Chapter 14- unexpected developments
On board the fishing boat
"Sir the missile is locked onto target, detonation is expected within 4 minutes", one mercenary told Mr Fields. "Good, keep tracking the missile I want to know the minute the target is destroyed." He did not want any surprises to occur just when it looked like they had the upper hand. "That helicopter or whatever it is seems to be increasing speed, it is trying to outrun the missile", the same mercenary reported. "Well it is not going to succeed these things were designed to take out the fastest military planes. They are also good for other things", Fields grinned rather nastily.
On board the helicarrier everybody had their eyes focused on the fast approaching dot on the screen. Captain Grey was trying every flying trick he could think of to throw the missile off course, but it was still relentlessly bearing down upon them. "Let's get closer to the island and decrease our height, if we are low enough the missile might hit the ground before it hits us", he told the crew. The odds were not great on that he knew, this missile seemed to have a state of the art system that was not easily distracted.
"2 minutes until impact', Peggy warned. If they looked out of the bridge windows they would have seen the missile bearing down upon them. None of them wanted to stare their own death in the face, they would keep on fighting until the last minute. "Change course now", Grey boomed out. Another jerk and the helicarrier rapidly changed direction. The missile seemed unfazed simply altering its trajectory again. "1 minute and closing, Sir it seems like there is no escape", Peggy told their Captain.
Captain Grey dared himself to look out the window. There is was, like a ball of fire coming right for them, '"brace for impact", he told his crew.
Xxxxxx
On the Island Will was trying his hardest to free himself from the vines that immobilized him. It was difficult though to do so in the darkness with only one functioning hand and his teeth. Thankfully he could still hear the swearing coming from the shrubbery a short distance away, indicating Ivanoff still had not freed himself from his snare. Using his teeth he leaned forward to chew the bonds upon his legs. He gasped at pain that movement caused in his tortured body. Tears leaked from his eyes as he kept chewing. A few more minutes of painful chewing and he could feel the bonds loosening.
It would not be long until he was free. While his teeth worked he used his good hand to free his paralyzed one. He was just removing the final tangle of vine when a sound like a loud thunder clap boomed out around him. That sound was one he was all too familiar with , the boom of something exploding brought back into his mind the horrifying moment when the cliff top and house had been blasted into the sea. But what had happened this time and was it a good sign or not. He hurriedly returned to trying to free himself, just in case.
Less that 2 miles away Clint and Ethan jerked awake as the boom awoke them from their disturbed slumber.
Clint could feel the fact that both his breathing and heart rate had just picked up. He stood upright and stared into the darkness. Beside him Ethan had gone from sleepy to fully alert in seconds ," I know that sound Clint", Ethan cautioned. "Yes so do I Hunt, it could have been that boat exploding which might be a good thing. Then again it could be a sign that trouble is heading our way", Clint remarked. He looked over at their mini arsenal of branches sharpened into arrows and spears. Ethan would use the spears and he the arrows. They still did not know what to expect though when the enemy finally came. "Do we go and stake ourselves out near the beach. You may be able to take out a few bad guys with your arrows before they even land", Ethan told Clint. "It would be a good plan Hunt, but something tells me that any enemy would not be stupid enough to use the main beach as a landing sight. They would know that we could hide in the tree line and pick them off as they come ashore". "I would say they will land in one of those inlets then fan out through the bush in an attempt to trap us. The one who is of course vulnerable is Will. If he is not in good physical condition then he may not be able to escape. Once they have him they could use him as bait to lure us out of hiding", Clint cautioned. He really feared for Will's safety and knew that they were running out of time to find him.
"Then we will have to try and find Will first", Ethan told him firmly. Clint just hoped they could find him.
xxxxxxx
Back in Hawaii Gideon Killian secretary of the IMF had finally met Nick Fury director of SHIELD. They were eyeing each other slowly taking time over their assessment. Killian was the first to break his gaze, deciding it was time to get down to business. "Thank you for allowing IMF access to your base, Director Fury", he stated warmly. '"That of course is no problem for an ally", Nick told him, "it has taken us long enough to get around to a meeting. I wish it was a social occasion so we would have more time to get acquainted , unfortunately though we seem to have pressing concerns"."I agree Director Fury but we could at least to decide to cast off our titles and make use of our first names. Sometimes I almost forget I have one", Gideon told him. Nick smiled in acknowledgement. He was beginning to like the Secretary of the IMF. But that could change once he crossed into the territory of having to ask questions about his agents. "I think we have to determine who our enemy is Gideon", Nick remarked. "Unfortunately getting the answers may means getting a little personal about Agent William Brandt". "Yes I have read Starks report, it does seem like Brandt is the target. We of course do not have knowledge of his life as a child Nick. Agent Brandt has never been able to answer any of those type of questions for us. The cause was listed as car accident at the age of 8 which left him suffering amnesia", Gideon informed Nick. Nick blew out an audible breath, "so we know nothing then", he sighed. "Well maybe not nothing Nick. There are sealed portions of Brandt's file that date back to his early teen years. What happened to him then may or may not be relevant", Gideon informed him. "This is all information that would not be uncovered during any computer searches". He hesitated in revealing very personal information but did not see any other alternative. Unfortunately if you became the target for some very bad people then looking into your life became a necessity. "A patrolman for the NYPD found Will wandering the streets injured at the age of 13. He had a severely broken arm, cracked ribs and numerous serious bruises and cuts to all parts of his body. It looked like he had been beaten by somebody. The telling thing here, is those cuts were caused by and I quote, a scalpel like instrument".
"Will's last name was Harmon back then , a couple had fostered him from the age of 8 Nick. All they could tell the police was that Will had run away . It was apparently not the first time either". "All Will would say about them was that he did not like them ". But they were not the ones responsible for hurting him. No matter how much they prodded him, he would not say who had hurt him. The NYPD stated that he seemed terrified about speaking up and nothing they could say would reassure him". So the NYPD eventually dropped the case. Will was returned to the welfare system and sent to another city in case the perp came looking for him" .Strangely enough though there are no records of where he went . I am assuming that no further incidences happened," Gideon concluded." Okay the scalpel attack could indicate that it was the same man who killed our doctors. But then again, Will is alive, our attacker is not afraid to follow through and kill his victim". I doubt Will's young age would make a difference", Nick mused." So it may or may not be related to what is happening now." "If it was the same man then he may have lost Will's trail again until recently".
"It is hard to know what is relevant here. How about the name Brandt, does that come from a foster family ". It would Nick guessed be logical that Brandt had taken another families name. But Gideon had a surprise for him. "Actually no, he told us the name came from a book he was reading."Brandt said that none of his foster homes ever worked out well for him". Fury found that piece of information interesting. But once again he had no idea whether it was even relevant. There were children who assumed the names of their heroes but he did not know of a hero called Brandt. Perhaps he should just move onto more recent history then.
"So how did he come to be an IMF agent Gideon",Fury asked. "Ahh well Brandt was a fairly troubled teen so the authorities thought that sending him into military training might provide discipline. They discovered during the course of this training that he has a photographic memory with the ability to recall literally thousands of facts, they nicknamed him the mini computer at Military school. He also qualified as a marksman with weapons. Combine the two and you have a very effect analyst as well as agent. We recruited him after he had completed 5 years of service", Gideon concluded. "So he would have had to pass two rounds of checks, one for military and one for IMF yet neither uncovered existence of Clint. I know how complete those checks are Gideon. It just seems inconceivable that Clint and Will could be hidden from the world as well as each other so effectively."
"Yet it happened Nick", Gideon acknowledged. "There would be a certain amount of secrecy attached to his whereabouts while in the military then again while he worked in IMF. Any general queries could easily have been buried. I guess unless they were actually seen together most people would dismiss the fact that perhaps they'd seen one of them in another place." But you are not interested in that theory Nick you assume that someone is protecting Will for an unknown reason."
The secretary's voice had changed a little now Nick reflected, he sounded tense, like he was going to get accused of something. Okay thought Fury perhaps he already guesses what I want to know next. He opened his mouth to speak but Gideon got in first, "to answer what is on your mind, no IMF did not deliberately withhold information regarding the existence of Clint from Will or anyone else, it was a genuine surprise. I suppose I can ask you the same question, but you would give me the same answer".
Nick nodded firmly, yes he reflected he could have decided not to tell Clint about Will had he known. Having a relative would have certainly complicated the tasks Clint had undertaken. He knew IMF could have easily decided the same. But Gideon Killian was not lying, that he could tell. "I had to ask", he stated. "Yeah I guess you did. I know how things work director", Gideon sighed. "Yes you do. I guess we are just going around in circles getting nowhere. There always seems to be something we are missing", Nick reflected. "Maybe you should just answer your own question Nick Fury", Gideon prompted, "who would have the ability to hide someone from the world."If we assume for instance that the knife attack when he was 13 is related, then the perp may not have killed Will because someone intervened. But they obviously did not make themselves known to the authorities and help find the person responsible. They also just left Will to fend for himself. You would really want to keep your identity safe to allow all those things. So who would do that ", Gideon pressed. He already knew the answer and was just paving the way for Nick Fury to come to his own conclusion. "Well your agency has the ability to cover things things up as do we, but it wasn't either of us", Nick replied. "Then that is your answer Nick, there is another agency involved ",Gideon responded."Lets contact all of them and see if we can find anything".
Nick smiled and Gideon smiled back. They shook hands firmly, united in finding the truth.
Xxxxx
Earlier Nick Fury had given the Avengers a very specific briefing . "For this mission I want to emphasize one important fact, I'd like you all to keep a low profile". Thor frowned, and tried to look at himself, " I don't have anything that is low", he remarked. "Oh boy", Bruce muttered. "It means Thor that if you want in on this mission then you do not openly use your super powers. There are some very important people watching you at the moment and just waiting to accuse you of something. Since their accusation relates mainly to your special ablilities then I want you to test yourselves by using more ordinary means to stop the enemy. Bruce, Thor this might be more of an issue for both of you." You do not have to agree to come on this mission as I am sure Steve , Natasha and the IMF team can handle things very effectively", Nick told him firmly.
Thor looked unsure until Steve reassured him," just don't use the hammer, hit them solidly with your fist, that should be quite effective". Bruce you could just..umm", Steve found himself not knowing what to say. Bruce smiled to himself, "yes Steve I am just a scientist and my special trick is what makes me valuable on any type of mission where enemy action is likely. I really don't know how to do anything else." He paused ," you know that I am not comfortable with the Hulk and this mission would give me an opportunity to see how much pressure I can handle". He often shut himself away from the world in an effort to contain the urges that would make him transform. But what if he did not have to do that, if he could let Bruce Banner handle dangerous things instead of the Hulk. It could change everything for him. If Clint and Natasha could be on the team and not have special powers then so could he. He looked over at Natasha, "would you show me how to use a gun", he asked. Natasha did not argue or try to talk him out of it, because there was a determined look on Bruce Banners face that had not been there before. To not Hulk out would be a real challenge for him. She hoped he could actually pass that challenge when bullets started flying around him. Without thinking she put her hand over his", I will help you Bruce", she told him with a smile. Bruce felt the warmth of her hand and found himself holding it in his hand and stroking it softly. A moment later he remembered that she was someone else's girlfriend and reluctantly let go.
"Then lets join those IMF agents and get this mission underway", Steve remarked.
They met Jane ,Benji and Luther in what was clearly a flight deck. Jane could not help staring, first at Thor then at Steve Rogers. Both were handsome men and it was easy to forget that one of them was not human. Thor smiled back at her warmly and Jane felt a hot flush coming on. Keep your mind on the job she told herself firmly.
"So this is everyone, I thought we were getting Iron man as well", Benji queried as they entered a jet. "He has been given a special mission", Steve replied. We'll meet up with him later".
Nick Fury and Gideon Killian poked their head in the door, "this jet will take only an hour or so to arrive at the target coordinates . Good luck to you all and I hope you bring back all of your team mates", Gideon told them.
Xxxxxx
Will found the last bond slipping free and he slowly moved his arm and legs to restore circulation. It was a painful but necessary process. He felt warmth returning to his arms and legs. Around him the trees were emerging out of the darkness, another morning was upon him. Moving slowly he began to crawl through the undergrowth instinctively keeping himself low. His low position to the ground saved him from being spotted by Ivanoff when he crashed out of the bushes in front of him. Will cursed himself for not noticing that the swearing and sounds of a struggle had stopped. His awareness was slipping away from him along with his body's ability to function. Quickly sliding himself into some bushes Will focused on listening to the sounds of Ivanoff's breathing as the man searched for him. "Come on Brandt I know you are here somewhere. Do you really think you can hold out forever. You heard that explosion, well it means my people are coming, so you have no way to escape". Ivanoff actually had no way of knowing what the explosion meant and was desperately hoping that Field's had been responsible and was heading in to pick both of them up. Ivanoff knew he would not be impressed if he arrived to find Brandt on the loose. It could end badly for him. So getting him back was the highest priority.
Will closed his eyes. He was so close to actually surrendering , it was either that or being prepared to die here and now. Some part of him was still fighting on desparately, while the other realist based side that was the analyst was telling him the odds of getting out of this one were slim.
He was about to crawl out of the bushes when he heard the distinct sound of gun fire. He saw Ivanoff come flying off his feet and hit the ground merely inches away. He could hear the other man breathing hard . Will kept still as well ,listening to the sounds around him. He heard a sharp intake of breath and looked over to find Ivanoff staring at him. "Your so called friends actually don't seem that friendly", Will remarked sarcastically. Ivanoff did not reply merely reaching out to grab at him. Will kicked out with his feet managing to land a solid kick to the other man. He heard him yell out loudly. Ivanoff felt his anger rising as pain shot through his body. He 'd had enough of this. So he threw himself on top of Brandt and hit him hard in the face.
Will felt his head hit backward against the ground and everything went hazy , he was still conscious but barely. He could not react when thrashing sounded around him and two armed men came through the bushes in front of him.
Ivanoff looked up straight into the eyes of Mr Fields. '"Here is your prize', he stated.
Fields could see that Ivanoff was not in good shape, though from what he could see of Will Brandt he looked far worse. "Get off him Ivanoff, I need to be able to talk to him", he requested.
Ivanoff slowly rolled off Brandt then struggled to his feet. " I have fulfilled my mission", he stated firmly. He wanted it made clear that he had done everything Field's had asked of him. "So you have Ivanoff, though it took you long enough to get Brandt. Things would have been much simpler if you had obtained in back on the mainland", Fields remarked calmly. "Yes I agree, but I did get him", Ivanoff told him.
"Yes", Field's agreed. Then without warning he pulled a gun out of his waistband and shot Ivanoff through the temple. His gaze never wavered as he watched Ivanoff fall to the ground. "There's your payment", he told the dead man. Looking over he noticed the mercenary watching him. He could not afford for this man to suddenly get the idea he was going to get shot as well. "Ivanoff disappointed me, if you follow my instruction then you will not end up like him", he stated. The mercenary just nodded his understanding.
Disregarding Ivanoff's body almost immediately Fields straddled himself over Brandt. "Come on", he requested, "wake up and talk to me'. Putting the gun back he pulled out his knife and ran it down Brandt's neck gently.
Will had heard every action the man on top of him had carried out and was very, very afraid. He was no longer in any position to resist what was going to happen to him. The knife point drew blood ,that mingled with the dried stuff upon his body. He still could not muster any strength .
He felt the man called Fields draw back the knife and slap him hard across the face but did still did not react. This detached feeling was settling upon him. "Shit, it looks like I am going to have to take him back to the boat after all. Smith you can help me carry him", Field's yelled as he shifted his weight somewhat.
Will could hear the second man come closer and prepared himself for being hauled upright. Instead he heard a sucking type breath that sounded like a gasp of pain coming from the man called Smith.
Daring to look out of half open eyes Will saw Smith fall to the ground with an long arrow like object sticking out of him.
"Shit",swore Field's again. Fields knew who had probably fired that arrow and reached to grab the throat of William Brandt again. He brought his knife up and under the chin of his victim for a second time. Then he called out, "Barton if that is you, I swear if you don't come out here right now I am going to cut his throat".
Although barely conscious Will registered the fact that something had changed. Somehow someone had intervened and saved him from being gutted like a fish. Thus rescue must be close. Searching deep within himself Will took one desparate measure to escape and raised his right hand up to try and take the knife. His grip though was fairly weak and just made Fields laugh. "So still awake a little then. Well sorry William but you are going to have to miss the next bit." Although he was still conscious Fields could see that Brandt was fading fast. He would have to take him back to the boat and patch him up a little before he asked his questions. First though he'd get rid of his other problem. He hit Will's head back against the ground again.
Will felt his senses fade away entirely.
"Come on out Barton", Fields warned again.
Clint and Ethan had split up to follow two trails through the undergrowth. This trail had lead Clint to the unexpected reunion with his brother. But it looked like the enemy had gotten here first and now his fears were coming true. He knew he had no other choice. "Alright", he yelled back, I am coming out".
Field's smiled and looked down at the unconscious man in his grasp. He made sure to hold the knife steady and yell back, "leave the arrows behind". Taking out his gun he held it steady at the spot he knew that Barton would emerge from. Any second now and he was going to have both of them. But he did not need both of them alive.