genuinely impressive.]
[Only Peter and Ned, bringing up the rear of the group, understand the true nature of their situation. Their voices carry resignation rather than excitement.]
["Oh, come on!" Peter mutters under his breath.]
["Peter, what exactly is happening here? Why do I feel like this isn't a coincidence?"]
[Peter sighs deeply, his voice carrying the weight of someone who has been outmaneuvered by forces beyond his control.]
["Nick Fury has completely hijacked our summer vacation! This whole Prague destination change isn't an upgrade - it's a manipulation!"]
[Standing beside the luxury bus with a professional-looking sign reading "Midtown High School," Dimitri maintains his cover as their new driver while clearly being one of Nick Fury's operatives.]
[Mr. Harrington approaches Dimitri with the enthusiasm of someone grateful for premium service, extending his hand for a friendly handshake.]
["I'm Mr. Harrington, and I'm one of the supervising teachers for these students! Thank you so much for this incredible upgrade!"]
[When Dimitri makes no move to accept the handshake, maintaining his stoic professional demeanor, Mr. Harrington is forced to withdraw his hand awkwardly.]
["Oh! Alright then! I guess you're the strong, silent type! That's perfectly fine!"]
[Mr. Harrington climbs aboard the bus, still trying to maintain his positive attitude despite the cold reception.]
[Ned observes this interaction with dry commentary.]
["Great! Our new driver is clearly a people person!"]
[Peter watches the scene with helpless resignation.]
["Yeah! This is going to be a fantastic trip!"]
Eastern Alps, Austria
[The luxury bus makes excellent time across the European countryside, and before long they find themselves traveling through the stunning mountain scenery of the Austrian Alps.]
[Inside the comfortable bus, Flash Thompson continues his relentless social media documentation, completely oblivious to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding their trip.]
["Yo! What's up, Flash Gang! It's your boy Flash Thompson here! You guys will not believe what's happening! Our class trip just got this incredible upgrade and we're riding in this absolutely awesome luxury bus! This is the kind of treatment that the Thompson family deserves!"]
[Dimitri, focusing on his driving while listening to Flash's self-absorbed commentary, shakes his head with obvious irritation. If he weren't tasked with transporting Spider-Man to Prague for Nick Fury's mission, he would never have volunteered for babysitting duty with a group of American teenagers.]
[Peter scrolls through his phone, researching their destination with the kind of focused attention that suggests he's looking for something specific. The screen displays "Top 10 Romantic Attractions in Prague!" as he tries to salvage some hope for his romantic plans despite the mission complications.]
[His attention is drawn to the metallic case containing Tony Stark's glasses, which he had almost forgotten about in the chaos of the morning's events.]
[Peter picks up the case and examines the card attached, noting the distinctive "Stark Industries" logo embossed on high-quality cardstock.]
[Curiosity overcoming his hesitation, Peter carefully removes the glasses and places them on his face. They feel surprisingly lightweight and comfortable, clearly designed with advanced materials and ergonomic precision.]
[Turning the card over, Peter discovers handwritten text in Tony's characteristic script. He reads aloud quietly to himself:]
["To the next Tony Stark, I trust you completely and believe in your potential! Say 'Edith'!"]
[The moment Peter speaks the activation word, the glasses immediately spring to life with a soft blue glow visible in the lenses.]
[A sophisticated female voice begins the security protocol with clinical precision.]
["Initiating retinal scan and comprehensive biometric analysis! Please remain still while authentication is completed!"]
[After a brief moment, the system confirms Peter's identity.]
["Retinal scan confirmed! Biometric analysis successful! User authentication complete!"]
[Peter realizes he's dealing with an artificial intelligence system far more advanced than anything he's previously encountered.]
["Hello? Are you some kind of AI system?"]
[The artificial intelligence responds with warm professionalism, clearly programmed with Tony's characteristic blend of advanced technology and personal touches.]
["Hello, Peter! I am EDITH - Tony Stark's Enhanced Defense Intelligence and Tactical Hub! I am an augmented reality security and defense system designed to provide comprehensive situational awareness and strategic support!"]
[Peter's curiosity about his inheritance grows as he begins to understand the scope of what Tony has left him.]
["So you were created specifically for me to use?"]
[EDITH's response reveals the full extent of the responsibility Tony has placed on Peter's shoulders.]
["Not exactly! I was designed as Mr. Stark's personal defense and intelligence system, but you now have complete access to all of Tony's protocols, security clearances, and operational capabilities!"]
[Peter whispers with genuine amazement at the implications.]
["That's incredible!"]
[EDITH continues her introduction with what sounds suspiciously like pride in her creator's linguistic creativity.]
["Would you like to understand my designation? EDITH stands for 'Even Dead, I'm The Hero!' Mr. Stark enjoyed creating memorable acronyms with multiple layers of meaning!"]
[Upon hearing this explanation, Peter can't help but close his eyes and laugh softly, recognizing Tony's characteristic humor even in such a serious gift.]
["Yeah, that definitely sounds like him! He never could resist a clever wordplay opportunity!"]
[EDITH begins explaining her capabilities with the kind of comprehensive overview that suggests vast technological resources.]
["I provide access to the entire Stark Global Security Network, including multiple defense satellites currently in orbit, real-time intelligence gathering capabilities, and backdoor access to all major telecommunications networks worldwide!"]
[As EDITH demonstrates her abilities, Peter suddenly discovers that he can see detailed information overlays about everyone on the bus. Personal data, current activities, even the content of their phone screens becomes visible through the augmented reality interface.]
[Peter immediately focuses on MJ, and the glasses display information indicating that she is currently composing a text message.]
["Is MJ writing a text message right now? What is she saying?"]
[However, Peter's moral instincts immediately override his curiosity, and he forces himself to look away from the private information.]
["No! I can't look at that! I shouldn't be reading people's private messages! That's not right! That's a complete invasion of privacy!"]
[When Peter turns his attention toward Ned and Betty, he can see that they are engaged in what appears to be a romantic text conversation, complete with heart emojis and affectionate language. The sight makes him feel like he's witnessing an overly public display of affection.]
Back in their current timeline, Tony Stark immediately recognized the technology being demonstrated on the Sky Curtain.
"EDITH! That's definitely the artificial intelligence system I'm currently developing to control the orbital drone defense network! The name and capabilities match exactly with my current project specifications!"
Bruce Banner nodded with understanding, having been involved in the conceptual development of the system.
"Absolutely! Those 'defense satellites' she mentioned are referring to your automated drone swarm project! It seems like your future technological priorities will remain consistent with your current development goals!"
Banner paused, reflecting on his influence over Tony's decision-making process.
"Actually, your choice to focus on drone technology rather than expanding the Iron Legion was partly influenced by our discussions about distributed defense systems. Normally, you would prefer wearable armor that provides personal protection and security, but drones offer strategic advantages that individual suits cannot match."
Meanwhile, around the world, the revelation that Tony Stark's artificial intelligence could freely access and monitor private communications sparked immediate outrage among privacy advocates and ordinary citizens.
People expressed fury at the idea that their personal information could be viewed at will, even under the pretense of global security. The ability to read private messages, access personal data, and monitor individual activities without consent was seen as a fundamental violation of basic privacy rights.
However, Tony's response to this criticism was characteristically dismissive and pragmatic.
"The technology exists because I created it, and I'll develop it however I see fit! If you don't like the fact that I can access your information, then build better security systems to keep me out! Create firewalls that actually work! Until you can do that, you'll just have to accept that this is the reality of living in a technologically advanced world!"
His attitude was unapologetic and direct: if people couldn't prevent him from accessing their data through technical means, then they had no right to complain about his capabilities.
Interestingly, while privacy advocates and corporate leaders expressed vocal outrage, the general public's reaction was more nuanced. Most ordinary citizens seemed relatively unconcerned about the potential for surveillance, operating under the assumption that Tony Stark would have no interest in their mundane daily activities.
The common sentiment was that they simply weren't important enough to warrant Tony Stark's personal attention. The people who should really be worried were industry leaders, government officials, and others with genuinely sensitive information - but even they found themselves unable to take effective action against someone who carried the public reputation of being a world-saving hero.
The most they could do was file formal complaints against Stark Industries and attempt to create legal challenges, but these efforts had limited effectiveness against someone with Tony's resources and public support.
[The bus eventually stops at a scenic rest area in the Austrian Alps, providing the students with an opportunity to stretch their legs and enjoy the mountain air.]
[Dimitri steps off the bus first, addressing the group with the efficient authority of someone accustomed to managing logistics.]
["Everyone off the bus! Bathroom break! You have exactly ten minutes before we continue our journey!"]
[Flash immediately seizes the opportunity to document this new location for his social media followers.]
["Lightning Gang! Now we're stopped at this incredible mountain rest stop in the Austrian Alps! Check out these amazing views!"]
[Mr. Dell, clearly having reached his biological limits after hours of bus travel, jumps off the vehicle with obvious urgency.]
["Bathroom! Where's the bathroom? I need to find the facilities immediately!"]
[Mr. Harrington unfolds a detailed map of their route and calls out to the group with the organizational energy of someone trying to maintain control over teenage chaos.]
["Remember, class! Everyone back on the bus in exactly ten minutes! Dimitri, can you show me precisely where we are on this route?"]
[Dimitri simply looks at Mr. Harrington with silent, professional indifference, offering no assistance with navigation.]
[Mr. Harrington realizes he's on his own with the map reading.]
["Okay then! I guess I'll figure out our location myself! No problem at all!"]
[Betty emerges from the bus holding Ned's hand, her voice filled with genuine appreciation for the Alpine scenery.]
["Oh my God! This place is absolutely beautiful! Look at those mountain peaks and the way the light hits the snow!"]
[Peter is the last student to exit the bus, but Dimitri subtly extends his arm to block Peter's path, clearly having received specific instructions regarding Spider-Man.]
[Peter looks at the operative with questioning confusion.]
["What's wrong? Is there a problem?"]
[Instead of providing a verbal explanation, Dimitri silently points toward a building near the rest stop, indicating a specific direction with professional precision.]
[Following Dimitri's gesture, Peter spots a woman waiting in what appears to be a private meeting room, her arms crossed and her posture suggesting she's been expecting him.]
[Peter immediately understands that this is another part of Nick Fury's carefully orchestrated plan. With a resigned shrug that suggests he's beginning to accept his inability to escape the mission, he heads toward the building to discover what new development awaits him.]