Saving Grace

Thirty Two

Tony and Rhodey make it to the wharf where Killian has taken Pepper and the President by nightfall, then they get off the boat and climb up to the main level. They're armed only with guns.

They quickly hide behind some equipment before moving forward.

"You're not gonna freak out on me, right?" Rhodey asks.

"I hope not," Tony replies.

They make their way to the large, blue scaffolding area — where Killian and his hostages probably are. He has people driving around, setting things up. There's a camera filming the President, who's tied up high in the air in the Iron Patriot suit over a tank of oil. Tony sees none of this, as Rhodey was the one who peaked out. "He's strung up over the oil tanker," he says. "They're gonna light him up, man."

Tony sighs. "Viking funeral. Public execution."

"Yeah, death by oil."

When they get an opening, they run for it and scramble up the steps towards the President, thankfully not being seen.

Then, over the PA system, a voice says, "Broadcast will commence shortly. Take final positions."

"ls your gun up?" Rhodey asks as they get closer.

Tony raises it. "Yep. What do I do?"

"Stay on my six, cover high, and don't shoot me in the back."

Tony nods once. "Six, high, back. Got it."

A bullet ricochets off the scaffolding in front of Rhodey, and they both begin firing, ducking for cover when they need to. There's too many of them, and they have better weapons.

Tony takes one more shot before he and Rhodey duck behind a box of equipment.

"You see that?" Tony says. "Nailed it."

"Yeah, you really killed the glass," Rhodey replies. Tony had shot a flood light, though he only broke the glass protecting the bulb.

"You think I was aiming for the bulb? You can't hit a bulb at this distance."

Rhodey rises quickly, shoots the bulb, then ducks back down in a matter of a seconds. He gives Tony a pointed look. Before he can respond, though, the PA kicks on again. "All personnel, we have hostiles on east unit 12."

Tony takes the magazine out of his gun, then looks at Rhodey. "I'm out. Give me-"

"You got extra magazines. They're not universal, Tony."

"I know what I'm doing, I make this stuff," Tony replies. "Give me another one. One of yours."

"I don't have one that fits that gun."

"You've got, like, five of them." He turns, going to stand. "Here's what I'm going to do. Save my spot. Ready?" He rises, then immediately sinks back down again.

"What'd you see?" Rhodey asks.

"Too fast. Nothing." He takes a deep breath before trying again. "Here we go." He takes a longer look and sees some of Killian's people going along the scaffolding in search of him and Rhodey. He sits back down again. "Three guys, one girl, all armed."

He and Rhodey rise, guns raised, to find a multitude of people aiming guns at them. A few of them are glowing orange.

"I would kill for some armour right now," Rhodey says.

"You're right. We need backup," Tony replies.

"Yeah, a bunch."

"You know what?" Tony says, figuring it's about time. Rhodey looks at him, confused, so he nods to a small white dot that keeps getting bigger in the sky.