- "So why? They already own a bunch of your weapons."
"I don't know. But I can guess. They need power sources. And the nuclear reactor on that ship has got it in spades." - ―James Rhodes and Tony Stark[src]
The Hijacking and Retaking of the Air Force Ship was an attempt by A.I.M. to steal the energy source of a Stark Industries-designed ship owned by the United States Air Force. The ship was successfully recovered by Tony Stark.
Background[]
A.I.M. bought several weapons from Stark Industries and became one of the company's top buyers. However, Tony Stark decided to stop selling weapons and destroy all Stark Industries weapons which had existed. Meanwhile, Obadiah Stane A.I.M. were developing their own weapons based on Stark's Iron Man armor and attempted to steal sources of nuclear energy from a Russian nuclear facility. Stark stopped the robbery and returned home, frustrated with the damaged A.I.M. had caused. Stark felt a sense of responsibility to stop A.I.M. before they could cause more harm.[1]
Hijacking[]
A.I.M. attacked and took over a ship owned by the United States Air Force which was made by Stark Industries. The Air Force tried to fight back, but ultimately lost. The Air Force center which operated the ship lost contact with them as the soldiers were placed in the secondary cargo bay and held at gunpoint by drones. James Rhodes, aware that they would not be able to get another team out, asked Tony Stark to help defeat A.I.M.[1]
Retaking[]
- "Tony! Are you all right? What just happened?"
"Hey, I'm Tony Stark. Nothing stops me." - ―Pepper Potts and Tony Stark[src]
Tony Stark flew toward the ship, and James Rhodes told Stark about the ship's value. Stark realized that they were after the ship's power source as several armed soldiers ran out and confronted Stark, along with tank's and the ship's defenses. Basil Sandhurst attempted to control Stark's mind. However, Stark managed to break the control and attacked A.I.M.'s forces. Sandhurst again attempted to control Stark as helicopters attacked, but Stark took control and defeated the helicopters and the remainder of the ship's first line of defense.
More soldiers attacked Stark as J.A.R.V.I.S. discovered the location of the switch to open the secondary cargo bay and showed Stark. Stark opened the bay, and Rhodes warned that if any of the Air Force soldiers died, Rhodes would not be able to protect Stark. Stark destroyed the drones which were holding the soldiers hostage, and Rhodes ordered the soldiers to lay low while Stark finished retaking the ship. J.A.R.V.I.S. found the first reactor's radioactive signature and showed Stark where it was.
Sandhurst declared the reactor to be a trapped and attempted to control Stark, who shook the mind control and fought the soldiers defending the reactor. He destroyed the crates containing the reactor's parts. J.A.R.V.I.S. then informed Stark that A.I.M. was already taking the second reactor to a secondary location, allowing Stark to destroy it.[1]
Aftermath[]
James Rhodes noted that A.I.M. had attempted to steal a power source and wondered what they were trying to power. Stark explained that whatever it was required a lot of power, but that he did not know where the technology came from. Stark returned to California, where he was attacked by A.I.M. Obadiah Stane revealed that he was responsible for the attack and stole Stark's Arc Reactor to power his Iron Monger Armor. He also arranged for Pepper Potts to be kidnapped so he could escape.
While Stark rescued Potts and took down A.I.M., Stane finished his armor and fought Stark, but was ultimately defeated.[1]