18 ch 18

After returning home Carl spent the rest of the weekend focusing on upgrading his equipment. Schools almost out which means it's almost time for his next reality jump. Once school ends he will go to the base on mars to pick up some materials like vibranium and gold for trade just in case.

On Monday morning as Carl was getting ready for school he had the news on and he happened to catch Colonel Rodes making a press conference, " an unfortunate training exercise involving a F 22 raptor occurred yesterday. I am pleased to report that the pilot was not injured. As for the unexpected turn of events on the ground in Gulmira, it is still unclear, who or what intervened, but I can assure you, the United States government was not involved." He said then the press conference ended. Carl thought it was funny how he was lying out his ass.

At school during lunch Carl was busy being bombarded with questions by Peter and Ned about the event. He answered them to the best of his ability's like how was it, which he replied boring. He told them how he saw Tony stark and Peter asked if he talked to him. Carl told him no because he seamed preoccupied. After giving them more tidbits of information about the night they all went on like usual.

Time passed and the final week of school came. Carl like always during lunch was sitting with Peter and Ned. Peter asked, "what are your guys plans for summer break?"

Ned shrugged, "I don't have any plans. Mostly staying at home what about you guys?"

Peter shook his head, "same here. We can't really afford to go on vacation." They then looked to Carl seeing what he planned.

Carl thinking on how to answer, " well most of summer I'll be out of state." He couldn't tell them he's going to another reality, at least not yet.

Peter nodded in understanding, " oh that's cool we're are you going?" Carl just replied he will be going to Europe. With that they finished up the week with them all graduating.

The next week Carl was prepping for a trip to the mars base. All he needed was HK and the ship so in the dead of night Carl and HK got in the car and went out to were Ahsoka and Rex took off from last time. Uncapsuling the ship and putting the car into a capsule, Carl and HK boarded the ebon hawk and promptly took off heading for the coordinates Ahsoka and Rex gave them where the base was located.

It didn't take much time for them to make it to mars. On approach to the mountain the base was located on Carl inputted landing codes given to him by Ahsoka and Rex. After entering the codes a set of blast doors that blended right into the mountain opened up. There was a blue field that kept the air from going out into space but allowed the ebon hawk to go through slowly and they landed.

After getting off the ship Carl could see various droids doing different kinds of work. After a bit of musing a B1 battle droid came up to Carl. {greeting I am unit B1-151 how can I be of assistance.} Carl looked at the B1 droid and told it to take him to where they store all the materials. The B1 unit confirmed the order and took them to storage.

Getting to storage Carl could see crates of various materials all organized and sorted. There's crates of, gold, diamonds, various metals such as vibranium, and also containers of various gases. Carl only took two crates each of vibranium and gold leaving the rest for another time. Carl got back to the ship where HK was waiting on guard right outside the ship. They both boarded and made the trip back home.

Making a landing under the cover of night from where they took off, Carl and HK quickly got off the ship putting it away in its capsule and taking out the car. They then made their way back to the house not leaving a trace, not even tire tracks because Carl had the car in hover mode.

Getting back home and into the house Carl turned on the tv to a breaking report. "We're reporting to you now that two, what appears to be armored individuals are battling it out here on the streets of LA" and it played traffic cam footage of both iron man and stain duking it out before they shoot off somewhere els. " we're trying to get a reporter down there live but due to the abrupt and chaotic nature of the events we have no one able to get there at this time. We due know this has something to do with stark industries and will report when we know more." Carl then shuts off the tv knowing how it will turn out so he just went to bed not worrying about it, not like he could do anything anyway.

After two days while Carl was having breakfast and watching tv a press conference was being held to address what happened a couple nights ago. Carl watch as Rodes address the reporters, "and now Mr Stark has prepared a statement, he will not be taking any questions." He then moved aside as Tony took the stage.

Tony looked at the press, "uh…been awhile scents I've been in front of…..you figured I'll stick to the cards this time." The reporters laughed at that. There have been speculations that I've been involved with the events that occurred on the freeway and the rooftop."

A woman reporter then interrupts Tony, " do you honestly expect us to believe that was a body guard in a suit, that conveniently appeared, despite the fact…"

Tony interrupts her this time, " I know it's confusing. It is one thing to question the official story and another thing entirely to make wild accusations or insinuate that I'm some kind of superhero."

The reporter then states, "i never said you were a superhero." Carl laughed at Tony's stunned face like he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Tony trying to recover, " well good cause that would be outlandish and….. fantastic" he then starts messing with his cards. He then starts saying, "I-im just not the superhero type…. clearly. With this laundry list of character defects, all the mistakes I've made. Largely, publicly." Rodes then leans into Tony's ear whispering to him, most likely to stick to the cards. Tony then brings up the cards for him to read, "the truth is…" there's a long pause as he looked at the crowd. He then drops the cards not bothering to read them. "I am iron man." The whole hall was in chaos with everyone shouting over the other. Carl shut off the tv thinking about the changes coming in the future.