The Stark Expo, once a showcase of technological prowess, had become a disaster. Hammer Industries' downfall had completely killed the military's and Hammer's battle armor projects.
Originally, the only missing component had been Arc Reactors for power. At least some battle armor could have been displayed to maintain appearances.
But after Ivan Vanko's rampage, even those display suits had vanished without a trace.
Undeterred, the government poured resources into salvaging the situation, using Tony's modified battle armor for Rhode to restore the military's prestige.
Besides Rhode's heavily altered suit, the government had also rushed to create dozens of battle armors that looked impressive but were essentially hollow shells.
In plain terms, they were plastic shells with metal plating.
LED lights served as fake Arc Reactors on their chests.
While useless in combat, standing motionless and saluting alongside Rhode gave the uninformed public a false sense of security.
Of course, these spectators were watching from home. Tony had orchestrated this to lure out the enemy.
The crowd now consisted mostly of military personnel, with only broadcast crew members and government agents among the rest.
"I really don't know what those government people are thinking. They knew there would be danger today, yet they still arranged for so many media outlets to broadcast it live."
Qin Xiao shrugged backstage, looking puzzled.
"That's why you'll never become a politician. My father used to tell me that to be a proper politician, you have to learn to lie even in your sleep."
"But it's precisely because of the live broadcast that Ivan Vanko will believe all of this is real!"
Tony stood beside Qin Xiao in his battle armor. He had already publicly announced his attendance at the government's battle armor exhibition.
"Alright, it's almost time for me to go on!"
"Tony!" Qin Xiao called out, suddenly feeling like he'd forgotten something.
"Hmm?"
"Never mind, you go ahead!"
Qin Xiao thought for a moment but couldn't find anything wrong.
Tony gave Qin Xiao a strange look, then closed his helmet and flew around to the back before swooping down to land steadily beside Rhode.
"Oh, it's Tony Stark, our Iron Man! Is he here today to compete with our War Machine, to see who has the true strongest battle armor?"
The host, with a mischievous grin, thrust the microphone towards Tony's battle armor.
"In fact, I'm here to check homework and see just how good my imitators are. That's right!"
Tony's words were as sharp as ever.
In response, before the host could even finish, multiple gun barrels extended from War Machine's right arm, leveling their sights on Tony.
"Oh! Look at our Colonel Rhodes (promoted after getting the battle armor, he was a lieutenant colonel before!), true military spirit—answering provocation with gunfire!"
The host shoved the microphone closer.
"Get out of the way!" Rhode's voice came, urgent and panicked.
"What?" The host thought he'd misheard.
"I said get out of the way! I'm not controlling this armor! I've been taken over! Tony, I'm locking onto you—damn it, my armor's out of control!" Rhode shouted, his voice strained with panic.
At the same time, Qin Xiao slapped his forehead, finally remembering what he'd forgotten.
Hammer Industries had modified Rhode's armor too, not just the weapons systems, but the entire control system—identical to the ones Ivan Vanko was using to control the other armors.
Ignoring the shock he was causing, Qin Xiao shouted at Black Widow and the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.
"Evacuate! Get everyone out of here! Rhode's battle armor is being controlled by Ivan Vanko!"
"Tony! Rhode's armor is compromised! Get him out of here now!"
As Qin Xiao's voice crackled in Tony's earpiece, the staccato of machine-gun fire erupted outside.
"You should have seen this coming! Now everyone knows!"
*Clang! Clang! Clang!* The sound of bullets ricocheting off Tony's armor echoed through the air.
Though the soldiers and agents below were highly trained, against the battle armor, they were no different from ordinary people.
Still, the evacuation proceeded with remarkable order and speed.
Even so, most of the people in the venue hadn't managed to escape.
Drawing all the fire onto himself, Tony knew this couldn't continue. He shot skyward, bullets whizzing past him.
"Qin! I won't attack Rhode directly. Find a way to destroy that damn reactor in his chest!"
Qin Xiao ran out just in time to see Tony ascending into the sky, while Rhode's battle armor raised its arm and continued to fire relentlessly at him.
Just as Qin Xiao was about to intervene, Rhode's armor fully activated its thrusters, rapidly pursuing Tony.
Its weapon systems locked onto Tony's armor with full force. Multiple cannon barrels emerged from its back, and several micro-missiles locked onto Tony.
"If you want me to destroy his reactor, you'd better circle around and come back, or find a way to turn me into Hawkeye!" Qin Xiao shouted, watching the two rapidly streaking trails of exhaust in the sky.
Meanwhile, in the distant sky, a group of battle armors, trailing fiery exhaust, tore through the air.
The group of armors, following Tony and Rhode, converged on them at high speed.
"Damn it! How many armors did he bring last time? Think of something, Qin!"
The group of armors, now closing in, opened fire on Tony without restraint.
Dodging their attacks, Tony also had to avoid leading them toward populated areas.
The pressure on him intensified instantly.
"What the hell kind of brilliant plan do you expect me to come up with? Just strap a rocket booster to my ass, or at least get me a hot air balloon!"
Qin Xiao stood on the ground, hopping up and down in frustration.
"I should have given you some kind of flying gear. Damn it, why didn't you warn me sooner?" Tony's voice came through, accompanied by the sounds of violent explosions and machine-gun fire.
"You should have mentioned this stuff proactively! I'm Chinese, I'm shy. Enough talk—most of the people are gone. Bring them back to me. I'll figure out how to take down Rhode first. Don't you have that disposable laser cutting line?"
Qin Xiao shouted, looking around at the now-empty surroundings.
"Coming!"
Tony in the air suddenly shot straight upward. Once all the battle armors were trailing beneath him, he sharply banked and streaked toward the exhibition hall.
"Target locked? I'm coming in!"
"Bring it on!"
"Wait a minute, guys—shouldn't you ask for my opinion first?" Rhode's voice crackled through the headset.
"Shut up, traitor!" Qin Xiao and Tony said in unison.
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