Chapter 32: The Clash of Heroes versus N-Tech Spies

The tempest that was N-Tech's Battle Fleet flew closer to its destination, its pressure relentlessly crushing the bright skies surrounding it. The design somewhat similar to a hexagonal bee-hive, it's plated command center was the leading party while smaller ships flew in and out of it. People on the streets below could only look up and pale in terror, rushing back into hideouts while wondering what they did to deserve this. Or if it was too late to move states away altogether.

Max had only seen the Battle Fleet a handful of times (his Uncle mentioning it was a weapon of last resort). But he knew that whenever it was deployed, N-Tech meant business. And would demolish whatever stood in their way.

Except this time, the situation was way worse.

Avengers Tower was caught in the cross-hairs of their sights. Plus Max was sure his Uncle, Mom, and the rest of them didn't get the memo that Dredd had been taken care of. Or obviously thought that they were in need of "rescuing" from S.H.I.E.L.D. and the other superheroes. 'This is getting too complicated', Max thought and put an anxious hand on his face.

"The Tower's safeguard is online", Tony said and a virtual outline of the building appeared. "It'll be hard for them to break in. Even with that gaudy ship of theirs."

"I wouldn't put it past them", Fury retorted and put a hand on his comm-link for backup. "They're here for a fight. We'll have to respond ASAP."

"None of that is necessary", Max stated and looked at his partner intently. "Steel, can you call Uncle Ferrus and tell him we're fine?"

"You forget to add on surrendering too", Clint suggested and Natasha felt her eyes automatically roll.

"I'll try", the Ultralink responded and ciphered code appeared on his plating. "N-Tech's network is still pretty damaged from A.I.M. But I might be able to get a message out this time."

"If not, we're prepared", Rodgers confirmed and Thor stuck out his hand to summon Mjölnir. "However, we need to know what we're dealing with."

"Especially to avoid any...accidents", Banner commented and took a seat in a nearby chair.

"So, anything you want tell us about that command vessel Max?", Fury questioned darkly and the teen sighed. He was beginning to understand how this man got his infamous reputation.

"It's...one of our fallback weapons. Uncle Ferrus doesn't have to use it often. Most of its power goes into the blaster cannons at the front. While the smaller jets lay out the groundwork and can go through it as needed."

"Sounds intensive", Natasha added and Max shook his head.

"The Battle Fleet is deployed as a final option. Usually they're not like this at all."

"Hate to break it to you", Barton chimed and watched as the secondary aircrafts circled them. "Yet I think you're a bit misguided in that department."

"Ugh, no dice!", Steel grumbled, his features returning with some frustration. "Everything's either still down or has been changed to a more secure system. It'll take too long to get through!"

"Then let's hurry things up", Tony suggested and pulled up a screen to help the Ultralink hack into the server. "In the meantime you guys can...wait, what's it doing?"

Everyone looked through the windows at the main ship, the larger than life cannons Max had mentioned suddenly appearing from hidden panels. The blasters crackled with energy as they prepared to fire, while the smaller aircrafts quickly got out of it's range.

"Have they completely lost their minds?!", Fury barked and told Coulson through his headset to step on it. "N-Tech can't destroy Avengers Tower. There are civilians in the lower levels!"

"No...", Steel whispered and scanned the mounted guns with urgency. The android then quickly linked back into the protection of their armor (to Max's surprise). "Those blasters aren't set to destroy! They're going to-"

But the Ultralink never finished his warning.

A wave of charged energy seamlessly barreled from the mouth of the weapons, aimed to the utmost perfection. They all braced themselves as the surge collided with the Tower's force field, instantly going through it and beyond. Surrounding electrical devices sputtered and went dead, the lights above them fritzing out. The Director cursed and pulled out his earpiece as it crackled, the comm link completely fried. When the swell of power finally cleared, they realized that the Tower had been nearly blacked out, the sun's rays and emergency bulbs only providing light.

"Now that...was an EMP", Tony coughed out and quickly took stock of what he could still use. "Took out nearly half the city's power grid with it. The Tower's only running because of its emergency supply."

"Can you get the main part back up and running?", Steve asked and Stark shook his head.

"I would need time to reroute everything. That isn't something we have right now."

"No kidding", Clint muttered and noticed N-Tech's aircrafts move back into formation. "We have incoming!"

Hawkeye wasn't wrong, as one of the ships flew towards them and stopped inches away from the glass. A hangar door swiftly opening, two masked N-Tech agents appeared with miniature lasers in their hands. They balanced on the platform of their ship and then fired, focused beams speedily burning through the steel-like panel.

"Tony…", Banner cautioned and quickly calmed himself. "That window won't take them long to get through."

"You're right", the Billionaire said with a scowl, pulling up the only working display. "J.A.R.V.I.S., you still there?"

"Barely sir", the A.I. replied. "However, I still have access to limited sections of the Tower's defense protocols."

"Alright then...activate the Panic Mode."

The A.I. confirmed the command and everything shifted to ember tones, the crisis lights then burning with newfound urgency. They glanced above and watched as a bulky metal wall sprang from the ceiling, instantly slamming down and blocking their attackers near entrance. With gears shifting into place and bolting, Avengers Tower was instantly sealed from the inside out.

"Let's see them get through that!", Tony supplied and nodded as J.A.R.V.I.S confirmed the lockdown's success. "Except that was the last ace up my sleeve."

"I wouldn't be too sure of them not getting in", Steel disagreed and the Ultralink came out of his hiding place. "The walls are made of titanium right?"

"Yeah, double-sided and sealed. Why?"

"Because their lasers CAN cut through that", the android answered and Tony closed his eyes in grief. "It'll just take them twice the time."

The room went still as the news set in, realizing that N-Tech's sudden ambush had definitely worked. It was Max who then broke the silence, giving a heavy look to the occupants in the room.

"This is our responsibility", the teen addressed. "Not yours. We don't want anyone to get hurt, so it would be best if Steel and I go back with-"

"Absolutely not!", the Director growled and made Max slightly jump from his edged tone. "N-Tech doesn't come into MY city and think they'll get away with this!"

"Exactly. They've crossed the line this time", Romanoff agreed and activated her Widow's Bite gauntlets. "More so even. It's one thing to attack us. But the employees in the lower floors have nowhere to go."

"We need you both here", Rodgers informed. "Taking the easy way out won't guarantee anything. You know better than anyone here how they operate."

"Furthermore, restraint doesn't seem like one of their strong suits", Thor mused and lightly tossed his weapon. "They're warriors. Which means we can't relent either."

Max gave an exhale and crossed his arms. Once again, he was most certainly tongue-tied. "Surrendering" now wouldn't promise that everyone else could walk away. Plus they had pulled the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., and whoever else into this disaster. It wouldn't be right to leave after everything the others had already done for them.

"Ok...How can we help?"

"Well, the first thing is this", Tony answered and furiously typed on a keyboard. "Time or not, we need the primary power back on. That's the only way the Tower's security measures go back into effect."

"Which means backup", Fury added. "Coulson got my message. But unless the doors go all the way down, assist will only trickle in. Moreover the Tower's personnel won't be able to get out."

"Exactly. Thor, head to the underground level and get the generators working."

"With pleasure", the legionnaire stated and his hammer came to life with small bursts of lighting. "I'll need a guide to navigate."

"Which is why Max and Steel are going with you", Stark acknowledged and our duo perked up at this. "We'll need A LOT of power to kickstart everything. J.A.R.V.I.S. will send you the layout of the building Steel."

"Already got it", the bot blurted out and Stark reminded himself that the alien had previously accessed his systems. "But I suggest we go. Like, RIGHT NOW." The Ultralink wasn't kidding, as they all noticed a reddish glow slowly begin to appear across their metal protection.

"Right...", Max confirmed and prepared himself for action. "Go T.U.R.B.O. Speed!" Steel synched back into the armor and they transformed, his body slimming and compacting with his signature indigo gleam. After the metamorphosis was completed, Max then gestured to Thor with one of his hands.

"Can you keep up?", the younger male innocently asked and the Asgardian gave a chuckle.

"Go as fast as you wish. I'll have no trouble following you."

"Take the stairs geniuses", Barton advised mockingly and the power houses quickly left the room. "Remember not to trip!"

"Bruce, I think you should go back to the lab", Tony proposed and Banner gave a small nod. "You'll be in charge of reworking our energy system. Tell J.A.R.V.I.S. to barricade you in there."

"I'll let you know when it's ready", the Doctor denoted and quickly headed down the stairs.

"As for the rest of us, we're going to make sure we entertain our surprise guests."


MOMENTS LATER

Vibrations of launches reverberated throughout the center of N-Tech's command ship, multiple personal working diligently and with haste. Some quickly got in their designated ships to fly off while others were on terminals giving directions. Orders were quickly designated and completed, a steady flow of traffic filling the larger than life craft. At the head of its mighty crew, Forge Ferrus stood front in center, distributing ordinances himself on a circular control unit.

"Squadrons one and four, keep focusing on the Tower!", the Commander thundered and pulled up a visual of the battle beginning to brew outside. "The rest of you need to keep S.H.I.E.L.D. busy outside while we make our way through."

"They're already busy enough", Berto commented while swiftly pressing buttons on his own keypad. "I've already had to scramble the access programming to our interface multiple times. And whoever it is won't stop."

"No doubt it's Stark", Forge advised with gritted teeth. "Keep at it Martinez! Jefferson, status report."

"Multiple bogeys approaching fast Commander", the aviator said, appearing on a nearby screen. "They must have just called for reinforcements."

"We can't let up", Molly interjected, coming around a corner and adjusting her ninja-like armor. "Info. is limited right now, but we do know that Max and Steel were last seen fighting Dread near the middle of the city."

"Right!", Ferrus agreed. "S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers were in the area as well. Somehow or someway, Dredd wasn't able to capture Max and Steel like he wanted. We believe that he and Naught disappeared shortly afterwards. Which means the Avengers grabbed them most likely."

"It's clear that they're keeping them in there", Molly explained, taking a moment to breathe. They were SO CLOSE now! "Whatever it takes, we have to get in!"

The conversation took a pause as a message appeared on one of Forge's monitors. Quickly opening it, he then gave a wide grin. "Looks like one of our ships finally burned through the upper part of their Tower. It's open."

"Which means it's time", Molly affirmed and made her way to their prepared transport. Forge joined her in the ship as well and the opening shut, the airborne convey quickly pummeling through the skies.

"Cat, you're with us", Ferrus ordered, the female pilot in the cockpit with another aeronaut. "Tell Jefferson to land and start the ground assault."

"Lucky me", the blond-haired markswomen quipped and got out of her seat. "Berto already sent C.Y.T.R.O. ahead and it'll be waiting for him."

"Good", Molly confirmed and they made it to their destination. "Let's get ready!"

The aircraft reached the top part of the Tower and the three gave a small jump, smoothly barreling into the messy opening of the building. Getting their bearings, they slowly stalked through the somewhat tidy space of the lounge, repeatedly glancing over their shoulders. Making it to the middle of the room, Cat glanced up and a small shimmer caught her eye.

"Get down!", she barked and they darted as three arrows instantly slammed into the ground where they once stood. They barreled for cover as it suddenly rained down dart after dart, each arrowhead getting closer to its mark. Molly took a blaster from her side and prepared to fire at the source, yet a roundhouse kick met her hand and the weapon skidded across the floor. She turned her head and had to block a quick punch by Black Widow, the red-headed woman staring her down with venom.

"Now we knew...N-Tech was deranged", Fury hissed, appearing from around a corner and shifting the setting on his revolver. "But we didn't think you were psychotic enough to pull a stunt like this!"

"Desperate times Director", the female McGrath fumed, matching his intensity. "Where's Max Steel?"

"You mean your son and his buddy?", Romanoff remarked, Forge and Molly's eyes widening in shock. "They're here. At least they were until you came knocking."

"Meaning WHAT?", Ferrus snapped and balled his fists tightly.

"Oh, let's just take a guess", Hawkeye chimed and quietly landed from his hiding place. "That he didn't want you here. I don't blame him after seeing how you two overreact."

"COME AGAIN?!", Molly gawked and Forge gave a low growl. "Who do you think you are?!"

"A somewhat competent ex-assassin", Director Fury commented and Barton gave a playful shrug at "somewhat". "Yet the fact of the matter remains. He's had all this time to contact you, but he didn't. Neither of them did. Now what does that really say?"

The quietness was choking after this remark, tension sizzling the air and inflaming the occupants like sizzling coals. Forge then moved, grabbing a blaster from his thigh and pointing it at Fury.

"We are not going to play this game with you. So either tell us where they are, or we'll make you!"

"Please. You can't even make your own nephew stay put!", the Director snarled, matching his frame with his own gun aiming back. "And you seriously think you can order us around?!"

So with those cruel words, an all out brawl began.


MEANWHILE

Max felt his lungs burn as he ran faster, everything around him both stationary and ever moving at once. Making his way to another ginormous transformer, he put his palms on the machine and felt T.U.R.B.O. energy quickly seep out of his fingertips. Max briefly thought of how much energy he would really have to give, yet his brain supposed that was why Stark told them to go with the Asgardian in the first place.

Getting down to the subterranean levels wasn't a difficult task, Thor's equaling his speed with great ease. As they descended, the stairs and lighting grew steeper with each floor, the air turning to a stifling musk and matching the situation surrounding them. And after they had made it all the way down, they took notice of their surroundings while realizing the major task in front of them. The shadowy level had thirty-five devices that needed power, so that meant splitting the work between them to charge the machines. It was taxing, yet they had managed to almost complete the task with a few remaining.

"You're doing great!", Steel encouraged, his sensors affirming that the alternator was now filled. "Just a little more and we're done."

"Good", Max confessed, fatigue starting to creep in (though he brushed it aside). "Where's the next one?"

The android was about to supply the answer, but noticed a call from Tony appearing with an urgent symbol. Patching it through, Iron Man's plated face came into view while firing his pulsers. Thor stopped working as well to focus on the holographic projection.

"Well, there's good news and bad news", Stark began and our duo felt themselves groan. "C'mon, it's not too bad. Good news is that we got all the employees moved to a safe room before N-Tech started invading on the ground level. Steve and I are taking care of them."

"The bad news?", Max asked and Tony gave his own murmur of displeasure.

"Bad news is that we're definitely outnumbered. Also, they can tell we're trying to keep them from going further down."

"Our T.U.R.B.O. Energy is probably giving us away", Steel acknowledged. "They're close enough now where scanners can pick it up."

"Pretty much. We could use some backup up here distracting them."

"Then it would be best if I joined you", Thor nodded and turned toward the way they came. "We're nearly finished here. I trust you two can carry out the rest on your own."

"Doesn't seem like we have a choice", the teen uttered and the Asgardian spun his hammer.

"Don't despair. You will have no trouble completing this work. And we are supporting you as best we can."

"Wow, thanks for the pep talk", the bot quipped and Thor disappeared, quick as the lightning he summoned. "I guess."

Max gave another exhale and then resumed their task, Steel's directions and the sound of his feet being the central background noise. Though it all, he wondered what they would do afterwards (there wasn't a doubt in his mind that his Mom and Uncle were near). He would have to face them soon, and the very idea of it made his mouth go dry. Yet it wasn't something he could stall any longer.

As he finished charging the last alternator, he stretched his muscles and examined the machines in front of them in satisfaction. Now fueled with power, their gears quickly turned and gave off a bright light, the dark area around them easier to see. Which was good as well, because a loud boom from above caught their attention.

"Steel...", Max asked and set his body to high alert. "What exactly was that?"

"Undeniably something", the Ultralink supplied. "Sounds like some of N-Tech's invasion force broke through. My scanners are picking up erratic movement coming down the stairs."

"Great", Max croaked. "Let's...get this over with."

He walked towards the entrance and paused, footsteps and a mechanical ringing growing closer and closer. Half expecting his Uncle (and Mom) to barrel out, Max was slightly surprised when Jefferson and C.R.Y.T.O. somersaulted right from the opening in style.

"Alright! Who wants some?!", the pilot yelled, blaster at the ready and the android near him showing its weaponry. However, once he saw our duo feet away (alone and completely unharmed), he instantly halted and lowered his bazooka.

"Max? Steel? You're...ok!", Jefferson grinned and went over for a bear hug. "Thank God!"

"Yep...", the teen said with a small smile (finding himself actually a bit happy at the greeting). He was expecting them to be furious or something. "Nice to see you guys too. Wasn't really expecting you though."

"WHAT?!", Jefferson and Berto (through C.Y.T.R.O. 's speakers) shrieked, shock clearly painted on the former's face. Taking a moment to think over the statement, they then took notice of the electrical area around them.

"But...aren't they keeping you trapped in here?", Berto questioned, the robot stopping to scratch the top of its head. "Forcing you to be a human charger or something worse?"

"Wait, what are you talking about?", Max questioned and Steel unlinked from their suit. "Where did you guys even get that idea?"

"We had to recharge the main generators because N-Tech's EMP knocked everything out", the Ultralink explained and the two in front of them digested this. "Before this we were chilling out and playing video games. We were fine!"

"So you're not...in any type of danger?", Jefferson asked pointedly and Max shook his head. "Then why haven't you called?! Forge and your Mom have been on edge since you left, especially since we heard that Dredd came here!"

Steel was about to give a sassy remark at that, yet Max raised an arm and took the lead.

"We...No. I put off calling them", the teen confessed, Jefferson and his robotic companion once more in shock. "Which I know is wrong. But I didn't know what to say. I've just...been feeling so trapped by everything back in Copper Canyon. Getting out on our own has been my escape honestly."

"Max…", the older man sighed, rubbing the back of his neck and not knowing what to say. The quietness in the room afterwards was heightened by the turbines from the contraptions, humming in motion and both silent.

"How did...you guys get away from Dread though?", Berto asked, trying to shift the conversation back from the somber tone it had taken. "Our intel wasn't able to tell us what exactly happened."

"Oh, HIM?", Steel bellowed, his digits moving in irritation at the mention of the super villain's name. "He's history! S.H.I.E.L.D. made the guy their newest prisoner, along with Naught too."

"Seriously?!", Martinez exclaimed and the Ultralink bobbed in agreement. "Wow! We...have missed a lot."

"Which we'll need to fill Forge in on", Jefferson said and placed a hand on his ear piece. "They entered the Tower from the upper part, so let's meet up and-"

"Wait, did you say...they went in from the top part of the building?!", Max said with newfound urgency and the older male gave a hesitant yes. "Oh Crap! You don't think-"

"They probably entered an ambush?", Steel supplied. "I know Fury and the others were probably waiting for somebody up there."

"WHAT?!", Jefferson and Berto exclaimed in a former tone, but the Ultralink had already synched back into their armor. Transforming once more into their T.U.R.B.O. Speed Mode, Max tilted his head at the entrance.

"There's no time to explain. We'll head up there and break it up!"

With that our T.U.R.B.O. duo was gone yet again, leaving their N-Tech allies confused and in the dust.


And another chapter is completed! I hope you guys enjoyed it. In the next one, Max will finally have to confront his family and everything he's been running from. So please look forward to that! In the meantime, I'm going to go through old chapters and clean up some grammatical errors (so if you get a notification of an old chapter being updated, that's me). To play it safe, the next Chapter's name will be "When it Rains, It Pours". So when you see a message with that title, the next part of the Story will be up. Thanks you guys for being so patient with this. As for me, I'm out! =)