A year to Remember. Part 2, the Internship

"You ready Losers?", MJ asks outside Avenger's Tower. Peter nods, a twinge of anxiety coursing through his veins, he could just feel it down his arms, up his neck. Ned also nods, pure excitement flowing through him.

Walking through the glass doors, into a giant lobby they find Abe and Ray already waiting by the reception. "Hey Pete, Ned, MJ!", The former calls for them, "You guys ready?".

"Yes!", Ned squeals, the receptionists nearby rolling their eyes at the oh so common gesture. "I'm so ready! I couldn't sleep last night!". Both sophomores start gushing about their expectations, in their own little corner, their own little world.

"Hey, Peter and MJ? Right?", The senior starts, stepping up to them, comfortable. "Yeah", MJ shorthand's her answer, Peter unlike her offers a handshake and more conversation. "Yes, and you're Ray? Nice to meet you, again, I guess".

Ray smiles, "are you two ready?". Peter gulps and nods, "Yup, and you? Didn't you already graduate? How's your summer looking?", he asks, trying to start a conversation between them. Ray chuckles. "Yeah, graduated Tuesday. So I'm staying for the internship before heading off to Boston University". Abe comes in before Peter can continue, "So, where are you guys working?".

"My offer said I'd be working in the programming labs", Ned answers first, his excitement getting ahead of everyone. "Biochemistry division", Ray adds. "Biochemistry and Management", MJ. "Robotics" Peter finishes the 4. "That's cool", Abe reacts, "I'm in the physics department".

They all nod, Ray posing the next question. "Hey, so when do we start?". Good timing. 'Right Now", A young looking guy comes in, a handful of lanyards and a stark-pad in hand. "My name's Barry Allen, and I'm here to welcome you into Stark Industries", He waves, smiling at the group of 5.

Everyone waves back, Barry lifting up the knot of lanyards. "These are your S.I. IDs. They give you access to the building and keep security off your backs. Don't lose them, our head of security won't be happy if you do". He hands out all their cards, face and name to all, coloured Blue, Green, Red and Gold for the Programming, Biochemistry, Physics and Robotics divisions respectively. "Come on, let's get you through FRIDAY's Scanners".

Ned jumps through first. "Edward 'Ned' Leeds. Level Gamma 5, GreenBean exception", FRIDAY's voice rings in response to Ned's badge scan. "What are the levels?", Abe asks, his curiosity matching the group's, Ray being a step ahead: "And what's the exception?".

Barry smiles, expecting the question like with every Tour. "Every badge at Stark Industries has an assigned level and class, they dictate what areas you have access to and are defined by your position". All 5 high schoolers nod their heads, looking over their badges for any markings. "There's 10 levels. Level 1 is for reception workers, and museum and tower tours. Level 2 is for the Press", Barry points over at a couple of reporters waking out of the tower. "They have extra access to select conference rooms.

Levels 3 and 4 are for junior and senior interns, and level 5 and 6 are for junior and senior employees like myself-" He lifts up his badge- "It's a Gamma 6 badge, we usually take care of the tours until we get promoted to Beta 6".

"So what do the greek denominations mean?", MJ queries, not missing a beat. Barry smiles, "I was just getting to that. These classes; Gamma, Beta and Alpha are based on seniority. A Gamma 6 is a newly promoted senior employee, often lasting about a year. A Beta 6 is your average senior employee, and an Alpha 6 are for expert senior employees that can be promoted to team and department heads", he clarifies, MJ nodding in accord.

"Speaking of, they get level 7 badges. Level 8 is all for government agents, like SHIELD". Peter shivers subtly at the mention, not fond of them whatsoever. "Level Gamma 9 is for Avenger's friends and family, Beta 9 is for unofficial Avengers, and Alpha 9 is for official Avengers.