Poisoned Freedom

#02

Tony and Bruce have been discussing A.I. for days, virtually sleepless. Between J.A.R.V.I.S. and the sceptre, they may have an idea. A stupid one, but an idea none the less.

"I thought Ultron was a fantasy," Bruce sighs, eyeing a 3D representation of J.A.R.V.I.S., and another of the gem inside Loki's sceptre.

"Yesterday it was. If we can harness this power, apply it to my Iron Legion protocol," Tony answers.

"That's a mad-sized if."

"Our job is 'if'. What if you were sipping margaritas on a sun-drenched beach turning brown instead of green? Not looking over your shoulder for VERONICA."

"Don't hate, I helped design VERONICA."

"As a worst-case measure, right? How about a best-case? What if the world was safe? What if next time aliens roll up to the club, and they will, they couldn't get past the bouncer?"

"The only people threatening the planet would be people?" it almost seems funny to the scientist, the sheer reality of that fantasy situation settling in.

"I want to apply this to the Ultron program. But J.A.R.V.I.S. can't download a data schematic this dense. We can only do it while we have the scepter here, that's three days, give me three days," Tony pleads, looking his companion directly in his eyes.

"So you're going for artificial intelligence and you don't want to tell the team," Bruce shakes his head, despairing.

"Right. That's right, you know why, because we don't have time for a city hall debate. I don't want to hear the 'man was not meant to meddle' medley. I see a suit of armor around the world."

"Sounds like a cold world, Tony."

"I've seen colder. This one, this very vulnerable blue one? It needs Ultron. Peace in our time. Imagine that."

"What did we miss?" Tony says in exasperation, staring despondently at another failed simulation.

"I'll continue to run variations on the interface, but you should probably prepare for your guests. I'll notify you if there are any developments," J.A.R.V.I.S. pipes up. Tony thanks him and then the two men exit the lab, exhaustion beginning to creep in.

Bruce stops, waving Tony away as the doctor returns to check on the still unnamed Spanish girl. He finds her, finally awake, still confused. It seems to be a constant state for her.

"You are the scientist, ¿correcto?" the girl asks, Bruce telling her the affirmative. "What happened, ¿Por favor?"

"After you helped Barton you passed out," the scientist explains, helping the female stand gently.

"Ah, of course. There was a lot of pain in el agente," she laughs it off. "It is unusual for me to be unconscious afterwards, though. I suppose I was weak after exerting myself with Wanda and Pietro, and her knocking me out anyway, and..." Her thoughts spill aloud, and she stops nervously when she notices Bruce staring at her quizzically. "Lo siento."

"Want to come to a party?" he suggests, leading her away to Natasha's room. "Romanoff can lend you something to wear."

"Many thanks, científico, you are muy bondadoso."

*

The party is in full swing when Natasha and the younger female finally join it, the Spanish girl donning a red lacy dress with tights, Nat in a breathtaking white dress.