Destroyer Through The Multiverse Ch 3

They arrived at Stark Industries with a couple of other agents accompanying Coulson and Tatsuya. At the front desk, a beautiful blonde lady sat, poised and professional. They approached her, and Coulson spoke up.

“Hi, we are the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. We have an appointment with Ms. Potts,” Coulson said.

“Of course, let me check our system. Please have a seat while you wait,” she replied with a warm smile.

Coulson and Tatsuya sat on a nearby bench, the sleek modern decor of the lobby surrounding them. The lobby was a hive of activity, with employees and visitors moving briskly through the space. Some carried documents and briefcases, while others were engaged in animated discussions about the latest technological advancements. A large digital screen on the wall displayed Stark Industries' latest achievements and upcoming projects, showcasing cutting-edge innovations in energy and defense.

To pass the time, they struck up a conversation.

“Don’t you think calling ourselves the Strategic Homeland—bla bla bla—is too long?” Tatsuya asked, a hint of frustration in his voice.

“It is the official name of the organization,” Coulson responded, maintaining his usual calm demeanor.

Tatsuya then noticed the first letter of each word in the title. “Why don’t we just call ourselves SHIELD? I’m pretty sure it's the acronym of our name.”

Coulson paused, considering the suggestion. “SHIELD… I like that.”

“I’m wondering how nobody came up with it before. The organization was created after World War II, right? Did the founders not notice it, or was it deliberate?”

“Probably deliberate. One of the founders, Peggy Carter, was close to Captain America.”

“So, she named SHIELD referencing Captain America’s iconic shield?”

“Yeah, I’m a big fan of the Captain. I even have a collection of his trading cards from the sixties.”

“Good for you,” Tatsuya replied, though his tone hinted at mild sarcasm.

As they chatted, the buzz of activity continued around them. Engineers in lab coats and safety goggles discussed prototypes in hushed tones, while a group of marketing professionals huddled around a tablet, reviewing a presentation. The air was filled with a mix of determination and creativity, emblematic of the cutting-edge work Stark Industries was known for.

After a few minutes, they saw Pepper Potts descending the escalator toward them. Tatsuya's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by her beauty. She had long strawberry blonde hair flowing down her back and striking blue eyes. Her tight dress highlighted her form, but she looked distressed and in a hurry. Upon seeing Coulson and Tatsuya, she seemed slightly relieved.

“Ms. Potts? We had an appointment. Did you forget about it?” Coulson asked.

“No, right now. Come with me,” she said, urgency clear in her voice.

“Right now?” Coulson repeated, a bit puzzled.

“Yes, we’re having it right now. Walk with me,” she insisted, already moving.

Coulson and Tatsuya exchanged a confused glance but quickly followed her. As they walked through the bustling corridors of Stark Industries, Tatsuya couldn't help but notice the advanced technology on display. Transparent touchscreens, automated drones delivering parts, and holographic projectors showcasing new designs were just a few of the marvels he observed.

Amid the high-tech environment, Tatsuya noticed someone watching them. He turned and saw a bald man on the floor above, glaring angrily. Filing the observation away for later, Tatsuya focused back on following Pepper and Coulson, ready for whatever awaited them.

…

After they reached a safe distance from the building, Pepper began explaining to Coulson what she had found on Obadiah Stane’s computer. Tatsuya now identified the bald man who had been glaring at them—Obadiah Stane, the CEO of Stark Industries. Pepper revealed incriminating evidence of Stane's involvement in Tony Stark’s kidnapping and his illegal arms dealings with terrorists.

“Is this true, Ms. Potts?” Coulson asked, his tone serious as he scrutinized the hard drive in her hand.

“Yes, Tony sent me to hack his computer.” She showed him the hard drive, her fingers trembling slightly. “This contains all the evidence.”

“Then we better arrest him. Do you know where he is?” Coulson asked, urgency creeping into his voice.

“He must be in the technology development sector,” Pepper replied, glancing nervously around.

“Then let’s go. Tatsuya, escort Ms. Potts and protect her,” Coulson ordered, his demeanor calm but firm.

“Roger,” Tatsuya responded with a nonchalant nod, his tone laced with a hint of arrogance. He adjusted his jacket, his expression confident as if he already had the situation under control.

They all got into their cars and drove toward the technology development sector. Tatsuya was with Pepper, driving while she sat in the back seat, looking very nervous. The interior of the car was sleek and filled with the faint hum of the engine. As they moved through the city streets, the bright lights of Los Angeles reflected off the car windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors inside.

Pepper called Tony’s best friend, Rhodey, to check if he was safe, but he had not responded to her earlier calls. Her fingers trembled slightly as she held the phone, her eyes darting around anxiously.

“You okay back there, Ms. Potts?” Tatsuya asked, glancing at her in the rearview mirror. His voice was casual, almost disinterested, but his eyes were sharp and observant.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” she replied, though her hands were shaking and she looked anxious. Her voice wavered slightly, betraying her nerves.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure your boss is okay. We’ll grab the bald bastard, and he’ll be behind bars before you know it,” Tatsuya said arrogantly, a hint of a joking tone in his voice.

Pepper smiled weakly, a small glimmer of hope in her eyes. “Thanks. You look a bit young,” she observed, trying to distract herself from her worries.

“That’s because I’m 18,” Tatsuya replied with a smirk, his confidence evident.

Pepper looked surprised. “And you’re a bodyguard? In a government organization?”

“I guess that just means I’m that good,” Tatsuya said, causing Pepper to laugh and easing her mood slightly.

“What pushed you to go this far?” Tatsuya asked after a moment, his tone turning curious.

“Huh?” Pepper responded, looking up at him.

“Hacking into company secrets and putting yourself in harm's way seems beyond a secretary’s duties,” he said, his eyes flicking to her in the mirror.

“I’m just worried about Tony. I’ve known him for so long and respect him. I didn’t want to do it at first, but I saw Tony’s eyes when he asked me… I just couldn’t let him down,” she admitted, her voice filled with concern and determination.

“You two must be great friends,” Tatsuya noted, his tone softening slightly.

“Yes, we are,” Pepper admitted, her eyes momentarily distant as she thought about Tony.

“I never got your name.”

“My name is Tatsuya.”

“Then it is nice to meet you.”

As they continued driving, the cityscape transformed from the busy streets of downtown to the more industrial area where Stark Industries' technology development sector was located. The buildings became larger, more utilitarian, with high fences and security cameras dotting the perimeter. The air grew cooler, and the scent of metal and machinery replaced the urban aroma.

The atmosphere inside the car grew tense but determined. They were closing in on the technology development sector, ready to confront Obadiah Stane and bring him to justice. The headlights of their convoy cut through the darkness, illuminating their path forward, as Tatsuya steeled himself for the confrontation ahead, his mind already strategizing the best way to protect Pepper and take down Stane.