If Tony was to be honest, he hated the pieces of work he had made for Nebula. They were clunky, inelegant and ugly as sin.
Tony would never present such a piece of crap to a conference. He hadn't build anything this ugly since… Well, his first Iron man suite… Back in Afghanistan.
This felt different though, the suite back then Tony was going to wear himself. It was only him who would have to walk around looking stupid.
Now Tony was going to attach these things to Nebula, a living human… Okay a living alien being.
At least though, Tony could make the limps functional. The attachment were easy, Nebulas nano tech within her really did wonders. Creating the attachment for them and happily accepting the new arm.
With each movement Nebula made with it, it made an electronic noise. Not at all as elegant as her previous limps. But they could be exchanged, that's what Tony kept telling himself.
Tony wasn't really counting on making it out of here himself, but if he did… He would build nice elegant limps for Nebula, not just this ugly claw.
Tony had managed to give Nebula two arms and two claws contraptions functioning as hands, now he was working on legs. This time he made the two legs simultaneously making sure they were the exact same length and weight so Nebula wouldn't loose balance.
Her arms weren't even the same length, Tony had been forced to just use what-ever he had. And yet, Nebula had never complained about it. Not a single word about how ugly these things were, only had she lifted that arm so it made those electronic noises and then nodded in appreciation.
Loki didn't comment on it either, he also just nodded his head and that was the end of it for those two.
Kila of all things were grinning and stating Tony's skills were amazing… Man if Tony could only have shown his scaly alien friend.
Tony was working on the legs as Loki had returned and the demi god glanced at them. "How long?" Loki asked.
"I'm over half way done with these." Tony replied. "Not much longer, a few more shifts."
"Anything you need?" Loki asked.
"Yeah, I need more wires." Tony informed. "This one is to short, I can't make the connection." he slightly touched one with the small cutter Loki had snatched up for him.
Loki was quiet, that was unusual.
"Lokes?" Tony looked up, then Loki turned to Nebula.
"I think it's time to let him in on it." Loki stated.
Nebula nodded.
"In?" Tony asked. "In on what?"
"Quiet." Loki whispered. "We have a simple question for you… You are a weapons expert, are you not?"
Tony halted, then he nodded. Swallowing, he didn't know where this was going. But it didn't sound good.
"How good are you with explosions?" Loki asked.
Tony's eyes widened. "What?" he asked. "Why… Why would you need to ask that?"
"Because." Nebula said. "We formulated a plan." she said. "We're going to leave this place… And we are going to blow it up as we leave."
Tony silenced. "Ex-Excuse me?" he asked. "Blow it up? You mean like… The mine? The factories?" he asked.
"The moon." Nebula simply stated. "All of it."
Tony was stunned quiet, simply stunned. "What?" he asked.
"We intend to blow it up." Loki stated casually. "This is a moon that has been hollowed out, there are factories going all the way through it. Connected with technology. We thought… a chain reaction."
"Bu-But." Tony stammered. "What about the prisoners?"
"You really think this is a life worth living?" Loki asked then sighed. "We knew you would react like that, that's why we made the prisoners part of the plan."
"How?" Tony asked.
"We'll start with a small explosion." Nebula informed. "Enough to make everyone panic. Then you'll deactivate all the slave badges. We'll get word around that people either need to leave or die, then they can feel free to run for the hangar or stay."
"That's insane!" Tony gasped. "Most wont make it, they'll die."
"It's the plan we decided upon." Loki informed sternly.
"You didn't even ask me!" Tony hissed. "And I am a vital part of this plan! You need me to build this!" he held up Nebulas leg. "Also you need me to deactivate the slave badges and create the right explosions! If you want my help, you need to work with me!"
"Tony, we can't guarantee the survival of all the other slaves." Loki hissed. "Beside, none of them are exactly innocent. They are like us. Killers."
"I am not a.." Tony began.
"You admitted it yourself." Loki cut him off and Tony quieted. "Tony." Loki looked at Tony and caught his eyes. "If this place is allowed to stay, the suffering will never end. It'll continue for hundreds of thousands of years! Supergiant and all the people like her will build armies in Thanos's name! They'll continue his vision and talk of the day of his return. Even if it never happens, that idea will still fuel their resolve. Places like this has to be destroyed! It is never going to end otherwise!"
Shocked Tony was looking into Lokis green eyes. Green eyes which were filled with pain, but that pain also fueled his determination.
"Tony." Nebula spoke. "We are going to destroy this moon. Help us or do not. Just don't get in our way, and we promise you wont get hurt in this endeavor. For it is true, we already owe you a debt. And we shall repay it."
Tony hissed as he clutched Nebulas unfinished leg. "At least, you could have asked me." he hissed.
Loki raised an eyebrow. "So you agree."
Tony quieted, he swallowed. "One day… They'll return to earth. Right now earth is doing fine, lacking half its population. But it will grow again, and then Thanos's disciples. They'll come, isn't that right?" he asked, slowly looking up again. Meeting Lokis eyes for a second time.
Loki nodded seriously. "Aye. That is exactly what will happen."
"Then… What choice is there?" Tony asked. "Just… Promise me you'll do what you can. To save as many slaves as you can. All right?" he asked. "And." he hissed. "Tell me before you decide on shit like this!"
Loki exhaled. "Apologies Tony. There is a second reason we didn't tell you before now?"
"Why?" Tony asked.
"Supergiant." Loki stated simply. "She is able to read minds. And you, unlike us, seem unable to close off your own mind and thoughts. Therefore we would only tell you when necessary. You are a liability Tony. Not only can't you keep your own mouth shut. Your mind is even worse."
Tony's entire face was red, but the fact was Loki was right. He couldn't deny that.
Loki looked seriously at him. "Now though, I have something for you to work on." he reached into his pocket and found a small metal box with he placed in front of Tony.
Tony shivered, but took the box and opened it up to be met with quite the stench, like a mixture of sulfur and salt yet it was familiar and so was the white substance.
"Nitrocellulose." Tony breathed. "And…" he didn't even need to sniff it. "A very high concentration." he closed the box as if afraid it was going to explode just because he was looking at it.
"That material is very easy to get here." Loki informed. "They mine a ton of it every single day. Refine it as well. I can get you as much as you need. My question is simple… Can you make a detonation device using radio waves?" he asked. "Or if that is out of your skillset, a timer."
Tony closed his eyes. "I can make either, it's easy." he sighed deeply. "What you want are several bombs planted at key positions detonated simultaneously from afar. Or have a back up timer in case the detonation is a bust."
"So you can do it." Loki commented. "Next question. Will you do it?"
Tony closed his eyes, the air was tense then he sighed. "If you swear to me… Safe as many slaves as you can. Then… fine. You win."
Loki sighed. "I'll safe as many as the situation permits, but I doubt it will be all." he stated.
"Okay." Tony nodded. "You have a deal." he stated putting down the box of highly explosive material.
Loki nodded he though looked serious. "Good." he stated. "I am glad we could find an agreement."
And Tony sighed suddenly feeling so tired.