Chapter 7
The harsh light pried his eyes open with a groan escaping the program. He paused, back still pressed against the floor.
This is not what I remember. This is not where I...
Then he remembered. The chase, the fight...
He needed out.
Yet as he sat up and tried to pull the electricity from the light above him, nothing reacted. Well, as he thought this, he gasped at the pain in his forearm. What was happening?
"Comfortable?"
He looked up from his gloved hands to the voice. A man, who was flanked by guards, watched him. One of his eyes was missing, in its place was a black eye patch that seemed just as intimidating as the gaze his working eye held.
When the program didn't answer, the man approached, only for the prisoner to try and back away. He cried out again as he felt the squeeze on his arms. He glanced down to notice no clothing hid his suit from the view of others and so he finally saw the marks...no, scars up his arms fade back into the dark of the suit.
"With each time you try to pull power from the electrical currents around you, the gloves will not only stop the flow, but give a firm reminder of just what your position is right now. So I would suggest you stop."
The program's hands clenched into fists, but the pain soon faded, leaving a sensory stillness between the two as the program returned Fury's gaze.
"Why am I here?" The program finally spoke, not breaking gaze with the director.
"I think you know why."
Not really.
The program didn't reply as Fury continued.
"You are not supposed to be here."
"...Not in this room?"
"Not on Earth."Fury replied. "Not in what you call the User World."
"I don't..." (It sounds familiar but why...?) "I don't understand."
"Rinzler..." The man started but the suddenly tense program cut him off.
"That's not my name."
"Then what is your name, program?"
The program looked away at the growing frustration in Fury's voice. "I...I...don't know."
"So you claim to not be Rinzler but you can not give me any proof?"
When the program didn't reply, Fury continued, folding his hands behind his back as he stared down.
"Tomorrow, we will come to a conclusion as to whether or not you are who you claim you're not. Whether you're Rinzler, keep in mind, we will find your accomplice."
"What accomplice?" Yet Fury was already turning away. The program got to his feet to follow. "What are you talking about-?"
The guards that flanked Fury aimed their weapons and the program stopped in his tracks. Fury glanced back once.
"You weren't the only one to arrive in the User World."
He continued out and the guards didn't lower their aim until Fury is behind the safety of the screen. They filed out after him, and the program is left standing in the center of the cell, watching the door close and seal shut. After a long period of silence, he looked away from the door to the rubber padded walls and the transparent screen that separated him from the guards and those watching him.
Fury approached these spectators after gesturing to the guards. They took positions on either sides of the door, weapons in hand.
"Well, that went well." Stark commented, arms crossed as he kept one eye on the program in the cell.
Fury ignored his comment. "We need him under maximum surveillance. An Avenger needs to be here at all times."
Rogers nodded, and watched the program as he approached a latch on the wall. He pulled on it, then instantly flinched at the BANG as it slammed down. He recoiled, but looked to notice the slab that resembled a bed.
"Why?" Fury and Rogers's attention returned to Stark. "We all saw him. He can't overpower those gloves, or the screen. Plus, he's already got a watch!'"
"Stark, if he's who I think he is..." Fury set his jaw. "Gloves and guards won't be able to stop him for long."