Chapter 10
The flight back to Fury’s base was quiet…
Since Carol was informed about her situation with her powers she looked relieved, but Tony noticed that she looked also kinda… sad.
He wanted to ask her about it, but then he reminded himself that it isn’t really his business.
And yet…
“Ughhh, to hell with it” Tony muttered under his breath as he put the Jet on autopilot and stood up.
He made his way towards Carol who was looking at her hands in her palm. When she noticed him coming to her, she met his eyes and waited to see what he wanted.
“Why the sad face Space Girl?”
Carol gave him a sad smile and looked down. Tony took it as permission to sit next to her.
“I just…” she took a deep breath “When I was younger, before I gained this powers… I always wanted to have normal, ordinary life.”
Tony, immediately understands what she is trying to say.
Ever since he was born, he was always living in spot light.
The Heir of the Great Howard Stark…
Ohh, how he hated those words…
When he was just a kid, he always wanted a normal life, but that was never an option.
When he got older… he just kinda learned to go along with everything, the fame, the attention…
But, part of him still wanted that, ordinary life. That’s why he created “Protocol New Beginning” in the first place.
He loves being himself.
He loves working on tech with Harley, Peter and Friday.
He loves learning to cook alongside Vision.
He loves going to parties and have fun.
He looks at Carol and sees that maybe… that’s something she also wants.
He hesitantly takes her hand in his and ignores the way she flinches.
“You can still have that”
Carol shakes her head “I’m not sure I believe that…”
“And why is that? I mean… look at me, I was an Avenger and I left it all behind.”
“Why?” She asks quietly
“Because it was what I wanted. It’s my life and everybody has a right, to choose their own way of living.”
She looks up at him and gives him grateful smile that he returns.
He then goes back to Pilot’s seat and she watches him leave. She thinks back about how she loved flying Aircrafts…
“Do you want to take over Space Face?” Tony asks not even turning back at her
She stares at the back of his head
Is he a mind reader or what? She thinks before she stands up and sits into the seat next to him.
She gives him one last glance, and at his reassuring smile, she takes the control of the Jet.
At first it feels little strange but also nostalgic.
After some moments she relaxes and even makes some spins and flips. She again looks at Tony who is smiling from ear to ear and she mirrors his expression.
Maybe he is right…
When they land in SHIELD’s base and walk inside Command Deck, they are still grinning like idiots and completely ignoring the questioning looks from everyone present.
“So, did you figure out what’s wrong with her?” Fury asks looking at Tony and Carol roles her eyes.
She wants to go before Fury, and wave her hand right in his face, saying that she is right there to.
“Yes. She will be fine, she just needs to go easy at herself” Tony answers
“Did we found anything about MODOK?” He asks looking at Friday who is looking between him and Carol with mischievous look in her eyes.
Who would have guessed, that Friday would become little devil with body.
Right… Tony did.
“Not much… but we believe, that Hydra is taking their business out of New Orleans” Vision answers instead
Fury looks like he is about to say something but EXPLOSION cuts him off.
“What the hell was that?” Friday yells
Fury picks himself up and tries to use comms
“Sir, it’s Hydra. We are… AGHHH”
The comms go silent…
Carol, Tony, Vision, Friday and Fury all exchange looks before Fury speaks to comms again.
“To every SHIELD personal present. This is Fury Prepare for immediate evaluation.”
“Jo? How does it looks outside?” Tony asks
“Not good Chief. There is small army and they have heavy arsenal.” Jocasta answers
Another two Explosions go out and room shakes
“Can you help with Evacuation?” Fury asks and Tony nods exchanging looks with Friday who nods and her eyes glow electric blue.
When they finally get outside, they knew that the base was already lost, so they focus on defending escaping SHIELD vehicles.
It isn’t an easy task…
As soon as Iron Man, Vision, Captain Marvel and Friday got outside, Hydra brought in Drones and even more heavy artillery.
Tony saw from corner of his eyes as Friday circled few drones and shot them before she sharply turned and fired a missile at another drone.
She is really good at this and he feels so proud of her her.
Vision is also taking care of drones without any problems. No surprise there.
Carol took the advice Jane gave her to heart and works on “lower capacity” as Tony would call it.
She is doing marvelous job. No pun intended.
Tony catches himself staring at her and shakes his head, trying to focus on the task. He notices that one Convoy is blocked off from the others and flies down to help them.
“Boss, what are you doing?!” Friday shouts using Extremis and Tony grits his teeth as he is pushing himself to go faster.
He lands but everyone inside is already dead. He doesn’t notice as Pulsar Tanks join the fight.
One of these Tanks shoots at him sending him crashing into ruble near him.
He stands up and flies in air and prepares to fire at the tanks but he doesn’t notice EMP charge flying straight at him.
As soon as EMP finds it’s target Iron Man Suit goes Off and he crushes to ground.
The last words he hears are “Prepare him for transport. Quickly!” before his world goes black.
Tony wakes up, without his suit and strapped to an ugly chair.
He tries to get free, but even with his enhanced strength, he can’t. He tries to use Extremis and contact his Girls, but he also can’t do that…
That’s when he realizes that there is a collar around his neck.
He hears a pair of footsteps coming closer and in steps woman with black hair, wearing green leathery suit.
Tony recognizes her.
She was Baron Strucker’s second in command.
Ophelia Sarkissia or Viper as people call her. She is extremely skilled assassin and manipulator.
She could give Black Widow herself a run for her money.
Shit…
Viper has seductive smile as she comes to stand directly before him “Welcome Mr. Stark. I’m sure you are wondering why you are here”
Tony shrugs and grits out “Well, I heard that your big headed friend doesn’t like me very much…”
She smiles like a shark “Well, that’s true. But you are not here because of MODOK”
Dread comes running into Tony’s mind as Viper moves closer and whispers into his ear “I want you here”
Viper then pulls herself from him and looks him directly into eyes “Your Avengers buddies cost me my Super Soldiers. You are going to replace them.”
Smirk appears on her face “You are going to be my New Winter Soldier”