Washington D.C.
Senate Military Committee Hearing Site
Ten minutes ago
Outside the Capitol Building, crowds surged.
Reporters, armed with cameras of all sizes, surrounded the entrance, making it impassable.
Flashbulbs popped one after another, their dazzling White light still noticeable even in the morning sun.
"Senator Stern! What is your opinion on Stark Industries' armor technology?" A CNN reporter struggled to the front row, extending a microphone towards Stern, who was walking towards the entrance.
Stern stopped, adjusted his tie, and wore a politician's characteristic smile: "National security is not a joke. Any weapon technology that could potentially threaten the safety of the public must be regulated."
"But Mr. Stark insists his armor is not a weapon," the reporter pressed, "What do you think?"
Stern's smile stiffened slightly: "When a person can fly freely over New York wearing armor, and even engage in combat, it is difficult for us not to define it as a weapon."
Not far away, Justin Hammer was surrounded by a group of reporters.
He wore a well-tailored silver suit, his hair slicked back and shiny, looking like a peacock displaying its feathers.
"Mr. Hammer, attending today's hearing as a technical expert, do you believe the Iron Man armor should be classified as a Military weapon?"
Hammer dramatically spread his hands: "My dear friends, is there even a question? Look at those videos.
Palm repulsors, miniature missiles, laser cutting systems. If this isn't a weapon, then my pen is a dove of peace!"
The reporters burst into laughter.
Just then, the roar of an engine grew from distant to near.
A silver-grey Audi R8 executed a beautiful drift, stopping steadily at the steps of the Capitol Building.
The car door slowly lifted upwards, and Tony Stark stepped out, a cynical smile on his lips beneath his sunglasses.
The reporters immediately turned their direction, swarming towards Tony.
"Mr. Stark! What preparations have You made for today's hearing?"
"It is said that the Military wants to requisition your armor technology, will You compromise?"
Tony took off his sunglasses, revealing his characteristic rogue smile: "Relax, friends. I'm just here for coffee."
He pointed at the Capitol Building, "I heard their Blue Mountain coffee is good."
"Aren't You worried about the armor technology being forcibly nationalized?" a reporter shouted.
Tony shrugged: "First, the armor is not a weapon. Second,"
He blinked, "Second, no one can take it away."
Escorted by security personnel, Tony walked gracefully up the steps and entered the congressional hall.
Reporters scrambled to follow, with live cameras tracking his every move.
The hearing officially began.
Senator Stern stood at the podium, tapping his gavel: "The theme of this hearing is to assess whether the Iron Man armor developed by Stark Industries constitutes a threat to national security and whether it should be included in the scope of Military weapon control."
He turned to Tony, who was sitting in the witness seat: "Mr. Stark, please state your position."
Tony leaned back lazily in his chair: "My position is simple, the armor is my private property, just like my watch, my sports car. It just happens to be able to fly and shoot lasers."
There was a stir in the hall.
"You are showing contempt for Congress!" a congressman slammed the table and stood up.
"That suit can easily destroy a city block!"
Tony spread his hands: "My sports car can also hit and kill people, do You want to confiscate all sports cars?"
Stern sneered: "Mr. Stark, please do not confuse the issue. We have invited Mr. Justin Hammer, CEO of Hammer Industries, as a technical consultant."
Hammer walked onto the witness stand with exaggerated strides, holding a tablet in his hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he brought up a video.
"This is the flight record of the Stark armor over New York. Its speed exceeds Mach 5, and its maneuverability is comparable to a fighter jet."
He then switched to another screen: "This is the energy reading of the palm repulsor, enough to penetrate tank armor."
Finally, he played a blurry video: "And this is three days ago, a person in black armor, believed to be Stark's new partner, single-handedly stopped a runaway truck. If this power is used for crime..."
There was laughter from the audience, everyone knew this person was Superman saving people.
Tony rolled his eyes: "Hammer, your PPT skills are much better than your robots."
Stern tapped the gavel to maintain order: "We have also invited Colonel Rhodes to speak as a representative of the Military."
James Rhodes walked onto the witness stand, his expression serious: "I must state that I am attending in my personal capacity."
He glanced at Tony, "Tony is my friend, but as a soldier, I must consider national security."
"So, Colonel Rhodes," Stern asked.
"Do You believe the Iron Man armor is a weapon system?"
Rhodes hesitated: "From a technical standpoint, it does... look like a weapon, but it's more of a tool..."
Hammer immediately jumped up and interrupted him: "Did You hear that? Even the Military admits it's a weapon!"
Tony's face darkened. He turned to look at the back door of the congressional hall, which was still empty.
Stern pressed his advantage: "Mr. Stark, given the weapon nature of the armor, Congress requires You to immediately submit all technical data and cease private research and development."
Tony took a deep breath and suddenly smiled.
"It's funny."
He said unhurriedly, "The armor is actually not my work."
The entire hall fell silent.
"What do You mean?" Stern frowned.
"It means." Tony stood up, "The armor technology, including the Arc Reactor, comes from my partner, Mr. Superman."
As if rehearsed, the back door of the congressional hall was pushed open at that moment.
Xiao Han stepped in, a perfectly tailored black suit unable to conceal his perfectly proportioned muscular physique.
He didn't speak, but the entire hall instantly became so quiet You could hear a pin drop.
"Sorry I'm late."
Xiao Han walked towards the empty seat next to Tony, "I dealt with a few troubles on the way."
Tony raised an eyebrow: "Like?"
"Gang shootouts in Los Angeles, and a few Terrorists trying to detonate bombs in the city center."
Xiao Han sat down calmly, "I sent them to the North Pole to dig ice for the scientific expedition team."
Tony's expression was strange: "Digging ice?"
Stern suddenly stood up: "Superman! This is a congressional hearing, unauthorized personnel are not welcome!"
Xiao Han looked up at him, his golden pupils shining slightly in the Shadow: "Senator, according to the First Amendment of the Constitution, I have the right to attend any public hearing."
He paused, "Or are You trying to defend those criminals?"
Stern's face turned pale and then green, and he finally sat back down heavily in his chair.
The hearing continued, but the atmosphere had completely changed.
When Hammer tried to prove the weapon nature of the armor again, Tony directly interrupted him: "Let me be clear, the armor is a tool developed by Xiao for rescue and punishing crime. Just like a Police officer's handgun, the key is the user."
"Absurd!"
Stern slammed the table, "Who can guarantee that these technologies will not be abused?"
Xiao Han slowly stood up.
His movements were light, but everyone unconsciously held their breath.
"I guarantee it."
Xiao Han's voice was not loud, but it made the entire congressional hall silent.
"The armor is my work, used to protect the innocent. If someone wants to take it away." His gaze swept over every congressman.
"Feel free to try."
Stern's Adam's apple bobbed: "Is this a threat?"
"Stating facts."
Xiao Han adjusted his cuff, "I respect the law, but I will not tolerate anyone using the name of the law to commit plunder."
He turned to the live camera, speaking directly to the U.S. public: "I have no intention of destroying the World, I only hope for humanity to coexist peacefully. But if someone infringes on my rights..."
Xiao Han didn't finish, but everyone understood his implied meaning.
Corner of the audience seats
Natasha Romanoff crossed her legs, her fingers gently tapping the armrest of the chair: "This guy is more interesting than the report said."
Coulson took out a mint from his inner jacket pocket: "Considering he can catch a missile with his bare hands, I think this is already restrained."
"Fury will like him." Natasha narrowed her eyes, "Or is already thinking of ways to recruit him."
Coulson folded the candy wrapper into a neat square: "I'm more concerned about what consequences the latter will cause."
Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion, Xiao Han and Tony simultaneously rose and left.
Senator Stern opened his mouth, but in the end, he didn't dare to call for a recess.
The other congressmen exchanged glances, their hands unconsciously crumpling the documents they held.
One of the congressmen narrowed his eyes, preparing to apply to his organization for an anti-Superman plan as soon as he got back.
Hammer was like a rooster whose neck had been squeezed, his face red but unable to make a sound.
Only Colonel Rhodes let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.