"So what have you got for us Simmons?" asked Skye, her small smile attempting to cover up how worried she actually was about her team mate.
"Well, there are definite traces of alien residue but it doesn't resemble anything I've ever seen in this area."
"Any idea what is causing the residue?" asked Coulson.
"Well it almost seems similar to that left behind Lady Sif or Thor when they open the Bifrost or Rainbow Bridge to Asgard. They show the same electromagnetic signatures with very minor alterations in pattern so it would be safe to assume that is a connection with a planet of galaxy from near Asgard."
"Is that good?" asked Skye with a raised eyebrow.
Simmons shrugged. "That depends on whether or not the inhabitants of the planet are friendly towards humans and if they have good intensions. Hopefully we will be able to communicate with either Thor or Lady Sif in order to get their opinion or information on this certain connection."
Coulson turned to the other girl. "Skye can you attempt to make communication in some way using the computer we gave to Sif last time she visited?"
Skye sat down in front of her lap top and began typing furiously. "Just give me a minute."
After about 3, they had managed to connect not only to Sif but also to the wide screen in the back of the lab, plastering Sif's face on the large frame.
"Son of Coul. How are you?"
"Well I think. We needed to ask for some advice."
"Of course. In what may I help you with?"
Simmons stepped forward. "Your computer is about to display the evidence we found in the area of a certain residue that…"
"This is not quite Asgard's but it is in our galaxy."
Simmons couldn't help but smile at the small victory.
"Would you happen to know where exactly the bridge came from?" asked Coulson.
"It is from the planet of the 'Healereavsår'. They are famous for their amazingly advanced medicinal knowledge. However they are not the type to willingly help anyone who isn't one of their own, yet their do not intentionally hurt other species."
"So what you're saying is that you can hire them?"
"Yes. They offer their services in exchange for something. The price can be as petty as a watch to your childhood memories. However I do know that they have an allegiance with someone from Misgard."
"Who?"
Sif shook her head. "I am sorry but I do not know. I will enquire but it may take some time. The Healereavsår are rather secretive."
"We appreciate it either way. Thank you Lady Sif."
"Take care, son of Coul."
And with that the screen went black. Coulson turned to the two girls. "I need you to report to HQ and fill them in on our progress. Do the same with Ward when he gets here. Skye I'd like you to scope the internet trying to find out about these people. Simmons, I want you to contact all the professors you know that could help as well as the ones that HQ may suggest."
"Yes sir." came the unanimous answer.
Ward found Campbell in his office which was rather conveniently situated far away from the rest of the team. Must have been one of the reasons Fitz decided to build the lab where it was. Ross Campbell was sat at his desk with a cigar in one hand staring down at the document before him. His eyes snapped up immediately at the sound of the creaking wood and he glared at the man entering.
"What do you want? I don't have time for any useless aliens or whatever you're chasing."
"Well Sir, 'I don't hail Hitler but he was no better that a creature of myth.'"
Ward watched as the cogs turned in the older man's brain, seeing his eyes widen slightly in understanding before saying "I think ye better lock that door."
Ward quickly followed the man's request before turning around to find Campbell leaning against his chair, his cold face now warmed with a malicious grin.
"Sit down."
He waited for Ward to take the chair before him before continuing. "So you're like me. Following the tentacles to a different future, definitely a better one I believe. When did you join?"
"That is none of your business."
Campbell snorted in amusement. "Yes, I can see why they chose you. Do the others on your so called 'team' know?"
"If they did I wouldn't be here, let alone alive."
The other man nodded grimly in agreement. "Let's try and keep it that way then. Whenever we see each other outside private meetings, we are not to acknowledge our alliance or the nature of our bond with anyone else. That shouldn't be hard at all for you." He paused. "Who is your head?"
"Garrett."
"Ah. Good man. I always liked him. Strong, a leader and willing to take a chance that most wouldn't. That's an asset that our side cannot afford to leave idle."
"I perfectly agree with you sir."
"Now, what is the real reason John would take the risk of asking you to talk to me?"
"He wants to know more about the circumstances of your wife's death as well as why Fitz condition has not followed in the footsteps of his mother."
Campbell placed his drink on the table, his finger circling the glasses edge, still slightly wet from the drink and his lips.
"I'm not sure how helpful I can be. I was away for almost all of that year and a half that Emma deteriorated slowly. I couldn't bear to be with neither her nor Fitz so I sought company everywhere other than in these walls. But I shall tell you what I know and what I suspect."
He took a large swipe of his drink, and with another dark grin, Campbell began speaking.