Two weeks passed after the Culver University and Gulmira reports. It was early August 2008.
Adrian turned all state focus toward securing domestic airspace.
Inside the subterranean mountain base, the automated foundries cast high-density structural alloy frames and heavy parabolic housings. In the cleanrooms, robotic arms assembled multi-layered phased-array circuit boards.
Adrian linked to his secure terminal, checking the radar telemetry.
Sophia's voice spoke silently inside his thoughts.
<< Sophia: Radar array telemetry optimized. >>
<< Frequency: Phased-array micro-pulse radar calibrated to eliminate alpine terrain blind spots across the northern peaks. >>
<< Result: Three hardened early-warning radar stations ready for installation. >>
Pietro oversaw logistics security along the mountain roads. Stationed with the convoy escorts, he ensured the heavy transport trucks navigated the steep passes without administrative delays or route blockages.
Wanda monitored the installation crews at the ridge sites. With her mental focus, she reviewed contractor access lists and ensured that station coordinates remained strictly classified.
Within ten days, three radar domes were anchored into the granite peaks along the northern border.
Two weeks passed. It was late August 2008.
Inside Adrian's locked executive office, the private green monitor flickered with an emergency intercept from the United States.
<< Sophia: Urgent tactical intercept from Malibu, California. >>
<< Details: Obadiah Stane attacked Anthony Stark at his private residence using an acoustic weapon, removing the miniature Arc Reactor from his chest. >>
<< S.H.I.E.L.D. Chatter: Agent Phil Coulson is mobilizing a tactical field unit to support Virginia Potts at Stark Industries Sector 16. >>
Adrian watched the encrypted telemetry scroll past.
Hours later, Sophia intercepted a live feed from a Los Angeles news helicopter.
On the screen, a massive mechanized combat suit smashed through the gates of the Stark Industries research facility, crushing police cruisers and scattering S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.
Moments later, Tony Stark arrived in his red-and-gold armor. His power levels were critically low, and the plating was visibly dented.
The two armored suits slammed into each other, tearing across the highway and rising into the upper atmosphere.
The fight ended on the roof of the facility. A blinding column of blue electrical energy erupted from the industrial reactor below, destroying the roof and consuming Stane's suit in a massive shockwave.
The following morning, American news networks broadcasted a live press conference from Los Angeles.
Pietro and Wanda stood beside Adrian's desk, watching the broadcast.
Stark stood behind the microphones with a bruised face, holding note cards prepared by S.H.I.E.L.D.
The reporter asked about the armored figure on the highway.
Stark looked down at the official script, paused, and put the cards away.
He looked directly into the cameras.
"The truth is... I am Iron Man."
Flashbulbs flared continuously as reporters shouted in chaos.
Pietro stared at the television, shaking his head. "He just said it out loud. He built an armored war machine and told the whole world."
"America can't pretend this technology doesn't exist anymore," Wanda said, looking at the screen.
"The era of quiet conventional warfare is ending," Adrian said, shutting off the monitor.
"When military technology advances this quickly, foreign armies will start looking for new threats across every border. We don't take chances."
Inspector Radovan knocked on the door and stepped inside, holding a green file folder.
"Mr. President," Radovan reported. "All three northern radar stations are fully powered and linked to our domestic grid. Calibration is complete."
"Any blind spots along the valleys?" Adrian asked.
"Zero," Radovan replied. "Our operators can track any military aircraft entering our airspace the second it crosses the border."
Adrian signed the operational authorization.
"Keep the watch continuous," Adrian said. "Our airspace is locked down."