selfhelphero | Increasingly-Less-Secret Lab, Warehouse District, Thursday Afternoon (Reply)

Getting to hang out with Tony, whether it was on the island or in middle-of-nowhere Canada, had made Billy just about the happiest guy ever. But nothing compared with actually getting to see the inside of his lab. It felt like being accepted to the coolest club ever and he was getting to hang out with Ben and Topher on top of it all. Sure, they were the ones playing Tony's video games and poking at his stuff, while Billy kept his hands to himself, nervous he'd break anything he touched, but this was still loads of fun.

Until the alarms went off, at least.

Tony's Systems	System Alert: Surveillance anomaly detected. The Pegasus Facility has been disconnected from the electrical grid. As well as the communications grid. All computer, telephone, and satellite communications with Project Pegasus have been severed.
Ben	"Well, that doesn't sound like good news," Ben observed, frowning.
Topher	No. No, it did not. "...should we call Tony?"
Billy	"That'd probably be a good idea. It doesn't sound like something that should wait for him to get back," Billy agreed.
Ben	Ben had his comlink out and dialed Tony's number, then frowned. "Voicemail," he explained to Billy and Topher. "Hey, Tony, it's Ben. There was this weird message while I was here in your lab. Something about Pegasus Facility? Anyway, call me back."
Topher	Topher frowned. "He wasn't in his room when I left the dorms."
Billy	"Should we go find him? Maybe he's with Warren, or Stephanie." Sorry Topher, but it was a valid option.
Ben	Pegasus sounded familiar, and Ben was trying to remember if it was because it was Tony-related. Maybe just because of that weekend where people turned into ponies? "Might be a good idea," he said. "We're sure he's still on the island?" He looked at Topher because of the three of them, he was the most likely to be overly invested in Tony's travel.
Topher	Oblivious to why he was being put on the spot, Topher bit down on one knuckle thoughtfully and then shook his head. "He's usually here or in his room," he said after a minute.
Billy	"Okay, so if he isn't here or his room, where would he go?" Billy asked. "Do you guys think we should find him?" He wasn't always the best judge of whether or not it was time to worry about people.
Ben	"Back to New York, maybe?" Ben offered, chewing on his lower lip. "I have a bad feeling about this."
Topher	"Hang on," Topher said, fumbling for his phone. "I have his friend's number." And... Rhodey wasn't picking up either. That was... bad. "Huh," Topher said after he hung up, looking much more concerned now. "Um. Should we, like... try and find him?"
Billy	"Maybe we should. If something's really wrong..." He was trying not to assume that the message and Tony being unreachable weren't related, okay? "He might appreciate it, you know?"
Ben	"And if he's not, yelling isn't going to hurt anyone," Ben decided. "Portalocity okay with you guys?"
Topher	Topher nodded. "Yeah, but to where?"
Billy	"Tony's New York?" Billy suggested. "If he's not there, maybe his friend will know where he is."
Ben	"We could try to find the Pegasus Facility," Ben said. "If Tony's there and misses calling me back, he might go there anyway." This was why Ender didn't let Ben plan things.
Topher	"'Kay," Topher agreed. "But tell Portalocity no giant rats this time." He meant it, okay.
Billy	Billy gave Topher a reassuring smile. "I'm sure there won't be any rats this time." Probably.
Ben	"I'll make the arrangements," Ben said. "They're afraid of me at Portalocity--well, mostly my cousin Jaina, but it works in my favor too. I'll make sure we're rat-free."
Topher	"Your cousin Jaina's cool," Topher informed Ben helpfully. She'd joined the fan club! Or... Topher thought she had. One of those. "But, uh, if giant rats are a thing, think Tony would mind if I brought... something?" He scanned the room. "Gauntlet, maybe?" HE HAD ALWAYS WANTED TO TRY OUT THE GAUNTLETS.
Billy	Billy wasn't sure if that was a good idea, but he knew he could take care of himself, and he knew Ben could take care of himself. Topher, on the other hand... "I'm sure he won't mind. They might come in handy," he said. No pun intended.