The wine bar erupted with panic and confusion, as the patrons rushed to escape the hail of glass shards that had blown inwards. As people fled out of the venue, one male figure was noticeable by their lack of movement. He stood upon the threshold, ignoring the flurry of activity around him. He was dressed in deep blue biking leathers, and holding in his arms a long cylindrical device with a concave dish at one end. He spoke with a strong, deep, and slightly accented voice.
"Stark! You will pay for your sins!"
Amidst the chaos, Peggy Carter remained resolute. In a fraction of a second, she had surveyed the situation. Howard was in danger, an armed assailant stood outside, and the crowd were rushing outwards.
"Mr. Jarvis! Take Howard out through the kitchens. Get yourselves far from here!"
"But Ms. Carter..."
"Now, Jarvis! I can handle this character."
Knowing better than to argue with a force of nature, Jarvis led Howard quickly away though a swinging door at the rear of the bar.
This retreat did not go unnoticed by the figure wielding the sonic cannon. He roared in frustration and charged forwards, intending to follow his quarry. After a few steps he froze again, noticing the barrel of a gun aimed directly at him. Peggy stared him down, with a crippling glare. She began to speak, keeping her pistol trained on the leatherbound assailant.
"Would you kindly drop your weapon? There's a good chap. On the authority of SHIELD, I'm placing you under arrest for reckless endangerment, attempted murder, and conspiracy to terrorise. You have the right to remain silent, anything you do say could be considered resisting arrest. Trust me, you don't want to see what happens to you then."
"Foolish woman! You defend a monster such as Stark? The monster of mechanism? The designer of destruction? The man whose devices have been used to destroy countless lives!"
"On the contrary, I defend a room full of innocent bystanders from a man wielding a weapon. Especially when that weapon is untested."
Peggy knew she had to stall this guy just a little longer. Jarvis needed time to get Howard far enough away, and she couldn't risk attacking until the patrons were out of range. Thankfully, she noted that the bar was almost empty, save for two older gentlemen observing the situation. Unfortunately however, the activity had drawn a larger crowd of bystanders who were gathering outside.
"None of these people deserve to be hurt. So why don't you just lower your weapon, and we can discuss this in a civil manner."
"Silence! You stall to protect Stark. Enough lies!"
The man pulled the trigger of his cannon. The air between him and Peg shimmered briefly, as she cried out in pain. Peggy fell to her knees, suffering under the onslaught of discordant sound. She couldn't think, head full of noise, mind full of torment and turmoil. As she fell to the ground, her military instincts held out for a brief moment, as she fired a single shot from her pistol. The bullet struck her assailant in the left shoulder, causing him to lower his weapon too. With a snarl, he ran out of the bar again, pushing through the crowds.
Meanwhile, Jago & Litefoot had been observing the commotion since the criminal cove had attacked. They had been poised to intervene until weapons were drawn, forcing the pair to bide their time. They watched in horror as Agent Carter was struck by a direct blast of the sonic weapon, and subsequently slumped to the floor, unconscious and unmoving.
PGL: "Henry, we must get after that ruffian at once!"
HGJ: "Are you sure Litefoot? He seems like a particularly dangerous sort. Perhaps this is best left to the authorities?"
PGL: "Nonsense! This is just the sort of strange event our particular talents are best suited for. Don't tell me you haven't missed our adventures."
HGL: "Well, not exactly... But I'll admit that my appetite for adventure has wained somewhat following that business with the frogs."
PGL: "Well, I'm off in pursuit of the blighter. You can remain here and see to that poor lady he attacked. That might be better suited to your expertise."
HGJ: "Oh Corks! Alright Professor, good luck. I'll be right behind you as soon as I've sorted the sorry situation seen before us. Please try to avoid confronting this cruel cove, George. I am too fond of you for you to suffer at his hand."
No comments:
Post a Comment