(I am so sorry I dont know how to make this pretty and easy to read... Have you seen the new story cover picture? :D Made by .com )
"Tony. No."
"But he followed me home! And he´s housebroken. I swear."
Steve threw his hands in the air, unbelieving of what his team-mate just told, or more like first-hand showed him. In the background Ultron was studying one of the bigger aquariums in the entrance hall. They just got them installed and filled with exotic fish. A fat red and yellow one caught his attention.
"I mean it, Tony.", the Captain pointed at the robot body, that started tapping the glass. "We can´t keep that thing around here. This is our base of operations! Did you forget what he did?"
"No. I did not.", Tony answered in a serious tone. "He´s a monster I created. I know that. You wouldn't believe in which dimensions I do. So what do you want to do? Just kill him? Vision already gave me that choice."
The fishes started to bore Ultron, so he stepped around the glass and came back to the others. Walking wasn't easy. There wasn't much grace in his stumble. Not like before. He really left him with almost nothing. The connection to his body was weak but steady. The lost arm was back in place, but responded badly. There was no way of saying it another way: There was nothing he could do with it at the moment. What was he even supposed to do now? His actual plan resolved around finding an opening in their plan. In their defense. He was sure there were some weak points.
His red eyes met Captain America. Was he maybe one? Stark and his relationship seemed damaged. It was all so audible. The blond guy didn't trust him at all. For a reason. But he wouldn't provoke him too much. Unlike Tony he didn't feel responsible for him.
"Steve.", Ultron said formal, keeping his distance. Using peoples first name was creating some kind of intimacy, was it? "Shouldn't we start this in a friendly manner?"
"No." Apparently it didn't.
Tony stepped in. "Listen. I know he´s an assh- an idiot. But maybe we can change him. Use him. Make him help us defend this planet. And if not I can force him to mop the floors or wash the Hulks pants. Anything. I have to try. And I will try."
Doing lower domestic work? No, he would certainly not do that. Ultron crossed his arms and turned away. They were starting to bore him again. He had a cause to fulfill and they were standing in his way. It was a shame that he couldn't strangle them right now. Funny how defenseless they were right now. Without their weapons and suits.
"Tony. What is this? Thor told me."
Iron Man looked past Steve. "Natasha! The woman of the hour. I need some support here."
She stopped in front of him, staring right into his face and he felt like curling up in a corner. "Are you crazy? We just got rid of him.", she whispered in a harsh tone.
"Oh Natasha. Don't do that to me. I thought we were friends."
"Did you tell Fury yet?" Her gaze burnt in his eyes and he fought back the urge to rub them.
"Well not exactly and-"
"Do it. Now."
A satisfied grin grew on Steves face.
"I was going to tell him!", Tony argued, admitting defeat. He sighed. "Okay, okay. Give me a minute. Can you watch tin-can for a while? I´ll be quick. It´s not like he can do anything in his state, but there is still a lot of mischief he could- you know."
They had a lot of problems with a certain god of mischief and nobody wanted that to happen again. Natasha just gave him a nod. Of course she wasn't too happy to play bot sitter, but nobody would be stupid enough to just let him strut around and steal Captain Americas donuts. Yes. Maybe he could blame him for that.
"Thank you.", Tony said and smiled at her.
He could deal with Steves wrath, but not hers. It was more intense. With more death glares and silent treatment and evil punches in the training room. "Be back in a few."
Ultron watched him leave. It didn't matter. Why would he even follow him around like a loyal puppy? He uncrossed his arms and studied her. As did she.
"I cant believe it.", Natasha huffed and her teammate approved. "Vision brought him? How could he-" She narrowed her eyes. "Are you wearing a necktie?"
Ultron didn't really pay attention to their conversation, but looked down on himself now that she mentioned it, touching the black tie Tony put on him.
"Well yes. He said I seemed naked. Ridiculous, isn't it?"
It really was. What would he need clothes for? There was nothing to hide and he couldn't be cold. But he also couldn't take it off. That ass fixed it in his neck with some zip ties.
Natasha smiled just a little. "You look like a stripper."
He had to look again and thought about it for a while.
"That could be another reason.", Ultron finally admitted. "He always had fun mocking me."
Making all his plans fail and a fool out of him.
"Could we please discuss how to deal with this now?", Steve asked, standing in the background, almost forgotten. "He has to stay somewhere, someone has to watch him when we´re on mission. This is unbelievable."
A few good points. She had to admit that. Natasha sighed audible and faced him again.
"I know, Cap. This really is one of the worse ideas. We will have to wait until Stark is back. After Fury is done with him."
It was almost a pity that she wasn't there to see it. Meanwhile Ultron was done watching them argue. Of course. It was about him. But since there wasn't much he could change about the whole thing, he could also take a walk. The two of them were too busy making plans, so they didn't even notice when he silently stumbled off. He wasn't fast, though it was still enough to leave the room.
Finally. Ultron had enough of their useless chatter. It was quiet in the base. Normally they would look at him, try to figure out what he was doing here, maybe even try to attack. That wouldn't be a surprise. But this was the afterglow of the fire he created. Not many soldiers and agents around. They were tired. Fury probably send them home for the evening and the rest was working hard downstairs in the hive. Like little bees. Trying to protect their precious earth with all its mistakes and uselessness. Pretty pathetic. He caught himself humming quietly as he walked past the empty front desk and out of the main entrance.
What did Tony say? He looked up to the sky. How far was he able to go until this body would collapse? This was not an attempted escape. Ultron knew he couldn't. It was more like testing boundaries. Maybe a few steps more. Could he enter the garage? Those expensive and highly technological cars could be his ticket to- "I have a job for you."
The sudden voice startled him.
"I was not trying to steal a car.", he muttered silently, still trying to figure out what was going on. There was no one here.
"A car? No. What? Doesn't matter now."
"Tony? Did you install some kind of communication link in this body?"
Not that he noticed. Impressive. He scanned his plating, trying to find the source.
"Don't start touching my work, Ulti. I said I have a job for you."
Ultron frowned a little. Nicknames? They were giving each other nicknames now? "You want me to work?", he asked like Tony was standing right in front of him, adding a little more sassiness to his voice. "Why should I do that?"
"I will ask nicely. Also: I can see you on the surveillance cameras. What are you doing outside? Natasha said you just swaggered off." What did that word even mean? It was awful.
"I didn't `swagger´ anywhere. I went for a walk."
Still. That so called job caught his interest. What could Tony probably want from him?
"Don't be like that. It´s an easy job. Just be a good ´bot, come back inside, help me out with this one and maybe I can make your stay a little more comfy. Get you some books. Or a Gameboy. I´m in the cafeteria."
Then there was silence. Ultron huffed annoyed. Was he actually trying to bribe him? With useless literature and… smaller humans toys? Well it was working. He had nothing else to do and he was curious. Since he was waiting for a mistake made by them, he should spend more time watching their steps. Watching them stumble and fall.
Yes. Ultron raised a fist. Victory shall be his. They would crawl in the dust. A small chuckle escaped his vocalizer. At his feet. At his mercy. At- "And I saw that too. Glorious pose though. Now stop plotting and come over here. I´m starving."
His evil grin melted down.
The cafeteria was nice. Really. It was a nice place. The walls were freshly painted in a warm orange and everything was clean. High-grade steal benches and tables, a big food display and a nice view at the helicopters outside. He didn't need to eat anything. But he imagined this to be a good room for doing exactly that. S.H.I.E.L.D. was taking care of his employees. Too bad he would have to vaporize all of them at some point.
Well, and he shrugged to himself, that was just the expected outcome. Wasn't it? There was no one around, just one of the neon lights was turned on, but on the other end of the room he spotted Tony. He was just standing there, hands in his pockets. Thankfully he hadn't that stupid grin on his face, he sometimes had. Ultron would have turned around and left on the spot.
"There you are! Almost thought you would leave me hanging here."
Wow. The mighty Iron Man really seemed to need his help. He stepped closer. It was weird though that he didn't just ask one of his super-friends.
"Yes. I don't know why."
Tony looked at Ultron. The feeling was still weird. This guy was just running around in the headquarters. Trapped. But not as trapped as he probably should be. Things had to change. He had to change. With a little sigh he tapped the machine next to him. It was some kind of box with some lights inside. Through a thin glass they could see some colorful snacks.
"Here´s the problem."
Ultron tilted his head. "What?"
"My Snickers got stuck."
And again he was asking himself why he wasn't just turning around and leaving.
"Your… Snickers?"
"Yes."
So what? He wanted him to punch the machine? Break the glass? Maybe shake it or stick his arm inside?
"I want you to get into the vending machine. Please?"
"Very funny, Tony." Ultron leaned a little forward. "I can barely stand in this weakened body and I am sure I couldn't-" He didn't really interrupt him, but when he searched his pockets for something and presented an odd looking memory stick to him, he got his attention.
"What is that?"
And there was it again. The stupid grin. Tony moved the little stick in his hand.
"This, my metal-coated friend, is a modified Bluetooth stick. With my fingerprint and a password, I can send you in there. Easy."
That was new. And tempting. Even when it was just for rescuing his candy bar. He understood. There was a little processor in that machine and he would grant him access. As long as his Bluetooth-frequency from the stick was connected to it, he would be able to invade it. Control it. And of course he couldn't just kill him, cut his hand off and use it to take one of his Iron Man armors or the HQ´s mainframe. There was still the password.
"So?", Tony asked. "Up for some experimenting with dad?"
Ultron pointed at him. "You´re not my real dad.", he argued, almost smirking.
"Guess that's a yes."
With a few adjustments he connected the stick to the machine, entered his password and switched it on. Oh yes. Ultron could feel the new signal. The new host. A little more space to give his huge presence a possibility to expand itself, stretch out. And he took it. His main body hummed in delight. This vessel was even weaker. Bulky, not able to move. But he explored every bit of internal memory and function he could find. It was odd though. There wasn't a Snickers stuck anywhere. Ultrons body looked at Tony and the vending machine gave a sputter.
"Anthony Stark." The last entry was of someone buying a pack of gum. Two hours ago. "Were you trying to use the most advanced artificial intelligence on this planet to steal some 60cents sugar-snack?"
Tony bit his lip in a half grin. "Maybe? Oh come on. Don't look at me like that. I just have a 50 dollar bill and I´m really hungry and I wanted to test this stick. I could link you to the lawn mower. Or the coffee machine or even… well everything that's not too dangerous."
Ultron gave a sigh. Petty larceny of food would be the least of his so called crimes. But he could still kill him with a lawn mower. Or a coffee machine. He checked for some Snickers and made the vending machine spit them out for free.
"Yes!", Tony gloated and got his candy.
Making Ultron steal food for him wasn't his brightest idea yet. So wasn't Ultron himself. But it proved that his invention was working. Who knew what they could use it for. He opened his first bar and took a bite. If they could trust him even a bit, the possibilities would be endless.
"So.", he started, chewing loudly. "Where are you planning to stay this night?"
That was another thing they never talked about.
"And can you give me a mountain dew?"
The vending machine couldn't roll his eyes, so his main body did it for it.
"I don't know. I think I will keep myself busy somehow."
"Mhmh.", Tony mumbled.
He waited until the can fell down, before he pulled the stick out. Immediately Ultron felt his influence fade and he was pulled back to the robot vessel. That felt odd. He shook slightly.
"Don't pull out so sudden."
Tony pointed at him with a smirk. "That's what she said."