"Banner."
Henry ignored Tony's gaze and continued.
"After Blonsky draws their attention, you enter from the North backup passage. I'll have J.A.R.V.I.S. clear the way. Remember, get all the files out before they trigger the self-destruct sequence."
"I understand." Banner took a deep breath and adjusted his glasses.
Though he hated combat, as a scientist there was nothing more thrilling than acquiring unknown knowledge. Seeing Henry give him instructions immediately, Tony smiled confidently.
"I'll provide a fireworks show from the air and deal with any secret weapons they might be hiding along the way."
"And me?" Henry teased.
"My dear Commander, have you forgotten me? Or are you planning to let me and Wanda sit on the plane drinking afternoon tea while watching your performance?"
"Of course not." Tony immediately switched into serious mode and then smirked, "Your mission is the most important. You're in charge of watching the kid."
Henry: ...…
"You'll stay on the plane and keep an eye on that little girl." Tony's tone grew serious.
"Her powers are too unstable. I can't trust her alone. If she loses control and blows up my plane, we'd better walk back."
Henry looked at Tony's expression, the face that silently said, I'm worried but I won't admit it, and felt an unexpected warmth in his chest.
He knew Tony was trying, in his awkward way, to protect Wanda… and him.
"All right, all right." He sighed helplessly.
"But let me be clear: if she cries, I'm not going to comfort her."
"Deal."
Five minutes later, the Quinjet hovered several thousand meters above the base.
"Action!"
At Tony's command, the rear hatch of the jet slowly opened.
Blonsky was the first to charge out!
His massive body traced a parabolic arc through the air, like a black meteor, crashing down into the desert below! A streak of white lightning followed instantly.
Pietro had already become a blur, silently infiltrating the west side of the base.
"All right, our turn, Bruce." Tony patted Banner's shoulder as the armor immediately enveloped him.
Banner nodded and donned a specially designed gray tactical suit.
One after the other, the two leapt from the hatch.
Inside the cabin, only Henry and Wanda remained.
The atmosphere suddenly felt a bit awkward.
Wanda sat quietly in a corner, hugging her knees, saying nothing.
Through the jet's holographic screen, she watched the battle below with tense attention.
Henry, acting like nothing was happening, grabbed two cans of soda from the fridge and tossed one to Wanda.
"Here, have a drink." He pulled the tab and took a big gulp.
"Don't be so nervous. Just think of it as watching a live-action HD, with explosions." Wanda silently took it but didn't drink.
She watched Blonsky punch through the thick gate of the base, and her eyes lit up with excitement.
"Why… do they have to go to such lengths?" she murmured. "Just… for revenge?"
"Revenge?" Henry chuckled.
He moved to sit next to Wanda.
"Oh, no, Wanda. You're thinking too simply."
"For Tony, there may be a hint of revenge. But it's more about responsibility."
He looked at the screen: Tony in his red-and-gold armor, dodging fire while precisely taking out Hydra defense turrets one by one with his lasers.
"He's a walking contradiction," Henry said slowly.
"Arrogant, conceited, his words sharp enough to anger God himself. Yet he's kinder and more responsible than anyone. He would charge into a wormhole carrying a nuclear bomb for a stranger — not that it's happened or will happen, but that's not the point. What matters is he will face the whole world to atone for mistakes our family made."
"He became Iron Man not for fame or show, but simply to make a world, which my father protected all his life, a little better."
Wanda listened quietly, staring at the man weaving through the battle.
In Henry's mind, the Tony Stark from the cave, hammering away, gradually merged with the image before him.
"As for me…" Henry shrugged, a sardonic smile returning to his face.
"I'm not as great as he is. My reason for taking down Hydra is simple."
"Because… they crossed me."
Wanda didn't fully understand why, but she nodded in acknowledgment.
Suddenly, an urgent voice came over the comms.
"Tony! Henry! There's a problem!"
"What's wrong, Bruce?" Tony's voice immediately turned serious.
"I found their core database! But besides the Ouroboros project, there's a big one!" Banner's voice trembled with disbelief.
"A living bioweapon!"
"What?!"
"I don't know what it is! It's locked in a massive incubator! Energy index… oh my, it's still climbing! Already at Hulk-level!"
"Boom!!!"
A deafening explosion sounded over the comms, followed by Hulk's roar.
The entire base trembled violently!
"Banner! Banner! Respond!" Tony called anxiously.
All that came back was static.
"Damn it!" Tony cursed, without hesitation turning his jet and diving toward the underground base.
"Henry!" he spoke into the comms.
"I need backup! Now! Immediately!"
Henry's smile slowly faded.
He stood, turning to the nervous girl beside him.
"Stay on the plane. Don't go anywhere." His tone brooked no argument.
Before Wanda could respond, he was already at the jet's hatch.
"J.A.R.V.I.S., open the door."
The hatch slowly opened, revealing a churning inferno and thick smoke below.
Without hesitation, Henry leapt.
His black casual clothes were replaced mid-fall by a sleek, imposing combat suit.
"Tony," his voice came over the comms.
"I'm here."
***
If you're interested and wish to support me, you can read advanced chapters:
p-atreon.com/Redestro666