17935/SI-CMS joint press conference

SI-CMS joint press conference
Date of Scene:	18 May 2024
Location:	Stark Tower: Main Lobby
Synopsis:	Cranston Interplanetary and Stark Interstellar have announced the construction plans for the Virginia Potts Commercial Space Station.
Cast of Characters:	Pepper Potts, Tony Stark, Kitty Pryde, Natasha Cranston, Simon Williams

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Pepper Potts has posed:
It's the day. THE day. While the weather may not be holding up its end of the bargain, that is, providing suitable sunshine, at least it's not providing those flower-watering rains. Grey, overcast, and warmish, the interior of Stark Industries is nevertheless brightly lit in a warm, welcome glow.

The foyer of Stark Industries, for it's not merely a 'lobby', is as large and grandiose as the man himself, the myth, the legend. It is filled with technology, from the modified roombas that make sure the marble floor remains mirror-quality, to the windows and bright polished steel of the tables, the desks, all a place for the myriad of interfaces; from floor inquiries to public product specs, with a good bit of 'history of Stark Industries' in the mix.

There is a place set aside for the press conference; a podium with a large projection screen just behind it, and a good number of not-so-obvious security watching over the area in general. Chairs are set up for members of the press, for visitors and honored guests.

There is a buzz as those reporters find their seats; some quietly tussle for better seating, for a better view, for better access all around to those who will be speaking and hopefully fielding questions.

Tony Stark has posed:
    The three story lobby of Stark Tower is set up for a large press conference. There's a podium with microphones set up on a dais in front of the elevators. Also on the dais are several chairs for the people who aren't speaking at the time. Off to one side the coffeeshop has tables out in front of it with large urns of coffee and various breakfast pastries and bars available for those attending.

    At eleven, the elevator chimes quietly and opens to reveal Tony, Pepper and Natasha. They step out and onto the dais, where Tony takes the lead, moving up to the podium. He taps the microphone, which is working and thus some tapping noises fill the lobby.

    He's wearing one of his numerous suits, looking his normal well-groomed self. With a smile, he waves to the assembled crowd and starts to speak. "Hey folks, glad you could all make it. We've got some big news here, so everyone get ready, because I'm moving into entirely new territory here."

    "So, we all know that there's been some trouble lately with the Atlantic Starport. I'm not going to comment on that, but it did get some wheels turning." He snaps his fingers and a hologram of the galaxy fills the upper part of the hall. "So, I think we're all aware now that Earth is hardly the only inhabited planet in the galaxy. Far from it, but now we've gotten more visible to the galaxy at large, and we need to get ready to take a place in the galactic community. At the same time, seems like some people have problems with more aliens coming to Earth."

    "Stark Industries and Cranston Multinational Shipping are partnering for a new project." He snaps again, and the galaxy map pans, zooms and moves the viewpoint to space above Earth. Coming into view as 'Also Sprach Zarathrustra' begins to play is a large structure with a central tower bearing the logo 'Stark Interstellar'. "We're going to provide a place for commerce that doesn't have to deal with any of the Starport's issues. Cargo will come and go from the station, down to Stark's launch facility, and then shipped around the world by Cranston Multinational."

https://heroesassemble.mushhaven.com/images/6/6c/StarkInterstellar.jpg

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty Pryde came into the office on a Saturday, but not because she needed something that could only be done in the AI lab rather than working from remotely in Westchester. No, she came in for the press conference.

Having dressed nicely in slacks and a blouse, Kitty stands back away from the event at the back of the room with some of the other employees, leaving the seating for the reporters. She glances over at one of her coworkers, a redhead named Lacy, as the reveal happens. The other young woman whispers, "Wonder if that's what your AI will be for then?"

Kitty gives a shrug back, not knowing, but her expression suggesting it is probably in the realm of possibilities. She turns her attention back to those on the stage.

Natasha Cranston has posed:
    Natasha simply stands back for now, flanking Tony across from Pepper as reporters start shouting to be the first to have a question answered, smiling her best enigmatic-yet-approachable smile. Let the eager ones exhaust themselves against Tony's energy; once they've cleared the field she and Pepper can answer the more serious questions.

Simon Williams has posed:
While he isn't the press, Simon Williams can often be found as a subject of the press. Today though? He's a cheerleader. Today Wonder Man is present to support a friend or a friend of a friend. He's dressed for the occasion with a black suit, customary red undershirt, and a black tie to top it all off. Settled into place are his typical red shades, intended to conceal the red glow of his eyes from casual notice. This means that Simon's not in among the mix of reporters, press, or other journalists. He's been shuffled away to the back among the other common rabble.

The talk of AI and its use results in a tilt of Simon's head, a glance toward Lacy and Kitty, along with an eyebrow that can be visibly noticed peeking up above the rim of his shades, "Had a hand in all of that? That's impressive. Anything else you can tell me about the station?" As he's not with the press, it wouldn't be suitable for Simon to begin shouting questions at either of the hosts from the rear. Which means he has to gather his information the old fashioned way: ask random people around you.

He does lean away however and his chin inclines, turning upward to marvel at the display of the galaxy and the projection of space station, along with the music, earns a thoughtful sound from Wonder Man's chest. It may be a question directed at the Stark employees. It may be Wonder Man's own thoughts and concerns given a voice, but he does mutter quietly while observing the holographic projections above, "I wonder how it's equipped."

Tony Stark has posed:
    Tony nods as reporters start shouting questions, but continues with his announcement. "Now, I'm sure you know I never think small. So we'll have something beyond just a cargo port." He reaches up and spins the holo to reveal a row of large doors. "These are the equivalent of drydocks, where we'll be building cargo ships of our own. After all, we can't let all the business be done by others. And ship construction will be available to other corporations as well, we don't want to try and monopolize the space trade. Though of course, the first ships built will be ours." He reaches up again and manipulates the holo so that it zooms in near the central tower and then through the wall to the interior, revealing a hotel and shops lining a central concourse. "We see an opportunity for space tourism as well. All this will be built after the station is in service for cargo, but it's part of the original design."

    As the music swells, Tony raises his hands above his head and claps. The station vanishes as the Stark Industries logo fills the space above him. "Today, with the assistance of Cranston Multinational Shipping, we take our first steps into the galaxy, and Stark Industries announces it's newest branch - Stark Interstellar!" 'Industries' fades out to be replaced with 'Interstellar' in the holo.

    "Now, since let's face it, it's kind of early for me to be up, so I'll yield the podium to Stark Industries CEO Pepper Potts and the owner of Cranston Multinational, Natasha Cranston. Give them some applause folks, and then they'll field your questions." He gestures the two women forward and takes one of the seats on the dais.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper is in a business attire from one of the fashion-houses of New York City. The sleek, neutral-toned tailored suit accentuates where necessary; she's not a woman hiding in a man's suit. It's the blouse and the high-light hues that elevate the outfit, in their rosy tones. Her hands are in front of her, still in the crush of press. It's not a position that she's used to, but now rather one that she's adapting to slowly but surely.

While Tony may have his lifeline for press conferences and congressional committee meetings in the form of Pepper, she now enjoys the same with the presence at her side of Tony Stark.

As he speaks, then, there is a ghost of a smile as she watches the born performer laying out the not so humble beginnings of the orbital.
Green eyes move around the immediate area, as she stands beside Ms Cranston. It's a first in a long while for Stark Industries, so publicly partnering with another multinational corporation. For so long, the perceived attitude has been 'Stark Industries can go it alone'. Now here is a shift?

A quick highlight of that ghosted smile rises as she finds those friendly, familiar faces, with a hint of a nod of acknowledgment. From the look and feel of it, there will be many, many questions.

One reporter calls out at Tony's back as he starts to introduce Pepper and Natasha, "Mr Stark, Mr Stark! Are you going to go back to contracting weapons and have space guns and satellites that'll target our enemies?"

With that introduction, there's a private eyeroll towards Tony. 'Pepper' is a nickname that will stick with her forever now, it seems. 'Who is Virginia Potts' is on everyone's lips these days! She does encourage Natasha to come with her on the dais, and rather than do the microphone 'tap' in the 'is this thing on' manner, she's confident that she'll be heard. At first, she does ignore the questions yelled at them.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. As you heard from Mr Stark, we are starting a groundbreaking partnership with Cranston Multinational, creating a synergy that can only benefit all. From research to development to an international logistic partner, it is the obvious choice to reach to the stars. The Starport has shown us the way, and we're looking forward to a healthy, robust partnership in that area."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
As the large man beside Kitty and Lacy starts to talk to them, the two girls look over to Simon Williams. Lacy is the nearer to him, and her eyes lighting up show that she definitely recognizes the famous man. Kitty's expression shifts a little bit too, likely suggesting the same, if lacking the level of Lacy's being starstruck.

Kitty glances back to the podium, keeping an ear on the press conference and splitting her attention towards Simon and her friend. Lacy's attention is fully on the man though. "Oh, we both work here, and I work in our satellite division. Though this is the first I'm hearing about it," she says, smiling up at Simon. "They've done a good job keeping it quiet."

Kitty looks over to say quietly enough to not disturb the press conference, "I imagine it'll be all the talk for weeks."

Lacy gives a quick nod and smiles to Simon. "I'm Lacy. And this is Kitty, she works in artificial intelligence," she says, which results in Kitty giving Simon a nod of acknowledgement. Lacy continues with, "Aren't you connected with the Avengers, Mr. Williams? Will you be taking part in it at all?" she asks.

Natasha Cranston has posed:
    Natasha gives Pepper a smile as they step up to the podium. On one of the monitors behind her, next to the new Start Interstellar logo the familiar logo of a circled globe-and-network of Cranston Multinational suddenly shrinks slightly, and a line suggesting an orbital path springs out from it as the name likewise changes, to Cranston Interplanetary Shipping.

    As Pepper finishes her statement, she steps up and looks directly at the reporter asking about weapons. "Under my grandfather's reign, Cranston International removed itself from the arms shipping business after the Second World War ended, and we've done very well for ourselves in the interim. Human nature being what it is, I have no doubt some people will be eager to export the dirty business of warfare out into space, but they will have to do so without my help. Cranston Interplanetary Shipping will be shipping goods and supplies, not war materiel."

    She turns half toward Tony and Pepper. "As to how we'll be doing that, the short version would be that Cranston Orbital Shipping, a newly formed subsidiary of Cranston Interplanetary, will be partnering with Stark Interstellar for the development of a new range of surface-to-orbit transport vehicles, as well as the ground-side facilities for same."

    She looks around at the sea of waving arms, and then points almost randomly. "The young lady with the green blazer, your question?"

Simon Williams has posed:
"Lacy, Kitty, it's good to meet you both," Simon offers with a little nod of his head to accompany the comment. He does sensibly keep his attention up or ahead at any given time however. The effect that he may have on others as a result of his celebrity isn't lost on him, but today isn't his show. Today the spotlight's on someone - or multiple someones - else. Similar to both Lacy and Kitty, Simon's voice is kept low enough so as not to present a disturbance to the press conference, "They had to have done an amazing job keeping it quiet. This is big news," he answers with a prominent smile overtaking his strong features.

He does spare a momentary glance toward both Lacy and Kitty, but inevitably Simon's attention diverts forward and settles onto Natasha Cranston's turn at the podium. He murmurs from one half of his mouth, his lips barely moving with the effort, "The Avengers? Oh yeah, I'm there to help out when they may need me. This?" He lifts his chin and directs it up toward the shifting his attention toward the holographic images and more conventional monitors, likely indicating the space station itself, "If they want my help? I'm more than happy to make myself available for it. Tony and I go way back and Miss Potts," he says with eyebrows that dance higher as though the inclusion of her in his statement is obvious, "a friend of my friend is a friend to me. I'm more than happy to pop up and help out if they need me for it. Good publicity, sure, but helping friends is its own reward."

Then he goes quiet after that more lengthy response. He clasps his hands before himself, fingers interlace, and he continues to watch and listen to not only the presentation, but those around himself as well. He does spare a glance back toward Lacy though and a bright smile overtakes his features before he leans to the side, offering a low remark to her as though a prominent stage whisper, "Keep an eye out for my Avengers comeback though. I've been feeling the urge for more hero-ing lately."

Tony Stark has posed:
    Though he's no longer the center of attention, no small number of people in the room are watching Tony as if expecting him to suddenly jump up and make an announcement akin to his famous 'I am Iron man.' They're going to be disappointed today however, since he's more than happy to let Pepper and Natasha field the many, many questions that will be flying their way after such a major announcement.

    He doesn't answer the weapons question beyond shaking his head, as it's currently not his show. Pepper can field that one just as well as he can, given that the short answer is 'No.' SI has been doing quite well without it's weapon sales, and there's not the tiniest reason he could think of to reverse course and go back to weapons production.

    As he watches the two women speak, he relaxes back into his chair, then gestures to one of the SI personnel and whispers something to him. The man heads over to the tables, gets a cup of coffee and brings it back to Tony, who thanks him and takes a sip.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper had ignored the question, but it is bound to rear its ugly head over and over until it's addressed head on. She and Tony have had numerous discussions regarind contracts with the US government; what sort to take, which to leave alone, and what sort of path to carve. None of it has included the merest suggestion of returning to a weapons program much to the chagrin of a few stalwart war hawks in congress. After all, no one can blow things up quite like Stark Industries.

Pepper is happy to shift to the side for Natasha's moment; it's a partnership and the optics must be that they are equal in measures. Each holds an important part of the entire puzzle.

With a nod of her head, Pepper underscores Natasha's answer, her own voice certain in the unified answer, "No. We are not going to be dealing in weapons nor are we creating a weapons platform in space. This is for trade and eventually for tourism. This is a peaceful endeavor, and as I said before, the intent is to be working hand in hand with those of the Spaceport."

The woman in the green blazer, thus identified, and pointed out, "Are you going to be welcoming aliens to Earth? I mean, before they had to actually be able to land. Now, you're giving them a new stepping stone and access to us here? How do you intend to protect it and Earth if you //don't// have weapons platforms?"

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty takes an interest in listening to Natasha Cranston. A lot of Kitty's connections to anyone who operates at that kind of lofty business or financial level are due to being an X-man. And she's never had a reason or opportunity to interact with the seemingly 'normal' and totally not superheroic CEO of Cranston Multinational. Nor met her during exposure via Warren that Kitty had to such high end social circles.

Meanwhile, Lacy is only half paying attention to the conference. Speaking just above a whisper, she asks Simon, "Are you able to fly up into space? Carry pieces of the new space station up?" she asks. She looks starstruck enough that if she wasn't at work she'd probably ask for an autograph.

Kitty's lips twitch to keep them into just a soft smile and not a big grin. She's been around other friends when they got exposure to famous people like this that she can't help but enjoy watching it happen. Ok maybe she's had a starstruck moment or two herself. Especially when she was younger.

Simon Williams has posed:
Simon does a superb job at keeping his attention on the press conference. He isn't dismissive of Lacy, nor her questions, but does at least put on an exceptional show of making it clear for his friends (no matter how distant!) that he's watchful and attentive. The discussion of weapons and platforms for their deployment is of particular interest to Simon. Thankfully he's without eyes in the conventional sense, which means that there are no awkward glances or brief looks askance. He watches the unfolding question and answer sessions with clear interest, but does finally break into a full-fledged smile at Lacy's question, "If they want the help? I'm happy to give it. I can visit space and carry most anything they would have need of, sure".

The expert fielding of the weaponization question earns a satisfied nod from Simon. It's at that point that he leans aside and murmurs toward Lacy, as though she's his new confidante amid the conference, "The equipment will break before I do". He's kind of a Big Deal and all that. His shades shift, directing themselves toward Kitty. The small smile that she wears is soon reflected upon Simon's own, before finally his attention turns ahead toward the unfolding presser once more. Whether it's to Kitty or Lacy, it's directed at one of the two Stark employees, "How long until it'll be operational, you think?"

Natasha Cranston has posed:
    Natasha tilts her head almost inquisitively. "Would you prefer it if any extrasolar species had no option but to land on Earth if they wished to trade or communicate with anyone? If anything, a point of contact in orbit would be much more conducive to 'protecting' Earth" - the quotes around the word are barely audible, but definitely present - "than simply huddling inside our atmosphere and telling anyone who comes too close to get off our lawn."

    She pauses a moment to let her words sink in, then continues. "We are not alone in this universe, and I believe it is unlikely we'll be left alone no matter how much some of us would like to. It is my opinion that having an actual presence beyond our atmosphere will result in humanity being taken much more seriously by spacefaring civilizations."

    She shoots a subtle glance toward Tony to fill in a few details on how the station will be able to protect itself.

Tony Stark has posed:
    Tony shrugs a little as Natasha gives him a little hint to help field the defense question. He stands and moves forward to stand beside Pepper. "As Natasha said, we're looking at this as a way to begin interacting with the galactic community without having them come down to Earth. Maybe someday we'll be grown up enough to not try and make believe that we're the center of existence, but until then the station can keep things at an arm's length from Earth."

    "And as for defenses, I'm not going into detail, but we do have a couple ideas we're kicking around, because no, we're not blind to the fact that not everyone out there is friendly. We're working out things that are defenses for the station only, that can't be used as offensive weapons against Earth, if that's something you're worried about."

    Looking over to Pepper, he finishes with "And now back to Miss Potts, who will finish out the conference." He gestures to Pepper and steps back to sit back down and collect his coffeecup.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Questions come in as the floor is opened up. Politics, international relations, the who, what, where, when, why and hows are all touched upon while making sure that it is well understood that there will be a great deal of coordination and communication with the different sectors of business as well as the those who have had a previous stake in space- and those who wish to find their way as part of the stepping stones to the stars.

However, Stark and Cranston money is what is ultimately funding it, and ultimately needs to be checked and verified. Barring security issues, the door will undoubtedly open wide enough to allow those seeking a new challenge.

"I thank you all for coming," Pepper half-steps to the podium, ignoring the confrontational question. Natasha and Tony fielded it with grace and experience, and she's in agreement. Nothing more needs be said. "If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office. The information should be with your press packet." Of course a public relations office has been set up to field questions regarding the partnership and the build. "There are refreshments."

With that, Pepper steps away from the podium, green eyes on Natasha while setting a hand on Tony's arm. They did it!

Finally, the redhead allows herself to smile a little more, as the photographs that had started so numerously begin to fade. They're on to other members of the audience; some identified and some not.

"I," and Pepper laughs softly, "I hate press conferences," she admits softly. "I never want to do them ever again." A wish. Ha.