15

After the main presentation, the action moved to the Stark Expo Reception Hall. It was smaller than the main exhibition hall but was still large enough to accommodate up to five hundred guests who would not feel like herrings in a barrel. The reception hall was golden rectangular with steel columns stylised in the Roman Pantheon and huge one-way glass mirrors between them, creating a sense of open, open space and privacy. Inside there was a classic for such meetings buffet with snacks, several tables for the especially hungry, a stage with musicians, many benches for the tired, in the centre there was an empty space where you could dance or just walk from one group to another.

Only the most prominent company owners, prominent statesmen and luminaries of science were invited, with accompanying ladies or men. Most of the guests had already assembled when Tony Stark walked towards the pavilion with a measured and quiet step, holding the hand of a red-haired girl. He and Pepper looked as natural as if they had been happily married for twenty years. Such mutual understanding and confidence in each other could be felt by them. That's not the look of ardently in love newlyweds or lovers, only of couples who had really been through a lot, who by some exceptional misunderstanding had only strengthened their love, not broken up and divorced. Actually, that's why there were rumours not even that Stark was dating his once assistant and now CEO of Stark Industries but that they had been secretly married for a long time. Tony was dressed in the suit he had been performing in and his companion in a long, knee-length, closed green dress with a thigh-length slit, the shallow neckline of which drew attention to the medallion Stark had given her.

- What did you think of my performance? - the man asked.

- Too good, you know. The phone was ringing off the hook, so I turned it off, the reporters and company representatives kept me busy, and I'm afraid to know what will happen tomorrow after the news and newspapers," she said tiredly.

- You need to find out how the mail and our website have been flooded. If it weren't for the new photon server and Jarvis, our secretaries would be hanging themselves," Tony nodded in agreement, referring to the Protean server.

Still, calling it Protean wouldn't have made sense to the people around him, so he attributed all the new developments to his genius. And what did it matter that the new machines were almost half Protean technology, refined and rethought. In fact, with the combination of the virtual intelligence of the other world and Jarvis's development experience, it was possible to create a limited autopilot that could make split-second decisions that humans were not always able to adequately fulfil. For example, crashing into a lorry bearing down on you or driving into a bus stop with people in it. And taking into account the vibranium body, dampers, classical belts and airbags, and also, in the most extreme case, filling the interior with quickly solidifying elastic foam, it would be more correct to crash into a lorry, but a rare person will make such a decision. If he has time to make it at all.

By the way, flyers even have parachutes built into them. They are optional - given the materials and multiple duplications, the chance that everything will fail simultaneously and he will not be able to land is one in a million. But try to explain this to the Civil Aviation Commission, which was sceptically accepting permission to fly on autopilot even with a kick in the arse from Shields. And this is although modern airliners can even land and take off without the intervention of pilots.

- Sif, stand down, come out of the bushes and let's go have some fun.

- I wasn't sitting in the bushes," Pepper's bodyguard came out of invisibility from behind Stark's back, taking on volume, shape and colour.

She was dressed in a copy of Stark's armour, which he had designed for Potts. However, the latter, having run around in it, referred to her busyness - in fact, she still had to learn how to operate it. And where would a CEO find the time for that? So, after a little tinkering, he changed it for Sif. In fact, he simply increased the possible overloads almost to his level since a human body would turn into a meat sack with blood and bone fragments. In terms of moulds, the inside of the suit was filled with anti-overload gel, so it fits like a second skin. Except the Vanaheim native was a head taller than Pepper, which must be worked out too. Shield lessons had helped, and now Sif was doing her job without complaining that stealth wasn't worthy of a warrior. And anyway, the best weapons are a shield and a sword. Tony grinned at that and showed a moment of Destroyer destruction from a few kilometres away. She had no words for that.

- I followed Lady Potts to protect her from the encroachment of her enemies!

- Yes, but I'm there to protect her now, so you can rest. Especially as Rowdy has promised to come.

At the mention of the black lieutenant colonel, the girl reacted only with a second averted glance. But Tony knew the old rogue had found the key to the abandoned warrior's heart. Though at first he was almost beaten for bouquets of flowers - Sif hated dresses, ruffles and everything "girlish", as she was originally prepared as a future wife of Thor, that is, a bargaining chip in the politics of the two kingdoms. And the girl herself was not against it, as she fell in love with the latter, and her parents thought it would be better for her. But here, Loki's joke happened; the girl fell into depression, and she was sent to learn military science.

There are no psychologists in Asgard or Vanaheim, so "beating the crap out of her" was considered right. Especially since military training is for everyone, including women. Since the enemy won't look at your gender, he'll just slaughter you, and it's good if he doesn't abuse you beforehand. And the girl liked it so much that she wholeheartedly accepted a certain code of the warrior and wanted to be treated as an equal. At first, it was an attempt to attract Thor, and then the habit became second nature. So for the second time, Rowdy brought a huge bouquet of smoked meats and a keg of the finest dark Irish ale. And it worked.

The thing is, Asgardians and Vans need to eat a lot of food, preferably calorific food, so they don't have to eat a tonne of celery. Besides, food gets boring quickly, so the assortment of smoked meats was, as they say, on point. So the slightly floaty, fed up, and the satisfied girl listened favourably to the warrior's tales and shared her own. Nothing serious had happened yet, which didn't stop Toni from teasing both of them. Sif hummed and, without answering anything, turned the bracelet on her arm. The suit disintegrated and, shrunken, disappeared inside that very bracelet. The blonde was left in a tight black contact suit made of vibration nanofibres, making it as smooth as the finest silk. Tony waved his ring, creating the illusion of a pink plush baby princess dress with many ruffles and skirts.

- Mr Stark, I'm not going to look at my debt to you and punch you in the face, am I? - Sif hissed.

- Oh, new charms. I just made a mistake! - Without blinking an eye, lied, grinning Tony.

True, none of the girls believed him. After a new swing, the girl wore a stylish businesswoman's black trouser suit, which satisfied her quite well.

Soon the trio went inside. At the appearance of Stark and his companions, the conversations quieted down for a while; everyone was waiting for his speech. Not about to disappoint them, Tony grabbed the nearest champagne glass from a passing waiter and tapped it with his ring, causing it to clink. When everyone was at attention, he pronounced:

- Glad to all who have taken the time and energy to attend my reception. I won't say anything new; I don't like long speeches. So eat, drink and socialise at the expense of Stark Industries! - Tony raised his glass and poured the fizzy liquid into himself.

Many, but not all, repeated after him. Stark began his promenade by shuttling over to the bench where his black-clad friend told Betty and Bruce something funny to leave Pepper and Sif with them. He is the one who is iron, or rather adamantium. His CEO is already off his feet and practically hanging on to him. However, he was intercepted by a short, nerdy-looking man in glasses, his age and the main competitor in military technology. Next to him stood a long-legged, lush-breasted blonde in a dress with such a deep cleavage, which could fit, probably, Hammer himself, short, on the verge of decency, skirt, and also not squeamish of plastic lips and silicone. Trying to imitate Stark in everything, he did even that poorly. Tony never "bought" escort girls. He preferred to seduce girls himself with his charisma. And in the morning leave some nice and expensive gifts. And the girls didn't always take it back.

- Tony, let me congratulate you on the presentation of such amazing prototypes - brazenly tried to get into Stark's personal space Hammer, head of "Hammer Industries".

By the way, they produced the car model of the same name, which has many drawbacks, but it is cheap, which is why it was ordered by the army in huge quantities. After that, he falsely continued:

- It is a pity that you have given up arms production; without you, there is no competition and challenge. Will you come to the presentation of my new anti-tank weapon? I've named it "Ex-Wife."

- Your imagination in naming has always amazed me," Stark replied sarcastically, patting his rival on the shoulder. - But who said I presented the prototypes? Starting tomorrow, people will be driven around the Stark Expo by Starkspiders and Starkflyers, and the Starkmobiles will be available for orders within a week, both in the company's taxi and carsharing app and in Uber. But what do you have to be afraid of? I'm out of the weapons industry, right?

- Yes, that's right," a slightly pale Hammer still calmed down and returned the colour to his face.

He didn't know yet that Tony had prepared "bombs" for the next days of the exhibition in the form of Stark cold fusion arc reactors, enhanced with new technologies, metals, alloys and magic and capable of generating ten times more electricity than the best classical nuclear power plants with a small amount of palladium. Powerful holographic smartphones that run for a month on a single charge augmented reality glasses, and new armour for the military cancel out the effectiveness of any existing small arms and anti-tank weapons. The last one will hit Hammer Industries the hardest.

- Well, good luck then. I'll be off.

- Go on, go on, your girlfriend's bored already.

Hammer's girl, though, was more making eyes at Stark himself. But he hasn't been attracted to that thing since he was 16. It's like sleeping with a rubber doll, only alive. Approaching his friend and a couple of scientists, Tony smiled radiantly and, this time, sincerely:

- How are you? How's the reception?

- Tony, you're a real piece of work," said Rowdy, dressed in his dress uniform, which made him look stylish and attracted much attention from the female sex. - That was a great presentation! Can I buy a flyer from you as a friend? I could even get it on credit?

- James," Tony rarely called his friend by his first name instead of his nickname, which always meant he was unhappy. - What have I done to offend you so much that you're offering to pay me? Jarvis, send one flyer to the Stark Expo car park and register it to Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes.

- Uh, Tony, you shouldn't have..." he ran into Stark's frown and continued: - Okay, okay, I realise my guilt!

- That's just it! - the billionaire grinned and wagged his finger at him.

- You're a good friend! - Bruce joked.

- Unless it's a real friendship, not for profit," Tony gave him a stern look. And that was indeed true.

Tony was generous with those rare people he considered friends. But if a man wanted to impose himself on him to make money out of it... Well, he'd be sorely disappointed.

- I'll leave you, ladies, to it; I still have to go around the room and greet a few people.

- I'm not that tired yet," Pepper said, wrinkling her blisters.

Tony cast minor healing discreetly on the girl. As a side effect, it causes a feeling of relaxation and, afterwards, a hellish hunger. So the girl was lukewarm.

- All right, go!

- Yeah, thanks for letting me go, mummy," Stark hummed, looking around.

Once again, however, he was found before deciding who to go to. He was approached by an older man in a dark green suit, not a particularly pleasant-looking man. You'd give your last trousers to see him in a back alley. But he owned one of the largest defence companies, which produced military equipment and stimulants. Norman Osborne, head of Ozcorp.

- Mr Stark, let me admire your talent for fighting the FAA. The last time we could register an aircraft was over a year ago.

- Your glider? - Tony showed his knowledge of the competition's new products. - Isn't the problem that it can only be flown by someone with superhuman reaction and balance?

- I'm unpleasantly surprised at your knowledge," grumbled Osborn, who had decided to tweak the tails of his security service on his return. - But yes, I am. As a brilliant inventor, you could give me some advice. I'm an inventor myself.

- One option would be to build an autopilot to compensate for all the inefficiencies of flying such an unstable aircraft. Something like that was done on the F-117 stealth, worse than the iron and B-2 regarding aerodynamic properties, - Tony answered him. - If there is a desire, our company can develop both the technical and software part for you.

- Your offer is tempting, but we'll try to manage it independently. But I'll keep it in mind, thank you," Norman bowed.

Tony nodded and found the first person he wanted to talk to. He was about fifty years old. He was standing in the corner with round spectacles on, along with his aged but still beautiful wife.

- Dr Octavius? I'm Tony Stark, and who is this insanely beautiful lady who outshines the whole room with her beauty?

- You flatter me," the woman said, embarrassed.

- But I agree with Mr Stark," Otto Gunther Octavius replied with a slight German accent. A brilliant scientist, doctor of technical sciences, professor, and expert in robotics, nuclear physics and atomic energy. - This is my lovely wife, Rosalie.

- Nice to meet you," Stark nodded to both of them. - To be honest, another question brought me here, but I just couldn't help but admire your companion.

- What was the question that brought you here?

- I hear you're looking for funds to build a controlled hot fusion reactor," Tony had learnt from Jarvis's reports.

Octavius had already received grants and funding three times but needed help to produce clear results. The project needed to be more expensive and complex. But the main problem was the materials Stark could easily provide.

- I am in the same line of research.

- Your cold fusion arc reactor fascinated me. That's why I don't understand why you need my project," Otto replied, confused.

- My reactor can meet humanity's present needs, not future ones. Yours is more promising in the long term," that was true.

In theory, according to Jarvis's calculations, Octavius's reactor would match the antimatter reactor in efficiency. And that's without magic!

- And what are your terms?

- I will provide anything, I repeat, anything you require. I don't want to boast the best equipment and supercomputers that no one else can, but it's true. Besides, you have me, my experience and another world-class nuclear physicist at your disposal. And assistants, of course, but only after security checks by myself. We don't need spies.

- Your terms are the best I've ever been offered. And what do you want in return?

- The right to manufacture reactors on a first-come, first-served basis and not sell the patent for ten years to anyone else. Patent royalties to you in five per cent of the profits - and that was a lot.

Let's say one plant made a billion, and then five per cent is fifty million in pure money.

- That's... I'd be a fool to refuse," Otto admitted frankly.

He had agreed to even half a per cent profit. As an idea scientist, it was more important for him to realise the project; it had become his fixed idea.

- You don't look like a fool," Tony joked and was about to leave when he suddenly stopped, having received the information from Jarvis. - I've heard you've developed mechanodendrites directly connected to the nervous system and limited artificial intelligence.

- I don't know who you heard that from, but yes, I did," Otto shrugged as if he'd made a stool in his garage. - To control the reactor's force field.

- It's-" Tony was rarely at a loss for words, but this was the moment. - You realise it's like hammering nails with an atomic microscope? It's the perfect system for prosthetics for cripples. It's got the feedback and feel of a real hand!

Stark was shocked. If Octavius refined the system, it would solve his funding problem. Thousands of scientists, roboticists and doctors were struggling with the problem of how to make the prostheses accurate and connect them to nerves and feedback. Because if there is no stump left, it is impossible to control the prosthesis without muscles and nerve endings. And here, to create such a thing is not even the professor's main activity. Tony rarely considered anyone a genius, measuring everyone by themselves, but now he recognised this man as an equal.

- Is it that surprising? - Octavius asked his wife confusedly.

- I told you so," she shrugged with a smile. - If you weren't keen on the reactor, you would have remembered it.

- Anyway, if you agree to complete the neural feedback system with me, you'll be entitled to a profit on the same terms," Stark offered.

- Take it. I'm only interested in the reactor," Octavius replied lightly.

- No, that won't do! You know what, you see that pretty red-haired fraulein over there? - Tony nodded at Pepper. - Go up to her, tell her I sent you. She'll give you the contacts for our legal department and help you draw up the contract. Meeting such a distinguished person is a pleasure, but business will not wait!

- It's a pleasure to meet you too," Otto shook her hand.

- Your Frau will be lucky to have such a good husband.

Rosaline nodded with a smile, and Tony went on to the next person he wanted to talk to. It was a trio, to be exact. A medium-height stoutly built brunet with a strong-willed face in an expensive dark blue suit - Victor Von Doom. The heir to the monarchical Eastern European small country, Latveria, was sent to study in the United States, where he stayed. Rumour has it that the corporation he founded sends the lion's share of its profits to Latveria to improve the poor living conditions and pay off his grandfather's debts, who had led the country to impoverishment by squandering the treasury on his own amusement. Standing beside him was a tall, sloppily dressed, thin brown-haired man with a streak of grey hair on his temples, who kept tugging at his tie. Most likely, he was just not used to him - a doctor of as many as seventeen sciences, because of what he is called polymath and genius among geniuses, Reed Richards. Head of the Baxter Science Foundation. The last was a petite blonde in a white dress, whose main feature, besides not bad forms, was plump and natural-looking lips - Susan Storm, Reed's assistant and rumoured mistress. She was elbowing Reed as he tugged at his unfamiliar tie.

- Mr Stark," Tony Victor was the first to notice. - Frankly, when you said you wouldn't make weapons, I feared the glorious corporation your father founded would fall. But I was pleasantly surprised.

- Are we not competitors now? - Tony asked.

- Not at all; at the moment, I'm more interested in Dr Richards' idea of studying cosmic radiation, its effect on humans and its possible connection with wormholes.

- Not the most lucrative venture," Tony said with a sneer. - But there should be plenty of money to spend.

- What else can you expect from a man without a doctorate? - Richards sneered contemptuously, and it struck a nerve. There were more rumours of his arrogance than of his intelligence.

- If I had a mind to, I'd get one. But I prefer practice to theory and making money out of it. However, I didn't come here to quarrel; I'm also interested in your research. Especially the treatise on the effects of vibranium on human cells.

- Yes, we are also interested in your method of synthesising this metal, isn't it used in the production of your machines? - Susan asked, glancing angrily at Reed, who had turned away.

He pretended that the empty wall was the most interesting place in the world for him. Tony shrugged, which could be taken as a yes or a no.

- Okay, as I see, nobody needs my cooperation and mutual work offer.

Also, from Jarvis, Tony knew what the Baxter Foundation was doing. They were trying to make a portal, a wormhole. They would find it in space by radiation and study metrics from the Earth's orbit. But it was costing a lot of money, threatening to bankrupt Victor Von Doom and the Baxter Foundation. Tony didn't want such a promising project to die and didn't mind working together. But not with an arsehole like Richards. As soon as he stepped back, Victor caught up with him.

- You'll have to forgive Reed. Like many geniuses, he can be; how shall I put it?

- A pain in the arse? An arsehole? You don't have to explain; I can be one myself, especially if it's a bad day," Stark grinned. - I take it you don't mind cooperation?

- Well, as much as I hate to admit it, our company, Doom Incorporated, is going through some tough times.

- To put it more succinctly, it's in the toilet.

In fact, the board of directors of his own company wants him out. Unlike Stark, Victor didn't have a 51 per cent blocking interest.

- Shall we?

- Sure.

Going to the emergency exit, they left the hall, entering the meeting room. Completely sealed off from both magical and technical means of eavesdropping. There was only a table and two couches for six people.

- Is there a reason for such secrecy?

- There is. As you remember, I said I wouldn't make weapons not long ago, and my company's stock plummeted. But few people know that I bought them back from the people who were dumping them en masse. And now the company is really mine.

- Are you suggesting that I do the same? - Doom guessed. - Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of money.

- You're not buying it up. I am. That's my condition for helping you. But as an incentive bonus, I'll give you enough shares to bring your shareholding to 51 per cent.

- And I'm supposed to trust you?

- You don't have to; the door is open. But I've always believed that a man works better if he thinks of the company as his own. What's to stop you from slamming the door on my deception and leaving me with worthless shares without you? Nothing. I'd probably do the same thing myself. And besides, it's in my best interest to fund your research so it succeeds.

- That's a really good idea. But there is one problem, even before I bring the company to bankruptcy, I may be removed as CEO - Victor frowned.

- That's not a problem. As soon as I'm removed, I'll get it back. So, do you accept the offer?

- What choice do I have? - Doom asked, realising that otherwise, he would lose the company.

- There's always a choice; it's just that it doesn't usually suit anyone, Mr Doom," Tony answered him.

The men shook hands.

Tony's last important meeting was with Helena Cho, a famous doctor of genetics and biology, who was involved in both the treatment of hereditary diseases and the study of the famous gene X, which gives its owner supernatural abilities. Well, or ugly beyond recognition. And it can be both at once. However, the conversation with a pretty Asian woman born and raised in the U.S. was already pre-arranged. The girl had just finished working with a government organisation and was looking for a new position. So there was no problem in hiring her. Tony immediately introduced her to her future supervisor, Betty Ross. However, the management was purely formal, as Helena had more experience. Still, Ross knew more about Tony, so she was more trustworthy.

After talking to a few more influential figures and those who wanted to talk to him, Tony called the flyers, and everyone left. Betty and Bruce to the house they had bought in the suburbs of Los Angeles, and Tony with Pepper, Sif and Rowdy on his new flyer to the Stark mansion. The latter had tried to talk the girl into walking around some more, but she was taking too much responsibility for her job. "Maybe it's for the best," Stark thought. He'd feel better that way.