"Mr. Stark?"

"Hmm? Oh I'm sorry. My thoughts were...elsewhere." Tony confessed. He shot one more glance at his armored bodyguard before giving the Senator his undivided attention. He gripped his metal cane to brace himself, his still injured leg throbbing beneath his weight. Tony Stark was much like a patch-work-man these days, a destructive battle against a gamma irradiated behemoth had nearly slaughtered the former armored avenger once and for all! Internal injuries, collapsed lung and shattered leg only began to scratch the list of ailments he was recovering from.

"I was saying that I have to be honest with you. The Cord Conglomerate was driving a hard bargain. I almost dealt with them on a new state reactor. In fact the Nuclear Regulatory and Alternate Energy Commissions were rather...adamant about it."

Tony Stark smiled his best Public Relations smile, placing a reassuring grip on the Senator's elbow as he led him away from Iron Man and the clean up crew. "That's mainly because I refused to pay their lobbyists or donate to the Party, Mr. Senator."

"I know, Mr. Stark." McCall agreed but still looked apprehensive.

"Call me Tony." he smiled. "I know Cord is promising a revolutionary step in alternate power, Mr. Senator but if there is one constant in this universe it's that you cannot just uncreate nuclear waste. Their phasatronic technology might be displacing nuclear waste and hazardous gasses but its only a matter of time before we discover where they are going."

"And with your... errr, I forget the name of your company's reactor, Tony." blushed McCall.

"It's still a functioning nuclear reactor but with a re-designed metal insulator based on properties found in Mars-Rock. That combined with the tachyon bombardment of Vibranium crystal allows a reaction that prevents the melting of fuel and still regulates steam pressure. Power spikes are non-existent due to our installment of a Tectro pulse radiator which buffers the controlling systems from sudden shifts in power levels. Our safety record will impress you, Senator McCall, and our reputation should still vouch for something. If not, then also keep in mind that much of the systems used by Cord depend on devices and technology with pending patents. They have yet to be fully safety tested or explored" Tony concluded with another smile that almost demanded trust.

"Well I'll continue to stand by our state's decision, Tony. You are right, yours is a name that this country should be able to trust." Senator McCall grabbed Tony's hand and shook it vigorously before wobbling off. Tony let an exhale escape his lips and looked back to the armored avenger who was setting retired cooling rods contained in radiation-proof cells, onto a flatbed truck to be hauled away.

Iron Man studied his employer through a single horizontal eye lens. "Ready to hit the road, Mr. Stark?"

"I think so, Iron Man. Nothing more to do here." Tony Stark turned and proceeded to the helipad nearby which was nothing more than an area cordoned off by flashing lights and traffic cones. It was there that his chopper was standing by, the twin rotor blades already picking up speed.

"If you don't mind, sir, I'll fly alongside you this time." Iron Man hovered, lowering himself gently behind Tony.

"Fine," replied Tony, nodding to the copter's pilot as he climbed into the passenger seat.

"I wonder who #*&%$@ in his Cheerios," grumbled Iron Man, taking flight with a ground shaking burst of thrust from beneath his oversized boots. In moments, Iron Man contorted his body so that it was parallel with the helicopter as it gained altitude. He glanced inside the cockpit and saw Tony put on a headset, pointing to his ear as he did so.

Iron Man gave a thumbs up, willing his commlink on as Tony was obviously requesting. "What's up chief?"

"Looks like the boots are adjusting well to the lag sequencors I hooked up. How is the new holographic imager working on the Heads Up Display?"

"The H.U.D.'s good to go, Mr. Stark. No more wait time for the boots' engines to kick in either. No doubt, sir, you still know this armor like the back of your hand." Iron Man chased away a thought and decided to get to the heart of the matter. "What's eating you, chief?"

"Oh, it's just this reactor business. McCay actually considered Cord's new Phasatronic Reactor. After the Class Nine meltdown in Lithuania you'd think these guys would be a tad more careful with introducing new technology to delicate reactor systems. No respect for the deadliness of technology." Tony pressed a finger to his lips and stared through the window beside him, watching the reactor site disappear from his peripheral vision.

"Well that's why we're here, chief. To teach them a thing or two about underestimating technology. Which reminds me, I have an e-burst here about the ribbon ceremony. We're running late, sir. Race ya?"

"I built your armor, Shellhead... kinda foolish to challenge me don't you think." grinned Tony through the window, the afternoon skies playing a backdrop to the armor he once wore.

"You also built that flying Buick over there. No way can that thing top my new shoes! Eat thrust 'Has-Been'!"

"Punk mouthed rookie," snarled Tony as he turned to his pilot and shook a finger ahead of them. "Kick in the jets, Davis!"

"You got it Mr. Stark!" With the flip of a switch the rotors slowed, the copter's twin blades going flush and then lowering as a giant after-burner slowly appeared from a housing on the copter's tail. With a rumble like thunder, an orange corona burst from the after-burner, pushing the copter after the speeding comet that was the new golden avenger.

"The project you see behind you is the latest incarnation of what used to be Stark Solutions. It is a culmination of a lifetime's worth of dreams and inspirations. It is the link that draws in wayward endeavors, forming a nucleus to not only usher in a greater age of Science and Technology but to bring to Humanity's evolution a sense of wisdom and patience. The name Stark has always been synomonous with quality, results and progress but never has it compromised safety nor standards. The sudden inescapable rise of technology has caused competing markets to look past the safety and welfare of both its employees and its consumers. We at Stark will maintain our high standards even at the risk of delaying new developments if it's to ensure that it is safe to both client and environment." Tony Stark, wearing his best suit, smiled to the crowd of on-lookers and media hounds as he grasped the red banner that was suspended at waist level. With a pair of scissors he motioned to the massive archway and the towering sign that stood in the heart of the new complex. "Today I give you the Stark Corporation, tomorrow: the world!" A barrage of flash cubes lit up the form of Tony and reflected off the red and gold of his body-guard, Iron Man, who stood silently nearby. With a single snip, the banner fell and Stark Corp. was born.

"The T.V. seemed to like you, as always." Iron Man chuckled, his helmet sitting on the table beside a tall glass of sparkling water. "The newspapers? Ehhhh, they weren't as forgiving." Iron Man tossed a newspaper onto the table for the person across for him to see.

Tony Stark rotated the paper so that he might read the headlines. "They call the takeover of Stane International, and Stark-Fujikawa Enterprises hostile. Never mind they were mine once anyway. Obadiah Stane stole Stark International from me and Stark Enterprises was sold to Fujikawa while I was believed dead. They're mine again, they'll get over it."

"And what was the reason 'why' again?" Iron Man reached for his glass, only half paying attention as he rubbed his sore eyes with another hand.

"Remind me to dim the brightness on the H.U.D. tomorrow," Tony said, grabbing the helmet and jabbing the interior with a long instrument. "I need the resources of S.I. and S.E. to monitor this 'Techno Boom,' as the press likes to call it. People were so nervous about Y2K that they welcomed any advance in technology. Young companies became overnight successes by providing common folk with a false sense of security. Now we have a Patent Office and an F.D.A. too overwhelmed to properly screen a rush of new developments in medicine and technology. If people aren't careful they're going to be playing victim to a household nuclear meltdown thanks to a poorly built toaster! They'll launch two Tylenol's down their throat and wind up in the hospital for toxic shock! Someone has to make sure the Techno Boom isn't used as the wool to pull over people's eyes. I wouldn't doubt that my old enemies are just dying to use the demand for Tech as a reason to subvert people's wills and credit card codes." Tony placed the helmet back on the table and stared at the cold red and gold face that stared back.

"You've been doing a stare down with that helmet all day, Tony." Iron Man revealed. "Are you sure...I mean don't you...miss it?"

"You're damn right I do!" Tony snapped. "You have no idea how many times I SWORE there would be an Iron Man and that it would be me inside that armor!" Tony looked away, disgusted that his temper was flaring so easily. It wasn't unlike the days when James Rhodes wore the armor but this time it wasn't him. Rhodey has his own troubles these days, some of it due to Tony himself. While they certainly weren't enemies, they were left to be little more than acquaintances anymore.

"Mr. Stark, I refuse to come between you and the armor. I can take it off just as easily as I put it on. I told you becoming Shellhead in your place meant a new start for me but I don't need it to be happy with the new life you gave me." Iron Man softly pushed the helmet towards Tony. "Take it, sir. It's more a part of you then it'll ever be with me." Iron Man's voice was soft and non-menacing.

"No. Not this time. The world needs the armored avenger and this time they need Tony Stark, too. We're going to do this together... Iron Man." Tony reached across the table and clutched Iron Man's wrist, smiling confidently. The look in his eye was unmistakable, he meant every word. At that precise moment the two truly believed they could take on the world, which they'd have to do if they were going to stunt the growth of the Techno Boom.

"Make no mistake, I mean to use you as I planned when I took you in. Being my bodyguard has always been a cover for Iron Man. I don't need an Avenger, I need an Equalizer. The only way for Stark Corp to slow the Techno Boom is for us to neutralize certain... endeavors. It's going to get violent and it's going to get ugly. I don't want there to be any doubts or misgivings, Iron Man. There'll be no more Avengers Days, no more autographs. It's pedal to the metal this time. Are you still in?" Tony's eyes narrowed as he looked at his partner, forgetting their past.

"We've been over this before. Just point me in the right direction and let the medics sort 'em out!" The new Iron Man clenched his fists and stared at his employer dead in the eye. Today a new era had begun in Tony Stark's life... twice.

September 2005.

Pacific Ocean. 112 Nautical Miles from United States Controlled Waters.

"Merchant Marine vessel S.S. Tuska, United States Registry, Kilo Oscar One, Romeo November Eight en route to Port of Tacoma from Port of Shanghai. Crew of thirty two with 'No Questions' cargo as commissioned by Chemico Pharmaceuticals. Should be home by dinner." The ship's Captain dictated out loud as his logs were updated. The marine vessel seemed to skid across the calm, blue, ocean waters of the Pacific as it headed for home. The Tuska was a long vessel that hugged the ocean, carrying large white cylindrical vats on its deck with a box shaped command tower near the ship's aft. For the crew, the trip was routine, one more ocean voyage closer to retirement, or so they thought.

Blastfire sounded on the ship's starboard side, rocking the craft violently and forcing its left side to dip briefly into the cold salt of the unforgiving Pacific. The crew scurried, those who had been asleep now rushing up from below decks. Klaxons sounded and the Captain's voice was barely heard over the ear blistering sound of a second explosion. This one was near the ship's nose, the concussion sending more than one man onto their rear as one of them pointed sky ward.

"Look!" pointed a young man drenched by ocean water.

"Who the hell is that?!" shouted a man beside him.

"Beats de #@!#%^ out of me! Git up off yer arse and grab de rope, son!" bellowed another.

The waves, once calm and serene, were now bucking with a ferocity often displayed by the sharks that claimed these waters as home. The Tuska fought to steady itself as the crew raced like clock-work ants across the decks. Inside the command tower, the Captain fired off a series of orders as the Executive Officer radioed in an S.O.S. Given the cargo in those vats, these men were taking no risks!

"Look, there's another one to port!" the young man cried, before a wave crashed over him and slammed him into the deck face first. The new arrival leveled his fists towards the ship's heart and let fly a stream of violet energy that spewed like dragon's flame against the decks, nearly tearing the ship in two and threatening to capsize it altogether.

"Ahoy, mates! Bring yer vessel to full stop and kiss the decks!" The voice echoed through the Public Address system, causing all hands to look to the speakers as if it would show the face of their attacker. "Yer ship is hereby seized and 'jacked by the Raiders! Your cooperation might just save yer miserable lives!"

"This is the Captain speaking! Your attack is in direct violation of International naval --" The captain's contempt was quickly answered by a surprise attack as a third armored pirate blew past the control tower. A spiraling whisp of energy smashed through the glass and wrapped about the captain's neck before he could even draw a breath in shock. An energy bolo from the looks of it.

"Now! If anyone else would like to rob me of my oxygen or waste my time, speak now or shut yer #*&#* mouths and prepare to be boarded!"

"I'm your huckleberry!" came a voice that caused all three armored warriors to turn. An intense and sudden repulsor blast ripped at the lead-Raider's stomach, knocking him towards the waiting waves. The remaining two looked at the red and gold streak as it raced upon them. "Trust me, I need no introduction." Iron Man said flatly as he readied another pair of repulsor bolts.

"Holy Toledo it's...hey who the hell is that?" asked the second Raider, igniting a large energy shield from his wrist.

"It's Iron Man, you moron! How many heroes you know sport red and gold armor?" The third fired his boot jets which carried him through the smashed window of the command tower. "C'mere Sailor!" he snatched the Executive Officer and ignored the Captain who was clawing at the energy bolo wrapped around his neck. "Yo, Shellhead!"

Iron Man fired a salvo of pulse bolts which struck the second Raider's energy shield but still managed to knock him backward a few feet. The armored avenger looked to the command tower and triggered the zoom feature in his helmet. The third Raider held an open hand to the Executive Officer's temple, a cluster of coils glowing around the pirate's wrist. Iron Man hesitated, remaining suspended over the sea as he waited for the next move.

"This cargo is ours. Either it goes with us or it goes under! Allow me to demonstrate our point!" The Raider flexed his hand and a hard pulse of sonic energy struck the hostage's head, pushing until flesh and skull gave away in a gory mess. "Options? You ain't got none so turn yer tin plated #*@ back the way you came."

Horrified, Iron Man narrowed his gaze and clenched his fists, two elongated blades ejecting from the armor over the tops of his wrists. "You should have kept the prisoner alive, Raider. It was the only way you were going to leave here alive!" And with an explosion of thrust fire, the armored avenger prepared to give credence to the title.

In Iron Man #2: In 30 days its a knock down drag-out brawl between our new (and thus far unidentified) Iron Man and the newest trio to be called the Raiders! What makes the cargo important enough to spill blood and what will Iron Man do when he finds out the answer? Meanwhile a wraith-like foe returns to haunt Tony Stark! Come back next month for the conclusion of Industrial Strength Takedown Part 2!