An Age of Metal

On The Jet

The team broke apart, scrambling to get ready. It was always an unspoken competition to see who could get prepared fastest. Usually, Frank won, but sometimes he'd slow down to give the others a chance. This was one such day.

Every member of the New Avengers was given a suit or uniform that correlated with their powers. For example, Percy's had pockets of water sewn throughout the clothes that her could use in a fight. Hazel's was able to transform with her, Leo's was fire-resistant, Noor's had packages of seeds, and so on. Each teen had a hand at creating their suit, so each was personal. Favorite colors and designs, patterns, logos, letters, etc were put on.

Everyone also came equipped with some form of mask, although some covered more than others. Unlike the Avengers, the New Avengers didn't have their identities made public knowledge. And for the time being, they intended to keep it that way.

"Hurry up, everyone!" Peggy yelled. She marched down the hallway connecting to their rooms. 

"Time is precious!" She continued, not unlike a drill sergeant.

Soon enough, everyone fell in line. Robert was first, a spitting image of his father in a similar orange and copper suit. Noor stood next to him in a dark green jumpsuit and neon mask.

"Is everyone ready?" Peggy asked the group.

A chorus of "yes", "yeah", "totally", "let's go!"'s reached her ears, and she lead the team down to the quinjet where everyone was waiting.

"Peggy, I have a super important question." Leo said to her.

She quirked an eyebrow.  "What is it?"

"What's a better supehero name: Lady Liberty, Agent Carter, or Miss Union Jack?"

At the mention of the name Miss Union Jack, Peggy remembered how Dum Dum and the other Howling Commandos had advocated to call her that. It was a bittersweet memory, one that left a dull ache in her heart.

"They're all ridiculous...but if I had to choose I'd say Miss Union Jack." Peggy replied.

Nico grinned at the scowling faces of Leo and Annabeth, none of them knowing her real reason for the name.

"Its official! Newest Avenger Miss Union Jack!" Jason called.

Once everyone was settled in, Tony took off, not before giving a smile to Robert in his armor. He was, naturally, quite proud. Scared? A little. But definitely proud. 

He warned everyone of how long the flight could be, and how everyone should figure out how to entertain themselves. Clint and Natasha talked quietly, laughing at an inside joke. Thor sat near Bruce, who was talking to Tony in the pilot's seat. The New Avengers were talking, arguing about whether or not Charlotte had a crush without actually asking her. 

That left Steve and Peggy to themselves. Despite being in uniform, and looking every bit the Captain America he was, Steve wrapped an arm around Peggy as if they were just relaxing at the Tower. Peggy melted into him, enjoying his warm embrace. 

"I have a new name now." Peggy said absent mindedly.

"What do you mean?" Steve asked, brow furrowed.

"The kids have dubbed me Miss Union Jack." She laughed.

He grinned. "It has a nice ring to it."

"Howling Commandos thought the same." She said quietly.

Steve didn't say anything for a moment, allowing the two to remember. 

"Remember when Howard got so drunk he kissed Falsworth?" He interrupted the silence between them.

Peggy giggled.

"And Bucky was laughing so hard he fell over? Yes, I remember." She said through her laughs.

Steve's expression fell at the mention of his best friend.

"I miss 'em." Steve said, mainly to himself.

"Me too." Peggy replied. 

"I wonder how they remembered us."

"Probably as a red, white and blue punk." Peggy teased.

"And a gunslinging British agent who kept 'em in line." Steve said, equally wry.

"I can't tell if you're complimenting me or not, Rogers." She said 

"Oh, I'm just stating the facts."

"Oh, stop."

She allowed them both a content moment before she cleared her throat.

"So, what's the plan Cap? Direct ambush or something a tad more subtle?" She asked.

"Well, our priority is to secure the vibranium and interrogate anyone working with Ultron...but I have a feeling it won't go so smoothly."

Peggy nodded in agreement.

"I'm sure our new enhanced friends will join us. And, with this group," she gestured to the New Avengers, "I suppose subtlety is out of the question."

"You hit the nail on the head, Peggy." 

She checked her gun three times over before she was satisfied, and Steve held her other hand blaster. It was a prototype, custody of Tony.

"Ya know, when this is all over, I'm taking you out. A real date." Steve told her.

"I suppose we haven't had much time alone as of late. What, with the espionage and missions and killer robots."  She said.

"I'm going all out. Wine, music, dancing...even though I might need I few more lessons." He said.

"Oh, darling," Peggy smiled, alluding to something entirely different, "I think you're underestimating yourself."

Before Steve could shake off his blush and come up with some witty remark, they heard Tony's voice over the noise of the teenage heroes.

"We're here."