Washington, D.C., Senate Military Committee Hearing
Ten Minutes Earlier
Outside the Capitol, a crowd surged. Reporters wielded cameras like weapons, flashbulbs glaring in the morning sun.
"Senator Stern! Your stance on Stark Industries' armor?" a CNN reporter shouted, thrusting a mic.
Stern adjusted his tie, flashing a politician's smile. "National security isn't a game. Any tech threatening the public must be regulated."
"But Mr. Stark insists it's not a weapon," the reporter pressed.
Stern's smile tightened. "When someone flies over New York, armed to fight, it's hard to call it anything else."
Nearby, Justin Hammer preened for reporters, his silver suit gleaming like a peacock's tail.
"Mr. Hammer, as a tech expert, do you believe Iron Man's armor is a military weapon?" a journalist asked.
Hammer spread his arms dramatically. "Friends, do I need to spell it out? Look at the videos: palm cannons, micro-missiles, laser cutters. If that's not a weapon, my pen's a peace dove!"
The crowd chuckled.
A roar cut through—a silver Audi R8 screeched to a stop at the Capitol steps. Tony Stark stepped out, sunglasses glinting, a roguish grin on his face.
Reporters swarmed. "Mr. Stark! Prepared for the hearing?"
"Will you compromise on military control of your armor?"
Tony removed his shades, smirking. "Relax, folks. I'm just here for coffee." He pointed at the Capitol. "Heard their Blue Mountain's decent."
"You're not worried about nationalization?" a reporter shouted.
Tony shrugged. "First, the armor's not a weapon. Second," he winked, "no one's taking it."
Escorted by security, he strode inside, cameras trailing.
The hearing began. Stern banged his gavel. "This session evaluates whether Stark Industries' Iron Man armor poses a national security threat and should be regulated as a military weapon."
He turned to Tony at the witness stand. "Mr. Stark, state your position."
Tony leaned back, casual. "Simple: the armor's my property, like my watch or my cars. It just happens to fly and shoot lasers."
The room stirred.
"You're mocking this committee!" a senator snapped. "That armor could level a block!"
"My cars can kill too," Tony shot back. "Gonna seize every Ferrari?"
Stern sneered. "Don't obfuscate, Mr. Stark. We've invited Justin Hammer, CEO of Hammer Industries, as a technical advisor."
Hammer strutted to the stand, tablet in hand. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said, pulling up a video. "Stark's armor in New York: speed over Mach 5, fighter-jet agility."
He switched to another clip. "Palm cannon energy readings—can pierce tank armor."
Finally, a blurry video: "Three days ago, a black-armored figure, believed to be Stark's partner, stopped a truck single-handedly. If used for crime…"
Laughter erupted. Everyone knew it was Superman saving lives.
Tony rolled his eyes. "Hammer, your PowerPoint's better than your robots."
Stern banged his gavel. "We've also invited Colonel Rhodes as a military representative."
Rhodes took the stand, stern. "I'm here personally. Tony's my friend, but as a soldier, I prioritize security."
"Colonel," Stern asked, "is the Iron Man armor a weapon system?"
Rhodes hesitated. "Technically, it looks like one… but more an assistive tool."
Hammer jumped up. "See? Even the military calls it a weapon!"
Tony's face darkened. He glanced at the back doors—still empty.
Stern pressed, "Mr. Stark, given its weapon nature, we demand you surrender all technical data and cease private development."
Tony took a breath, then grinned. "Funny thing is, the armor isn't my work."
Silence.
"What?" Stern frowned.
"The armor, including the arc reactor, comes from my partner, Superman," Tony said, standing.
Right on cue, the doors swung open. James entered, his tailored black suit barely concealing his chiseled frame. The room fell silent.
"Sorry I'm late," he said, sitting beside Tony. "Handled some trouble."
Tony raised an eyebrow. "Like?"
"L.A. gang fight, some terrorists," James shrugged. "Sent them to dig ice in the Arctic."
"Ice?" Tony's face twitched.
Stern stood, livid. "Superman! This is a Senate hearing—no unauthorized persons!"
James's eyes flashed gold. "Senator, the First Amendment lets me attend public hearings. Or are you siding with criminals?"
Stern's face cycled colors, then he collapsed into his seat.
The hearing continued, but the mood shifted. When Hammer tried proving the armor's weapon status, Tony cut in, "The armor's James's creation—a tool for rescue and justice, like a cop's gun. It's about the user."
"Absurd!" Stern shouted. "Who ensures it's not misused?"
James stood slowly, every eye on him. "I do."
His voice silenced the room. "The armor's mine, for protecting the innocent. If anyone tries taking it…" His gaze swept the senators. "Try me."
Stern swallowed. "A threat?"
"A fact," James said, adjusting his cuffs. "I respect the law, but I won't let it be used to steal."
He faced the cameras, addressing the nation: "I don't want to destroy the world—just peace. But if my rights are violated…"
He didn't finish, but the implication landed.
In the audience, Natasha Romanoff crossed her legs, smirking. "More interesting than the reports."
Coulson popped a mint. "He could catch missiles barehanded. This is restrained."
"Fury'll love him," Natasha said. "Or he's already plotting to recruit him."
Coulson folded the wrapper neatly. "I'm more worried about what that'll spark."
The hearing ended in silence as James and Tony left, Stern's gavel hanging mid-air.
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