Chapter 3: Code 4

"Miss Potts? Hello, Miss Potts; are you there?"

The anxious British voice issued from her purse. She grabbed her phone.

"JARVIS? What's wrong?"

"We have a situation, Code 4. I've lost contact with Mr. Stark."

Her heart started to race. "What do you mean?"

"He was headed down to the lab to investigate a disturbance when we were cut off. Some foreign interference is scrambling all electronic signals within a 100-foot radius of his workshop. I believe we have been compromised."

"Is Tony okay!?" she asked.

"I'm afraid I don't know, madam. Without the ability to perform a scan of the lab, I am unable to assess the situation."

"Get someone down there to check on him, quickly!" she ordered. "Whoever's at the tower!"

"Yes, madam."

She clicked the End Call button and leaned forward to the taxi driver.

"Step on it!"

"But ma'am—"

"Now!"

"Okay, okay!"

Turning the wheel, the driver floored the accelerator. They pulled out of the line of traffic and, driving half on the sidewalk, sped past honking cars. Pepper's mind raced, trying to figure out the fastest route to the airport.

Hang on, Tony!

Steve had just re-entered the Tower with his and Bucky's and Sam's Chinese takeout when JARVIS' voice came on the intercom. The AI asked him to check on Mr. Stark, saying something about a possible crisis in the lab. He took the elevator up to the floor in question, but when he arrived, Tony was nowhere to be seen. The door to the lab was locked, although the lights were on. Steve tapped on the glass.

"Hey, Stark; you in there?"

At first glance, everything inside looked normal. A large metal wheel stood in the center of the room—a recent project, maybe? Then his eye fell on a foot poking out from behind one of the worktables.

"Tony, is that you? You okay in there?"

There was no response. Steve hammered on the glass.

"Stark! This isn't funny! Answer me!"

He got nothing, no sound, no movement. Only the dead could sleep through the racket he'd made. The takeout bag crashed to the floor, and he yanked on the door.

"JARVIS? JARVIS, unlock the door!"

"I'm afraid I can't, Captain. We're on lockdown."

"I think he might be in trouble. You've gotta let me in there!"

"Only Mr. Stark has the authority to override this command, sir."

"Then we'll just have to go for manual override," said Steve, backing up.

"Captain, I would strongly advise against—"

Steve braced himself and ran full speed at the door, ramming it with his shoulder. It took several tries, but eventually the reinforced glass shattered, and he tumbled into the room as the alarm blared out. Ignoring his cuts, he got up and ran towards the workbench. He rounded the corner and stopped cold as he saw Tony lying motionless on the floor.

"Tony!"