Tony and Sean split up. The former headed alone for the Mandarin's hideout in Tennessee, while the latter prepared to rush to Air Force One to prevent the president from being kidnapped and eliminate any chance of an accident.
Sean had seemingly casually suggested that Tony tell S.H.I.E.L.D. about this, but Tony appeared highly guarded and did not trust Nick Fury.
Thinking of Stark's determination to play the lone hero, Sean, seated aboard his private jet, curled his lips into a faint smile. He dialed Francis Underwood's private number. The Vice President had long since become Umbrella's steadfast ally, and their interests were inextricably linked.
"Interested in discussing moving into the White House, Vice President?" The young man casually tossed out an offer that could not be refused.
Killian wanted to purge the nation's upper ranks, then use Hydra's internal infiltration to climb to a high position and seize power. It was not a bad idea. One hand would hold the most powerful leaders of the Western world, while the other controlled the most feared terrorist organization. With the Extremis Virus, A.I.M. would grow into a colossal monopoly.
But to accomplish all that, he had to get rid of the president and the Cabinet. Choosing to strike aboard Air Force One was the perfect opportunity. As for the Vice President and Congress, Hydra would naturally take care of them.
Unfortunately, Killian had not anticipated that this game contained a player with cheats who stood above the rules, so his plan was destined to be nothing but a pipe dream.
After speaking with Vice President Underwood for roughly half an hour, the ambitious veteran politician readily accepted every condition.
No one would pass up such an opportunity: the chance to sit on the White House throne and become one of the