JARVIS found out, that an island that was far enough from the one where the Lighthouse was hidden, belonged to the CEO of Global Incorporated. Tony already knew and disliked him but he coaxed him nevertheless to let him borrow this island with the mansion and a very useful runway for a business jet.
They met at the private part of the airport, located apart from the main terminals. A major advantage of flying on a private plane was that there was no security screening. So no questions were asked when they got on board of Tony`s Gulfstream with their equipment consisting of bow and arrow, Mark VII, LOKE I, Captain America`s shield, Mjölnir and a whole lot of military material. The pilot already was in the cockpit and they could start a few minutes after they closed the door. They used the crew area for storage because there was just the pilot on board.
"What does it cost to borrow a whole island?" Clint asked curiously while stowing away his bow.
"A very exclusive Ferrari for the island and one of the most beautiful Lamborghinis ever built for complete confidentiality. Omar is still a shark."
"Wow! And I have to admit, your jet is way more comfortable than the Quintjets." Clint let himself fall into one of the ergonomic airplane seats.
"And hugely useful. This jet can fly at a top speed of Mach 0.925 and has a range of over 7000 nautical miles. So no stops. You could say further, faster and fully comfortable. Not much more to wish for, I think. Although I owned a jet which also had a pole and stewardesses who knew how to use it."
"A stripper pole?" Clint grinned brightly.
And Tony grinned back. "Absolutely. I already sold it a long time ago, sorry. But this one is great, too! With a kitchen, a bar, audio and video systems and in-flight Wi-Fi."
"This is not a holiday but a mission, guys!" Natasha objected. "So shut up, sit down and get some rest. It will be exhausting enough when we arrive."
"Yes, Ma`am!" Tony saluted and looked at Loki. He was the only one on board who appeared elegant and slightly bored even under this circumstances, his tall body leaned against the back of something that looked more like a sofa than an airplane seat. Tony sat down beside him. Or to be precise, more on than beside Loki. Which made the latter first raise an eyebrow but then grin, Clint grunt and Thor looking amazed. Bruce and Natasha didn`t seem interested at all.
Loki saw the questioning and thoughtful look on Thor`s face and he realized that in all that time Thor never saw him with someone that meant something, meant everything. Not just a craving or revenge or pastime. Not only a means to an end or the pathetic try to escape loneliness.
But now everything important was sitting smiling next to him with his legs draped over Loki`s lap. This warm weight that made him smile for no reason. He`s everything important and safe and precious. And isn`t that remarkable? How did that even happen?
Right now everything was good and Loki and Tony closed their eyes to get some rest.
When did I go from naked stewardesses and stripper poles to this? To love? But to hell with that! I like it. Tony smiled when he fell asleep.
Loki didn`t sleep. He just closed his eyes and while resting listened to Tony`s breathing and to the conversations between the other people on board. He wasn`t that credulous that he would sleep in a plane with Barton, Romanov and Thor. Better safe than sorry. It was mainly boring small-talk he listened to but it felt better than trying to sleep.
It was a soft landing and the mansion on this not that small island was impressive. A huge white villa with an oversized pool and garden. Everything in a modern oriental style with authentic furniture in the large rooms. It`s tacky, really. Even for Omar. Tony thought to himself.
They stayed in the living room and waited till the setting of the sun. They all had changed into the shirts, pants and boots that were part of the S.H.I.E.L.D. gear. The rest was to uncomfortable for flying and there was absolutely no way to get inside of one of the suits with something like a helmet or a bulletproof vest. So Thor, Loki and Tony would not only have to carry Steve, Clint and Natasha but also the rest of the gear, the weapons and tools. Bruce would stay at the mansion, waiting for their return and having an eye on the things they had to left behind. Even in uniforms Hawkeye`s bow and arrows and the Captain`s shield would be too conspicuous.
They had to wait. Bruce was reading a book, Natasha and Clint laid on the big white couch while Thor sat at the table and ate the content of the fridge. Loki sat in an armchair watching his surroundings, Tony fiddled with something on his tablet on the smaller couch beside Loki and Steve was unexpectedly uncomfortable. He paced up and down before he turned to Tony.
"I never thought I would have to break into a S.H.I.E.L.D. base! Especially not because of something like that. I thought projects like that were something just HYDRA did. That shouldn`t happen. It`s too bad that Peggy has Alzheimer's disease and the other two founders of S.H.I.E.L.D. are dead. Your father, he wouldn`t let something like that take place."
"I`m not that sure about." Tony answered while he read on his tablet, not willing to discuss this topic. Especially not now. Howard would perhaps think me useful for the first time, by sacrificing me. Wouldn`t surprise me.
"But I am. He and Peggy and Colonel Phillips founded S.H.I.E.L.D. to protect not to subjugate, to save not destroy."
Tony did his best not to grimace. That's all we needed! Let`s talk about S.H.I.E.L.D.`s noble intentions. He stared at the tablet.
"Your father," And with this Tony frowned, "He was perhaps a little bit too good with lying to get what he wanted but he always wanted the best for this land and for the world, for the people. He wouldn`t allow that to happen. He was loud and stubborn, you remind me of him. A lot. Like you he..."
And that was the last straw that broke the camel's back for Tony. "Ok, that`s enough, really. I know, that he was your friend and I respect that, I actually do. And I know you lost all the people that were important in your life, lost the ones you love and miss them. Because of that I was determined to never tell you that he wasn`t the man, you think he was. But there are people out there who have a fucking list of cruelties they could do to Loki to use him as a mere tool and the same people have such a fucking list for me, too, to make me work for them. I`m about to walk into a high security S.H.I.E.L.D. base without my suit and without knowing all details. With all of this on my back I really don`t have the energy left to just let you talk bullshit and pretend that he was a nice guy. He wasn`t.
He would have no fucking problem with S.H.I.E.L.D.`s experiments! Do you hear me? He would sign every order if it would get him closer to something he wants.
You have no idea how obsessed he was with finding you and what he did while trying to.
I know you would want me to be like him, Steve. And I don`t blame you for it. He's the man I was supposed to be and for the biggest part of my life I wanted to be like him. Whenever you think I am most like Howard was, it's just a show. I just give everybody, what they want to see. This is not who I am or ever was, but it's like Howard would like me to be and it seems everybody else, too. And let`s be honest, you would trade me for Howard if you could, without batting an eye! Sorry, you`re stuck with just me." And I might not be good enough for you, like I never was for him.
"I am. Not. Howard Stark! And I swear to the gods if I ever find myself being like him, like the man he was at home." The man that disregarded and humiliated me. "Like the bastard he was to me." That hit me until I thought I would die. "Then I'll just end it myself because it would be the most, most evil thing, that could happen and would mean I already died somehow. So for everything you might consider holy, never, ever. Compare me. To him. Again."
It took me so long to accept and even longer to appreciate that I am capable of loving in a way he never was. That there are things way more important than success and science and wealth. That he`s an asshole and I don`t need his approval. And yours neither.
Steve's face and body language screamed what? He just didn't get it. The hate in Tony's voice and the honesty he felt in this words. His head was spinning. It took him some time to get himself together. "I'm sorry. What happened?"
"It don't matter. Just, just..." he struggled to find words after this eruption of feelings. "Just don't compare me to him. You have no idea what you imply." And he turned his back to Steve and walked out of the room already angry about himself. How could I lose my composure like that?
Steve looked helpless as he sat down. Loki stood up and turned to him. His voice was so low, that even the soldier with his advanced hearing had to strain his attention. There was no need that anybody else in the room could hear him. "Captain, let me just say this, Tony is caring and compassionate, he`s a loving person. His father never was. He was so long torn between being the man he is and the man others, and above all Howard Stark, wanted him to be. You won`t make him feel like that again! If you ever compare him to Howard once more, I`ll make you regret it." With this he left the room to search for Tony.
Bruce smiled softly. He only knew that Tony and his father hadn`t a good relationship, but considering his own upbringing, he hadn`t asked. If Tony would like to talk, he would. If not, that was fine, too. Bruce hadn`t understood a word but he was sure that Loki had made it clear to Steve to shut up. How Tony and Loki stood up for each other was something reassuring in all that chaos, not just for him but for the Hulk, too. Seems he has a soft spot for love. Even with Loki. And isn`t that simply unbelievable?
Thor blinked. That was surprising. It had been a long time since he had seen Loki take sides and defend someone like that. It made him smile as he ate another sandwich. Until he remembered, that it was Thor himself, that Loki mostly had defended. And that he never appreciated it. Things will have to change. He slugged down something sweet that tasted like honey and pistachios.
Half an hour later Loki and Tony came back and sat down like nothing had happened. Nobody felt like talking so they just waited in silence until the sun set.
It was a strange flight with the sea just a handbreadth below them and surrounded by darkness. They arrived at a shore near the Lighthouse and after getting out of the suits they all completed their disguise. It didn`t took long until they were all dressed in the same dark blue and black tactical gear of S.H.I.E.L.D., with ballistic vests, black gloves, drop leg pistol holsters, balaclavas, goggles and helmets.
Loki thought of the helicarrier, where soldiers in similar gear walked him through the corridors to imprison him. And that almost made him laugh. This would be the second time he would walk through S.H.I.E.L.D. property and again his life was in danger and again someone wants to use him. Makes an unpleasant pattern.
"I look like a soldier. I fucking hate it." Tony whispered to Loki. "But you look hot!" Loki grinned involuntarily at that.
They hid Mjölnir, Mark VII and LOKE I near the Lighthouse and started to walk the last steps to the back of the base silently.
The entrance was mostly hidden under trees. A simple concrete building that seemed to disappear into the ground and the trees. They approached the back wall and Hawkeye kneeled down on the ground. He started to drill a hole through the concrete with a sturdy gimlet. He worked fast and with a steady hand. He threaded the hose through the hole and they waited two minutes before they moved to the door.
Tony undid the screws of the control panel of the door. Security screws, really? They might be tamper-resistant but not Tony-resistant. The tool kit he brought included the right parts or in this case bits. He worked fast inside of the panel. After a minute or two the door slid sideward silently and he screwed the panel back. They put on respirator masks that were stored in the vests. Steve peeked inside and motioned the others to follow. They entered carefully but there was nobody to stop them. The door closed behind them again. They walked straight through the entrance hall. Tall white walls, a light grey floor and neon light shining down on a huge desk with computers, some chairs and even some big indoor plants. It looked a little bit like the waiting area of a multinational company.
Behind the desk lay three S.H.I.E.L.D.-agents, two men and a woman in black suits. Hawkeye crouched down in front of the agents and felt their pulse. "They are alive. The gas worked." Meanwhile Black Widow had used the localized EMP device to stop the cameras, then she tapped Tony on the shoulder. "Take a look at the computer, you should have access to the cameras."
He inserted an USB-stick and started to typewrite, making a loop with the video feed of the last ten minutes before they arrived. While he worked he whispered: "And JARVIS? Copy everything you find on the computers here."
"Yes, Sir."
Meanwhile the former Russian agent climbed into the vent with the help of Hawkeye. Crawling through this metal tubes wasn`t easy, not even for her. When she arrived at the first hub she opened the cylinder with the gas. It didn`t take long to get to the other two hubs and open a cylinder at each one. When she finally jumped down from the vent into the security room there were eight uniformed men, all unconscious. She searched a moment for the right monitoring desk then she opened the door to the staircase. "The coast is clear. We have three to four hours, then they`ll wake up again."
"Alright." They took the stairs, led by Captain America. In the meantime Natasha flooded the ventilation system with fresh air so that they could take their respirator masks off when they arrived downstairs.
The walls were covered with big, dark grey metal plates and the shiny floor panels looked like exposed aggregate polished concrete floor. The ceiling was a light grey, bright neon lamps shined down through metal grids. There were no windows, no natural light. Very massive doors at their right and left side were numbered and looked like they could also lead to a bank vault. Control panels secured them. At some doors were warning signs like biohazard symbols and radiation warning signs. In front of every door lay two armed guards in S.H.I.E.L.D. uniform.
Hawkeye crouched down in front of a sentinel, first controlling his pulse, then searching something on the armor of the man. He cursed. "We have a problem."
"Another one? Wonderfully. What is the problem?" It was Tony who asked first.
"His body armor. This type is protected against electroshock weapons, so tasers are absolutely useless. If one of them is still awake and wears this we can`t just taser him. Full incapacitation, not going to happen with this tactical gear."
"So what?"
"Subdue them and tie them up. Fast. Before they could activate an alarm."
"Or we`re fucked."
Clint nodded. "Don`t kill them!" He glared at Loki who shrugged his shoulders and answered: "I`ll do my very best."
Above the doors was a second floor behind glass railings, the gangway behind was hold up by metal covered columns positioned between the doors. High above them big grey pipes winded along the ceiling. Everything here was cold and sterile. The sound when their feet hit the ground resounded from the high walls. At the end of the hallway they could see a winding staircase that lead to the second floor.
The first door on the right, marked as "Security", opened with a hiss and Natasha stepped out into the hallway. "Eight men, all unconscious but alive." She reported and nodded at Iron Man. "Your turn again. Use the computer terminal to shut anything off that would be an obstacle and reprogram the cameras."
Tony did as he was told but after a few minutes they heard him swear. "Fuck, fucking fuckers! We are really screwed now. Would you come and take a look?" He waved at the redhead. She stepped behind him and he pointed at two monitors. "The blueprints... See?" He changed the screens to a plan which showed the position of surveillance cameras, then showed her some more data, pointing at different things. Natasha cursed in Russian, long and loud.
Steve was concerned as he asked: "What is wrong?"
"The blueprints, they are outdated. They changed the building. They added a new part and moved some laboratories there, including the one with the scepter. Intensified safety measures. This part of the facility don`t have the same ventilation system, so they are still awake and we`re lucky that nobody decided to leave that part of the base and tripped up on us."
"So we`ll have to improvise and we have not much time left." Tony added.
First of all, thank you for reading!
Random funny facts: This things really exist. While doing my research about armor and other exciting stuff, like security measures and how to circumvent them, I found the security screws, you couldn't unscrew with normal tools and there is a technology that makes bulletproof vests and other body armor safe against tasers and other non-lethal electroshock weapons. And the absolute best, it's called "ThorShield". Really, I swear, you can goggle it, it even made it into Wikipedia.
