Interlude - Obadiah Stane. Opportunity

Location: Unknown

Date: June 22 2001

It was ten years and some since Howard and Maria died. It was hard years, but Stark Industries prevailed thanks to myself, I thought sitting with a Cuban cigar and a glass of whiskey.

I was in the rare mood to introspect and think about the past. Maybe it was because it was my birthday and I, to my displeasure, turned sixty or perhaps I was getting sentimental with age.

I turned my focus back in time...

The first few years were mostly fine, while Tony was still grieving and drinking his sorrow in alcohol and parties. SI still had active contracts with the Army and Air Force, and they were all up to keep having Howard's latest inventions.

I kept sales up by using my contacts with private military companies. Still, without Howard making new inventions, the SI RnD division had a hard time producing pretty much anything on the same level. They were good at taking ideas and prototypes to the mass production level when you need to cut expenses here and there and optimize manufacturing, but they were shit to produce something new.

Even then, I kept the company afloat, making SI RnD cut more corners than was advisable, but needs must.

We needed something new, so the SI would not be thrown out of the competition. I told Tony as much back then, and he was able to deliver. Gods only know how between his parties and other parties he did it.

I hoped before that he would come to his senses over time, and he, somewhat, did. He still spent time partying and having a new woman or sometimes women in his bed any other day. I have a hard time believing he did not sire a single child. He was making new weapons as a child who was making sand cakes. Maybe, If I had pulled him into doing work earlier, he would have come to his senses faster, but well, I had a soft spot for him and it was as good an opportunity as any to show my worth, without staying in Howard's shadow.

Unfortunately, I fall right into another Stark shadow. 

As soon as Tony started to make weapons for the SI, we skyrocketed again, to the competitor's displeasure. And so, any progress I made to make my name was overshadowed with new success thanks to Tony, never mind that it was all my doing.

Tony, oh Tony, was not ready back then and even ten years later is not up to the task of leading the company. He is a great inventor, but without my help, he would run the company to the ground in no time.

I was getting tired of being in Stark's shadow. It was not the first time I thought about starting my own company. Unfortunately, I am not an inventor, I am a businessman, a salesman. To split from SI, I need to make my team. Then I will shine, taking all glory away from SI.

Unfortunately, talents like Tony or even Howard are rare and others poach them fast, they have money for that. Sure, If I poach for SI, I can grub them, no problem. But to do so for myself I require more money than I made in all these years at SI, If I plan it properly.

I felt like the SI owed me more than I got over all those years. Unfortunately, there is not much I can do about that.

🪨

Location: Unknown

Date: July 2001

It was just another day for me. I had a golf game with rising star, congressman Stern. We met a few times via common acquaintances. He was part of a pro-military faction and looking to get in contact with a leading weaponry company or so I thought.

It did not take long to recognize that there was more than usual politicking behind his motives. I was curious what that was.

To my surprise, he has been aware of my desire to make a name for myself and my need for extra finances to establish it.

And then he asked me what I was ready to do to get them. Well, I was in this business for a long time and I knew when to grub chances when I saw them.

In the end, he wanted favours, I wanted favours and it was a win-win for everyone.

🪨