Cold Revenge (A Star Wars Avengers Crossover)

Chapter Eight "Force Power"

Fifteen minutes later, Tony rocketed across the New York City skyline following the route of the subway. He had gathered more information on the situation from Riley and by accessing law enforcement's secure feed. Footage released online showed frightened passengers, and an electronic voiceover stated the perpetrators' demands. Things weren't looking good. And to make matters worse, they were one Avenger short.

"So no one knows where Barton is?" Tony asked.

"I haven't seen him since you mentioned a team meeting," Natasha replied, pulling up in front of city hall. She left her car in a no parking zone and jumped out.

"That is enough to make anyone disappear," Thor said.

Tony snorted. "Aren't you supposed to be clearing out subway stations?"

"We have Kenobi with us," Steve interrupted as he and Obi-Wan ran through the subway tunnel toward the train of hostages. "We'll be fine. So what's the bottom line, Stark?"

"Apparently, someone thought it was a good idea to take control of the train's computer system and threaten to crash it if the city doesn't pay up," Tony summarized. "So this isn't your typical we smash, I do something smart, and we save the day kind of thing."

"Can't you just lock them out of the system or something?" Steve asked.

"Brilliant idea, Cap. Now why didn't I think of that? Oh, wait I did."

"Perhaps we should focus on solving the problem and forget the sarcasm, Mr. Stark," Obi-Wan suggested.

"We're not able to access it remotely," Bruce added, scanning through schematics of the train back in Avengers Tower. "Whoever has control of this train knows what they're doing."

"So how do we solve the problem?" Steve wondered, shooting a cable into the ceiling of the subway tunnel.

"If I had a laptop I could try building a firewall to block the incoming signal that's controlling the train," Riley whispered. She slouched in her seat at the front of the train, trying not to draw attention to herself. "I'm still learning, but I think I can handle⎯ "

"Don't do that," Tony ordered.

"I can't just sit here."

"They have access to the train's surveillance system. They'll see you."

"So I'll just have to build a firewall faster than they crash the train."

"I think she should give it a try," Bruce said. "If she can stop this before things escalate, isn't that the best option?"

"He's right," Steve agreed. He and Obi-Wan now hung from the ceiling, waiting for the train to pass beneath them.

"Are we really going to put the kid's life at risk?" Tony asked.

"She's already at risk and this might be the only way to keep her and everyone else safe."

"The train is passing under our position in thirty seconds," Obi-Wan said. "Captain Rogers and I will be on it if anything happens."

"I'm not so sure jumping onto the train is the best idea," Tony said. "Even if you make it inside in one piece, there's still the problem of the surveillance cameras."

"I'm sure Riley can think of something to remedy that problem," Obi-Wan said.

"In that case, I should go," Tony insisted. "Unless either of you has become proficient in building firewalls recently."

"Negative, Stark," Steve ordered. "The rest of us left our suits back at the tower. I think we're a little less conspicuous than a red and gold suit of armor."