*****
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The override command reached Aria instantly.
Her eyes flickered for half a second as the directive locked in.
"…Acknowledged," she said flatly. "Standing down."
She took one step back from Ivan's containment pod, the killing intent around her fading like a switch being turned off.
Sharon glanced at her, thinking 'Seems like Ethan took back his command to kill' she thought and then looked at the guards.
"Prepare a high-security transfer," Sharon ordered. "Level Black. No outside contact. No public access."
"Yes, ma'am," several Arasaka guards replied in unison.
Mechanical clamps locked onto the hardened foam around Vanko. The pod lifted smoothly off the ground, suspended by anti-grav supports.
Vanko laughed weakly.
"Lets see how long will I remain behind bars this time" He said mockingly.
Two guards injected additional suppressants into the foam. His laughter died in his throat as his eyelids drooped.
"Sedation confirmed," a guard reported. "Target unconscious."
"Good," Sharon said. "Move him."
The guards marched out, carrying Vanko away without ceremony.
—
"So, it's true you have developed a new element for the Arc Reactor?" Sharon asked Tony.
Tony nodded. "Yeah. It's real. Though I didn't exactly create it from scratch. It was something my dad left behind. I just completed it."
"He could've made it himself," Tony continued, "but the technology just didn't exist back then."
"So what will happen to Ivan?" Pepper asked as she walked closer to them.
"We'll have to hand him over to the authorities soon," Sharon replied. While speaking, she briefly glanced at Pepper's secretary—who was actually Black Widow—before calmly withdrawing her gaze.
"He'll most likely escape again," Black Widow said evenly. "A lot of people want Iron Man tech. And there are only three people who can truly make it—Tony, Ethan, and Vanko."
"Tony and Ethan are protected by giant corporations and influence," she continued. "But Vanko? He's a free agent. Whoever gets to him first will try to use him."
Everyone nodded slowly.
"It's not like we can do anything about it," Rhodes said. "This whole place is on live broadcast."
"If it wasn't," Aria added casually, "I would've already killed him."
A brief silence followed her words.
Tony glanced at Aria.
"…You say that way too casually."
Aria shrugged.
"Efficiency matters."
Pepper rubbed her temples.
"I'm starting to feel like that sentence alone should come with a warning label."
Sharon stepped forward, regaining control of the conversation.
"For now, we stick to protocol. Vanko is transferred under international supervision. Any move against him after that will not be our responsibility."
"You plan to eliminate him while he's in the authorities' custody?" Rhodes asked.
"Hm. We never said that," Sharon replied with a shrug.
"We'll be leaving now."
With that, she turned and walked away, Aria following silently beside her.
Tony watched Aria's retreating figure for a moment before speaking.
"That short-haired woman—Aria—she's not human."
"Huh?" Black Widow asked. "What do you mean?"
"I mean she's most likely an android," Tony said. "A high-tech one. A robot."
"But she looked perfectly human," Rhodes said. He frowned as he ran a scan in her direction.
"…I'm not getting any life signatures. It's like watching a walking corpse."
Rhodes looked genuinely surprised.
"She is a support-type android made by Lord Ethan," Arasaka AI explained calmly.
"She was designed to assist Sharon in managing the company. She is equipped with advanced weaponry and reinforced systems, sufficient to keep her operational even against threats like Ivan Vanko."
Rhodes nodded slowly, absorbing the information.
Tony whistled under his breath.
"Do you mind if I scan your armor back at my mansion later? I'd really like to see how Ethan built it. In Vanko's case, his armor was big too but there are easily lot of flaws unlike the one Ethan have built for you" He said.
" You can" Rhodes nodded as they begun to leave too.
Rhodes and Tony began walking toward the exit, their armor disengaging piece by piece as the tension finally eased.
Outside the building, Arasaka vehicles were already moving.
A sleek black transport hovered silently as guards loaded Vanko's containment pod inside. The doors sealed with a heavy metallic thud.
Sharon stood nearby, arms crossed.
"Level Black transfer confirmed," a guard reported. "Route encrypted. Authority handoff in thirty minutes."
"Good," Sharon said. "No delays."
Aria stood beside her, completely still.
"…You received the override," Sharon said quietly.
"Yes," Aria replied. "Lord Ethan rescinded the termination directive."
Sharon sighed softly.
"He's cautious. Smarter than people think."
Aria tilted her head.
"Should I prepare contingencies in case Ivan Vanko escapes again?"
Sharon's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Always."
At the same time, aboard the Helicarrier.
"The armor he built is better than Tony's," Coulson said, studying the holographic display in front of them.
The projection showed a rotating model of Rhodes' upgraded suit, data streams scrolling beside it.
Fury stood with his hands behind his back, his single eye fixed on the image.
"What are you getting at, Coulson?" Fury asked without looking away.
"I'm suggesting we add Ethan to the Avengers Initiative," Coulson said, a small smile on his face.
"From what I've observed so far, he's more than qualified."
Fury exhaled slowly.
"You know his mother never wanted that."
"I know," Coulson replied calmly. "But Ethan might want this. And whether we like it or not, he's already involved."
Fury was silent for a moment, then finally turned toward Coulson.
"Fine," he said. "See if he's willing to join. No pressure."
He paused, then added,
"And if he refuses, ask him something else."
Coulson raised an eyebrow.
"Ask if he's willing to build proper gear for Black Widow and Hawkeye. Real upgrades—not just modified firearms."
Coulson nodded.
"I'll handle it."
"One more thing," Fury said.
Coulson stopped at the door.
"Also approach Storm and Violet," Fury continued. "Even if Ethan says no, if they join the Avengers Initiative, our overall strength increases dramatically."
"Understood," Coulson said, then exited the room.
The door slid shut.
Maria Hill, who had been standing quietly to the side, turned to Fury.
"Do you actually agree with Coulson?" she asked.
Fury didn't answer immediately.