Chapter 203: Testing
Tony took a slow breath.
He had not come to the Miracle Clinic to argue about semantics.
The proposed Sokovia Accords were still a draft, but the principle behind them was already clear: governments wanted extraordinary individuals brought under a legal framework.
The idea had precedent in Marvel history. The Superhuman Registration Act had likewise been built around the registration and government oversight of superhuman individuals, eventually dividing the superhero community between Iron Man's pro-registration forces and Captain America's opposition.
This version was broader.
And it was international.
Once the Accords were formally adopted, anyone falling within their definition of a regulated superhuman would be expected to register, disclose relevant information, and accept restrictions on unauthorized operations.
But there was an obvious problem.
Lynn.
Tony understood that better than almost anyone.
How exactly could a government compel someone with Lynn's demonstrated level of power to register?
How could an international committee physically enforce anything against a person capable of opening dimensional portals, rewriting matter, ignoring conventional weapons, and disappearing without leaving a detectable trail?
And if someone like Lynn remained outside the system...
Then the entire regulatory framework possessed a glaring weakness.
The strongest superhuman on Earth would be beyond its reach.
"Are you planning to sign?"
Tony finally asked the question directly.
Lynn looked up from his journal.
"Sign what?"
"The Sokovia Accords."
"Superhuman registration."
Lynn adjusted his glasses.
"Tony, I'll say it again."
"I'm Dr. Lynn of the Miracle Clinic on Fifth Avenue."
"My medical license is valid."
"My business registration is valid."
"My tax records are valid."
"The government audits them regularly."
He calmly returned to his reading.
"I'm a physician."
Tony stared at him.
"You call that ordinary?"
"Have you ever seen Dr. Lynn engage in combat?"
Tony opened his mouth.
Then stopped.
Technically...
No.
He had seen the masked figure fight.
He had seen the Transcendent dismantle Ultron.
He had witnessed the World Engine being destroyed.
But he had never publicly witnessed Dr. Lynn doing any of those things.
Neither had Bruce.
Both men knew the truth.
Neither intended to expose it.
They had no idea what would happen if the world suddenly learned that the apparently harmless physician from Fifth Avenue was the same being who had defeated opponents that had overwhelmed the combined Avengers and Justice League.
Tony rubbed his forehead.
"You're leaving yourself a loophole."
"I'm operating within the law."
"You..."
The clinic telephone rang.
Tony turned toward the reception desk.
Lynn reached for the receiver.
"Miracle Clinic."
A voice came through the encrypted line.
Its natural tone had been deliberately altered by a voice modulator.
"Dr. Wayne."
Lynn recognized him immediately.
"Mr. Wayne."
"The complete draft has been sent to your encrypted mailbox."
"Thank you."
"After you've reviewed it, I'd like to discuss Article Forty-Three."
Lynn's fingers stopped against the receiver.
"Which provision?"
"The missing classification concerning medical-type superhuman abilities."
Lynn glanced toward Tony.
"The agreement contains extensive provisions concerning combat-capable and destructive superhumans."
"Yet the treatment of medical abilities is almost nonexistent."
"Who do you think left the gap?"
Two seconds of silence.
Bruce answered.
"I don't know."
"But if someone intends to use that ambiguity to establish a neutral medical status outside the ordinary registration structure..."
His voice remained perfectly calm.
"...that person is extremely clever."
Lynn smiled.
"Your observational skills remain sharp, Mr. Wayne."
Tony sat in the examination chair listening to every word.
His expression became increasingly complicated.
Lynn had clearly anticipated the regulatory problem before most of the world had even seen the full treaty.
He had already begun constructing his legal position.
Tony couldn't help asking:
"Did you plan this from the beginning?"
Lynn activated speakerphone.
"Bruce."
"Tony is here."
"He just accused me of planning something."
Bruce answered immediately.
"His car is parked outside your clinic."
Tony rolled his eyes.
"Thank you, Batman."
Bruce ignored him.
"My suggestion, Lynn, is simple."
"No matter how you intend to exploit the ambiguity in the treaty, there is one issue you should consider."
"Go on."
"Once the agreement is finalized, the superhuman community will likely divide."
"Some will cooperate."
"Some will refuse."
"That conflict could become increasingly serious."
"You will be standing between both groups."
"And both sides will eventually try to recruit you."
"Your neutrality will only remain viable if you're prepared to disappoint one side when necessary."
Lynn leaned back in his chair, rolling a pen between his fingers.
"Bruce."
"I'm a doctor."
"If a patient arrives, I treat the patient."
"If that patient belongs to your side, I treat them."
"If that patient belongs to Tony's side, I treat them."
"I collect my fee afterward."
"I owe neither side loyalty."
Bruce was silent.
"Is that your definition of neutrality?"
Lynn looked at the phone.
"No."
"That's my definition of business."
Tony couldn't help laughing once.
Bruce continued.
"And what happens when one side asks you to treat a wounded opponent?"
"Then I treat them."
"And if treating them causes political problems?"
"Then the politicians can send me an invoice."
Tony shook his head.
"You really are impossible."
Lynn ignored him.
"You should be thinking about something else."
"What?"
"How you're going to persuade Clark."
Five seconds of silence followed.
Lynn smiled faintly.
"Good luck."
Bruce answered,
"Understood."
"I'll send the completed medical provisions tonight."
"Thank you."
"And Bruce..."
"Yes?"
"Tony's follow-up fee is twenty thousand."
Tony immediately looked toward the telephone.
"Hey."
"Please arrange payment."
Bruce answered calmly.
"That is Tony's bill."
"I know."
Lynn continued,
"Your bill is separate."
A pause.
"I haven't charged you for postoperative rehabilitation guidance following your shoulder dislocation."
Bruce was silent.
Tony began laughing.
"You heard him."
"Pay the man."
The line disconnected.
Tony stared at the receiver.
Then at Lynn.
"You actually keep separate invoices for all of us."
"Naturally."
Tony leaned back.
"What are you going to do?"
Lynn looked at him.
"What are you going to do?"
"The Accords."
Tony's expression became more serious.
"Are you actually asking how I'm handling it?"
"Yes."
Lynn closed the journal.
"You really want to know?"
Tony grimaced.
"Whenever you say that, I feel like I'm about to receive another bill."
"Tony."
"Are you signing?"
Tony's expression shifted.
He looked down at the draft lying before him.
"I probably will."
His voice became quieter.
"Sokovia happened because Bruce and I believed we could build something that would protect everyone."
"We were wrong."
"Ultron was our responsibility."
"If signing this agreement convinces governments that we're willing to accept accountability, then I'll sign."
Lynn studied him briefly.
"Good luck."
Tony picked up the paper bag he had brought earlier.
He pushed it aside.
"Don't waste the donuts."
He stood.
At the door, he stopped.
"Lynn."
"Hmm?"
"If this really turns into a fight..."
"You'll actually stay behind and treat the wounded?"
Lynn adjusted his glasses.
"You know my prices."
Tony gave him a long look.
Then left.
The door closed.
Lynn remained alone in the clinic.
He looked toward the drawn blinds.
A faint smile appeared.
"Fortunately, fights make excellent business."
He turned off the lights and returned to the desk.
He opened the paper bag Tony had left behind.
One donut remained.
Lynn took a bite.
Sweet.
...
Two allied organizations.
One command center.
One treaty.
One increasingly obvious fault line.
The conference room was filled with people from both the Avengers and the Justice League.
A copy of the proposed Sokovia Accords lay before every attendee.
Some had read the entire document.
Others had only studied the sections relevant to their own activities.
Tony sat near the head of the table.
Bruce sat beside him.
Steve Rogers sat opposite them.
The treaty was open in front of Steve to the section concerning international authorization of superhuman operations.
Thor had returned to Asgard after the Sokovia battle, leaving Earth's diplomatic negotiations to the others.
Clark Kent sat quietly near the end of the table in an ordinary plaid shirt.
Nothing about his appearance suggested that he was Superman.
Diana Prince stood beside the window.
Barry Allen sat near the doorway, restless as always.
Natasha Romanoff silently reviewed another copy of the treaty.
Wanda and Pietro sat farther down the table.
Pietro looked as though he would rather be anywhere else.
Tony took a deep breath.
"You've all read it."
Steve looked up.
"I have."
"Then let's stop pretending this is going to be simple."
Tony leaned back.
"Sign..."
"...or don't."
Nobody answered.
Five seconds passed.
Tony finally spoke.
"I'll sign."
His voice was steady.
There was none of his usual joking confidence.
"Sokovia cost more than six thousand lives."
"Ultron was created because Bruce and I believed we could build a defense system capable of protecting the world."
"We were wrong."
He looked around the room.
"So yes."
"I'll accept responsibility."
"If signing this agreement convinces the world that we won't repeat that mistake..."
Tony placed his hand on the document.
"...then I'll sign."