Fire and Ice

•29•

They track the thief — Ulysses Klaue — to a salvage yard on the African Coast. He's set up on a British boat, with who knows how many workers making his missiles. The vibranium, however, is hidden inside, according to their scans.

And he isn't alone in there.

"Well, we almost beat him to it," Clint mutters, heading out with Nat to sneak their way in. Kate, Thor, Steve, and Tony opt for the showy way, while Bruce stays back in the Quinjet, ready to Hulk out if needed.

Once inside the dirty, dark ship, they see Ultron talking with Klaue, one of his men and the Maximoffs standing by while Ultron suddenly kicks Klaue down a nearby stairwell. "Don't compare me with Stark! It's a thing with me. Stark is... He's a sickness!"

"Ah, Junior. You're gonna break your old man's heart," Tony says.

Ultron turns. "If I have to."

They meet in the middle of a metal walkway spanning the short width of the ship, the Maximoffs close behind Ultron. Kate eyes Wanda, wondering what she'll do, how powerful she really is. Thor speaks up. "We don't have to break anything."

"Clearly you've never made an omelet," Ultron replies.

Tony sighs. "He beat me by one second."

Kate turns to Ultron, so much bigger and taller than she imagined, such an imposing force turned against her. The imperfect work of her own, imperfect hands. "So, basically, what I'm hearing is... I'm probably the favorite?"

"No, you're just as bad as he is," Ultron replies.

"Well, don't sugarcoat it, champ."

"You are inspiring, though, I must say. Just not in the way you'd like." He shrugs. "Maybe the way you'd expect."

"Well, I definitely didn't inspire you to talk in riddles."

"It was you that showed me how much you need to evolve."

She raises her hands, igniting them. "This isn't enough for you?" she spits.

"You of all people should know how many flaws come with being human."

Her brows raise in surprise. "Ouch."

"Now, that was uncalled for-" Steve starts.

"I can speak for myself." She turns back to Ultron. "Now, that was uncalled for. I do know the flaws that come with being a failed science experiment. You know that, too, don't you?"

"Burn!" Tony says. "Literally."

If Ultron had eyes, he would've rolled them. "Are we done with the banter now? This is getting tedious."

"This is really funny, isn't it, Mr. Stark?" Pietro speaks up, gesturing to the missiles around them. "It's what, comfortable? Like old times?"

"This was never my life," Tony mutters.

Steve steps forward. "You two can still walk away from this."

Wanda's tone is dark, dripping with an aged anger Kate would never expect to hear from someone so young. "Oh, we will."

"I know you've suffered."

"Captain America," Ultron groans, displaying a trait Kate did not give him. "God's righteous man, pretending you could live without a war. I can't physically throw up in my mouth, but-"

Thor speaks again. "If you believe in peace, then let us keep it."

"I think you're confusing peace with quiet."