There are about half a dozen of them in the room, with Gray and an assistant at the fore. They sit in assigned seats – ostensibly to give each of them a clear view of the small stage and auction block, but Sharon would give even money it's so no one can stick a knife in anyone else's ribs. She'd be a fool to think they're the only ones to get weapons past the metal detector.
"Thank you for joining me this evening," Gray begins. He's a practiced salesman – would have to be, to run this kind of gig for so long. He'll be a useful collar for Ross. "We have one bundle up for auction this evening, ladies and gentleman: two items, one price. First: the star of the show."
His assistant unveils the prototype, and Sharon leans forward to look at it along with everyone else. "Built for subtlety," Gray continues, "elegance. An effective sidearm featuring both portability and power. Marcus, if you would?"
The assistant lifts the prototype and aims it at a sheet of steel, then gently presses the trigger. A burst of blue light rips from the gun's nose and burns a dime-sized hole in the steel sheet, and Sharon's heart falls.
Chitauri tech. Melded with vibranium. On the stage, Gray is continuing. "...are both adjustable. Marcus?"
Marcus fires another bolt, this one wider in diameter and not powerful enough to burn all the way through the steel, then adjust the gun and fires a third time, leaving a smoking hole the size of Sharon's palm in the metal.
The guests mutter to themselves. Gray smiles. "Included with this incredible weapon are the plans necessary for production," he tells them. "Questions?"
no subject
"Thank you for joining me this evening," Gray begins. He's a practiced salesman – would have to be, to run this kind of gig for so long. He'll be a useful collar for Ross. "We have one bundle up for auction this evening, ladies and gentleman: two items, one price. First: the star of the show."
His assistant unveils the prototype, and Sharon leans forward to look at it along with everyone else. "Built for subtlety," Gray continues, "elegance. An effective sidearm featuring both portability and power. Marcus, if you would?"
The assistant lifts the prototype and aims it at a sheet of steel, then gently presses the trigger. A burst of blue light rips from the gun's nose and burns a dime-sized hole in the steel sheet, and Sharon's heart falls.
Chitauri tech. Melded with vibranium. On the stage, Gray is continuing. "...are both adjustable. Marcus?"
Marcus fires another bolt, this one wider in diameter and not powerful enough to burn all the way through the steel, then adjust the gun and fires a third time, leaving a smoking hole the size of Sharon's palm in the metal.
The guests mutter to themselves. Gray smiles. "Included with this incredible weapon are the plans necessary for production," he tells them. "Questions?"