The Labs
Walking inside the lab was amazing. Alex felt like a kid in an amusement park. There were probably a dozen robots and the back wall was lined with past iron man suits.
Sitting at one of the centre lab benches, was Doctor Bruce Banner. Who quickly got up and walked over to Alex extending a hand to him.
“Nice to see you an again doctor” Alex greeted as he shook the man’s hand.
“No need for formalities Alex, please just call me Bruce.” The scientist said smiling at Alex.
“Have a seat kid, let’s talk” Tony said gesturing to one of the lab stools.
Alex sat down and faced the two older men. His heart was pounding in his chest. ‘Holy shit this was actually happening’ was the only phrase that was repeating in his head.
“So Alex, let’s begin. I’ve heard from Bruce a little about the project you’ve been working on with your professor, tell me more about it! ” Asks Tony, he wanted to gage the boys experience in person. Sure his resume was stacked but Tony wanted to see it in person.
Alex smiles at the mention of professor brown “we’ve been working on a more efficient and greener power generator for the university. It’s been great working with him to design and build prototypes. This summer he’s presenting it to the university council to hopefully get it green lit to start building it in the fall.”
As Alex explained this, the other two seemed genuinely interested in what he was talking about. Which somewhat surprised Alex because usually people tended to find his rambling annoying. Except for Addison and Professor Brown.
“That sounds like the John Brown I know” Bruce said. “always wants to make things as efficient as humanly possible.”
“You’ll have to show me your designs for the generator one day” added Tony.
The three men continued to talk and get to know each other for a good hour. Alex enjoyed talking to them. It was so easy and effortless. That was until Tony suddenly got up from his stool and announced “I think it’s time we show you where you’ll be working”
Bruce nodded as he too got up. Alex quickly followed as Tony started the tour.
“ There are four labs on this floor, mine and Bruce’s are connected on this end. Then two empty ones across the hall. All other labs are a couple floors below us. Those are for Stark enterprises engineers and scientists.” Tony said gesturing to his space and leading Alex through a connecting door to Bruce’s lab.
While Tony’s lab had more machines and robots. Bruce’s lab had more medical and biological equipment. Alex was impressed equally by both labs, they were much more advanced then the ones he was usually in at university.
After letting Alex look around the lab asking questions about some equipment here and there. Bruce and Tony gestured for him to follow them back out to the hallway. And into a empty lab right across from Bruce’s.
“And this lab” Tony started as he turned on the lights. “Will be your own personal lab, to use whenever and however you wish!”
Alex’s mouth was agape. His own lab??? He couldn’t believe he was getting one all to himself. As a student he was never allowed to be left alone in a lab.
“We haven’t brought anything in here for you yet because we haven’t quite agreed on what your project will be yet” added Tony smiling at the boys reaction. “ This is amazing, thank you!” Alex said after getting himself back together. This was the best day ever!
Bruce smiled at the young man, “ Now let’s figure out what project we’re going to give you.” Alex nodded as they walked over to the main lab bench with a holo screen projected over it.
“Me and Bruce had different ideas of what we wanted you to work on, I wanted to give you Buckys arm, and Bruce wanted to give you Capsicles shield.” Tony said bringing up two pictures, one of each item.Alex was stunned. He was being offered to work on two absolutely amazing pieces of technology. Both of which always fascinated him.
“You would be in charge of improving the designs then building them pretty much from scratch.” Added Tony as he watched the gears inside Alex’s brain turn.
“I thought that Cap’s shield would be a more attainable goal in the few months we have you here.” Bruce stated. “ And I thought Bucks arm would pose a bigger challenge.” Tony defended. “So because neither of us can agree, you get the option to pick and don’t worry neither of us will be offended by your choice.”
Alex started weighing the pros and cons of each. Both were amazing opportunities. And he couldn’t lie to himself that the idea of working with either Bucky or Steve made his face turn slightly red. But he could only pick one and that made him slightly upset. After a couple moments of waiting in silence, Alex spoke his decision. “I’d love to work on Sargent Barnes’ arm. I think it will be a challenge but I think I am capable of taking it on.”
Both older scientists nodded. But Tony also had his signature smirk on his face. “I win” while holding out his hand to Bruce
Bruce smiled and laughed as he reached into his pocket pulling out a 5 dollar bill. “Remind me next time not to be influenced into betting with you Tony”
Alex just stared at them, did they just-? “ you guys placed a bet on me?!” And instead of replying, the two men just started laughing at the college students reaction.
“You’ll get used to it, it’s very normal to have small bets between the Avengers. It’s one way to keep things interesting around here.” Replied Tony still laughing while while placing the 5 dollar bill in his pocket.
Still smiling, Bruce got up from his seat and walked over to grab a tablet, similar to what Alex previously used.“This will be yours to keep for the time being, it has all the information that you’ll need about the project and anything else you need to know while working here.” Bruce handed Alex the tablet along with a form.
“You’ll also need to sign this additional document. It’s a NDA basically stating that you won’t publish any of the information that you gather while in the Tower whether it be about S.H.I.E.L.D. or any of the Avengers you end up working with.”
It made sense that he’d have to sign a NDA, I mean he was about to work with some of the worlds biggest hero’s.
“ Sure, but why wasn’t it with the other forms I signed in the lobby?” Alex asked while starting to look over the paper.
“It just needs my signature and Bruce to witness it.” Tony said as Alex signed to paper before handing it to Tony who also signed it.
Just as Bruce signed on as a witness Tony wrapped his arm around Alex “Welcome to the team kid! Now that the boring stuff is done, let’s go meet the the others!”
“The others?” Alex asked while being lead out of his new lab towards the elevator.
“You’re in the Avengers Tower, it’s only fitting that you meet the other Avengers” Replied Tony smiling.