"What does S.H.I.E.L.D. stand for, Agent Rook?" Agent Hill asked as I sat across the table from her in her office back at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s headquarters. I was wearing an all in one, navy, zip up suit with the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo on each shoulder and Agent Hill wore the same.

"Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division." I recited.

"And what does that mean to you?" she asked.

"It means we protect people from dangers they aren't prepared to hear." I said. " For example…" I said and pulled out the small velvet bag. "…something turns up, like this Chitauri neural link…" I continued and slid the bag across the table to her. "…we get to it before someone bad does."

"Any idea who Aloufe was planning to sell it to?" she asked, standing up and walking over to another agent, who held open a case and she put the hardware inside.

"No." I replied. "The black market can be anyone and everyone. But I'm surprised Vanchat could even get his hands on it. What changed?"

"Everything's changing." She replied. "A little while ago, most people went to bed thinking that the craziest thing in the world was a billionaire in a flying metal suit. The aliens invaded New York and were beaten back by, amoung others, a giant green monster, a costumed hero from the '40s and a God."

"I don't think Thor's technically a God." I said.

"Well, you haven't been near his arms." She replied.

"I'll add it to the bucket list." I noted, which earned a smile from Hill.

"The Battle Of New Work was the end of the world." She continued. "This…now…is the new world. People are different. They have access to tech, to formulas, secrets they're not ready for. Just ask Agent Coulson." She finished.

"I'm clearance Level Six." I said. "I know that…Agent Coulson was killed in action before the Battle Of New York." I continued. It had been a big shock to the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. when the news of Agent Coulson's death had emerged. I had honestly been a little disappointed, that I wouldn't able to get revenge for what he'd done to my family. "I got the full report." I finished.

"Welcome to Level Seven." I heard someone say and I stood up in surprise as Agent Coulson walked out from a corner in the room. I'd never seen him before but now, standing before me, he was definitely the man from Bahrain. I didn't have to worry about being recognised because I looked a lot different now than I did back then and only people who knew me well would be able to recognise me, which conveniently was only Grant Ward and John Garrett. "Sorry, that corner was really dark and I couldn't help myself." He said and I managed a small, surprised smile.

"Director Fury faked your death – to motivate the Avengers." I guessed.

"Well, the death of a common ally is a particularly effective team builder." Hill replied.

"Do they know? The Avengers – that Fury played them?" I asked.

"They're not Level Seven." Hill answered and handed me a Level Seven badge.

"I got out of the I.C.U. Fury stuck me in a grass shack in Tahiti. Rough gig. Mai Tais, Travis McGee novels, and a physical therapist." Coulson said.

"But something put you back in the game." I said.

"Superheroes." He replied. "I've put together a mobile command unit, which analyses potential alien threats. I'd like you to be a part of it."

"Why do you need me?" I asked.

"Agent Hill did a very detailed assessment of your last three missions." Coulson said, opening a folder. "Combat – top grades. Espionage – she gave you the highest marks since Romanoff. People skills – impeccable. And you're our best strategist." He continued. "This unit has already been running for a couple of months, but the threats we're facing are growing larger everyday and we need your skills."

"Who do you have already?" I asked.

"Agent Ward, whom I believe you already know. Agents Fitz and Simmons, a biochemist and an engineer. Agent May, whose reputation I'm sure proceeds her and a former member of the Rising Tide." He answered. I kept my face expressionless but I would have been lying if the mention of Agent May hadn't ruffled a few of my feathers.

"The Rising Tide?" I asked. "That hack group?"

"Skye was a member, but she wants to become an agent…That and she's trying to find out the truth about her missing parents." He replied.

"Interesting." I nodded. "What's the mission at present?"

"We're chasing down a Clairvoyant, who seems to know a lot about S.H.I.E.L.D. and our movements. At the moment, we've got a lead on one Ian Quinn." He said and I nodded, recognising the name. He was a scientist, an industrialist, and the owner of Quinn Worldwide. "He's been involved in something called the Deathlok program, through Cybertek industries." He said and then projected an image of an African American man onto the screen on the wall. "This is Mike Peterson, a powered individual who was recently killed in action by this woman, Raina." He continued and projected an image of a young woman with tightly curled black hair and wearing a flower dress. "…but you already know this as you were the one who brought her in." he said and I nodded, recalling one of my previous missions, however I hadn't known that she was connected to this. "She's been involved with the Deathlok program and the Clairvoyant, as a valuable asset." He finished.

"The Clairvoyant has been guiding the making of super soldiers." Hill continued. "We think we know how to find Ian Quinn. Skye tracked down an invoice from one of his shell companies. He made a large purchase recently, designed and built by Cybertek. The purchased item will be transported by train to a secure location. We need a way of intercepting the package, without them knowing we're there." She finished and I nodded.

"So. You in?" Coulson asked.

"Yes, sir." I replied.

"Excellent." He replied. "There'll be a Quinjet leaving in an hour from hanger ten. Gather what you need and I'll meet you there." He finished and I nodded.