"Tell me about Happy."
With Tony's command, a virtual image of the severely injured Happy appeared, showing Happy's eyes and finger pointing towards something.
Tony sighed and said, "I don't know when bombs stopped looking like bombs..."
"Are you sure there were no defectors involved?"
Confirming the item Happy was pointing at before collapsing, it was a soldier's nameplate with the name Jack Taggart on it.
Tony asked, "Any military casualties?"
"According to official records, none, sir."
"Show me the thermal characteristics again."
"Include 3000 degrees as a factor in the statistics."
As Tony gave his instructions, the statistics were completed and displayed multiple pieces of information in front of him.
"Calculations completed."
"Linked with the satellite, generating heat records for the past 12 months."
Seeing the numerous heat records displayed in front of him, Tony frowned slightly and said, "Remove all places attacked by the Mandarin."
"Sir, there have been numerous records of heat above 3000 degrees Celsius in Africa and South Africa, occurring frequently."
Looking at those locations, Tony shook his head and said, "No, the temperatures there are a bit too high, and the areas are too large."
The places Jarvis presented were where Hidan conducted his sacrifices to the Jashin. The high temperatures from explosions were from Deidara cleaning up traces afterward.
However, Deidara's bomb range and temperature were higher, as he cleared entire villages or even towns, which was more terrifying than the Mandarin's attacks.
But since the incidents occurred in Africa, they didn't cause a stir like in New York, and no terrorist organization publicly claimed responsibility.
When Tony noticed the thermal signal from Rose Hill, he realized the temperature was exactly 3000 degrees, matching the explosion's heat. He said, "That one."
Jarvis responded, "Are you sure about this?"
"It happened before any known Mandarin attacks."
"It was a case of suicide bombing."
As Jarvis spoke, he displayed the incident's cause and released local media news.
"USA Today Weekend Edition, six lives lost in explosion."
"Zoom in."
"The heat signature is very similar, 3000 degrees Celsius."
Looking at the information displayed, Tony murmured, "Two soldiers."
Then he said, "Have you ever been to Tennessee?"
Jarvis immediately started planning, "Flight plan to Tennessee is in progress."
Tony then waved his hands, closing the virtual images, when a virtual screen showed a visitor knocking at the door.
Tony was surprised, "Someone can knock on the door?"
Then he sighed, tapping his box, "We should be in full lockdown. I just threatened a thousand-year-old terrorist organization."
"Who's knocking?"
Jarvis explained, "I've done all I can, sir."
"Who told you to announce your address to the world?"
Tony reluctantly put on his Iron Man suit and headed upstairs.
Seeing a woman knocking at the door, Tony, still puzzled, opened it.
As the woman walked in, the door's mechanical device scanned her, confirming no danger.
Seeing her trying to walk further, Tony held out his hand, "Stand there."
Looking at her, Tony opened his visor and said, "You're not the Mandarin, are you?"
Maya Hansen looked at Tony, "You don't remember?"
"Just as I thought."
Looking at the woman in front of him, Tony wondered if she was one of his previous lovers.
Then he said, "Don't mind me, I even forgot what I had for breakfast today."
Jarvis reminded from the side, "Gluten-free waffles, sir."
Tony sighed, "Oh, right."
Maya Hansen said, "I need to talk to you alone."
Glancing around, she continued, "Not here, it's urgent."
Tony looked at her and then turned to walk inside, "Normally, I'd be fine with that, but I have a girlfriend now."
At that moment, two packages dropped from above. Tony was startled as Pepper Potts' voice came from upstairs, "Tony, do we have a guest?"
Tony stepped out of the Mark 42 armor and said, "Yes, this is Maya Hansen."
"A scientist in botany, a friend of mine, not very close."
Tony turned to Maya Hansen and whispered, "Don't tell me I have a 12-year-old kid I've never met waiting in the car outside."
Maya Hansen, seeing Tony's expression, jokingly said, "He's 13 now."
Tony was shocked, but Maya quickly clarified, "No, but I need your help."
Tony asked, "Help with what?"
"Why now?"
Maya said seriously, "Because I read the newspaper today, and I think you won't survive the weekend."
Tony replied earnestly, "I'll be fine."
Pepper Potts came downstairs and said, "Sorry, since Happy is in the hospital, I didn't expect a guest."
Tony said, "It was indeed unexpected."
Pepper joked, "An ex-girlfriend?"
Tony clarified, "Doesn't seem so."
Maya added, "Not exactly, just a one-night stand."
Seeing Maya say it directly, Tony nodded, "Yes."
Pepper said to Tony, "That's just like you, isn't it?"
"A passionate night..."
Pepper said to Maya, "You dodged a bullet."
Tony exclaimed, "What?"
"I'm sure..."
Before Tony could finish, Pepper said, "Believe me, we are leaving."
Tony refused, "Hey, didn't we agree?"
"No leaving."
Pepper insisted, "Yes, we are!"
Tony, "Please say no..."
Pepper interrupted, "Now, immediately."
Maya interjected, "Good idea, let's go."
Tony protested, "Sorry, that's impossible, don't touch the bag."
As they argued, Maya Hansen saw the TV on the wall showing Tony's address. She said, "Excuse me, is this important?"
Tony looked at the TV and saw a missile flying towards his villa.
Seeing this, Tony turned to the window, witnessing the missile's approach and explosion.
"Boom!"
The villa's glass shattered, and the explosion's shockwave blew Tony and Pepper Potts away.
In mid-air, Tony quickly controlled the Mark 42 to fly and protect Pepper Potts.
Tony crashed into a wall but was relatively unscathed thanks to his enhanced physique.
Outside the villa, apart from a news helicopter broadcasting live, three armed helicopters appeared, opening their weapon systems. Machine guns aimed at Tony's villa.
Tony, getting up, saw the unconscious Maya Hansen, and noticed a collapsing wall about to fall. Before he could react, Pepper Potts, in the Mark 42, shielded him, saying, "I'm protecting you."
Tony, unwilling to be outdone, said, "I protected you first."
"We can't stay here anymore."
Getting up, Tony hadn't had time to evacuate before three more missiles hit the villa, blasting him to the other side of the villa.
Tony, crawling up, shouted to Pepper, "Go, I'll follow."
With the RPG bombardment, the villa couldn't withstand the damage. The floor collapsed, separating Tony and Pepper.
Seeing Pepper trying to help, Tony shouted, "Don't come, save her."
"I'll manage."
"Don't stand there, go save her, get out."
"Go."
Knowing Tony's enhanced physique, Pepper didn't refuse, putting on the helmet and rescuing Maya Hansen, knowing staying would burden Tony.
Pepper quickly lifted Maya Hansen and flew outside, assisted by a repulsor blast, landing safely outside the villa.
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