Chapter 9
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AN: Thank you to all who have added to alerts, read, reviewed or any combination of the three. It means a lot to me.
AN2: Thank you so much for your support of this story.
Once the group consisting of Melinda, Natasha, Skye, Fury, Steve, Sam and Maria arrive back in DC they separate into three groups- Sam, Steve and Maria; Skye, Melinda and Fury; and Natasha by herself.
Each of the teams have their specific roles. Natasha is taking the place of one of the members of the Security Council while Sam and Steve, being guided by Maria, will take down the Helicarriers and Melinda, Skye and Fury will be on standby in the helicopter until Natasha has secured the council room.
"We're in." Maria says through the coms, "So is Natasha." She adds.
"Skye I'll go in and do the first retinal scan, but you stay until we need you." Fury tells his goddaughter, "We don't want Peirce to realises what is going on too early." He tells her
"Got it." Skye responds, "Mom you're staying in the helicopter right?" Skye asks her mother.
"Right." Melinda responds clearly not happy about it.
"Be ready to go, it's likely we're going to have to leave quickly." Fury tells her and Melinda nods.
The Bus is quite close to the Hub when Clint realises that all the coms systems on the plane have gone haywire. Thankful that he isn't in restricted airspace so he can put the plane on autopilot, he does and heads out into the main part of the plane where everyone else is.
"What the hell is going on?" Clint asks walking into the command centre.
"There is a an encrypted signal beaming through all S.H.I.E.L.D coms systems." Fitz explains.
"Hydra call to arms?" Garrett guesses.
"It would make sense." Tripp comments, "The others would be at the Triskelion by now."
"How long until we get to the Hub?" Coulson asks Clint.
"Fifteen minutes." Clint answers.
"Can you shave that?" Coulson asks.
"I can try." Clint says before turning and exiting the command centre.
"We've got to gear up." Garrett comments and the others nod.
Natasha arrives at the Triskeliond disguised a member of the council. Along with the other council members she is taken up to Peirce's office where she has to listen to Peirce give a speech about himself; she is very very relieved when Steve's voice comes through the speakers, effectively stopping Peirce from talking.
"You've heard a lot about me over the last few days. Some of you were even ordered to hunt me down. But I think it's time you know the truth. S.H.I.E.L.D. is not what we thought it was. It's been taken over by Hydra. Alexander Peirce is their leader. Strike and insight crew are Hydra as well. I don't know how many more, but I know they're in the building. They could be standing right next to you. They almost have what they want–absolute control. They shot Nick Fury, and it won't end there. If you launch those helicarriers today Hydra will be able to kill anyone who stands in their way. Unless we stop them. I know I'm asking a lot, but the price of freedom is high. It always has been. But it's a price I'm willing to pay. And if I'm the only one, then so be it. But I'm willing to bet I'm not."
At hearing Steve's speech Natasha has to keep the smirk of her face because she knows that he didn't plan that, he came up with that on the spot and yet it was amazing.
"Guess I've got the floor." Peirce comments as the strike team burst into the room and point guns at the other council members, and even though Natasha would like to take him down right then she knows she has to wait for the right time.
Peirce walks across the room and grabs glasses of champagne and gives them to each of the council members, "Let me ask you a question. What if Pakistan marched into Mumbai tomorrow, and you knew that they were going to drag your daughters into a soccer stadium for execution… and you could just stop it, with the flick of a switch. Wouldn't you stop it? Wouldn't you all? " Peirce asks one of the council members.
"Not if it was your switch." One of the council members says before throwing the glass onto the floor.
Clearly not happy as it hasn't gone his way Peirce takes one of the guns from the strike team members and points it at the council member. As it does Natasha realises that it is what she has been waiting for so she kick the council member out of the way and disarms and knocks out all the strike members before pulling a gun on Peirce.
"I'm sorry- did I step on your moment?" Natasha asks as she pulls of the mask and wig.
In the helicopter Fury, Skye and Melinda are listening to what is going on the entire time and when they hear how Natasha revealed herself Skye laughs and both Melinda and Fury smile.
"Nice." Skye says once she finishes laughing, "She certainly knows how to make a reveal."
"She always has." Melinda comments,
"Take us to the Triskelion." Fury requests as at the moment Melinda has them in the air near the Triskelion not actually there.
"On it Sir." Melinda says.
"Now, move and I shot." Natasha tells Peirce as she walks over to the computer, not turning her back or looking away from Peirce for a second.
"What are you doing?" Peirce asks as Natasha starts to type things into the computer.
"Putting top secret intelligence online." One of the Council members realise.
"Including everything of, and about, Hydra." Natasha comments.
"And S.H.I.E.L.D.'s. If you do this, none of your past is going to remain hidden. Are you sure you're ready for the world to see you as you really are?" Pierce asks, trying to get her not to do it.
For a second Natasha pauses and almost hesitates, but because she knows she is doing the right thing she just looks directly at Pierce, "Are you?" she asks.
On the Bus the Clint has just landed the plane when he walks into the main area of the plane where everyone is.
"We ready?" He asks picking up his bow and quiver.
"Remember, ICERS." Coulson tells everyone, "Fitz, Simmons stay behind us."
"What about Ward?" Fitz asks, "What do we do with him?"
"I've put all the plane's power until securing the interrogation room, unless I change that using the code I created that door cannot be opened." Clint explains.
"Good." Garrett responds.
"Who's in change at the hub now?" Tripp asks.
"That's a very good question." Coulson comments as everyone heads downstairs.
"We'll be okay." Fitz says to Simmons.
"No we won't." Simmons responds, "S.H.I.E.L.D is going to be gone." Simmons points out to him.
At the Triskelion as Sam and Steve work on getting all the microchips in place while Maria guides them. They have gotten two in place, and have only the third to go.
Skye, Fury and Melinda are in the helicopter outside Peirce's office when they hear him say,
"Disabling the encryption is an executive order. It takes two alpha-level members."
"That's our cue." Fury comments and Melinda files the helicopter to outside Peirce's office and lands.
"Wait here until we need you." Fury says to Skye before getting out and heading inside.
When Fury walks inside he is slightly amused by the look of pure shock that has appeared on Peirce's face.
"Did you get my flowers?" Peirce asks clearly trying not to show how surprised he is.
"Is he seriously trying to make a joke out of this?" Skye asks her mother surprised.
"Seems like it." Melinda comments.
"How do you think Dad is going?" Skye asks her mother.
"I don't know." Melinda answers truthfully, "But I know that Clint, Phil and Garrett watch each other's backs and Tripp will do the same, they should be okay." Melinda tells her daughter.
"That should have worked." Perice's voice say surprised but also relieved.
"And that would be my cue." Skye says getting up and heading inside where she finds Natasha standing behind the computer and Fury and Peirce standing in front of the screen where it is says "Alpha conformation required."
"If you're going to make the hard calls, then what could be better than having the one person who knows if it's the right one or not make the final one." Fury says as Skye walks in.
"Of course." Peirce comments realising that he shouldn't have been surprised, "Skye think about this. If you do this than everyone will know who you are, what you can do. Are you prepared to be hunted for the rest of your life? To always have to look over your shoulder because people will always want to use you, your power, for their own advantage. Are you prepared for that?" Peirce asks knowing that this is his last hope not to get everything about Hydra released online.
"I've spent enough time around real heroes to know that sometimes one person has to make a sacrifice for the good of the many, I'm prepared to be the one to make that sacrifice." Skye says walking over to the screen, she is just about ready to do the rental scan when Peirce stops her.
"Are you prepared for that sacrifice to be your family?" He asks, "Because if you put this information online then people will never stop looking for you, and they will use your family to get to you, are you prepared for them to be the sacrifice you speak off?" Peirce asks.
"You need to stop talking." Fury says punching him.
"Nice speech." Skye comments doing her best to not let it show that Peirce's words have affected her, "But all you're doing is proving that it's the right thing to do." Skye says doing the rental scan.
"Alpha conformation accepted." The computer says and Skye walks over to the computer and Natasha.
"What are you doing?" Natasha asks her niece.
"I know people who will make it their mission in life to get this out to as many people as possible." Skye explains.
"Nice." Natasha tells her, "And done."
"Hey look, it's trending." Skye says looking up from the computer trying to stop Peirce's words from replaying in her mind.
As soon as Natasha says that the transfer is complete Peirce presses a button on his phone that kills the other three council members. Once he does both Fury and Natasha move closer to Peirce and raise their guns.
"Unless you want a 2-inch hole in your sternum, put the gun down." Pierce warns Natasha. "That was armed the minute you pinned it on." Peirce tells her, "And don't even think about using your power on me because I've read ever report on your power and everything you yourself have said and I can kill your precious aunt before you can stun me." Peirce tells Skye.
Even though she doesn't want to admit it, Skye knows that he is right. As if she was at full power then she may just have a chance, but because she is so weak she wouldn't be able to use her power before Peirce can hit his button. So, instead she gives a small nod to both her godfather and aunt and they both lower their guns.
"Good choice." Peirce tells them.
At the Hub the team are in the lab of the plane as Tripp pointed out that it may not be the best idea to just exit the plane without checking to see how things are outside
"Fitz are you in yet?" Coulson asks as Fitz is working on getting into the security camera,
"A few more seconds." Fitz responds and all then all the camera feeds come up on the screen and all they see is chaos.
"Any idea how we're going to calm that down?" Clint asks Coulson as he's usually the ones who comes up with great ideas right about now.
"We've got to get to the situation room." Coulson comments, "We can gain some control from there."
"How are we going to get there from here?" Simmons asks.
"The tunnels will work." Clint comments, "I still have them memorised"
"Of course you do." Garrett comments, remembering why Clint memorised them in the first place.
"It was a good thing that I did memorise them, if you remember." Clint tells him.
"Not the time." Coulson tells the two, "You're right about the tunnels working but we can't get to one of the entrances from here."
"You're talking about the tunnels that run through the facility right?" Fitz asks.
"Yeah." Coulson, Clint and Garrett respond.
"They run right under us." Fitz reminds them.
"But there isn't an entrance nearby." Clint points out.
"But we can get into them from here, using this." Fitz says pulling out his invention that both Fury and Hill have used.
"Perfect." Coulson, Clint and Garrett respond.
"This is such a waste." Peirce comments looking around the room, "You are going to fly me out of here." Peirce says to Natasha, "And you are coming with us and will use your powers for Hydra." He tells Skye.
"Never." Skye responds
"You will, otherwise you will watch everyone you care about die in the most painful way possible." Peirce comments and out of the corner of her eye Skye sees Nick give her the tiniest of nods which is when she realises that her mother is still in the helicopter and there is no way Peirce will get by her when he doesn't know that she is there.
Without saying a word Skye walks over to Natasha and stands next to her, fighting not to sway as she does, and allows Peirce to point a gun at her.
"You know, there was a time I would have taken a bullet for you." Fury tells Peirce.
"You already did!" Pierce reminds him and seeing Natasha give her a tiny nod Skye knows exactly what she has to do. While Pierce is distracted by Fury, Skye uses her last bit of strength to push her energy out of her and uses it to short circuit the pin on Natasha by sending the energy through her with a touch of Skye's hand to her shoulder.
As both Skye and Natasha collapse Fury puts two bullets in Peirce's chest before running over to Natasha and Skye,
"Romanoff, Skye." Fury says, "Natasha, Skye, come on, wake up." Fury says as Melinda rushes into the room,
"Ow. Warn me next time Ребенок." Natasha comments and then when she realises that he nice didn't respond to her she turns to her, "Ребенок?" She asks concerned.
"She's got a pulse and is breathing fine." Melinda tells her friend as she checks her daughter, "I think she's over done it with her power." Melinda guess.
"If you're still in the building you might want to get out." Maria says through the coms systems that the five of them plus Steve, and Sam have.
"What about you?" Natasha asks
"I'm fine." Maria responds, "Just get yourselves out, and I think Sam needs a lift." Maria instructs.
"I've got Skye, let's go." Melinda says picking up her daughter as while she is hurt it is only her leg in comparison to both Fury and Natasha who have hurt arms which means that she can carry her daughter.
As they are concerned with getting themselves out of the building, none of them notice that Peirce's last words as he lays dying are, "Hail Hydra."
At the Hub the team have managed to get into the tunnels and are currently working on getting through to the situation room.
"Any idea what you are going to do once we're there?" Clint asks his friend.
"I'm working on it." Coulson responds.
"You're going to wing it, aren't you?" Garrett asks.
"Maybe." Coulson responds.
"Well you should get your idea fast, we're right about the situation room." Clint repsonds, "Tripp do you want to go down with me while everyone else stays up hear while we secure the area?"
"Sounds good to me." Tripp responds.
"Stand back." Clint says as he lifts the vent that leads below and he and Tripp jump down.
Coulson, Garrett, Fitz and Simmons stay silent above while Tripp and Clint handle what is going on downstairs.
"All clear, come down." Clint's voice says and Coulson removes the vent and all four of them, Fitz and Simmons with a small amount of difficultly, climb down where they find Clint and Tripp and several agents standing at attention and several knocked out.
"These guys aren't Hydra and have offered to help." Tripp explains.
"No one knows what is going on, people are fighting and killing for no reason." One of the agents tell them.
"They have their reasons; they are just messed up ones." Garrett comments, "You're plan would be good right now."
"Fitz check to make sure the PA system is working." Coulson instructs and that's what Fitz's dose.
"What are you thinking?" Clint asks his friend.
"Steve was planning to give a speech, I think we should to." Coulson comments.
"It's working." Fitz comments and Coulson walks over to the PA system and picks up the microphone, Clint and Garrett walk over and stand either side of him as he starts to speak.
"Attention all personal at the Hub, I am Agent Phil Coulson." Coulson says, "I know a lot of you are confused about what is going on, but some of you know exactly what has occurred." Coulson says, "Hydra has infiltrated our organization. Its members are amongst us and their leader is Alexander Peirce. A team consisting of Captain America, Black Widow and several other skilled individuals are currently at the Triskelion fighting to assure that Hydra doesn't succeed with their plans to destroy everything we hold dear and I'm asking you to do the same." Coulson says, "I know you are scared and I know you are confused, but I am asking you to stand up and fight back." Coulson says, "Hydra can only win if we let him, these are the days that test us, that show us what we are made of; the days that dictate what kind of future there is going to be and I won't let that future be dictated by Hydra." Coulson says, "And you shouldn't either. It is time to stand up and say that we won't let them succeed. Hydra's strong but a Shield is stronger." Coulson says before ending the announcement.
"Wow, nicely done." Clint tells his friend.
"When did you rehearse that?" Garrett asks.
"I didn't." Coulson responds.
"What? There is no way that you came up with that on the spot." Garrett tells him.
"Fitz, Simmons stay in here and lock the door." Coulson tells them, "Keep an eye on all internal security cameras and warn us if there is something we need to know about."
"Yes Sir." Fitz and Simmons responds.
"Everyone else, with me." Coulson comments, "We're taking back the Hub."
"It's amazing what orders from Captain America will do to him." Clint comments to Garrett as the two of them leave the room behind Coulson.
Despite everything horrible that is going on Garrett can't help but smile at that because he knows how true it is.
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