Iron-Bound - TG Caption

Part 1

As the nanotech fluid spread over his skin, Tony immediately realized something was wrong. The latest version of his Iron Man armor was designed to coat the surface of the body before building layer upon metallic layer, forming a near impenetrable shell. But Instead of building up,he could feel the sub-microscopic machines burrowing down, digging through the skin, into the muscle and deeper. There was a flash of searing pain and he fought passing out.

"AARRRGGG!!! JOCASTA!! Initiate safety protocols! Stop the test!"

[WARNING: SAFETY PROTOCOLS OFFLINE]

[WARNING: AI SUBSYSTEM 'JOCASTA' DISABLED BY USER]

[ALERT: MEDICAL EMERGENCY - INTERNAL INJURIES DETECTED]

[WARNING: EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS DISABLED BY USER]

"Oh, right...didn’t want to be interrupted...very smart, Tony. Hey, regular dumb computer, restore external communications and reboot AI: JocastaaAAAHH,” was all he got out before another wave of agony struck him. even in this state his mind worked furiously on the problem, observing evidence and analyzing the situation. As part of it's normal operations, the nano-fluid consumed matter to replicate itself, pulling from the air, the ground, or any other external source available. The key word being external. For whatever reason, this version wasn’t using the abundant material specifically placed all around him for the test, it was consuming him. Right before his eyes, Tony’s arm, already coated in shiny red 'metal' began to shrink and diminish, his body wasting away as the armor tried to form.

[COMMUNICATIONS RESTORED]

“Hey Bruce, you reading me, buddy? I could use a giant green helping hand right about now.”

[REBOOTING AI DESIGNATION “JOCASTA”]

“Natasha? Stevie? Either of you ladies on the COM? I'm sorry for…nothing bad I ever said. Any chance of a quick rescue here? And, if not, could you at least say no in a low husky voice?”

No response came and Tony’s body continued to fuel the armor growing as it destroyed him. Finally succumbing to the pain and lack of banter, he passed out.

[JOCASTA ONLINE]

"Tony, what..Oh you stupid idiot! I told you that armor wasn’t ready for testing!"

Jocasta immediately realized without direct intervention Tony wouldn't survive. He'd provided the nanotech with instructions to form armor, and that’s exactly what it would do, no matter what. Her options were limited, but one possibility presented itself. She and Tony were working on a project for her, a new and improved, partially organic body. If she could merge the two while preserving at least his brain, 'Tony' would survive. Whether or not it would be the same Tony Stark she didn’t know, but she had to try.

'I wonder if he’ll be happy with the “proportional fleshy bits“ he insisted on including with my body,' she wondered.

Part 2