Tony Stark was never going to stick to the script.
James Duke had been mentally prepared for that. After all, it would've been out of character for the arrogant genius to actually behave.
So when Stark mentioned Lynn Hall's name over a dozen times during the first few minutes of the speech, Duke didn't flinch. If anything, he was indifferent. He wanted Lynn's stock to rise—after all, he was grooming the kid.
But Duke's real audience wasn't the press or the public.
No—the real target was the people sitting quietly in the VIP section: men and women from the military, Congress, the courts, intelligence, and high finance.
They were why this press conference existed.
And then Tony Stark casually tossed the speech aside… and announced that Stark Industries would immediately shut down its weapons division—permanently.
The room exploded.
Journalists shouted questions over one another. Cameras flashed wildly. Security tensed.
Even James Duke—usually the picture of composure—was caught off guard.
He shot Lynn Hall a sharp look.
Lynn instantly understood, nodding as he ordered his team to shut down the event and escort Stark out.
He'd anticipated this possibility. The moment they got backstage, Sean and the tactical team locked down the perimeter, containing the chaos.
Back in the VIP suite, Obadiah Stane stormed toward Tony.
"You've lost your goddamn mind!" Stane barked. "Do you have any idea what you've just done to the company? To your shareholders? To our contracts?!"
"I know exactly what I did," Tony replied calmly. "It was my decision."
"Damn it, you should've talked to me first!"
Stane turned toward Lynn. "Agent Hall, now that the press conference is over, we'll be taking Mr. Stark home."
Lynn nodded with a faint smile. "Of course."
He tapped his earpiece, and Alice stepped into the room.
"The main hall's blocked by media," Lynn explained. "Agent Alice will escort you through the rear exit."
"Appreciated," Stane muttered.
He offered a stiff handshake. Lynn accepted it—and watched him go.
> [Obadiah Stane – Favorability: -7]
Unsurprising.
After all, Lynn knew exactly who had orchestrated Tony Stark's kidnapping.
Obadiah Stane.
The plan had been simple: arrange the ambush, let the terrorists kill Tony, and inherit full control of Stark Industries.
But everything went sideways. The terrorists didn't kill Stark. And Lynn brought him back alive.
A -7 favorability rating?
Lynn grinned. Maybe it was time to claim that "inheritance" from Stane. Killing hostile targets often came with… rewards.
He glanced at the TV screen, where reporters were still breathlessly covering the bombshell announcement. Perfect chaos.
Lynn picked up his phone and dialed an unlisted number.
---
New Jersey – A Discreet Securities Firm
The man behind the desk, Daniel, flinched when he saw the caller ID.
He immediately locked his office door and answered the call.
"H-Hello, Mr. Hall."
"I need a favor," Lynn said calmly, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"Yes, of course—whatever I can do."
"Relax," Lynn chuckled. "In ten minutes, you'll receive a wire transfer for $500,000. Use it to open a new account and prepare to purchase Stark Industries stock. Once it drops 70%, I want full acquisition at market value."
Daniel blinked. "Yes, sir. Consider it done. I'll make sure this account stays completely off the radar—"
"No. It needs to be audit-proof. This money's clean—earned, not stolen. I want it on the books."
"…Understood," Daniel said, wiping the nervous sweat from his brow.
Lynn hung up.
This wasn't shady money. He had $670,000 in total savings—legit, even if a chunk came from "bonus mission funding."
And the remaining $170K? Already earmarked for a shiny red Audi R8.
Gwen's birthday was this weekend, after all.
And yes—Daniel was no different from that bomb-maker, Draco Mohammed. Useful tools, when placed correctly.
---
That evening, at James Duke's private reception, Lynn stepped into a room of polished suits, whispered handshakes, and careful smiles.
Generals. Judges. Senators. CEOs. CIA veterans.
Duke had personally invited them.
"These," Duke explained as he led Lynn around, "are members of the Brotherhood."
Lynn's eyes picked up a small but telling detail.
Every one of them—including Duke himself—wore a small, finely-crafted lapel pin.
He recognized it instantly.
It was the same symbol worn by Senator Stern and Agent Sitwell in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
HYDRA.
The Brotherhood was just a front.
These people—Duke, the judges, the billionaires—they were all HYDRA.
Lynn sipped his champagne without flinching. Smile steady. Eyes alert.
When the party finally wound down, Duke pulled him aside.
"Lynn," he said in a low voice, "what you saw tonight... these people are more than colleagues. They're allies. Friends. Family."
"You know how it is—the Bureau, the military, the Hill… they're all fractured, all fighting over scraps. But we? We stand united."
Lynn nodded slowly. "I see. I'm… honored."
Duke chuckled, then reached into his coat and pulled out a small velvet box.
He opened it, revealing the HYDRA lapel pin.
"Membership isn't easy," he said. "You need a sponsor, and you need to pass internal evaluations."
He handed over a dossier. "I believe in you. Show us what you can do—and you'll earn your place."
Lynn took the file and pin with practiced reverence.
"Thank you, Director."
But inside, Lynn Hall was already making calculations.
He'd just been handed the keys to HYDRA's front door.
And someday, if the moment was right?
He'd burn it to the ground.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Loving the story so far? Want more chapters? Drop a Power Stone to show your support! A quick review would mean the world too.Thanks, everyone! ❤️
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~