Location: The Department of The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, And Logistics Division, Washington DC
3 hours earlier
Colson's Pov
The office was the same clean, quiet and controlled chaos it usually was. The other operatives passed by me as I walked to the director's office. Some I knew, some I could see more busy than myself but they still moved listlessly along. The same monotony this job always brought.
I knocked before entering.
" Director, you called ?" I asked , standing to attention in front of the desk.
He points to file on the desk , not bothering to turn around toward me , gazing out the window as if contemplating his life choices.
" Go to Stark, find out about the weapon Stark made in that cave, and get a meeting with him. " a gruff voice sounded , seemingly annoyed that he had to assign an agent to do something that should have been done with a phone call in the first place.
I nodded but then noticed the file behind the one on the table. Realizing that that was not the only task , I asked.
"Uhm… sir, and the other file?"
"Matthew Carter Stark, 19. Acting CEO of Stark industries, currently CEO of Stark Motors due to inheritance and obvious nepotism by Stark but he is actually not doing that bad a job for a kid. His rap sheet is quite extensive though we can't exactly prove it right now." he scoffed .
I looked over the intel and what I saw was slightly concerning.
Unidentified access to classified digital servers.
Wire tapped dialogue lines that traced back to unknown entities.
Unsanctioned missions to locations that relate to a specific terrorist group that allegedly kidnapped Tony Stark.
This was only in the last few months, and the fact that they are sure it was this teenager's doing…
Not to mention there were other things but that wasn't important right now.
"What should we do about him?"
" Just give him a reminder that he should keep off our servers… or else" he deadpanned, turning his chair toward me in all his bald glory. Director Nick Fury, always one for the dramatics.
Exiting that office was just the start of my headache.
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Location: Miami, Stark Industries 15 minutes before Tony's speech
Slightly jet lagged and , definitely exasperated , cause why is tony stark having a press conference moments after touching down from a warzone?
The man stepped out of the car, napkin patting at his mouth , most likely from a burger that his file says he loves.
From the shadows of the building, I observed the scene. The press and employees crowded the man like he was a sale on black Friday. But the other Stark didn't come out till almost half the people left. A bodyguard standing a ways away from him, outta sight but very much there to intervene if anything were to happen.
It was strange but all rich people are strange so I shouldn't be surprised. I followed them inside but lost them in the crowd before I could even get a word in.
After a while I spotted Virginia Potts , or as she's known to the Starks as Pepper.
Her reddish blonde hair held up in a bun, giving her a professional air as she watched amusedly at Stark , who walked up to the podium and sat on the stairs.
"Miss Potts" I gave my best disarming smile as I caught her attention.
"Yes?"
" May I speak to you for a moment?"
" uh… I'm Not part of the press conference but it's about to begin" she brushed me aside , assuming I was one of the media but I insisted.
"I'm not a reporter"
"I'm agent Phil Colson with the The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, And Logistics Division" I handed her my card , the white card board paper barely glanced at before she took it.
"That's quite a mouthful"
"I know, we're working on it"
"We've been approached already by the D.O.D., F.B.I., C.I.A.-"
"We're a separate division, with a more specific focus." I explained quickly, " we need to debrief Mr. Stark about the circumstances of his escape."
"Oh" she scoffed slightly, " I'll put something in the books, shall I?"
That felt code for ' not my first time, smart guy'.
I accepted it anyway and stepped away, my focus now on the younger of the two Starks. His lean form slouched over the reception desk, seemingly awaiting, but not entirely listening to, the words being spoken.
The young man seemed to have noticed me but his attention was taken back by what his elder brother was saying.
It seemed to distress him for a moment before his cool demeanour returned.
"Effective immediately, I am shutting down the weapons and Manufacturing division of Stark Industries-"
Those words caught me off guard, my head snapping to the podium in shock.
That was not within expectations, Fury's gonna be so mad.
The teen seemed to find that funny, snickering to himself. At least someone found some humour in this.
I spoke up to him to gain his attention.
"Excuse me, you're Matthew Stark, correct?"
" Who's asking?" Matthew turned to me, attention being grabbed away from his entertainment by the irate Stane.
"My name is Agent Phil Colson. I'm With The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, And Logistics Division."
"S.H.I.E.L.D.?" he said to himself, already making an acronym for our infamously long department name.
" Yes, would you mind if we speak for a moment?"
" Yes, I would mind. What exactly is it that you need?"
He raised a blonde brow, sitting atop the desk now. The arrogance of every teen in their rebellious phase radiating off of him.
" I want to inform you about the illegality of your recent activity"
" I don't know what you're talking about"
" I think you know well what I'm talking about"
He smiles slightly at me.
"Your actions can warrant an arrest , Mr Stark."
"With what evidence , Agent?"
Condescending.
But he was right, we had nothing that led back to him .
God, I hate teenagers.
His eyes seemed to follow something behind me . A slightly more respectful look on his face now, as if someone told him to wrap it up and behave.
Probably the Guard from before.
" If that's all. I'll take my leave," he brushed me off , following after his brother and Miss Potts.
I watched him for a moment, then made the call.
" Sir... We may have a problem."