"Tony, do you even look at the news anymore? It's Stark Energy. It's become the world's biggest energy company at an eight hundred billion valuation." Pepper excitedly shouted through Tony's speaker. "It's crazy! Stark Industries as a whole is now worth three trillion, Tony."
Tony straightened up on the chair. He was aware of the numbers, but listening to them always made him feel a strange sense of awkwardness. Sure, the money was great, but the amount he had was absurd. "What's my share in the Stark Industries?"
"It's sixty-eight, Tony. You're alone worth two trillion. That's eleven percent of the US econom—"
"Keep it quiet. And just to clear things up—I'm not worth eleven percent of the US economy. Stark Industries is a global thing, and we're valued against world GDP. So, yeah, if you want to break it down, you can say I'm equivalent to eleven percent of US GDP—I'd like to keep a low profile." Tony made things clear.
Pepper hummed, but her enthusiasm remained unchanged. "Well, even if compared to the entire world GDP, you're two percent of it alone. That's still massive."
"Look, that's why I'm not plastering it across the front page of every news outlet. The last thing I need is some op-ed comparing me to entire countries or the U.S. government. People usually hate the rich—fair, I get it—but they like me because I keep it real. Even so, there's only so much they'll tolerate before the pitchforks come out." Tony hoped to keep things under wraps until the end of the midterm elections. "But hey, I did put 'philanthropist' on the business cards, so let's make it count. I want to set up a line of credit—one percent interest—for under-developed nations in South America, Africa, and Asia to buy Arc Reactor power stations."
"I'll do that, but do you really not feel anything? No excitement?"
Tony chuckled, "Pepper, you don't feel anything after the first billion. And I was born with a billion. The lifestyle's been pretty much the same since I took my first steps—just with a few more toys to mess around with now."
"Well, looks like you'll be getting more than just pennies since Reed Richards is heading to space in three days. If all goes well, you'll be adding a few more Ts to that number very soon." Pepper, without directly saying it, reminded Tony about Reed's lift-off. "Anyway, I'd better get back to work. Guess I'll be toasting with some champagne by myself to celebrate."
As the call ended, Tony once again fell back into his chair lazily. The next few days were going to be hell, and he knew it. Trying to contest all 36 Senate seats, all 435 house seats, 36 governor positions, and almost 6000 state legislatures was going to be a nightmare. But he needed to do it to build up the National Technocratic Alliance.
"Ah, why did I even step into all this…"
To that day, he regretted his loudmouth in that Senate hearing.
"Can't wait for the term to be over."
Sadly, that didn't mean he could just half-ass his job for the time being.
"Jarvis, bring up the Sokovia feed. Looks like Hydra's throwing a party there, and I wasn't invited."
####
"We need to breach those carriers and replace their targeting blades with our own." Fury, now back in health, briefed Steve and Natasha regarding the final action needed to secure the three compromised Helicarriers. "All three carriers need to be linked for this to work."
"We have to take back control of those carriers or the destruction will be unimaginable," Agent Hill added.
Steve agreed instantly. "What about Tony? Is he coming to help?"
"Tony? Cap, he's the President of the United States. He's got far more important matters to deal with than this," Fury responded with seriousness. "The things he's working on concern millions of lives. But he did agree to send help. He gave you twenty of the Iron Guardians, didn't he?"
At that, Natasha stood up, being too busy in her own role too. "Fine. Let's get this done. Tony doesn't want to dismantle Shield, but if wiping out Hydra means he has to, he won't blink."
"There is nothing left to salvage," Steve added, ignoring Fury's conflicted gaze. "Shield, Hydra, it's all the same now. They thrived for so long without being noticed. I don't think Shield can be saved."
Reluctantly, Fury had to agree with them and let go of his obsession with SHIELD. He gave the green light and handed the chips to Steve. "Let's get this done."
####
Back in the White House, Tony kept himself busy finalizing the election candidates and the strategies. Since he lived in his office anyway, the hours he worked increased to double digits. He had dark circles under his eyes and fatigue visible on his face.
He just wanted to nail the Midterms and relax afterward. If done right, 2014 could be the beginning of a new era.
"Sir, unusual activity detected at Triskelion Shield headquarters," Jarvis notified suddenly. "It appears Captain Rogers and Agent Romanoff are actively engaging Hydra."
Tony, alone in his office room, looked at his watch. He saw the live video on its screen where Captain America was fighting above a Helicarrier already soaring in the sky. And since Triskelion was in Washington, DC., the place was close to the White House.
"Jarvis, deploy the reserve Iron Guardians and keep my armor attachments ready for a quick-change moment," Tony said casually, his eyes glued to the files on his desk. "I'd love to dive into the action, but hey, priorities—this 'exciting' read won't finish itself."
Knock! Knock!
The door opened and Sharon Carter walked inside, earning a glance from the President. She was always aware of his gaze, staring from her tight black pants and professional suit above, ending on her face adorned with silky, shoulder-length straight blonde hair, short on the front and long on the back.
It was a matter of pride to her in her own twisted way. She felt she had big shoes to fill, after all. Peggy Carter was her inspiration and goal. She even joined SHIELD because of that dream. Though, eventually she reckoned serving the President was better after she saw Peggy's photograph with JFK.
"Mr. President, the team for the G7 summit has been finalized. Alongside me, a genius technical expert, codenamed Quake, will be joining us." Sharon handed a file folder to Tony. "And here are the black market locations dealing in Vibranium, as you requested."
Tony grabbed the file and skimmed through it. Then, he looked at his Defense Advisor. In all honesty, he appointed her to that role for more reasons than just her talents. He had no shame in accepting that her round, pretty face, and blonde bombshell petite frame made him fancy her. Sadly, he found she was too stiff in her role to get close to.
Though, he was a man who loved challenges. So, he decided to take her to Brussels this time for the G7 meeting. Besides, he had some other things planned that didn't suit a President.
Don't they say? The harder to win the hotter the skin. Tony made up his own quote.
"Did you hear what's going on in Triskelion?"
"I received the word, Sir," Sharon said crisply, maintaining her professional tone. "The White House is under maximum security, and the airspace is now a no-fly zone."
Wooosh!
All of a sudden, loud sounds of a jet taking off came from outside. Tony got up from his seat and looked out of the large window behind his desk. A section of the lawn in front of his office opened up to reveal a metallic hatch. From inside it appeared Iron Guardians taking off one after another.
"Did you deploy them, Sir?" Sharon Carter walked to his side and watched the Iron Guardians.
"Yeah, and just call me Tony when it's us. I get enough of 'Sir,' 'Boss,' and 'President' on the clock," Tony quipped, watching the Iron Guardians wrap up their deployment. "So, how about it, Agent Carter? Triskelion's heating up. I bet you're itching to trade the paperwork for some action."
Sharon smirked, noting his mention of 'agent'. "But you're the…"
"President? Sure, but I was Iron Man first. Look, I'm going either way—just let me know if you want to borrow a suit."
"I can?!" Sharon asked excitedly. Who wouldn't want to try out the Iron Man suit? It was like a dream come true.
Tony pointed at his older non-nanotech suit still standing on the side of the room. "You can fly that one."
"I would love to."
Beep!
Right then, Tony heard a beep from his watch and took a look. Jarvis showed him the scene of a battle breaking out over the Helicarriers. It was a complete mess all over with jets flying around.
"Time to move." He tapped on his watch and his nanotech suit began forming on his body. "Sharon, jump in."
______________________
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