"The public has the right to know the truth."
That belief had always driven Skye — the hacker-turned-digital-freedom-fighter of Rising Tide.
And it was that same conviction that brought her here.
Texas. A hidden farm. Dozens dead. A supposed "monster" attack that the government was already trying to erase from the internet.
For Skye, that kind of cover-up wasn't a red flag — it was an invitation.
Before arriving at this farm, she'd interviewed a dozen supposed "eyewitnesses."
Each had a different story — twelve people, twelve monsters. Bigfoot, werewolves, reptilian men — all useless.
But when she discovered that this specific farm had been quietly quarantined by an unknown agency, she knew she was close.
Unfortunately, "close" also got her caught.
Now, sitting handcuffed and watching her captors work, Skye studied them with sharp eyes.
The older guy — clearly the leader — was poking through hay bales, scanning the scene like he was in an episode of CSI: S.H.I.E.L.D.
The other one, the superhero — "Flash," they called him — was doing the complete opposite.
Leaning against a beam, eating an orange.
Every few seconds, he glanced at his watch, sighing like a bored office worker counting down to 5 PM.
Seriously?
Skye tilted her head. Is this guy actually waiting to get off work?
He didn't even look at her. Not once. Not even a little curiosity.
She was used to people staring — especially when she was handcuffed — but this guy?
Nothing.
The only time he acknowledged her was when he'd casually offered her an orange slice earlier, like a lazy teacher bribing a kid to behave.
And somehow… that annoyed her even more.
"Coulson," Kai finally said, tossing away the orange peel, "it's time for me to clock out."
Skye blinked. He actually said that out loud.
"Wait a minute, Kai," Coulson called from the haystack. "Almost done. I found something!"
As Coulson climbed down, brushing hay from his coat, Skye couldn't help but smirk.
One guy obsessed with overtime. The other allergic to effort.
And these are the people protecting the planet?
No wonder the aliens keep coming back.
Coulson raised his gloved hand, holding a small transparent bag. Inside was a single hair.
"I found this using ultraviolet light," he said. "Matches the color and texture of the orc's fur from the footage. We'll have Simmons run a test back at the base."
Kai stretched his arms. "So I really have to go back before I eat, huh?"
Coulson grinned. "Relax. I already reserved a table at that barbecue place you like. My treat."
Kai chuckled. "You're too generous, Coulson."
"It's fine. I'll just write it off as a 'morale expense,'" Coulson replied with a wink before turning to Skye. "Ma'am, I'm afraid you'll have to come with us for questioning."
Skye raised her cuffed hands. "No problem. But maybe feed your prisoners next time, Agent?"
Back at the Temporary Base
Coulson drove while Kai sat silently, peeling yet another orange.
Skye watched from the back seat, amused and slightly fascinated.
"So… Agent Coulson," she said. "Are we going back to, like, Area 51 or something?"
Coulson smiled politely. "Nothing that exciting. Just a S.H.I.E.L.D. field base."
"Figures," Skye muttered.
When Coulson asked how she got there, she lied smoothly.
"Oh, I hitchhiked. Some guy dropped me off near the road."
Truth was, she'd come with another Rising Tide hacker — and if her partner realized she hadn't checked in soon, they'd probably start a full-scale data breach trying to "rescue" her.
She prayed that wouldn't happen.
Coulson didn't press further.
"We'll confirm your identity and then release you," he said. "It shouldn't take long."
Skye nodded but didn't respond.
Inside, her brain was already calculating exit strategies.
Interrogation Room
An hour later, Skye sat in a metal chair, hands still cuffed.
The room was cold, fluorescent, and sterile — typical S.H.I.E.L.D. décor.
Kai stood guard near the door, scrolling through his phone like this was the least interesting part of his day.
Skye sighed dramatically. "So… no dinner service here?"
Kai looked up lazily.
"I'm starving," she said, putting on her best pitiful face. "And if this investigation takes too long, it won't be safe for me to get back to my apartment."
Kai thought for a moment, then pulled out half an orange and handed it to her.
"Once we confirm your ID, you'll be free to go," he said. "We're having barbecue tonight, so the kitchen's closed. But I can get you a sandwich or burger if you want."
Skye took the orange, blinking. "You… just carry fruit around with you?"
Kai shrugged. "Vitamin C keeps me alive."
She hesitated, then took a bite. Immediately, her face scrunched up.
"So sour!" she exclaimed, glaring at him. "Do you like eating sour things?!"
Kai smirked. "That's how you know it's real."
Skye groaned, half-laughing, half-annoyed. "You're weird. You don't talk much, but you eat fruit like an old man. How old are you, anyway? You look younger than me."
Kai leaned against the wall. "Old enough to know not to answer questions from hackers pretending to be reporters."
Her eyes widened slightly. "So you did know?"
Kai grinned faintly. "You really think S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't check IP histories?"
Skye froze for half a second — then smiled. "Okay, fine. Maybe you're not as lazy as you look."
"Maybe."
The two stared at each other for a moment — one amused, the other unreadable.
Then Kai casually tossed her another slice of orange.
"Here. Finish that. It'll help with the sour taste of getting caught."