Colonel Wilson opened his mouth, but no words came out. He had been completely silenced by Lance.
Seeing him falter, a member of Congress took over.
"Mr. Prescott, we understand your line of defense. But the issue is that after Mr. Stark returned to the United States, he did not cease his research and development. He is continuing to refine this… device. We believe this has already gone beyond the scope of self-defense."
Lance returned to the counsel table and picked up another document.
"This is Stark Industries' R&D expenditure report for the past six months."
"The Mark II was funded entirely by Mr. Stark's personal finances. Not a single dollar of company funds was used. Furthermore, Stark Industries officially shut down all weapons R&D departments three months ago and terminated all arms contracts."
"So the facts are clear. Mr. Tony Stark used his own money to develop a personal protective system, while Stark Industries has been undergoing a full transformation over the past three months."
Lance closed the document and looked back at the congressmen and the military colonel.
"Gentlemen, are you accusing a private citizen of using his own money for innovation, or are you attempting to block a company from transitioning from an arms manufacturer into a civilian technology enterprise? If it's the latter, I believe the Antitrust Act and the Business Promotion Act would have something to say."
Another congressman spoke.
"Mr. Prescott, we understand your position. However, Stark Industries is one of the largest defense contractors in the United States. Its sudden transformation will cause… risks to national security."
"Cause what?" Lance cut in. "Will it reduce certain people's kickbacks? Will it cost certain districts their jobs? Or…"
Lance quirked a brow, "…will it affect the arms dealers backing you, leading to fewer political donations in the next election?"
"Lance Prescott! You are nothing but a nobody. What gives you the right to judge us?!"
"A nobody?" Lance laughed. "I am a nobody. In your eyes, even Tony Stark is nothing more than an ignorant child."
"Tony Stark doesn't bribe politicians. That must make some of you very uncomfortable."
"The real absurdity of this country is this." Lance's voice rose, sharp and pressing.
"It demands that a man who was nearly killed by weapons his own company produced continue making them. And when he refuses, it puts him on trial."
He returned to the counsel table but did not sit, continuing to press the room.
"You want to know why Stark developed the Mark II?"
"I'll tell you."
"Because when he was locked in a cave, forced to build the first-generation armor out of scrap, there was not a single piece of equipment in this world that could save him. Not one. Your Patriot missiles couldn't. Your F-22 fighters couldn't. Your seven-hundred-billion-dollar defense budget couldn't."
"So he realized something. Stark Industries pays its taxes every year, on time. Yet when it was his turn to be protected, this so-called great nation proved useless. Helpless. So, to survive, he created the weapon you're accusing him of. Then he came back and chose to use that technology to do something different. He chose not to kill, but to save. And what was your response?"
Lance spread his arms.
The courtroom, built in the style of ancient Rome, cast long shadows through its high windows. The figure of Lady Justice carved into the glass seemed to stretch across him in the sunlight.
"Your response was to hold a closed hearing. To send lawyers to accuse him. To try and lock both him and his creation in a cage."
"So I'm not just here to defend him."
"I'm here to tell you this."
Lance lowered his arms slowly. He looked at the judge, then at Congress, then at the military.
"You can keep clinging to your illusion of national security. Keep playing your games with missiles and contracts soaked in blood. But Tony Stark will not play along."
"The Mark II will not be handed over. Stark Industries will not resume weapons production. And you…"
He pulled a document from his pocket and unfolded it.
"…under Article 15 of the Anti-Unfair Competition Law, Chapter 7 of the Tort Liability Act, and the First Amendment's protection of commercial speech, are required to compensate Stark Industries for damages caused by unfounded accusations. Preliminary estimate…"
He glanced at the number.
"…four point two billion dollars."
The courtroom erupted. Congress erupted. The military erupted.
"Ridiculous!"
"This is extortion!"
Lance waited until the noise settled slightly, then continued calmly.
"Or we can take the second option. Publicly withdraw all accusations. Restore the safety rating of all civilian projects under Stark Industries. And sign a guarantee that no institution in the United States will interfere with its research direction or technological applications in any form for the next five years."
He paused, then added the final condition.
"Of course, Mr. Stark retains the right to use the Mark series equipment for self-defense, rescue, and humanitarian purposes when necessary. No prior declaration required."
"Absolutely impossible!"
The colonel shot to his feet, vaulted the railing, and charged toward Lance.
"Who do you think you're talking to?!"
The punch came fast and heavy.
Lance didn't move.
He simply tilted his body slightly, and the fist brushed past his cheek, missing cleanly.
The courtroom erupted into chaos.
Bailiffs rushed forward, but someone moved faster.
Tony Stark was already standing in front of Lance. He wore no armor, only a perfectly tailored suit, yet in that moment, there was already a trace of the Iron Man he would become.
"Colonel," Stark said coldly, "my lawyer hasn't finished speaking. And until he does…"
He stepped closer, nearly face to face with Colonel Wilson.
"…it's not your place to act."
The judge's gavel cut through the tension.
"Court is in recess for thirty minutes." She rose, casting a long look at Lance. "Both parties will prepare supplementary statements."
People began filing out.
Lance returned to his seat and calmly arranged his documents.
Stark leaned in and spoke under his breath. "Four point two billion? You really went for it."
"It's just an opening offer," Lance replied without looking up. "The bottom line is two point five billion, plus full deregulation."
Stark stared at him for a moment, then laughed. "You know, Pepper thought I'd hired a lunatic."
"And now?"
"Now," Stark said, straightening and patting Lance on the shoulder, "she thinks I've hired a lunatic who can drive other lunatics to death. Hahaha~ that was brilliant."