My grandfather used to tell me that the clouds we see in the sky were the underbellies of whales, that they only appeared to be fluffy wisps because they were so high up. But how were they whales? All the way up there? Don't they miss the ocean when they're up in the sky? I would frequently ask him such, but he would never answer me, only smile at me.
"Do you see ,my dear, the possibilities? Never not ask questions. Question everything you encounter in life. Even if you are not answered, the questions you create are proof of how you can stretch your mind."
That was all he would tell me. I often find myself thinking of his words. I often find myself thinking of him.
To my regret, however, I cannot grant him that. In my line of work it is beyond difficult to question anything, or even it is frowned upon to. Other agents seem content with this, liking it more to actually knowing the details. The phrase 'ignorance is bliss' comes to mind more than a few times a week here. But I just can't hold in the questions, which has gotten me into more troubled than I'd have liked.
"Agent Prayden"
My head jerked slightly at the unexpected voice through the earpiece I'd forgotten that I was wearing, I immediately recognised Agent Hills voice though it wasn't often that I, being a lowly level 2 shield agent, heard it.
"Ahem.. Yes Agent Hill?"
'Your attendance is required, meet me at the 3rd floor elevator now."
"Um right of course I'm on my way"
My hand quickly fell from my ear as I hurriedly rounded all of the necessary kit I could need.
Phone.
Tracking transmitter.
Car keys.
Handgun.
ID and bank card.
Handgun? Would I really need that? A million scenarios ran through my head at a time all playing out in so many ridiculous possibilities. But all still possibilities. Better take the gun incase.
Walking out of the office turned into a light jog down the corridor until I met the elevator, a small swarm of Agents piled in and out. Stairs it is. Luckily I was on the second floor.
Breathing a little faster I worked round the corner to the 3rd floor elevator and there was Hill, punctual as usual, standing with an incredibly tall man. I cleared my throat loudly as I neared them.
"Agent Hill"
Nodding in greeting, Hill gestured for both I and the tall stranger to follow into the elevator. We did.
"Uh hey any idea what this is about?" Hill was out of earshot as I whispered to the stranger.
When he looked at me his hard, rather focused, expression soften slightly at my confusion, 'the eyes of a soldier' I recognised instantly, in fact the everything of a soldier actually.
"I only know what I've been told."
"And that is?"
"To not ask questions."
Pfft well there goes that, suppressing a groan I gave a small nod at his answer-if you could even call it an answer- and steered my attention back to where we were headed.
Holy shit balls, this was the fithteenth floor! This was where all the big guns worked, when they weren't in the field. This was the floor where the level 7 and 8 Agents worked, level freaking 8.
Nick Fury also mainly worked on this level. Agent Hill. Nick Fury. Pretty much best buds, as far as bff's go at Shield. It clicked: we were going to see Fury.
Holy. Shit. Balls.