Disclaimer: I don't own PJO or Agents of SHIELD
AN: Sorry for the long update but here it is. I have made a few changes about what stories I will be writing. Captain America The Winter Soldier that I was going to write is now going to be incorperated into this story. Also Cater and Saddie Kane will be appearing in the next few chapters. The will later appear in Avengers Doomsday.
All the changes are posted on my profile. Again sorry for the wait I hope to get a chapter up for Thor The Dark World later this month but we will see how things go. Now you guys have waited long enough here is the next chapter.
Chapter 6: Enter The Mandarin
Location: The Bus
Time: 0200
Subject: Carl Lucas
Status: Member of the Welcoming Committee
"Hello America. Ready for a lesson?"
"I know those of you who are away right now are wondering why I am on all the channels. Those who are not awake right now will no doubt be hearing about this tomorrow. But don't bother changing channels, I am on them all.
"Now as I said I am her to teach you all a lesson. A little over an hours ago Fort Huachuca in Arizona was attacked. Eight men, women, and children were killed as they slept in their barracks. Sound familiar? It should.
"Recall December 25, 1776. General George Washington led his men across the Delaware. He attack a town of unprepared men. Just as I have done.
"You may ask, 'What is the lesson?' The answer is simple, always be prepared. Nothing can keep you safe or predict when I will strike next. Enjoy your holidays Mr. President, and await your next lesson from The Mandarin."
The message cut off and the late night television resumed. Nobody said a word. They were all in shock. Then Coulson spoke up. "Ward get on the phone with the Triskelion and see if you can confirm any of this." Coulson turned to Skye, "I need your answer now."
Skye looked at him before saying, "How about a trial."
"That's not how this works. You sign up now or you don't. You decide." Carl watched as Skye seemed to think for a minute. "Now Skye!" Coulson ordered.
"Alright fine. What do you need me to do?"
"First things first. Track down that signal. Lucas once Ward is off the phone you will begin your training. Fitzsimmons get Skye here computer. Skye use every resource you can find and try to track down were that signal came from. You and I will talk more later. May get us in the air and on our way to Fort Huachuca. I want a firsthand look at what ever happened there. Get going.
Soon Ward returned from contacting the Triskelion and he and Lucas began their training.
Location: The Bus
Time: 0230
Subject: Agent Phil Coulson
Status: Leader of the Welcoming Committee
Target: The Mandarin
"Director Fury," Coulson Greeted.
"Would I be right in assuming that you are calling about this 'Mandarin' Agent Coulson?" Fury asked.
"Only partially correct I am afraid," Coulson replied. "Lucas had joined the team and Ward has agreed to be his S.O. I have also picked up someone that, I believe, will be extremely useful." Coulson then began to explain about Skye and his intent for her in the team.
"So you want be to greenlight a new agent that is a Rising Tide operative?"
"I don't think anyone from the Rising Tide can be considered an operative. But essentially yes. She doesn't need to be an agent however, a consultant would be all that is necessary. Though there is always the possibility of her becoming a SHIELD agent later down the line."
"And who would be her S.O. should that day arrive?"
"Agent May reluctantly expressed willingness to be her S.O. However I feel that she and Skye would be a poor match. Because of that I will be her S.O."
"Are you sure this is what you want to do Agent Coulson?"
"Yes sir."
"Very well but one mistake and you put the collar on. Two and she goes to the Fridge."
"Understood sir. Now back to the Mandarin."
"I have already had all the information we have gathered on him so far sent over. I will also have an appointment set up for you to meet with the locals in Arizona. Now I suggest you and you team get some rest. You've had a long day."
Coulson nodded and went to tell the team what their mission was.
Location: Residence of the Vice President of the United States
Time: 0235
Subject: Aldrich Killian (AKA The Mandarin)
Status: AIM CEO
Target: Vice President of the United States
"Have you given any thought to the proposition I made to you, sir?" Killian asked.
"I have," said the Vice President. "But I must admit I am rather leery of accepting this. How do I know this serum of yours will actually work?"
"I have used it myself," Killian admitted. He knew how delicately he had to handle the situation. "I am assure you that Extremis will give your daughter another leg and so safely. Don't you want to see your daughter walk?"
The Vice President looked uncomfortable. Of course he wanted his daughter to walk. After a long time he finally said the words Killian had been nursing him toward, "Alright, I'll do it."
"Excellent. Once everything is has been taken care of I will see to it that your daughter is up and walking around."
Location: The Bus
Time: 0800
Subject: Skye
Status: SHIELD Consultant/Member of the Rising Tide
Target: The Mandarin
Two weeks since the broadcast and still they hadn't found anything. All they knew was that the Mandarin had attacked a second time, publicly at least, and that the signal had been sent using the National Emergency Broadcast System. Whoever was pulling the strings here was a ghost. Skye had very little time to spare for searching for her parents. And most of the free time she did have was spent playing with Lucas's daughter.
Now days she spent her time looking for any information on the Mandarin she could find. She didn't find much besides the usual news feed, which was aggravating. The only thing outside of what the public knew were rumors of a Middle Eastern warlord. When she wasn't looking for information about the Mandarin, playing with Danielle, or sleeping, she was doing Coulson's training. It wasn't just breaking codes he kept coming up with either, there was a physical work out as well. Bottom line was that every night she went to bed exhausted and woke up sore.
While Skye had been digging through the internet Carle was busy undergoing tests to find out just how far his powers went. When Simmons didn't have him strapped into some machine running tests on him Ward was working on his combat training. Needless to say Skye hadn't talked to Carl much since they had been taken by SHIELD.
Today however she was in the Bus's briefing room where Coulson had summoned them all for a meeting. The only two people not present were Coulson and May. But that didn't last very last very long as they too joined the rest of the team.
"I was just on the line with Director Fury and as of right now we are to cease our investigation into the Mandarin," Coulson began.
"What?" Skye asked. She couldn't believe SHIELD was just giving up.
"The case has been passed along to another team. We are to resume our investigation on the source of Mr. Lucas's powers." Skye still felt cheated.
"Fitzsimmons what have the test on his blood shown?' Coulson asked.
"The cerium in his blood is stabilizing. However we will need to continue the injection for the next few weeks just to be certain," Simmons said.
Coulson nodded, "Skye I have some codes for you to take a look at. Before you do that though I want you to take a look at the bank records for HAMMER Industries and see if the is anything suspicious. I want to know where they're getting this cerium."
"Yes, sir," Skye replied slightly coldly. She hated that she was being forced into this and everyone there knew it.
"Good," Coulson said, "Ward continue with Mr. Lucas's training. Fitzsimmons keep working on an antidote, I want to have one ready in case we encounter someone like Mr. Lucas and they aren't so willing to cooperate. May make the course changes we talked about earlier."
Two days later
Skye finally found the information on HAMMER they had been looking for. The money trail lead back to the government's current largest military contractor, AIM. When she dug a little deeper she found something that terrified her. It was a supper soldier program. But this program wasn't the same as the programs that produced Captain America or Carl's powers. It was like it was a variation of what had been used on Carl. Then she found to worst information yet.
When she saw the files she just stared at them uncomprehendingly. When she realized what she was looking at she jumped up and went running though the bus to find Coulson. She finally found him with everyone else in the lounge.
"Sir, I found something. And you really need to see this now," Skye said.
Just as Coulson stood to lead everyone to the Briefing Room the TV flashed and The Mandarin appeared once more. It was his second appearance that week. The first time he had attacked a Chinese theater.
"Well America, happy holidays," The Mandarin said in false cheer, "I have some good news. President Elis this holiday season your education will be completed. Today will be the first of three lesson. Let's begin lesson number one. Heroes, There is no such thing." The screen changed to show Stark's house in Malibu.
Doors on some of the surrounding news helicopters folded out and the assault began. The members of the Welcoming Committee watched in shock as the Stark mansion was destroyed. The saw Pepper Potts exit the building in a new Iron Man suit while carrying another women. The suit had then split into several pieces and flown back into the structure. Two of the helicopters went down shortly after that but even after the majority of the mansion had fallen into the sea and the assault had stopped Iron Man still didn't emerge from the house.
The regular programing then resumed. They sat in stunned silence for a long time before Coulson spoke. "May get us to Malibu. Skye whatever you were going to say can wait."
"It has to do with the Mandarin," She blurted.
Coulson froze. "What?"
"Basically the government's weapons contractor, AIM, is behind the Mandarin. When I was looking into HAMMER if found a series of purchases they made from AIM. The items were listed as Extremis. When I looked into AIM's database I found out that Extremis is similar to the super soldier cerium used on Carl.
"I was curious so I dug a little more and found that these bombings the Mandarin is taking credit for are actually people that have exploded like Carl was about to. AIM is manipulating the Mandarin."
"But why?" Coulson asked.
"I might have something to do with where AIM gets most of their money. They are privately funded but the main donor is Ezekiel Stane, son of Obadiah Stane. He might want revenge for his father's death."
Just then May came back into the room and said, "Sir, Director Fury is on the line. He says it is urgent."
Location: The Bus
Time: 1545
Subject: Agent Phil Coulson
Status: Leader of the Welcoming Committee
Target: The Mandarin
"Director," Coulson said into the phone in his office.
"I assume you saw the most recent attack by the Mandarin," Director Fury said.
"Yes sir," Coulson replied, "in fact I was just on my way to Malibu when you called. And Skye has found information on Mr. Lucas's powers that links HAMMER Industries to the Mandarin." Coulson then began to explain what Skye had found in her search.
"I see. Well that certainly is interesting. But as of right now you are to stand down."
"Sir?" Coulson said in disbelief.
"Stand down. We have satellite footage that shows Stark escaping the rubble and heading toward Tennessee. Right now I want to see what he does. You team needs to be ready to mobilize just in case but Tony Stark isn't going to take this lying down. As for Ezekiel Stane we will keep an eye on him for now. If he leaves his little island and goes where SHIELD can get to him we will bring him in other that that there isn't much we can do."
"Is there any place you want us to set down then?"
"No place in particular," Fury was silent for a minute then continued. "You remember that place I took during the training?"
"You mean when you dumped me out of a plane, at thirty thousand feet, over a lake, without a parachute, and then left me there for three months?"
"That's the one."
"Yes, I remember, vividly," Coulson replied. "What about it?"
Fury almost smiled, "Oh nothing just reminiscing."
"You've never been sentimental why start now."
"Perhaps I am changing in my old age," Fury replied.
"Unlikely," Coulson said.
Fury chuckled, "I enjoy our talks Coulson. Have a nice evening."
Coulson sighed and when to talk to his team.
Location: The Bus
Time: 1600
Subject: Carl Lucas
Status: Member of the Welcoming Committee
Target: None
"I told Director Fury what you found and, well he wasn't too happy about that. However he has ordered us to stand down. And before you start shout," Coulson said over the a few members of the team, "let me explain why. First of the satellite feeds show Stark escaping in one of his Iron Man suits. Also Ezekiel Stane lives in Malta, which is out of SHIELDS jurisdiction so all we can do about him right now is wait for him to come ashore somewhere we can get to him. For now Fury wants all units involved in the search for the Mandarin to stand down. He figures Stark won't take this lying down and will take care of the Mandarin himself."
"So what we just sit and do nothing until Stark either succeeds or fails to take down the Mandarin?" Ward asked. Carl wasn't sure what to think about Ward. From what he could tell he was cold, calculating, and distant. The only person on the plane who seemed worse than his was Agent May, and he wasn't sure if he could even remember hearing her speak.
Ward also seemed to get irritated when Carl asked for a day off to spend with his daughter. Skye was acting strange as well. Like she was trying to act like she trusted them. Everyone knew she didn't and the constant reassignments were bothering her.
"Yes, Fury wants to see how things play out," Coulson replied, "However we won't exactly be doing nothing. Continue training. There will no doubt come a time when we are going to need all the training we can get. And we need to be ready when that day comes."
"Skye, I want you to keep a close eye on HAMMER. Let me know if they purchase anything more form AIM. And keep an eye on Stane too. I think you were onto something when you said he is out for revenge."
That seemed to appease Skye some and she nodded and left.
"Oh and Ward, Let Mr. Lucas spend more time with his daughter. He doesn't need to be in physical training twenty-four hours a day," Coulson said. Ward scowled and left the room.
"Thank you sir," Carl said.
"Don't worry about it," Coulson said nonchalantly. "Besides Ward needs to loosen up a little."
"Yeah what's his deal anyway?"
"He's just not used to being part of a team."
Location: The Bus
Time: 1600
Subject: Carl Lucas
Status: Member of the Welcoming Committee
Target: None
Fury's gamble on Stark turned out to have paid off, maybe even better than intended. Stark hadn't just taken down the Mandarin but AIM as well. Then to everyone's surprise he destroyed all of the Iron Man suits and retired. That had caught Fury off guard. What Stark was going to do now was unclear but with Iron Man gone the world was left in shock. Now Coulson was getting a new set of orders for his team.
"Commander Pierce is beginning to take an interest in the HAMMER case," Director Fury was saying.
"You say that like it's a bad thing. The more interested he is in the case the more resources that are devoted toward the case and the quick we can catch Stane," Coulson replied.
"I suppose, its just a feeling I've been having lately. You know as well as any how difficultly I trust. I can count on one hand how many people I trust."
"You know my team and I are at your disposal whenever you need us. I am willing to vouch for anyone on this plane."
"Including Skye?"
"Yes," Coulson said calmly.
Fury sighed. "Yes well we'll see how things play out I suppose. Right now I want you and your team in Brooklyn. We have reports of an 084."
"Is it confirmed?"
"Yes. We have a team securing the area now," Fury said.
"I'll get the team ready."
Fifteen minutes later and they were all gathered in the briefing room. May had already gotten the plane into the air and they were on their way to Brooklyn. "Okay," Carl asked, "what is so special about Brooklyn."
"Well, not much for us. Our reason for going there however is interesting. We have been asked to look into an 084," Coulson replied.
"Wait are you serious?" Simmons asked excitedly.
"Very," Coulson replied."
"Sir, I'm not sure going on a mission like this with so many inexperienced people is wise," Ward interrupted.
"Maybe so but that doesn't mean we aren't going to do it. Like Stark says, 'Sometimes you have to run before you can walk.' Besides this is a direct order from Director Fury." Coulson rebuffed.
"Feels like a test to me," Carl said. Everyone turned to look at him. "Well think about it. We are a newly formed team. From what I have heard about this Fury guy, he is paranoid. Maybe he just wants an idea of what we can do and how well we can work together."
"At least someone is thinking," May said quietly.
Coulson gave May a look and continued. "You're exactly right this is a test. Fury is throwing us into all kinds of situation to see how we handle them. He did the same thing with me during my training. And he did the same thing with all of SHIELD's best team. Romanoff and Barton were running around the world for two years before he gave them a rest."
"Okay but we aren't Avengers," Fitz said.
"Hang a second what exactly is an 084?" Carl asked.
"Yeah I was going to ask that too," Skye said.
"An 084 is an object of unknown origin, power, and sometimes allegiance. Basically when SHIELD call something an 084 it means we don't know what it means," Coulson replied.
"Yeah and we don't find very many of them. Most SHIELD agents never even get to hear about them," Fitz added.
"Okay, so when was the last time one popped up?" Skye asked.
"There were two fairly recently. Both were extremely powerful and dangerous. I was there when SHIELD found out about them. They showed up about six months before the battle in New York. One was the person who caused all the storms and earthquakes in Greece," Coulson said.
"Percy?" Skye whispered.
Coulson nodded, "The other turned out to be pretty cool."
"What was it?" Carl asked.
"Thor's Hammer."