The Infiltration into Aldrich Killian's Mansion was an attempt by Tony Stark to confront and kill the Ten Rings terrorist leader known as the Mandarin, and dismantle his terrorist campaign once and for all.
Upon infiltrating the Mandarin's compound and incapacitating several of the guards with homemade gadgets, Stark was caught by Eric Savin while interrogating Trevor Slattery, learning that the Mandarin attacks were a facade and cover-up for a bigger campaign instigated by Aldrich Killian to take political control the United States.
Killian killed Extremis developer Maya Hansen when she threatened to ruin his plans, and Stark staged a breakout with the Mark XLII armor, now knowing full well what Killian's plans were. James Rhodes, who had been captured in Pakistan and was also held captive at the mansion, staged his own escape from Killian and his enforcers. Both of them, however, were too late to stop the bigger threat in play, as Savin had departed to kidnap U.S. President Matthew Ellis on Air Force One.
Background[]
Investigating the Mandarin and A.I.M.[]
Tony Stark found a nearby pageant and broke into a broadcasting van in order to use their computers to find out what he needed to know. While inside, Stark was confronted by the cameraman Gary, who froze upon realizing who was there as he was a huge fan of Stark and the Avengers, noting that he had not believed Stark had been killed in the Destruction of his Mansion. Stark amused all of Gary's requests to show his tattoo of Stark and recruited his help.
Tony Stark learns about Aldrich Killian's plans
Stark used Gary's own satellite connection to hack into A.I.M.'s systems, which Chad Davis' file reported was responsible for his death. He watched footage of Aldrich Killian recruiting Davis along with Ellen Brandt and Jack Taggart before they were injected with Extremis, which enhanced their strength and regrew their limbs. Upon seeing one test subject exploding, Stark realized Killian must have sold his technology to the Ten Rings to use as human weapons.
Tony Stark is helped by Harley Keener
Stark called Harley Keener to check on how the Mark 42 suit was doing; with it now 58% charged, and J.A.R.V.I.S. kept saying the wrong word at the end of each sentence. Asking for the Mandarin's location, Stark heard Miami was it. Thinking J.A.R.V.I.S. had misspoke again, Stark asked Keener to read the location. To his shock, the location was correct and this sent Stark into a panic attack, since he did not have any of his armors or a way to call in the Avengers to help.
Tony Stark prepares to confront the Mandarin
Trying to keep Stark calm as he recalled the Battle of New York, which made him panic even more, Keener suggested that Stark build his own gadgets, since he was a mechanic, so he could defend himself when he would then confront both Killian and the Mandarin. The sudden thought of being independent and focusing on his work snapped Stark out of his panic attack as he drove to a gardening store to buy some supplies, MacGuyvering several gadgets together.[2]
Kidnapping of James Rhodes[]
Meanwhile, Colonel James Rhodes was dispatched by US President Matthew Ellis to scour a possible outpost for the Mandarin's operations in Pakistan. At this point, Aldrich Killian had sprung this as a trap to steal the Iron Patriot armor. Rhodes stormed the outpost armed, only to find that it was a sweatshop full of female workers. Initially irritated, Rhodes soon realized that he just had freed a branch of a sweatshop trade. As the workers were thanking him for their freedom, the last worker revealed herself to be injected with Extremis. She quickly disabled the armor, and had Rhodes transported to Killian's mansion.[2]
Infiltration[]
Security Breach[]
Tony Stark incapacitates several guards
- "You should've pressed the panic button."
"Well I panicked, but then I handled it." - ―Eric Savin and Trevor Slattery[src]
Tony Stark prepared to infiltrate the Mandarin's home and finally confront and possibly even kill the Mandarin in revenge for all of his terrorism. Taking position outside the walls, Stark used binoculars to spy on the compound, spotting several guards watching the entire area. Jumping over the wall, Stark infiltrated the mansion as quickly as he could. Using all his wits and fighting skills, he successfully and quickly defeated several of the guards, using his newly made gadgets to gain the advantage as he fired knock-out darts at the guards and used an electrified glove and homemade grenades to get past them all. Eventually, Stark entered the building and began searching through the rooms for the Mandarin.
Tony Stark verbally threatens Trevor Slattery
Stark eventually discovered a large room filled up with movie props, along with the Mandarin's wardrobe; there were also signs that someone was living in there and Stark found two half-naked women in the bed. Hearing someone enter from the bathroom, Stark then hid; the Mandarin entered, speaking in a British accent. Stark surprised him, holding the Mandarin at gunpoint. Shocked by the sudden cowardly reaction from the terrorist, Stark demanded answers.
Tony Stark is found and ambushed by Eric Savin
To his horror, Stark soon learned that "the Mandarin" was nothing more than a character the actor, Trevor Slattery, had been hired to play; Slattery was given endless amounts of drugs and anything else he desired in return for taking the blame for the explosions. The person who had employed him was Aldrich Killian, who needed to cover up the failures of his Extremis program. Before he could get more information, Stark was knocked unconscious by Eric Savin, who took him hostage.[2]
Captured by Killian[]
- "Anonymity, Tony. Thanks to you, it's been my mantra ever since. Right? You simply rule from behind the scenes."
- ―Aldrich Killian to Tony Stark[src]
Awakening in captivity in the mansion's basement, Tony Stark learned that Maya Hansen was working for A.I.M.; she needed funding to continue her research after using the formula Stark had written down for her in a drunken daze after their night together 13 years prior to better stabilize Extremis. Stark had forgotten all about the equation, but scolded Hansen for giving up her soul by supporting the "Mandarin" scheme in exchange for A.I.M.'s resources. He reminded her that she used to be a woman who had a sense of right and wrong.
Killian explains his motivations to Tony Stark
Their conversation was interrupted when Aldrich Killian arrived and explained the reasons behind A.I.M. and how he was grateful to Stark for teaching him that he needed to rule the chaos from behind the scenes. Killian expressed that Stark for leaving him behind on the roof in Switzerland gave him a sense of desperation which changed his life. Killian went on to discuss Trevor Slattery's role, acknowledging his over-the-top personality, which was needed for the public to take the fake terrorist campaign seriously.
Tony Stark learns Pepper Potts is being tortured
Killian compared Slattery's Mandarin performance to him creating a terrorist like Osama Bin Laden or a Muammar Gaddafi to blame his failures on. Noting his desire for Stark to suffer desperation, Killian revealed he had captured Pepper Potts and was currently infecting her with Extremis; with Potts now in danger of ending up like the failures, Stark would be forced to help improve the serum for her sake, with Killian cruelly noting how much pain she was in.
Tony Stark witnesses Maya Hansen's betrayal
While Stark struggled to look at the video feed of Potts' suffering, Killian tauntingly offered to pay him for helping them as he prepared to torture Stark with his own Extremis powers. Hansen, shocked at Killian's methods, tried to help Stark by threatening to kill herself with a potent dose of Extremis to deprive Killian of one of his chief researchers and potentially kill him as well. Stark witnessed Killian casually murder her without any remorse. As he left, Stark called him a maniac for killing Hansen while Killian claimed to be a visionary.[2]
Staging an Escape[]
- "Put down your weapons, tie yourselves to those chairs, I'll let you live. In five, four... Bang! You should be gone by now. You should have already been gone."
- ―Tony Stark to two A.I.M. henchmen[src]
Stark was left guarded by two of Aldrich Killian's henchmen, one of whom broke Harley Keener's sister's watch. Once he learned the correct time, Stark worked out that the suit would be charged by now and offered the henchmen, one of who he nicknamed Ponytail Express, a chance to escape, believing that it would arrive in seconds. However, this led to an awkward period of Stark awaiting his suit, which took considerably longer than he expected to arrive.
Tony Stark collects parts of his Mark XLII armor
The armor's arrival was delayed due to the doors of Keener's barn the pieces were being kept in were chained shut, and therefore the rest of the suit was trapped. Summoning his Mark XLII all the way from Keener's house, Stark was given one of his gauntlets, which he used to shoot Ponytail Express and free himself, with a boot then attaching itself to his leg to give him the advantage in the fight against all the men. Stark still questioned where the rest of the armor was.
Tony Stark fights back against the guards
Having escaped captivity, Stark was forced to fight against several guards from A.I.M., despite only getting a hand and leg part of the suit for the duration of the fight. Stark found that this greatly affected his combat ability, as he struggled to maintain control of his flight. When one guard grabbed Stark from behind, Stark used the boot to launch himself backwards and knock out the guard, stealing his gun in the process. Keener soon freed the rest of the pieces by destroying the barn lock with a powdery substance, knowing that Stark was in need of his armor.
Eric Savin departs to Air Force One
Once the guards were all knocked out, Stark prepared to shoot the last one, only to be amused when the man quickly surrendered as he claimed to hate working for Killian and A.I.M.. The rest of the armor arrived and Stark made his way through the facility. He greeted J.A.R.V.I.S., while seeing the Iron Patriot Armor fly off, but his suit failed to fly away from the mansion.[2]
Aftermath[]
Attack on Air Force One[]
Tony Stark and James Rhodes question Trevor Slattery
- "We gotta make a decision. We can either save the president or Pepper. We can't do both."
- ―James Rhodes to Tony Stark[src]
To Tony Stark's surprise, he ran into James Rhodes, who he thought was in the Iron Patriot Armor. It turned out that the Armor was being worn by Eric Savin in order to kidnap President Matthew Ellis. Needing a way to go after Aldrich Killian, Stark remembered Trevor Slattery, waking him from another drunken stupor and acquiring more details on Killian's plans. Seeking a way to save the President, Stark then remembered that Slattery had been given a speedboat from Killian and demanded it.
Tony Stark and James Rhodes discuss the rescue
Onboard Slattery's boat, Stark called Vice President Rodriguez to warn him that President Ellis was about to be attacked by Savin posing as the Iron Patriot, with Rodriguez informing them that Ellis was about to board Air Force One. However, unbeknownst to Stark, Rodriguez had aligned with Killian, and was planning to take the position of President following Ellis' disposal, granting Killian control over the United States of America. While Rodriguez promised to fix the situation, Stark and Rhodes discussed who they had time to save, Pepper Potts or President Ellis. Stark decided to remote control his armor so they could save both of them.[2]