Dented Iron (Hiatus)

Found

Los Angeles, California

April 30th

"It's been too long they are calling off the search" Rhodey said disappointment steaming out of every word. Nearly 3 months with no contact, no trace of Alex; as far as they were concerned, she was dead, and Rhodey was inclined to agree.

From down the hall Pepper watches Obadiah and Rhodey. Their heads were close filled with heavy conversation their faces were grave, Pepper had caught Obadiah's eye he holds it for a brief second before walking away and shaking his head. Rhodey turns to leave this time as well heading for the exit, Pepper intercepts the man slightly furious that he would stop searching for the woman he called his best friend.

"So that's it? Everyone's pulling the plug and moving on..." she questioned the man

"there's nothing left we can do...-" Rhodey sighs "it's been almost three months Pepper if there were any indication that she was still alive-"

"Spare me- " Pepper interrupted refusing to hear any more on the subject, she found it hard to believe a man that has been so close to the young woman, that even his mother considered her a daughter, would just give up just because he was told to.

"- I read the official e-mail. Thought maybe you'd have something different to say-" she states as she walks into Alex's office with Rhodey in tow.

"-if anyone can figure out how to beat the odds, it's Alex. if it were you over there, she'd be finding a way to get you back. Or inventing a new one" she stares the man down with a fierce gaze.

"what do you want me to do?" Rhodey asked the exhaustion of the situation hitting him with full force. He knew he hadn't done everything he could do for Alex. Hell, he's been in sunny California almost as long as his best friend was missing.

"be a better friend to her" she finished before she stormed out of the office leaving the man behind with something to think about.

Edwards A.F.B

May 1st

Rhodey slings a duffel bag over his shoulder and steps in front of a C-17 that is shipping out a line of soldiers. General Gabriel pulls up on a golf cart and approaches, his target is Colonel Rhodes. The men salute the general as he approaches and pulls Rhodes out of the lineup, the rest of the men board the plane.

"What do you think you're doing Rhodes?"

"Going back there, Sir" Rhodes answers as it were obvious.

The General had kept Rhodes in California working on the PR nightmare for too long, Rhodey knows this and the talking to he got from Pepper only reinforced that. The General sighs before he responds to the man.

" Listen Son- it's been three months without a single indication that Stark is still alive. We can't keep risking assets, least of all you" the man finished.

"are you blocking my transfer, Sir?" Rhodey questioned he figured someone would try to stop him, but he hoped that it didn't. the General looks around at the men walking around.

"any one of these guys would kill for your career. Are you telling me you're willing to sacrifice that to fly a bunch of snake eaters on a desert patrol halfway around the world?"

"I am Sir"

"then I have one thing to say to you. Godspeed" the General salutes the man and lets him board the plane with the other soldiers.

Washington D.C.

May 3rd

Sitting in a dark room, illuminated by the vast amount of computer screens aligning the wall, the clacking of keystrokes fills the air. Sitting at one of the computers is a man by the name of Sitwell, he was only one of the many men and women who spent their days monitoring the world for threats and watching terrorist groups around the world.