Tony's faceplate retracted. "SHIELD agents outside. Four SUVs. They're in a standoff with your men."
Alex's jaw tightened. "Can't Fury get off our backs for once?"
"Doesn't look like his style," Tony replied, scanning thermal readouts. "Phil Coulson is not present. No familiar faces either. Another team, I think."
Alex left Maya in the care of Davies. He strode towards Justin Hammer, yanking him up by the collar. Hammer's eyes darted, sweat slick on his temple.
"W-wait, let's talk about this!" Hammer stammered. "Look, man, I have money. Just give me a number. Just say it! We don't even have that much hatred!"
Alex slammed him back to the ground. "No hatred? You—"
Tony stepped closer, pulling on Alex's arm. "Don't kill him. It'll make things messier."
Alex's glare stayed on Hammer before he signaled to a Phoenix operative. "Record this."
The operative slid out a compact recorder, its lens catching the dim warehouse light.
---
Outside, Kane operatives and Phoenix squad stood in a solid wall against twelve armed STRIKE agents. Muzzles up. Fingers tense on triggers. The air felt like it could shatter.
Alex emerged with Tony at his side. Behind them, a Phoenix soldier shoved a bound Justin Hammer forward.
A buzz-cut man stepped from the lead SUV. "Rumlow. STRIKE Team Lead. You're under arrest for assaulting a protected government contractor."
Alex's voice was icy; his face carried a mocking smile. "That's funny because Justin here just confessed to illicit bioweapons and human experimentation." He tossed a data chip to the pavement. "Tell your superiors to stay clear if they don't want that dirt on them."
Hammer cracked. "It's true! I funded it all! I even transferred my offshore accounts to Kane as compensation—willingly!" He wanted to get away from this lunatic once and for all.
Rumlow's jaw tightened. His earpiece buzzed. "We'll take Hammer and the rest for interrogation. Due process will handle it."
"Sure, you can take trash with you," Alex said. As he tossed Hammer to Rumlow and the other prisoners were dragged away, Rumlow spoke again. "Where's Dr. Aldrich Killian?"
"There was some resistance," Alex replied flatly. "We had to take him out—for everyone's safety."
Rumlow's gaze sharpened. "The scientist—Maya Hansen. She's coming with us."
Alex's tone cut like glass. "No. She was kidnapped by them and rescued by me. If you have questions for her, contact Kane International at a later date."
Rumlow leveled his rifle. "This is an order straight from the undersecretary."
STRIKE rifles came up. Kane operatives mirrored the motion. Tony's faceplate snapped shut.
Rumlow asked, "You want to go against the order, Mr. Kane?"
Alex raised his hand, stopping his team. The Void Crescent Spear appeared in his grip, its silver edge catching the light with a hint of promised violence. Bits of debris lifted, orbiting slowly.
"I don't know, Agent… do I?" A dangerous smile tugged at his lips, laced with quiet menace. His eyes glinted with an unnatural light.
The spear spun faster, slicing the air into a sharp vortex. Rumlow hesitated, taking a step back.
"Retreat!" he barked. He was unwilling. But there is nothing he can do in front of that power.
Engines roared, SUVs reversing hard. Over his comm, Rumlow reported, "Hammer secured."
"And the scientists?" a voice came from the other side.
"Killian's dead. We couldn't secure the woman scientist. Alexander Kane resisted. He has some sort of strange power. We were outgunned."
A brief moment of silence followed by A cold reply. "Understood, Agent Brock. Get to the safe house, Now. I will contact Agent Sitwell for follow-up."
"Sigh! Okay Sir." Rumlow leaned back with a resigned sigh. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he muttered under his breath, "Alexander Kane… I will be seeing you again soon."
---
About two months had passed. Today was Tony's day. He made a dramatic entrance at the Stark Expo, descending in style from the stage in his armor before removing the helmet to thunderous applause. His speech was equal parts charm, swagger, and unapologetic brilliance, drawing cheers from the packed audience.
Afterward, Happy had to guide Tony through a dense crowd of fans and photographers, shielding him from grabbing hands and flashing cameras. When Alex finally caught up to them, Happy shot him a look. "You know, this was supposed to be your job—keeping him from getting mobbed," he grumbled. Alex just smiled, clapping him on the shoulder. "Oh, come on, are you still hung up on that?"
Fireworks painted the sky above the Stark Expo, casting flickering light over the cheering crowds. Tony, Alex, and Happy finally reached Tony's waiting Audi R8.
Tony was joking with Happy about his jealousy when their banter was abruptly cut off by a woman stepping into their path. She wore a crisp white suit, her sharp eyes and flirtatious smile radiating intensity beneath her professional composure.
"Wow, What's your name?" Tony asked.
"Marshal."
Tony grinned, leaning in. "Marshal? Cool name."
She flashed a badge that read U.S. Marshal.
Tony blinked, then took a step back. "Oh... What are you doing out here, Marshal?"
She ignored him, producing two thick envelopes. "Anthony Stark. Alexander Kane. You are hereby ordered to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee tomorrow at 10 AM. Subpoenas have been served."
Alex took his envelope, his gaze lingering. "And your name, Marshal?"
She offered a fleeting, enigmatic smile. "Just doing my job, Mr. Kane." She turned, melting into the Expo's neon-drenched crowd.
Tony, Alex, and Happy watched her go, the sway of her hips cutting through the mass.
Alex tore the envelope and read the letter. While Happy just put the letter in the front compartment.
"Well," Tony sighed, sliding into the Audi, "we have fourteen hours until Stern tries to publicly dissect us. Let's not waste it." The engine roared. "Try not to start another war before breakfast, Kane."
The R8 peeled away.
Alex stood alone amidst the fading fireworks. He pulled out his phone and dialed. One ring.
"Status?"
Davies' voice came through at once, curt and steady. "The Phoenix Company is ready for the next step, sir."
Alex crumpled the subpoena in his fist. A slow, dangerous smile touched his lips. "Good."
For the past two months, Alex hadn't been idle. Every move, every deal, every shadowed meeting had been a step toward this moment. He had gathered the components to stand against anything the government could throw his way. The Supreme System had been exploited to its fullest, his arsenal sharpened, and his influence cemented. And he had also kept his word to Maya.
Tomorrow, the stage would be set. And when the curtain rose, the world would see the full weight of his preparations.