Hey, guys. I've got the next chapter for you and it comes with a fun surprise. There's a new character toward the end that you should be able to recognize if you squint a little even though I've definitely made some changes.
There's actually a secret panel on the wall. They must really want to highlight the whole this-is-a-secret-organization with their super cosy white rooms. The room itself comes equipped with a no-screws-or-detachable-pieces bed, a no-screws-or-detachable-pieces desk, and a no-screws-or-detachable-pieces bookcase. The bookcase doesn't even have any books. That's okay, though, because there's a secret panel on the wall and he will get it open.
The little lines forming a square on the wall above the bookcase should be able to entertain him for a while. Just finding the thing took him two hours of randomly looking around the room for some source of entertainment other than staring at the ceiling.
Okay. Entertainment that also distracts from his current predicament.
There must be some way to get it open without needing the nonexistent screws or detachable pieces. Unless somebody decided to punch the wall above the bookshelf so hard it broke through and they had to replace that one spot, it was made for a reason.
Tony tries to find some secret button first. Then he tries to pull and push on the box.
Maybe someone did punch that spot on the wall.
It's during the tugging on the box that doesn't particularly have anything the get a grip on, when he falls backwards off the bookcase. Unfortunately, very much like a newb.
Okay, staring at the ceiling will lead to less bodily harm. On the other hand, Tony will actually start to pull his hair out if he can't get that open. When Tony's locked in a room with only four little lines seemingly ingrained into a difficult to reach spot, he gets anxious.
It's because of this challenge and the fact that the doors here are really quiet that Tony doesn't notice Steve until he's right behind him. That's saying something too, because Captain America is huge, absolutely huge.
"Good morning, Anthony." Steve says.
"Tony." He corrects for the second time today.
Captain America smiles a little too much for Tony's tastes. He's either trying way too hard to be happy for Tony's sake or he's actually happy for some reason. Or he's a morning person. Tony doesn't like any of these options.
"Hello, Agent America. What brings you to my little corner of white washed, wait, it is just a white washed corner." Tony says. He puts on more of smirk than a smile in return.
"Steve's fine." Steve tells him.
"Do you prefer Captain?" Tony asks.
Maybe he should be more struck by the fact he's in a room with Captain America, but somehow the self defense of sarcasm powers through even that.
Steve laughs.
"Yeah, I suppose. Anyway, you might want to get comfortable because I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist on behalf of The Director, himself, that after the limo incident you stay here for the unforeseeable future." Steve tells him.
Incident might be a little bit of an under exaggeration.
"The unforeseeable future? You can't just keep me here." Tony argues. If he doesn't get his rent in soon, then his stupid landlord will definitely start going through his stuff again. The last time that happened, Tony's microwave had mysteriously gone missing.
Tony still needs to get together about a microwave amount of money for this month.
"Son, those people after you are very dangerous and they think you have something very important." Steve tells him.
"Okay, don't call me son and I don't need anyone's protection..." Tony lets it trail off.
"You don't know these people, Tony." Steve not so subtly warns.
"And I do know you?" Tony asks.
Steve sighs.
"I see your point but we still have to consider that maybe you do have the information we need." Steve tries to convince the teen.
"The password? Why is everyone freaking out about that computer?" Tony asks. It's just a computer. An awesome computer but a computer. He wishes he never saw that beautiful, terrible laptop.
"I swear that you'll find out soon enough but only if you cooperate with us." Steve tells him.
Tony's found a new reason to want to tear his hair out.
"By coorperate, do you mean stay locked in this box forever?" Tony asks.
"I know you've had to stay in here for awhile. We've just had to figure out a view things but I'm actually here right now to escort you to the cafeteria. I'm sure you must be hungry." Steve says, attempting to change the subject.
Unfortunately, Steve must have been taught somewhat well, because the idea of food does a decent job of getting Tony off the subject of the laptop. For now.
Steve notices the kid's peaked interest because he motions Tony out into the hallway.
"This isn't over." Tony says before following him out.
"I would expect nothing less." Steve answers.
The hallway, to Tony's chagrin, is pretty much a long version of his room.
"You guys don't really have much of a decorating budget do you." Tony states, more than asks.
He follows closely behind Steve but it's not because he's hesitant or anything to get out of his literal box. "And since we're on the topic. Who are you guys?"
"Ever hear of HYDRA?" Steve asks.
Tony has a very secret freak out inside of himself, because, yes. In his many computer exploits, he's learned to stay far away from that can of worms unless he wants to end up on a milk carton. Well, if there was someone to report it, he would end up on a milk carton. This is Captain America, though. He can't be a part of that.
"No." Tony answers slowly.
"They are the not-nice group of people that gave you the free limo ride. Why you haven't heard of them yet, and a whole lot of other people never will? That, that's because of us." Steve tells him. There's definitely some prideful chest puffing.
Oh, so they must be…
"We're SHIELD."
Tony got that. He was way less wary of hacking SHIELD every now and then.
"SHIELD? I've never heard of SHIELD before." Tony says.
In his defense, he thought it sounded more convincing then it probably did.
Steve gives him a glance.
He probably doesn't have a very good defense.
That's not the only the only strange glance Tony gets on the way to where the food is. Some kid following Captain America around the halls like a lost puppy must be at least a little unusual, because people seem to be giving them quick once-overs that might just be the various SHIELD people totally sizing them up.
"Are we on a boat or something?" Tony asks Steve. Either Tony was going crazy or there was some thrumming noise in the air. An engine, possibly?
"Something like that, but, as you kids say, a lot cooler." He answers.
Tony's question is somewhat answered as they walk into the cafeteria. The far side wall is completely covered in windows showing an amazing view of..the sky.
They're in the sky. That complicates things.
Tony's distracted from figuring out exactly the logistics of a giant flying SHIELD base based on his estimated measurements from what he's seen so far and what he knows about advanced revolving engines by the tons of agents swarming around the cafeteria.
Steve walks ahead some while Tony gapes at the entire scene. It doesn't take long for him to notice the growing distance between him and his guide.
Someone does notice, though, and before Tony can pick up his pace because let's face it Steve walks really quickly he's stopped by a very hot for being in her forties something woman in a black pants suit instead of the usual black uniform.
"Hello, you must be Anthony." The woman greets. "I'm Doctor Olivia Stane." Tony might actually like the name Anthony if everyone said it like she said it.
"Um, hi, hey. What's up." Tony attempts to say cooly. He can see Steve talking to someone over the the woman's shoulder past her shiny ponytail.
"Well, Tony, I'm the leading consultational researcher for the ongoing investigation of The Stark laptop. I was hoping I could talk to you for a moment?" Dr. Drake asks.
Even with somewhat raging hormones, Tony still picks up that A. She's a consultant and B. She called it the Stark laptop. That's what the fuss was about. It was made by the one and only Howard Stark. Man, he died like forever ago.
"Sure..." Tony agrees.
"Great." She says, and smiles at him.
"Why don't we go somewhere with-" Doctor Stane is interrupted by the ever sneaky Captain America.
"Miss Stane, what are you doing here?" Steve asks her. His tone was still pleasant but at the same time Tony felt like he could hear kind of an edge to it.
"Mr. Rogers, as you know, I have many of my own resources put into finding The Stark laptop and have been courteous enough to share them with your SHIELD team. It seems well within my rights that I have a chance to question the boy." She says. Now that's how someone says something cooly.
"I'm curious to know how you learned about him." Steve's tells her. Ignoring her request to talk to Tony.
Tony really doesn't want to be a part of this conversation.
"Let's just call it a part of my resources." She answers. "And I don't see why it's a problem because Anthony seems perfectly fine with talking with me."
Does anyone see a limo around here because Tony would totally love to be in a limo right now?
"Seeing how Tony is in the custody of SHIELD, I will have to work something out."
"I'm sure you will." Doctor Stane says.
With another look toward Tony, she turns around on her heels and walks out of the cafeteria.
"She seems cool." Tony says out loud. He just needs to verify what the universe already totally knows.
"When it comes to Olivia, looks can be deceiving." Steve tells him. "Sorry about getting caught up in a conversation up there? Maria can be very assertive when she wants something. Anyway, ready to try the best food you can get a mile above sea level."
"Um, sure." Tony answers.
Tony follows behind Steve, keeping one eye on the door Doctor Stane had just gone through.