Overwatch Meets Marvel: Chapter 6 - Visiting Tony
After finishing a glass of milk and two slices of bread, Robert sank into the sofa, his posture reminiscent of the iconic "Ge You Slouch." Despite maintaining a dignified CEO image outside, he allowed himself to relax and unwind at home. There was nothing better than watching a movie with a cup of instant noodles—pure bliss. But playing games was no longer on his agenda. If Soldier 76's lie wasn't addressed, it would eventually unravel.
Robert wasn't ready to publicly reveal his identity as boldly as Tony Stark had with Iron Man. After some contemplation, an idea took shape.
Ten minutes after he called his driver, a car honked outside the villa. Thomas, his dedicated chauffeur, arrived promptly, as he always did when his boss called.
"10880 Malibu Point," Robert directed, naming a place Thomas had never heard of.
"What? Where is this?" Thomas asked, momentarily confused. But he quickly returned to his professional demeanor. Thomas was a full-time driver with a strict code of ethics. His job was to follow instructions without prying, even if he did wonder about the mysterious bar incident from the previous night.
The journey was short, and soon Thomas found himself in front of a villa with a magnificent ocean view. He couldn't help but marvel. "Wow! What an incredible place!" he exclaimed. Although Robert lived a luxurious life, this villa made him seem modest by comparison.
"Follow me," Robert instructed as he stepped out of the car, calling Tony's phone. "Hello, Mr. Stark, it's Robert. I'm at your door."
In his workshop, Tony Stark froze for a moment upon hearing this unexpected news. He hadn't shared his address with Robert, had he? Could it be that Robert possessed some kind of mysterious power?
When Tony saw Robert and his driver outside, he opened the door, welcoming them in. "Mr. Robert, how did you find my address?" Tony asked, clearly intrigued.
"One day, everyone will know this address," Robert replied with a smile.
Tony, dressed casually in a black T-shirt and jeans, stood with his arc reactor gleaming blue against his chest. While he wore suits and polished shoes in public, he kept it simple at home. Robert, on the other hand, always opted for basic athletic wear, caring little for public perception. Stark, however, did care—just enough to keep up appearances.
Tony raised an eyebrow, slightly puzzled. "Mr. Robert, would you really go so far as to publish my home address?"
"No, I wouldn't be that foolish," Robert laughed. "You'll be the one who reveals it eventually."
Stark looked at him incredulously. "Impossible. I don't want to be bothered," he replied, resolute.
Robert didn't press further. "Won't you invite me inside for some tea?"
Tony gestured them in and poured tea for them both. "And who is this?" he asked, eyeing Thomas.
"I'm a driver," Thomas answered, extending his hand. "I'm Thomas Oliver, Mr. Robert's chauffeur. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Stark. I've known of you for a long time."
Stark shook his hand, then settled across from Robert, curious about this sudden visit. "So, Mr. Robert, is this about your script? What do you think of my Iron Man story so far?"
Knowing he might need Tony's help soon, Robert offered praise generously. "Mr. Stark, you're exceptionally talented. Not only are you the best engineer in the world, but you also have a knack for storytelling. The piece you wrote flows smoothly and has a natural rhythm. Once it's perfected, it'll become a true epic."
Everyone loves a compliment, and Stark was no exception. He smiled proudly. Although he was accustomed to admiration, hearing it from someone like Robert, a world-renowned screenwriter, felt particularly gratifying.
Robert soon shifted gears. "But I didn't come here to discuss storylines. I came to ask for your help."
Tony raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I'm listening."
"As a partner, I'm happy to help," he replied. But he hoped that this wouldn't compromise the quality of his Iron Man project.
"By the way, Mr. Robert, there's quite a bit of news circulating about last night. Many people believe you're actually Soldier 76," Tony added, switching on the television, which was broadcasting the aftermath of the Deep Sea Bar incident.
"These reporters are always looking for a hot story, constantly hoping for some drama to feed their headlines," Robert muttered, irritated.
Tony nodded, sympathizing. "Couldn't agree more."
"Anyway, back to the point. I want you to help me create a pulse rifle," Robert said.
Tony's face showed slight surprise. "You mean the pulse rifle that Soldier 76 uses?"
"Exactly," Robert confirmed. "And make a Soldier 76 combat suit, too." He glanced at Thomas.
Thomas looked baffled, pointing to himself as if to ask, "Me?"
Stark narrowed his eyes, piecing together Robert's intent. "I can make a replica that will fool the public," he said. "It won't shoot light-blue rounds like in the movies, and the firepower won't match, but it'll be convincing enough."
In that moment, Tony began to suspect that Robert himself might be Soldier 76. It was a clever tactic—confuse the audience with misdirection.
"That'll be perfect," Robert replied, pleased.
Robert's goal wasn't to bring Soldier 76 to life in the Marvel universe. Instead, he wanted to shift the spotlight from himself to Thomas, making Thomas the public's Soldier 76 so Robert could return to his quiet life as a "salted fish" CEO who spends his time relaxing and playing games.
"What materials do you need for the uniform?" Tony inquired.
"Nothing fancy. Skip the iron plating. Just use ordinary, durable materials. It should be comfortable to wear and breathable enough for summer," Robert replied, grinning.
"Are you criticizing my Mark IV?" Tony grumbled, slightly offended. "When are we going to compare notes?"
Robert's eyelids twitched slightly, realizing Tony had indeed figured out his identity. Yet, he trusted Stark. While Tony might be high-profile and proud, he was a man of principle.
There was no reason to worry about Thomas, either. Thomas enjoyed a relaxed lifestyle, working for Robert. He didn't speak unnecessarily, nor did he indulge in idle gossip, especially when it concerned his boss. He was dependable and loyal.
"My small arms and legs are no match for Iron Man," Robert joked.
Though he might match Iron Man in battle if he fully embraced his Soldier 76 persona, he wasn't sure if his rifle rounds could penetrate the Mark IV armor.
Thomas was still processing all this, slowly realizing that this might actually be the life of a superhero. It's about punishing evil, promoting good, saving the world—all the cliches in the book.
His thoughts were interrupted as Robert called him back to reality. "Hey, Thomas! Let's go. Or do you plan to stay here all night?"
"Sorry, Mr. Robert!"
Thomas hurried outside, climbed into the car, and started the engine, switching on the air conditioning.
Before leaving, Robert turned to Stark. "Mr. Stark, I'll have the script ready within a month. I won't disappoint you."
"I look forward to it," Stark replied, watching as they drove off into the distance.
Once they were gone, he paused momentarily before starting on the design of the pulse rifle. He could already imagine the day Iron Man would meet Soldier 76 on the big screen—it would be spectacular!