Till the End|MCU|3

nine

   Twelve hours.

   That's how long it took everyone to get ready.

   That's how long it took for Rocket and Nebula to make some repairs to the spaceship.

   That's how long it took for them to come up with a rough idea of a plan.

   And that's how long it took for me to come up with my own plan.

   I knew Captain Rogers wasn't going to let me come on this mission.  Not with my extensive injuries.  And not with the thought of Steven being left alone if the mission goes south.  And it's sad to say that I agreed with him.

   It only took me two hours to figure out how to connect the holographic table to my kimoyo beads.

   It only took me five minutes to slip a kimoyo bead onto Captain Rogers' uniform.

   Now I sit in the main conference room, a holographic bubble hovers over the tabletop.  Three lines wobble slowly inside the bubble as everyone on the spaceship settles in.

   "Okay."  The growling voice of Rocket sounds, making the lines wobble and bend.  "Now, who hasn't been to space?"

   There is a pause as the sounds of shuffling could be heard, probably people raising their hands.  Steven shrieks, making me look at him.  He's surrounded by a small collection of toys scattered across the floor, watching me.

   I shake my head at him, a small smile playing at my lips.  "No, you haven't been to space.  And over my dead body are you going."

   "You better not throw up on my ship."  Rocket's voice growls. 

   Next Nebula's voice sounds, announcing their departure.  "Approaching jump in three... two... o-"

   "What are we watching?"  A voice calls from behind me.  I jump up into a defensive stance, turning towards the voice.  There wheeling forward in his wheelchair is Anthony Stark.  He raises his hand in surrender with a smirk.  "Stand down kid, it's only me."

   I roll my eyes as I return to my seat.  "Aren't you supposed to be sedated somewhere?"

   He shrugs his shoulders as he rolls his chair next to me.  "Wore off."

   "Where's your fiance?"

   "Pepper?  She fell asleep."  He says glancing behind him, checking to see if she had followed him.  "Not much of a guard dog.  More like a guard cat."  He glances back to me before gesturing to the hologram.  "So, what's on."

   "I am listening in on the mission," I explain.  I hold up my kimoyo beads as I continue.  "I slipped one of these into Captain Rogers' uniform before they left.  I have it set to microphone mode so I could listen in."

   Stark gentle pulls the bracelet out of my hand, studying them curiously.  "But won't there be interference from the distance?"

   I take back my kimoyo beads with a smirk as Steven waddles up to Stark, holding up a red and yellow bouncy ball.  "That's the magic of Wakandan technology, it's nothing like your colonizer technology.  We're maybe fifty years ahead of what you have invented.  It's quite amazing you have gotten this far on your limited advancements." 

   Stark glares at me with a raised eyebrow.  "I don't know whether to feel insulted or intrigued.  Please, explain to me how my technology is limited."

   I shrug my shoulders with a shake of my head.  How can I explain this without hurting his ego?  "I just mean Shuri had already concord nanotechnology about five years ago.  And you're just now understanding the attributes of it in your armor.  Shuri had a better-designed version of your suit for her dolls when you were just creating your first Iron Man suit.  Your technology is limited."  I emphasize as I point to Steven waving the ball up to Stark.  "He wants you to throw it."