~The Afghan frontlines~
A convoy of jeeps kicked up billowing dust clouds...
Tony, who had just finished promoting his latest products at Bagram Airfield, sat in the back holding a glass of whiskey on the rocks.
The energetic beats of rock music filled the vehicle, while the young soldier sharing his seat kept stealing curious glances at this legendary figure...
"Why do I feel like you're escorting me to a court-martial?" ever the humorist behind his sunglasses, Tony quipped, "That won't do... what crimes have I committed? I feel like you're about to tackle me the moment we stop. What, does your CO forbid you from speaking?"
"We're allowed to speak, sir," the young soldier replied shyly.
Tony's banter broke the tense atmosphere in the vehicle. His fellow passengers began relaxing... The playboy had that unique charm, always able to transform awkward situations into either amusement or embarrassment.
"Sir, I have a question," a soldier in the front seat turned around, his ostensibly earnest face unable to conceal his gossipy curiosity, "Is it true you've slept with every cover model from last year's Maxim magazine?"
Now on a topic that interested him, Tony removed his sunglasses and said casually, "Good question. You're partially correct... My schedule didn't align with March's cover girl. Fortunately December's were twins."
"What else do you want to ask..." Tony turned to another soldier who was making a hand gesture, his carefree demeanor unchanged, "Are you kidding me? This isn't elementary school... why are you raising your hand?"
"Can I take a photo with you?" the shy young soldier asked quietly.
"Of course," Tony leaned in beside his young admirer, and continued his humorous tone, "But don't post this on your blog. And what's with the gang sign...just kidding, go ahead."
"Peace! I love peace most!" he rambled on.
*BOOOM!*
A deafening explosion erupted as fierce flames burst forth. The shockwave sent a blast of air rolling outward. The lead jeep took a direct hit from artillery fire, its sturdy frame instantly reduced to scrap metal.
The convoy screeched to a halt. Tony struggled to maintain his composure. As America's premier weapons supplier, he'd faced numerous dangerous situations before. Unlike ordinary people who might panic and scream, he remained collected.
<...Left flank under attack!..>
The radio crackled with intense gunfire.
Soldiers poured out of vehicles but before they could locate their attackers, a storm of bullets came raining down!
"Jimmy, stay and protect Mr. Stark."
The young soldier pulled Tony down to take cover inside the vehicle, avoiding stray bullets.
The moment the young soldier stepped out, a barrage of gunfire cut him down. The vibrant life that had just been joking with Tony was instantly extinguished by cold, merciless bullets!
Bulletproof windows were riddled with holes like honeycombs. Listening to the intense firefight outside, Tony realized the enemy's firepower overwhelmingly suppressed their own forces.
After a few seconds' thought, he pushed open the car door... he couldn't just sit and wait. Tony now regretted not returning with Rhodes earlier... the airfield's main forces were all there.
Dodging explosions and stray bullets, Tony took cover behind a large rock and pulled out his phone to send a distress signal. His phone connected directly to JARVIS's terminal, the reliable AI would immediately locate his position and notify Obadiah and Pepper.
As the head of a major weapons corporation, Tony's upbringing hadn't been smooth sailing. From kidnapping threats by competitors, to assassination attempts by rival interests or terrorist attacks... these dangerous experiences allowed him to remain calm and self-rescue even in such crises.
The distress signal went out...
*Thud..*
...a grenade landed nearby in the dirt. Tony stared dumbfounded at the clearly visible «Stark Industries» markings on the weapon, his mind briefly blank.
Then the explosion's shockwave sent him flying.
Through choking smoke, the fallen Stark struggled to open his eyes, and saw bloodstains blooming across his chest. Ripping open his shirt, he saw shrapnel embedded in the bulletproof vest beneath.
Excruciating pain radiated from his chest as his head swam like it had been hammered...
Soon, darkness claimed his consciousness. The world-renowned weapons merchant lay unconscious on the war-torn battlefield...
...
~New York, Manhattan~
"Tony Stark has been attacked..."
Sean didn't seem surprised...
As a butterfly that had traversed the river of time, he hadn't caused major changes to this world. The future Iron Man was still following history's predetermined path.
"You provided a list requiring special surveillance. Tony Stark was on it. One minute ago, he sent a distress signal from the Afghan frontlines which I intercepted."
The cold voice in his earpiece belonged to Skynet...
Compared to the separate virtual persona of Red Queen, Skynet seemed more like an emotionless machine lifeform. Following Sean's orders, it had implanted Red Queen with a virtual personality... like creating life by instilling complete character and cognitive abilities to manage Umbrella in his stead.
"Let Tony enjoy his cave retreat for a while. It's a rare journey of spiritual growth after all," Sean chuckled.
He had no intention of letting the playboy be rescued too soon.
Moreover, the distress signal had been sent to Obadiah Stane. Clearly Tony still hadn't realized who had leaked his route...
How else could those militants have known the convoy's schedule and location so precisely? Even their sophisticated weapons (all Stark Industries products) were powerful enough to annihilate regular US forces.
Only those Tony trusted most could access such classified intel. Considering who would benefit most from his death, the answer became obvious...
If Obadiah received Tony's distress signal, the playboy building armor in that cave might not survive long.
"According to your analysis, Tony Stark is a pivotal figure in this world. Do you not intend to ensure his safety?" Skynet inquired.
"I'm not their nanny," Sean replied coolly, "Tony's survival helps maintain my precognitive advantage, but his death wouldn't significantly impact things. This isn't dominoes where toppling one brings everything down. Iron Man is merely the catalyst for future events... without Stark, others would fill that role..."
"...My role is ensuring the world progresses along familiar trajectories within certain parameters. But playing nursemaid, and catering to superheroes to guarantee they grow according to script...I came to this world to claim my place and assert my voice. Toward that end, whether S.H.I.E.L.D. or HYDRA, heroes or villains... all could become my enemies..." Sean's eyes glinted with cold calculation.
In this moment, he resembled Skynet's mechanical detachment, "The world is pyramidal. The higher you climb, the narrower the path. To reach the summit, you must pull down every competitor..."
"...Skynet, this world is one vast hunting ground. To avoid becoming prey requires not just sharp claws and savage instinct, but also a hunter's rifle."
The young man gazed at the bustling city, his deep eyes gleaming with a predator's cold light, "And the six Infinity Stones are the ultimate weapons..."