Tony looked at Gemini strangely. "Why's your focus so weird?! Of course it's because I'm paying!"
Gemini snorted. "But everyone in this team is mine!"
"Whoever pays is boss!" Tony argued.
"Then on behalf of my employees, I refuse!" Gemini said decisively.
Tony was helpless. "Do you have to be so absolute?"
Gemini stayed silent. Stared at him steadily.
"You know, as captain, first you face national leaders, consider post-battle damages, pay salaries—oh right, negotiate with the bald guy." Tony methodically listed captain's responsibilities.
After hearing this, Gemini immediately backed down. "That troublesome? Forget it, you be captain. But you can't order me around!"
Tony glanced at her. "When have I ever ordered you?! Have some self-awareness. Who could force you to do something you don't want?"
Gemini picked up her cup. Took a sip to hide embarrassment. "So you came just to tell me this?"
"Of course not. Look carefully—I built this website. JARVIS will screen suitable missions, from stopping wars to rescuing cats from trees. Assign appropriate tasks to each member. For things ordinary people can handle, JARVIS calls police. Only when ordinary people can't solve it will Guardians deploy. What do you think?"
Gemini curiously browsed webpage. Clean, clear interface. No messy ads—even elderly people unfamiliar with internet could understand how to operate it.
"Is JARVIS alone enough for this website?" Gemini asked curiously.
Tony smiled. "Of course JARVIS can't handle it alone. Our team includes people with special abilities, plus lots of ordinary people. These become Guardians' outer members, responsible for cleanup or investigating incident accuracy."
"Oh right, remember that guy who called for help? Baron Zemo? I discovered he's remarkable talent. Recruited him. Now he's our spokesperson, handling government relations and public opinion." Tony said proudly.
Gemini immediately noticed something wrong. "Didn't you say captain was responsible for that?!"
Tony looked guiltily out window. "Captain is responsible, but I delegated work. That's also captain's responsibility!"
Gemini laughed in anger. Playing word games with her?!
Tony hurriedly changed subject. "Oh, there's more! Those twins decided to join our Guardian Alliance too. I feel Stark Tower isn't enough. Help me contact Sun Xiaoxiao—have them send construction team. I have land in northern New York State. I'll build Guardian base!"
Gemini looked at him coldly. "You can contact them yourself, Captain."
Tony scratched head sheepishly. "Don't be like that, darling. Let's talk nicely."
Gemini glared indignantly but still picked up phone. Settled things in few words—Sun Xiaoxiao said they'd send another team from China.
"By the way." Gemini hung up. Pointed at flashing red exclamation mark on virtual screen. "I've been wondering—what does this symbol mean?"
Tony followed Gemini's finger. "JARVIS?! Why didn't you remind me?!"
"Sir, you told me to stay quiet after entering All-Purpose Shop," JARVIS said flatly.
Tony hurriedly opened phone. Next moment, it rang. "Tony? You finally answered!"
"Sorry, I was somewhere with no signal. What's wrong, Zemo? What's the mission?" Tony said steadily.
"Here's the situation." Zemo briefly explained, then asked, "Are we taking this mission? If so, tell me personnel and general abilities. I need to coordinate with government officials."
Tony pondered. "Let me contact Guardians first about suitable candidates and timing. I'll get back to you immediately."
After hanging up, Tony looked at Gemini. "How about it? Interested?"
Gemini looked through mission details JARVIS projected with interest. "Of course. I've never seen this kind of scene. I'm in."
Tony nodded. "Then next, choose codename. Also, hiding your identity or revealing it?"
Gemini thought. "For codename, use 'Shopkeeper.' Better hide identity—too much connected to my background."
Tony stood up. "Got it. JARVIS will notify you of assembly time. Prepare your debut outfit, Miss Shopkeeper."
Gemini watched Tony stride toward fireplace. Began contacting clothing store owner. She definitely needed outfit that could conceal appearance. Better custom-make it—forgive her for not trusting Tony's aesthetic.
Shortly after Gemini got outfit, JARVIS's message arrived. Notified her to reach Stark Tower's top floor at 9 PM. Everyone would assemble there. Head to mission location tonight. Tomorrow was actual day. Mission would last two weeks. JARVIS specifically reminded Gemini to bring medicine.
After packing small suitcase, Gemini changed into battle outfit—black base with gold magical pattern trim, long suit jacket paired with ankle-length pleated skirt, dragon leather boots with square heels under 5 centimeters. Looked mysterious yet sharp.
Finally putting on hollow gold half-mask, Gemini tapped hair with wand. Slightly curly black hair instantly became long straight hair streaked black and gold, tied back with pure black ribbon. This version of Gemini was unrecognizable—who could connect mature, intellectual beauty with girl who loved puffy dresses and looked fifteen or sixteen?
When she reached Stark Tower's top floor, Gemini looked around. She was last to arrive. Steve sat on sofa silently polishing shield. Twins sat across from him quietly discussing. Ethan wore special fireproof suit. Stood by window looking out. Tony and Rhodes talked at bar. Natasha and Barton mixed drinks behind it with dazzling skill.
"Ah, everyone's here. Let's go." Tony saw Gemini emerge from fireplace. Clapped hands. Drew everyone's attention.
"Everyone knows mission content, right?" Tony confirmed again. "Let me clarify—this UN meeting involves African situation. Some terrorists might cause trouble. Our job is let this meeting proceed smoothly. Now let's assign tasks."
Tony distributed tiny earpieces to everyone. "Steve and Ethan outside venue, watching for suspicious people with wrong emotions." Steve and Ethan nodded understanding.
"Natasha has agent training, so you'll go inside, posing as attendee. Stay alert." Tony nodded at Natasha.
"Barton, take high ground. Use your advantage! Twins, you're third line of defense, assisting Natasha inside. Follow her commands. Gemini, watch venue building's safety. Can you make those magical patterns temporary? They didn't pay for permanent ones." Tony looked around. Finally asked.
Gemini nodded. "No problem. Just control magic input."
"Then, Guardians' first major mission—deploy!" Tony said. Led way to terrace. With each step, armor pieces flew over to equip him. By time they boarded aircraft, Tony had finished suiting up.
Quinjet's door slowly closed. Took off vertically. Flew toward Washington venue.
Upon arrival, Zemo already waiting at landing pad. Tony had transmitted arranged tasks to Zemo during flight. When they arrived, everything they needed was ready—badges and work credentials.
Everything prepared. Just waiting for tomorrow's meeting to begin.
"This is Hawkeye. No abnormalities detected." Barton stood on high building beside venue. Looking down from above.
"Interior clear." Natasha's lowered voice came through.
"Exterior secure." Steve reported steadily. Gestured to Ethan. Neither found anything unusual.
"Good. Keep it up." Tony, using Disillusionment Charm, stayed on venue's top floor. Carefully watching nearby surveillance footage JARVIS screened.
Gemini sat bored on supports above venue. Wore Harry's Invisibility Cloak. Nibbled snacks Coby sent. Listened to representatives from various countries speak in native languages or English. All the same.
"Tony, look—who's the black man to right of podium?" Gemini scanned venue. Suddenly noticed something. Asked Tony.
"What's wrong? Are they problematic? Let me see." Tony immediately became serious. "They're Wakanda's representatives. One's Wakandan king, other's heir prince."
Gemini swung legs. "Any interesting legends about their country? Those two don't look like ordinary people. I get strange feeling from them."
Data flowed rapidly before Tony's eyes. After while, he said: "Wakanda mainly worships Panther God. Legend says after death they return to Panther Goddess's grassland. Become panthers? Does that count?"
Gemini bit cookie. "Mm, probably true. Especially young man—he has rich power aura. With what you said, I understand. That's divine blessing."
"Are powers this simple these days? If I start worshipping panther god now, think it'll work?" Barton asked curiously.
Gemini rolled eyes. "You think those deities are common as dirt? Stop fooling around."
"Guys, quiet. We have situation." Steve suddenly spoke. Entire channel went silent.
"Big guy, report your position." Tony asked calmly.
"Exterior B-23 sector. Ten meters ahead, guy with hat—his package looks wrong." Steve said. Moved toward person inconspicuously.
"Let me scan." Tony immediately arranged nearby cameras to capture person Steve mentioned. JARVIS began scanning and analyzing.
"Sir, his backpack contains disassembled gun parts—40% accuracy, rocket launcher—80% accuracy, other small weapons—30% accuracy." Soon JARVIS had analysis.
"Big guy! Get him!" Tony ordered directly.
Steve already approached suspicious person. Moment he heard command, shield smacked suspect's face. Instantly knocked him down. Steve immediately restrained him. Nearby guards followed up. Quickly subdued suspect.
Grabbed backpack. Steve opened it. Immediately broke into cold sweat. "These are smoke bombs! Real attacker is someone else!" Backpack contained metal parts that looked like rocket launcher but had no ammunition.
Unfortunately Steve spoke too late. About 100 meters in opposite direction, various screams suddenly erupted from crowd. Shell fired toward venue.
Tony immediately began intercepting, but distance too close. Intercepted shell right in front of glass wall behind podium. Violent explosion instantly covered glass wall with smoke.
"Gemini! How's it inside?" Tony asked urgently. Already dispatching surrounding robots to surround venue.
"Mm, no problem. Just gave national representatives fireworks show." Gemini said. Looked at intact glass wall. Couldn't help complaining. "Why use this kind of glass wall when you know it's unsafe? Isn't this ready-made target?"
Standing at podium was Wakanda's King T'Chaka. His heir quickly ran up. Supported shaken T'Chaka. Venue's attendees stared in shock at explosion outside glass wall. Discussed glass quality. Given that explosion's force, ordinary glass would've shattered. Venue's people would definitely have been hurt.
"Zemo, your turn. Arrange all representatives' evacuation!" Tony ordered. Team members assembled. Began escorting representatives in orderly withdrawal.
Steve looked at crowd in frustration. "I didn't catch him. Guy escaped—I was blocked by crowd."
"Don't worry, Cap. I'm watching him!" Barton squinted. Stared at black-jacketed, hooded figure. Periodically reported positions. Nearby cameras locked onto person according to his directions. But Barton lacked rapid movement ability. Lost track in alley without cameras.
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