latverianregent (latverianregent) wrote in marvel_legends,
@ 2011-05-11 19:58:00

Entry tags:

Awkward Phone Calls.
He checked that it was a reasonable hour before he made the call. It felt more appropriate, somehow, than bringing these latest developments to the attention of SHIELD or Dr. Richards.

He called the place he'd found out about in Oklahoma.

"Dr. Kristoff Vernard to speak to Anthony Stark, please."

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anthonyestark
2011-05-12 12:58 am UTC (link)

"Forgive me," Tony amended, mostly just to keep his caller unbalanced. "Doctor. It's been..." had he slept Friday night, or was that Saturday? "We've been burning the candle at both ends; I'm sure you understand."

Tony knew nothing offhand about Latveria recently, or it's endeavors, philanthropic or otherwise. The last he remembered of von Doom's country was that it was just that - the home of a despotic monarch whom invariably made failed attempts to attack the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Avengers, or even the entire United States in a fit of self-entitled pique.

As for Doom's son, that was a trickier subject, although he remembered Reed telling him once that the Fantastic Four were still looking for the 'boy'. "I'm sorry to say, my knowledge of recent history is... spotty, at best," Tony said. "I don't know if you've been following world news, but I was forced to erase my brain in order to avoid certain information from falling into the hands of nefarious persons of authority." He liked the way that sounded. It made him grin to himself. "Only when the back-up I'd prepared to restore me was installed... it seems it was several months behind."

It was one of the most frustrating parts of his current life, and he had many frustrations. Not being able to remember having made choices that other people not only remembered, but blamed you for, some unforgivingly, was more shocking to the system than any alcohol-driven binge he'd ever experienced.

"However, I'm as good as new again, and if you have some 'philanthropic endeavors' you'd like to discuss with me, then I think I'd be interested in hearing what you have to say. Would you rather do that over the phone, or in person, Dr. Vernard?"

Tony wanted to play it safe. He'd be foolish to discard any opportunity out of hand at this point in Stark Resilient's rejuvenation, but Latveria rarely meant anything good. On the other hand, even if the endeavors Vernard mentioned were typical Latverian fare, then Iron Man and/or the Avengers, ought to know about it.

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latverianregent
2011-05-12 01:45 am UTC (link)

"The reports I heard were not clear as to the extent of the problem. My sympathies on the memory effects," Kristoff says sincerely. He knows it's not the same as his own childhood troubles, but he could sympathize all the same.

"Well, as we are both busy men, the phone should probably have to suffice. I can transmit the blueprints to you. To clarify for you, Latveria is under new management, that being mine. And long with changes in our infrastructure, we have been accepting proposals from a few research foundations and charitable organizations. There were two of these I wished to discuss with you. One because it involves technology geared for managing a metropolitan environment, and you might know better than I in that regard, and one because.... it concerns me."

Kristoff begins reading off the second of the two. It sounds like a perfectly polite and reasonable request for specific high-technology equipment for scientific research. But if dissected with a ridiculous among of technological acumen, something is off. "...Is it my suspicious mind, sir, or could there be a chance they intend to weaponize these materials?"

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anthonyestark
2011-05-12 02:17 am UTC (link)

"Thank you," Tony graciously accepted Kristoff's sympathies, although in some ways it pained him to do so. It was his own fault that he hadn't made a newer back-up - his fault, and a lack of time. He'd gotten to a point where he'd done the one thing a man should never do, no matter how strong - he'd forgotten he was mortal. It was that hubris that had led him to his downfall, and was the reason he was where he was today.

Nodding as he listened, Tony made a note to himself to find out just what had happened to Doom and to Latveria in his time... away. "Congratulations," he said. "That does sound in line with what we're working on now. How can I help?"

Tony frowned as Kristoff read off the list to him, sitting forward in his chair with a frown, his interest overcoming his surprise at the other man's acquiescence that Tony 'might' be more knowledgeable in anything.

"Obviously, I can't speak as to their intention, but from the proposal you just read me, I'd say they were more likely building weapons than doing scientific research," he agreed. "Granted, I've seen some pretty intense scientific research in my days, but those are all materials you'd find in any Stark Industries facility not that long ago, and seeing them on any list together would certainly arouse my suspicions."

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latverianregent
2011-05-12 02:46 am UTC (link)

"I appreciate the confirmation. Do you think perhaps someone should... check into these people to make sure they are not a dummy corporation for AIM or something of the kind? I hesitate to bring this information to SHIELD or Dr. Richards myself. The former already has operatives trying to infiltrate my country and watch for me to prove I cannot handle it, the latter, much as I respect him..." the boy's voice falters just a little. "I simply would rather not."

A breath. "The other offer is much more straightforward: an organization working on flood control systems for major cities. As Latveria's own water-diversion innovations are for rural irrigation, I think this project might be in better hands with Stark."

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anthonyestark
2011-05-12 04:16 am UTC (link)

"I'll pass the information on to the appropriate parties, have them look into it, certainly," Tony said, thinking. No matter what the reason Vernard was pointing them in that direction, Steve, Hill, and probably Fury, should know about it.

Though he'd probably only talk to Steve or Maria personally.

"If they're into something shady, chances are S.H.I.E.L.D. already knows about it, but with you never know. They'll take care of it, and if they're clean, you'll have done the most thorough background check imaginable."

He was more surprised by the other offer, and although he knew he was going to take it, Tony had to stop and scrutinize it from every angle first. His misgivings were instinctual, and to his mind, not at all paranoid. The thought of handing his long-guarded technological genius to the scion of Doom, who may or may not be precisely what the fine print stated, was something that, in the past, he would have answered with 'Hell no," and a 'fuck you," for good measure.

But things were changing. His tech would be out there, and Doom, or Mini Doom, would only need to buy or steal one of his new cars to have exactly what they wanted, if the tech was all they were after. From his own hands, it would be more about humility and revenge than just advanced engineering. Humility for Stark, and revenge for Doom. Tony was sure there was something he was owing for.

"It's an exceptional offer, and I'd be lying if I said I'm not interested in taking it. I think we both know I'm not really in a position to turn away business, but that's never stopped me before. I've turned down offers to work for your father, mostly because I think he's a self-aggrandizing lunatic who enjoys hurting people for fun - but you've clearly got something he doesn't - which I find reassuring, and slightly unsettling.

"I'm familiar with your work, so I don't doubt your intelligence, and you seem to be a capable and judicious administrator from our conversation thus far; but I wouldn't work for Victor von Doom when he asked me, and I still have no intention of supporting the system of government he represented, publicly, or privately.

"So tell me, Dr. Vernard," Tony asked, indeed curious, twirling a pen between his fingers. "What assurances do I have that I'm not walking into some sort of trap, or being tricked into a lifetime of enslavement, or that I'll arrive in Latveria, only to be arrested as a spy, or for trespassing, or charged with attempted assassination, or any number of other things that have happened to myself or any number of people before?"

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latverianregent
2011-05-12 04:44 am UTC (link)

Kristoff politely thanks him for the assistance in the background check and...

tries to pick his jaw up off the floor when Stark begins talking about Doom like that. He wasn't expecting to be trusted immediately, but, well... mostly he's had to deal with politicians lately. They at least veil their insults.

It takes him a few moments to regain his breath. And eventually... "You leave me in a very difficult position, Mr. Stark. As a Latverian, and considering that you just called a member of my family a lunatic and a sadist, does my admission that I am still willing to consider you the man for the job make me more suspicious?"

A breath. A deep breath. A deep breath and remembering that this is for The Greater Good, and he must be the bigger man here. "Latveria remains an enforced monarchy, Mr. Stark, though I am hoping to gradually alter the methods of enforcement. However, as these commissions are for places such as Budapest, Lille, and other cities considerably larger than Doomstadt, you would not necessarily be supporting our system of government. In fact, you may not need to come to Latveria at all, since much of my middleman consultation can be done over communication systems. However, in case, I give you my word of honor that if you come to Latveria on my invitation and break no Latverian laws -- and waiving any lese majeste regulations in your case -- you will be unharmed and undetained."

The undertones you're hearing, Tony, are the sounds of an 18-year-old boy telling himself he's a professional... and being kind of right.

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anthonyestark
2011-05-12 05:18 am UTC (link)

Tony chuckled, liking the boy more than he'd want to admit, but liking him, nonetheless. "No, it would just make you smart - which I already know you are. Dr. Vernard, I'm not certain if you've heard details of what direction my company is moving in these days, but the work you'd be commissioning from me would not only be the best, which I always strive to deliver, it would be unlike anything you've ever seen before. Technology on the bleeding edge; a futurist's wet dream."

Getting up from his chair, Tony paced. "Many people have insulted my father, and frankly, I've wanted to punch them in the face for it. Some of them, I have. On the other hand, I'd be the first to admit that my dad was an asshole.

"My point is, if you're the kind of man who wants to be surrounded by people who will tell him what he wants to hear, then I'm not your guy. I just told you my concerns, and my prejudices up front, and you gave me an answer. Now, I'm going to hold you to that answer, as a gentleman, as well as a monarch, because I think you're the honorable type, and you won't hear a word about it from me again, so long as that word is kept. Once it's not, I consider our contract broken, and the deals off."

Tony pulled out a notepad, taking notes without looking for Pepper in the morning. "Conversely, I hope for the same from you. I not much for the games politics will play with you, I'd rather avoid the snide remarks and backstabbing, so tell me what you expect now, let's get it on paper, and then if everything's still copacetic, I can have a proposal out to you within a week, if not sooner.

"Do you understand what I'm trying to say here?"

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latverianregent
2011-05-12 05:45 am UTC (link)

"I do. And having on several occasions been the only person in a room willing to voice disagreement, I suppose I cannot begrudge it. The project in question is being driven in response to the excessive and sometimes fatal floods throughout Eastern Europe last year. We need new ways of controlling drainage and dyke systems in metropolitan areas, and we need them to run on strictly clean energy sources -- the last thing places like this need is more pollution.
Latveria will be obtaining the funding -- somehow -- and assistance with installation, but I want help on the designs." Kristoff knew that if Stark weren't already aware that the Master of Latveria's personal financial resources had been near-demolished recently, he'd be aware soon, so best to state upfront that there was something he wouldn't be upfront about, "I will not be discussing where the funding comes from." It was still almost laughable that he would be laundering money into humanitarian causes so that Woo could keep his 'villain cred.' "The important thing is that once I secure it, it will be going into a project that I assure you is entirely focused on saving lives and city infrastructures."

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anthonyestark
2011-05-12 06:27 am UTC (link)

"Good." Tony listened carefully, making notes for himself this time, and starting to sketch some ideas in the margins. "Stark Resilient is completely focused on clean energy now," he said, switching writing hands and moving the phone to his other ear to grab for the customized keyboard to his computer.

Writing with one hand and typing with the other, he uploaded the city grid he'd designed for Broxton. "One of our current projects is rebuilding a city here in Oklahoma, which will include both rural and metropolitan areas requiring similar maintenance systems," he said, returning his attention to his notes. "The entire city will run on ARC technology, repulsor technology, solar energy, and other green energy resources, so I think we'll be able to provide exactly what you need."

The matter of the money bothered him, and Tony needed to think. He had no doubt Kristoff would truly not speak about about the source of his funding, which meant the source was either anonymous for some unknown reason, or illegal.

He could back out now - he done it many times in similar circumstances. But something about the situation made him curious. Doom's son, or not - Tony was interested in the boy, and not just for Reed's sake. The kid didn't strike him as evil, or insane, so was he on the level? If so, there was no problem. If not, then was he being used, or was he just a good enough actor to fool Tony? In which case, he bore further looking into.

Subtlety was not usually Tony's game, but he could ask Hill to look into some things for him. Maybe find out what was going on, and he could pull out later, if he had to. In the meanwhile, this was an opportunity for Stark Resilient, and Tony himself, that he couldn't afford to so easily pass up. Especially since everything seemed to be on the level, save his paranoia.

"I'd like to supervise the installation," he stipulated, drawing a pair of hills at the bottom of the page with flowers on top. "It's a matter of pride in the quality of our product, but also since we'll be working with technology that hasn't been in wide usage beyond my facilities, I'd like to make certain there are no issues."

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	latverianregent 2011-05-12 06:46 am UTC (link)
	"That is understandable, and feasible. It's always tricky bringing little-used equipment into a wider area, and we definitely wouldn't want to run into any problems at that stage. I'm glad to hear that your current project will be such good preparation. I can send you the topographical charts and rainfall data for each of the cities the project is focusing on." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

anthonyestark
2011-05-12 06:56 am UTC (link)

"Perfect. I'll have my assistant forward you a list of any more information we might need - most of it I'm sure you'll be able to anticipate, but given the special nature of the equipment, you never know."

Tony was often given to flights of inventive fancy during his work where a sudden stroke of inspiration turned a preliminary 'good idea', into something that served to illustrate why he was often called, 'the da Vinci of our time.' To that end, he always asked for more information than he needed.

"Is there anything else I can do for you, Dr. Vernard?"

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	latverianregent 2011-05-12 07:00 am UTC (link)
	"I believe we have covered all that I wished to and more, Mr. Stark," Kristoff says, stifling a slight sigh at having to deal with a bit of a crazy person -- which, loving son/subordinate that he is, he firmly believes he doesn't normally have to do. "Thank you and good day." (Reply to this)(Parent)

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