[COLOR=GRAY][CENTER][COLOR=dimgray]
[sup]________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][img]https://i.imgur.com/dzNDhVD.gif[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/0uf4YrV.gif[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/iF1n9D7.gif[/img][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=silver][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]The Waldorf Astoria[/I] - [I]Washington D.C., United States of America[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=silver][b]Shoot to Thrill #1.05:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Unbiased[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][COLOR=dimgray][SUP][sub]____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR][INDENT][sub][color=silver][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] [I]None[/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=silver][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Bing[/I][/right][/SUP]
[INDENT][color=#e06666]“Only a mutant could have made that shot.”[/color]

[color=#a2c4c9]“That’s your expert and completely [i]unbiased[/i] opinion?”[/color] Happy asked, looking around the crime scene as Tony continued to use his smart glasses to scan the scene. He looked from the bloodstains on the carpet, left by the man he considered a father to the window where a hole, only slightly larger than the bullet itself was left. Minimal shards sprinkled the otherwise immaculate tiled flooring.

Stane had been found moments after being shot—one of the few benefits of the Waldorf being as popular a hotel as it was. The shot had thankfully missed Stane’s heart. Almost intentionally so, the paramedic had noted that were it even an eighth of an inch in any direction it would have severed an artery, or worse.

It wasn't an attempted murder.

It was a warning. 

[color=#e06666]“Do you think J.A.R.V.I.S. is biased?”[/color] Tony asked, spinning around, [color=#e06666]“Obi is the only family I have left, he’s now being airlifted back to New York for his own safety, but this was an attack on all of us and more importantly the safety of our future.”[/color] The young billionaire snapped before tapping the frame of his glasses.

[color=#e06666]“J.A.R.V.I.S., run the trajectory again, factor in any relevant external variables and then please tell Happy that no human could make that shot.”[/color]

[color=#cfe2f3]“Based on my computations and available data, indeed, no human could have accurately wounded Obediah Stane from the distance required to aim through a window on the top floor of the Waldorf Astoria.”[/color] J.A.R.V.S.’s posh voice echoed in the corridor.

[color=#cfe2f3]“All surrounding rooftops put any shooter at a strategic disadvantage due to the height difference between the Waldorf Astoria and its adjacent buildings. The angle of entry indicates the shooter was not at a height disadvantage and no aircraft were reported in the area.”[/color]

[color=#e06666]“See, Happy, we’ve got the muties scared. They know what we’re building now and they’re coming for us. We can’t let Obi down.”[/color] Tony muttered while continuing to scan the Washington Skyline. [color=#e06666]“I bet the minx from last night was a mutie.”[/color]

[color=#a2c4c9]“You realize that means you had sex with a mutant,”[/color] Happy deadpanned, [color=#a2c4c9]“Multiple times.”[/color]

[color=#e06666]“Yeah, but I [i]thought[/i] she was a woman then, so that makes it okay.”[/color] The younger man replied dismissively, [color=#e06666]“It’s not like she can give me mutie herpes anyways.”[/color]

[color=#a2c4c9]“Are you sure?”[/color]

[color=#e06666]“J.A.R.V.I.S. have Pepper book a check-up,”[/color] Tony ordered. [color=#e06666]“Happy can I leave you with this? I need to catch up with Rhodes and get some suits flying.”[/color]

[color=#a2c4c9]“Why did Obediah come this way?”[/color] Happy interrupted, causing Tony to hesitate. [color=#a2c4c9]“It’s not like Stane would willingly use the stairs, no he said he left to get breakfast but then walked in the opposite direction of the elevator. Why do you choose to come near a window? Was he looking at something?”[/color]

[color=#e06666]“He was making a call,”[/color] Tony interjected, [color=#e06666]“Obi likes the view from that window, he always leaves his room to make calls by that window. Without fail every year we’ve been here for the convention.”[/color]

[color=#a2c4c9]“So, a shooter could have known that,”[/color] The Head of Security suggested giving Tony pause.

[color=#e06666]“I can’t rule it out.”[/color] The young man reluctantly agreed, [color=#e06666]“J.A.R.V.I.S. who did Obi call last?”[/color] Tony asked his virtual assistant.

[color=#cfe2f3]“Obediah Stane has made no calls today.”[/color] Came the monotonous response. Tony’s brow furrowed.

[color=#e06666]“Check again, but access local towers, run triangulation for pings which could have originated from my geographic location.”[/color] He ordered, his foot beginning to tap impatiently before Stark started to pace outside the yellow tape. Tapping his fists together before snapping his fingers, Tony impatiently waited for J.A.R.V.I.S.’s response.

[color=#cfe2f3]“There are numerous calls which could have pinged from within the Waldorf Astoria. Curiously, one was encrypted.”[/color]

[color=#e06666]“Curiously?”[/color] Tony asked, [color=#e06666]“That's a new word for your J.A.R.V.I.S.”[/color]

[color=#cfe2f3]“Apologies, Sir, I was merely trying to express myself more ‘humanly’.”[/color]

[color=#e06666]“Noted, schedule a self-diagnostic for later.”[/color] Tony ordered, [color=#e06666]“For now, elaborate on the encryption.”[/color]

[color=#cfe2f3]“It’s rather unique, but not dissimilar to something your father used when communicating with Anton Vanko, his old collaborator.”[/color]

[color=#a2c4c9]“Vanko?”[/color] An eyebrow raised on Happy’s face, [color=#a2c4c9]“That name is familiar.”[/color]

[color=#e06666]“I've probably told you about him, he was a drinking buddy of my father's. Very into ciphers and encryptions. A relic of the Cold War, he was something of a mentor to the old man, but probably even more of a piece of work than dear ol'Dad was.”[/color]

[color=#a2c4c9]“Leave it with me, Tony, I’ll get to the bottom of it.”[/color] Happy assured his employer,[color=#a2c4c9] “I believe you need to get your boys in the air.”[/color]

[color=#e06666]“That I do, you’re a doll, Happy, I’d be lost without you,”[/color] Tony replied, blowing a kiss as he turned to leave again. Happy watched Tony enter the elevator before muttering quietly to himself.

[color=#a2c4c9]“If you only knew.”[/color][/INDENT][/INDENT][/COLOR]