My Technology, No One Can Take It Away

Washington, D.C.

Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing

Ten Minutes Earlier

Outside the Capitol Building, crowds surged.

Reporters held up cameras and microphones, sealing off the entrance.

Camera flashes erupted one after another, their glaring white light still conspicuous beneath the morning sun.

"Senator Stern! What are your thoughts on Stark Industries' armored suit technology?" A CNN reporter fought his way to the front and thrust his microphone toward Stern, who was walking toward the entrance.

Stern stopped, adjusted his tie, and wore the trademark smile of a politician. "National security is no laughing matter. Any weapons technology that could threaten public safety must be regulated."

"But Mr. Stark insists that his armor isn't a weapon," the reporter pressed. "What do you think?"

Stern's smile stiffened slightly. "When someone can freely fly over New York in armor and even engage in combat, it is difficult not to define it as a weapon."

Not far away, Hammer was surrounded by a group of reporters.

He wore a perfectly tailored silver suit, his hair slicked to a shine, looking every bit like a peacock spreading its feathers.

"Mr. Hammer, as a technical expert attending today's hearing, do you believe Iron Man's armor should be classified as a military weapon?"

Hammer spread his hands theatrically. "My dear friends, is that even a question? Just look at those videos.

Repulsors, miniature missiles, laser-cutting systems. If those aren't weapons, then my pen is a dove of peace!"

The reporters burst into laughter.

Just then, the roar of an engine approached from afar.

A silver-gray Audi R8 drifted beautifully to a stop at the foot of the Capitol Building's steps.

The door slowly lifted upward, and Tony Stark stepped out, a roguish smile on his lips beneath his sunglasses.

The reporters immediately changed direction and swarmed toward Tony.

"Mr. Stark! What preparations have you made for today's hearing?"

"It's said the military wants to requisition your armor technology. Will you compromise?"

Tony took off his sunglasses, revealing his signature cocky grin. "Relax, friends. I'm just here for coffee."

He pointed at the Capitol Building. "I heard their Blue Mountain coffee is pretty good."

"Aren't you worried your armor technology will be forcibly nationalized?" a reporter shouted.

Tony shrugged. "First, the armor isn't a weapon. Second,"

He winked. "Second, no one can take it away."

Escorted by security personnel, Tony casually walked up the steps and entered the Capitol Building.

The reporters rushed after him, live cameras tracking him the entire way.

The hearing officially began.

Senator Stern stood at the podium and tapped his gavel. "The purpose of this hearing is to assess whether the Iron Man armor developed by Stark Industries constitutes a threat to national security and whether it should fall under military weapons control."

He turned toward Tony, seated at the witness stand. "Mr. Stark, please state your position."

Tony lounged lazily in his chair. "My position is simple. The armor is my private property, just like my watch and my sports car. It just happens to be able to fly and fire lasers."

A commotion broke out in the chamber.

"You are showing contempt for Congress!" A congressman slammed the table and rose to his feet.

"That armor could easily destroy an entire city block!"

Tony spread his hands. "My sports car can kill people too. Are you going to confiscate every sports car?"

Stern sneered. "Mr. Stark, please do not confuse the issue. We have invited Justin Hammer, CEO of Hammer Industries, as a technical consultant."

Hammer strutted up to the witness stand, holding a tablet in his hand.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, pulling up a video.

"This is a record of Stark armor flying over New York. It exceeds Mach 5 and is as maneuverable as a fighter jet."

He switched to another image. "These are the energy readings of the repulsor, enough to penetrate tank armor."

Finally, he played a blurry video. "And this was three days ago. A man in black armor, believed to be Stark's new partner, stopped an out-of-control truck with one hand. If that kind of power were used for crime..."

Laughter erupted from the audience. Everyone knew that Superman had been saving people.

Tony rolled his eyes. "Hammer, your PowerPoint skills are much better than your robotics."

Stern struck the gavel to restore order. "We have also invited Colonel Rhodey to speak as the military's representative."

James Rhodes stepped up to the witness stand with a serious expression. "I must state that I am here in a personal capacity."

He glanced at Tony. "Tony is my friend, but as a soldier, I must consider national security."

"Then, Colonel Rhodes," Stern asked.

"Do you believe the Iron Man armor qualifies as a weapons system?"

Rhodey hesitated. "From a technical standpoint, it does... look like a weapon, but it is more of an auxiliary tool..."

Hammer immediately jumped up and interrupted him. "Did you hear that? Even the military admits it's a weapon!"

Tony's expression darkened. He turned to look at the rear entrance of the chamber, which was still empty.

Stern pressed his advantage. "Mr. Stark, given the armor's weapon-like nature, Congress demands that you immediately surrender all technical materials and cease private research and development."

Tony took a deep breath, then suddenly smiled.

"What's interesting is this."

He spoke unhurriedly. "The armor wasn't actually my creation."

The entire chamber fell silent.

"What do you mean?" Stern frowned.

"I mean..." Tony stood up. "The armor technology, including the Arc Reactor, all came from my partner, Mr. Superman."

As though it had been rehearsed, the rear doors of the chamber were pushed open at that very moment.

Xiao Han strode in. His perfectly tailored black suit could not conceal the flawless lines of his muscular physique.

He did not speak, yet the entire chamber instantly became so quiet that a pin could have been heard dropping.

"Sorry I'm late."

Xiao Han walked toward the empty seat beside Tony. "I dealt with a few problems on the way."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"

"A gang shootout in Los Angeles, and several terrorists who tried to detonate bombs downtown."

Xiao Han sat down calmly. "I sent them to the Arctic to dig ice for a research team."

Tony's expression turned strange. "Dig ice?"

Stern abruptly stood up. "Superman! This is a congressional hearing. Unrelated personnel are not welcome!"

Xiao Han looked up at him, his golden pupils faintly glowing in the shadows. "Senator, under the First Amendment, I have the right to attend any public hearing."

He paused. "Or are you planning to defend those criminals?"

Stern's face alternated between green and white before he finally dropped heavily back into his chair.

The hearing continued, but the atmosphere had completely changed.

When Hammer tried once again to prove the armor's weapon-like nature, Tony cut him off directly. "Let me make this clear. The armor is an auxiliary tool developed by Xiao, used for rescue operations and punishing crime. Like a police officer's sidearm, what matters is the user."

"Ridiculous!"

Stern slammed the table. "Who can guarantee that this technology will not be abused?"

Xiao Han slowly rose to his feet.

His movements were light, but everyone unconsciously held their breath.

"I can."

Xiao Han's voice was not loud, yet it rendered the entire chamber silent.

"The armor is my creation, meant to protect the innocent. If anyone wants to take it away..." His gaze swept across every congressman.

"Feel free to try."

Stern's Adam's apple bobbed. "Is that a threat?"

"A statement of fact."

Xiao Han adjusted his cuff. "I respect the law, but I will not tolerate anyone using the law as a pretext for plunder."

He turned toward the live cameras and spoke directly to the people across America. "I have no intention of destroying the world. I only hope humanity can coexist peacefully. But if someone infringes upon my rights..."

Xiao Han did not finish, but everyone understood what he meant.

In a corner of the audience

Natasha Romanoff crossed her legs and lightly tapped the armrest with her fingers. "This guy is more interesting than the report said."

Coulson took out a mint from his inner suit pocket. "Considering he might be capable of catching missiles with his bare hands, I'd say he's already being restrained."

"Fury will like him." Natasha narrowed her eyes. "Or he's already thinking of ways to recruit him."

Coulson folded the candy wrapper into a neat square. "I'm more worried about what consequences the latter might bring."

Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion as Xiao Han and Tony rose and left together.

Senator Stern opened his mouth, but in the end, he did not dare call for a recess.

The other congressmen looked at one another, unconsciously gripping the documents in their hands tightly enough to crease them.

One of them narrowed his eyes, intending to apply to his organization for the Anti-Superman Plan as soon as he returned.

Hammer looked like a rooster being strangled, his face flushed red but unable to make a sound.

Only Colonel Rhodey let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.