New York – JFK International Airport
The chartered jet touched down smoothly, tires chirping against tarmac as reverse thrust engaged. Through the windows, Smith could see the reception committee, six vehicles arranged beside a private taxiway, including two military Humvees, two Rolls-Royces, a Cadillac Escalade, and an ambulance.
Quite the welcoming party, Smith thought. Though I suppose Tony Stark being declared dead for almost three months warrants it.
The plane taxied to a stop. Ground crew positioned stairs at the cabin door.
Tony stood, straightening his borrowed shirt. "Ready to face the music?"
"After you," Smith said. "This is your moment."
The cabin door opened. Afternoon sunlight spilled inside.
Tony descended first, stepping onto American soil for the first time in months. The assembled crowd reacted immediately, a woman with strawberry-blonde hair pressed her hand to her mouth, eyes glistening. The paramedics moved forward with a stretcher.
Tony waved them off. "I'm fine. Really. Tell them to put that away."
Pepper Potts approached, trying to maintain professional composure despite the tears threatening to spill. Tony looked thinner, more weathered, but he was alive and walking under his own power.
"Your eyes are red," Tony said softly as he reached her.
Pepper managed a watery smile. "Tears of joy. I hate job hunting."
"Well, vacation's over." Tony's trademark smirk returned.
Smith emerged from the plane moments later, Puar cradled in his arms. To outside observers, Puar appeared to be a plush toy, the shape-shifter had adopted a doll-like stillness that fooled casual inspection.
Give Tony his reunion. No need to complicate it with my presence.
Pepper immediately broke away from Tony and approached Smith, extending her hand. "Mr. Doyle, I can't thank you enough for bringing Tony home safely. We'll arrange your payment immediately, everything we agreed upon."
Smith shook her hand. "It was my pleasure, Ms. Potts. I'm glad we could help."
And I'm especially glad you're about to pay me a fortune in equipment right before Tony crashes your stock price, Smith thought but didn't say.
A muscular man in an Air Force flight suit, Colonel James Rhodes, stepped forward and pulled Tony into a brief, backslapping embrace. "Don't ever disappear like that again, man. You scared the hell out of everyone."
Tony returned the hug awkwardly. "Wasn't exactly in my plans, Rhodey."
Rhodes kept one arm around Tony's shoulders, steering him toward the waiting vehicles. Tony glanced back at Smith.
"Don't forget our deal, Smith. I'll show you the new design once it's operational. Promise."
"I'll hold you to that," Smith replied.
Ground crew wheeled out a large metal case from the cargo hold, the Mark I armor, secured and ready for transport. Tony directed his people to load it onto the Escalades, then headed for his Rolls-Royce with Pepper and Happy without looking back.
The military convoy departed.
Within minutes, the tarmac cleared except for Smith's people.
Fox emerged from beside the second Rolls-Royce, a genuine smile on her face as she approached. She pulled Smith into a brief hug, professional but warm. "Welcome home, GOD."
John Wick held the car door open, then slid into the driver's seat once Smith and Fox were settled in the back.
As they pulled away from the airport, Fox retrieved a tablet from her briefcase. "I have the Stark Industries update you requested. We've borrowed five million dollars worth of shares from various institutions, pension funds, investment banks, hedge funds. Standard short-selling arrangement. When the price drops, we buy back the shares at the lower price and return them, pocketing the difference."
She hesitated. "But there's a problem. Tony Stark just returned alive. He's Stark Industries' chief scientist and public face. Once news breaks, the stock will rally. We could lose everything we've invested, plus borrowing fees."
Smith leaned back against the leather seat, watching Manhattan's skyline grow larger through the window. "Ignore any short-term rally. Sell all five million worth of shares immediately. Drive the price down."
Fox's fingers hovered over her tablet. "You're certain?"
"Completely. And find more institutions willing to lend us shares. I'll provide whatever collateral they require. Borrow another ten million if possible. Twenty if they'll allow it."
Fox stared at him. "That's an enormous position. If the stock rises instead of falls, we could lose tens of millions."
"It won't rise," Smith said calmly. "Not for long. Trust me on this."
Tony's going to announce the shutdown of weapons manufacturing within days. The stock will crater. And when he eventually reveals he's Iron Man, it'll skyrocket beyond its previous highs. Two massive profit opportunities.
Fox nodded slowly and began typing instructions into her tablet, issuing orders to the Fraternity's financial team. "I'll have the additional positions established by market close tomorrow."
"Good." Smith glanced at John Wick's reflection in the rearview mirror. The assassin drove with focused attention, navigating traffic smoothly. "John, how's the Continental Hotel integration proceeding?"
"Ahead of schedule," John replied. "Most former managers accepted reassignment. Those who refused have been... relocated. The network's fully under Fraternity control now."
"Excellent work."
They continued toward headquarters in comfortable silence.
Stark Industries Rolls-Royce – Simultaneously
Happy navigated through afternoon traffic, glancing in the rearview mirror at his passengers. "Where to, boss?"
Pepper spoke immediately. "The hospital, Happy. Tony needs a full medical examination, "
"No," Tony interrupted.
Pepper turned to stare at him. "Tony, you were held captive for almost three months. You need doctors to, "
"No hospital." Tony's tone left no room for argument.
"You have to be examined!" Pepper's voice rose slightly, professional composure cracking. "God knows what they did to you, what injuries you're hiding, "
"I don't have to do anything," Tony said firmly. "I've been locked in a cave for three months. There's exactly one thing I want to do right now."
Pepper's expression went cold. Her mind immediately jumped to Tony's pre-kidnapping lifestyle, models, parties, casual relationships that meant nothing. He comes home from a near-death experience and wants to pick up right where he left off?
"Tony, "
"It's not what you're thinking." Tony met her eyes. "I want to hold a press conference. Immediately."
Pepper blinked. "A press conference?"
"Yes. Happy, drive to headquarters. Pepper, start making calls. Get every reporter in New York to Stark Industries. Tell them Tony Stark has an announcement. They'll come running."
Pepper's confusion deepened. "What announcement? Shouldn't you at least brief Obadiah first, coordinate with the board, "
"No. Just get the press there." Tony's jaw set in the stubborn expression Pepper knew meant arguing was pointless. "Trust me, Pepper. What I'm about to say is going to be very, very interesting."
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