A Complicated Web

Chapter Five: Geek Out

"Pardon me," JARVIS spoke up from one of many speakers throughout the building, "but Miss Potts requested I remind you your guests may wish to change and freshen up before a late lunch is served."

Tony gave a bit of an eye roll, accompanied with a head shake. "Tell Pepper we're done with the tour and I was just about to send them to do just that." He gave his guests a knowing look. "You heard the man," he added. "Time to clean up. I'm sure you all remember where the various facilities are located? Good. I'm going to go find Pepper and see what she's got prepared for you guys. Fred or JARVIS can lead you to the right place when you're ready."

The elevator doors closest to Mr. Stark opened and he stepped into the waiting car. "I'll leave the other cars for you guys to use, if you don't mind." The doors slid shut with a slight ding moments after he finished talking.

"Please don't mind him," JARVIS requested. "Sometimes it's all I can do to keep his head on straight."

Fred snickered. It was a long standing joke between them. "Okay guys, we should probably do what he says. You know, go freshen up and stuff. I'm sure at least Wasabi's dying for a shower." He could see his friend scratching at imagined dirt. Still, sitting in a car or lying in hotel rooms for the past few days had probably taken a toll. He didn't blame him for not wanting to use the showers, especially not since they'd skipped the opportunity to shower the night before due to just driving though the night. Wasabi had given them all a lecture on how unsanitary some hotel rooms could be.

Honey pushed the call button for the next elevator over. Their rooms were ten floors up from their current one. "I wonder how many people will be there tomorrow," she mused. "Do you really think it's okay that we're not planning on heading over there today to start setting up?"

GoGo slipped into the elevator as the doors opened, moving to the back as she popped her gum. The others followed. "I don't think it'll make that much of a difference," she observed. "It's not like we're dragging in a boatload of stuff. Hiro's the one with the most to bring in with those microbots." She felt glad he hadn't opted to bring twelve bins full this go around. As things stood, they'd packed enough microbots to make a five foot tall replica of the Eiffel Tower. "And he doesn't actually have to bring those in until the day of his presentation."

Unlike the others, Hiro had opted to go a similar route to the SFIT showcase. That way he could get his part done quicker. Aside from which, it was easier to show his microbots on a large scale as opposed to in a small booth, not to mention more secure. He didn't need to leave them sitting around where anyone could just pocket one. Of course, he had put in those little fail safes to make sure they wouldn't get stolen again. If they did, they'd go the way of the dodo so fast it would make a lightning strike seem slow. And there was no way he was letting the transmitter out of his sight when it wasn't safely secured inside his room. Tony had supplied one of those little safes that allowed him to choose the combination. It was more secure than anything else. Plus, Fred practically begged JARVIS to keep an eye on things when they weren't there, and to send him a text message if someone messed with it.

"Maybe we should head over there after lunch," Hiro debated. "I mean we could at least get an idea of the size of the venue and who the locals are. We can also get an idea of the layout and where everyone's supposed to go. It would save us time tomorrow when everyone else shows up. I bet there'll be a line out the door just to find out where everyone' designated space is."

Wasabi nodded. "He has a point. Except if we're driving over, I'm going to be the one behind the wheel." He secretly vowed to keep closer track of his food and beverages while they were out there, just in case.

Fred laughed. "Dude! None of us has to drive anywhere while we're here! We can totally either ask Tony to have one of his guys drive us or take a taxi. Either works. I know he won't mind."