TIME IN BETWEENPART 1 -- THE POLITICSSNARKMASTER 5000 RP UNIVERSE
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This drabble takes place about a year after the events in Captain America: Civil War -- with potential to crossover into X-Men.
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Times like these really made Tony Stark hate the office... or to be more specific, the political office.
There were many things that he disliked in his life but as Tony sat at his end of the table with a room full of liberal leaders and pencil pushing officials he grew a bit more exhausted by the minute. Not because of lack of sleep or possibly a hang over like they might think. More rather that Tony found them to be mentally exhausting -- and if they take Tony through another round of
Dodge the Twenty Questions then the billionaire might seriously lose it.
Really what do these guys know about what is best to help the world when it comes to supernatural attacks? Their job was here in the office and they weren't even really concerned about the important moral matters. This was all about how much money they needed to fork out to fix all of these affairs. When the battles damage the city how much does it cost to fix it? How much economic growth does it mess up? That's really what all this is about.
For Tony all this was about something else...
The meeting began with the officials reviewing the section of the Sokovia Accords that Tony brought to their attention. It was a process of being patient enough for them to read -- which sucked for the genius-billionaire. He was well known for super fast reading speeds. The human brain when trained could process 100,000 letters per second. Tony liked to call it bullet reading because that was exactly what he did. He had the entire Accord read in less than a minute -- which made it easy to do some work when he wanted to.
Would his family be able to come together again? The group of specially chosen individuals known as the Avengers were considered family to him.... Even Steve, despite the fighting they had at the end of their last investigation. The vintage style flip phone Rogers gave Tony was always on him, burning a hole in his inside suit jacket pocket. At the moment Tony was rereading the letter that was sent in the mail. Amending the accords was the end goal. Where ever Steve was, he hoped he would see the effects of the changes Tony was trying to make. With Pepper standing back by the doorway with the camera crew that were documenting the meeting and her bodyguard, Happy Hogan -- Tony was ready for anything these bastards could throw at him... as soon as the idiots finish reading...
"Mr. Stark, for the record," Thaddeus Ross began as he finished reading the area that was specifically brought to the group's attention. "You came here, having signed the accords previously, with intent to have them amended."
"That is correct," Tony said as he shifted in his seat to tuck the letter away into his jacket again.
"It does seem to be a little late doesn't it? Considering your signing."
"I signed an accord to be allowed accountability, not to remove my American right to freedom of speech. Which, for the record, the Sokovia Accords violates the Constitution at least three times that I can recall off the top of my head."
"Get to the point, Stark."
"Gladly!" For once, Tony was actually serious even with his personality still intact. Times like this it was dangerous to be in the same room with him. Not because he was Iron Man but because he was using his iron will to solve a problem and not brute force. "While I admit, its nice to know who exactly has powers and who doesn't, these Accords directly strip those individuals of any right they have for equal living opportunity. I'm sure the collective group knows that."
"These Accords are built to protect the common people against the potential destruction and life lost due to the weight of these conflicts," Ross said.
"Exactly," Tony said nearly cutting the man off. He reached up and took off his shaded glasses and set them down upon the paperwork in front of him. "And once documented these people would be labelled like dogs with a tracking device that acts more like a pet chip. Yes, I signed because I agree with the fact that we need supervision but these Accords provide no safety to those who have powers at all."
"No, it doesn't," one of the other officials said. A man in his late flurries in a simple black suit and tie who seemed to look more annoyed than anything else. "Because this specific Act was passed to regulate these people of power so that the common person can feel safe. With this Accord in mind the governments of the world will decide how to approach these conflicts."
"That's all one sided, which is where the flaw is that I would like to bring to the table. These Accords require that humans and otherwise that have powers -- or use technology to enhance themselves -- be revealed to the government they live under. Once known they become basically bound down for the entirety of their lives and likely forced into action whenever its decided to do so. Am I right?"
"That's correct, Mr. Stark," Thaddeus Ross said with an exasperated sigh.
"Then tell me... Are we slave drivers now?" Tony asked boldly. Moans and groans grew around the table and the billionaire held up his hand just draw their attention again. "Once revealed these people will be forced to wear trackers and live in a life of restriction. Whether they were born with it or came into the power, it doesn't matter. It could even be the government or military's fault that they have supernatural abilities but that doesn't matter either. They will basically be leashed like dogs by the government. Furthermore, they will only be allowed to act when the government decides to throw them into battle."
"These people will be regulated, because they have to be. They are dangerous because of their powers," Thaddeus said sternly. "Don't forget that you signed these accords."
"Yes, I did -- with my constitutional rights intact. And I fully admit that just in my line of operations I violate at least one little rule in here every day. Technically makes me a criminal, but do you know why you guys don't put me away? Because I pay literally to clean up all of your sh*t."
"Tony..." Pepper's voice came from just behind him. She could sense his anger even before his little explosion and her voice was enough for him to pause to calm down a bit.
"Let me make it clear here, Stark. You pay to clean up after the Avengers," Ross said sharply.
"No, I pay to clean up government operations in which the Avengers defended to the best of their ability. When the primped suits couldn't solve the problem, we did. As a result people were saved. Otherwise what would have happened if we stood down? How many people would have been killed because the military couldn't handle it? Now, you want to try to twist our arms with this? I don't think the political activists have what it takes to make the decision needed to save people when the time comes for action. There's too much concern about damage control--"
"Yes, there is," one of the other officials said, which brought the room to silence. "You're right, Mr. Stark. You do ride on the fine line of these Accords because of your AI systems becoming self aware. As well as your refusal to document what you work on in your work shop."
"My privacy rights and constitutional right to bear arms. Okay, and?" Tony asked in a sharp breath.
"And there will be no action taken toward amendment until there is coverage for damages."
"What about the personal safety of those with powers? You know there is a college dedicated to educating those with powers because they no longer feel safe among the general population?"
"If you're talking about Xavier's School for the Gifted, we already know about them. And we haven't moved on them yet because their X-Men are fighting against Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants. We don't know where the Brotherhood are hiding and so the X-Men seem to be the only line of defense. Let them separate themselves, Mr. Stark. That action would be fully welcomed rather than having the Accords amended," Ross said.
That hit a snag in Tony's plans. He knew that the college and the X-Men were currently untouched by the Sokovia Accords mainly because registration at the school was likely tracking enough. The individuals there were being educated as well as trained to control their abilities. Its likely going to change the way their lives work when they finally do track down the Brotherhood of Mutants. The moment that conflict comes to an end the government is going to come breathing down their necks too...
"While we're on the subject, Mr. Stark. Will you be submitting your new AI for documentation?" Ross asked.
"You know the answer on that one. FRIDAY is not for any operations but my own. I'm here to get the answers I need for my work -- which I got. So, I'm done for now," Tony said as he shifted to stand, slipping his glasses back on.
"You called this meeting and you aren't going to finish?" one of the other officials asked.
"Oh, we are finished gentlemen. You made it clear that this is about damage and not the moral rights of the people. FRIDAY, you have a copy of that camera footage?"
"Recorded in real time and archived away, sir," the AI's voice echoed from Tony's suit jacket clip just over the chest pocket.
"Then hold it. Its proof that the United Nations is perfectly fine with violating constitutional rights among other things. I'm not done working on this, guys. We're going to meet again soon," Tony said with a smile as he stepped away with his folder toward where Pepper stood next to Happy by the door.
"Get back here, Stark! You can't expect to walk away after violating the accords right here in a government setting!" Ross said as he shifted to stand. Instantly the other officials started to groan to have him stand down, which Tony looked to each of them. He knew where he stood in the room and what direction to go from here. "You'll be a criminal for violating the accords."
"And who's going to put me away? You? You're lucky I still pay for your sh*t, since I'm the only suit in the room with raw experience in the field. You want to put me away then you might want to count your losses, Rossy."
With that said, Tony stepped out with Pepper and Happy following. This fight was far from over... and Tony had an idea where to go from here. He knew who would have the most appreciation for his efforts on the radar instead of under it. One thing was for sure -- Anthony "Tony" Stark wouldn't stop until these damn accords were amended and he could have the people he cared about back in his life.
He needed the Avengers back in his life...
