Tony Stark had the kind of room you'd expect at the Stark Expo—glass walls overlooking the main pavilion, sleek furniture that probably cost more than most people's cars, and enough important people to make a small country nervous. Government officials in perfectly pressed suits milled about with military brass and corporate bigwigs, all of them waiting for him to say something worth remembering.
Pepper Potts stood by the window, arms crossed, that familiar look of mild exasperation playing at the corners of her mouth. Her strawberry-blonde hair was pulled back in that professional knot she favored, and she wore one of those tailored suits that made her look like she belonged on the cover of Forbes instead of playing den mother to a bunch of egomaniacs. The blue of her eyes caught the afternoon light, sharp and assessing as she watched the crowd below.
Rhodey leaned against a console, arms casually folded, that calm military bearing of his making even standing still look like it served a purpose. His dark skin contrasted nicely with the crisp white dress shirt he'd insisted on wearing despite Tony's repeated suggestions that they were here to impress investors, not hold military court. The man could make a paperclip look intimidating.
"The kids are getting bold," Tony said, swirling whatever expensive whiskey he'd poured himself. "Did you see Kepler at the EDEN demo? Kid's got more confidence than sense."
Pepper didn't look away from the window. "Confidence isn't always a bad thing, Tony."
"Oh, it's adorable. The way he strutted around like he'd invented fire." Tony grinned, but there was something thoughtful underneath it. "Reminds me of someone I used to know."
Rhodey raised an eyebrow. "Someone who thought he was the smartest guy in the room?"
"Someone who actually was." Tony's laugh was dry. "Difference is, I had the tech to back it up."
The door opened with that distinctive hiss that meant money had just walked in. Justin Hammer filled the frame, all flash and expensive suit, his blue eyes bright with something that looked suspiciously like desperation disguised as enthusiasm. The man's hair was perfectly styled, his tie probably cost more than Rhodey's entire wardrobe, and he moved like he owned the space even though it clearly said "Stark" on everything.
"Tony! Perfect timing!" Hammer's voice carried across the room like he was announcing himself at a party. "I've been looking for you everywhere."
Tony didn't bother hiding the eye-roll. "Hammer. What do I owe this particular pleasure?"
"I wanted you to know—I'll be presenting later today. Something very special." Hammer's smile was practiced, the kind that never quite reached his eyes. "Cracked your armor technology, actually. Going to unveil it at three."
The room seemed to hold its breath. Tony's expression remained carefully neutral, but Pepper's hand moved to her glass with just a little too much force.
"Armor technology?" Tony finally said, voice light as air. "How delightfully vague."
Hammer's smile faltered for just a millisecond. "The Iron Man tech, Tony. I've reverse-engineered it. Made some improvements, actually."
Tony laughed, genuine this time, the sound echoing off the glass walls. "Improvements." He shook his head. "Hammer, that tech is decades ahead of anything you've ever touched. It'd take you another ten years to even understand what you're looking at, let alone replicate it."
"Tony, please—"
"I mean, sure, you've got the shiny exterior down." Tony gestured vaguely at Hammer's suit. "But the real magic? That's all in the details. The arc reactor alone would make your head spin."
Hammer's jaw tightened. "I've solved the power source problem. The flight dynamics, the weapons integration—"
"Sure you have." Tony took a sip of his drink. "Look, why don't you run along? I'm sure your presentation will be... educational."
Hammer opened his mouth, closed it, then straightened his tie with that nervous little tic Tony remembered from every failed business meeting. "You should attend, Tony. See what real innovation looks like."
With that, Hammer turned on his heel and swept out, leaving the door hissing shut behind him.
Tony watched him go, then turned back to his companions. "And that's why we can't have nice things."
Pepper set her glass down with deliberate calm. "He seemed very confident."
"Confidence and competence aren't the same thing, darling." Tony poked at his drink with a toothpick that probably had its own zip code. "The man's a clown. Always has been."
Rhodey was quiet for a long moment, studying Tony with that look he got when he was remembering things he'd rather forget. "You know, I've been hearing some interesting rumors."
Tony arched an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"About Hammer Industries. Supposedly they've been sitting on some actual Iron Man tech. Not copies—real stuff." Rhodey pushed off the console. "That's why half the military brass is here. They think Hammer's got something worth seeing."
Tony's glass stopped halfway to his mouth. "Actual tech?"
"Word is, they recovered it from one of your old facilities. Before you went public with the whole 'no more weapons' thing." Rhodey's expression was carefully neutral. "Might be why Hammer's so convinced he's cracked the code."
Tony stared at him for a long moment, then slowly set his drink down. "Well. Isn't that interesting."
Pepper turned from the window, her eyes narrowing. "Tony?"
"Hammer's not the genius type, but he does have one skill." Tony's fingers steepled. "He knows how to find the right toys and convince people they're his."
Rhodey nodded slowly. "So what happens if he's actually got something real?"
Tony's smile was all teeth. "Then we're about to find out just how good a thief Hammer really is."
***
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