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Iron Man Vol 6 23

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My father made his name and fortune selling weapons. I inherited it all without a second thought...until I realized it was people like us...Those who create and facilitate technology and innovation without regard for the consequences...who might very well be the ones to destroy all life as we know it. I will dismantle everything I've purchased from Source Control. But not before I've personally reverse engineered each item in order to figure out how to nullify the threat they pose. I will undo death. For all the victims of Stark Industries. Of Source Control. Of every morally bankrupt person who ever tried to rise to power with a gun in their hand. For Vic. For Carl.

—Iron Man

Appearing in "Buy the Four"

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Synopsis for "Buy the Four"

Brief Synopsis[]

Tony Stark and his allies have been in Macau for a month, and they have spent over sixty billion dollars buying up weapons off Source Control. While playing carps at a casino, Carl Walker meets up with a Source Control operative. He takes Walker to a parking lot to sell him Time Displacement Blasters, but turns against Walker after revealing that Source Control suspects him. He fires the blaster at Carl, teleporting him away. Wearing his armor in stealth mode, Iron Man sweeps in and takes down the sellers before securing the blasters. The sellers are placed in temporary custody while the blasters are sent to Long Island, where Bethany Cabe is keeping inventory of everything bought off Source Control, so that Tony can dismantle them later.

Two days later, Tony and Jim Rhodes work continuously without sleeping for three days, trying to track down the Mandarin's rings, the final piece that Tony wants from Source Control. They finally find them, and Stark decides to surprise Source Control by showing up to the transaction on his own. The leader of Source Control is revealed to be Spymaster. Tony argues that his money is as good as anybody's, since Source Control doesn't care who buys from them. He also offers Spymaster the opportunity to walk away once the purchase is over. Spymaster feigns approval, but demands to take both Iron Man's and War Machine's armors. When War Machine reveals himself, Carl Walker attacks him from behind wearing his Force Armor. He reveals that Source Control had displaced him only one week into the past, when they were already aware of Stark's operation, and had offered him to join their enterprise. As Tony wrestles to stop Spymaster's henchmen from taking his armor, Spymaster introduces Tony to the new owner of the rings, the Cobalt Man.

Detailed Synopsis[]

In a casino in Macau, China, Carl Walker is playing craps enthusiastically, surrounded by people cheering him on, and winning his bets. Iron Man narrates on the social aspect of the game, and how, as long as one is winning, they have their own little supportive community. As Carl holds up his dice and a woman blows on them, Tony comments on the lesser known fact that it's the odds being bigger for losing, something the house and real gamblers know. A middle-aged man with a scowl his bets, surprising the spectators, and warns Carl against coming for him. Carl finishes blowing his dice with a bewildered expression. He tosses them and wins. He taunts his opponent, and the man asks to lay the odds. Tony explains that one can bet against the roller, but that pits you against the whole table. But if they all lose, you win. Carl throws his dice again and expects the result with concern, and it's a crap out. He winces as the rest of the table laments his loss. As the bettor walks away, Jim Rhodes communicates with Carl through his earpiece and informs him the bettor is the person they are looking for. Walker asks him whose idea was it for the bettor to embarrass him, Rhodey tells him it was Tony's, but he should just roll with it. Carl nonchalantly flicks a chip at the table before walking toward the bettor to offer him a drink. The bettor posits an alternative, and Walker asks him for something else. The man tells Carl to follow him.

The man escorts Carl to an underground parking lot, where three armed men are waiting for them. In the narration, Stark reveals that they have been in Macau for a month, and he has spent over sixty billion dollars, which is a record, even for him. Pressing his earpiece, Carl asks muttering how many times he has to do these transactions before they go wrong. Rhodey reassures him that they have been so far good, and Walker replies that it's easy for him to say. Tony explains that the things he has bought could kill the world six times over. Inside a van somewhere in the parking lot, Rhodey is monitoring the situation. He tries to calm down Carl, who argues he'd feel safer in his suit. Jim jokes that Carl is wearing a tailored suit, but before Carl can retort, Rhodey advices him to stop talking not to alert the sellers. The bettor turns around to ask Walker if he's okay, and he pretends to clear his throat, claiming he is fighting a cold. One of the sellers opens a briefcase containing what Stark's narration identifies as Time Displacement Blasters. The bettor explains that one hit from them can send one to whichever moment in time they'd like. Carl asks to buy the four. The man assents and pulls out one of the blasters, but suddenly points it at Carl and threatens to use it on him. Walker raises his arms and tries to negotiate a higher price. In his narration, Tony mentions that Carl has been using 36 different shell companies to make the purchases, but he has been exposed a lot. The man reveals that the top tier of Source Control noticed the influx of buyers, but that they all trace back to a single person, Carl. Tony contemplates that it might be his fault. Walker attempts to defuse the situation, asking the man if he still wants his money. The man fires the blaster, and a discharge of energy envelops Carl before disappearing. He quips that Carl is history, literally. Inside the van, Rhodey takes off his headphones and announces that he's going in. Tony warns him that War Machine appearing will compromise the situation. Jim asks about Carl, and Tony points out that he's not dead. Rhodey argues he could still be in danger, but Tony tells him that they need those blasters. The lights suddenly go out in the parking lot, surprising the bettor and his accomplices.

Wearing the stealth version of his armor, Iron Man blasts a wall behind the sellers and steps in, firing repulsor blasts. In his inner monologue, Tony thinks how first Vic Martinelli got killed, and now Carl has been lost too. Tony states that he would normally blame himself and withdraw into poor coping mechanisms. He argues that somebody had to be out front, and that he would have done it if he could. As he knocks down the sellers with precise shots, Stark tells himself that he isn't the bad guy, that it's Source Control, and that he is going to destroy their entire network. As Rhodey runs toward Iron Man, Tony tells him that the blasters are secured. He orders him to take them to Bethany Cabe on Long Island, to use the usual route and to cover his tracks. Rhodey asks about the henchmen having seen Tony. Stark reveals that he pulled a favor with an offshore rendition site in case of this, and they will hold the goons there until the threat of Source Control is over and they can hand them over to the criminal courts. Both Tony and Rhodey lament that they have lost Carl. Stark promises to get him back. Rhodey asks Tony what else is he willing to lose. With a stern look, Tony replies that he is willing to lose everything. Stark thinks to himself that his father Howard made his name and fortune selling weapons, and that he inherited it all without a second thought. As he flies away from Macau, Tony elaborates that this was the case until he realized it was people who create and facilitate technology and innovation without regard for consequences who might very well be the ones that destroy all life as it's known. Meanwhile, outside a warehouse in Long Island, Bethany Cabe looks at a clipboard before turning around and entering the building. She looks over at shelves full of stocked items. In his narration, Tony proclaims that he will dismantle everything he purchased from Source Control, but not before reverse-engineering each item to figure out how to nullify the threat they pose. Tony continues flying close to the water. He declares that he will undo death, for all the victims of Stark Industries, of Source Control, and of every morally bankrupt person who ever tried to rise to power with a weapon. For Vic, and for Carl.

Two days later, Tony is sitting at a desk in the corner of a room. Although the rest of the room is shoddy, the desk sports numerous hi-tech screens. Rhodey is walking up to him to inform him that the goons are in custody and the blasters with Bethany. Rhodey relays that Cabe warned him that their "boom closet" is getting full. He adds that it's a powder keg of a secret, and also one literally. Stark states that he needs to get one more thing out of Source Control's hands, but Rhodey warns him that it's only a matter of time before they find them out, and suggests getting help from the Avengers. Tony insists that he is not walking out without the Mandarin's rings. He argues that they killed Vic for it, and a big assault risks Source Control disappearing along with them. Tony warns Rhodey that if they lose the rings, the next person to show up with them will be wearing them. A montage sees Tony working on the computer, day and night without interruption, while Rhodey works behind him on some computer consoles. Tony narrates that they didn't sleep for three days trying to pinpoint the rings, making it look like Carl is still active in the market. He contemplates that they could get busted at any moment, and that their friends back home could find out Tony is not actually in a coma at any moment. Stark admits that things are still though between Rhodey and him after Tony killed him recently. Tony recalls that he brough Rhodey back, but kept his memories, and also made sure he himself remembered. At daytime, Tony stares out of the window holding a cup of coffee. He thinks to himself that it's up to Rhodey to forgive him, and hopes he does. Tony looks at Rhodey, who is sitting on the floor with a laptop on his lap. He expresses that Rhodey is his best friend, and he doesn't want to lose him on top of everything. Tony turns around and sits down on the computer listing out Patsy Walker, his sobriety, his self-control, Vic, and Carl. It's the middle of the night outside, and Tony contemplates that Rhodey is there with him, trusting him, even as he lies once again to everyone back home. Both friends are focused on their respective computer. In his inner monologue, Tony states that he tries not to fall asleep, and that he tells himself it's worth it.

Tony continues working on his computer, with his armor's helmet by his side. He thinks that if he lets Source Control go unchecked, his friends might find themselves on the receiving end of one of their weapons. He contemplates what the rings could do to cities, or to the whole planet, and states that Iron Man was build to disarm those who would seek to weaponize against others for power; that he built himself to stop them, and that he will. Tony informs Jim that he has found the rings, and has set up the purchase for tonight using Carl's Clayton Wilson alias. He comments that they are nicknamed "Ten Halos," and have a three billion dollar price tag. Putting his hand on Tony's shoulder, Rhodey tells him to get after it. A montage sees Tony showering, shaving, putting up a suit, and grabbing a briefcase. He narrates that he thought again about having Carl out front. Tony deducts that Source Control is about money, not ideology, and that they don't care who wins or loses. Looking at himself in the mirror, Tony thinks to himself that he figured his boldest move would be to introduce himself to the equation.

While walking on outskirts, Stark thinks to himself that Carl got shot because Source Control suspected double-dealing, and that they were right, since he was lying to them, so he won't anymore. Tony stumbles into a group of armed men appear who are being backlit by car lights, and they stop his passage. Via comms, Rhodey cautions Tony. A silhouette appears behind the goons and it laughs. Tony tells them that his money is as good as anyone else's. The silhouette rejoices in the circumstances as it steps forward to reveal himself as Spymaster. He welcomes Stark to the top tier of Source Control. Tony tells him that three billion dollars are still three billion dollars, and asks what does he care who buys them. As he walks toward Tony, Spymaster commends his straightforwardness. Stark informs him that he has already bough the rest of his catalog, and orders him to take the money. Spymaster suspects that Interpol or the Avengers will then come after him. Tony clarifies that he is offering something else aside from the money: for Spymaster to walk away. Spymaster points out that it's morally gray, and Tony tells him to check his accounts. Spymaster turns around as one of his henchmen receives a phone call and confirms the money is secured. Spymaster then inquires about Tony's briefcase, and Stark remarks that he is not stupid. Spymaster gestures to one of his goons as he carries a glass case containing the rings, and expresses his pleasure for doing business with Stark. As he holds up the case, Tony thinks to himself that he knows they're fake. Spymaster breaks out to Tony that he also wants his stealth armor, as well as War Machine's suit.

In a rooftop above, War Machine shoots down Spymaster's proposal, causing the villain to turn around to face him. However, Carl suddenly appears wearing his Force Armor and lunges at Rhodey from behind, knocking him into the street. He flies down to the ground and takes off his helmet as he explains that Source Control displaced him a week into the past, and had picked him off the street. Force reveals that Spymaster was aware of Stark's operations and was simply waiting, and he had Carl sent back so he could show him that he was just Tony's pawn. He also explains that he accepted Spymaster's offer to join Source Control, and he accepted it since it wasn't a raw deal. Walker lashes out at Tony, swatting him while accusing Stark of using him as bait. Tony's briefcase accidentally opens as it falls on the ground. Force continues verbally assaulting Tony, and kicks him as he tries to get back up. He puts on his helmet again, expressing that he is lucky he didn't end up dead like Martinelli or Rhodey, and reminds Tony that he broke Jim's neck. Spymaster orders his men to take Tony's armor. Tony calls out Carl's name, but Force remarks that his name is Clayton Wilson, and that "Carl Walker" was somebody Tony invented so he could control and use him, claiming Stark does so to everybody in his life. Tony holds onto his helmet as one of Spymaster's henchmen try to grab it. He quips that he only buys weapons, but doesn't sell them or give them away for free. As the henchman wrestles the helmet off Tony's hands, Spymaster laments that the rings are already off the market. Tony protests, and Spymaster insists that it's true as he introduces their new owner: the Cobalt Man, who appears behind Tony with the rings on his hands.

Solicit Synopsis

Operating in stealth mode with Jim Rhodes, Iron Man has landed in Macau and immersed himself in SOURCE CONTROL — the worst black market of stolen and illegal technology — all in order to organize a backroom buy of THE MANDARIN'S RINGS. It's going to require Tony Stark-level capital and strategy, but SPYMASTER may have a different buyer — and a wicked double cross — at the ready in order to pull the rug out from under Iron Man's boots. It seems someone else is willing to pay top dollar for those rings and is ready to pull them out of Iron Man's dead hands if they have to… THE COBALT MAN.

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