Chapter 14 - The Construction Revolution IV
Midtown Manhattan, New York City
Tony arrived at the venue—not a hall or a lawn, but the construction site of the new Stark Tower. Half of the work had already been completed, but Tony wanted to rush it a little in time for next year's elections. So, it was the best place to unveil his next technology.
The road was blocked, and a large stage was set beside the building, still under construction. The visitors were mostly some celebrities, rich ones, and politicians, as always. However, the journalists outnumbered the guests.
"You look wonderful, Professor Kreed." Tony found his date for the night, Amanda, standing near the stage.
Her attire was a single-piece silky white dress with a tight waist and a deep neckline that continued on to a barely open slit on her cleavage. So dangerously arousing as it clung tightly to her perky bosom.
Thin straps were holding the dress on her shoulders, the fabric dipping with her curves as it exposed her smooth back. It covered her legs, but wasn't tight around there, flaring out like a beautiful silky waterfall. With minimal accessories, charming makeup, and her hair up in an elegant bun, she was a vision of class.
"Thank you, Mr. Stark." Amanda grabbed Tony's arm that he extended towards her, walking beside him closely. "I had to try my best after you were so… convincing on the calls."
Desperate is a better word. Tony thought.
"I had to," Tony replied and stopped beside the stage. "Let's find some privacy to talk later. I have something to show you."
"Planning a little mischief on this unsuspecting girl?" Amanda inquired with a trace of mischief in her tone, a sly smirk dancing across her lips as if daring him to make a move.
Tony refused to be left blue-balled this time, so he shook his head and walked up the stairs of the stage. "See it for yourself later."
The cameras began flashing as soon as he walked onto the stage, the spotlight focusing on him. It was late evening, with barely a hint of sunset left in the sky.
Let's do this.
Jarvis assisted him well the whole time, showing details in the glasses and speaking to him in the earpiece. "Two million people are watching you live on your YouTube channel, Mr. Stark."
That's good enough.
"All the major news channels in the country are live broadcasting the event," Jarvis added.
Even better.
Tony noticed the lack of Pepper there, since it was his event. But he didn't like that even Natalie was missing, sending someone else in her place. It made him wonder if he went too far with her in the pool.
Focus, you walking corpse. He pulled himself out of the stupor and set the microphone on his suit's collar. With that, he began his first unofficial campaign speech.
"First of all, let's clear away the elephant in the room. My technology was not stolen, and the man who attacked me was the son of my father's employee, who was found guilty of espionage and deported back in the day. Long ago, my father once theorized the creation of an Arc Reactor, but it was impossible to create at that time. This Ivan Vanko, a physicist, used the theorized information of that era to create a mere replica that isn't sustainable, nor powerful—Daddy issues, pretty much."
After earning a few chuckles, he continued. "In the fifteen hundreds, Leonardo da Vinci sketched a horseless, mechanized cart. Does that mean we should blame him for every car accident that happens today? As we speak, every Tom, Dick, and Harry out there is trying to copy my creation, but sorry, fellas, you're just not cutting it—Maybe in a decade or two. By then, I'll be sipping martinis on Mars while they're still figuring out how to turn on the ignition!"
Boom!
"Like now!" Tony added, raising his arms wide as the fireworks shot off behind the stage with a smokescreen.
Mechanical footsteps resounded right after, and a dozen men walked out of the smokescreen, getting up on stage and standing on Tony's side in a line. They all wore an exoskeleton tied to their bodies. Most of their front was visible, but their entire back was made of multiple metal beams and mechanical joints. Their hands were covered in metallic gloves like Iron Man's, and the same was true for their boots.
"Welcome, folks, to the construction revolution!" Tony boomed. At his signal, two of the Iron Guardians deployed to the state appeared and dropped a thick, three-inch-diameter steel rod, followed by a giant boulder weighing more than a ton.
"Our infrastructure is like that one forgotten avocado at the back of the fridge—neglected, rotting, and definitely past its prime. I mean, seriously, it's so bad even Eisenhower would feel ashamed. Ashamed to see how we didn't expand the Federal-Aid Highway Act, and better the interstate system—no more!"
Am I doing good, Jarvis?
"The facial analysis of the crowd shows their interest is at an all-time high, Sir," Jarvis replied.
With that, a dozen men in exo-skeletons moved forward. One of them went ahead and bent the thick metal rod with ease, with his metallic hands. Then, the next guy curved the rod so much that he formed a knot with it.
Then, another went ahead and lifted the boulder. Next, one of them grabbed the hammer and shattered the boulder with a few strikes.
None of them appeared to be panting or straining anywhere. A simple smile remained on their faces.
"Stark Industries has decided to venture into the construction business," Tony announced. "With my technology, gone are the days when it took years to build a skyscraper, a month to patch a road, or a decade to settle a new suburb—fast, safe, and great—Stark Constructions is the future!" Tony ended his speech and walked down from the stage. Behind him, the trained construction workers continued to demonstrate the capabilities of the exo-skeletons. Be it jumping, lifting, hitting, or anything else.
Too bad the droids can't be made yet. Tony still didn't feel as satisfied. He lacked an efficient propulsion for smaller construction droids, and that was hindering the project.
"It exceeded my expectations, Mr. Stark." Amanda rejoined her date for the night, walking with Tony into the crowd that was being led into the adjacent building where the most important guests were served dinner. All the journalists were stopped outside. "An even marvelous strategy, if I must add."
Tony waved at the guests as he walked into the dining hall to his reserved table. "What strategy?"
Amanda whispered close to his ears. "I expect you to be spending a lot of money on infrastructure projects after becoming the President."
"Congress… not me. A president has limited power." Tony corrected her. "Besides, those projects invite bids first."
But she shook her head, taking her seat. "Who can outbid you now, with your efficiency?"
"Your words, I said nothing," Tony replied and ordered some light dinner for himself while relishing the company of the captivating companion. "So, can I get a peek at this immune marvel of a person now?"
"I thought this was a date, Mr. Stark. Are we at work?" She replied with a taunting, erotic smirk. "But we can talk about such people in the meantime."
"People? There are more?" Tony exclaimed, trying to keep himself calm. No matter how hot the woman was, he truly worried for his life now. "They're also immune?"
"Just like how every person is different, they have different advantages too," she corrected him, turning the discussion a little serious. "Immune to disease, immune to fire, or perhaps immune to cold—plenty of examples, Mr. Stark."
Tony's brows creased together. "I'm sorry, but is this kindergarten storytime?"
"Captain Steven Grant Rogers," she blurted, a name Tony recognized. "Wasn't he a regular human? Turned superhuman through science?"
"But you're talking about biological, natural-born superhumans," Tony argued, relaxing in his chair as he finished his dinner. "That's impossible unless there is a great deviation in the human gene."
Amanda became silent for a moment, her eyes widening for a very short instance before turning normal. Her smile became even more welcoming and attractive. "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
Tony nodded and got busy on his phone. "Meet me at the back exit. I have something to discuss with you… alone."
"Of course." Amanda walked away, swaying her hips as if knowing he'd be watching.
Careful, she entered the restroom and checked all the stalls before locking the main door from inside. Quickly after, she took out her old-fashioned encrypted cell phone and dialed a number.
"How did it go?" A masculine voice asked from the other side.
Amanda, staring at herself in the mirror, fixed her looks to look primed. At her will, she changed her bust size, making it fuller slightly, making her rear softer, and her lips smooth as silk. "Not over yet, Professor. But he's quick—already questioning the genes angle. He wants to discuss something in private, so I'm afraid I must go dark for a little while."
"Go, and be careful. Stark possesses an intellect that rivals the most brilliant minds on this planet. We must tread carefully and avoid invoking his ire. Use whatever means necessary to extract a definitive response from him. We need that much if we're going to support his presidential bid," the man from the other side advised, his tone friendly.
Finally, Amanda cut the call and switched off the phone. She did the same with the little earpiece. Then, finally, she checked herself for the last time and headed out.
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