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March
Year 1 |
"Tony Stark is alive and well. Will Fujikawa retain control of Stark Enterprises? Details tonight at 11:00."
Felix Alvarez turns off the television in his office and turns to face his client. "Well, Tony, we've got your fortune back and you're legally alive, much to the irritation of the IRS. So, do you really want SE back?"
Tony thinks for a second, and then replies, "To be honest, Felix, I've wondered myself if I'm really ready to go through with this. You were with me when I bought Stane International back from Justin Hammer, and you remember the questionable things done by my old company that ended up effecting me (as chronicled in Iron Man #s 301-306 -back issue Matt). I don't want my company to be dragged through the mud again. I built SE from the ground up. It's mine by right. I don't want to take the chance of anyone doing anything to violate my good name. I'm taking it back."
"Well, as you know, I've already initiated the legal proceedings, but it could be years before Fujikawa turns over SE."
"That's why I've got to force them into a settlement. Arrange a meeting with Mister Kirin (CEO of Fujikawa- the all-knowing Matt) as soon as possible. You've got my number at the house I've rented. Let me know as soon as you have everything set up."
After finding a suitable place to change in the offices of Alvarez and Associates, Tony Stark dons his solar-charged, steel mesh armor and streaks across the sky as the Invincible Iron Man! As he flies over the crowded freeway, Iron Man spots an auto accident. Two cars have slammed together, causing a traffic jam extending for miles. Iron Man jets down to see what aid he can offer. Luckily, the drivers of the two vehicles have suffered only minor injuries, but the passenger in one of the cars has suffered a severe head injury. Iron Man sees an ambulance hopelessly stuck in traffic two miles back, and promptly flies over to it. "Make sure you're securely strapped in, gentlemen!" Iron Man tells the paramedics. He lifts the ambulance and flies it to the wrecked vehicles. Iron Man helps the paramedics remove the injured man from the vehicle, and then steps back to let them do their work. He then overhears a man and a woman who have been watching the scene.
"Iron Man doesn't really care about anybody! He's only a superhero because Tony Stark pays him! I'll bet that's why he's here now! He's just trying to give Stark some publicity now that he's turned up alive!" the man gripes.
The woman gives the man a stern look. "Hey, just 'cause he gets paid doesn't mean he don't care! You think those paramedics are in just for the money? Besides, even Iron Man's got to eat!"
Iron Man thinks to himself, "Sometimes I forget some people only think of Iron Man as a hired gun. But that lady's right, I do have to eat. In fact, I think I'll treat myself to a great dinner tonight."
"This was a lousy idea!" Tony Stark thinks as he sits in an elegant five- star restaurant. "Eating alone is no fun. Maybe I should have invited Felix. At least then I would have had some company. Maybe I should have gotten in touch with Rhodey... I've been putting it off since my return. This is terrible. Maybe I should just leave..."
At that moment a stunning brunette with dark eyes and long legs strolls up to Tony's table. "Aren't you Tony Stark?" she asks.
"Yes I am, Miss..."
"Jen McAllister. Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all." Tony stands and pulls out a chair for her. He sits and asks, "What does a lovely young lady like you want with me?"
"I'm vice president of Datathink, a small new electronics company. It's amazing that I happened to run into you- I just saw on the news you were alive and I was thinking what a great asset you would be for our company... if you're not currently attached?"
"I have to say, I'm impressed by your initiative, to just approach me like this. What are your plans for the rest of the evening?"
"Well, I'm free, if that's what you're asking."
The two individuals exchange smiles....
The following morning, Tony Stark and Felix Alvarez walk into the boardroom of what is now Stark-Fujikawa. Seated around the table in the center of the room are Kirin and the Stark-Fujikawa board of directors. Tony and Felix sit at the two vacant seats. Kirin looks at them and asks, "What can we do for you gentlemen?"
Tony's gaze matches Kirin's. "You know why we're here. I want my company back. Let's make the transition as smooth as possible."
"Mr. Stark, Fujikawa has no intention of releasing Stark Enterprises."
"Mr. Kirin, the sale of SE is not valid. I was not dead as presumed, and I think the courts will back me up."
"Legal channels could take years, Mr. Stark. We are willing to wait. Are you?"
"If I have to. But I think we can agree to a much more mutually beneficial arrangement. As I see it, SE is useless to you now. I hold all the patents for Stark technology, and you cannot use it without my permission. If you want to draw this thing out in courts, your hands are tied."
"What do you propose?"
"I will reimburse you 120% of your acquisition costs. In addition, I will give you 80% of profits generated by new programs you began with SE during your administration for the next five years. Does that seem reasonable?"
"Let us discuss this in private, please."
"Certainly."
Tony and Felix leave the room. The board reaches the conclusion that without use of Stark's technology, there is no need to fight a legal battle they will probably lose. Also, since they lost the Iron Man technology (thanks to Rhodey in Tales of the Marvel Universe #1- recallin' Matt) they have nothing left to gain from retaining SE. Stark's deal seems generous, considering they might come out of this with nothing if they do not accept. They decide to accept the deal and invite Tony and Felix back in. Kirin informs them that they will agree to the deal.
"Excellent. Felix will take care of the details. You have until the end of the week to begin removing your administration. We will jointly oversee the transition over the three weeks following that. Thank you, gentlemen."
Tony strides out of the board room with a smile on his face. "It's good to be back," he thinks.
Next issue: Spymaster! Kang (sort of)! Rhodey! Tony! Felix! Jen! Me! You! See ya then!
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