009 || Sharon Carter || PMs

[agentx13]

Private to Mina
One of our new arrivals would like to meet people from another time period. Would you be willing to meet with her?

Private to Logan
I have a huge favor to ask, yet again. One day, you'll have to let me know how I'm supposed to repay you.

Private to Bruce Banner
Could we meet sometime when there isn't a body between us? We have things to discuss.

Private to Tony
I'd appreciate it if I could take up a couple minutes of your time, Tony. Nothing bad this time, I promise.

Private to Kenzi
Would you have time for a quick word if I stop by your place in half an hour? I'd like to talk with you alone this time.

Comments

[manofiron]

I do.

I'm trapped in a small town. I think I'll be available. Sort of a captive audience. You got a question, you're free to ask it.

[agentx13]

Okay, I have a theory I want to bounce off you.

The Hulk fell from the sky, as did the box. Would you agree that the environment here is controlled? That we're in a large containment field of sorts? [It's obvious that Sharon is going somewhere with this, and she's willing to bet Tony will figure out what sooner rather than later.]

[manofiron]

Force fields?

[ He takes a moment to think it over. ]

Possibly. Something spherical, maybe, for stability. And if that was the case, it'd be easier to have openings in the field at the antipodal points than anywhere else. Above, below, the...

[ A beat, and he snaps his fingers. ]

The woman. The one who wanted to play nice when the earthquake struck. She told me that the way out wasn't through the forest. That it's in the ocean. Maybe there's another opening there. If your theory's on the right track and she wasn't lying.

[agentx13]

Steve couldn't even reach the island without getting attacked. If there's a safe way to get out through there, we haven't come close to finding it yet.

What about at the top, though? The Hulk got through. Loki got through in his box. But they were coming in. [ She looks at him for a second before raising an eyebrow. ] Think we could get out the same way? If they have anything there to stop us, it hasn't been anything we could see yet.

Which woman was it, anyway? [ And why is she not surprised that Tony got information out of a woman who might know something? ]

[manofiron]

How many people have really tried? I'm guessing not many. Not enough.

[ He thinks about it for a second, then nods. ]

Possibly. I can make you something to disable it, if it's there and resistant. Jury-rigged EMP detonator.

[ He's been here long enough to start thinking outside the box, and he thinks that he may have found a solution to their weapon crisis. Figures, it'd take some kind of otherworldly abduction to get Tony Stark back into the weapons business. ]

The dead one.

[agentx13]

Only Steve has tried so far, to my knowledge. Are you suggesting a swim?

[ She mulls over the possibility of an EMP detonator. She wonders if it'll be like the ones at home, where she'll only get one chance to use it. In which case, she'll have to use it sparingly. As Tony continues, however, she wrinkles her nose. ]

Maria. The one who might have been working with them. In that case, we have to consider the possibility that she was lying to you.

How many EMP detonators could you make?

[manofiron]

Always was a strong swimmer.

[ If need be, he'll give a try. It's not like he's doing much else. ]

I wouldn't doubt it. Still, it's worth a thought. The forest hasn't been working out so well.

How many toasters we got?

[agentx13]

I'll see how many I can get you. It's harder now that the houses are filling up, but I'll see what I can do.

[ She nibbles on her lips for a second before sighing. If she's going to go for a swim, she sure as hell isn't going to go swimming unprotected. And that means her suit. ]

Figures. Wet, skin-tight leather. Why am I not surprised?

I've got some knives. I'll see what I can do. I'd rather go once I have the EMPs, though. [ No pressure to move quickly, Tony. None at all. Just, you know, possible freedom and the attainment thereof. ]

[manofiron]

In a few weeks, I might have something better than EMPs. But for right now, whatever works, right?

[ He can work quickly. It isn't like there's anything else he needs to do. ]

No going for a swim on your own. Got it? If you go, I'm going with you.

[agentx13]

Tony, do you have any protective gear?

[Given her druthers, Tony could stay in the town, where he'd be more likely to be safe.

But he hadn't had any protective gear the last two times, in the woods. And she didn't really think it was likely that he'd stay behind. Not to mention that if he thought she was going to go haring off on her own, he'd find a way to beat her to it and would go without her, which would mean she wouldn't be around to protect him. She sighs.]

We'll just have to get you some.

[manofiron]

That probably depends on your definition of protective gear.

[ Or whether or not she's willing to creatively interpret the meaning of the term. He is, though. That's what he does. ]

Don't worry. It'll be fine.

[agentx13]

It means showing up in more than your underwear, that's for damn sure.

Look, we've- [ Probably not got much time, actually. But they both know that, whether she says it or not. ] - I'll try and get you some toasters.

[manofiron]

[ He laughs softly under his breath. Like he'd go swimming in waters infested with who knew what in just his underwear. Please. He's more intelligent than that. ]

Roger that. I'll get started on a few other surprises.