James Rhodes looked at the group of agents on high alert and couldn't help saying, "Guys, guys, no need to be so nervous, I'll walk myself…"
"No visits to Colonel Rhodes are permitted."
Uehara Naraku glanced at Colonel Rhodes, his face completely indifferent as he said, "I'm going to arrest Tony Stark. Until I get back, no one is allowed to have contact with him!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Wait… why are you arresting Tony?"
Rhodes looked a little shocked and couldn't help saying, "Uehara, you should know this has nothing to do with Tony, he just…"
"James Rhodes."
Uehara Naraku's voice was a bit cold. He took one step to stand right in front of Colonel Rhodes, the chill on his face deepening, making this Air Force colonel feel a little uneasy.
Uehara Naraku's eyes narrowed slightly. His palm suddenly pressed down on Rhodes's shoulder, and he continued coldly, "You and Tony Stark were pretty pleased with yourselves when you were using me, weren't you? And I was still stupidly trying to figure out how to clear your name…"
"Wait, what the hell happened?"
The uneasiness in Rhodes's heart grew heavier and heavier. He spoke directly: "Uehara, the former President's assassination really is on me, but Tony is innocent…"
What's going on?
Why did this guy Uehara Naraku suddenly flip the table?
Even if this guy wanted to be "just doing his job," he should know Tony's innocent. What's with him, what on earth happened?
"You're still trying to cover for Stark?"
Uehara Naraku actually let out a cold, furious laugh, his eyes utterly indifferent. "Tony Stark and the former director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury, have been colluding all along, recruiting Dr. Bruce Banner to form a Hydra Superhero Squad…"
"Wait, wait, wait… Nick Fury?"
Colonel Rhodes was completely lost. "I remember he was your S.H.I.E.L.D. director, wasn't he? And didn't he die a long time ago…"
"Nick Fury isn't dead."
Uehara Naraku let go of his shoulder, his cold face unmoved as he continued, "He's a Hydra spy planted inside S.H.I.E.L.D. Before Nick Fury was about to be exposed, Tony Stark helped him fake his death and slip out of S.H.I.E.L.D.…"
"Now, lock him in the interrogation room!"
"When I come back, we'll talk through everything that happened!"
"I'll make you see what it costs to betray a man's friendship!"
Uehara Naraku's final words landed like a hammer, and everyone present could feel the anger radiating off him; each person's mood was different!
Especially the Hydra subordinates at Uehara Naraku's side…
If not for their professional training, hearing their boss solemnly pin all this on their archenemy Nick Fury, they would probably have burst out laughing…
Talk about tables turning…
Who would have thought that Nick Fury, the one who actually ran S.H.I.E.L.D., would be branded a Hydra criminal… while they, a bunch of Hydra operatives, were openly taking over S.H.I.E.L.D.!
"Sorry, I didn't know…"
Before being taken away, James Rhodes still wanted to explain a few words, still wanted to defend Tony Stark; but he didn't even know how to explain, and could only stammer on, "But I believe Tony definitely…"
"I once believed in you and Tony."
Uehara Naraku coldly cut James Rhodes off, his expression turning complicated again. "But… Rhodes… you—or rather, you and Tony—repaid me by trampling on the friendship between men, by hiding everything from me, everything that has anything to do with me…"
"I'm sorry, Uehara, but…"
"Take him away."
Uehara Naraku waved his hand.
An agent stepped forward, clamped a gag-like lock over James Rhodes's mouth, and sealed it shut.
Even as James Rhodes was escorted out, he kept looking back, muffled groans spilling from his gagged mouth, hoping Uehara Naraku would listen to him for just a few more words…
However, Uehara Naraku only watched him being taken away with a complicated look. Once Rhodes was gone, he finally put away his expression just as an armed helicopter landed on the basketball court.
"Let's go."
Uehara Naraku lifted his foot and stepped into the helicopter, then picked up the onboard intercom. "Combat squadrons, immediately seize control of Stark Industries Tower. One air squadron to enter patrol status, other squadrons ready to provide support at any time. All of New York is now under flight lockdown!"
You couldn't say this show of force was small.
Just to surround and capture Tony Stark, Uehara Naraku ordered out three ground combat squadrons and one air squadron. Twenty-four F-22 fighters screamed over the skies of New York, circling, ready to shoot down any possible flying object!
Because on Christmas Eve, Tony Stark had deployed dozens of Iron Man suits, making the top brass of the United States fully realize just how much money this guy had…
Stark Industries Tower.
Tony Stark was sitting in the underground lab doing experiments, while Pepper Potts sat next to him discussing their new tower. Stark Industries was planning to build at least four more Stark New Energy Towers in the United States.
Whether these towers were used as office buildings, research facilities, or bases for The Avengers, all of it worked…
However, the fighters constantly circling above New York's sky were really starting to annoy Tony Stark. The underground soundproofing was good, but right now Tony just wanted to take this chance to test fly his new armor…
With that many fighters up there, his tests were going to be a pain.
If it were before, he could complain to his friend Colonel James Rhodes from the Air Force. Right now, though, he was still waiting for news on Colonel Rhodes's trial…
"What's wrong?"
Pepper walked over to Tony Stark, reaching out to knead his shoulders. "Tony, are you still worried about Colonel Rhodes?"
"No, not at all."
Tony Stark shook his head casually and said softly, "That guy Uehara will help clear Rhodes's name. That guy's always… uh… anyway, he always looks like he's in a bad mood, but he's actually soft as hell on the inside…"
"Sir, we have guests."
Jarvis's voice cut off Tony Stark and Pepper's conversation.
One after another, virtual displays popped up around the underground lab.
The screens all showed live footage from surveillance cameras around Stark Industries Tower. A group of fully Armed agents were moving under their surveillance, quickly surrounding the entire Stark Industries Tower.
"What's this about?"
Tony Stark frowned, rubbing his chin. "Jarvis, check the latest government intel. While you're at it, pull up S.H.I.E.L.D. or FBI databases for me—I want to know what's going on…"
"Yes, Sir."
Jarvis's voice remained the same calm mechanical tone.
Watching the agents moving swiftly on the monitors, Tony Stark issued another order: "And, prep two spare Mark 42s for me and Pepper!"
If they were just agents coming to cause trouble, that was one thing…
But if this was a leftover squad of Kilian's, then they had to prep the Iron Man suits ahead of time and absolutely could not let them fall into enemy hands!
"Don't panic, Tony…"
Pepper looked a bit stunned. She hurriedly grabbed her phone and started dialing officials. "I'll ask what happened…"
"No need."
Tony Stark shook his head, his gaze locked on one specific monitor feed—on the screen, seven or eight agents were escorting Uehara Naraku into Stark Industries Tower!
"Pepper, head down to the lower level."
Tony Stark stretched out his arm. The sensors installed on his body instantly kicked in, and pieces of a red-and-gold Iron Man suit flew toward him!
In a flash, the fully Armed armor snapped into place around his body!
Tony Stark grabbed the faceplate and slowly closed it over his face. He turned his head, using the synthetic mechanical voice to reassure his girlfriend, "Don't worry, I'll go see what's going on. If Uehara's here to see us too, then it shouldn't be a big problem…"