(Updated; 9/17/2018)
The Duchess shook Tony's hand as Fury glared holes at his head. The two men had never gotten along well, and Ironman wasn't helping his case any. Hyacinth didn't take any offense, thank goodness, it could of easily gone the other way. Fury felt he needed to have another talk with him about his attitude. But considering how well the last few talks went, he figured he might as well not waste his breath. Instead, Fury continued with the introductions.
"The highly rude gentleman before you is Tony Stark. Also known as Ironman. Behind him is Steve Rogers; Captain America. Next to Rogers is Natasha Romanoff; The Black Widow." Fury then pointed to the metal bird's nest in the high counter of the tower. "Clint Barton, or Hawkeye would be our current eyes in the sky. He'll be down before me and Agent Hill leave. An hour or so before lockdown."
The Duchess nodded as Black Widow blinked slightly in surprise.
"Hill isn't staying on Lockdown?" Natasha asked. Fury shook his head.
"No... She and I may be needed. Also, we can't be gone for 24 hours without raising questions, in case something comes up. I've already contacted Agent 13. She'll be your point of contact."
Steve's eyes seemed to get brighter at those words. "13? Sharon? Sharon Carter?" he exclaimed excitedly.
"Yes. One in the same. She'll be here for the briefing. Is everybody else already here?" He asked, looking right at Tony.
Tony turned his neck and looked towards the control panel on the lift.
"JARVIS?..." He mumbled lazily.
"Thor still isn't here yet, Sir, but there is still plenty of time for him arrive. Doctor Banner And Rodney Rhodes are on the lock-down floor already. The other Avengers are currently with you on the roof." Jarvis replied from the speaker.
That was all Fury needed to hear before he motioned with his hand to the elevator. It was time to head down.
Steve and Natasha turned at the same time and Captain hit the lift button. When it opened they were the first to walk in. Cap stationed himself at the back left side as Natasha took the back right, facing away from the corner so they could see everyone else in the lift. Fury escorted the Duchess and Teddy in next. The Little boy seemed ready to burst with excitement but was controlling himself very well. Ginny and Hermione filed in next. They took the front left and front right corners of the elevators, mirroring Steve and Natasha, much to there surprise. All four corners were now guarded.
Tony, of course, just squeezed himself in last, and stood right in the middle of everybody. Agent Hill gave a small wave as the elevator doors began to close, Then turned heel the other way. Seemingly to go have a conversation with Barton.
"Lock-down; Floor 37." Tony ordered. The lift began its's descent. Tony then turned to the Duchess and started a monologue.
"I picked level 37 because it's one of the more stable and re-enforced levels, inside and out... Metal, concrete, steel beams. The whole works. I covered and secured all the windows, so no one is going to be seeing in or out of it. I also blocked and shut off every exit but the elevator we're on now and two emergency exits. I triple secured those, just in case. It just got completed today, but it's more than ready to go."
"No surveillance or outside connections of any kind, correct?" Fury demanded. "No cameras, no audio, and NO JARVIS?..."
"Just like you asked... A single screen on the wall to the outside cameras. Nothing else." Tony said, crossing his arms. "What? Don't trust me?..."
The 'Hell no' was implied from the glare Fury sent Tony afterward. Fury then looked to Natasha.
"Already swept for any bugs... It's 100% clear. I checked the emergency exits, as well. Not a fan of them, but a second and third exit is always good. As soon as the doors close behind us, It will be secure." She reported without even having to be asked.
Hyacinth and Fury both nodded in approval as Teddy continued looked over his mother's shoulder. Smiling warmly at Captain America. It was obvious from the light in the boy's eyes he was a little bit star struck. He waved shyly at Steve and mumbled a high-pitched, English-tinted "Ello!" at him.
Steve couldn't help but smile back despite the twinge of pain in his chest. At one point a long time ago, He had dreamed of having a little boy with Peggy. He could only wonder if that boy would of had a hint of an English accent as well... But that past was long gone now. That was no longer an option for him. Still, he had to admit Teddy really was one of the cutest kids he had ever seen.
"Why, Hello there," Steve said brightly, as Teddy nearly burst into another fit of giggles and hid his face shyly in his mother's shoulder. The Duchess smiled brightly at him, as she straightened the beanie hat that Teddy had covering his whole head with her free hand.
"Sorry about that... He's just a tad bit excited, aren't you?" Hyacinth cooed fondly as Teddy giggled more, popped his head away from his mother's shoulder just long enough to look at Tony, Then immediately dissolved back into gigging. Hermione rolled her eyes fondly as Ginny chuckled in return.
The elevator stopped at the 37th floor. It gave a soft chime as the door opened. Ginny and Hermione exited first. Fury, Tony, and Hyacinth exited after, Steve and Natasha followed at their backs. Bruce Banner and Rodney (who were reading what looked like a pamphlet and sitting at the large dinner table) turned their attention to the new arrivals. Bruce took off his glasses. Rodney gave them a sideways smile.
Tony introduced them quickly with a "Bruce, Rodney... Duchess. Duchess... Bruce and Rodney." Then moved to sit next to them at the large table.
Fury then looked at the lift door, as if waiting... The second the lift doors shut completely he turned to Hermione and Ginny.
"Check for Bugs. All the bags. NOW."
Instantly the Duchess and her two friends quickly gathered together in a circle. They took their own bags off their shoulders and started ransacking through them. Taking out every little thing that was in them while using their bodies to block view and keep cover. Natasha and Steve looked at one another as the final alarm bell went off in the back of their minds. Their fear was confirmed. This was no joke or fake mission. This was a serious, and more than likely dangerous.
Fury looked back to the Avengers as he let the girls go through their things.
"It's just about 10:20 P.M. now. The mission briefing will be at 11:00 pm. Lockdown will begin at midnight on the dot and last until midnight the next day. Have everything you need for the next 26 hours in your rooms on this floor before 10:59. No cell phones, no laptops, not even the internet. Nothing that can link you guys to the outside world at all. Tony, bring in two iron suits, and two iron suits only. Don't turn them on unless you have to... If Thor isn't here by 11:59, he's out of luck. Lockdown will proceed without him. Because you wouldn't just be going on lockdown for 24 hours... You'll be going black."
"What? Why?!" Tony protested.
"You'll find out at the briefing at 11, Stark. Just make sure you're all ready to go before then."
