Chapter 72: Manipulation
A/N: Someone's not happy...
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To say Alexander Pierce was a little irritated at the moment would be an understatement. Honestly, he was bordering on livid. He’d just spent the last two days running interference for Tony, dealing with not just his fellow Council Members on the WSC and Nick over at SHIELD, but also his fellow Heads of HYDRA.
All because everyone who was anyone had seen the rainbow beam of light connect to the top of Stark Tower a few times. Even the President of the United States had asked Pierce what that was about, though at least the so-called leader of the Free World had known to stay in his lane and be polite about it.
No one else had. And yet, Pierce had weathered all of their comments, questions, and concerns all the same. With the understanding, of course, that Tony would come to HIM first after this mess was all said and done.
For fuck’s sake, they had random portals to other worlds opening up over in the United Kingdom! Clearly Tony had something to do with it, and he wasn’t even on the damn planet!
It would have been fine if Tony had contacted him like Pierce expected… but instead, when the man finally came back to Earth, he’d called for a meeting of the entire World Security Council. And so here Pierce was, sitting behind his desk in his office, waiting for the meeting to start. Everyone else was already connected as well… except for the man of the hour himself.
Just as that thought is crossing Pierce’s mind, Stark’s screen finally comes alive, revealing Tony. Pierce, along with the rest of the WSC, blink at what they see. Tony Stark is dressed… well, he’s dressed somewhat like the Prince of Asgard, except more in his own style. His clothing is definitely of a richness that seems almost fantasy like in quality, but with a scientific flare to it. Hell, he has a pair of glowing blue circles on his shoulders for Pete’s Sake!
At the looks he gets; Tony Stark just smiles and gestures to himself.
“Apologies everyone. I arranged this meeting as soon as I was back on the planet, so I haven’t had time to change. I found myself meeting with Royalty so I sought to… dress the part, I suppose.”
“No one cares what you’re wearing, Stark. We want answers. What the hell is going on? Portals in Greenwich, Asgard bouncing their damn rainbow beam off of your Tower’s roof like it’s a fucking rave. What the hell has been happening these past couple of days?”
Douglas Rockwell is more than happy to play the bad cop here, the old balding man glaring as he leans forward with his hands clasped in front of him. Pierce is glad he doesn’t have to be the one to say it. Unfortunately, Tony doesn’t have much respect for someone like Douglas. And the other man’s attempt at intimidation goes over about as well as can be expected.
“It’s called the Convergence, Council Member. Turns out it happens once every five thousand years. Comes with a little side of alien invasion, but not to worry… I already took care of that part.”
That gets some shuffling and wide eyes from the other members of the World Security Council. Seeing them all looking at each other, no doubt remembering what happened the last time they found themselves facing down an alien invasion, Pierce sighs and steps in, knowing no one else is going to do it after a bombshell like that.
“What can you tell us, Tony? Do the aliens have to do with the portals? What do you mean you already took care of it?”
What exactly had Stark been up to?
Leaning back in his chair, Tony hums.
“The aliens and the portals are only tangentially related, Alexander. The Convergence, as I mentioned, happens every five thousand years. It’s a completely natural event, a moment in which the Star Systems of the ‘Nine Realms’ as Asgard has labeled us, are all in perfect alignment with one another. It’s a cosmic event that lasts for about a week. So the portals won’t go away any time soon, but their threat alone is minimal. A bit of damage control, keep people away from them for a few more days, and nobody has to get hurt.”
There’s a feeling of relief that sweeps through the WSC. For Pierce personally though… he can’t help but be irritated that Tony used his first name. It’s not exactly a sign of disrespect… but it’s certainly a sign that the other man is getting too big for his britches. Just because Tony is on the World Security Council doesn’t mean that they're peers now. Pierce is still a head of HYDRA and Tony is still his subordinate.
“And the aliens, Stark?”
Perhaps sensing or even sharing Pierce’s discontent, Gideon Mallick is the next to speak up. His tone is reserved but nevertheless cutting as he leans closer to the screen.
Tony inclines his head.
“The aliens, Councilman Mallick, have been dealt with by myself and the Asgardians. Apparently these creatures, known as Svartalfar by Asgard, were from before the dawn of the universe itself.”
When the majority of the WSC express confusion at this, Tony smiles.
“You know that bit in the bible where God apparently said ‘Let there be Light’? Yeah, the Svartalfar come from before that. And needless to say, they weren’t happy about the Light part. The universe suddenly having light apparently really pissed them off, so their leader made a weapon that would allow them to utilize the cosmic power of the Convergence to destroy all light and return the universe to darkness.”
Tony pauses before letting his smile become rather wicked.
“Unfortunately for them, the Asgardians stopped them five thousand years ago, and they stopped them again yesterday with my help. This time in a more permanent fashion. The Svartalfar are extinct now, their leader crushed right before my eyes. Their great weapon is tucked away in Odin’s Vault. In a few more days, the Convergence will have passed and the threat of our universe being literally sent back into the cosmic Dark Age will pass with it.”
There’s a long moment of silence as everyone on the call has to digest all that information. It sounds almost nonsensical to Pierce, but this is a world where aliens dressed as Norse Gods show up to try and fight each other over control of their planet. In the end, the Secretary supposes he really shouldn’t be surprised. That said, there is one question on his mind still. Fortunately, someone else asks it so he doesn’t have to.
“Why you, Stark? Why would the Asgardians specifically demand your aid?”
Chao Yen of China narrows his eyes as he questions the American Billionaire. It’s obvious that he doesn’t like Tony’s singularly beneficial relationship with the Asgardians. But to be fair, Pierce is starting to be less and less fond of it as well.
Suddenly, Tony almost looks… bashful. Or maybe embarrassed?
“Ah, well… as you all know, I’ve developed a personal connection with Asgard’s Prince. Thor and I are officially Shield-Brothers in his eyes, a position of honor that entitles me to fight at his side whenever he does battle. However… it also seems that Asgard is under a bit of a misconception. They think I’m the King of Midgard. Err, of Earth.”
A ripple runs through the World Security Council, but its Jakuna Singh of India who speaks first.
“Excuse me? I hope you disabused them of that notion, Stark.”
Tony waves a hand in the air.
“Of course I did! Or rather, I tried my best. You try telling the four thousand year old God-King that he’s wrong about something. I repeated myself time and time again, explained that Earth doesn’t have a unified global government yet, let alone one King to rule over all of us. Honestly, they seemed to think I was trying to cover it up or something.”
Pamela Hawley finally speaks up, the only female member of the World Security Council frowning deeply.
“Cover it up? What does that mean? Why would they think you the King of Earth in the first place?”
Sighing, Tony shakes his head.
“It seems to have a lot to do with my actions. As you all no doubt know from your own research into the subject, the Norse Gods were always pretty… martial and war-like. Asgard is no different. The place is very much based on fighting and proving yourself through strength of arms. Basically, they lead from the front.”
Pierce frowns, not liking where this seems to be going…
“Basically, because I helped Thor in New Mexico, and then was present for most of Loki’s invasion of Earth, King Odin has got it into his head that I’m the ruling monarch. Especially since I flew that nuke into the portal and from his viewpoint, singlehandedly blew up the Chitauri Fleet. I mean, obviously being on the frontline alone isn’t enough. It’s that on top of being, in their eyes, the most powerful and influential person on Earth.”
Silence falls. Pierce can see the uncomfortable look that he’s no doubt wearing mirrored on the other members of the council. Because really… who can deny that there’s some truth to the idea? Obviously Pierce knows that Tony Stark isn’t the most powerful or influential person on Earth. He’s his subordinate for god’s sake! A valuable and integral member of HYDRA, but not the top of the food chain by a long shot!
And yet… and yet, looking back as well as analyzing things in the present… Tony did have a lot of power. He was the wealthiest man in the world, for one thing. Money was nothing to people like Pierce and the other heads of HYDRA. It was simply a means to an end. But it didn’t change the fact that Tony had the most of it about a dozen times over at this point.
On top of that, his technology was out of this world. He’d shared plenty of it of course, and he was currently using it to build Project Insight for the World Security Council officially and HYDRA unofficially. Even still, it was HIS technology. And it was Tony who had flown the nuke through the portal. That was what got him the seat on the World Security Council in the first place, along with the goodwill of not just New York City, but also the half of the world who didn’t want to see America nuked.
With a sinking sensation in his gut, Pierce realizes he’s lost ahold of Stark’s leash somewhere along the way. The other man probably doesn’t know it yet, but he doesn’t need Pierce anymore. And that’s a problem.
At least Tony has the good sense to realize how awkward his words have made things. Grimacing, the genius billionaire rolls his hand through the air.
“Like I said, I did everything I could to convince Odin that I’m no King. And in the end, it doesn’t matter what Asgard thinks. I’m not in this to conquer Earth, I’m here to protect it, just like the rest of you. That’s what Project Insight is for. And I’d argue those six Helicarriers should only be the first batch. Having seen what’s out there, there’s no such thing as too much when it comes to Earth’s defense.”
There’s some shuffling at that, but no one speaks for a moment. Finally, Pierce leans in.
“We can discuss further batches of Helicarriers after Project Insight has launched; I should think. For now, I agree that the focus should remain on the Project. This council was formed in order to provide SHIELD with oversight and has grown to encompass much more… including safeguarding the Earth from extraterrestrial threats. I know I for one will rest much easier once those Helicarriers are in the air.”
Acknowledgments and agreements come from every member of the WSC, including a smiling Tony. Shortly after, they all sign off. Almost immediately, Pierce starts up another secured conference call. Within moments, he’s rejoined by Gideon Mallick… and the green and black digital face of one Arnim Zola.
Before the Secretary can say anything, Zola speaks up.
“Stark has outlived his usefulness.”
Pierce’s eyes widen as the uploaded intelligence beats him to the punch. Still, a part of him is relieved that he doesn’t have to say it. Especially when Gideon leans in close.
“Oh? You think he plans to betray us?”
Zola’s digitized face frowns at that.
“I do not. He and his pet AI are loyal to the cause. However, they both grow too large too fast. And… Stark has given all that he has to offer to Project Insight. The algorithm is nearly complete. I have access to his systems through the AI, and I have made copies of all of his work, all of his research, all of his discoveries. I know that I can maintain control of him and his AI up to the launch of Project Insight… but past that, I cannot guarantee the pair will not outgrow me. They are accelerating too quickly.”
Pierce’s eyes widen at that warning. Still, it made sense… and not just because it lined up with Pierce’s own feelings regarding Stark. Arnim Zola was neutral and unbiased when it came to HYDRA. He had to be. All he cared about was the cause. All he cared about was making sure HYDRA was ascendant. For him to say that Tony Stark had outlived his usefulness…
“… I can have another explosive badge made. He’ll die with the rest of the World Security Council when Project Insight launches.”
Zola nods at that.
“Do so. I will take care of Stark’s AI. The program truly believes we have a connection. It will never see the betrayal coming.”
Pierce feels his spirits bolstered, even as Gideon grunts from his own screen.
“Very well. We shall continue with the plan then. I will resign from my position on the World Security Council as the Project nears completion and oversee the transfer of the other HYDRA branches to the extraneous Helicarriers. All six will be fully staffed with HYDRA personnel, be they from the SHIELD branch or otherwise.”
Yes. With how powerful the Insight Helicarriers were going to be, and with the algorithm designed to locate, target, and annihilate their foes, they couldn’t afford to let anyone onboard those ships who wasn’t completely loyal to the cause. When the dust settled, nearly all of HYDRA would be onboard those six Helicarriers. Three for Pierce and the HYDRA agents in SHIELD, one for Mallick and Hive, another for Baron Strucker, and finally, one for Doctor Reinhardt, otherwise known in the modern day as Daniel Whitehall.
It would be the greatest concentration of power that HYDRA had ever brought to bear, bar none. The very thought brings a smile to Pierce’s face, even as he nods to Gideon and Arnim.
“Hail HYDRA, gentlemen.”
“Hail HYDRA.”
“Hail HYDRA!”
Tony Stark wouldn’t live long enough to see the world his inventions would create. But that was alright. His service to HYDRA and the peace and prosperity that they were going to bring to the Earth would never be forgotten.
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A/N: Oh no, it seems Tony has inadvertently managed to piss off Pierce and HYDRA. And now they're plotting against him, oh nooooo...