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17 Heist
🕑 Added 2024-08-19 18:15:01 +0000 UTCPepper Potts was a whirlwind of panic as she burst into Lily’s Artisan Café, her eyes wide with fear and her movements frantic. Harry had been in the middle of serving a customer when she practically grabbed him by the arm, her grip tight and unyielding.
"Harry, we need to go," she said, her voice trembling with urgency.
Harry barely had time to apologize to the customer before Pepper was dragging him out the door. Her usually composed demeanour was shattered, replaced by raw anxiety. He could see the worry etched deeply into her face, the furrowed brow and the tight set of her lips. He could see the tears welling up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. He had always admired Pepper for her strength and composure but seeing her like this—so vulnerable and afraid—stirred something deep within him.
When they arrived at the mansion, Pepper led Harry straight to Tony’s workshop. The usual grandeur of the Stark estate was a stark contrast to the frantic energy within the lab. As they entered, the first thing Harry noticed was the organized chaos that surrounded them.
The workshop was a sprawling space filled with cutting-edge technology and half-assembled gadgets. Tools of every kind were scattered across workbenches, and the floor was littered with wires and components. The air was thick with the smell of metal and oil, mingled with the faint, acrid scent of burnt circuitry.
In the centre of it all stood Tony, clad in a sleeveless shirt and grease-stained jeans, working intently on what could only be described as a marvel of modern engineering. The suit of armor was a gleaming masterpiece, its sleek, red and gold exterior reflecting the harsh overhead lights. Tony moved with the precision and focus of a man possessed, his hands deftly adjusting intricate parts of the suit.
Multiple screens lined the walls, each displaying different schematics and diagnostics. Detailed blueprints flickered across one monitor, while another showed real-time data on the suit's capabilities—strength metrics, flight simulations, and weapon systems. The digital readouts cast a ghostly blue glow across the room, highlighting the intensity of Tony’s work.
Robotic arms and automated tools moved around the suit with a life of their own, responding to Tony's commands with swift, mechanical precision. Sparks flew as a welding torch sealed a joint, the bright light momentarily illuminating Tony's determined expression.
Harry was shocked to see the state of Tony’s workshop. The sight that greeted him was unlike anything he had ever expected. It felt more like a military research lab than a private workspace. The relentless hum of machinery, the flashing screens, and the partially assembled suit of armour—it all screamed of a man consumed by a singular, all-encompassing mission.
Harry’s mind raced as he absorbed the chaotic energy around him. His thoughts were a whirlwind of concern and disbelief. Tony had always been a man of ingenuity and innovation, but this... this was something else entirely. Harry could see the reflection of Tony's anger and frustration, a dark shadow cast by his harrowing experience in Afghanistan. He worried that Tony was channelling his pain and guilt into a project that could ultimately consume him.
As Harry watched Tony work, he couldn’t shake the feeling that his friend was walking a dangerous path. Redemption was a noble goal, but the way Tony was pursuing it—through the creation of a weaponized suit—seemed fraught with peril. Harry feared that in his quest to right his wrongs, Tony might lose himself to a cause he didn’t fully understand. The lines between heroism and obsession were blurring, and Harry could only hope to pull Tony back before it was too late.
Pepper, standing beside Harry, felt her heart sink as she took in the scene. Her eyes welled up with tears, a mixture of fear and frustration gnawing at her. She had seen Tony pour himself into projects before, but never with such reckless abandon. The workshop, usually a space of creativity and brilliance, now felt like a battlefield—one where Tony was fighting a war against his own demons.
She watched him with a heavy heart, her anxiety intensifying with each passing moment. The Tony she knew and loved was driven, yes, but also compassionate and grounded. This version of Tony, however, seemed consumed by a desperate need to atone, to save those he had unknowingly put in harm’s way. Pepper’s worry wasn’t just for Tony’s physical safety but for his very soul. She feared that this path he had chosen would lead him to a place from which there was no return.
“Hey,” Tony called out without looking up from his work, “you mind if I send you on an errand?” However, when he turned around and saw Harry standing beside Pepper, his expression soured.
“You shouldn’t have told him,” Tony said, glaring at Pepper as they entered the workshop.
“If you won’t listen to me, then I brought someone who might talk some sense into you,” Pepper retorted, her voice firm and unwavering.
“What is going on here, Tony?” Harry asked, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene before settling on Tony.
“Nothing that concerns you,” Tony replied curtly, turning back to his work.
“Tony has built a suit of armour so he can wage war against terrorists or whatever takes his fancy,” Pepper interjected, her voice laced with frustration.
“Pepper,” Tony whined, trying to dismiss her concerns.
“Don’t ‘Pepper’ me,” she snapped, her patience wearing thin. “You are not a soldier, Tony. You’re an inventor, a genius, but you’re not equipped to fight this kind of battle. You’re going to get yourself killed!”
“There is nothing but this,” Tony asserted, his voice rising with frustration. “There is no art opening, no benefit, nothing to sign. There is the next mission and nothing else.”
“Do you know the risks that you face by doing this?” Pepper shouted back, her voice trembling with both anger and fear.
“Yes, I do!” Tony exclaimed, his eyes blazing with determination.
“No, you don’t,” Harry interjected firmly. “You are not a soldier, Tony. You don’t understand what it means to be one. What you are is someone trying to be a hero.”
“You will never understand!” Tony shouted, his anger flaring. “You can’t possibly get it!”
“Oh, I understand more than you think,” Harry replied, his voice steady but filled with an edge of intensity. “I understand exactly what you’re trying to do. I’ve been there. I’ve faced those choices.”
Tony looked at Harry, his anger momentarily giving way to confusion. Harry’s words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken history. “But I also understand why you’re doing this,” Harry continued, his tone softening. “You’re trying to make up for the mistakes, to protect those you’ve put in harm’s way. I get it.”
Tony’s eyes searched Harry’s face, reflecting his inner turmoil. He saw not just a friend, but a kindred spirit who had faced similar battles.
Pepper, on the other hand, looked at Harry with a mixture of betrayal and disbelief. “Harry, you can’t be serious,” she said, her voice breaking. “You’re encouraging this?”
“No, Pepper, I’m not encouraging it,” Harry said, turning to her with a gentle but firm gaze. “I’m acknowledging it. Tony’s not going to stop, and we need to support him, guide him, make sure he doesn’t lose himself in this crusade.”
“Is that so?” Pepper asked, her voice trembling with barely contained emotion. “Well then, I quit.” She turned sharply, her heels clicking against the floor as she made her way towards the exit.
“You stood by my side all these years while I reaped the benefits of my destruction, and now that I’m trying to protect the people I put in harm’s way, you’re just going to walk out on me?” Tony’s voice was raw, a mix of desperation and frustration, causing Pepper to halt in her tracks.
Harry winced at Tony’s harsh words, knowing they cut deep.
Pepper turned back, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You’re going to kill yourself, Tony. I’m not going to be part of that,” she said, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions.
Tony’s demeanour softened, his eyes pleading. “I shouldn’t be alive unless it was for a reason. I’m not crazy, Pepper. I finally know what I must do. And I know in my heart that it’s right.”
Pepper took a shaky breath, her resolve wavering. She walked back towards Tony, standing close enough to feel his pain. “You’re all I have, too, you know,” she whispered, looking into his eyes, searching for the man she loved.
Tony reached out, taking her hand gently. “I can’t do this without you, Pepper. I need you by my side.”
Harry watched the exchange, feeling the heavy weight of their emotions. He knew this moment was pivotal. Deciding to lighten the tension, he interjected with a hint of mischief in his voice. “Alright, so what are we doing?” he asked, breaking the awkward silence that had settled between Tony and Pepper.
“I need you to break into my office at Stark Industries,” Tony said, his voice steely with determination. “You’re going to hack into the mainframe and retrieve all the recent shipping manifests.”
Pepper raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on her face. “And how exactly do you expect me to do that?”
Tony handed her a sleek, high-tech pen drive. “This is a lock chip. It’ll get you past the initial security. Look for a folder labelled ‘Executive Files’. If it’s not there, check for a ghost drive. They might have hidden it under the lowest numeric heading.”
Pepper took the pen drive, her fingers trembling slightly. “And what do you plan to do with this information once we bring it back?”
“Same drill,” Tony replied, his eyes burning with intensity. “They’ve been dealing under the table, selling weapons to the highest bidder. I’m going to find every last one of my weapons and destroy them. No more innocents dying because of Stark Industries.”
With a final nod of determination, Harry and Pepper made their way out of Tony’s workshop, heading towards Stark Industries. The mission was clear, and the stakes were higher than ever.
Navigating through the corridors of Stark Industries was an exercise in controlling tension for Pepper. What had once been a routine walk through familiar halls now felt like navigating a labyrinth of uncertainty. Every passing face, every familiar cubicle, now posed a potential threat. Her colleagues, once allies, now felt like spies for Obadiah Stane’s shady dealings. She couldn’t afford to trust anyone, not when Tony’s future—and perhaps their own safety—hung in the balance.
Harry observed Pepper’s nervous demeanour with a mix of empathy and resolve. Her unease was palpable, but for him, navigating covert operations was second nature. The weight of their mission bore a striking resemblance to his days at Hogwarts, sneaking into forbidden areas under the watchful eyes of Filch and Mrs Norris. Yet, this was far more serious—a secret mission into the heart of a corporate empire, where the stakes were not just magical but real and perilous.
The normally bustling halls seemed eerily deserted, echoing their hushed footsteps as they advanced deeper into the heart of Stark Industries. Pepper had wisely arranged for the executive secretaries to take an unexpected leave, minimizing the risk of unwanted attention. As they approached Tony’s office, Harry discreetly cast a series of detection wards and alert spells that would tip them off to any approaching threats.
When they finally reached Tony’s office, Pepper couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. The familiar surroundings provided a fleeting sense of sanctuary amidst the storm of uncertainty. Without wasting a moment, she hurried over to Tony’s sleek, minimalist desk and swiftly plugged in the pen drive he had given her.
Immediately, the office computer reacted with a series of alarming beeps and flashing security alerts. It was clear that Stark Industries’ formidable defences had detected an unauthorized intrusion. Yet, unbeknownst to the system, the pen drive contained a sophisticated virus, Tony’s insurance against such eventualities. As the virus silently infiltrated the system, it began to execute its purpose with meticulous precision.
Pepper’s fingers flew over the keyboard with practised ease. She navigated the maze of digital defences, leveraging the pen drive's hacked credentials to gain administrative access. Each keystroke was deliberate, every command a delicate dance between stealth and efficiency. Her heart raced with adrenaline as she manoeuvred through encrypted files and secured databases, searching urgently for the elusive shipping manifests.
Minutes felt like hours as Pepper’s focused determination led her closer to their objective. Finally, amidst a sea of encrypted folders, she located the ghost drive that contained the files they were looking for. With a sense of triumph mixed with caution, she accessed the latest shipping manifests, scanning through the data meticulously.
Among the retrieved documents, Pepper stumbled upon a folder labelled "Sector 16." As she clicked it open, the screen illuminated with detailed blueprints and schematics that held a larger version of Tony’s suit of armour.
"What are you up to, Obadiah?" Pepper questioned aloud, her voice laced with apprehension and disbelief. She glanced at Harry, who had moved closer to examine the screen.
"It seems he's developed his own version of Tony’s suit," Harry observed, his expression darkening as he scrutinized the intricate details of Stane's designs.
As Pepper sifted through the files, she stumbled upon a video titled "Tony's Ransom." Intrigued and apprehensive, she clicked to open it. The screen flickered to life, revealing a grainy video of a man speaking in Arabic, surrounded by armed militants in the backdrop of a dimly lit cave.
Harry's expression tightened with recognition. "That’s Raza Hamidmi al-Wazar, leader of the Ten Rings in Afghanistan," he remarked, his voice tinged with concern. "If Wazar is delivering these messages, it suggests Stane's connections with the underworld go deeper than we thought."
Pepper watched intently as the video unfolded, swiftly she entered the command to translate the message. Wazar's demands were stark and chilling: a higher demand to take Tony Stark's life. Not a bargain for his life but a higher amount for the assassination.
"These changes everything," Pepper murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. The implications of Stane's alliance with the Ten Rings and his betrayal of Tony's trust hit her hard.
Harry's senses prickled as his detection wards signalled an intruder. He swiftly moved to the office door, silently gesturing to Pepper to act naturally. With practised ease, Pepper discreetly slipped the pen drive beneath a newspaper on Tony's cluttered desk.
"How much longer?" Harry asked in a hushed tone, his eyes darting between Pepper and the approaching figure.
"10 to 15 minutes," Pepper replied calmly, her demeanour composed despite the underlying tension.
"I don’t want to be a part of this anymore!" Harry's voice boomed, laced with frustration as he paced in the spacious office. "I've leveraged everything I have to control the fire sale, but the shares keep plummeting. And you are telling me that Tony might lose the company. What was the point of buying those shares?"
"Harry, please. We need your help," Pepper interjected urgently, her voice tinged with desperation. They had rehearsed this act meticulously on the way to the office. "I understand you're risking everything to secure a controlling stake, but turning this around will take time. You must give us that time.
"Yeah, well, if Tony gets ousted, what does that mean for me?" Harry shot back; his tone bitter. "I don’t know if the stock prices will recover. In addition, my role as a consultant to Stark Industries could be over. It's a lose-lose situation for me."
At that precise moment, Stane entered the office, his eyebrows raised in surprise as he witnessed the heated exchange between Harry and Pepper.
"What’s happening over here?" Stane's voice sliced through the tense atmosphere as he strode into the room, heading straight for the liquor cabinet with an air of nonchalance. "He always gets the good stuff," he remarked, pouring himself a generous measure of whiskey. As he turned to offer Pepper a glass, Harry intercepted him mid-stride.
"What are you doing here, Stane?" Harry's voice was low and edged with suspicion.
"This is my company," Stane countered coolly, his gaze fixing on Harry. "So, what brings you here, Potter? And why are you arguing with Pepper?"
"Harry's trying to convince Tony to buy back the shares he recently acquired to maintain control of our block," Pepper explained, her voice tinged with frustration.
Stane let out a scoff, his eyes narrowing. "Always the opportunist, aren't you, Potter? Jumping in where there's profit to be made."
"This has nothing to do with you, Stane," Harry shot back, stepping closer to Stane, and locking eyes with him. "Who are you to question my character? You don’t know who I am, what I've been through, or what I'm capable of."
"You're nothing but a leech," Stane countered. "Clinging to Tony, his fame, and his fortune."
"If I'm a leech, then what are you?" Harry retorted sharply.
"I'll ask you again, Potter. Why are you even here?" Stane's tone grew more confrontational. "If you wanted to talk to Tony, why not go to his mansion?"
"Yeah, well, Tony said he wanted to show me something—a new direction for Stark Industries," Harry replied pointedly. "But as you can see, he's not here. So, I'm waiting. Meanwhile, Pepper's trying to find a document from Tony's files for me to review. However, my patience is wearing thin. Dealing with you is taxing enough, and if Tony handles restructuring Stark Industries like he handles everything else, then count me out. I don’t have the patience for either of you."
"Well, we don’t need you here, Potter. It might have been better if you never joined Stark Industries," Stane shot back, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Good, because I don’t want to be here either," Harry replied, keeping up the charade as he followed Pepper's lead.
While Stane and Harry were engrossed in their confrontation, Pepper swiftly completed her task of transferring the documents.
"I think Obie is right," Pepper interjected, smoothly interrupting the tension between Harry and Stane. "We should go to the mansion and talk to Tony there. I couldn't find any files here.
Stane, appearing congenial despite the underlying tension, noticed the newspaper in Pepper's hand. "Is that today’s paper?"
Confused for a moment, Pepper glanced down at the paper and then back at Stane. "Oh, yes, yes."
Stane gestured politely. "Do you mind? The crossword puzzle."
"Of course," Pepper replied, handing over the newspaper to Stane. With that, she gently pulled Harry away from the confrontation.
As they made their way out of the office, Harry quietly asked Pepper if she had managed to retrieve all the information they needed. Pepper subtly showed him the pen drive, confirming that their mission was successful.
In the lobby, they found Phil Coulson waiting patiently.
"Miss Potts, we have an appointment. Did you forget about our meeting?" Phil asked, his tone calm but expectant.
"Nope, right now. Come with me," Pepper replied briskly, glancing over her shoulder to see Stane observing them from above.
"Right now?" Phil responded, taken aback by the sudden urgency.
"We're having it right now. Walk with me," Pepper affirmed, striding purposefully towards the exit
As they exited the compound, Pepper turned to Phil. "Mr. Coulson, I need your assistance in apprehending Obadiah Stane for illegally selling Stark Industries weapons to global terrorists."
"Do you have proof, Miss Potts?" Phil inquired, his demeanour shifting into professional attentiveness.
"Yes, I have all the consignment reports from their latest shipments," Pepper affirmed confidently.
"Alright, Miss Potts. I'd like you to accompany me to our field office here in LA so we can go through your evidence," Phil directed, his demeanour switching into action mode.
"Let's go" Pepper agreed, and the three of them proceeded towards SHIELD's field office.
