Mark II as a Gift, Hammer and Vanko Join Forces

S.H.I.E.L.D.

Listening to Aaron's vivid speech over the radio, Nick Fury silently raised his threat level by several ranks.

Calm, decisive, rational, coupled with his Divination ability and that so-called Regenerator ability... Fortunately, he was controllable. Otherwise, he would be a huge problem.

"Director." Coulson looked conflicted. "I contacted the agents in Monaco. There really was an incident at the prison. Ivan Vanko was blown to death.

The serial number on the corpse's clothes, blood type, and even the remaining fingerprints all matched Ivan Vanko exactly. It was just badly damaged by the explosion, with severe burns to the face, making identification difficult."

"Motherfucker! He really called it." Nick Fury cursed. "We still don't know who broke him out, do we?"

"It will take time. There are far too many possibilities."

"Forget it. Don't waste time on this. He'll show himself sooner or later." Nick Fury waved a hand. "Is it ready?"

"It's ready." Coulson looked at a box beside him. A name was printed on it: Howard Stark. "Should we deliver it now?"

"Wait for Natasha's message. Then you and I will go together and meet S.H.I.E.L.D.'s pharmacist while we're at it."

Stark's seaside villa, laboratory.

Tony looked over the information on Ivan Vanko displayed by J.A.R.V.I.S. on the screen, but the available details were extremely limited. He could not even figure out why Vanko and Stark had become enemies.

After all, it had happened decades ago. It was not so easy to investigate.

Meanwhile, Aaron had opened a two-million-dollar bottle of wine and lazily sprawled across the couch, watching television.

He had to admit, those senators had truly mastered the art of mocking people without using a single curse word.

"Tony." Rhodey hurried over. "Thank God you came to me on your own.

Listen to me. You