Chapter 166: The AI at Hand

Sitting in Tony's office chair, Pepper opened the laptop on the desk, but it required a startup password. She then took the item Tony had given her from her bag and plugged it into the computer.

"Warning! Security system breached."

"Warning! Security vulnerability!"

"System breached, access granted."

The computer then began to run automatically, and the secret drive documents were accessed. 

Various files, including those related to Tony's missile development, were displayed. Files related to Tony Stark's Mark 1 were also shown, marked with District 16 file access.

Seeing the unfamiliar District 16, Pepper was surprised and said, "What are you up to, Obadiah?"

Soon, a video file started playing. Armed militants held a hostage, saying, "Obadiah Stane, this is Gulmira. You didn't say we were supposed to kill Tony Stark."

The hostage's hood was removed, revealing Tony's face, and Pepper quickly activated the simultaneous translation.

After seeing the translated content, Pepper gasped softly, "Oh, Obadiah Stane, my God!"

Looking at the files, Pepper immediately made copies. Suddenly, Obadiah shouted, "What about this?"

Hearing Obadiah's voice, Pepper jolted, raised her head, and saw the office door being pushed open.

Obadiah, upon seeing someone in the room, was also very surprised and quickly changed his tone, saying, "What about this? How should I handle it?"

Entering the office, Obadiah went to the nearby table where a bottle of whiskey was placed. He opened the bottle while saying, "I know how you feel, Pepper Potts."

Seeing that Pepper looked a bit off, Obadiah frowned slightly but still picked up the whiskey on the table, opened the cap, and smelled it. "Tony, he never lacked good whiskey."

Indeed, Obadiah had come to take Tony's drink to taste it.

Seeing Obadiah's response, Pepper Potts also smiled awkwardly and used a newspaper to cover the USB drive inserted into the computer.

As Obadiah finished pouring the drink and walked over with the glass, Pepper cautiously activated the screen saver.

Obadiah walked up to Pepper's side, glanced at the computer that was not unlocked, and then said, "When he first came back, I was so happy, as if I had seen the light in the darkness."

"Now I understand. Tony never truly came back; half of him stayed in that cave."

"He broke my heart."

Watching Obadiah sitting at the desk, Pepper Potts pondered for a moment before speaking, "Yes, he is a complex person. He has been through a lot, but he will get better."

Obadiah took a sip of the whiskey in his glass, gazing at the woman in front of him, not realizing anything was wrong. He then said, "You are a rare good woman. Tony doesn't know how lucky he is."

Upon hearing Obadiah's praise, despite her inner anxiety, Pepper Potts still smiled and said, "Thank you."

Then she stood up and said, "I think I should be going."

As she spoke, Pepper Potts picked up the newspaper on the desk and discreetly removed the USB drive from the computer, hidden behind the newspaper.

Seeing Pepper Potts getting up to leave, Obadiah spoke in a deep voice, "Is that today's newspaper?"

Pepper's expression darkened as she reached the door, but she still turned and smiled, saying, "Yes."

Obadiah quickly walked over and extended a hand, saying, "Let me see."

"Sure."

Obadiah, taking the newspaper, explained, "I like to play the crossword puzzle in here."

"Of course, me too."

After responding to Obadiah, Pepper Potts didn't dare to linger any longer. Holding the USB drive, she immediately walked out.

As she walked out of the office door, she walked to the elevator and left immediately.

Obadiah, who witnessed this scene, felt that something was off. He quickly went to Tony's computer and tapped the keyboard.

The screensaver disappeared instantly, and it showed that the download was complete.

"Damn it!"

Obadiah cursed and then angrily patted his own head before quickly getting up and following.

At this moment, Pepper Potts had already reached the ground floor of the building, where Agent Coulson was sitting on the sofa.

"Miss Pepper Potts, we had an appointment. You haven't forgotten, have you?"

Pepper Potts saw the person speaking and immediately replied, "No, follow me."

Pepper's speech was quick, and she walked with urgency.

Observing Pepper's behavior, Coulson was a little confused, but he still followed her and said, "Okay."

At this time, Pepper Potts turned her head and looked upstairs, directly meeting Obadiah's gaze.

Pepper Potts continued walking quickly and said, "You can't imagine the news this time."

...

Seeing Pepper Potts leave with the agent, Obadiah did not stop them in the public area but quickly headed to the exhibition area of the massive arc reactor.

At this moment, several scientists who had been arranged by Obadiah to conduct research after Tony's return were working on the miniaturization research here.

One of the scientists put down the phone and, seeing Obadiah storming over, immediately explained, "Sir, we have conducted the research as per your request."

"The situation seems a bit tricky, but in fact..."

With his arms crossed, Obadiah glared angrily at the scientist and said, "A bit tricky?"

"Yes, providing power to the Iron Man suit, that technology doesn't actually exist."

"So you mean..."

"Wait, wait, you said the technology doesn't exist?"

Obadiah grabbed the scientist and pointed to the massive arc reactor in front of them, saying, "William, the technology is right there."

"I just want it to be miniaturized."

The scientist William also replied, "Yes, sir, that's what we are currently working on."

"But, to be honest, it's entirely impossible."

Upon hearing that it was impossible, Obadiah pointed angrily at the scientist and shouted, "Do you know what Tony Stark made in that cave?"

"He made it from a pile of scraps!"

William, being pointed by Obadiah, helplessly said, "I'm sorry, I'm not Tony Stark."

Seeing the scientist claim not to be Tony, Obadiah glared at him with hatred and cursed, "Useless!"

At this point, Obadiah realized that time wouldn't wait for him. 

Although after a day and a night, he had arranged someone for the creation of a larger Iron Man suit according to the blueprints left by Tony, equipped with corresponding weapons. 

However, the energy core inside had yet to be developed by his subordinates for the past two months, which left him extremely disappointed.

But thinking about the files copied by Pepper Potts, he knew that the matter might have been exposed and it seemed that he needed to act preemptively.

Thinking of the miniature reactor on Tony's chest, Obadiah didn't hesitate and immediately rushed to Tony's mansion.

By now, it was already dark, and Pepper Potts had shown Agent Coulson and others the evidence of Obadiah's crimes, and requested the immediate arrest of Obadiah.

After obtaining their agreement of making the arrest, she took out her phone and called Tony.

Tony, who was in the downstairs laboratory, heard the ringing of the phone upstairs and immediately went up. Tony quickly found his phone on the sofa and answered Pepper Potts's call. 

However, he suddenly felt a low hum in his ear, and his body stiffened, unable to move, as Obadiah ambushed him.

Taking Tony's phone from his hand, Obadiah closed it and placed it aside before propping Tony on the sofa.

"Breathe, relax, relax."

"Tony, do you remember this thing?"

"Unfortunately, it didn't get government approval. It can cause temporary paralysis, which can be very useful sometimes."

After speaking, Obadiah reached into a box and took out a device, the one that could remove the miniature reactor from Tony's chest.

Obadiah placed the device on Tony's chest and, while operating it, said, "But you see, fate let you escape everything."

"Or rather, your assistant hired a person named Charles Doyle to save you."

It was only after his return from meeting Zala, based on the investigation of the whereabouts of the 100 million funds, Obadiah learned the name of this person.

At this point, Obadiah had successfully removed the reactor from Tony's chest and placed it in front of him.

"You see, this is your last golden egg."

"Do you really think that the ideas you come up with are really yours?"

"Your father helped me build an atomic bomb. If he had been like you back then, what would the world be like?"

Having completely removed the miniature reactor, Obadiah held it up in front of Tony.

Holding the Arc Reactor in his hand, Obadiah marveled, "Truly beautiful!"

"Tony, it is your symphony of joy."

"A great masterpiece, look, this is your final legacy."

"Now we can say it's the core of a new generation of weapons."

"With it, we can firmly grasp the whole world in our hands."

"No doubt, I hope you can see my prototype; it's not as stingy as yours."

"It's a pity that you involved Pepper as well; I was planning to leave her a way out."

After tidying everything up, Obadiah didn't waste any more time and simply picked up the box and left Tony Stark's mansion.

······

On the other side-

Upon hearing Tony's phone suddenly go silent and then be hung up, Pepper Potts immediately understood that something had happened to Tony.

This made her extremely worried. Just as she was unsure who to turn to for help with Tony, she suddenly remembered Charles Doyle, who had brought Tony back.

She immediately retrieved the saved phone number from her phone and dialed it.

Listening to the music on the other end of the phone, Pepper Potts anxiously pleaded, "Answer quickly, please answer!"

At this moment, in Charles's Agency, Charles was sitting cross-legged, feeling the chakra in his body.

His chakra had already become very substantial, and his Chidori was at a level where he could release it easily. He was currently fine-tuning his control over it, aiming to enhance his mastery of chakra.

The ringing phone beside him made Charles frown slightly, but knowing that few people knew his phone number, he got up and answered it.

Seeing that it was Pepper Potts on the screen made him a bit curious. Could it be that she had found out about Ginny's stock acquisition? 

As for the small villain Obadiah, Charles had long forgotten about him, as he still held the first-generation prototype.

Answering the call, he heard Pepper Potts's voice.

"Mr. Charles, something seems to have happened on Tony's side. The call connected, but there was no sound and it was hung up. I hope you can help me take a look. If something unexpected happens on Tony's side, please help me protect him."

"As for the price, we can discuss everything later. I'll compensate you with a mission commission after the matter is resolved. Please, I'm begging you."

Pepper Potts had learned a bit about Charles Doyle's strength, which made her ultimately choose to ask for his help rather than Tony's other friend, Colonel Rhodes, from the military.

Meanwhile, Agent Coulson, leading a small team, was surprised to hear that Pepper Potts had contacted Charles Doyle. 

He couldn't help but wonder if their relationship had become so close after just one or two missions. Why was she now reaching out to that man?

Perhaps Pepper Potts had also gained some understanding of this man's secrets?

It seemed that it would be necessary to find some time to talk to him.

On the other end, in the training room, Charles understood the urgency in the other's words and immediately agreed to help.

"OK, I'll rush over to take a look. Trust me, Tony will be fine."

"As for the matter of the commission and reward, we'll discuss it after the situation is resolved."

Hanging up the phone, pepper Potts said to Coulson beside her, "I know a shortcut. Come with me."

···

Hanging up the phone, Charles didn't hesitate; this was a golden opportunity for him.

He always liked to do these effortless favors.

"It seems my smart butler will soon be available."

"Thanks to this lifesaving favor, I believe Tony won't refuse me this time."

Without further ado, Charles intended to rush to Tony's house before he regained consciousness.

Since the big event marking the start of the Marvel Universe was about to unfold, Charles didn't intend to continue hiding.

"Eight Gates - Gate of Rest: Open!"

Charles transformed into a green lightning bolt, speeding at supersonic pace towards Tony's mansion.

Fortunately, it was nighttime, and with Charles racing on the rooftop, coupled with the terrifying speed, there were barely any witnesses.

Otherwise, if some comic book fans saw him, they might have thought that the Green Lantern had stumbled onto the wrong set.

At this moment, Tony lay stiff on the sofa, staring at the ceiling above, never expecting that his beloved uncle would be the one to eventually harm him.

Even his previous kidnapping was orchestrated by the same person. This time, the culprit had taken away the reactor from his chest, which was absolutely devastating.

Tony hadn't given up yet; he was waiting, waiting for the paralysis to wear off.

That thing was his design, after all. He knew the duration of its paralysis.

Seconds ticked away.

At this time, Charles Doyle had already rushed to Tony's mansion with all his might. Since he didn't have a key and wasn't considered an automatic guest by J.A.R.V.I.S., he didn't hesitate to kick down the front door and barge into Tony's home.

Charles was startled when he saw Tony lying lifelessly on the sofa in the hall.

The next instant, Charles appeared in front of Tony. Observing the pale-faced Tony, who had a hollow space in his chest but was still breathing, Charles felt a pang of shock. Was he gone?

In the next moment, Charles carefully examined Tony, who had bulging veins on his forehead, indicating that the paralysis duration hadn't yet passed.

Tony, although unable to speak at the moment, expressed his gratitude through his eyes. He knew that if he didn't reinstall the reactor within the designated time, he would be a goner.

However, due to the remaining effects of the paralysis, he couldn't do anything.

Seeing Tony motionless, Charles didn't hesitate and swiftly rushed to Tony's laboratory below.

In the laboratory, Charles wanted to find the previous reactor that Tony had installed in Mark II for him, but all he could see were various parts on the table, with no indication of where Tony had placed it.

Finally, he only found an older model in a transparent box on the table. Without hesitation, Charles picked it up and arrived at Tony's side.

Taking out the old reactor from the box, Charles, with the image of Pepper replacing the reactor from the movie in mind, swiftly reinstalled it for Tony.

As the reactor returned to its place, Tony's paralysis also came to an end.

"Uh..."

With a gasp, Tony finally regained consciousness.

"Are you okay, Tony!"

At this moment, Tony grabbed Charles's hand and said, "Thank you for your help, Charles. You've saved my life again."

"It was Pepper Potts who contacted me, saying you were in trouble."

Upon hearing that Charles Doyle was contacted by Pepper, Tony immediately asked, "Where's Pepper? Is she okay?"

Charles pondered the original plot for a moment before responding, "Perhaps? She might have went with the agents to capture Obadiah?"

"Agents? Those things aren't reliable. Looks like we have to go help."

Tony stood up straight away and headed downstairs to the lab to change into his suit.

Charles Doyle, standing beside him, reminded, "Tony, you have the old model in your chest. Change it to a new one."

"I remember when you tested it with me; there was a spare Ark Reactor."

Startled by Charles's reminder, Tony exclaimed, "Damn, I forgot about that."

Tony walked to a nearby drawer and took out a new Ark Reactor, the one previously used by Charles while piloting Mark II.

Although the energy inside hadn't been replenished, it was still much stronger than the old one.

After replacing the old reactor with the new one, Tony immediately went to the mechanical platform and donned Mark III with the help of the mechanical arms.

"Thanks for the reminder, Charles!"

"Do you want to put on Mark II and come with me?"

Charles smiled at this moment and thought to himself, "Having two Iron Men on the scene is enough."

"Tony, have you forgotten my speed?"

"Let's see who gets to Stark Industries first!"

Upon hearing Charles's proposal for a race, Tony agreed, "OK, no problem."

After suiting up and closing the armor, J.A.R.V.I.S.'s voice sounded, "Sir, you only have 80% power."

"That's enough!"

"Charles, let the race begin!"

Tony made a fairy-like flying gesture and dashed out of his building.

Charles Doyle, on the other hand, activated his Eight Gates - Gate of Rest once again.

Transformed into a green lightning bolt, he raced away.

···

On the other side, Pepper Potts arrived at the exhibit area of the large Ark Reactor with Coulson and several other agents.

Pepper muttered, "Zone 16, it's right below this one."

They made their way underground, only to be blocked by a door that Pepper Potts's key card couldn't open.

In the end, they had to resort to a physical explosion through Coulson's means to enter Zone 16 underground. Pepper Potts led the group in a search.

At this time, Obadiah had already donned his Iron Monger and spotted Pepper Potts. 

Upon seeing the situation, Pepper immediately ran outside.

Meanwhile, several agents aimed their pistols at Obadiah's armor and opened fire.

"Biu, biu, biu!"

However, the bullets from the pistols didn't cause any harm to Obadiah, not even leaving a scratch.

Driving the Iron Monger, Obadiah punched each agent, reducing them to pulps.

Pepper Potts had already run out of Zone 16 and reached the outside of Stark Industries.

At this moment, Tony's call came in, and Pepper Potts immediately answered.

"Tony, Tony, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, thanks for bringing Charles Doyle!"

"Tony, Obadiah, he's gone mad, he..."

"I know. Listen, you need to leave immediately."

"Do you hear me? Get out of there right away."

While Pepper Potts was talking on the Bluetooth headset, Obadiah broke through the ground in the Iron Monger.

"Where do you think you're going to run?"

A synthesized mechanical voice rang out from the Iron Monger's armor.

Seeing the enormous figure in front of her, Pepper Potts let out a scream.

"I don't need you anymore, my dear!"

The Iron Monger raised an arm and aimed the machine gun at Pepper Potts, preparing to attack.

"Stop!"

Tony arrived first at maximum power and Mach 2 speed and immediately knocked the Iron Monger out of the industrial park, onto the streets outside.

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