Military Probing (Part 2)

As the senator finished speaking, Tony looked behind him in surprise and shouted, "Rhodey, what?"

Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes walked in slowly from behind, under everyone's gaze.

Charlotte also turned around and looked back at the lieutenant colonel in front of her. Hey, they hadn't changed anyone.

Tony stood up and took a few steps toward Rhodey, shaking his hand and saying, "Brother, I didn't expect you to come."

"It's me, I'm here. Accept the facts."

"Let's continue."

Rhodey then walked to the far end of the audience section and sat down.

The senator continued, "This is Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes' complete report on Iron Man's weapons."

"Lieutenant Colonel, please read paragraph 4 on page 57."

Rhodey, speaking into the microphone with some surprise, said, "You want me to read a specific paragraph from the report?"

"Yes."

Rhodey glanced at Tony beside him, then said, "I thought I was here to give a complete and detailed report."

The senator sitting on the stage smiled and said, "I understand, but there are many variables today."

Holding the report in his hand, Rhodey said with some displeasure, "If you've read it, you should know that reading out a specific paragraph doesn't represent the completeness of my report."

"I know, please read it aloud, Lieutenant Colonel, thank you."

Rhodey took a deep breath. "Okay!"

He then turned to a specific page in the report and said, "Iron Man is not affiliated with any government agency, therefore he poses a threat to national security and interests."

"But my conclusion is that the advantages of Iron Man far outweigh the disadvantages..."

Before Rhodey could finish speaking, the senator on the stage interrupted him, saying, "Enough."

Ignoring the senator's words, Rhodey continued, "That's why we're interested in bringing Mr. Stark into the military command structure."

The senator interrupted again, "Enough!"

Tony then spoke up, "I don't like joining any system, but I could consider being the Department of Defense; I could work fewer hours."

Tony's words drew laughter from the audience again, while Rhodey picked up his water glass and took a sip to demonstrate his embarrassment.

The senator continued, "I'd like to play the video from your report."

Rhodey refused, saying, "I don't think it's the right time to release these videos to the public."

"I understand, Lieutenant Colonel."

"But we would be very grateful if you could explain these films."

Hearing the senator say this, Rhodey said helplessly, "Pull up the video."

Soon, the electronic screen next to them began to play a video.

"Intelligence indicates that the devices in these videos are actually counterfeit versions of Mr. Stark's Iron Man Armor."

"This has been confirmed by our allies and ground intelligence units."

"These Iron Man Armor are likely usable now."

While watching the video, Tony took out his phone, fiddled with it for a bit, and then interrupted, saying:

"Wait a minute, let me see."

As he spoke, Tony pointed his phone at the electronic screen in front of him, and soon program code popped up on the screen, then quickly updated something.

"I control your screens, I need them."

"It's time to make everything transparent."

"Let's see what's going on here?"

Seeing this, the senator on the platform asked, "What is he doing?"

Tony said while operating his phone, "Please look at the screen. I believe that's North Korea."

Soon, the screen showed a steel-clad, mentally challenged machine being tested. It couldn't even walk properly, and after falling, it suddenly opened fire, injuring some of the testing personnel.

The senator on the stage quickly said to Justin Hammer in the audience, "Can you turn it off? Turn it off now."

Justin Hammer also sensed something was wrong and quickly got up and walked towards the electronic screen.

Tony, who was standing nearby, wasn't about to let this opportunity to embarrass the other person slip by, and immediately updated with another video.

"This is Iran."

"There's no urgent or serious danger. Is that Justin Hammer?"

"Why is he making counterfeit goods too?"

"Justin, you're on TV! Watch closely!"

In the video, Justin is inspecting an Iron Man armor when the robot twists its own back and breaks itself.

The room erupted in laughter, while Justin walked up to the electronic screen, grabbing the Nexus video cable and shouting, "Where's the plug? Where's the plug?"

Justin quickly found the plug and then completely turned off the electronic screen.

The entire room erupted in uproar, and the hearing lost its seriousness.

At this point, Tony spoke up, "Most countries will need 5 to 10 years, Hammer Industries will need at least 20 years."

Justin Hammer quickly ran back to his seat and said, "If I may point out, the pilot is not dead."

The senator gratefully intervened, saying, "I think we've seen enough; he's proven his point."

"I don't think this proves..."

Tony interrupted, "I guess all I can say is, you're welcome."

"What's the meaning."

"I can deter nuclear war. Iron Man is very useful. We are safe. United States is safe."

"Don't even think about getting my product."

"But I've done you a huge favor; I can maintain world peace all by myself."

As he spoke, Tony stood up and turned to the hearing officers behind him.

At this moment, everyone stood up and applauded Tony.

"What else do you want from me? This is how it is now."

Tony then turned and pointed to the congressmen on the stage. "I'm trying to work with those Joker."

When the senator saw Tony call him Joker, he also cursed in public, saying, "Fuck you, Mr. Stark."

Tony picked up his sunglasses from the table and said with a smile, "Well, you're such a ray of sunshine."

"Listen carefully, I'm doing all this for the people, and I'm serving the country based on my own enjoyment."

"If I've proven anything to the world, it's that you can absolutely trust me and be happy with yourself."

"Now, is everything settled? The hearing is adjourned."

Charlotte and Rhodey both smiled as they watched Tony's performance, but Justin Hammer's expression was not so good.

At this moment, the senator on the stage picked up a small Hammer and pounded it hard on the table a few times.

"Knock knock knock!"

The loud noise silenced the scene.

"Okay, that concludes the discussion regarding Mr. Tony Stark's claim that Iron Man is a weapon for now."

"But there's also the content of the second hearing today."

"Please be quiet now."

Upon hearing that there would be a second hearing, Tony paused, stopping his impending departure and instead returning to his seat. He wanted to see what these Joker were up to next.

At this moment, the doors to the military committee hearing were opened, and a group of soldiers walked in. They stood on both sides of the venue, fully armed, and ordered the media present to shut down their live broadcasts.

After all the live broadcasts were turned off, General Ross walked in and sat in the front row of the hearing room.

"This is the second hearing concerning Mr. Charlotte Doyle."

Charlotte was taken aback when she heard her name called. She had assumed she was just there to watch a show or to testify, so she hadn't bothered to read the court summons. She never expected to be the main character in it all.

Tony also looked at Charlotte with surprise, but when he saw Ross walk in, he seemed to realize something.

"Mr. Charlotte Doyle, is Stark Industries conducting research on Super Soldier Serum?"

Charlotte glanced at the senator on the stage, her brow furrowing slightly. She then looked at General Ross, who had walked in and was sitting to the side, before speaking, "I haven't seen any research experiments or related financial expenditures related to the Super Soldier Serum in the company's financial reports."

"Of course, I'm just an individual shareholder of the company. This kind of thing should be confirmed with Stark Industries ' chairman, Stark, or CEO Pepper Potts."

Tony picked up the microphone and said, "Stark Industries has not conducted research and development on the Super Soldier Serum."

The senator ignored their conversation and said, "General Ross, the military has several videos; could you please release them?"

By this time, the staff below the stage had already connected the power to the electronic screen. General Ross nodded and then ordered his soldiers to play the video.

Ross's presence at this hearing was also due to the fact that S.H.I.E.L.D.. had not received Abomination's body from him during this period, and Ross, in order to cover up the losses he had caused, had the Pentagon focus its attention on Charlotte.

After all, this is something far more powerful than the Abomination, and unlike the previous Hulk and Abomination, it is not uncontrollable and does not act as if it has lost its mind.

This is a powerful individual whose mind has not been affected, and Charlotte is not the only one who has undergone such a change. If the military could control such power, even without considering the entire army, just a small combat squad would be able to make other countries submit to the United States.

As the video played, footage of Charlotte defeating the Abomination was shown. Unlike previous media reports, this video had been edited to be clearer and more convincing, confirming that the fighter was indeed Charlotte Doyle.

The people present, looking at Charlotte Doyle on the video and then at her in person sitting in the hearing box, could hardly believe that physical strength was so powerful.

"Mr. Charlotte Doyle, is your immense strength due to your participation in Stark Industries ' secret experiments?"

"After all, Mr. Howard was also involved in creating the Enhancement Serum that made Captain America he is."

"If your power didn't come from the Super Soldier Serum researched by Stark Industries, then where did it come from?"

The senator's two sentences, however, hit the nail on the head: either your power comes from the Super Soldier Serum researched by Stark Industries, or if you admit this, the military will find a way to get what it wants from Stark Industries.

If not, then you must clearly explain where your power comes from.

"Please answer my question, Mr. Charlotte Doyle."

Charlotte gave a mocking smile, "I am a shareholder of Stark Industries, but that doesn't mean Stark Industries made me who I am."

"Stark Industries did not research the Super Soldier Serum Super Soldier Serum; on the contrary, it was other people who researched it and caused quite a bit of trouble."

"Am I wrong, General Ross?"

Upon hearing Charlotte's words, the crowd erupted in commotion, their gazes shifting back and forth between Charlotte and Ross.

Ross's expression remained unchanged; he sat calmly in the hearing seat, without uttering a word.

The senator on the platform spoke again, "Mr. Charlotte, you still haven't answered how you acquired such great power."

At this moment, Charlotte stood up, looked at the senator on the stage, and said, "I have no obligation to tell you how I obtained this power."

"But since you're so interested, I can tell you frankly."

"I haven't received any Super Soldier Serum injections; this power is entirely from my own cultivation."

The senator began, "I don't believe that so-called spiritual practice can grant such power. I suspect you obtained this power through illegal experiments, injecting unapproved Super Soldier Serum."

"If it's proven that this wasn't the case, we need to give you a full-body examination to determine if you are suitable for the experiment."

Upon hearing the senator's words, Charlotte understood that this group was waiting for her here, wanting her to undergo their testing. They would draw blood and conduct some experiments, which would be quite interesting.

If we create clones or replicants, then the problem will be much bigger.

"No state law requires its citizens to undergo your testing."

"Your suspicion is not a necessary factor for me to undergo examination."

"Senator, I have reason to suspect that you are a genetically mutated alien. May I ask if you could come to Charlotte Agency for a physical examination?"

Charlotte's words caused everyone present to burst into laughter.

"Citizens' property is sacred and inviolable."

"My strength, my body, are my property. How dare you infringe upon my property?"

Tony, who was sitting next to him, chimed in, "This is absolutely hilarious."

"Stark Industries has not developed the Super Soldier Serum, and even if we did, it's not something you can spy on."

"You also have no right to demand that anyone undergo a physical examination without cause."

"Bullshit, I actually attended a bunch of Joker' bullshit meeting, it was a complete waste of my time."

After speaking, Tony stood up and gestured for Pepper Potts Ginny, and the others behind him to leave together.

Seeing Tony get up to leave, Charlotte also stood up and said, "If you think I've broken any laws, you can come to me with the police and an arrest warrant."

"But don't test other people's intelligence like this. It makes me wonder if our taxpayers' money is being wasted by idiots like you."

After speaking, Charlotte left the hearing room without lingering.

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