chapter three
The tour group was bored. After meeting three of the Avengers and seeing several of the others train the labs just weren't exciting as they sued to be. Even if they were going to see several things being tested,
And then, the group heard an alarm ringing throughout the building. "It's alright," Max assured. "It's just letting the Avengers know they're needed. If we hurry we can see the Quinjet"
The group practically stampeded to the large glass windows. They saw the Avengers board, and the Quinjet lift-off, flicker and turn invisible, and fly off to the large towering alien they could see in the distance.
"Will they be okay?"
"They're very skilled in what they do," Max said. "They've certainly dealt with worse. Now, who wants to go see what our scientists have cooked up?"
The group followed Max to one of the lower labs. Several people were waiting for them there.
"I'll split you guys into four groups, you can each go with one of the scientists and see what project they're working on and what they hope to achieve."
Ned and MJ ended up in the same group. They stayed at the back of the presentation. "Think he'll be okay?" Ned asked.
MJ nodded. "Of course. The others won't let him get hurt. Besides, they know how to stop them."
Ned looked unconvinced. "Still, he's gotten hurt before."
"Ned. MJ." The duo looked up, Mr. Harrington was glaring at them. "Pay attention and be respectful."
The two nodded. "Yes Sir," they said almost simultaneously. The rest of the presentation was quite interesting. Nothing blew up to the disappointment of some of the students.
MJ and Ned's group moved to the next project. That one did blow up.
"Alright," Max said. "We got permission to go down to the lower intern labs so y'all can start working on your own projects. When we're done there we got permission to swing by the Med Bay and see how things are run there. Let's go!"
They were greeted by several interns once they got to the lab. "Hi!" One said. "My name's Alicia. Here you'll design a project. You'll be able to test different materials to see what works best for it and you'll be able to start working on it. At the end, there will be a contest to see which one works the best. It can be as simple or complicated as you want. You can use any materials on this table and in this bin." She gestured to a large table and the bin that sat beside it. "You have an hour so get started!"
"You can be in groups if you choose," Alex said.
Ned, MJ, Cindy, and Abe grouped together. MJ grabbed paper for their blueprint. She spread it out in front of everyone and said, "So, what should we do?"
"Something people can use," Cindy said. "It should help people."
"Maybe a program that lets people know how to do something or makes it easier for them to do it," Abe said.
"We should do an AI," Ned said.
MJ thought for a moment. "Maybe a type of robot AI. One that could assist people with things they can't do well on their own."
The group nodded in unison. MJ sketched their design out on the paper. Once it was complete the gathered the materials and started building while Ned worked on the AI part of their robot.
"Time's up!" Alice and Max shouted. They went to the different groups, looking at all the projects.
"These all look wonderful," Max said.
"Later we'll have them be judged. "
"Who's judging them?"
Alice's lip turned upward. "It's a surprise." She wouldn't give any more details, only waved as the group went up the elevators to the floor that held the Med Bay.
Outside they could see the Quinjet land and everyone pile out. "Looks like they're back," Max said. "They'll be able to judge your projects."
"They're judging," someone squeeked.
Max nodded. "Oh yes," he said gleefully.
"Let's hurry to the Med Bay now. Maybe we'll meet some of the Avengers on our way there. Let's hurry now."
*
*
*
"Hang on. You'll be okay."
"I know that." Peter hissed when the hand that steadied him brushed against the wound. "I always heal. And it's not the first time a building fell on me."
Beside him Tony stiffened. "Let's just hurry. Bruce and Dr. Cho are already in the Med Bay."
"Wasn't the tour group touring there?" Peter asked.
Natasha nodded. "We'll clear them out," Clint said.
"Right." Peter grit his teeth.
"Just keep moving kid," Tony said. He looked anxiously at Peter, his webs covered various wounds and stabilized the piece of metal buried in his side. Despite them blood oozed from the wounds.
*
*
*
Clint and Natasha barged into the Med Bay. "Sorry everyone but you need to clear out," Natasha said. "We got wounded people and they need treatment."
Max ushered the group from the Med Bay and apologized to the group.
"Maybe you can come back later," Clint said. He shut his mouth at the look from Natasha.
"Almost there," the class stopped in the tracks when they heard the voice. Tony Stark came into view, he was supporting Spider-Man with Steve Rogers, the Captain America.
The group let out a collective horrified gasp when they saw what exactly had happened. Spider-Man was almost doubled over. A piece of metal pierced his side, seemingly going too deep for him to survive.
Ned paled at the sight. MJ looked up, horrified. "Out of the way," Steve barked.
They brushed past the group, barely making it into the Med Bay before Spider-Man collapsed onto the floor.