Adirondacks

Iron Man was surrounded on all sides by Prime Sentinels, with Bastion standing only a few feet away from him. He had just made his entrance into Bastion’s Sentinel base, tracking them from their attack on Stark Enterprises in Dallas.

“Execute,” said Bastion.

The Sentinels sprung into action following their master’s command. Energy blades shot out of Iron Man’s gauntlets and he used them to impale two of the Sentinels who approached. The blades flattened into energy shields he used to deflect energy blasts from other Sentinels.

“Maria, how are we on the Singularity?” he asked.

[Twenty-five per cent charge, Tony. But I still think—]

“—that it’s a bad idea. I know. I heard you the first ten times.”

[Technically it was only eight times.]

“I was rounding up. How’s the positioning coming?”

[Very nearly locked on to the target area.]

Iron Man spun around, firing burst after burst of repulsor energy. Several miniature missiles fired from launchers that emerged from his shoulders and took care of rear-fire. The Sentinels were giving as good as they got, however. As was shown by the constant impact alerts that the armor’s HUD flashed into Tony’s retina.

[Tony, armor integrity is in danger. You are outnumbered and overpowered.]

“I just need to last long enough for the Singularity to lock on and reach full charge.”

[May I also remind you that these Prime Sentinels are nothing more than infected victims of a virus?]

“And we have no other way to stop them, unfortunately. What’s the charge?”

[Fifty per cent. At this rate, armor integrity will be breached before full charged is achieved.]

“Guess we’ll have to try something else.”

One of the Sentinels broke past the repulsor blasts and slammed his fist across Iron Man’s head. He swung again, knocking Iron Man a second time. He raised his fists and brought them down like a hammer, forcing the golden Avenger to the ground.

The hip guards on Iron Man’s armor slid open and deployed flares that forced the Sentinel back. Iron Man sprung up and used that distraction to uppercut the Sentinel. His thrusters helped him turn quickly to fire another repulsor blast at a Sentinel who also tried to get lucky against him.

Iron Man looked up at Bastion. “What are you waiting for? I came here for you.”

“…halt,” said Bastion. He stepped closer to Iron Man as the Prime Sentinels parted for the two. “You are a fool, Stark. You clearly have no concept of what’s truly happening here.”

“Seems pretty simple. You used me to try to get access to Extremis.”

Bastion just smiled. “Indeed?”

“There’s something else going on here, isn’t there?”

“You won’t live long enough to know the answer.”

CRITICAL

Part II

By Dino Pollard

New York

Pepper’s eyelids slowly rose to see her husband, Happy Hogan, standing over her. By his side was Jim Rhodes. She had expected a third man as well, but he wasn’t present. “How long was I out?”

“Felt like a lifetime,” said Happy. He hugged her as she lay in bed, being as gentle as possible. “Don’t scare me like that, doll.”

Pepper smiled faintly as she returned his embrace. “It’s okay.”

Happy grudgingly released her and she looked between the two of them. “So can you guys fill me in? Last thing I remember was being attacked by a Prime Sentinel.”

“That Sentinel took you captive, infected you with the Prime virus,” said Rhodey. “Began the conversion process.”

“What?” Pepper examined her bare arms, looking to ensure that she was still flesh and blood. Once she realized everything was fine, she breathed in relief. “So how am I here now?”

“In exchange for Tony letting him escape, Bastion halted the virus. Bill Foster just looked over your scans, says you’ll be fine,” said Rhodey.

“So he removed it?” asked Pepper.

Rhodey opened his mouth but Happy interjected. “Yeah, doll. It’s gone.”

Pepper breathed in relief once again. “Good. Hate to think there’s a chance I could become one of those…things.”

“Well, you just rest now.” Happy caressed her cheek. “Doc Foster says that’s what you need.”

Pepper rubbed his hand and smiled. “I am feeling pretty tired…”

“Go right ahead, we’ll leave you be,” said Happy. He kissed her and then walked out the door. Rhodey went up to Pepper next and hugged her.

“Get well, soon. Company’s not payin’ you to lie around in bed all day.”

“Yessir,” said Pepper.

Rhodey stepped outside and closed the door. Happy stood a few feet away, leaning against the wall and staring at his shoes. Rhodey went up to him. “The virus is gone, huh?”

“You heard Foster, virus is dormant.”

“It’s still there, Hap.”

“Not gonna cause her any trouble.”

“We don’t know that.”

“Let it go, Rhodey.”

“You know you can’t just lie to he—”

“I said let it go!”

Happy moved into an aggressive stance. Rhodey backed off, half-expecting the former boxer to take a swing at him. But Happy did no such thing, just turned away. “She had a miscarriage.”

“…what?” asked Rhodey.

“You heard about how that whacked-out machine chick Ayisha came after Tony, right?” asked Happy.

“Yeah, and attacked Pepper,” said Rhodey. “But Tony said she was fine.”

“She was pregnant. An’ she lost the baby ‘cause of that,” said Happy. “I just think…knowin’ that she miscarried but now she’s got this…I dunno, machine-seed in her…I think it’d be too much.”

“It’s not the same thing, Happy. She was infected with a virus, not impregnated,” said Rhodey.

“Rhodey, I know we’re not really close. But can ya just back me up on this? Trust me to take care of my wife?”

Rhodey sighed and looked down at his feet. He slowly started to nod. “Okay, on one condition. Give me a chance to talk it over with Foster first. If he says there’s no danger of this thing infecting Pepper any further, I’ll back you up.”

“Thanks,” said Happy. He checked his watch. “Man, it’s gettin’ late. How ‘bout I buy you a drink?”

“I’m your boss, Hap. Might look like you’re trying to bribe me,” said Rhodey. “How about I buy you one instead?”

“Was hopin’ you’d say that.”

The two men made their way to the hospital parking garage. As they walked, Happy said, “but just t’ warn you—if you’re buyin’, that means I’m goin’ for scotch at least half as old as me.”

Adirondacks

Bastion charged headlong into Iron Man, who was able to avoid it by rocketing forward and flipping over the advanced Sentinel. By the time Bastion turned, Iron Man plowed into him. He placed his palms on Bastion’s chest and fired twin repulsor blasts, the force separating them once more.

“I want to know everything you know about Extremis,” said Iron Man. “I want to know why you want it so bad.”

“Extremis will increase the effectiveness of my Prime nano-virus. The process at present takes far more time than is desirable. Efficiency is my goal.”

“To create a more efficient killing machine, you mean,” said Iron Man.

“Why so accusatory, Stark?” asked Bastion. “Your company was built on killing machines. It was a killing machine which saved your life all those years ago. It is a killing machine that allows you to play superhero and increases your celebrity.”

“I stopped making weapons and I use my technology to help people,” said Iron Man. “You use it to destroy.”

Bastion smiled. “No, I use it to attain perfection.”

“You might want to explain that logic,” said Iron Man.

“Mankind is flawed. I will do what your Dr. Hansen has attempted by broadening the scope of Extremis. Combining it with the Prime nano-virus, disease will be eradicated. Cancer, AIDS, even death will become a footnote in history.”

“In other words, you’d infect the entire planet with the Prime virus,” said Iron Man.

“Of course I would,” said Bastion. “Mankind’s quest for perfection has led to only improved methods of destruction. I will bring about perfection. I will create utopia.”

“And how do mutants factor into this?” asked Iron Man.

“Mutants are a disease. An x-factor that must be eliminated for the purposes of perfection.”

[Tony, the Singularity is at seventy-five per cent charge. STARK-1 orbital satellite is in place.]

“You are already closer to this future than you realize, Stark. Whenever you use that armor, you are trying to become one with it. That is what you want, to throw off the last vestiges of your humanity. You already have an artificial heart.”

“It wasn’t by choice, it was by necessity,” said Iron Man.

“I will give you an opportunity to join us.”

“Here’s my response.”

Power from Iron Man’s suit was directed into the unibeam, a powerful burst of energy that fired from the center of his chest. The repulsor energy threw Bastion back. He rose quickly, charging towards Iron Man while letting loose with his own barrage of energy blasts.

Iron Man tried to deflect many of the strikes, but he was having difficulty doing it. More and more, they broke past his armor’s defenses. Tony was running out of time and options, especially now that Bastion ordered the rest of the Prime Sentinels to renew their attack.

“Maria, tell me we’re ready.”

[Yes, Singularity is at full-charge.]

“Upload the vid to my private server and contact Rhodey immediately.”

[Consider it done, sir. I have to ask one more time—]

“For the last time, yes I’m sure!”

[Very well. Singularity locked on and firing in ten…nine…eight…seven…six…five…four…three…two…one.]

High above the planet, the STARK-1 satellite unleashed a burst of energy that shot straight at the Sentinel base located in the Adirondacks. The Sentinels instantly had the Starktech in their bodies completely fry out on them. Bastion as well, and also the Iron Man suit…and Tony’s heart.

Iron Man and Bastion both collapsed, with both of them struggling to stay alive. Bastion moved closer to Iron Man and still had a smile on his face. “This…just the beginning…”

“No…it’s over…” said Tony as he could feel his body slipping into an unconscious state.

“Guess I always feel kinda useless around the rest of you,” said Happy. “I mean, Tony’s Tony. He’s got everything. And you, you’ve got that War Machine armor. Pepper may not have any hi-tech gizmos of her own, but she’s got a stronger will than alla us put together. But me? Anythin’ I can do, someone else can do better.”

“You should know that’s not what it’s about, Happy. We’re friends, not competitors. We help each other out,” said Rhodey. “I know for a fact you’ve been there for Tony more times than most. And Pepper? There’s a reason she came back to you.”

“Dunno,” said Happy. He threw back the remainder of the scotch and motioned for another. Rhodey watched this exchange.

“Wanna slow down? You’re moving on to number four.”

“Don’t count my drinks, Jimbo.”

“I’m just—” Rhodey was interrupted by his phone ringing. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out. On the display, it said TONY STARK. “About time! Where the hell have you—Maria? …no, slow down, I—wait…”

“What is it?” asked Happy.

“Tony did what? …oh shit, that stupid bastard! I’ll contact you once I’m suited up.” Rhodey hung up and stood from the bar stool. “Hap, call Maya Hansen immediately, tell her to prep Extremis.”

“Where are you goin’?” asked Happy.

“To get Tony!”

Stark Enterprises
Dallas

The automated machines got to work as soon as War Machine placed Iron Man in the harness. Mechanical arms removed the armor components one by one until Tony Stark was free. War Machine took him and laid him down on a table. Maya Hansen stood by the side of the table and prepared the rest, inserting IVs into Tony’s body.

“Hurry up, Doctor. We don’t have much time,” said War Machine.

“I’m well aware of that, I’m going as fast as I can, thank you.”

“Sorry, just worried about him is all.”

“How did this happen anyway?” asked Maya.

“Maria, fill her in.”

[The STARK-1 orbital satellite was equipped with a device called the Singularity. A weapon of sorts. When locked onto a target, the Singularity disables all Starktech within the blast radius. As these Sentinels were upgraded with Starktech, that left them vulnerable as well. Unfortunately, it also shut down Tony’s armor and his artificial heart.]

“Then how’s he still alive?” asked Maya.

“Emergency life-support, but it only works for so long,” said Rhodey.

[Tony needs something more, which is why he recorded this message before firing the Singularity.]

Another hologram appeared, this one of Tony’s face. “Since you’re listening to this, it looks like my Hail Mary worked and I’ve used the Singularity to destroy Bastion and his Prime Sentinels. Unfortunately, this also means my armor and my heart are irreparably damaged as well. But, as I’m sure you’ve already figured out, I’ve planned for this. I need you to contact Maya Hansen and have her administer the Extremis prototype. At this point, Extremis combined with a miniaturized arc reactor should be able to keep my body going.”

“I don’t like this at all,” said Maya. “Extremis is untested. This could kill him for sure.”

“Doctor, look at me,” said War Machine. Maya stared into the blank faceplate and the glowing red eyes. “If you don’t do this, Tony will die. This way, at least he’s got a fighting chance.”

Maya nodded. “Okay, then let’s begin. Maria?”

[Preparing Extremis injection.]

Golden fluid moved through the tubes into Tony’s veins. His body began to convulse. The heart monitor started to beep loudly. War Machine moved forward. “What’s happening to him?”

[Stay back, War Machine. This is part of the procedure.]

“Unfortunately she’s right,” said Maya. “Maria, we need the arc reactor in place now!”

A robotic arm moved down and removed a housing from the implant on Tony’s chest. It replaced it with a glowing device, a miniaturized arc reactor. Maya watched the read-outs on the computer monitors.

“If Tony’s calculations are correct, the arc reactor should help to stabilize the Extremis combiner. But I haven’t gone over them myself, so I don’t know—”

“They’re correct,” said War Machine.

“But—”

“Doc, you’re talking about Tony Stark. His brain solves equations faster than a calculator. They’re correct.”

Maya sighed. “For his sake, I hope you’re right.”

[Extremis is integrating with the arc reactor. His vital signs are stable. Cardiovascular activity is within normal limits.]

“Good,” said War Machine. “So what happens now?”

“It’ll take time to see whether or not his body completely accepts the Extremis dose,” said Maya. “So for now, we can only wait.”

NEXT: Reboot