"There are many things being researched within S.H.I.E.L.D., including mechas. Your mechas aren't the only ones, Tony Stark. The official institutions have developed their own mechas, and they are by no means inferior to yours!" Nick Fury quickly redirected the conversation to defend S.H.I.E.L.D.'s interests. "If the Avengers are just going to send a few mechas as a show and refuse to personally protect the leader, then we might as well use the mechas developed by the official institutions."
"Hah! You dare call those mechas? I'll give you a chance. Bring out all the mechas you have. Let's see what kind of scrap metal you're calling mechas!" Tony Stark interrupted Nick Fury with a sneer, full of disdain.
"Fine! But don't regret it if your title as Iron Man ends up in jeopardy!" Nick Fury's eyes lit up, as did the eyes of the other members of the official institutions. They quickly began deploying their mechas.
Nick Fury and the others knew well the power of Tony Stark's mechas. After all, Tony was the pioneer of mecha technology and a genius in both technology and weapons. His mechas were undoubtedly formidable. But no matter how powerful Stark's mechas were, there was only one of them here, while the official institutions had more. Even if they didn't bring out all their mechas, they could still try to win by sheer numbers.
In truth, these institutions didn't consider mecha technology to be that difficult. The challenge lay in increasing firepower without adding too much weight while ensuring sufficient energy supply. Lacking the latest arc reactor technology, the official institutions opted for a different evolutionary path for their mechas.
"Tony, aren't you being a bit overconfident? I know a bit about the mechas developed by these institutions. Their mechas are more like combat drones, controlled by advanced computer algorithms," Martian Manhunter telepathically warned Tony Stark. "And the crucial thing is, these mechas aren't controlled by people, so I can't secretly help you deal with them."
Tony turned his head and gave Martian Manhunter a dismissive look, saying nothing, but his expression was clear: "If I can't handle a bunch of junk metal, I don't deserve to be called Iron Man."
"Alright, as long as you're confident," Martian Manhunter shrugged and stayed silent, ready to watch the show unfold.
Soon, the various official institutions began deploying their mechas. Initially, they hadn't planned to use them, thinking they could rely on other trump cards. But seeing Tony Stark's overconfidence in sending only one mecha, they decided to save their other resources and just use mechas to handle him. If Stark's mecha lost, they would press their advantage and not give the Avengers a chance to counterattack. It might seem unfair, but with the Avengers on the defensive, they had to take every opportunity to gain the upper hand.
"Scrap metal is scrap metal!" Tony Stark's disdain only grew when he saw the mechas. He had expected the research teams from these institutions to be mediocre, but he didn't anticipate they would be this bad. It had been two years since Ivan's death and the official institutions had acquired his mecha technology, yet there had been no significant advancements.
These mechas weren't replicas of Ivan Vanko's Whiplash suit; rather, they were modified versions of Stark's earlier Mark models. Due to overloading them with components, these mechas had become too cramped to be piloted by humans, hence the reliance on computer control. It was a decision driven by necessity rather than innovation.
"You're still this confident even after seeing how many mechas we've deployed against your one? Relax, Mr. Stark, we'll give you a fair start. Our mechas will only begin their attack after you give the signal," Nick Fury teased, seeing Stark's unwavering confidence.
"Hah, don't say I didn't warn you. I'll start attacking in three seconds!" Tony Stark's voice echoed arrogantly, "Three, two, one!"
As soon as his countdown ended, the sky was filled with energy blasts, followed by a series of explosions that startled the interim leader. He instinctively wanted to flee, but seeing the other officials remaining calm, he forced himself to stay and watch, though he couldn't make out much of what was happening.
The other officials, also ordinary people, couldn't discern the battle's details either. They could only see flashes of energy beams and the occasional afterimage in the sky. They had to rely on updates through their earpieces to know the status of their mechas.
Nick Fury, with the enhanced eyesight of a Skrull, could see more clearly than Steve Rogers or Bucky Barnes. But even he was taken aback by how ineffective their mechas were.
"Scrap metal is scrap metal!" Tony Stark sneered as J.A.R.V.I.S. reported the results. His mecha hadn't been hit once, nor had it launched a single attack. It was simply evading the barrage, while the other mechas were damaging each other through friendly fire.
These mechas, overloaded with components and built for higher energy and firepower, lacked the agility of Stark's design. Moreover, since they were developed by different institutions, there was no coordination, leading to the inevitable friendly fire.
Despite their inferior design, the remaining mechas showed remarkable endurance, continuing their energy attacks without running out of power, which caught Tony's attention.
"J.A.R.V.I.S., check out—" Tony began, but Martian Manhunter cut in telepathically, "These mechas either have larger arc reactors than yours or more than one. Their energy reserves are greater, so it's no surprise they're still going."
"J.A.R.V.I.S., end this farce," Tony ordered, rolling his eyes in resignation.
"Yes, sir," J.A.R.V.I.S. responded, and the mecha immediately switched from defense to offense.
Nick Fury, hearing Tony's command, instinctively tried to warn his side, but it was too late. J.A.R.V.I.S. executed the order with lightning speed, stopping Stark's mecha mid-air. The official mechas, thinking they had an opening, concentrated their firepower.
But just as the energy blasts were about to hit Stark's mecha, it released a powerful electromagnetic pulse, sending out thin energy lines that locked onto the surrounding mechas.
Each line hit its target, and the mechas exploded instantly, unable to withstand even a second of the attack. When the smoke cleared, Tony Stark's mecha was the only one left standing, untouched.
"See? Even if I handed over the mecha technology, what good would it do you? You haven't made any progress after all these years. Should I synchronize every upgrade I make with you? Why don't you just disband and give me the money for making your mechas instead?" Tony Stark taunted as the officials stood in shock, not expecting such a swift and decisive victory.
Even with their thick skins, the officials were embarrassed. They had believed their mechas were quite advanced, surpassing even fighter jets in combat capability. But now, they realized how far behind they truly were.
"Well done, Iron Man. In the field of mecha technology, I concede you are the best!" Nick Fury stepped forward, giving Stark a serious nod of acknowledgment.
"Do I need your approval?" Tony Stark snapped, pointing a finger at Fury's face.
"But this mecha was created by you, so it makes sense that it's superior. However, whether this mecha can reliably protect our leader is still something that needs further verification," Fury continued nonchalantly, ignoring Stark's anger and the strange looks from those around them.
"Indeed! While your mecha is impressive, it doesn't prove that it's strong enough to protect our leader!" other officials chimed in, having regained their composure.
The official institutions, shameless as ever, were ready to challenge the Avengers again, this time using their trump cards after the failure of their mechas.
"Bring out whatever you have," Tony Stark replied, unfazed. He was prepared for this, knowing that even if they had something powerful, he still had Martian Manhunter as his ace in the hole. Unlike Robert, who couldn't operate stealthily, Martian Manhunter was the perfect infiltrator and saboteur in Tony's eyes. If it weren't for the emergence of the Skrulls, he'd consider Martian Manhunter his ideal covert operative.
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