"Last time I checked, Hydra didn't employ kids, and these two seem to have been trained from a very young age," Bucky said, staring at the two screens.
"And for both organizations, I don't think they branded their members." Clint pointed out. Steve flinched, remembering their similar tattoos on their forearms that looked burned into the skin. He could just imagine how painful that must have been.
"How are we on that, by the way, do we know what they mean?" Rhodey asked, turning to the two geniuses in the room.
Banner shook his head "SPQR is a reference to the government of Ancient Rome. As for the symbols, I think they represent their powers. Percy has a trident for his control over water-"
"But Jason has an eagle; we have seen that he can fly and control the wind," Clint exclaimed, cutting off Banner who just looked a little annoyed.
"Birds fly, and you go by Hawkeye, and those don't shoot arrows." Scott pointed out a smile on his face as Clint seemed to pout.
"I still don't agree with imprisoning kids, but now we have two fully trained teenagers on our hands that are definitely dangerous." Steve sighed. "It's like we just came across some weird cult full of child soldiers..." he trailed off and looked back at them with what could only be described as barely contained rage. Everyone was thinking the same thing.
"I feel that both of them are hiding a lot; not just for whom they work for, but also their powers. I think what we have seen was only the bare minimum of what they can do," Nat stated after several moments of silence.
"I have to agree. They didn't look like they were trying that hard with what they showed us so far," Clint stated.
"Then that begs the question: if they are so powerful, then why didn't they use that power to escape? They could have done a lot more damage, so why didn't they put up more of a fight?" Sam asked. Everyone was quiet as they pondered that, all of them watched the screens. Percy was sitting at the desk writing his list, and Jason was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Could it be a cry for help?" Scott asked. Everyone turned to him with confused expressions." I mean they both seem to have had pretty hard childhoods, wouldn't they want to get away from that?"
"If that was the case, do you think they would try so hard to hide it from us? What if there are more kids out there like them?" Steve said, pointing at the screen. He hated that thought as he just imagined young kids going through intense training like Sparta. That made him shake his head to get rid of the dark images.
"The best way to keep a prisoner from escaping is to make sure they never know they are in a prison." Natasha said absently. People looked at her confused. "These kids started young; maybe not as young as I did, but when that is pretty much all you know, you tend to hold on to that," she explained, staring at the screen and not meeting anyone's eyes. Everyone else seemed to scowl at that. Nat was right. If these kids knew only of the 'organization' they were in, then they would still protect it, even if it was wrong. That was one of the reasons the 'Red Room' started with kids; they were easier to mold.
"Well, let's give them a little tour, and then we can see if we can get some answers." Tony suggested. He wasn't comfortable with the silence that lingered as he walked out of the common room, waving his hand making the screens disappear.
"Everyone knows the plan, right? Clint, Tony, and I are showing Percy around. Nat, Scott and Rhodey are showing Jason around," Steve instructed.
"And I am going to my room and staying out of the way." Bucky said as he walked off. The other Avengers not involved with the tour also left.
"Why are we not doing the tour all together?" Scott asked. Everyone sighed in exasperation, as they had already been over this.
"Because we are going to try to get some answers, and we don't want them giving each other hints on a cover story," Nat gently reminded him. "When they were at SHIELD, the two were kept together for the most part, but they weren't left alone, so there wasn't any time they could have come up with a cover story or have a chance to come up will how they would answer questions, so this is the perfect time to see if they will be telling the truth or not."
Steve opened the doors and both teens walked out, handing their lists to Tony he looked down and slightly frowned, confused.
"That's it?" he asked. Steve glanced at the lists. Percy's was just clothes, a new pair of shoes, and a notebook; Jason was the same but he also asked for glasses with his prescription written on the side.
"We don't need much," Jason said, shrugging his shoulders.
"I was expecting you guys to ask for a video game console, a magazine, or a phone, not that you would get the phone," Tony said.
"Can we just go on the tour now?" Percy asked. They nodded and split up in the groups they had previously discussed. Jason's group went outside first, and Percy's explored the inside. For the first part of the tour, Percy stayed silent as Tony pointed out the rooms and all the cool things the compound had. But Percy wasn't really reacting to anything. He did ask once or twice if he was allowed to use the space; he asked that in the kitchen, in which Clint was surprised that Percy liked to cook, and again, when they went to the gym/training room.
"And this is our indoor swimming pool." Tony said proudly, opening the glass doors to show an Olympic sized swimming pool. Percy's eyes widened, and Steve saw them light up. Percy smiled.
"You like the pool, don't you?" Steve asked, as this was the only reaction he got out of the teen throughout the whole tour.
"Yes, I love to swim." He smiled, which finally made him look his age.
"Is that because of your powers?" Clint asked. Percy just shrugged, not taking his eyes off the water. It was taking all his will not to ditch the three avengers and jump into the crystal clear pool.
"I always wanted to join the swimming team at school, but since I am never at a school long enough, and I don't have the best grades, I wasn't allowed," Percy stated somewhat sadly.
"Well, you can come back here later to go for a swim if you like. We can add swim trunks to your list." Steve suggested. Percy's smile widened as he nodded his thanks.
Jason
Scott started off the tour they headed outside.
"Am I even allowed out here?" Jason asked, taking in the fresh air as if it would be the last time he would feel it.