"A shipment of Stark Industries weapons has disappeared on its way to the Maxwell Air Force Base. We have to go get them back," Barbara repeated, fastening her utility belt.
"So we've stopped at the Maxwell Air Force Base to backtrack," Ian remarked.
"It's a logical first step," Barbara commented.
Natasha entered the room. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," Barbara said, standing straight.
"Yeah," Ian nodded confidently.
Natasha turned. "Good."
~ Widow's Poison, Tarantula's Bite~
"Montgomery, Alabama," Barbara said needlessly, glancing around the Air Force Base.
Someone started towards them. "Hey,"
"Agent Romanoff, with SHIELD," Natasha said calmly, flipping out her badge.
He stopped. "Oh. Who are the others?"
"Junior SHIELD Agents," Natasha said firmly. "Mr.?"
"Captain, actually. Captain Dugan."
Natasha nodded. "Captain. We got a report that Stark's weapons never made it here."
"That's right. We got nothing." He shook his head. "There was nothing about it being lost, or anything. Just disappeared."
"Disappeared," Natasha echoed. "That's not natural at all." She glanced up. "I am going to need maps of the route."
"No planes went down over the flight path," Barbara mused out loud. "Right?"
"Right," the Captain admitted. "We don't know what happened to it."
Ian frowned. "Do you know how much fuel it had?"
"That's the thing. It never refueled. About a quarter into the journey, we lost it completely." He turned. "I'll get you that map."
"Thank you," Natasha said.
As he walked away, Natasha turned to Ian and Barbara. "Possibilities?"
"Could someone have landed the plane at a different destination?" Ian asked. "Maybe a private area?"
Barbara frowned. "One would think it'd still get out."
Natasha held her hand out. "No…maybe. He could be right. Planes simply don't disappear, you know. There has to be an explanation. Every idea could be helpful."
"How about a portal?" Barbara asked, not to be outdone. "Perhaps…..a portal opened and the plane disappeared through it?"
"That's kinda weird," Ian remarked.
"No weirder than your idea," Barbara snapped.
"Now stop it," Natasha commanded. "Listen to yourselves. You don't sound like Junior SHIELD Agents, or my pupils. You sound like squabbling children."
Barbara's eyes dropped. "I apologize. I shall make an effort to not do it again."
"Yeah, sorry Black Widow, Natasha, Miss Romanoff," Ian said, going through seemingly all of her names.
Natasha's mouth quirked as the Captain made his return.
"Here are your maps," he handed them to him. "And I hope we can help you find what you're looking for."
Natasha turned. "We'll be back tomorrow. Come on."
They turned and left, looking as much like SHIELD Agents as possible.