Space Station.
Mark was watching Tony's speech on a news program through a holographic projection.
"...I've seen many young Americans killed by the very weapons I made to protect them."
"What happened to me over the past three months made me realize I could have done something more meaningful than make weapons that explode and kill people."
"So, as president of Stark Industries, I'm announcing the permanent closure of its weapons division, effective immediately!"
The reporters erupted as soon as he finished speaking.
"Mr. Stark, are you serious?"
"A weapons company that won't make weapons anymore? You have to be joking!"
The reporters leaped to their feet and bombarded Tony with questions, unable to believe what they had heard.
Obadiah hurried onto the stage, wrapped an arm around Tony's shoulders, and dragged him away from the podium.
"My apologies, everyone. Tony was only joking! We'll discuss this in a meeting when we get back and let you know the outcome afterward."
With that brief statement to the reporters, Obadiah hurried Tony away.
Despite Obadiah's efforts to smooth things over, the broadcast sparked a fierce public debate across the Federation.
Major television networks, newspapers, and news sites were unanimous in their bleak predictions for Stark Group.
CBS: "The press conference that just ended has shaken the entire American financial sector! As the U.S. military's most important arms supplier, Stark Industries has chosen to abandon weapons manufacturing. That's tantamount to digging its own grave. Major Wall Street firms are already preparing to sell their Stark Industries shares."
ABC: "Tony Stark's decision is deeply irresponsible! Closing Stark Industries' weapons division will put at least several thousand employees out of work, and many people who own its stock could be ruined."
NBC: "Eighty percent of Stark Industries' profits come from the military's annual weapons