Only a Moment More
"I dunno, Turbo." Mack's voice was strained as he used all of his strength to tighten the coupling and pull the large zip tie taunt. "We've still got a leak. We're only gonna get one shot at this and even that's stretching it."
Fitz peered at the stream of fluid dripping along the light covering on the makeshift hose. "No room for testing. Either it works or…"
"Todos vamos juntos," Elena deadpanned with a quick look at Mack. He stood and brushed his hands on his jeans offering less than a weak frown.
Fitz still gazed at the leak. "I can't make it any tighter. One more pull and either the tie or the connection itself is gonna give." He shook his head in defeat.
The young scientist stood and drew a deep breath. He turned to the young woman behind him trying to ignore the unshed tears in her eyes. Moving closer, he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her to his side. "It's time to go, Jemma. I'm sorry." He whispered softly. "There's nothing more we can do."
Jemma shook her head and drew back a sob. "It's just…" She tried but stopped again giving Fitz a pleading look. "Couldn't we just…"
Fitz shook his head. "It's gone, Jemma. It's all gone." His voice matched her feeling.
Jemma drew a hand to her lips and finally allowed the sob to escape. They'd lost the people who meant so much to them, sacrificed them to save themselves. Her guilt threatened to swallow her grief. Fitz pulled her closer and kissed her temple, whispering again that they needed to leave. He gently drove her toward the plane's ramp.
Elena paused, staring at the half crumbled blast door that separated the hangar from what was left of the base. She peered into the darkness of the main hallway. Mack took a few steps before realizing she was not following.
"Yoyo?" He called to her.
She did not turn to acknowledge him. "Perhaps one last check," she looked over her shoulder at the man. "I could be there and back…"
Mack shook his head. "No, you heard what Fitz said. There's nothing left." The large man drew a breath as a tear rolled over his cheek. "There's no way back."
"It would not hurt to take one last look." Elena reasoned, looking back to the door. "They would do the same for us." She spoke quietly, closing her eyes as Mack's hand rested on her shoulder. She reached up and grasped his fingers. She nodded as they turned together and walked toward the ramp.
xx
"What did you do?!" Daisy demanded, trying to pull the helmet from her head. Somehow it was locked in place, her voice hollow and muffled within it. She tried to stand but the weight of the head piece and the wires connecting it to the power source prevent it. Prying the visor up was useless. It too locked in place the moment it fell. "What did you do?!" The girl screamed a second time.
Dr. Liu was moving from place to place around the room. She could hear him, despite the heavy helmet. The clicks and snaps told her he was still manipulating machinery. Daisy closed her eyes in the absolute black that encased her head and held her in place. Her parents had been vaporized and she wasn't quite sure what would be left of her if he succeeded with this part of his insane experiment. She jumped when she felt his hand on her own.
"Please remain calm. I assure you there is no danger to you. It will take a few moments for the program to recharge enough for a second ignition." He spoke calmly. There was neither anxiety nor malice in his tone.
"You just incinerated my parents, you bastard!" Daisy shrieked as she reached down and wrapped her fingers under the sides of her chair. She bounced it in tandem with her anger, rocking side to side as well.
The doctor laid his hands on her shoulders. "Please, calm yourself. Your anxiety can reduce the chance of success."
Daisy shook him off. "Yeah and end up like Beetlejuice! No way."
"I apologize." The doctor seemed to sigh. "You give me no choice."
The sharp jab in her thigh halted Daisy's response. The effect was immediate as her head swam and her grip released. "Bastard," she mumbled as what was this reality slipped away.
xx
Phil pulled Melinda aside, showing her the key Dr. Liu had placed in his hand. "I'm not sure but I don't think this is going to turn out well. He's given us an out. We'd be morons not to take it." He nodded toward Skye. Melinda agreed.
"Come on, bao bei," she spoke silently to the little girl. "You don't need to watch this." Melinda tugged Skye from the window where Daisy appeared to be arguing with her parents.
The child turned to her mother. "No, mommy, I want to say goodbye to Daisy one last time."
Melinda pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. "She can't hear you, bao bao. You know that. Daddy thinks we need to go now."
Skye pulled away and put both hands on the glass. Melinda took her hand and gently pulled her away. Skye did not resist but followed her parents through the door and into the large laboratory. They made their way through the maze of desks and terminals now empty of the many technicians that had filled it less than two hours ago.
Phil stopped at the door they had originally entered. Would it be unlocked? Would the security team they'd faced before stand between them and the exit? He pushed Skye behind him and looked at Melinda as she pushed the little girl into her father's arms and motioned for him to step back. She prepared to fight her way out if necessary giving Phil a nod to let him know she was prepared. He gave her a glance and placed a hand on the lever that would hopefully open the door.
It opened easily. The hallway empty as far as they could see. Phil stepped out with Melinda a step behind. A moment later they signaled William forward. The small group stepped in the direction of the door that lead to the parking area but stopped as the building shook with a force that set each of them stumbling. Phil grabbed Skye's hand as Melinda latched onto her father's arm and ran toward the exit. After a few feet Phil swooped Skye into his arms. She hid her face in his neck, for once too frightened to comment or question the situation.
They reached the door as the sound of a cannon exploded. Phil reached for Melinda and pulled his family to the side of the building a second before every glass door and window shattered. They turned and covered their faces, waiting for what might follow. Skye tightened her grip. Melinda held her father close. Phil lifted his head taking in the damage then pulled away.
"GO! GO!" He ordered, pushing Melinda forward. He wrapped his free arm around William's and pulled the older man into a run along one of the shoveled paths.
They reached the snow cat. Phil pushed Skye into Melinda's arms and fumbled with the large key before yanking the door open and shoving everyone inside. He slammed the vehicle into gear and crammed the gas pedal to the floor. The CAT made a groan then a growl before churning to life and plowing through the heavy snow away from the still shaking building.
No one noticed that the snow had stopped.
xx
"This changes my calculations exponentially." Dr. Liu worried as he propped Daisy back into the chair. He held her there for a few moments to be sure she did not slip to the floor. "I have not made allowances for your loss of consciousness. This can have serious repercussions, but we have come this far and I have promised to send you to your point of origin. I will keep my word, young one."
He leaned over the girl to check the connections on the helmet she wore. Satisfied they were still intact, he moved back to his panel of switches and levers. He checked the large circular screen. The red line that rounded it was not yet complete. It reached a bit less than three quarters of the length across the panel. The doctor let out a quick breath, ignoring the voice on the other side of the door he had securely locked.
"I'm sorry Mr. Lacy," he spoke quietly to himself. "You're services are not necessary here." He flipped two switches and listened to the heightening hum. "And my services will not cater to your self-seeking vision for this work. Everett and I knew that long ago. Time has not changed." He turned a knob and pushed a few buttons then checked the gauge again. The hum increased in volume as the room began to shake.
Lacy's voice grew louder yet still muffled by the thick steel door. The pounding did not concern the doctor. He was sure the man could not breach his barricade before he accomplished what needed to be done.
"A few more moments," he assured the still unconscious Daisy. "They would use my knowledge, this…" he sighed as he brushed a hand over his instruments. "Their intention is not altruistic, nor scientific. Their society seeks only to gain power." The doctor checked his screen again, almost eighty percent. He moved to Daisy, gently straightening her head that had lolled to one side. Smiling, he brought the girl's hands to her lap and set then atop each other.
"I thank you for the opportunity to see my theories were not a folly. I know my friend and mentor was not the fool they made him to be. I only wish I could have known what he accomplished once established in your world." He adjusted her helmet once again then moved to the screen…ninety-two percent. "A few seconds, Agent. A few seconds and you will join your parents with no fear of the damage these men could wreak on you."
The rabble outside the door grew louder. More men had joined the onslaught.
Dr. Liu tapped the screen and turned two knobs in opposite directions. He moved quickly to another panel and flipped several switches one at a time. The hum grew louder. Wires that had dropped from the copper capsules flicked and sparked like electrical snakes. They snapped as if full of fury. He ignored them.
The red line spun in the circular display as the numbers climbed 97…98…99…
"Good luck, young one," Dr. Liu smiled as he lifted his hand over a large black button. "Thank you."
He dropped his hand.
The hum was deafening.
The ramming on the outside of the door intensified as Lacy's swearing became audible.
Sparks flew from every part of the machinery.
Dr. Liu stood in the center of the room mesmerized as a small child at a fireworks display. The bolts of electricity reflected in his glasses…
And on the black shield that covered Daisy's face.
The helmet glowed with the flood of energy as the girl's form blinked in and out of existence like a 50's era television searching for a signal.
The hum became a siren, screaming a warning it had reached its threshold. Dr. Liu threw his hands over his ears as it overwhelmed him. The lenses in his glasses broke in a web of cracks. He fell to his knees as Daisy's form blinked rapidly. Her body jerked once before the helmet fell to the floor with enough force to rip the wires from their receptacle. It rolled to a stop emitting a thin line of smoke before sparking into a small flame.
Blocks away the Snow Cat bounced forcefully to one side almost tipping before dropping back on all four massive tires. It jerked forward with the force of the blast that echoed in the cold air. Phil pulled to a stop and everyone turned to watch the pillar of smoke and fire that reached into the sky.
xx
A line of bright light split the air in what was left of Fitz's computer room. Bolts of energy snaked out along its edge giving it the illusion of an electrified zipper. The center widened turning black and empty. Fitz certainly would have likened it to a black hole. It grew longer at the same rate, crackling like a thunder string of firecrackers thrown by some smart aleck. A second line appeared a few feet from the first following the same pattern. Each bent into itself as if drawing a breath then exhaled forcefully expelling May across the floor. Coulson tumbled end over end a second behind. Both tears snapped shut and evaporated with a loud pop.
May rolled with the force of the ejection. She sprang to her feet and shook her head. "Damn!" she spat, brushing bits of ash and dust from her clothing.
Coulson moaned as he sat up and rubbed his temples. "That thing needs a seatbelt." He groaned as May pulled him to his feet. He too brushed bits of debris from his clothing. "Damn," he grimaced. "What's burning?" He sniffed a few times then rubbed a hand under his nose.
"Apparently…us," May snarled shaking the ash from her hair. She pulled the gloves off her hands and tossed them aside then gently brushed her fingers over her cheek. She was never a sun worshipper, but if Coulson's red face was any indication of what hers looked like…both appeared to be sunburned.
"Whoa," the man moaned again as he too threw off the gloves and scrubbed a hand over his cheeks. "Huh," he snorted. "Guess I won't need to shave anytime soon." He rubbed the back of his fingers along his jaw line. "Hasn't felt like this since I was about twelve."
May had moved away tossing bits of what used to be Fitz's computers to the side. "What the hell happened here?" She thought out loud, ignoring Coulson's comments.
"Daisy…" Coulson guessed, knowing what the girl had told him before all of this craziness started.
"Daisy?" May knit her brows then turned in all directions. "Where is she?" She slammed the piece of whatever she had against the wall. It shattered in all directions. May stormed back to the spot where the air had ripped open.
Coulson rubbed the back of his head. Memories of those crushing headaches rushed forward. "Maybe she got spit out somewhere else." May narrowed her eyes at him. He stepped over the debris and stood next to her. "I meant like her bunk or the com."
Before May could respond the floor rumbled beneath their feet. She squatted and threw out her arms for balance. Coulson rocked with the motion. It lasted a few moments then faded, returned and faded again. As soon as she was sure it was over May started for the door. "I'll check her bunk…you take the com."
Coulson nodded and stepped toward the door. The room rocked violently sending both he and May to the floor. The air cracked with unseen electrical sparks and the hiss of extinguished flame assaulted their sense of smell. The rumble grew, bouncing the large pieces of concrete and tumbling more of the already destroyed computer to the rubble covered floor.
"Damn it!" May growled over the clamor. She scrambled to reach Coulson as once again the air crackled and split apart then closed and disappeared before opening a few feet to the left.
"What the hell?" Coulson barked as it blinked away and torn through a large chuck of the ceiling that now lay on the floor. He tried to get to it but it was gone before he could stand.
"There!" May jutted her head toward the tear in the center of the room.
The crackling anomaly pulled inward then burst forward sending a form to the floor before giving a snap and disappearing.
"Daisy!" Coulson and May exclaimed rushing to her side, despite the room continuing to rattle.
The girl's eyes fluttered open. She blinked once before her eyes widened. She sat up, looking in all directions then pushed her hands out before her opening and closing her fists rapidly. She grit her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut then slammed both hands against the floor. The shaking stopped abruptly as the girl collapsed.
xx
"We've only got one shot at this Davis, so make it work," Mack spoke to the man from the hold of the plane.
In the cockpit, Davis gave a nervous nod. Piper slapped a hand on his shoulder and snorted when he jumped. "Now's your chance to shine, guy. Get us out of here."
"I think I've already done that once." He growled as he flipped a few switches and felt the plane come to life. "And we're not going anywhere with that ramp down." He reached over his head and hit the button that brought the ramp closed then watched the camera that showed him it did just that.
Piper gave his shoulders an approving pat. Davis leaned forward and closed his eyes reciting a prayer he remembered from childhood. His hand hovered over the switch for a moment before it lit it drop.
The overhead doors shook for a moment as the pumps came online and screeched to a halt as the quake that shook the building brought it to a halt. Chunks of concrete fell like enormous snowflakes, slamming into the plane and crumbling against the iron floor. An oven sized chunk wedged into the mechanism that allowed the doors to open.
Mack grabbed the edge of the pod to steady himself. "Turn it off! Davis, stop it!" He commanded.
In the cockpit Davis slammed his hand on the button and stopped the hydraulics but not the rattling of the hangar or the rain of boulders that fell on them. The storm built to a deafening crescendo then stopped flat.
xx
"Daisy," Coulson smiled dropping to the girl's side.
May blinked a few times, recalling what Dr. Liu had told them. She drew a breath and fell to the girl's opposite side. She pulled Daisy's hand into her own. It was freezing to the touch. "Come on, Daisy. Let's get out of here." The girl did not respond. She looked up at Coulson.
He ran his hand along Daisy's cheek. "Daisy, it's okay. You fixed it but we gotta go." He slid his hand behind her head and lifted her slightly, giving a gentle shake.
"If we're going we better do it now." May motioned toward the door that was almost blocked with fallen debris. "I don't think this place is gonna last much longer."
Coulson gave a quick nod, scooped Daisy into his arms and headed toward the door with May a step behind.
xx
Mack pushed the large chunk to one side then the other in an attempt to rock it free. It sat between the two main gears that would open the hangar doors. Fits assured him the hydraulics were intact and very little had even made it to the pumps before the ceiling rattled free.
"One more like that and we aren't gonna need to worry about that door." Mack glanced upward. "And if we don't get this outta here it won't matter at all." He finished between breaths. He pulled back and brushed his hands together. "Damn," he grumbled under his breath then grabbed the large gear and pulled himself up.
"What are you doing?" Yoyo snagged his belt. "Are you crazy? You can't climb up there. If it moves you will be cut in half." She warned him.
Mack reached back and wrapped his hand around hers. "If I get high enough I can push it free. I don't see any other way."
Yoyo stood with Mack's axe-gun in her arms. She'd gotten it in the breath he took between words. "You could try blasting it to bits. I don't think you can move fast enough up there, Turtle Man." She smiled.
The building rumbled like a hungry giant. "Again?" Yoyo sighed still holding the rifle.
Mack listened for a moment, one hand on the barrel of the gun. "No…no," he said softly. "That's no quake. That's the building finally letting go." He pulled the weapon from her, cocked it and pushed her behind him. The blast echoed in the large hangar. Three more shots and the rock crumbled away from the gears. Mack smiled at Elena, gave a nod and headed back to the ramp.
"Get us out of here," he bellowed as he pulled the woman to the top and hit the switch to bring it closed.
"WAIT!" Jemma shrieked.
xx
"If they're still here they're in the hangar." Coulson puffed as he maneuvered through the rubble strewn through the hallways.
"And if they're not?" May snarled, racing beside him.
"We can get out through the garage…" he hoped.
May rolled her eyes but hoped he was right.
They pushed up the ramp and through the short passage to the blast door then climbed over its crumpled form. The rumble beneath them rattled the building but not enough to knock them off balance. The sound of the Zephyr rearing its engines was welcoming. Coulson pulled Daisy closer to his chest and raced toward it. May had no problem keeping up.
The ramp was closing, taking their last chance to escape. Their voices could not be heard over the roar of the engines. But Jemma Simmons caught a glimpse and gave a roar of her own.
xx
"Coulson," Jemma shouted heading for the switch that would stop the ramp. "Stop it, Mack!"
"Jemma," Fitz groaned. "There's nothing we…."
"NO," the young woman pulled away and pounded her fist against the release.
In the cockpit, Davis felt the engines slow and glanced at the monitor that showed the ramp descending. "Oh damn, not again," he grumbled under his breath and reached for the overhead switch.
Before the ramp was fully extended May was inside. She turned and yanked Coulson forward before another rumble shook the building and a large piece of the floor disappeared into a yawning hole.
He fell forward but gently lowered Daisy to the floor.
Mack stared for a moment then spun to the panel and hit the buttons that would close that damn ramp. "NOW, DAVIS," was all he needed to say.
Jemma wrapped her arms around May. "I thought…I thought…."
May let out a breath and returned the hug. "Yeah," she huffed, "me too"
Coulson sat back on his legs and panted in an effort to catch his breath. He rocked a bit and drew deep breaths then looked at the girl lying still before him. "Daisy," he urged around a breath. He shook her gently. "Daisy," his voice was louder. He watched for a moment then laid a hand on her chest. In a frantic move he fell forward pressing his ear to her chest. He took her head in his hands and shook softly. "She's not breathing! Simmons!"
Jemma dropped next to him. Her jaw dropped for a moment. "Wh…ho…wh…"
"Do something!" May commanded.
The plane rocked a few times as it lifted a few feet. The overhead doors pulled apart seconds before the floor fell from behind them and the Zephyr escaped the crumbling building.
xx
Jemma snapped into action, pulling a first responder box from the wall. She dropped to the floor and pressed her hands against the girl's chest, pumping rapidly. She nodded toward the Ambo bag. Coulson grabbed it and put it over Daisy's mouth manually pumping it at counted intervals.
"How long?" The doctor asked as she counted.
Coulson shook his head. Was she breathing when he picked her up and ran from the room? She was sitting up, looking around. She slammed her hands down. Did something in that action knock her back? Did he miss something?
Jemma paused and pulled a stethoscope from the box. She listened for a moment then returned to pumping the girl's chest.
Daisy let out a small cough that turned into a stronger cough. She pushed the bag away from her face, drew a deep breath and coughed again. Jemma pressed the stethoscope to her chest then pulled it back. "Get her to the medical bay, now." She commanded it full doctor mode.
Coulson pulled the girl into his arms and hurried away. Mack and Yoyo exchanged baffled glances and followed. May moved to do the same. Jemma grabbed her wrist. "Why would bring her here…now?"
"Because this is where she belongs," May snapped as he yanked her hand away and followed the others toward medical.
Jemma shook her head and followed.
xx
Coulson laid Daisy on the bed and stepped away allowing Jemma to take over. Again she listened to the girl's heart and placed an oxygen canula on her face. Daisy tried weakly to push it away. Jemma took her hand and gently placed them at her sides.
"You need this," she smiled. "It's going to be fine."
May had stepped to the opposite side of the bed. She took Daisy's hand in her own and gently squeezed. Daisy squeezed back. She opened her mouth to speak but was shushed by Jemma.
"No talking…just breathing," she grinned as she patted the girl's hand. "Just breathing for now."
Jemma motioned for May to step aside but Daisy held tightly. Jemma drew a quick breath and smiled at them both. "I don't think find anything wrong, no bumps. A few bruises but that's not surprising. I think we'll keep her here just to be sure. But, I would like to speak to you Agent May."
"There's time for that Simmons," May spoke with understanding. "Right now, Daisy's more important."
Jemma let out a frustrated sigh and walked across the room to where Fitz was filling Coulson in on what had happened when the quakes had begun. She slammed the stethoscope on the counter causing both men to turn.
"I don't understand any of this." She snarled. "Where is Daisy? Why would you leave her? And why…"
Coulson held up a hand and nodded toward the bed where May was speaking softly to the girl, still holding her hand. "That is Daisy."
"Don't be ridiculous," Jemma ordered.
"It's a very long story Jemma and I have a hell of a headache. I want to talk to Davis, give him these coordinates." He patted his shirt pocket. "We'll need someplace to call home since ours just got swallowed." He offered a weak smiled. Jemma opened her mouth, then snapped it shut. "I promise. I promise as soon as everyone calms down we will explain everything." He stood and walked to Daisy's bed leaving Fitz and Jemma to wonder.
"I thought you were dead," Daisy whispered softly.
May rested a finger on the girl's lips. "You are supposed to be breathing, not talking." She scolded gently. Daisy nodded and squeezed the hand she still held.
"We'll have plenty of time to talk. Right now you should just close you eyes for a bit." Coulson smiled.
Daisy drew another breath as her eyes fluttered closed. Coulson pulled a chair next to the bed and rested his head against the wall. May laughed through her nose.
"I think you better get some sleep."
"Nope," he answered with out opening his eyes. "I'm staying right here. Not letting either of you out of my sight."
"Hard to do with your eyes closed." May huffed.
"It's a learned skill." He smirked. "Anyway, I know you're not going anywhere."
May smiled a real smile.
