37

“Go with him,” you tell Bruce. You like him, and you figure he’ll probably be safer in the control room with Sitwell than out here with a bunch of confused prisoners. He nods; neither of them asks why, but Sitwell pulls out your gear and hands it to you before he and Bruce head down to the controls.

It’s a long wait. You didn’t think there would be this much waiting; Thor radios once or twice to ask what’s going on (you answer him, because Sitwell and Bruce are maintaining silence) and even Coulson checks in once just to make sure you’re all still alive. You don’t fidget (you’re a sniper; you know how to wait), but if you’re being completely honest, you are getting a little worried about them.

Finally, the lights on the locks go green and Tony’s voice comes over the comms, manual release, now!, and then there’s the sound of door releasing all over the compound. It doesn’t take long for the prisoners to notice and start exiting.