Radioactive | Bucky Barnes

IRON MAN: CHAPTER TEN

Rhiley's stomach tugged on her heart, trying to keep it from knotting up into her throat. The desert air smacked her across the face when she exited the plane. The sun, in all its glory, burned each part of her skin that was unfortunately not protected. 

The military base in Afghanistan. 

Tony, of course, was fired up to greet the waiting brass. He walked off that plane with his shoulders thrown back, and his sunglasses couldn't hide that mischievous glint in his eyes - it showed on his whole face. 

Luckily, no one paid Rhiley Jones any attention whatsoever. Tony Stark was there. Tony FREAKING Stark! So, he shook the hands of the men in suits, and the men in uniform, and that smile - never faltered. 

Then there was Rhodey, who appeared dressed in his ABUs. He's weary, squinting at the stinging sun. He pulls his sunglasses down over his bleary eyes. His head on a swivel - waiting - ready - he was a soldier. 

Three Jericho missiles on a flatbed are brought under heavy guard to a waiting convoy. 

Different War; Same sinking feeling in the pit of Rhiley's stomach.

"Turn that frown upside down!" But leave it to Tony to draw attention her way. He smacked her on the shoulder and ruffled her hair before moving on. That small act - one she was so familiar with - made it harder to even consider turning that frown upside down. 

The day goes by rather uneventfully for the group. Tony, on the other hand, is like a child - with his machine guns. Generals sit in folding chairs behind safe zones. Afghani soldiers and Air Force security patrol the perimeter. 

Rhiley never liked guns, she hated them even more now. They were too complicated. She always had an advantage over guns - at least - she did. 

Tony puts down the machine gun and goes to his next weapon. "The age-old question, is it better to be feared or respected?" He walked up to one of the Generals, "I say, is it too much to ask for both?" He was a Stark. He nodded at the Jericho Missile, on a mobile launcher. 

"With that in mind, I humbly present the crown jewel of Stark Industries Freedom Line. It's the first missile system to incorporate my proprietary Repulsor Technology. They say the best weapon is one you never have to fire. I prefer the ones you only have to fire once." He stood before the Generals - he was just like Howard - that tugged at Rhiley. Perhaps being here was a bad idea, after all. Perhaps she would take a little vacation after this. 

The Jericho roars into the sky from the mobile launcher. "That's how dad did it, it's how America does it, and so far it's worked out pretty well." 

"Find an excuse to fire off one of these and I guarantee the enemy is not gonna want to leave their caved." The Jericho, divides from a single missile, into scores of mini-missiles. "For your consideration, the Jericho." He turns, with outstretched arms as the mountains behind him explode sending shock waves washing over Tony, blanking him with dust. 

Rhiley felt the heat slap her face and blow her hair back. She blinked a few times and coughed up the first that had managed to slip past her lips. "He's brilliant." It was one of the soldiers guarding the base. He had stopped next to Rhiley to admire what they had witnessed. 

"Now there's one last creation I haven't shown anyone yet." Tony continued, and the soldier moved on when Rhiley didn't even give him a second of attention, "You might be interested" He opened a large silver case. Ice smoke curls out, and then a bottle appears. Tony pours the general drinks while the rest of them exchange awkward glances. "To please, gentlemen...and with every five hundred million, I'll throw in a free one of these..." 

"You need to talk to him about his dramatic personality." 

Rhodey stopped beside Rhiley, "I thought that was your job?"