"I call them the Iron Legion, sir. Well, JARVIS and I call them that. We're developing them together with Dr. Zola's help. Each of them will be remote piloted, powered by a miniaturized Arc Reactor and-!"
"Excuse me, an… Arc Reactor?"
Tony nods rapidly, his smile only growing as he swipes at the hologram and brings up the schematics for the power source. Now Pierce begins to recognize it.
"The Arc Reactor was something my father invented many years ago. But like with many of his inventions, he was ahead of his time. The best he could do was create a rather large version of the Arc Reactor, which powers the main campus of Stark Industries to this day. However, we're in the digital age now sir. The age of miniaturization. So I shrunk the Arc Reactor down. They ' re actually powering that Repulsor Technology that SI is selling to the US Military, if you've heard about that."
Actually, Pierce had heard about that. He gives Tony an interested look.
"I heard that all of those weapons were black boxed. That you wouldn't even let the military crack them open to see what was inside."
Here, Tony's bashfulness asserts itself again.
" A-Ah… well, I figured if anyone could know what was powering them, it would be you sir. Besides, that Repulsor Technology… it's all operating on far weaker Arc Reactors anyways. The Iron Legion will be top of the line! The best I can make. All for the cause… all for HYDRA."
It's the first time the word has left Tony's lips. It sounds good coming out of the genius' mouth, Pierce decides. He stares over the schematics for the Arc Reactor one more time, but honestly it all goes over his head. He was never a scientist. Zola though… if Zola was taking lead on this project, then he supposed he could count on the uploaded intelligence to make sure everything went according to plan.
Although…
"We're going to have to find a way to get SHIELD off of your tail, Tony. They're nipping at your heels and I have to admit, Nick is a personal friend of mine… which is how I know that once he gets his teeth on a bone, it's all but impossible to get him to stop gnawing. How do we redirect SHIELD's attention? Do you have any ideas?"
Correctly deducing that show and tell is over, Tony reaches out and turns off the display disc, pulling it back off the table before giving Pierce a tentative smile.
"Well… I did have one idea. If you can't beat 'em… join 'em, right?"
The Secretary just raises an eyebrow and quirks the side of his mouth up in amusement, gesturing for Tony to go on.
"The way I see it, SHIELD thinks I'm a loose cannon. They think I have to be studied and controlled because they don't know my motivations or intentions. So… we let them think they've won. Let them think I'm under control… specifically under YOUR control, sir. Yours and the World Security Council' s."
Oh? Now there was an idea.
"I've got plenty of goodies to go around, really. We can give SHIELD some toys to placate them, like the Repulsor Technology and other stuff. The really good stuff we hold in reserve for HYDRA. That way, SHIELD thinks that they've got me right where they want me. Of course, it won't work if I' m actually under Fury's thumb. I'll need to be outside of the SHIELD command structure. A civilian contractor of sorts, under the direct authority of you and the World Security Council. That way we can say I report to you and only you in the event that I need to do things that SHIELD might frown upon."
Heh, it was obvious for all Tony's bashfulness and the way he'd been buttering Pierce up this entire time that the man still had problems with authority. Or maybe he just didn't like Fury and SHIELD. Based on the reports of what Fury and Coulson had been trying to do to get to Stark the past year and a half, it wasn't all that surprising. Not to mention, finding out that Natalie Rushman was Agent Romanoff had probably pissed off a control freak like Tony to high heavens. Speaking of which… "And where would Agent Romanoff fit into all of this, exactly? If we're going to bring you under the World Security Council' s umbrella, there's no point in leaving her in her current position, is there?"
At that, a hunger seems to enter Stark's eyes.
"Yeah, you're right. I'd say… I'd say we have Natalie, err, I mean Natasha… be my SHIELD liaison. Keep her attached to me and Stark Industries. Pep would miss her otherwise."
It's obvious that even with the betrayal and even with all of the changes the man has gone through, Tony Stark is still a horndog easily led by his cock. After all, Natasha Romanoff is an exceptionally beautiful woman. And from the sound of it, the rumors of him and his new CEO sharing women together were quite true.
More amused than anything, Pierce nods his head and rises from his chair once more. Tony hurries to do the same on the other side of the desk.
"I think that can be arranged, Tony."
Holding out a hand, Pierce waits until Tony takes it before giving him a wide grin.
"Here's to a brighter future. Hail Hydra."
One last test. Though only partially. Even some perfectly loyal recruits had a hard time saying it the first time. Just stumbling over the words didn't mean you were a traitor. However, when it comes to Tony Stark, he lights up and doesn't even hesitate.
"Yes sir! Hail Hydra!"
… Yes, the last couple of weeks had been very rough for one Alexander Pierce. But as Tony leaves his office, the Secretary can't help but smile a little bit. The disappearance of the Winter Soldier was still very troubling of course. However, when one door closes, another opens. Things were already starting to look up.
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