The morning sun bathed the Stark Industries compound in a golden glow, but inside Tony's workshop, the mood was anything but serene. The upcoming Senate hearing loomed over the group, its implications weighing heavily on everyone except, it seemed, Tony Stark himself.
"Alright, team," Tony said, adjusting his tie in the reflective surface of a hologram. "Let's go show those pencil pushers what innovation looks like."
Pepper rolled her eyes as she handed him a suit jacket. "Tony, this isn't a press event. You're being summoned to answer questions about national security."
"And I'm bringing all the answers," Tony replied, his trademark smirk firmly in place.
Alexander stood near the table, slipping a sleek binder into his briefcase. "Tony, this isn't about answers. It's about control. Senator Stern and his allies want to force your hand, and we're here to ensure they don't succeed."
Rhodey adjusted his uniform, glancing at the group. "So what's the game plan? Walk in, tell the truth, and hope they back off?"
Tony chuckled. "The truth? Oh, Rhodey, you're adorable. The truth doesn't matter to these people. It's about who can spin the best narrative."
Alexander turned to Jarvis's interface on the wall. "Jarvis, any updates on my legal license application?"
"Congratulations, Mr. Alexander," Jarvis replied. "Your license has been processed and approved as of this morning. You are now officially authorized to practice law in the state of California and at the federal level."
Alexander smirked. "Perfect timing."
Tony raised an eyebrow. "You? A lawyer? Why am I just hearing about this?"
"Because you didn't ask," Alexander replied. "And because I had a feeling we'd need someone who could keep Stern in check."
Pepper crossed her arms, a small smile tugging at her lips. "This is going to be good."
Tony smirked. "Good thing I brought a lawyer." He nodded toward Alexander, who was calmly reviewing a sleek binder of documents.
Rhodey, adjusting his uniform, asked, "What exactly is the game plan here? Walk in, tell them they're wrong, and walk out?"
Alexander looked up. "The plan is to ensure the government understands that they've already been given everything they're entitled to—and that overreaching will cost them dearly."
Tony raised an eyebrow. "Cost them how?"
Alexander closed the binder with a small smile. "You see, we're hitting them first."
Tony raised an eyebrow. "Hitting them how?"
Alexander smirked. "With a lawsuit against Justin Hammer."
Pepper's eyebrows shot up. "A lawsuit?"
Alexander nodded. "Hammer Industries created and publicly displayed an Arc Reactor derivative without Stark Industries' permission. Whether it's functional or not, the Arc Reactor is proprietary technology. By attempting to replicate it without authorization, Hammer has violated copyright and intellectual property laws. We're suing him for damages and issuing a cease-and-desist order."
Tony grinned. "Now that's what I call a preemptive strike."
Arrival at the Capitol
The group arrived at the Capitol steps, greeted by a chaotic scene of reporters and protesters. Cameras flashed as Tony, Pepper, Rhodey, and Alexander stepped out of the black SUV, their confident strides cutting through the noise.
Inside the hearing chamber, Senator Stern sat at the center of the panel, his smug expression betraying his eagerness to tear Tony down.
"Mr. Stark," Stern began, leaning into the microphone. "Thank you for gracing us with your presence. I trust you understand the seriousness of this hearing?"
Tony leaned back in his chair, flashing a grin. "Oh, I love a good show, Senator. Let's get to it."
Stern's expression soured, but he pressed on. "This hearing is about national security. The Iron Man suit represents a dangerous, unchecked power, and the government believes it's too risky to leave in private hands."
Before Tony could reply, Alexander stood. "Senator Stern, I'd like to address that point on behalf of Mr. Stark."
Stern raised an eyebrow. "And you are?"
"Alexander," he replied smoothly. "Mr. Stark's legal counsel. Licensed and authorized as of this morning."
The murmurs in the room grew louder, and Stern's annoyance was palpable. "Fine. Proceed."
Setting the Record Straight
Alexander stood, his calm presence commanding the room. "Senator Stern, you've repeatedly referred to the Iron Man suit as a weapon. However, I'd like to point out that the suit is not classified as such under any current federal statutes."
Stern frowned. "It's a weapon in practice if not in name. It has the capacity to cause mass destruction—"
"So does a car, a chainsaw, or even a kitchen knife," Alexander interrupted, his tone measured but firm. "Shall we classify those as weapons as well?"
The room murmured, and Stern's face flushed. "You're missing the point. The suit represents an unchecked power that could destabilize global security."
Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Unchecked? Mr. Stark has used the suit exclusively to protect civilians and combat threats that existing agencies failed to address. Are you suggesting that the government, with its track record of inefficiency, is better suited to handle this technology?"
Stern glared at him. "This isn't about efficiency. It's about accountability."
"Ah, accountability," Alexander said, nodding. "Let's discuss that. Senator Stern, are you aware that Stark Industries has provided detailed reports on the suit's capabilities to the Department of Defense? Senator, are you aware that the Mark II suit is already being modified under a signed contract with the United States military?""
The room grew silent, and Stern's expression shifted. "Modified for whom?"
"For Colonel James Rhodes," Alexander replied, gesturing toward Rhodey. "Under this agreement, Stark Industries retains full ownership and maintenance rights over the suit. Any unauthorized tampering or alterations will result in immediate seizure of the suit, as well as legal action against the responsible parties."
Stern blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. "And this contract… who authorized it?"
Alexander smiled. "The Department of Defense. By signing, the government agreed that no one other than Mr. Stark is permitted to modify or alter the suit. This ensures that the technology remains functional, safe, and out of unauthorized hands."
Stern faltered. "That's—irrelevant."
"It's entirely relevant," Alexander pressed. "The government has already been given transparency, yet you demand ownership. That's not accountability—it's overreach."
Hammer's Attempt
Stern shifted tactics. "If Stark is unwilling to share the Iron Man technology, perhaps we should consider alternatives. Mr. Justin Hammer, for example, has made significant progress in replicating the technology."
Tony leaned forward, his smirk widening. "Oh, this is going to be good."
Hammer entered the room with exaggerated confidence, flashing his pearly whites as he took the stand. "Thank you, Senator. It's an honor to be here."
"Mr. Hammer," Stern began, "could you explain your progress in developing a functional alternative to Iron Man?"
"Absolutely," Hammer replied. "Hammer Industries has been working tirelessly to create a safer, more accessible version of Mr. Stark's technology. Our prototypes—"
Tony interrupted with a laugh. "Prototypes? You mean those glorified tin cans that barely hold together under a stiff breeze?"
The room chuckled, and Hammer's face reddened. "Our prototypes," he continued, "represent the future of defense. Unlike Stark, we believe in sharing our innovations with the government to ensure the safety of all Americans."
Alexander stood again. "Mr. Hammer, are you willing to provide full transparency on the materials and processes used in your prototypes?"
Hammer hesitated. "Well, that's classified."
Alexander smirked. "Of course it is. Because if it weren't, we'd be discussing the glaring safety flaws and the fact that your reactors have a 40% failure rate."
The room erupted in murmurs, and Hammer sputtered, "That's—that's not accurate!"
Tony grinned. "Oh, it's accurate. Jarvis, play the clip."
A screen lit up, showing a video of a Hammer Industries test gone wrong. The audience winced as a drone exploded, leaving a crater in the testing field.
Hammer slumped in his seat, defeated.
The Lawsuit Bombshell
Alexander adjusted his stance, speaking with deliberate precision. "Senator, before we address your concerns about the Iron Man suit, I'd like to draw attention to a related matter. Earlier today, Stark Industries filed a lawsuit against Justin Hammer and Hammer Industries for unauthorized use and replication of proprietary technology."
The room erupted into murmurs as reporters frantically scribbled notes. Stern's composure faltered. "What are you talking about?"
"During the Monaco incident," Alexander explained, "Mr. Hammer publicly displayed a crude imitation of Stark Industries' Arc Reactor. Whether or not it functioned is irrelevant. The Arc Reactor is a patented technology, and any attempt to replicate or showcase it without Stark Industries' explicit permission constitutes a violation of intellectual property law."
Stern frowned. "That's a separate issue—"
"It's directly relevant," Alexander interrupted. "This hearing was convened to question Stark Industries' accountability, yet Hammer Industries blatantly violated federal law in their attempt to compete. We're seeking damages for patent infringement and issuing a cease-and-desist order to prevent further misuse."
Hammer's Defense Crumbles
At that moment, Justin Hammer strode into the room, his usual over-the-top confidence visibly shaken. He took the stand, glaring at Alexander.
"Mr. Hammer," Alexander began, his tone measured, "can you confirm that you attempted to replicate the Arc Reactor?"
Hammer hesitated, glancing at Stern for support. "I—uh—was merely conducting research into clean energy solutions."
Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Research? Did your research include obtaining permission from Stark Industries to use their patented designs?"
Hammer stammered. "I—I didn't need permission. My design is completely original."
Alexander smirked. "Jarvis, display Exhibit A."
The holographic screen lit up, showing a side-by-side comparison of the Stark Industries Arc Reactor and Hammer's imitation. The similarities were undeniable.
"As you can see," Alexander continued, "Hammer's so-called 'original' design is a blatant copy of Stark Industries' technology. The dimensions, layout, and functionality are nearly identical, with only minor alterations."
The murmurs in the room grew louder, and Hammer's face turned red. "This is ridiculous! I was innovating!"
"By plagiarizing," Alexander shot back. "Your reckless attempt to imitate Stark's work has not only damaged your credibility but also violated the law. Stark Industries will be seeking full compensation for the damages caused by your actions."
The Iron Man Suit Defense
With Hammer effectively neutralized, Stern tried to regain control of the hearing. "Mr. Stark, this isn't about corporate disputes. It's about national security. The Iron Man suit is too powerful to remain in private hands."
Tony stood, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "The Iron Man suit is mine, Senator. It's not a weapon. It's a part of me. If you want it, you'll have to take me with it—and I guarantee you won't like the result."
Alexander added, "The Mark II suit, which is being modified for Colonel Rhodes, is already under a strict contract with the Department of Defense. Stark Industries retains full ownership and maintenance rights. Any unauthorized tampering will result in the suit's seizure and legal action against the government."
Stern sputtered. "You can't just—"
"We can," Alexander interrupted. "The government has already agreed to these terms. If you're truly concerned about national security, you'll respect the boundaries set by that agreement."
Aftermath
The hearing adjourned shortly after, with Stark and his team emerging victorious. Outside, reporters swarmed them, shouting questions about the lawsuit and the Iron Man suit.
Tony, ever the showman, turned to the cameras. "To anyone trying to steal my tech: Don't. It won't end well."
As they exited the Capitol, Tony turned to Alexander. "You're officially my favorite lawyer."
Alexander smirked. "I'll add that to my resume."
Rhodey shook his head. "You guys are impossible. But you pulled it off."
Pepper smiled. "It's what we do."
Rhodey shook his head. "You're lucky you've got a good lawyer."
Alexander smirked. "And you're lucky we're not suing the entire Senate committee. Yet."
As they climbed into the SUV, Tony leaned back with a satisfied grin. "Alright, team. What's next?"