"This is a secure line, how'd you get a hold of it?" Wayne's voice on the other end of the line was angry.
"It's not as secure as you think. I'm calling in a favor," Darkclaw's voice was as stoic and flat as ever. On the other end, there was silence for some time. Darkclaw might have assumed the connection was broken, but he knew Bruce Wayne, and knew it wasn't a problem with the line.
"What's going on?"
"I need a location on the Green Skull. I need to know where he's hiding."
"You'll never get through. We can barely get near the bunker."
"Just tell me where it is."
"You arrogant fool, you'll get yourself killed."
"Not like that's bothered you before."
"It's in Siberia. How do I send you the latitude and longitude?"
"This line will work, just send the computer code. My system is already plugged in. Don't try any funny stuff. My software makes your systems look like the doodling of a five year old kindergartner."
"Stand by," Wayne's voice was so cold; Darkclaw knew he got to him with that last comment. The two of them never got along. After a moment, the line started to crackle and screech with computer-speak. Darkclaw's systems roared to life with a slight hum of cooling fans. Immediately, a map of Siberia filled the screen, a coordinate crosshairs swooping over a single point.
"Coordinates received," Darkclaw stated.
"Count us even," Wayne's voice was steely.
"You won't be saying that if I get out of there alive."
"You have to make it in, first."
"Remind me to be sorry to disappoint later."
And with that, the connection broke. S.H.I.E.L.D. would soon be changing their security and encryption systems.
"So, how's it look?" Sparrow was waiting for him to be ready.
"Download this data into your PDA. Start up the copter; we're going to be drudging through closets for skeletons."
"On it," Sparrow was in motion before her mouth closed. She was gone before he could rush her.
He had a moment of reflection. He had just asked a seventeen year old girl to get ready to enter the most dangerous situation in her life. A blazing war zone was waiting for them where they were going. He had been in similar situations in his life, situations he'd never forget, no matter how hard he might try.
But he was responsible for someone else now.
By the time she came back to tell him the copter was ready, the doubt was behind him, and the two of them got into the vehicle, the ground soon crawling away beneath them. This was going to be a terribly long flight. He needed her, so that they could rest in cycles. And she was ready. She was trained by one of the best. She would be an invaluable asset.