<div class="floatleft">(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjjOx9cFdag/Tpeq6I1FhvI/AAAAAAAABMM/O3lnCrWikzA/s1600/tony+stark.jpg)</div><hr/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>  Name:</strong> Tony Stark<br/>  <strong>Title:</strong> Iron Man<br/>  <strong>Location:</strong> Stark Tower War Room<br/>  <strong>Time:</strong> 6:50PM EST Thursday<br/>  <strong>Tags:</strong> <strong>Everyone in the War Room </strong></span></span><br/><br/><br/><hr/><br/><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">     Despite the urgency that seemed to be flowing through the entire group - as they took turns speaking and cutting in and out between thoughts and exchanges, Tony slowed down. His mind seemed to ease up. And after they had all finished speaking and waited for his response, it almost took him a short moment to zone back in from his thoughts to actually acknowledge them all. He wasn't ignoring them, he was appreciating them. This wasn't the same rag-tag group of individuals that had been thrown together suddenly under Loki's assault several months ago. They were a team, assembled - building off of each other's thoughts rather than bickering at them. <br/><br/>     He had no qualms about their disagreements with his new technology. They had valid concerns - and that was precisely why he had so much work to do. To Tony, they were all primary targets to Loki - taking over Earth was just a bonus. That fucker wanted revenge. Every Avenger had bested him in some way during their last encounter. Physically, psychologically, strategically. The man was way to proud to swallow those individual defeats and come back fully prepared. Sure, he wouldn't make the same mistakes - but he'd make new ones. Tony was confident that if he could finish the space station and exo-suits that Loki would follow them away from Earth as opposed to wreaking random havoc on it. It was beyond personal. <br/><br/>     When he finally responded, it was prioritized in Tony's own special way - first to Natasha and Jane. <strong>"I've already got Jarvis uploading the Tesseract signature we dialed up at SHIELD last time. You can use my personal lab."</strong> He NEVER let anyone use his personal lab - but at this point, he'd pretty much shown all his current secret projects. He only had one surprise that he hadn't shared... only because he knew it was far too extreme for any of them to even begin to wrap their heads around. <strong>"Banner and Selvig are somewhere in the building - I saw them both today."</strong><br/><br/>     Next his vision swept out towards the skeptic looks that had just recently faded, as he tried to offer some brief explanation to his newest display. <strong>"This technology is different than the Mark platforms of my Iron Man suit. The primary focus of these suits isn't an arsenal of weaponry - as you are all fully capable fighters with your own array of weapons. These suits are packed with life-support systems, and extremely durable armor. My current line-up of suits have weight limitations precisely because they must be viable for flight in our atmosphere. In space - we're all weightless. That means heavier armor - less aerodynamic. Much more room  for backup lifesupport systems and other things."</strong> They hadn't really thought Tony didn't think this all out did they?<br/><br/>     His eyes narrowed as he waited for any other rebuttals.<strong> "It's not like you'll be strapping them on tomorrow and heading to war. We'll need to do some testing and training - granted it will be on a condensed timeframe... But drawing Loki away from Earth is a top priority of mine - after witnessing the last cataclysm he caused."</strong> A flicker of worry flashed in his eyes, and he let it show enough for the others to see. <strong>"You don't think the U.N. is going to be stupid enough to rely on SHIELD or us to handle the next encounter do you? If Loki returns with another army, I'd be willing to bet my fortune that those stupid assholes will fire nukes the moment it happens."</strong> There was no way they'd have the kind of time they did last time. The world's government agencies had probably already begun countermeasures and strategies in case a similar event occurred. There is no way they'd trust the Avengers to save the day.<br/><br/>    He began to walk around the table, passing by Steve and Thor on his way to the door. <strong>"You are all correct, Loki <em>won't</em> make the same mistakes. And that <em>includes</em> hiding out on Earth with the Tesseract in his hands to be traced by our gamma sensors."</strong> Tony was implying that despite Loki's brief visit with Jane, he likely was not even on the planet. He continued passed them to the door and turned briefly to regard them all one last time,<strong> "He will be much more cautious this time around, which means we have <em>some</em> time. I suggest we use it wisely."</strong> And with that Tony headed out the door to the elevator and pushed the call button. <strong>"I'll be up in R&amp;D getting Jane and Banner set up. I suggest you all find something proactive to do."</strong> He offered a brief smile before stepping onto the car and disappearing as the doors closed in front of him.<br/><br/>     Tony didn't need to micromanage them. They were smart individuals, all of them. Tony knew what he had to do, and he didn't have much time. There was nothing else he could do right now. All he could do was help set Jane and Banner on track and then get to back to work on the station and prototypes. They <em>had</em> to be ready. <strong>"Jarvis."</strong><br/><br/>     "Yes sir?"<br/><br/>     <strong>"I need you to push those final pieces into production - do whatever it takes. We can't focus on the Station any longer - we need working prototypes yesterday."</strong><br/><br/>    "I understand Sir; I will do my best."<br/><br/>     <strong>"I'm going to need more than your best Jarvis."</strong> Tony's face, now alone in the elevator, was grave. He had been working furiously since their previous victory, but still the threat loomed and they seemed nearly powerless against it. He still felt one step behind. That was not something Stark was used to feeling. Ever. He always had the next move planned - always ahead of the game. Surprises were few and far between for him. He hoped this anomaly wouldn't last for long. He hated being surprised. His eyes were cast to the ground as the cage worked it's way up the floors of the tower - lost in thought.<br/><br/>     As soon as the elevator reached the R&amp;D floor, the doors slid open and Tony's eyes caught a pair of familiar heels, and legs. He almost winced visibly as he was caught off guard again. His eyes trailed up the shapely limbs to see Pepper standing in front of him with her hands on her hips - clearly in a foul mood. He offered half of a smile, unsure how else to respond to her fiery eyes. Pepper was the only woman - the only person, for that matter - that he actually feared. He still hadn't figured out why.</span></span></div>