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The Stark Expo finally arrived.
Ethan didn't bother attending.
He remained at the mansion, buried deep in his underground facility, surrounded by half-finished projects and quietly running simulations. Public spectacles were never his thing—and this one, in particular, held little interest for him.
Instead, Sharon attended in his place.
She arrived alongside Aria.
The Stark Expo grounds were packed. Justin Hammer had gone all out with his advertising, promoting his new line of combat drones and robotic soldiers as the future of modern warfare. As a result, politicians, military officials, corporate giants, and media from all over the world had gathered.
The moment the Arasaka Phantom rolled up to the entrance, the atmosphere shifted.
The sleek black vehicle came to a smooth stop, its design sharp and imposing. The doors opened, and Sharon stepped out first, calm and composed, dressed in a tailored outfit that radiated quiet authority.
Aria followed a step behind her, expression unreadable, eyes already scanning the surroundings.
Then came the guards.
Three men and one woman stepped out in perfect sync.
They wore black-and-red tactical suits, reinforced yet elegant, with the Arasaka logo emblazoned clearly on their chests. Each of them carried themselves with disciplined precision—movements sharp, eyes alert, posture flawless.
Cameras immediately began flashing.
Reporters turned, murmurs rippling through the crowd.
"Arasaka is also here.."
"though it seems like Ethan Cliff is not here only her secretory is here"
"By the way are those Arasaka guards the new product they are goigng to launch?"
"Arasaka security…"
"Those suits—are they armor like Iron Man too?"
"They look like Iron man…"
Sharon didn't slow her pace.
She didn't need the guards—neither did Aria. Both of them were more than capable of handling themselves. But this wasn't about protection.
It was about showcasing Arasaka's newest product line.
The guards moved with them flawlessly, positioning themselves with practiced efficiency as they advanced toward the entrance.
Inside the expo hall, lights blazed as massive displays dominated the space. Stark Industries' name loomed everywhere, projected across towering screens and banners.
"I don't see any combat suits in Hammer's section," Aria said quietly, glancing toward Justin Hammer's exhibit.
Sharon nodded.
"Most likely scheduled for the main showcase."
They mingled briefly, exchanging polite words with a few executives and officials, before an announcement echoed through the hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. The showcase will begin shortly."
The crowd gradually settled.
Lights dimmed.
Music suddenly burst through the hall—loud, flashy, and overly dramatic. Spotlights swung across the stage as Justin Hammer strode out, dancing awkwardly in rhythm, arms flailing with exaggerated confidence.
The crowd reacted with a mix of applause, confusion, and restrained amusement.
Justin grinned broadly, soaking it all in as if he were the star of a concert rather than a weapons expo.
"Thank you! Thank you!" he shouted, bowing theatrically. "I know, I know—try not to be blinded by the sheer charisma."
Scattered laughter rippled through the audience.
Sharon watched impassively, one leg crossed over the other.
Aria leaned closer and murmured,
"He's… enthusiastic."
"That's one word for it," Sharon replied flatly.
The music finally died down, and the stage lighting shifted to a more serious tone. Massive screens behind Justin flickered to life, showing schematics, rotating holograms, and military-style readouts.
Justin straightened his jacket, grinning wide.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced proudly, "today, Hammer Industries is proud to unveil the future of global security."
Panels in the stage floor slid open.
One by one, humanoid figures rose from below—metallic, rigid, and identical. Their movements were stiff but deliberate as they locked into standing positions.
The drones stood tall, weapons integrated directly into their frames.
Justin spread his arms.
"Meet the Hammer Combat Drone Initiative."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Military officials leaned forward as Justin continued, his voice growing louder and more dramatic with each sentence.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Justin announced, spreading his arms wide, "we no longer have to worry about our soldiers."
He paced across the stage, gesturing toward the drones behind him.
"Because now, these drones can fight for us."
The screens flashed images of battlefields, explosions, and advancing mechanical units.
"No more mothers losing their sons during war," Justin said, his tone turning solemn.
"No more children being orphaned."
He paused, letting the words sink in, clearly pleased with the reaction.
Some in the crowd nodded thoughtfully.
Sharon's expression didn't change.
Aria crossed her arms.
"He's laying it on thick."
Justin smiled again, the theatrics returning.
"And that," he declared, "is the future Hammer Industries is offering to the world."
A round of applause followed—polite, measured, and cautious.
Justin soaked it in anyway, nodding as if he'd just solved world peace.
"Now," he continued, turning back toward the drones, "talk is cheap. Let's move on to the fun part."
The lights dimmed further.
A simulated battlefield appeared on the massive screens—desert terrain, ruined buildings, heat signatures blinking red.
"Live combat demonstration," Justin announced proudly. "Non-lethal environment. Full tactical autonomy."
One of the drones stepped forward.
Its head tilted slightly as systems came online. Weapons extended from its arms with sharp mechanical clicks.
"Target acquisition in progress," a synthetic voice echoed through the hall.
On-screen, enemy silhouettes appeared.
The drone moved.
It was fast—but rigid. Efficient, but lacking finesse. It fired controlled bursts, eliminating targets one by one. Explosions flashed across the screen as the simulated enemies fell.
The crowd reacted with renewed interest.
Military officials exchanged looks.
Engineers leaned forward.
Reporters whispered excitedly.
"Impressive," someone muttered.
Justin smiled wider.
"Each unit is fully autonomous," he said. "No hesitation. No fear. No human error."
He tapped a control.
Two more drones stepped forward, joining the first. They moved in formation, covering angles, advancing methodically.
Applause followed—this time louder.
"But of course, we still need a human to lead them," Justin said, raising a finger dramatically.
The stage panels shifted again, and another platform slowly rose from beneath the floor.
A familiar armored figure stood atop it.
"Meet Colonel James Rhodes," Justin announced proudly, "in the newly modified Iron Man armor."
The crowd erupted.
Gasps, cheers, and frantic camera flashes filled the hall as people stood to get a better look.