Chapter 30: Trouble at the Expo

--------------------------------- 5/31/10, Stark Expo----------------------

At the Stark Expo everyone around the main stage was waiting for the next presentation. Excitedly waiting in the stands and seats, as Justin Hammer was announced to be the next presenter. Unknown to anyone, Damien was currently in the latest version of his super suit and clinging to the wall. He currently had his feet and back to the wall as he watched the stage. The nanites in his suit are clinging to the wall at his feet and back to keep him in place. At the same time his suit is completely camouflaging him. The unstable molecule material containing his body temp and the nanites projecting the images around him for disguise. Being undetected, he watches the stage as Justin Hammer dances out to the music.

Justin:"Yeah. That's what I'm talking about. Thanks for coming. Ladies and gentlemen, for far too long, this country has had to place its brave men and women in harm's way, but then the Iron Man arrived, and we thought the days of losing lives were behind us. Sadly, that technology was kept out of reach. That's not fair. That's not right. And it's just too bad." "Regardless, it was an impressive innovation, one that grabbed the headlines the world over. Well, today, my friends, the press is faced with quite a difficult problem. They are about to run out of ink. "

The stadium goes silent to his horrible joke. Justin visibly cringes as he continues with his speech to get through the awkward moment.

Justin:"Get that out of here. Ladies and gentlemen, today I present to you the new face of the United States military. The Hammer drone." The stage opens up and floors rise up presenting the waiting people with drones."Army! Navy! Air Force! Marines! Yeah! Yeah! Woo! That's a hell of a lot better than some cheerleaders, let me tell you. But as revolutionary as this technology is, there will always be a need for man to be present in the theater of war.Ladies and gentlemen, today I am proud to present to you the very first prototype in the Variable Threat Response Battle Suit and its pilot, Air Force Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes. " Then the modified mark 1 armor rises out of the floor.

Once Rhodey is fully presented to the people, he salutes the crowd. Which is followed by all of the hammer droids saluting as well.

Justin:"For America and its allies, Hammer Industries is reporting for… " Before Justin could finish his sentence, everyone heard the sound of rockets. Turning to look, everyone saw Ironman in new armor swooping down to the stage in a superhero landing. Walking towards Rhodey to speak.

Tony: "We got trouble."

Rhodey: "Tony, there are civilians present. I'm here on orders. Let's not do this right now." Tony reaches Rhodey and puts an arm around his shoulder as he turns to the crowd. As he raises an arm and waves he tells Rhodey.

Tony: "Give them a Wave."

Justin runs out front to salvage the presentation and try to get back control of everything as the people in the crowd cheer.

Justin: "Hey, all right. Yeah"

Tony still talks to Rhodey, while waving at the people.

Tony: "Tony, there are civilians present. I'm here on orders. Let's not do this right now." Rhodey starts to slightly wave to the people as well then responds.

Rhodey: "Yeah, I tried that. I got tossed around your house, remember?"

Tony: "Listen, I think he's working with Vanko. "

Rhodey: "Vanko's alive?"

Tony then walks over to Justin, who is at the edge of the stage. Justin, who is still occupied with hyping the people, doesn't notice Tony walking his way.

Justin: "Yeah!"

Tony finally gets to Justin and asks him, face to face.

Tony: "Where is he?"

Justin: "What"

Tony: "Where's Vanko?"

Justin: "Who?"

Tony: "Tell me."

Justin: "What are you doing here man?"

Rhodey: "Whoa, whoa, whoa." In the middle of Tony's interrogation of Justin, Rhodey's HUD goes red and streams of code start to flow down the screen.

Damien: *Now the show begins.* He thinks as he prepares to start his plans for the expo.

Tony turns toward Rhodey to see what is happening, when Rhodey's big gun is activated and locked on to him.

Tony: "Is that you?"

Rhodey: "No, I'm not doing that. That's not me. I can't move. I'm locked up. I'm locked up!" Then the Drones take aim at Tony as well. " Get out of here. Go! This whole system's been compromised. "

Tony jumps and uses his repulsors to hover over the crowd.

Tony: "Let's take it outside." Then he flies up toward the ceiling as the Drones and Rhodey open fire. As glass begins to fall Rhodey takes off after him.

At that moment, Damien mentally toggles a program to run with his powers. Then all non-essential screens and projectors in that area of the Expo Go Red. They start flashing evacuation orders and telling people to leave in a calm and orderly fashion. As the drones then proceed to follow Rhodey after Tony.