AN: I've squeezed too many things into this 3k-word chapter to avoid making multiple chs on it.
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The helicopter descended toward the island. Howard Stark sat in the back, silent, his hands clasped together as he stared out the window.
He had kept his promise even after the attack and the close call that nearly took his life. His security team's head wanted him to lie low for a while, heck, even Fury told him to stay low, but despite all that, Howard came. He wanted to see Tony and his accomplishments.
But as the island came into view…
He realized he had severely underestimated what Tony had built here.
Howard had expected a research facility. Maybe a few high-tech labs, some security, the kind of operation Stark Industries could eventually integrate into its long-term development.
What he saw instead?
Something straight out of science fiction.
A massive, semi-transparent energy field flickered across the island's perimeter. The moment the helicopter approached, Howard felt a faint vibration in his bones, like passing through an invisible barrier.
Beyond the shield, the island wasn't just a base.
It was a fortress.
Automated defensive turrets tracked the helicopter's movement. Drones hovered silently in formation, scanning every inch of the aircraft as if deciding whether or not to shoot it down.
And then there were the machines.
Howard caught a glimpse of something patrolling the outskirts. A quadrupedal mech, moving around the area. It stopped for a moment, its glowing blue optics turning toward the helicopter…
And Howard could swear it was looking right at him.
'Jesus Christ, Tony. What the hell have you built?'
The helicopter's descent slowed, the landing pad rising slightly as if adjusting itself for a smoother touchdown.
Howard didn't move right away.
Something felt… off.
Not in a threatening way.
But in a way that made his instincts tingle.
He had been in enough war zones to recognize that feeling.
The moment the helicopter doors opened, Tony was already there.
Sunglasses on. Hands in his pockets. Smirking.
"Welcome to Horizon, Pops," Tony called over the roar of the blades. "Try not to have a heart attack."
Howard scoffed, stepping out onto the landing pad. "With the way you've set this place up, I'm surprised I wasn't shot out of the sky."
Tony grinned. "Well, you almost were. I had to override the automated defenses last second."
Howard froze mid-step. "...You're joking."
Tony just smirked.
Howard let out a slow breath. "Jesus Christ, Tony."
"I'm joking," Tony chuckled.
But as he took his first few steps, the feeling returned.
That odd, nagging sensation.
Something was missing.
As Tony led him deeper into the base, Howard's eyes scanned everything. The buildings, the technology, the security systems... it was all leagues ahead of anything on the market. Even Shield's security tech pales in comparison.
But what stood out wasn't the tech.
It was the people.
Or rather...
The women.
Every single person they passed, whether it was a researcher reviewing holographic blueprints, an engineer calibrating a drone, or a security officer patrolling the area, was female.
Not a single male worker in sight.
Howard didn't comment on it right away.
Maybe it was a coincidence.
Maybe he was overthinking it.
But the more they walked, the more obvious it became.
Even the combat personnel training in the distance, moving like seasoned professionals, were women.
Howard's brow furrowed.
'Alright… what the hell is going on here?'
By the time they stepped into the central research hub, Howard was sure of it.
This wasn't just some weird hiring coincidence.
Tony had deliberately staffed this entire base with women.
Howard stopped walking.
Tony took a few more steps before noticing. "Something wrong?"
Howard folded his arms. "Yeah. You gonna tell me why every single worker here is a woman?"
Tony blinked behind his sunglasses, then smirked. "Took you long enough to notice."
Howard's frown deepened. "Was this some kind of hiring preference? Or did you just forget to put out applications for men?"
Tony chuckled. "Relax, Pops. I didn't start some anti-dude movement."
Howard raised an eyebrow. "Care to explain?"
Tony exhaled through his nose. "I told you I'd hire some people eventually. And I did. I just… had specific candidates in mind."
Howard narrowed his eyes. "What kind of candidates?"
Tony's smirk faded just slightly.
"The best ones," he said simply. "Don't worry about it. They are good at their jobs."
Howard stared at Tony for a long moment, eyes narrowing. He could tell when his son was dodging a question.
But for now?
He let it slide.
Tony wasn't the type to do anything without a reason. If the entire workforce were female, it meant there was a calculated decision behind it.
He'd get his answers eventually.
"Alright," Howard said, exhaling. "Show me what you've been working on."
Tony grinned. "Oh, I thought you'd never ask."
With a flick of his wrist, Tony pulled up a holographic interface. A blue pulse ran through the walls, and suddenly, the floor beneath them shifted.
The walls, once smooth metal, began to split apart, revealing massive underground corridors descending deep into the island.
Howard took a step back, his eyebrows raising slightly.
"Jesus, kid. You built a whole underground facility?"
Tony smirked. "Above ground is for show. Below? That's where the real magic happens."
The ground beneath them began to lower—a hidden elevator seamlessly taking them down.
Howard watched as the upper level disappeared, replaced by a vast, illuminated research complex.
...
[Main Lab]
The first thing Howard noticed?
The sheer scale of it.
Holographic displays filled the room, showcasing intricate biomedical data, nanotech schematics, and real-time simulations of cellular regeneration.
Tony stepped forward, arms spread out.
"Alright, Pops. Time for the grand tour. Three years of work, blood, sweat, and borderline caffeine addiction... all leading to this."
Howard folded his arms, giving him a skeptical look. "You sure I won't regret this?"
Tony smirked. "Oh, you will. Your mind's about to get blown."
Howard sighed. "Just get on with it, kid."
Tony tapped on a holo-interface. A floating 3D model of a handheld device materialized in front of them, rotating slowly.
Howard's eyes narrowed as he studied the design.
It looked… deceptively simple.
A simple, handheld scanner—something that could fit in the palm of a hand, yet it had more computational power than an entire hospital's imaging department.
Tony swiped through the hologram, displaying 3D live demonstrations.
One showed the device scanning a patient's chest in seconds, revealing a full 3D model of their internal organs with stunning accuracy.
Another showed a microscopic scan of nerve pathways, highlighting damaged areas in real time.
Tony grinned, watching his father's expression shift from curiosity to genuine intrigue.
"Say hello to the Anatomy Mapping Device. One scan, and you've got a complete breakdown of a person's body, down to the cellular level."
Howard raised an eyebrow. "CT scans and MRIs already exist, Tony. What makes this so special?"
Tony smirked. "Speed, accuracy, and zero radiation exposure. This thing picks up tumors, aneurysms, even genetic disorders before they manifest. No invasive procedures, no expensive hospital stays... just instant diagnosis."
Howard's gaze flicked back to the demo. "Holy hell…"
Tony nodded. "Exactly. Imagine paramedics scanning an accident victim in the field and knowing exactly what's wrong like internal bleeding, fractures, or organ damage, before they even reach the hospital. No more trial-and-error surgeries. No more misdiagnoses. Just… pure medical precision."
Howard took a deep breath. "You're gonna put a lot of hospitals out of business with this."
Tony shrugged. "Eh, if they can't keep up, that's their problem."
Howard chuckled. "Goddamn, kid. This is… this is something. This could change everything. This alone can save so many lives."
Tony smirked. "We're just getting started."
He swiped again. The scanner hologram disappeared, replaced by a lifelike model of a human arm.
It moved.
Not like a robotic prosthetic.
Not stiff. Not mechanical.
It moved naturally... the fingers curling and flexing with fluid, organic motion.
Howard's breath caught.
"...No way."
Tony grinned.
"Meet the future of prosthetics," He said, watching his father's reaction. "No mechanical joints, no clunky interfaces... just seamless integration between flesh and machine."
Howard stepped forward, watching as the holographic arm responded to neural signals.
"How...?"
"Bio-nanites." Tony tapped the interface, zooming in. "Tiny, self-repairing nanites that fuse directly with nerve endings. No need for brain implants or risky neural surgery... just plug-and-play human augmentation."
Howard's mind raced. 'Nanomachines?! But... How? I've been researching nanotechnology for years and barely managed to get small breakthroughs. These things eat up energy like there's no tomorrow. Heck, Shield, Oscorp, and Hammer Industries failed to achieve much in this field, and most ended up in disasters. And here's my son, going around like it's no big deal. Nanite Aug. Good job, Tony.'
This wasn't just an advancement.
This was a revolution.
He had seen failed attempts at this before.
Hammer Tech tried neural-linked prosthetics years ago. It was a disaster... expensive, unstable, and killed half the test subjects.
But this?
This was different.
Howard rubbed his chin. "So… you're saying an amputee could just—what? Attach one of these, and it works instantly?"
Tony nodded. "24 hours calibration time. No muscle reconditioning. The nanites do all the work, like fusing with nerve endings, replicating sensory input, and adapting in real-time. They can even grow with the user, adjusting over time just like real muscle tissue. As for the power source, it runs on a microreactor which requires juice every 1 month or so, depending on the quality."
Howard exhaled sharply. "Jesus."
Tony swiped again.
New data appeared.
✔️ Patients regaining full sensation—including touch, heat, and pressure.
✔️ Soldiers regaining lost limbs—able to fight again.
✔️ Children born without limbs getting a chance at a normal life.
"This isn't just about replacing lost limbs," Tony said. "It's about making something better."
Howard turned to his son, his expression unreadable.
"You realize what you've done here?" he asked quietly.
Tony smirked. "Yeah. Built the future."
Howard shook his head. "No, Tony. This… this is gonna shake the world."
Tony's smirk widened. "That's the idea."
Howard folded his arms. "You do know what's going to happen next, right?"
Tony shrugged. "The pharma industry is gonna have a heart attack, and governments are gonna try and steal it. Not to mention those criminals."
Howard exhaled. "Damn right, they will."
Tony leaned against the console. "That's why I'm controlling the rollout. Step by step. First, the Anatomy Scanner—introduce it as a simple medical tool. Let the world get used to nanite-based tech before I drop the real bombshell."
Howard nodded slowly. "Smart. But as you said... You're gonna have every military contractor, every world leader, every shadow organization knocking on your door."
Tony smirked. "Let them knock."
Howard studied his son for a long moment.
Three years ago, Tony was just a brilliant, reckless kid with a vision.
Now?
Now he was playing at a whole different level.
And for the first time in a long while, Howard wasn't sure if he should be proud… or terrified.
Howard let out a long sigh.
"Alright, genius. You win. I'm impressed."
Tony grinned. "Knew it."
Howard shook his head, chuckling. "Goddamn, Tony. I can't even call you a kid anymore. Alright, genius. What's next? You already flipped the medical industry on its head, what now? Instant teleportation? Time travel?"
Tony smirked. "Nah. Too messy. But I did build a few things that'll make us very, very rich."
Howard arched an eyebrow. "Now you have my attention."
"Let's talk police work."
Tony gestured toward a row of armored suits displayed on metal racks. The suits weren't bulky military exoskeletons. They were lightweight armor designed to be worn by law enforcement officers without slowing them down.
"Meet the Aegis Suit," Tony said, running his fingers over the armor plating. "Non-restrictive, lightweight, and made with a titanium-polymer weave. It can stop high-caliber rounds, absorbs blunt force trauma, and comes with built-in medical support."
Howard's eyes narrowed as he examined the suit closely. It wasn't like any riot gear or Kevlar vest currently on the market. The plates flexed slightly at the joints, allowing for full mobility.
Tony continued, "It's got temperature regulation, AI-assisted threat detection, and even a built-in defibrillator system because cops don't just need protection; they need survival tools. Also, hidden stun emitters in the gloves, just in case they need to end a fight without pulling a trigger."
Howard let out a low whistle. This time, he couldn't control his excitement. "Damn. You're about to put every police gear manufacturer out of business."
"That's the goal," Tony replied with a smirk. "We mass-produce these under Stark Industries, integrate them through your contracts with law enforcement, and before long? Every cop in the country is running my tech instead of outdated bulletproof vests."
Howard folded his arms. "And the government?"
Tony shrugged. "They'll resist at first. Too much bureaucratic red tape. But when they see local police outperforming SWAT teams? They'll fall in line."
Howard grinned. "You've thought this through."
Tony smirked. "Always do."
...
Tony led Howard to another section of the lab, where a weapon rack stood lined with what looked like modified handguns, batons, and compact rifle-like devices.
"Okay," Tony said, picking up what looked like a sleek silver handgun. "This little beauty? The Guardian MK I. It's a non-lethal civilian defense weapon. Fires high-density shock pulses strong enough to drop an armed attacker without causing permanent damage."
Howard raised an eyebrow. "Stun guns already exist, kid."
Tony smirked. "Yeah, and they suck. Short range, slow charge time, unreliable in extreme conditions. This bad boy? Instant recharge, 50-foot effective range, and no need for physical contact. It works even through light armor and thick clothing. Oh, and the best part?"
He pointed at the side of the gun, where a small biometric scanner rested.
"Only the registered owner can fire it. So, no stolen weapons being turned against their owners."
Howard exhaled. "Huh. That's... actually brilliant."
Tony wasn't done. He walked over and picked up what looked like a collapsible baton.
"This? The Widow Batons." He pressed a button, and the baton extended instantly, electricity crackling along its length.
Howard's eyebrows shot up.
"Hits like a baseball bat, stuns like a taser, and bonus, it's damn near unbreakable. Also, adjustable voltage, in case you need to go from 'stun a mugger' to 'drop a goddamn grizzly bear.'"
Howard chuckled shaking his head.
"And this..." Tony picked up a compact, futuristic-looking rifle. "...is the G-Force Pulse Rifle. It doesn't fire bullets. Instead, it uses compressed kinetic energy rounds. Enough force to knock an attacker on their ass without any penetration trauma. Good for house weapons. And it has AI-integrated software. You can't shoot just because you want to... It recognizes the threat before unlocking. Plus, completely unhackable and it won't activate if a kid comes before it holding a toy gun or a plastic knife."
Howard took the rifle, feeling the weight. It was light, well-balanced, and had zero recoil.
"So, you're giving civilians a way to fight back," Howard mused. "Without mass-producing deadly weapons."
Tony nodded. "Exactly. You release these through government-approved civilian defense programs, and suddenly, we've armed the public without the risk of mass shootings. No fatalities. No 'stolen gun' incidents. Just pure self-defense tech."
Howard exhaled. "Son, if this works, you're about to put every major arms manufacturer in the dirt."
Tony grinned. "Yeah, well, they had a good run."
...
Tony turned and led Howard to the last station.
And this?
This was big.
A red car sat in the middle of the test platform. It looked like a sports car, but sleeker, meaner, and more advanced.
Howard asked. "Car?"
Tony tapped the hood. "This, Pops, is the future of transportation. Runs on a Micro-Arc Reactor. No gas. No fossil fuels. Just pure energy."
Howard's eyes widened. "Wait. Wait. You put a reactor in a car?"
Tony smirked. "Yep. A customized one."
Howard took a slow breath. "You do realize if you roll this out, you'll kill every oil and gas company overnight, right?"
Tony nodded. "Yep. My tech will soon kill most of the companies. So, it doesn't matter anymore."
Howard chuckled, shaking his head. "You're really going for the throat, huh?"
Tony tapped the side of the car, and a holographic interface appeared, showcasing the core components.
"This baby gets over 10,000 miles per charge, and the charging stations? They run on localized Arc Reactor power grids. Meaning? Once we set up enough stations, people never have to pay for gas again. They will pay us. Half the price of what they are paying now."
Howard exhaled. "Well, there goes another one."
Tony grinned. "Yep. So here's what we do. We release these cars under Stark Industries, set up charging stations across major cities, and by the time Ford, GM, and Tesla figure out what's happening?"
He snapped his fingers.
"They're obsolete."
Howard chuckled. "Jesus Christ. You're about to eat the entire car industry alive."
Tony smirked. "Better me than some corporate dinosaur trying to sell half-assed 'electric cars' with shitty battery life."
Howard exhaled. He ran a hand through his hair, processing everything.
Tony wasn't just changing the game.
He was burning the rulebook.
And Howard couldn't help but be impressed.
After a long silence, he let out a deep breath and grinned.
"Well, kid," he said. "You win. You're about to shake the whole damn world."
Tony smirked. "Damn right, I am."
Howard shook his head. "Alright. Let's get to work. You better be ready for a fight."
Tony's grin widened. "Always."
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