Burn and Boil (Through the Skies)
Chapter One
A/N: Written for MassiveSpaceWren as part of the 2017 WinterIron Springfling with the prompt:
Anything with some feeling of "keep flying, that's enough". Trying to get by, travelling in a run down ship/transport, some not-quite-legal jobs/situations, trying to do the right thing while not getting killed.
Special thanks to ficlicious for all her help.
Tony took a large gulp from his flask, the heat of the sand wafting around him. Tony pushed the goggles onto his forehead, wiping the dripping sweat onto his sleeve. He tucked the flask back into his cloak before reaching down to scoop up his sack of collected parts. Hopping off the edge of the side of the large wreck, the ship moaned as Tony landed in what looked to be the ship's former cargo hold.
As expected, the small transport ship was already picked clean from other scavengers, but Tony was pleased that he was able to find a few useful components that he needed.
"Come on DUM-E, that's enough for today!"
A beep echoed off the walls as a whirring noise grew closer. Tony knelt down to pick up the small bot. "Come on you, let's go home."
Passing through the laser-cut hole, Tony ducked as he hefted his cloth bag onto the back of the mini hovercraft. Placing DUM-E on top, he secured the straps around them, checking that nothing would fall off on the journey back.
"All ready?"
A light affirmative chirp responded as Tony slid his goggles down onto his face. Pulling his scarf over his nose, Tony started the hovercraft as he steered them out back into the wasteland. Sand whipped past them as the sun overhead scorched them from above. Tony weaved around the abandoned scraps of junk jutted out in the sand.
The junkyard was unfortunately just that; it had been picked apart cleanly, and not even Tony could scavenge anything useful from the leftovers. Well, at least it was a useful landmark.
Tony lifted his right arm, holding it towards the horizon.
"JARVIS, how close am I this time?"
The metal arm clicked open as a small antenna slid up, glowing a soft blue as it scanned the horizon.
"You are off twenty degrees sir. Please adjust twenty degrees east."
A projected path lit up in front of them as Tony steered the hovercraft to the left. "Not bad! Much better than last time!"
"Indeed, sir. Twenty degrees off is a grand improvement over the forty-five you were off the last time after being chased by the bandit scavengers."
"Technically, I just happened to be going in the same direction they were, and then they decided to try and rob us. I don't need this sass, I can still turn you into scraps you know."
"You could, but then you would only have DUM-E to help you make the coffee, sir."
"So much attitude. If I weren't offended right now, I'd be proud."
"Thank you sir."
After passing over yet another sand dune, Tony headed towards the vast swirls of hardened rock formations, towering into the endless sky of orange. The sun was starting to dip as Tony reached the base of the spiraling sand tufas. Tony clambered off the hovercraft, unstrapping DUM-E from the back, placing him back on the ground.
"There you go. Don't go too fast, or you'll get even more sand stuck and I'll have to clean you out again."
DUM-E beeped sadly as he slowly spun in a circle around Tony's feet.
"Don't be like that. I know you hate being cleaned as much as I hate cleaning you. Why don't you go start clearing some rocks?"
DUM-E brightened as he slowly made his way to large pile of rocks. Rocks started flying left and right as DUM-E tossed them cheerfully to the side.
Tony swung the bag off the back of the hovercraft onto the ground. Climbing back onto the hovercraft, he carefully maneuvered it beneath a giant rock formation. There, perfect. No one will see it overhead, nor can they spot it unless they knew what they were looking for…
Tony made his way back to DUM-E, adjusting the bag over his shoulder. The formerly concealed cave entrance was almost clear. Tony cleared the remaining rubble, ducking as a rock flew past his head.
"Careful! That's enough DUM-E, thanks."
DUM-E twirled around the cave, spinning past the makeshift 'workshop' area as he moved towards his charging pod. Tony dumped the contents of the bag onto the cave floor, sitting next to it on his sleeping bag.
"Night DUM-E."
DUM-E beeped softly as the charging light flashed as he settled onto the charging dock, the pod doors clicking shut.
Tony poured over the contents of today's scavenging. If the rates were the same as last week, he should be able to get just enough for the last part and some supplies.
"We're almost there J. How many days has It been?"
"It has been approximately 336 days since we have crashed landed on this planet."
Tony sighed as he separated the parts into usable and useless piles. Satisfied, he grabbed a meal pack from his shelf in the corner. Cracking it open, he placed it onto his metal plate and waited as the gruel began to bubble. He took out his flask, popping open the water jug, and carefully re-filled it with cool water. Gulping down the gruel, Tony licked the plate clean in a flash.
After tucking his flask back into his cloak, Tony snagged his sleeping bag and dragged it towards the mouth of the cave. The moon shone brightly alongside the blanket of stars stretched across the dark sky. Flopping down, Tony traced the constellations in the sky.
Remember darling, don't let them catch you. Red lips kissed his cheek as Tony was pulled into a desperate hug. You know what'll happen if they do. Director Carter pushed her godson into the secret escape pod, closing the latch behind him.
"So, what do you think J? Will we be up up and away by next week?"
"If my calculations are correct sir, with today's acquirement there should be enough to trade for that final part in the market tomorrow. Taking into account final repairs and a final supply run, we should be as you say, 'up up and away' in approximately 5 days."
"We're on our way, J. We're on our way."
Peggy smiled at him as she watched the escape pod left. "Don't let them get away with this kid…give em' hell."
"What do you think Buck, how's it looking?"
Bucky floated closer to the sealed vault. He tested the door hinges before checking the alarm key pad. Bucky pressed a few keys, but no green or red lights flashed back.
"Looks like the alarm itself is dead, but it looks like we'll have to gel it."
"Okay, it's all clear. Go ahead."
Bucky pulled the large cylindrical gun from his belt. He squeezed the viscous gel, outlining the edges of the vault door. The gel bubbled as it ate away at the reinforced steel door. Bucky yelled a triumphant cry as the vault door fell open.
"Alright kids, I'm grabbing the goods then I'm on my way back."
"Copy that. Nat and Clint are back, so you're free to return."
Bucky adjusted his tether as he swiveled to kick off back towards the ship. The Avenger was a breathtaking sight all on her own, and after way too much time in the space suit, Bucky was more than glad to head back to the ship.
Home, sweet home.
"Five-hundred and fifty credits, take it or leave it."
"It was six-hundred last week!"
"Yeah? Well, now it's five-hundred and fifty. Take it or scram man, I've got plenty others deals to make."
Tony glared as he shoved over the collected parts, grabbing the small communicator chip and his credits before storming off. DUM-E beeped angrily at the shopkeeper before rushing after Tony back into the marketplace. The market was almost empty; too many people were leaving for bigger cities and many stalls were closing. They either had no goods left to sell, or no people to sell them to.
Tony wandered over to the empty fountain in the middle of the village square, letting out a muffled cry as he flopped down on the stone edge. DUM-E whirred his way over with concerned beeps as he nudged Tony's leg.
"We'll have to go an extra run, I can't believe I'm just fifty credits short, but we should still be able to get the hell out of here by next week if we search more in the south- ouch DUM-E, stop it. What's wrong?"
DUM-E nudged him more insistently as Tony finally sat up, his stomach dropping at the sight. Four burly looking men exited the local pub, laughing as they entered the marketplace. All of them were visibly armed, with blasters hanging off their belts, a black and red ringed emblem stitched onto their jackets. "Shit. Shit. Shit. DUM-E, we've got to leave now."
Tony casually pulled his cloak tighter as he walked back past the empty stalls. He chanced a look behind him as Tony ducked into a small alley. DUM-E squeaked behind him as he followed along. "They saw us didn't they? We're going to have to split up DUM-E."
An onslaught of indignant beeps filled the air.
Tony knelt down with a small screwdriver, slipping in the newly acquired communicator chip into the back of DUM-E's side before sliding the panel shut. "Listen, there's no way we're going to get out of there if we stay together. I'll try to distract them and escape. I'll meet you back at the cave. If I'm not back tonight, I need you to stay put and contact Rhodey okay? Tell him to come and get you. Hide out in the bunker until he and Carol come."
DUM-E beeped sadly as he curled around Tony's leg. Tony knelt down, patting DUM-E's head before straightening again. "You know how important it is we don't get caught together. Now, go and stay out of sight!"
DUM-E whirred, rolling down the alley and out of sight. Tony quickly turned around before heading back out into the marketplace. Tony ducked behind an abandoned apple cart before peeking around at an empty town square.
"Heh, I was wondering where you disappeared to."
Tony whirled around, three pairs of dusty leather boots filled his vision. Oh shit. Tony winced as he slid his gaze upwards, meeting the gaze of the smirking mercenary.
"Well as much as you gentleman seem lovely, I don't think you're quite my type. Nothing? Well, nice chat. Let's do this again maybe never. I'll just get out of your way-"
The mercenary in front of him pushed his coat back to show the glint of a blaster. "Not so fast. We didn't even get a chance to get to know each other. Let's go have a nice long chat. "
Tony slowly stood, hands raised placatingly. "Maybe some other time."
Tony raised his right arm as the palm flashed the raiders in a blinding blue. Tony darted in between the raiders as he ran. An angry shout followed him as Tony continued to press on. Angry cries from market goers filled the air as Tony weaved in and around the stalls, knocking things over behind him. Just as he rounded the corner, Tony ducked as an arm shot out, aiming for his neck.
Another arm reached out grabbing his non-metal arm roughly, jabbing the cold outline of a blaster into his side. Tony struggled, but the grip on his arm was too strong. Another smirking mercenary smiled back at him, gold tooth glinting in the hot sun. His partner jeered triumphantly as she waved a crumbled piece of paper in Tony's face.
A wanted poster with his face flashed back at him, along with a 50 million credit reward. Tony was roughly hauled to his feet, shackles clamped quickly onto his wrists and ankles as the mercenaries surrounded him on all sides.
"Nice try! At least this one has some fire to him. It makes it so much more fun to break him and stomp it out . I think we'll get along rather nicely, don't you think Stark? We'll have so much fun together…"
"Even if you bring me in, you know they'll won't actually give you those credits right? The Alliance never makes deals with raiders, much less terrorists."
Tony's heart pounded faster as the mercenaries only howled with laughter. "Oh you're a hoot Stark…who says we're handing you off to anyone?"