Fitz nodded slowly. "Alright. I'll revise it. Anything else?"
"Yes." James glanced briefly toward Skye. "Her apology doesn't erase anything. But it does show her willingness to reconnect. I'm not asking you to trust her. Keep an eye on her and just don't let it interfere with your work."
Fitz and Simmons exchanged a look, then nodded. Both returned to their stations, heads down—busy again, hiding their heads like ostriches.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He hadn't received any missions in the past two weeks. Aside from his own training, James had been busy training three rookies. Skye had become much more proactive—keeping up with her physical conditioning and improving in her firearms practice. James estimated that in another month, she could be handed over to Melinda for combat training. At that point, she'd be able to follow everything Melinda teaches her..
"James, we've got a mission!" Phil Coulson suddenly intruded on their training.
Another assignment. James was already used to it.
For a special agent team, missions like these weren't difficult for him—especially when combat was involved. Some tasks were more troublesome, like luring out the man known as the Clairvoyant. Even though James knew who he was, acting recklessly wasn't an option.
"What's the mission?" Everyone gathered in the second-floor conference room.
"We're extracting one of our intelligence assets," Coulson explained. "We'll need to go deep behind enemy lines and bring both the intel and the operative out safely."
"A very cold place," James said, scanning the briefing. "Simple enough. We can fight our way in."
"Not yet," Coulson replied. "I'll need to get myself captured first and make contact with the asset. Only then can you and Melinda come and break us out."
"Why all the trouble?" James asked, frowning.
"You haven't done deep-cover work," Coulson said calmly. "The lurking work doesn't suit you. Sleeper assets are cautious. Someone has to make first contact. Otherwise, we won't even get close."
"Understood." James nodded.
The plane lifted off once more. This time the flight was long, and everyone settled in to prepare.
Skye, with nothing to do, came over and sat beside James. "Is this mission dangerous?"
James glanced at her. "Everything's dangerous. That's what agents deal with. But as long as I'm here, you don't need to worry."
"Is that because you're one of the Avengers?" Skye asked, curious. She had just ended one relationship and had no intention of starting another. Still, she'd always been curious about James—just never this openly.
"No," James replied. "The Avengers exist to handle things no one else can—alien invasions, global-scale threats and the like. They don't interfere in Earth's internal affairs. Right now, I'm acting as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent."
"What's the difference? The Avengers don't belong to S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"Of course not. Tony Stark and I are consultants—technically. The Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. are in cooperation, nothing more. Captain America works for S.H.I.E.L.D. now, but even then, our roles are different. He handles the STRIKE Team operations. I'm part of the emergency response team."
"That sounds complicated," Skye said. "Your computer skills are amazing. Can you help me look up my records in S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
James turned to her. She was looking at him expectantly. He shook his head.
"That's something Phil has to handle. I can't help you with that. Internal S.H.I.E.L.D. systems are unstable right now. Acting rashly could have serious consequences."
"Internal problems?" Skye frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You're not an agent yet," James said evenly. "I can't explain it. Phil promised you answers, and he'll give it to you—just be patient, it's not the right time. If there's no record of you, then there's a reason. No one erases a life's trail without cause. That means you're special."
He paused, then added, "How special though… that still needs to be seen."
It was a lie—but one meant to calm her down.
The operation itself was straightforward. Coulson entered the enemy base alone and was captured, making contact with the intelligence asset. James and Melinda followed immediately and fought their way in. Within thirty minutes, they were airborne again, heading straight for Washington headquarters.
To Skye, the mission felt almost too easy. She didn't realize that its simplicity was guaranteed by overwhelming strength.
It had been a while since James had been at headquarters. He wanted to call Maria Hill, but with Skye nearby—and Phil's odd glance—he abandoned the idea and acted as if nothing was amiss.
"So—this is S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters." Skye said, awed. "It's huge."
She hadn't seen the underground facilities yet—where three massive Helicarriers were under construction. James wanted to see them too, but the timing wasn't right.
At reception, James received his identification badge and clipped it on. But Skye didn't receive any.
"Shouldn't I get one too?" she asked.
"You're still far from being a legitimate agent," Coulson replied as they walked. "The metal ring on your hand is your identification."
Skye's status at HQ was awkward. She was someone to be watched.
James smiled faintly.
"But this is HQ," Skye insisted. "If I can use a computer, I could find information about my parents, right? They'd store it here."
James frowned. He'd already explained this. Why was she still so anxious?
"Skye, didn't I tell you?" he said firmly. "Do you think S.H.I.E.L.D. is that easy to hack? You'd need to break through clearance layer by layer, starting from level one. Do you think you can do that here?"
"But it's such a good opportunity—"
"You don't have that opportunity" James cut in. "If you try, we won't be able to protect you. You'll be detained immediately. This is headquarters. There are nine or ten clearance levels. Phil is only level eight—he can't disobey orders. And the rest of us would be dragged down with you."
His words were harsh, but for her own good.
Skye's desire was selfish—and that was exactly why James pushed it back.
"I'm just… anxious," she said quietly.
"Anxiety isn't an excuse," James replied. "You've read the agent foundation materials. What did they say? S.H.I.E.L.D. is the largest intelligence organization in the world. We've handled extraterrestrial and anomalous threats for decades. Our technology isn't as simple as you think."
Skye closed her eyes and took a deep breath, forcing down the restlessness in her chest.
"I understand."
"Agent Sitwell."
The group entered the facility. Their destination was a command center—also known as the HUB. S.H.I.E.L.D. had many such rooms, and each one was overseen by a Level Eight agent.
Sitwell was still a Level Seven agent stationed at headquarters. He worked for Hydra, but Phil Coulson still greeted him warmly.
"Agent Coulson," Sitwell said with a smile. "Oh—and Agent James Gibson. It's been a while. How are things outside headquarters?"
"Not bad," Coulson replied pleasantly. "Not as comfortable as HQ, but very good."
"Agent Hand is waiting for you in the HUB. Please follow me."
Sitwell led the way, his bald head acting like a very reliable signpost.
As they approached the door, Sitwell added casually, "Only agents Level Seven and above may enter. James and Melinda can follow."
He went in first. Coulson followed.
Skye stepped forward out of habit, but James caught and stopped her.
"Level Seven and above," he said calmly. "Why are you following?"
He released her and continued inside with Melinda.
The door sealed behind them.
Skye stared after them, then turned to Fitz and Simmons. "What does he mean?"
Fitz nodded awkwardly. "Uh… it's pretty clear. You can't go in. " Simmons nods sympathetically. "Neither do we. But at least for us, the system just denies access."
Skye frowned. "And for me?"
Fitz hesitated. "For you it's… proactive."
Simmons nodded toward the floor. "See that square plate under the ID scanner? It's magnetized. It got a high-tensile alloy response."
Skye followed her gaze. Her eyes flicked down to her hand.
"…My ring," she said.
"Yes," Simmons confirmed. "If you cross that line, it will—"
Skye took one step forward.
Clang.
Her hand snapped sideways, the metal ring slamming against the plate and locking in place with a sharp click.
She froze in surprise.
"…Okay," she said calmly. "That's quick."
She pulled it once. It didn't budge.
Skye exhaled, accepting defeat with a small grimace. "I should've listened."
She looked up.
Fitz and Simmons were already halfway down the hall.
"Seriously?" She called after them.
Fitz didn't turn around. "We warned you!"
Left alone, Skye leaned back against the wall, arm awkwardly pinned, watching agents pass without a second glance.
Apparently, this wasn't a rare occurrence whenever there's a newbie or visitor.
She sighed.
James had warned her.
And annoyingly—he'd been right.
"Agent Hand."
The three followed Jasper Sitwell into the command center.
"Agent Coulson. Agent Gibson. Agent Melinda," a tall woman greeted, turning toward them.
Victoria Hand, a Level Eight Agent. Overseer of one of headquarters' command centers. Tall, athletically built, and long black hair with a red front streak, wearing a black-rimmed glasses.
After brief greetings, she continued, "The intelligence you recovered confirms that an independent organization operating in South Ossetia has developed a sonic oscillator. They intend to deploy it within twenty-four hours."
A partial image of the weapon appeared on the massive screen.
"We believe it can function at long range and neutralize all forms of attacks—fighter jets, missiles, even nuclear warheads."
"I need a two-person team to infiltrate the disputed territory, enter their base, and destroy the weapon within twenty-four hours. Your team is the best fit."
She looked to Coulson.
"No problem," Coulson said. "We can handle it."
"One of the two must be proficient with weapons and the other be able to destroy or dismantle the device on-site," Hand added.
Coulson's expression tightened.
James and Melinda could infiltrate easily—but if someone like Fitz went instead, that was a liability. He was a technician, not a combatant. Training only went so far.
As they left the command center, James whispered. "Why give us this mission—and knowing that Fitz is our only team Engineer? That's not subtle. We can't fight our way out with him."
"Are you suspecting something?" Coulson asked.
"I'm not sure," James replied. "Is a sonic weapon really that powerful? And how does a small organization get that level of tech?"
"You think it's a trap?"
"Maybe. Either way, I'll go alone. Fitz will stay. I'll retrieve the device and bring it back for him to study. I might even keep a few parts for myself."
Coulson stopped. "You can't use the armor. That would escalate things—and that's bad news for the Avengers."
James nodded. "Don't worry. Maybe someone wants me to use it. It doesn't matter though. I can still go in without my armor and come back without a scratch."
"That's dangerous," Coulson said. "Are you sure? I can send Melinda with you."
"No need. Going alone would be smoother." James paused. "After the mission, can we rest at headquarters?"
Coulson raised an eyebrow. "Going to see Hill? What if Skye finds out?"
"No, no," James said quickly. "I had a promise to take Skye to that dinner. We just don't have any decent restaurants where we're usually stationed."
The decision was made.
James would go alone. Headquarters would handle transport. He still needed to return to the plane to prepare his equipment.
Jasper Sitwell stood in Alexander Pierce's office.
"Mr. Secretary, this mission shouldn't be difficult for them—even without an extraction plan."
"I know," Pierce said calmly. "But James Gibson won't be using his armor. That makes it dangerous for him. Prepare the satellite. If he activates the armor at any point, I want it recorded."
"Yes, sir. Are you planning to make this public?"
Pierce smiled at the thought. "Nick Fury brought Captain America into S.H.I.E.L.D. Phil Coulson was placed outside and formed an independent unit. I don't know how much they know—but they're threats. We can't eliminate them directly. That would leave traces. Project Insight cannot fail."
"I understand."
Sitwell left.
Pierce stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out over the lake beyond the HQ. Beneath the massive steel gate below lay Hydra's future.
"Hail Hydra!"