WALKING DISASTERS | Jack Thompson

28.

SERA WALKED INTO THE BRIEFING room and saw Howard trimming his moustache while Jarvis held up a mirror. "How's that look?"

"Like a nest of spiders... with very short legs," Jarvis replied.

"That's good enough," he replied, turning to Sera. "Hey, Fi, you got any powder? I want to cut down the shine."

Sera sighed. "I don't like this, Howard. It's too dangerous."

"Don't waste your breath, Miss Stark," Jarvis said. "I've already wasted mine on the subject."

"What is that?" Howard asked, as Sera placed the armoured vest down on the table.

"It's body armour," she said. "For your protection."

Howard lifted it up before dropping it back down. "It's junk."

"Would you like to try it on and I can demonstrate its effectiveness?" Sera asked.

"Where's my stuff?" Howard demanded.

Sera rolled her eyes. "They're down in the lab. Come on."

Leading Howard down to the lab, Sera opened the door and watched her brother's expression morph into a look of horror at the sight of his inventions strewn across every surface of the lab.

"What are you people doing?" he asked. "These are highly volatile materials," he picked up one device. "This. This is photosensitive. This should be kept in the dark," he placed the device on a low shelf. "This. This should be kept cool," he sighed as he walked towards another invention. "And this..." he turned it over slowly. "This is fine now."

"Howard, what are you hoping to accomplish with this ridiculous press conference?" Sera asked. "There are other ways to get Fennhoff into the open."

"Name one. No, name three," he caught sight of something across the room. "There it is. Stops a fifty-cal round from a hundred feet."

"Unless you're planning to put it on your head, it won't be enough," Sera replied.

"I trust you and Peg to keep me safe," Howard replied.

"You're punishing yourself."

"I'm redeeming myself."

"I have enough blood on my hands," Sera said. "I don't need yours as well."

"I've had to go through my life not caring what people think of me, but I do care what you think," Howard replied. "And I care what Peggy thinks, and after everything she said to me last time-"

"Howard, she was angry," Sera said. "That doesn't means she wants you to die."

"Well, that makes two of us," he replied. "But you know and I know that this is my fault."

Sera sighed. "General McGinnis stole Midnight Oil and used it recklessly. He is at fault. Can you not see that?"

"I need to fix this," Howard said. "Otherwise, I won't be able to live with myself."

"And how am I supposed to live with myself if you die?" Sera asked, gritting her teeth. "Howard, I've lost too many people already. I can't lose you too."

"Which is why I've got this," he replied, patting the bulletproof vest before he sighed. "Alright, Fi, I get it, but I've got this under control."

He pulled his sister into his arms and heard her say, "You're mad."

"As a hatter," Howard said, and Sera couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah, that makes two of us."

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