Chapter 6: Masks and Secrets

The aftermath of the Monaco Grand Prix attack left the city buzzing with confusion and excitement. The news media spun the incident as just another Tony Stark spectacle, but those who knew better—Snake Eyes, Natasha, and Stark himself—understood that the situation had far more dangerous implications. The Red Room's involvement had turned this from a simple vendetta against Stark into something far more sinister, and they were no closer to understanding the true objective.

In the VIP lounge of a high-rise overlooking the racetrack, Tony Stark sat nursing a drink, his expression unreadable behind his sunglasses. Snake Eyes stood near the window, ever silent, his eyes fixed on the city below. Natasha leaned against the bar, deep in thought, her mind turning over the events of the day.

"You know, I'm starting to think Monaco wasn't the best choice for a race," Stark said finally, breaking the silence. His usual sarcastic tone was absent, replaced by a hint of seriousness. He swirled the drink in his hand, watching the ice cubes clink against the glass. "Could've done without the whole 'supervillain with electric whips' thing."

Natasha glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "You're lucky we were here, Tony. Vanko wasn't just after a show. He was serious about taking you down."

Stark took off his sunglasses and set them on the table, meeting Natasha's gaze. "Yeah, well, I've had my share of serious. What I want to know is why the Red Room's involved. Vanko's got his issues with me, sure, but the Red Room? That's not just a hit. That's next level." He looked over at Snake Eyes, who remained as still as ever, watching the city like a predator stalking its prey. "And what about your ninja friend over there? You two seem pretty tight."

Snake Eyes didn't respond, as expected, but Natasha shot Tony a look that warned him not to press the issue.

"We have a past," Natasha said simply. "But that's not the point. The point is that the Red Room doesn't make moves like this without a larger plan. They don't just go after people like you for fun, Tony. There's something bigger going on."

Stark sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Great. Bigger than a guy with whips trying to kill me. Exactly what I needed."

Natasha ignored the sarcasm and pulled a tablet from her jacket pocket, placing it on the table. The screen flickered to life, displaying data on the mercenaries they had encountered the night before, as well as Vanko's recent activities. She tapped the screen, zooming in on a symbol that had appeared in multiple locations tied to the attack.

"This," she said, pointing to the insignia. "It's the same symbol Snake Eyes found on the crates in the alley. It's an old Red Room mark, but it's been modernized. Whoever's behind this is using the Red Room's resources, but they're operating outside of the usual command structure. This isn't just the Red Room as we knew it. Someone else is pulling the strings."

Snake Eyes moved closer, glancing at the symbol. His mind raced through the possibilities. The Red Room was notorious for its secrecy and its ever-changing leadership. It wasn't impossible that a new faction had emerged within the organization, one with its own agenda. But the question remained: what did they want with Stark's technology?

Stark leaned forward, his interest piqued. "So let me get this straight. There's a secret, shadowy organization that's been training assassins and operatives for decades, and now they're interested in my arc reactor technology. Why? They don't seem like the type to want clean energy."

Natasha crossed her arms, her face tense with thought. "That's the problem. It's not just about clean energy. The arc reactor can power almost anything, including advanced weapons. And if the Red Room gets their hands on that kind of power…"

Stark nodded slowly, the gravity of the situation finally sinking in. "Yeah, I get it. Bad news all around."

Silence settled over the room once more as they each considered the implications. The Red Room had always been a shadowy figure in Natasha's past, and now it seemed to be reaching out once again, not just for her, but for something far larger. The stakes had escalated, and the game had changed.

"We need to dig deeper," Natasha said after a moment. "The mercenaries from last night—one of them mentioned a base of operations nearby, in Eastern Europe. It's a long shot, but it's our only lead."

Snake Eyes nodded in agreement, his sharp gaze meeting Natasha's. He knew this would take them into dangerous territory, but that was nothing new for them. Their past in the Red Room had prepared them for missions like this—ones where every step was fraught with peril, and every corner held a hidden threat.

Stark stood, downing the rest of his drink and setting the glass aside. "Alright, fine. I'll make some calls, get the jet ready. You guys are lucky I'm feeling generous today."

Natasha couldn't help but smirk at Tony's bravado, though the tension in her eyes never fully left. "We appreciate it, Tony."

Stark shrugged, but there was a hint of genuine concern behind his usual nonchalance. "Hey, don't get me wrong, I'd rather not have people trying to kill me every time I leave the house. Besides, if the Red Room wants my tech, I'm gonna make sure they regret it."

With the plan in motion, the three of them prepared to leave Monaco behind. Snake Eyes remained focused, his mind already thinking ahead to the mission that lay before them. He knew that returning to Eastern Europe meant confronting more than just the Red Room—it meant confronting the ghosts of their pasts. For Natasha, it would be a reminder of the life she had escaped, a life of manipulation and control. For Snake Eyes, it would be a return to the shadows, where he had spent years perfecting the art of silence and survival.

As they made their way to Stark's private jet, Natasha glanced at Snake Eyes, her expression unreadable. There was so much unsaid between them, so much history that lingered just beneath the surface. They had been through hell together, and even now, after years apart, that bond remained unbreakable. But there were also secrets between them, things that neither of them had ever spoken aloud.

"Snake," she said quietly as they boarded the jet. He turned to look at her, his eyes dark and intense behind the mask. "This mission... it's going to dig up a lot of old memories. Things I'd rather not face."

He nodded, understanding immediately. The Red Room had left scars on both of them—scars that had never fully healed. But he also knew that they had no choice. If they didn't stop the Red Room now, if they didn't uncover the truth behind this new threat, then everything they had fought for would be lost.

As the jet took off, Snake Eyes sat in silence, his mind focused on the mission ahead. He could feel Natasha's eyes on him, and though neither of them spoke, there was an unspoken agreement between them. Whatever came next, they would face it together. The secrets of the past would remain buried for now, but the masks they wore—both literal and figurative—were beginning to crack.

As they flew toward Eastern Europe, the shadows of the Red Room loomed larger than ever, and the danger they faced grew with every passing mile.