An Age of Metal

A New Body

Back in Korea, Helen Cho was building Ultron's body. The rest of her lab attendants had gone home. Pietro was listless, and Wanda wasn't much better. He folded his arms and watched Cho work. 

"It's beautiful," Helen said, checking the body's vitals. "The vibranium atoms aren't just compatible with the tissue cells, they're binding them. And S.H.I.E.L.D. never even thought to..."

Ultron towered over her, observing her work. 

"The most versatile substance on the planet," he said, his voice cold. "And they used it to make a Frisbee. Typical of humans. They scratch the surface and never think...to look within." 

He picked up Loki's scepter, smashing the blue stone in his hands. A yellow gem floated out of the remains. Ultron dropped it onto the body, in the center of its forehead. 

.....

Back at Clint's farm, the team was finishing their plan. 

"I'll take Natasha, Clint, Peggy and Charlotte," Steve said, pulling on his gloves. 

"Finally," Peggy said under her breath.

"All right," Tony said. "Strictly recon. I'll hit the Nexus with Robert. We'll join you as soon as we can."

Steve pulled Tony aside. 

"If Ultron's really building a body..." he trailed off.

"He'll be more powerful than any of us," Tony finished.  "Maybe all of us. An android designed by a robot." 

"You know, I really miss the days when the weirdest thing science ever created was me," Steve said. 

"I'll drop Banner and the others off at the tower," Fury stated.  "You mind if I borrow Ms. Hill?"

"She's all yours. Apparently," Tony said. "What are you gonna do?"

"I don't know," Fury spoke. "Something dramatic, I hope." 

Charlotte had begun to say her goodbyes to the team. They wished her luck, but were also kinda upset that they didn't get to help. 

"It's not fair," Thalia said, hugging Charlotte. "Why do you get to go?"

"I don't know. I guess I'm their best shot at this."

Charlotte let go and turned to Robert and Noor. 

"Good luck, Techy," He said. 

"Have fun at Nexus. Tell 'em I said hi," Charlotte replied. 

"Don't fail, asshole," Noor advised. 

"Love you too, Weed," Charlotte responded before walking off to the rest of the group. 

Peggy and Steve were standing together. She had just finished counting bullets and let her gun hang lazily at her side. 

"If Ultron has made a body, what are we going to do with it?" Peggy asked. "It isn't exactly something one can kill." 

"Let's hope it doesn't come down to that," Steve said. "But if it does...maybe Stark can do something about it."

"Just like old times," Peggy said. 

Steve gave a small laugh.

"I guess it is. But now isn't so bad, right?" He asked. 

"Well, besides the killer robot..." Peggy said, slipping her hand into Steve's. "I'd say it's pretty good."

Clint was bidding his sister goodbye a little ways away.