Time Various. Location: Various.
A multi-front war has been waging around the world. One between us and THEM. Others between; us and various governments, corporations, insurgent groups, anyone with enough ammo left over from fighting back THEM to spare lead on us. The United States has it the worst, the in-fighting. They, of course, set themselves up for it. What with the State Department, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, CIA, FBI, militias, hate groups, liberals vs. conservatives, on-and-on. The United States had spent the 20 years leading up to the great upheaval separating itself into splinter groups. The once glorious melting pot is being reduced to various leftovers on hot plates. That didn't change after THEY came.
At first, people came together; the first few weeks really brought out the good in people. Once the marauders, vandals, and scofflaws came, it was every man for himself. When the military showed up… The shit hit the fan hard.
Long before THEY showed up, the governments of the world were keeping track of those who could be "assets." The United States did this better than anyone. It's been speculated that they even created multiple TEOTWAWKI scenarios. Who's wealth, firepower, knowledge, and technology would best serve any given apocalypse.
When the outbreak was first being reported as isolated incidents, there were those in the scientific community who saw through the smokescreen and looked for answers. Reed Richards was the first to be reported missing. Then Pym, Luthor, McCoy, Xavier. Scientific minds were dropping off the public radar left and right. Tony Stark knew his time would come. He didn't know whether the disappearances were for the betterment of man or not. He assumed not. Perhaps it was his paranoia. Perhaps his ego. Whatever it was, Stark was the second-best prepared mind of our time to go off the grid if the time came. With the help of a long-time friend and business associate, Bruce Wayne, Stark set up multiple dummy corporations, created hidden bunkers for his technology. Together they prepared for the worst.
"-We're in."
"-Initiating override."
In desolate warehouses and secluded caves around the world, computer terminals light up. The groups of hackers at each spot, comparing what they see on their laptops with the terminal screens. Each, also watching the reactions of the others via video chat. A series of security windows open in rapid succession as the program runs. The final window shows the image of a closed bank vault. Each member of this international team holds their breath in anticipation of what might happen next. The vault opens, the dark interior suddenly flooded with light, a figure stands, back to the camera. As the camera pans in, the figure slowly turns. The camera stops filling the window with the image of Tony Stark.
"-Welcome my Iron Men."
___________
Time Unknown. Location: Unknown.
Looking at various slides from several "specimens" two men work in silence. How long have they been at it? It's not sure if even they know. The silence is broken.
"When I showed this to Banner, he walked out. When I tried to stop him… Well, you know what happened."
"Did insurance cover the roof?"
"No. They, claimed act of God."
"Hmmph."
"Have you ever seen anything like this?"
"No."
The two men pour over screens of data, checking and rechecking each calculation. Their eyes scan various microscopes and devices. The silence grows heavier with each passing second. One man welcomes the silence it helps him focus. The other is unsettled by the lack of distraction.
"Bruce, you know what's going on out there. No one's heard from Reed in weeks. Hell, Victor has closed the borders of Latveria. My lawyers are fighting a damn hostile government takeover. My sources say Wayne Enterprises is next."
"I know."
The exchange is brief. Silence reclaims the cavern.
"What the hell Bruce. Now is not the time for your damn gritty voiced, 'I'm Batman' bullshit. You're a damn fine detective. One of the best. You have resources even Stark Enterprises doesn't have. We need to work together to figure this out."
Bruce turns away from the computer screen and turns his stoic gray eyes towards his accuser. He meets Tony's eyes.
"You think I don't know what's going on out there? I haven't heard from Tim. Dick hasn't checked in in over 47 hours. Have you noticed Alfred isn't around? He had a weekend off… I know what's happening better than anyone. I have no idea what the hell we're dealing with. Even after all I've seen with the fools in Arkham, I am having a hard time admitting to myself that what I'm seeing is real."
"I'm sorry, Bruce. I didn't know."
"No, you're right, now is the time to work."
"Bruce…"
""Eliminate all other factors, and one which remains must be the truth.'"
"What do you mean?"
"You know, exactly what I mean, Tony. You're the scientist. I'm the detective. You have to know what I know."
As the two men come to the realization that their worst suspicions are true…
BOOM!
An explosion rocks the cave. Debris falls all around. Dozens of heavily armed men charge into the darkness.
"Federal Agents. Freeze!"
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