Tony Heads to Afghanistan

Evening, United States, Nevada, Las Vegas.

As the city lights came on, this city steeped in decadence was only just waking up.

At an upscale venue in the city, the annual United States Apogee Award ceremony was underway. Beneath the stage, impeccably dressed political officials, military representatives, tech giants, and social elites had gathered together.

Onstage, a Black officer in a U.S. Air Force uniform was delivering a speech in a calm, powerful voice.

He was James Rhodes, Tony Stark's classmate from MIT and one of the few people who could be called Tony's friend.

"...The cutting-edge weapons systems he developed, especially the Jericho missile, have redefined the standards of modern warfare. They are a new cornerstone for safeguarding our national security and global interests. Tonight, we gather not only to honor an unparalleled genius, but also to pay tribute to a true patriot..."

As the speech drew to a close, Rhodey's gaze, along with the venue's spotlights, shifted toward the seat reserved for the evening's guest of honor.

What met his eyes, however, was an empty chair.

Rhodey paused, and the practiced smile on his face stiffened slightly. Instinctively, he looked toward the bald man beside him—Obadiah Stane, a Stark Industries veteran, Tony's father's old friend, and Tony's nominal "uncle."

Facing Rhodey's questioning look, Obadiah gave a tiny shake of his head. Perhaps it meant, "I don't know where he ran off to either," or perhaps it meant, "He's always this unreliable. There's nothing I can do about it."

But regardless, one thing was clear: Tony Stark had stood up his own award ceremony.

To keep the situation from becoming completely awkward and to give the guests below an explanation, Obadiah rose and walked onto the stage.

He accepted the crystal trophy Rhodey handed him, which should have belonged