Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1091 (First Update)

Tony Stark was consumed by anxiety throughout the journey. The Joint Command task force and Ross following behind the convoy made him feel uneasy. Even after arriving at the underground facility, the shadow of terror still lingered in his mind. He fully understood Secretary of State Thaddeus E. Ross's determination and why Ross's nickname was "Thunder."

Even after leaving the military and entering politics, Ross's reckless and ruthless nature remained unchanged. Tony Stark met his old friends, led by several people who were either agents or embassy staff. Ross walked arrogantly beside them, followed by a large group of heavily armed special forces members who were under his command.

These special forces escorted him and Tony Stark upstairs, across a pedestrian bridge, to their destination.

Due to his extensive network of connections within the military, the Ministry of Defense specifically granted him the title of deputy commander for this operation, allowing him to temporarily mobilize armed forces at NATO military bases within Germany. Because the Latvian Expansion War had directly attacked NATO military bases in Poland, many unaffected US troops had withdrawn to Germany. Secretary of State Ross had the authority to mobilize the largest number of US troops in Germany since World War II. The actual number he could mobilize was uncertain, given the low quality of US forces stationed in Europe, but he at least nominally possessed the power to decide on NATO military matters.

"Let me speak with him first." Tony Stark stopped in front of the conference room and straightened his collar. "I think I can persuade him."

Secretary of State Ross pushed open the conference room door without hesitation and walked in, leaving the task force and Tony Stark outside. Inside, Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, Sharon Carter, and Natasha Romanoff had been talking for quite some time. Sharon Carter was an observer representing the CIA to understand the progress of the negotiations, while Natasha Romanoff was speaking purely out of friendship and affection for the Avengers. However, she also knew that the Avengers' split was an inevitable trend, so she didn't chat as lightly as Sharon Carter.

"I told you I'd provide you with an office, not a cell," Secretary Ross said as he walked in. "And do me a favor, stay here and don't wander off."

Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson immediately shut their mouths and remained silent. Tony Stark stormed in, startling everyone.

The four people who had been in the meeting room now clearly saw the group of heavily armed soldiers outside. Natasha Romanoff, with her sharp eyes, noticed that the soldiers' armbands belonged to the U.S. Joint Command. The arrival of these soldiers in Germany meant that this was the final decision of the Department of Defense and the White House, and all Avengers had to sign the Sokovia Accords. Natasha Romanoff gave Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson a look, essentially saying that this was a difficult situation.

"I warned you, this is worse than you thought," Natasha Romanov whispered to Steve Rogers. She had called him after the Vienna bombings to urge him not to act impulsively. But Steve couldn't control his emotions after seeing the news, which is why he went to Romania at the time.

"At least he's alive." Steve shook his head. "That's the most important thing."

Natasha couldn't understand his feelings, and neither could Tony Stark. Stark, feigning nonchalance, moved closer to the conference table, pulled out a chair, and sat down. "Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes is overseeing the cleanup. While we're dealing with this, let's not cause any more trouble," he said. "Let's get this over with smoothly, okay?"

"I remember he was a colonel," Sam Wilson interjected.

“Something happened. He’s a lieutenant colonel now.” Tony Stark avoided discussing what had happened in New York, omitting the fact that Rhodes’ demotion was solely due to a brief exchange with the enemy after he was shot down in New York. Although Colonel Rhodes repeatedly stated that he hadn’t leaked any classified information, he had to be demoted for political reasons. Tony Stark turned to Secretary of State Ross and said, “Could I speak with them alone?”

“No, I want to speak with you alone.” Secretary of State Ross said coldly, leaving the conference room with Tony Stark. A few minutes later, Tony Stark returned alone. “Secretary Ross wants to prosecute you, and I have to give him an answer.” Tony Stark took a deep breath, trying to calm his agitation. “I hope this outcome is correct, because Ross doesn’t represent just one person.”

"The shield is gone, isn't it?"

“Strictly speaking, it’s government property.” Natasha nodded at Sam. “Your spacecraft is too.”

"This is too cruel!" Sam couldn't help but complain. It wasn't until Natasha Romanoff reminded him that the aircraft, as an experimental product, was something Sam had stolen from a military base, and that if the US government wanted, Sam's crimes would be much more serious. Only then did Sam Wilson obediently shut his mouth.

"At least it's warmer here than in prison." Tony Stark shrugged noncommittally. "Come with me, you'll want to see this."

Tony Stark invited Steve Rogers to the command center, separated by a wall. From there, they could see through a completely soundproof glass wall hundreds of screens neatly arranged on the other side of the room. Dozens of these screens displayed scenes from within the underground facility, and numerous staff members swarmed around the massive surveillance equipment like flies around carrion. Steve Rogers intently watched several screens showing footage of Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, from different angles. Tony Stark briefly left, and when he returned, he deliberately walked up to Steve Rogers, saying in a tone like a child showing off a new toy, "Want to see something interesting? I found this in Dad's files."

He took out a set of fountain pens. "These are the same two pens Roosevelt used when he signed the Lend-Lease Act in 1941, when he extended a helping hand to his allies when they needed it most."

But Steve Rogers wasn't interested in hearing his story. He had experienced the war firsthand, and through later learning, he understood who the ultimate beneficiaries were. To combat Nazi Germany, the burgeoning labor unions in the United States agreed to temporarily halt strikes and join the military production lines, diligently manufacturing armaments. However, American entrepreneurs and factory owners continued their exploitative practices, profiting immensely from the war. Howard Stark, however, firmly believed that technology was a tool to improve life, and therefore didn't join this frenzy. This is why, during the Battle of New York, Steve Rogers was so dissatisfied with Tony Stark's production of weapons and equipment; in his eyes, Tony Stark completely contradicted Howard Stark's wishes and ideals.

"Some people will say that this bill has dragged us into a war," Steve Rogers said coldly.

"If it weren't for these two pens, you wouldn't be here. What's that word again?"

Stark wanted to give him the pen and then talk about how important the documents it had signed were. Steve Rogers knew he was trying to persuade him this way; others might have been flattered, but Steve was unmoved. He knew he wouldn't do it; he didn't intend to sign the agreement because he didn't trust the Sokovia Accords to bring peace and unity—the Sokovia Accords were a tool for judging others, and this tool had to be in the hands of trustworthy people. But Steve Rogers didn't trust the US government because the US government had let him down more than once.

So Steve Rogers changed the subject.

He and Tony Stark talked about Pepper Potts, Howard Stark's past, and the similarities between Tony and Stark. It was a very pleasant conversation, both immersed in memories of the past. However, as time passed, reality eventually moved towards them with the ticking of the minute hand.

"Sign it. That way, what you did before won't be considered illegal. Barnes will be transferred to a mental health center in the United States, not the Hague courthouse or a Wakanda prison, I assure you."

"I'm sorry, Tony. It's not just because of Bucky, but because of the nature of the Sokovia Accords." Steve Rogers picked up a pen. "I can't sign this agreement. I can't go against my conscience. I fought for justice in the past, and I will fight for justice in the future."

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)