C (68) Ross's Trial [2]
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"Yet you have other responsibilities you need to see to first," she pointed out. "Peter is a good kid. He dealt with it before; I think he can do so again. All he needs is your guidance and you are still in the position to fulfill that role."
"Trouble is I could be wrapped up in the court for at least a month. The trial is a complicated one. It doesn't just involve what Ross tried to do to me; it also involves the prosecution the US Government is bringing against him for his role in trying to take control of the Accords. I need to be there for all of it as I was heavily involved." Tony sighed and sat back.
"No, I think I need to step back. Peter has a suit. Some of its functions have been released to him, he knows how it works. No, I think I know what I can do for Peter. He hasn't stumbled across the Vulture yet. He soon will. I'm going to record him a message. Keep a watch on him. There may be a time he will nearly drown. You need to send in FRIDAY with the suit to extract him with the message uploaded. That should give him enough information that may help him. Whatever I say will not stop him from continuing investigating but it may aid him from making pivotal mistakes."
"I can do that. Monitor him for you. Changed your mind, Stark," she grinned.
"Only because I needed to," he admitted. He muddled the papers on his desk together, not caring if they were out of order. "The one good thing about this changed timeline is that I already accelerated the removal of everything from Stark Tower. Toomes targeted the plane there as it left, intercepted it and tried to steal everything on board. Peter stopped him. That incident cannot happen now. I've already made sure everything has been transferred here."
"Potentially you've already given him an easy ride then?" she noted.
Tony shrugged. "Hopefully." He rubbed a hand down his face. "Just… keep me informed."
"I will," she promised.
"And once Ross is sorted for good we can focus our attention on the Time Stone."
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Saturday 1st October 2016
"How are the other Winter Soldiers coming along?" Natasha leaned back against the wall as she observed Bucky and Steve in the training area.
Bucky paused, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He'd been given leave to stay at the Avengers Facility in-between his sessions with the government officials.
Simon and Charlotte had made the recommendation to their superiors only a few days before and Bucky had moved back to the Avengers Facility.
Before the Siberia mission to retrieve the other Winter Soldiers, Bucky's arm had been replaced by Tony though it was easy to remove, a requirement currently put in place as a condition for Bucky moving back to the Avengers Facility.
He was only allowed to have it installed when he needed it, such as when he was training.
Bucky flexed his fingers on his arm. "They're… recovering. Not taking it well. Unlike me they were allowed to keep their minds and memories. I think if you're looking to them to join the Avengers, it is unlikely. They are loyal to Hydra and remain so."
"But if they are recovering…?" she asked, trailing off.
Steve shook his head. "They're complicated. They were HYDRA before they accepted the modified serum. Their loyalties haven't changed. They'll have to go through an extensive rehabilitation programme before they'd be cleared for release."
Natasha wilted.
"And they all hated me," muttered Bucky quietly. "I was… superior to them… I knew no different. I didn't realise I had another life. They knew I had no choice in becoming what I was. But they did. They loathed they received an inferior serum which made them insane. Killing them would have been mercy."
"That isn't something we would ever do, Buck," replied Steve.
Bucky grimaced. "You have your work cut out for you. They were elite HYDRA operatives, loyal to the cause. I think rehabilitation in their case could be difficult to achieve."
Natasha sighed. "So you'd say it was unlikely they'd be of use to the Avengers in the near future?"
Bucky inclined his head. "I wouldn't get your hopes up."
"Right." Natasha had hoped but at the moment the other Winter Soldiers were not fit for duty. "Thanks. I just wanted to check since you're more involved with them than I am. I'd better get going."
Steve stepped forward. "Are you heading to Ross' trial with Tony?"
She shook her head, her hair falling about her shoulders. "No. I've given my statement. Plus, if required, I have agreed to be interviewed by video link. But there is enough evidence presented which should convict Ross."
"I'll be heading there on Wednesday," added Bucky quietly. "That is when I've been told the prosecution intends to call me forward to provide evidence. I'm not sure what help I can give." He shrugged.
"I think you'll give us more help than you believe you will," smiled Natasha. "After his trial, Ross will not be able to hurt or use you again."
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Monday 3rd October 2016
The court was in session.
Opening statements had been made and Tony was about to take the stand to present his own evidence. Aside from Pepper, he was the only member from the Avengers there.
They had their written statements, all of which had been accepted by the court, and Natasha was on standby to submit video evidence if required. They were not expecting the defence to call many people forward due to the nature of the plea.
Ross was sitting under armguard, explicitly not looking at his accusers. In an attempt to fit the plea he was putting forward, Ross was dressed casually and his hair and beard were unkempt and he looked tired and weary.
Tony's lawyer, James Hynes, stood in front of him. "For the record, please state your full name."
"Anthony Edward Stark." He could have made a quip but this wasn't the situation to do it in, not for such a serious matter.
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Drop some power stone's and comment if possible.
Thanks for the wait.