A Politician's Moral Bottom Line: A Taste of Living on Edge

On Stark's private jet.

Aaron watched the scenery outside the window, feeling the white clouds drift past him as his mood gradually calmed.

"Did you figure anything out?" Tony asked impatiently.

"A little, but let's wait until Miss Potts gets here."

"Is that necessary?"

"Yes, I think it's absolutely necessary." Pepper walked in. "Tony, you can't keep everything from me. It makes me... very tired."

"Fine! It's not like I can keep it hidden anymore."

"Mr. Gaius, this is what you asked for." Natalie pushed a whiteboard into the cabin.

"Thank you." Aaron spoke politely. "But what I'm about to discuss is fairly confidential. Could you please step out first?"

"Of course, no problem." Natalie turned and left without hesitation.

"You're not planning to lecture me with that thing, are you?" Tony rolled his eyes irritably. "It feels like we're back in kindergarten. This is an insult to my intelligence."

Aaron paused, then silently gave Tony a thumbs-up. "It's my habit, but I really do want to applaud you. What you just said was basically pointing at everyone in this cabin and saying that everyone here is trash.

"Of course, you and I are standing."

Tony froze for a moment, then turned to Pepper. "That's not what I meant. I meant he could use more advanced equipment."

"Say no more." Pepper gave an awkward laugh. "I understand. Geniuses are just that impressive."

"Ahem!" Aaron coughed. "During those five minutes in the visitation room, I analyzed some information."

"First, Vanko—the man who attacked Tony Stark—has a father."

"You needed to analyze that?"

Ignoring him, Aaron continued, "When he said, 'You're alive because of my father,' his eyes were fixed on the Arc Reactor in your chest.

"From that detail, we can be certain that the Arc Reactor has a deep connection