Iron Man's Dilemma (Part 1)
In the president's view, although Hawking saved the world and defeated the arrogant Apocalypse and Magneto could reverse the world's magnetic field, he still had a significant influence on the world.
However, that battle was between Hawking and two Mutants. It looked impressive, but it was difficult to assess just how impressive it was, as there was no particular standard of measurement.
The main reason is that, as an ordinary person, he couldn't understand it.
Until the video showed Hawking catching a sniper bullet with his bare hands, shooting lasers from his eyes and taking down an armed helicopter, flicking his tail and causing a building to collapse, and then clasping his hands together to capture the entire army.
Only then did he truly understand how terrifying Hawking was.
He's practically invincible, just like Superman in the comics. And Hawking, this Saiyan Superman, isn't as easy to fool as the Superman in the comics. If you really offend him, he'll kill you.
"By the way, what about S.H.I.E.L.D..? What did Nick Fury say?"
At that moment, the president suddenly thought of S.H.I.E.L.D. that handles such matters.
The Minister of Defense gave a wry smile:
"I contacted Director Fury about Hawking a long time ago."
He said that S.H.I.E.L.D..'s strength was greatly diminished due to Hydra, and even if Captain Marvel, Captain Carter, and his agents were all combined, they wouldn't be confident of defeating Hawking.
Moreover, Hawking also had many powerful individuals under his command.
He hoped the government could increase S.H.I.E.L.D..'s budget so that S.H.I.E.L.D. could quickly recover its strength and be able to handle someone as powerful as Hawking.
"They want a budget again, but the budget we've given them isn't enough?"
The combined annual budgets of the CIA and FBI don't even equal that of S.H.I.E.L.D.., and doesn't it also receive budgets from other countries?
The president was immediately displeased when he heard that the budget was going to be increased again.
The annual budget is fixed; if more is given to S.H.I.E.L.D.., other departments will protest.
"So, I heard that Hawking is holding some kind of World's Greatest Ability User Tournament. You should have Nick Fury send people from S.H.I.E.L.D.. to participate as well."
"If their people can demonstrate the ability to rival Hawking in this competition, then I'll increase their budget."
"Alright, what should we do with General Ross?"
The Minister of Defense nodded.
The president said irritably:
"Do what needs to be done. Don't let Hawking find fault with us again. I don't want him to threaten me a second time."
Meanwhile, inside the Stark family's oceanfront mansion.
After letting the machine shed its Iron Man Armor, Tony took out the finest wine from his cellar and chatted with Hawking.
"Are you really from outer space? What level of technology do you have?"
"I'm not an alien. I just thought it was funny and said it casually. I didn't expect even the president to believe it."
Hawking took the wine and shrugged.
The lie about aliens, which was originally intended to lure out the enemy, is no longer needed by him.
So he didn't hide anything from his friends, and everyone at school knew he wasn't an alien at all.
He had no reason to lie to Tony Stark.
Tony was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing:
"That's really interesting. You're really interesting. I really want to see the expressions on the President's and the Minister of Defense when they find out you're not an alien. It would be very interesting."
Although he often had to deal with high-ranking government officials because of his company, he didn't really like those hypocritical politicians.
Hawking's behavior did not offend him; on the contrary, he felt that he had found a kindred spirit, someone who was also an interesting person.
"By the way, just now at the White House, I thought the Minister of Defense seemed interested in buying your Iron Man Armor?"
Hawking deliberately asked the question.
It's the end of 2005 now. For some reason, Tony invented the Iron Man Armor ahead of schedule, so he no longer has the experience of being kidnapped by the Ten Rings.
He wasn't kidnapped by the Ten Rings, Yinsen didn't die, and he didn't witness his own weapons being used by terrorists to Carnage civilians.
At this point, Tony had not yet become the real Iron Man; he was just a playboy who wore the Iron Man Armor and showed off everywhere.
Therefore, it is possible that he sold the Iron Man Armor to the military.
"Yes, but I haven't thought about it yet."
Tony, looking exasperated, downed his glass of red wine, then turned to Hawking and asked:
"Hawking, do you think I should sell the Iron Man Armor to the military as a commodity?"
He was indeed very conflicted about this matter.
Given his personality, he rarely struggles to make a decision about something.
Compared to the other weapons he invented, the Iron Man Armor held a somewhat different significance for him.
This suit was invented by him based on the inspiration of the Hydra Stomper invented by his father. It was a personal item that he tailored to himself, and he also got the title of "Iron Man" because of it.
If the suits were sold to the military, everyone would be Iron Man.
But if he doesn't sell, Obadiah Stane and the military will certainly object, which is fine; he's never been the type to be forced.
However, his initial motivation for researching weapons was to arm the country's army and defend his own country.
Now that such a powerful weapon as the Iron Man Armor has been invented, not selling it to the country would go against our original intentions.
So he wanted to ask Hawking, someone he felt he got along with very well and who had his own ideas, for his opinion.
"Tony, are you short of money?"
Hawking swirled the red wine in his hand.
"Of course not. There shouldn't be any company in the world richer than Stark Industries. Even your Heroes Alliance Company is still far behind."
Tony thought for a moment and then understood what Hawking meant.
"My dilemma isn't about money, but about my original intention, which I just mentioned at the White House."
Hawking smiled upon hearing this, but instead of giving an answer immediately, he began to recount his own experiences:
"I lived in Sokovia before I came to New York."
Five years ago, during the Sokovia Civil War, countless Sokovia died in that battle, including young soldiers who had just come of age, innocent elderly people, women, children, and even infants.
I also lost all my relatives in that war and was adopted by my current family.
And you may not know that almost every single one of those missiles that killed the elderly, children, and infants bore the Stark Industries logo; they were all invented by you.
"That's impossible. How could the Civil War in Sokovia have been fought entirely with missiles from our Stark Industries? Our missiles are sold to the military, never to other countries or powers."
Moreover, the military is used to deal with terrorists and protect the country.
Is there some misunderstanding here?
Upon hearing Hawking's words, Tony immediately glared and retorted, not really believing what Hawking was saying.