When Bruce awoke, he was unable to move. He was bound upright to the side of the vehicle he was in, as well as heavily sedated. He was numb from his toes up, and had probably bitten his tongue sometime between then and now, but he really shouldn't be worrying about that now, he effectively calmed himself down. The darkness aided the doctor's mood, but whatever he was in kept bumping around and making all kinds of noise really irritated him. Then, after only a little while, it came to a slow stop. Just as the silence crept around his cell, voices began to banter back and forth.
"I really wish we didn't have to do this on foot" a young man's voice complained. "It's like they want us to waste time. Or drag this thing out so that thing has more time to kill us." a heavy sigh and a muffled response from another followed. Bruce listened to their conversations as best as he could, trying to pick up anything that would lead to their location and reasoning. Though that last part never really changed each time he was taken. The monster inside of him was what they wanted, dead or at their command. So in the end, it didn't really matter why.
"Nate, it's your turn to check on it," I low demanding voice spoke. The was he said "it" made Bruce's body cold. It didn't matter how many times he had heard it. A few seconds later the back door to, what now Bruce knew to be a cargo tuck, probably one that was suppose to be filled with food, opened. The light shocked the doctor's eyes, causing them to wince shut before opening them once more to late afternoon sun.
"Uh, he's awake boss!" Nate shouted behind him, obviously confused about the actions he should be taking next.
"Well what are you waiting for? Give him another dose!" The boss shot back, causing Nate to be flustered. Nate looked to be only about twenty years old, but his body was covered in bruises and scars, and that was just the exposed skin. His eyes were brown, and darkness consumed the skin around those as well, evidence of sleep deprivation. Even though he was one of his captors, Bruce felt sorry for him. He could help him, and would he were allowed. When Nate came back with a needle and kit, Bruce tried to talk to him, but he was already so paralyzed, he wasn't able to move his lips. He couldn't struggle against the needle penetrating his skin even if he wanted to. The drug was fast, and Dr. Banner was out cold again.
"Sir." Jarvis began, "It seems the only place capable of creating those particular components is based in Colorado. However, the factory in question has been supposedly disabled for years. Would you like the coordinates?"
"Yeah, give 'em to me." Tony, in his iron man suit was laying down on a bench under a tree. People walking past would occasionally make comments that made Tony want to laugh. His sudden flight shocked many of the nearby pedestrians, causing them to jump back and watch as the Iron Man flew away. Before he was in the air too long, Jarvis spoke.
"Sir, Ms. Potts is calling."
"Tell her I am busy saving the world."
"She says it's urgent, and to get off your lazy ass"
"Fine, put her on." Tony grumbled loudly, he knew this was going to have something to do with the company, and he really didn't have time for it.
"Tony. My God you are difficult!"
"Pepper, now really isn't the time, Dr. Banner has been kidnapped."
"Oh my God!" Pepper exclaimed in shock, "where is he?"
"If I knew that, he wouldn't be kidnapped any more. Whatever the problem is at Stark Industries, I am sure you can handle it, right?" Pepper sighed at Tony's refusal to even hear the problems of his own company.
"Yes, fine." She said reluctantly, and only because she knew that Bruce had become one of Tony's only friends since the attack on New York City.
"Thanks Pepper," and the call ended.
It took Tony about an hour to get to Colorado. He flew past planes and birds and even a zeppelin, he was faster than a jet, yet he felt as if any amount of speed would be too slow. He wasn't too worried about Bruce, he was the Hulk after all, but he needed to punish those in charge of killing all the innocent people on the ferry and kidnapping his friend. Tony landed in the woods, he was sure it was the middle of no where. Except he could still hear the highway and smell smoke. He was about a mile away from where the factory was, landing here was the best option in case he needed a bit of a sneaky approach. The closer he got to the factory, the thicker the smell. Clearly this was before Tony had heard the words clean and energy in the same sentence. Twenty minutes later and back entrance was visible behind the edge of the forest he hid himself in. "Jarvis, I need a life scan," the visuals entering Tony's helmet were then filled with silhouetted individuals from both around and inside the factory. About eight men or women total. Doesn't seem like too much of a threat. Go in, ask if they are making lethal weapons? I'm sure they'll just give me an answer. Tony sarcastically mumbled to himself, trying to figure out the best plan of action. He was no spy.
A soft rustling sound started behind him, it easily could have been the wind, but Tony took no chances. His repulsor rays began powering up and he swung around to face the potential threat.
"Woah! Hey there. I would recommend not killing me, Tony." Clint Barton was only several feet away, perched up in a nearby tree. One hand held his bow, the other held onto a branch in the tree.
"Barton, you son of a bitch. You do realize I was ready to kill you. Why are you here?"
"Pepper told Shield about Banner. And I volunteered to help." He grinned at the billionaire below him.
"Oh Pepper you would" He mumbled under his breath. "That's all very nice of you, but I think I can do this—" He was cut off by the sudden realization that Clint actually was needed right now. "Never mind. Looks like I could use your help after all." Clint grinned.
"So, you want me to tranq these guys?" It wasn't really a question, bow was already drawn and ready to be shot.
"Be my guest," Tony nodded and moved aside. Before he could even get a blink in, Clint had taken down all four guards outside. Two on the roof, two on the ground.
"Let's go," And he jumped onto the roof of the factory with ease. He waited patiently for Tony to fly up, and the two infiltrated the building. The layout was rather simplistic, and the office, with glass sides could be seen as soon as they entered. A man sat at a desk wearing some sort of military uniform.
"You there!" A voice shouted across the hallway. Shit we've been spotted.
"Great Tony, your big clanky suit gave us away."
"It is not "clanky". It's chic." Clint laughed a little too loud at this.
"Well either way, we've got trouble." three men came down the hall, guns raised and shooting Tony and Clint as soon as they could. They were incredibly easy to take down. Once they were tied nicely together, it was time for interrogation.
"Like we'd tell you anything," of of them responded.
"Yeah, okay. Well just tell us why, and we won't kill you." Barton threatened, again. An arrow was inches away from the man's forehead. He shot the arrow, moving it slightly, so it hit the wall behind them. One of the men jumped in shock.
"It's not like it matters. If you kill us, there are just others that will win.
"Win?" Tony asked.
"Yes. The one million dollar bounty they put on that beast. Killing us isn't going to stop it." The man gave a low chuckle. "Of course it would be nice to have that kind of money, so I'm not letting you kill me." The man kicked his feet up and towards Barton, causing his reflexes to kick in. The man was dead before he even got to his feet. The arrow was jammed straight through his neck, blood dripped steadily down, staining the uniform he was wearing.
"Oops." Clint looked at Tony, who responded with by placing his hand on his face.
"Just leave these two here." Tony said with a sigh. "I'm sure they can't really do anything anyway." Tony stared at the dead body. "Clint..."
"You want me to wear that don't you. Well it has blood on it, sort of suspicious, don't you think?"
"Naw, he won't even notice. And you can wear one of these guys helmets."
"Whatever Stark, just don't watch me change."
When he was disguised, he knocked on the door of the office. "Hello, sir." Clint was surprised no one alerted him. The men outside should wake up in about ten minutes, which gave him some time.
"What is it?" The man asked without looking up from the papers he was reading.
"I wanted to make sure everything was good to go for the mission," Clint really was making this up as he went along. He had been on missions where he had to disguise himself before, but he always knew enough to be convincing. This was just embarrassing.
"Actually, no. Our men keep getting attacked by some of the rival competitors. Hydra wants the Hulk, and we have to make sure we are the ones to hand it over. That monster is still in our hands, last I heard. Somewhere in Ohio. They are suppose to do the switch soon. Get a team and make sure it all goes according to plan. Now leave. I'm busy."
"Yes, sir!" Clint ran out of the office. Tony was waiting for him on the roof. "Well that was way easier than I expected. But we have to hurry. These guys are going to wake up soon."
"So where are we headed?" Tony asked.
"Ohio." Clint climbed onto the iron man suit and waited for take off. "Oh and one more thing. It's Hydra." Tony's eyes widened and his heart sank hearing that name. They were suppose to be gone. Dead. Captain America defeated them decades ago. Why were they back, and what could they possibly want the Hulk for?
