SHIELD Animal Spirits c3
Slowly his team was becoming a functional team they had been working together for a year and Skye was no longer a consultant but an agent, but he was still feeling bad about Natasha and Clint. He kept tabs on them as they worked with SHIELD and the Avengers he was mad at Nick for ordering him not to tell them, he felt it was necessary for them to know this is one thing he was disagreeing with Nick on. He walked into the cockpit to talk with Mel, when he entered she remained silent.
"I don't know what to do about Nick, I know he gave me orders about not telling them, but I think that these last couple of cases have been similar to what we did all those years ago. I think we need to call them…I miss them." Coulson stated looking at May who had kept her gaze on the horizon. "They have been working well as a team, they saved those English triplets from that group…And stopped a war in Berlin… the team is well synced them finding out won't affect their relationship…we need Clint and Tasha… I have made my mind up, I will call them. Yes, you're right you better call them. Thanks Mel." Coulson said leaving the cockpit before May could respond.
"Hey AC the computer is flashing with a mission but apparently I don't have clearance." Skye stated and he could see her frustration at it, he smiled, over the year Skye had proven herself in more ways than one. May was training her and she has come a long way from the girl he picked up from the van. Even with the last two missions that were rather complicated she still held onto that spark he saw in her eyes the first time he saw her.
"Right I will be right there." He said she nodded then continued on to the kitchen as he went to his office. He had to re-read his briefing three times before sighing, looking over his computer he tried calling Maria.
"Coulson?" Maria asked coming onto the view of his screen she looked up from her desk, which was covered in paperwork which wasn't surprising.
"Hey, I just got a new assignment."
"Ok? Is something wrong with it?"
"No…not really, I just wanted your account."
"On?" she asked looking up from her paperwork giving him her attention.
"Do you remember Paris?"
"What about it?"
"You are the only one that has managed to stand against her."
"You think you will find her on your mission?"
"It has all the similarities with the others."
"Well you know how I managed it."
"I know, any chance you can meet us."
"I have three missions running, I can't leave."
"I know, what are the orders on her?"
"We want her alive, so far she has been no threat to us but we have no idea who she works for or anything on her."
"I know, I will let you get back to work."
"Oh Coulson."
"Yes?"
"Be careful." Hill stated looking at her old mentor before he disconnected the call. Phil sighed again before moving away from his desk and calling everyone to the briefing room. He entered the room to find Skye already there she looked up from her laptop as he entered and gave him a smile. Fitz- Simmons and Trip arrived at the same time, May was stuck on stick so he would brief her afterwards.
"We have a new mission." He stated and the look Skye gave him had him pausing. "We will be heading to Seattle to investigate the possible location of artefact 365…" he informed them, "The people who have it are well armed and not likely to hand it over if we ask. So we will be going there undercover. May and I will be going in the front door as potential buyers, Trip you will be there as security. Fitz and Simmons will be running back end from the van, with Skye." Coulson stated he saw that Skye didn't seem too happy with her part but she didn't protest.
"Do we have any idea what this artefact 365 looks like?" she asked
"We have three photo's each one depicting something different." Coulson showed them three pictures one was a box the 2nd was a vase and the 3rd was a painting.
"Which one is it?" Trip asked
"We don't know."
"Then how?"
"We will know when we see it. We will be landing there in 12 hours so get your rest, we will be hitting the ground running." He stated and watched as the other left he was surprised that Skye stayed back.
"What aren't you telling us?" Skye asked so he sighed before sealing the room.
"What I am telling you, technically you don't have the clearance but I want you on this…" he stated to which she nodded leaning against the holo table giving him her undivided attention. So he informed her all about the mysterious thief that has managed to evade them for nearly eight years. When he was finished Skye agreed she will look into it, so he left her in the command centre and headed up to the cockpit to talk with May.
Coulson looked around the art gallery, May was on his right as they moved from one piece of art to the next. They had passed Trip who was standing at the door on guard duty, May remained silent as they walked the room he did all the talking. May being the ever vigilant partner noticed the extra security and how they kept sending them glances, so was ready when they attacked. Trip also seemed to have been blown as they tried killing him. He managed to get to Coulson and May handing May a weapon to which she passed to Coulson. Who looked at her expectantly, she shrugged at him.
"If I need a weapon I'll take one." She stated before dashing out from their cover and returning with a gun.
"This whole thing was a set up."
"They knew who we were." Trip stated as he fired off a shot.
"What do you mean?"
"One of the guys called me Antoine before attacking me."
"Your cover was blown?" Phil asked as he winced as a bullet struck the other side of where he was hiding.
"Yes and they are jamming our signals we can't warn the others."
"Oh no Skye and Fitz-Simmons. May." Coulson looked at May who gave him a nod before going out once again disappearing.
"Where is she going?" Trip asked
"To help the others, if we were blown…"
"What about us?"
"We need to get the artefact."
"Is it even here?" he asked thinking if this was a set up from the beginning.
"Yes, May and I saw it. It's over on the other side."
"Of the guys with guns?"
"Yeah, they seem to be blocking the way."
"Alright you cover me I will go and get it." Trip stated as he got himself ready to move.
"Trip?"
"Yeah?"
"It's gone quiet."
"I know." Trip moved out only to stop.
"Coulson you may want to see this." Trip stated and Coulson stood up looking around the room to see several guys knocked out cold. Trip had his weapon moving constantly as he checked the perimeter. Did May do this?" Trip asked
"No, someone else…she is here."
"We need to go."
"What about the artefact?"
"It's gone. She took it…if we hurry we can catch her." He said leading out Trip who was confused but wasn't questioning him. Outside they had passed several unconscious people, looking around to find the area deserted.
"Where did everyone go?" Trip asked but Coulson moved over to May who was standing with Skye, Fitz and Simmons both scientists looked shaken but not hurt.
"You guys okay?" he asked to which they nodded so he turned to May, "You got to them," but she was looking grim she gave him a shake of her head. So he turned back to his scientists. "What happened?" he asked so Simmons began telling him her recount.
"We lost signal with you so Skye did her thing, when she found they were coming right at us so she got us out of the van and not too late seeming it exploded not soon after then the shooting started Skye was shooting back but it wasn't looking good sir. Six men were coming at us constantly firing and then just like that they stopped…sir there was a giant wolf disappearing around that corner and they were all unconscious."
"She saved us." Skye stated looking at Coulson, May gave him a pointed look while the others seemed confused.
"Why haven't the police arrived?" Trip asked
"What?"
"There was an explosion, and gun fire but no police are here. Our coms still aren't working." Trip stated looking around.
"We need to get out of here." Coulson stated but he already felt like he was too late as May made her way over to a car someone pushed her out of the way as bullets ripped into the car.