c18 - Tony's Methods
On his return journey, Tony Stark was intercepted by two U.S. Air Force fighter jets after being mistakenly identified as an unidentified hostile target.
After a series of high-speed evasive maneuvers using the flight stabilization and countermeasure systems of the Mark II armor, narrowly avoiding missile lock and mid-air collision, he finally made it back safely to Stark Estate in New York.
Upon arriving home, Tony immediately instructed J.A.R.V.I.S. to compile all available evidence related to Obadiah Stane and his covert dealings.
He then announced that he would be holding an emergency board meeting that evening.
Tony also contacted James Rhodes, asking him to stand by for further instructions and not act prematurely.
Although he had already created the Iron Man armor, it was not yet the time to publicly reveal its existence.
He did not intend to use the armor recklessly to resolve everything through brute force.
In Tony Stark's view, true atonement for Stark Industries' past particularly the damage caused by its weapons falling into the hands of groups like the Ten Rings required accountability, not just overwhelming firepower.
Without the armor, Tony Stark was still a human being, vulnerable and exposed.
Naturally, he was wary that Obadiah Stane, now cornered, might resort to desperate measures.
Despite being maneuvered out of control of the board by Obadiah Stane's influence, Tony's authority as founder and central figure of Stark Industries still carried immense weight.
The moment he called for a board meeting, every major shareholder responded.
Because of the attack on Stark Industries earlier that morning, the board had already been in urgent discussions.
Tony Stark's sudden intervention forced all members to gather.
Obadiah Stane felt a faint sense of unease upon receiving the notice, but ultimately chose to attend.
After all, with the support he had cultivated among the shareholders, he still believed he held the advantage.
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Soon, it was 5 PM.
Security around Stark Industries headquarters was significantly heightened, with armed guards and surveillance systems fully activated.
Inside the Stark Industries boardroom,
Tony Stark stood at the head of the table, looking at the assembled executives men in their forties and fifties who had long been entrenched in corporate power.
Notably absent was Harvey Ambellaca.
Tony understood that Harvey likely already anticipated the outcome of this meeting.
Given his earlier insights and actions, Harvey had no need to personally attend a discussion that would inevitably shake the board.
Obadiah Stane had already secured influence over a large portion of the board.
Nearly half of the shareholders present had aligned themselves with him, which was precisely why he had the confidence to show up.
However, with the situation not yet openly hostile, appearances still had to be maintained.
"Tony, what exactly did you call us here to discuss?"
Obadiah Stane asked with a calm smile, his tone measured as always.
"Before I explain anything, there's something you all need to see."
Tony Stark didn't waste words.
"J.A.R.V.I.S., play it."
At Tony's command, the room lights dimmed slightly as a holographic projection activated.
The AI immediately displayed the compiled video evidence.
The footage revealed Obadiah Stane secretly communicating with members of the Ten Rings, the very organization responsible for Tony Stark's kidnapping in Afghanistan.
A timestamp in the corner clearly showed that the conversation had taken place prior to Tony's departure for the weapons demonstration, proving that his itinerary had been leaked in advance.
The video continued.
It showed the aftermath, Tony Stark being ambushed, critically injured, and held captive.
Then came the most damning segment.
Obadiah Stane was seen instructing the Ten Rings operatives to extract as much value as possible from Tony Stark before eliminating him.
Silence filled the entire boardroom.
No one spoke.
Even those who had sided with Obadiah Stane felt a chill run down their spines.
They had supported him out of anger over Tony's unilateral decision to shut down the weapons manufacturing division—a move that had threatened their profits and investments.
But conspiring with terrorists to assassinate Tony Stark crossed a line none of them had anticipated.
The weight of the evidence was undeniable.
And in that moment, the balance of power in the room began to shift.
On his return journey, Tony Stark was intercepted by two U.S. Air Force F-22 fighter jets after being flagged as an unidentified flying object over restricted airspace.
After a series of evasive maneuvers, including deploying countermeasures and narrowly avoiding a missile lock, he finally made it back to Stark Estate in New York.
Upon arriving home, Tony immediately instructed J.A.R.V.I.S. to compile all the evidence of Obadiah Stane's crimes, including encrypted communications with the Ten Rings organization and financial transfers routed through shell corporations.
He then announced that he would be holding a board meeting that evening.
Tony also contacted Colonel James Rhodes, asking him to coordinate with federal authorities and await his signal before taking action.
Although he had created the Iron Man armor, it wasn't time to publicly reveal it yet.
He didn't want to use the Iron Man armor recklessly or allow it to become evidence in a legal matter, as that would complicate Stark Industries' position and his own accountability.
Without the Iron Man suit, Tony was just an ordinary human enhanced only by the Arc Reactor in his chest, and naturally worried that Obadiah Stane might resort to desperate measures and attempt to eliminate him again.
Despite being temporarily sidelined from operational control of the board due to Obadiah Stane's manipulation, the news of Tony's initiative to convene a board meeting still carried significant authority as the majority shareholder and CEO.
Everyone with board membership at Stark Industries received the message.
Because of the attack on Stark Industries headquarters that morning—an incident likely tied to Obadiah Stane's attempt to destroy evidence—the board of directors was already in a state of tension and internal discussion.
Tony Stark's call brought them all together.
Obadiah Stane felt a trace of unease upon receiving the call, but his confidence in his control over the board and his long-standing reputation made him decide to attend anyway.
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Soon it was 5 PM.
Numerous security personnel, including private Stark security and federal agents in plain clothes, were positioned around the Stark Industries building.
Inside the Stark Industries executive conference room,
Tony Stark looked around at the group of influential board members, most of them middle-aged men in their forties and fifties, all representing major shareholders.
Harvey Ambellaca was not among them.
He knew Ambellaca must already have insight into his situation and intentions.
Otherwise, with his current shareholding and financial influence, Ambellaca would have attended to observe the internal struggle within Stark Industries.
Obadiah Stane had effectively secured support from several key shareholders through influence, persuasion, and financial incentives.
Nearly half the board leaned toward him, which was the key reason he dared to face Tony directly.
However, the situation had not yet completely collapsed, and formal decorum was still maintained.
"Tony, what did you call us here to say?"
Obadiah Stane asked with a composed smile, maintaining the demeanor of a senior executive.
"Before I explain, I want to show you something."
"J.A.R.V.I.S., play the files."
Tony Stark, seeing Stane's calm facade, gave the order without hesitation.
J.A.R.V.I.S., receiving the command, immediately projected the compiled video and audio evidence onto the conference screen.
The footage revealed Obadiah Stane's covert communication with the Ten Rings, including instructions to eliminate Tony Stark.
The timestamps in the upper corner showed that these communications took place before Tony's trip to Afghanistan, proving premeditation.
Additional footage showed Tony Stark's convoy being ambushed, followed by records of Stane instructing the terrorists to keep Stark alive temporarily to extract weapons knowledge before killing him.
The entire boardroom fell into complete silence.
Even those shareholders who had sided with Obadiah Stane felt a chill run down their spines.
They had opposed Tony Stark primarily because of his unilateral decision to shut down Stark Industries' weapons manufacturing division, which directly affected their profits.
But they had never imagined that Stane had gone as far as colluding with a terrorist organization to assassinate Tony Stark.
If Obadiah Stane could eliminate Tony Stark so methodically, what would stop him from doing the same to anyone else who stood in his way?
The thought sent fear through the room.
"Obadiah Stane, you watched me grow up, so I always treated you like family."
"Our cooperation over the years built Stark Industries into what it is today."
"I never deliberately hid my inventions or plans from you."
"I believed there was trust between us."
"But I never imagined you would try to have me killed."
Tony Stark spoke slowly, his voice steady but carrying a trace of suppressed anger and disappointment.
He recalled how, after confirming Tony's travel plans to Afghanistan, Obadiah Stane had immediately passed that information to the Ten Rings.
The realization filled Tony with disgust.
Then, Tony Stark pressed a button.
With a loud "bang!", the conference room doors were forced open.
The sound of synchronized footsteps echoed as Colonel James Rhodes entered with a team of armed federal agents.
A line of weapons was instantly raised and aimed directly at Obadiah Stane.
The board members froze in fear.
"Obadiah Stane, you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, collusion with terrorist organizations, and illegal transfer of military-grade weapons technology."
Colonel Rhodes declared firmly.
Given Stane's wealth and legal resources, he might have attempted to fight lesser charges.
But charges involving terrorism and national security placed him beyond negotiation.
"I want to make a call—there are people who—"
Obadiah Stane stood abruptly, attempting to reach into his pocket.
In that instant, multiple agents reacted.
A gunshot rang out.
Obadiah Stane collapsed to the ground.
The room fell into stunned silence.
Rhodes' expression hardened; whether the shot was a reflexive reaction or a deliberate decision, the result was final.
"Secure the scene."
Rhodes gave a cold order.
Two agents quickly moved forward to confirm the target and remove the body.
No one in the room dared to speak.
"Alright."
Tony Stark broke the silence, his voice calm, almost detached.
"Let's continue the meeting."
"Now we need to discuss the future direction of Stark Industries."
Having survived captivity, betrayal, and near death in Afghanistan, Tony Stark no longer hesitated.
Faced with his authority, his evidence, and his clear alignment with federal power,
none of the shareholders present dared to oppose him.
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