Stark Unlimited

-Earth 616- Stark Unlimited HQ-

"I hate this..." Walt said looking out the window at the city fussing with his tie.

"I know," Pepper Potts said. "You and Tony were opposites in many, ways. It's also why your friendship worked.You don't mind the big city but you're not in love with it. Tony was a worse clothes horse than many women... you're a jeans and work shirt guy..."

Walt sighed. "But we were similar in lot of ways too. We liked mechanics, building, creating, fixing, simple foods just as much as the fancy stuff, tony was more into his armor suits than I was about the gadgets and tech itself... but we both believed in two things. Ourselves about 50% of the time and the future... that no matter how bad things got there was always going to be a tomorrow and with it a chance to make things better..."

Pepper nodded and smiled. "Stop that." She pushed his hands away. "Either let me fix your tie or-"

Walt nodded and smiled, undoing it. "Right... I'll do it my way." He handed the tie to Pepper who tossed it on the desk for him. He was ditching it. "We also believed in people... me more than Tony, though he did consider machines like people like I do so I suppose it still counts. The point is we trusted in others potential... You will stay on as CEO of Stark Resilient. I trust you to work on keeping The future technologies we create in an ecologically friendly way, push the greener, earth friendlier, stable technology. I have ideas of my own to contribute in that area," which was true. The world he bought was already messed up on someways and had been tampered with... there was nothing stopping him from making his own adjustments and improvements starting with it's ecology and environment. Too many years of super disasters and super sience run amok. Time to clean up the place a wee bit here and there. "But I want you and Stark Resilient playing a bigger part in Stark Unlimited and everything under it including but not limited to Stark Industries. I may want you to be the president of Stark Unlimited under me in the future... but we'll ease into that only if we both agree on it being a good fit for you and something you want, Pepper."

Pepper smiled. "Understood "Mr Stark"... Hahahahaha... you better get used to that!" She said watching him shudder. "They don't call you that back home?"

Walt chuckled. "Only people who don't work for me or who 'Want something'... everyone else it's generally "Boss", "Sir" or "Walt". Can't you just call me 'Walt' like old times, Pep?"

She smiled. "I'll think about it, Mr Stark," she teased.

"Ouch," Walt said jokingly. "That bad?"

She sighed and shook her head. "No... I just... you disappeared for years and then suddenly come back here just after Tony's death. Now you're swooping in to save the day... Uncovering plots... you know how that looks."

Walt nodded and sighed sitting on the desk top. "Yep. I totally understand if you're suspicious, Pep-"

She surprised him by kissing his cheek then sitting next to him. "That's not it. Sure the circumstances are a little funny. But that's not unusual for you or Tony or even this life. I'm beginning to understand that now."

Walt smiled. "That's right... you've got your own 'suit' these days... how do you like it? The super hero life? If there's anything I can do you - uh, er no, I meant 'for you'-"

Pepper Potts laughed beautifully. "That's why I'm not suspicious of you. Oh, Friday's a big help in that regard... but you're still the same old charmingly tongue-tied Walter!"

(("He hasn't changed, Ms Potts.")) Friday said from the rooms speakers. (("Still hopeless in that regard... it is one of his better qualities though. The anti-Tony lives."

Walt rolled his eyes at the old joke and laughed along too. Tony would have as well. "Yeah... I never had the playboy charm of Tony."

Pepper smiled fondly and squeezed his hand. "No... you didn't need it, Walt. Then or now. Tony was Tony. You be you. You're similar but very different." She smirked. "But you might be finally making progress in that area yourself. What's your new secretaries name again? The pretty one?"

Walt chuckled. "Elyia Looksfun?"

Pepper shook her head. "She certainly does look fun."

Walt shook his head too. "Appearances are deceiving. She's trouble but hopefully the good kind and it's not what you're thinking."

Pepper nodded. "And the others with you earlier? Ms Lee, Stacy and Walters?" She watched him blush and laughed. "Oh, my! Really, Walter?"

Walt nodded. "Yep... just kinda... happened that way."

Pepper laughed at his embaressed face but patted his hand. "Good for them and for you. You never did get remarried..."

Walt shook his head. "Neither did you."

Pepper smiled. "I wonder what Happy is doing in Heaven..."

Walt smirked thinking about his own encounter. "Knowing Tony, Happy's probably been drafted into helping him paint."

Pepper giggled. "Red I bet! I hope they're both happy... well..." she hopped off the desktop and started looking serious again but with a twinkle in her eye. "Ready to get on with business, Mr Stark?"

Walt smiled. "Yes, Ms Potts."

"And that is why, effective immediately, I, Walter Stark, will be taking over as CEO of Stark Unlimited."

Walt tried not to blink as the questions flew around the room from the various reporters and news media outlets. He smiled and made sure to turn himself in Mr Parkers direction and give the kid a good picture opportunity. *Maybe I should buy the Bugle?* he wondered then shook his head. Dealing with aliens, gods and saving the day was one thing... dealing with J. Jonah Jameson was something else. Hard pass. "Ladies, gentlemen. Settle down folks. One at a time please. You, Ma'am?" He pointed.

"April Maye. Daily Globe," said the attractive Blonde. "Is it true you're Tony's second long lost brother?"

Walt laughed. "Not even a bit. Very distant cousins but he and I were rather close as friends and sometimes colleagues on projects. You, from the Frontline. Mister?" He pointed at someone he recognized vaguely.

"Ben Urich," the man said. "With Tony coming out publicly as the Ironman in recent years are you now going to be taking that role for yourself?"

Walt shook his head. "No. I have no intentions of becoming the "next" Ironman nor of joining the "Avengers" or the "Fantastic Four", nor have I been approached by any such groups. I am however trying to do my part to help by reaching out to various business and global leaders in that community of folks and starting a dialog. These are hard and uncertain times... but that also means their is great potential ahead for making a difference. Two people sitting down and having a simple, honest exchange between one another as equals can sometimes accomplish more than hundreds of folks busily working on various political and business agendas all at once and at cross purposes." He recognized Urich now from some of his insightful pieces, especially- "The last thing we need right now is another 'Super Civil War'. That won't help anyone moving forward. I loved Tony like a brother but I'm not him. My ego will comfortably fit in a shoebox stuffed in the back of the closet, if need be." He winked. That drew some chuckles from the crowd and he pointed to another individual. "Yes?"

"Chess Roberts, CBNC," said the dark haired woman. "Does this mean Tony is truly gone this time? And if not you who will be the "next Ironman"?"

Walt nodded. "It certainly seems that way, I'm afraid. As for the "Next Ironman" there are still folks out there doing their jobs in that role as best as they know how too do. There are reports of "Spider-People", and the blue suited hero "Rescue" for example as well as the X-Men."

This drew a lot of muttering and more raised hands. Walt smiled and pointed at Peter. "Yes. Mr Parker of the Bugle?"

Peter Parker smiled. "Can I ask you what your opinion is of those people, Sir?"

Walt smiled and nodded. "My personal opinion?" He saw Peter nod and so did he. "I think this world needs heroes. Masked, costumed, mutant, "super" or not. I like to think everyone has that potential inside of themselves, anyone could be a hero. From saving someone who needs help to just looking out for their neighbors. If their hearts in the right place and they try to make even a small difference anyone can be a hero to someone... and right now we can use all the heroes we can get and it doesn't matter who they are. We're a bit off topic. Does anyone have any business related questions?" He sees a hand raised and gestured, "please?"

"Emiko Yoshimoto, NTK" she introduced herself. "Mr Stark, please... Could you tell us a bit about your plans for Stark International?"

Walt smiled and nodded. "I would love too. Right now due to current events the market is struggling. Understable certainly. These are difficult and uncertain times. But that makes it more important than ever for us to work together as a global community. To invest in a future for all of us. Infact we plan to restructure and increase our business here and international business worldwide... and beyond. We still have a large universe out there. Even into our solar system we haven't ventured far, with the exception of the Mutants now living and working on Arakko of course..."

There is much grumbling both positive and negative but he holds up his hands. "I was waiting to hold off on this news until later but you asked a great question and it's a fitting time to share this news as well... Stark Interstellar will be launching far more than just the recent Stark Satellite station upgrades. We're moving forward and beyond! I recently closed negotiations with the Council of Arakko and we have leased the large asteroid 'moon' of Phobos. We will be building a Satellite station of sorts there for greater Solar system as well as interstellar travel, import and export for the benefit of all mankind together."

This causes a flurry of activity and more questions but Walt wasn't done. "We've also begun negotiations with the Nations of Asgard and here at home on Earth with Latveria and Atlantis. We're committing ourselves to reaching out to our neighbors and working together with respect and friendship while forming closer ties and bonds building towards a better future. I know Tony would approve."

(("Understood,")) Friday buzzed in his ear hearing the 'go ahead' signal. (("Initiating operation clean house, Boss."))

All throughout Stark Unlimited and it's subsidiaries and holdings certain Individuals were being stopped, detained, seized and incriminating and damning evidence was being collected. 3S agents and operatives as well as 'local talent' began rounding up the embedded, dissident elements that had worked themselves into the various Stark businesses that Tony had created. Many were being handed over to Shield and other jurisdictional agencies. Others were being handled a bit differently however...

"Shit!" Cursed Feilong as he slipped out of the press conference with some of his aides heading for the garage. "That son of a bitch! Who does he think he is-?" *Bamf* Theres the smell of brimstone and they all freeze suddenly stock still.

"Tisk... Tisk... Tisk," said a voice from the shadows. "Like the rats fleeing the ship, Ja?"

There's a gravely chuckle. "You got that right, bub. Good job, Elf." Logan steps out of the shadows. "This the guy, Chuck?"

Charles Xavier nods with Night Crawler next to him. "That's the one as well as those with him. Do help our guests find their way to their new accommodations, won't you?"

Logan grinned. "I'd be happy to..."

(("Everything is proceeding with in estimated parameters, Boss."))

Walt smiled indicating the display and continuing. "So as you can see here it won't be businesses as usual for Stark Unlimited. We're aiming even bigger."

Another reporter raised their hand. "Sir, this is rather agressive growth across all sectors. Aren't you afraid of failure risk?"

Walt shook his head. "Not at all. I know that sounds crazy but hear me out. Everything in life comes with risk. Right now it seems like risk is all around us everywhere. People's jobs and livelihoods and careers are at stake... but that also means it's time of great opportunity. Not just for the Company... but for each other. That's what we're investing in. Creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. Better, newer, safer, cleaner innovations that will make tomorrow just a bit bighter than yesterday. We're not sending jobs overseas or off world. We're creating more of them everywhere. Because that's the real heroes this world has always needed. The hard working men and women of this world are it's greatest resource. And even if they don't all work for Stark Something or other..." he winked and people laughed. "We work for you. Whether that's enviromental or industrial exosuits, new heart valves, ion engines or just keeping the lights on and the drinks cold... Stark technology helps you run your lives, do your jobs, get your kids to school and so many other things. It's a fact that Stark tech is almost literally in every home in someway, shape or form. It's a household name worldwide and has been since the days of Howard... but like Tony realized it's about what that name stands for. He tried to shift the company's major emphasis from weapons to future tech and diversified across all areas. I'm continuing with that but aggressively expanding into areas none of us have gone before. When we reach that brave new tomorrow, you'll find Stark tech by your side. That's the goal. That's my promise."

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Rachel "Raven" Roth Manami "La Brava" Aiba Tsuyu "Froppy" Asui Haruhime Sanjouno Anastasia "The Baroness" Cisarovna/DeCobray Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida Gwen "Gwenom" Stacy Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee and Jennifer "She-Hulk" Walters

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