The Invention Left By A Little Stark | Book 2

22) Suspicions

After the initial encounter with Ultron, the security guards were wheeled away on gurneys with the help of Dr. Cho and her team.

"Good job, guys." Tony was saying, his tone a mix of a shallow gratitude and awkwardness as he waved them off. "Don't sue."

Indistinguishable mumbles came from the gurneys as they were taken out of sight and he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding in.

"JARVIS, tell Happy I'm gonna need some more hands on deck here. Anyone who's available."

"Yes, sir."

After this, Tony made his way towards Agent Hill and Hank who were already deep in conversation. The reason for the disruption - the AI bot - was standing in silence behind the pair, its presence ominous as it loomed over everyone.

Once Tony reached them, he did not sound amused. "So, uh... What the hell was that?"

"It was an accident." Hank tried to explain. "He was meant to call me before entering the building and I guess security panicked."

"Well most people aren't used to seeing a busted up AI bot barge into the lobby during their lunch break." Hill argued. "We're lucky no one died."

"You cost me half my security team." Tony added, just as bitter. "Now they're gonna need leave and pay."

Hank rolled his eyes. "Your priorities never change, do they?"

Ignoring the jab, Tony eyed the bot curiously. "What the hell is it? You didn't make it."

"What happened to it?" Hill asked at the same time, pointing out the scrapes and burns on the body. "Why did it come here looking like that?"

Before Hank could think up a believable enough lie, Ultron spoke for himself.

"My previous mission is complete and the objective safe." It stated. "I came to meet with Master Pym and deliver it as his instructions ordered."

Tony and Hill shared a look, both surprised by how fluently and how clear it seemed to speak. They had expected stiff and halting sentences but instead were met with smooth, natural conversation. The words flowed effortlessly.

It was almost like discovering your toaster wrote poetry or that your fridge could recite Shakespeare. It left Tony with a sense of awe, curiosity, and existential wonder. If a bot could talk like that... What else could it do?

Then, as he studied the thing, a sudden realization clicked in his mind.

He remembered FRIDAY telling him about the helper bot you made for him and thought back to the size of the box it was supposed to be in. Hank's supposed friend was a similar height. Did that mean...?

He inched closer but the AI remained still. It didn't speak or flinch and yet the gaze behind its eyes stirred something within him.

No, surely not. How would Hank even get a hold of it before he could? It wouldn't make sense.

He took a step back from the bot with heavy shoulders and an aching heart, unsure if he'd just encountered a ghost built from synthetic tissue and memories or if he'd simply just projected his hope onto polished steel.

"Objective?" Hill then questioned, bringing him back to focus. "What was the objective?"

"It doesn't matter." Hank tried to argue. "It's done now."

"Actually, we're not. You need to come clean before somebody else gets hurt, Dr. Pym."

His gaze narrowed. "Are you threatening me, Agent Hill?"