"Could it be that Ivan Vanko and Hammer Industries are collaborating?"
Nick Fury, the intelligence chief, suddenly thought of something crucial.
Anton Vanko was destitute, and his son Ivan Vanko probably wasn't doing well either. Even if Ivan Vanko wanted to kill Iron Man, he likely didn't have the means.
But if there was a big shot backing him from behind, then it wouldn't be a problem.
Hammer Industries fit perfectly into this hypothesis — wealthy, longtime rivals of Iron Man, and supporting Ivan Vanko behind the scenes to go after Iron Man was entirely plausible.
"Ladies and gentlemen, for a long time, our country has sent brave warriors to risk their lives in battle."
"Then Iron Man appeared, and we thought no more lives would be lost, but Stark refused to make this advanced technology public."
"That's unfair, wrong, and a pity! But it's still a great invention!"
...
On the stage.
After his awkward dance, Justin Hammer gave a long-winded speech, undoubtedly a dig at Stark.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today I am proud to introduce the new face of the U.S. military, the Hammer Industries Iron Soldier!"
After taking shots at Stark, Justin Hammer finished his announcement with confidence.
"Hammer Industries Iron Soldier?"
Iron Man paused, then sneered contemptuously.
Full of disdain, "Justin Hammer must be bluffing. If Hammer Industries could really make Iron Soldiers, pigs would be flying!"
Though Nick Fury wasn't as certain as Iron Man, he was still highly skeptical.
After all, the Iron Man armor was indeed cutting-edge technology. Without Iron Man sharing the tech, the likelihood that others could develop similar armor was slim.
Especially Hammer Industries — Nick Fury knew enough about them to never use their weapons in S.H.I.E.L.D.
That alone spoke volumes.
But soon, both Iron Man and Nick Fury were slapped in the face by reality. Under Justin Hammer's announcement, rows upon rows of Iron Armors appeared on the stage.
Not just one or two, but entire lines!
The army had one row, the air force another, the navy yet another, and amphibious units yet another...
Iron Man and Nick Fury looked stunned.
"These Iron Armors must be flashy but useless toys! It's just Justin Hammer's con game!" Iron Man said firmly.
"Stark, don't forget Ivan Vanko!" Nick Fury reminded him.
"You mean Ivan Vanko helped this guy manufacture those armors?" Captain America quickly caught the point Nick Fury was making.
Ivan Vanko's father was Howard Stark's partner and co-inventor of the Arc Reactor — clearly an outstanding scientist.
Also deeply familiar with the Arc Reactor.
It made logical sense that his son could make Iron Armors.
"Could it be that Ivan Vanko created some unrestrained armor?" Iron Man murmured suddenly.
From their Q&A, they knew Ivan Vanko must possess a terrifying power that even Iron Man couldn't counter.
They had been curious about that power, but now it seemed that power was probably the Iron Armor.
"Ladies and gentlemen, next I am honored to introduce the first prototype, the Comprehensive Threat Response Combat Armor, and its first pilot, Air Force Colonel James Rhodes."
Justin Hammer's voice continued.
With his grand introduction, a clearly different style of Iron Armor slowly appeared on the stage.
"Oh! Who messed with my armor and made it look like this?" Iron Man couldn't help but facepalm.
He naturally recognized it immediately — the armor Rhodey wore was just his own armor crudely fitted with some extra weapons, that was all.
That very armor was sitting inside Stark Tower.
Looks like Iron Man's earlier guess was right — he had indeed gifted Rhodey a suit of armor in the future.
"Hammer Industries!"
Then Iron Man gave a look like he'd been through hell — only Hammer Industries could have done such a clumsy job.
And since Hammer Industries had always closely cooperated with the military, there was no one else involved.
"Hammer Industries reporting to America and its allies..."
On stage, Justin Hammer was confident, but suddenly things took a turn.
As he spoke, Iron Man, wearing his armor, flew onto the stage.
He looked like he was about to crash the party.
At Iron Man's appearance, the exhibition erupted into thunderous cheers, with many people standing and applauding.
That showed just how popular Iron Man was.
"Is this the kind of weaponry this era has?"
Captain America stared in disbelief. At first, he wasn't impressed by Hammer Industries' armor — just heavy chunks of metal.
Basically, humanoid tanks.
But now, Iron Man's armor could fly?
And the armor was much smaller than jets, much more agile, capable of many things conventional fighter jets couldn't do.
This weapon was terrifying.
As someone just waking up with memories stuck in WWII, Captain America almost had his worldview shattered.
"First, this isn't a weapon! Second, this isn't technology of this era — it's mine alone!"
Iron Man said smugly.
"We have trouble!"
On the screen, Iron Man walked straight toward Rhodey.
"Tony, there are civilians here. I'm just following orders — we can't fight here!" Rhodey said anxiously.
He was Iron Man's friend, and despite knowing about the feud between Iron Man and Hammer Industries, he stood by Hammer Industries.
Iron Man had every reason to be angry.
"Everyone is in danger. We have to save them!" Iron Man didn't have time to explain further and said bluntly, "You must trust me now."
"I tried, but I got beaten badly at your place."
"Listen, I think he's collaborating with Vanko!" Iron Man said again.
Now it was undeniable — all previous guesses were correct. Hammer Industries was indeed working with Ivan Vanko to manufacture these Iron Armors.
And from Iron Man's words on the screen, it was clear that Ivan Vanko was plotting some scheme.
Iron Man had sensed the conspiracy and came to stop it.
....
(End of Chapter)