Chapter 17- arrows rule the world
Fields sent his remaining conscious mercenary to search one area for Brandt while he looked in another. Around him lay his own men as well as the Avengers team. Of course this was an opportunity for him to slip his knife into some of them. He held off though, defeating them had been enough for now. Ultimately he wanted SHIELD to have to deal with the Avengers themselves, to either lock them away in a secure location or have them terminated. It would be a crushing blow to the agencies moral as well as sending a strong message to those who may just think about starting a similar program themselves.
Using a stick Fields hit the ground in front of him testing for solidity. If Brandt was not visible then they must have concealed him somewhere. He worked quickly conscious of the fact the gas may wear off for the super heros quickly than it would for the others. "Come on, it can't be that hard", he mumbled when after 5 minutes he still had not located Brandt. He tapped his walkie talkie, "anything', he asked. "No sir", came back the reply.
Tap, tap,tap, Fields found his excitement rising when his stick went down into a hole. He bent down and searched the area with his hands,, moving them under the leaves and branches. When he felt a warm leg under his hand he smiled. He pulled up his walkie talkie again, "I found him, meet me at my location stat", he requested. "Yes sir",he heard his man acknowledge.
Now Fields worked a little slower removing each stick and branch carefully. He was savouring this moment of victory. Below him he could see Brandt's stained trousers and his motionless arms. He slid his hand over the skin noting that it was warm. That was good as warmth indicated life, it would be very frustrating if Brandt had been dead.
Lifting the last of the branches Fields finally saw Brandt's face . That face was very pale , eyes all sunken and the skin dry and tense, a sign of dehydration, he knew. He slapped Brandt's face hard and watched the closed eyes for any reaction, there was none. Hearing soft footfalls behind him Fields said, "you grab his legs and I'll take the head". Hearing no immediate response he turned and froze with his mouth gaping in surprise as he saw Clint Barton standing there with a stick arrow pointing at his face."That would be a no sir", Clint said in a voice that sounded exactly like his mercenary. Damn the man, he had planned this so well. If he had revealed himself before now then Fields would have had the opportunity to take a hostage to use against him. Fields realized he should have checked to see whether all the Avengers were present. He had just thought that probably Clint Barton's body was under the trees somewhere. That had been a mistake that he could not correct.
Now the only weapon he had was time. If he stalled Barton long enough he could use the chaos created by two opposing parties awakening to regain the upper hand. Unfortunately Barton probably knew that as well. "So how'd you escape the gas", he asked anyway. He felt a burning passion to at least know the answer to that question. "I had a few seconds longer than the others and covered my mouth and nose with a large leaf. Holding my breath as well also helped", Clint replied calmly.
Fields just stared at him unafraid . "So what now Barton, you put an arrow in me and hope to end this, well it won't, I don't work alone", he told Clint.
Clint was well aware that he was alone and the only one that stood in the path of something terrible happening to the others. They lay scattered around the ground creating a death like scene that could easily become a reality. In front of him that bastard was smirking again.
He would have the memory burned into his brain for a long time of the hulk crushing the missile then falling minutes later. Only the vines had saved him from falling from the tree in that moment. Seeing something white creeping up upon him like death, he had held his breath then worked desparately to retrieve a leaf big enough to use like a mask. That done he'd had to leap from one branch to another above ground as silently as he could hoping to take those below him unawares. He'd taken out the remaining mercenary first silently shooting the arrow through his chest.
That had exhausted him to the point of almost imminent collapse, though he dared not show that now.
Just shoot him, his internal voice told him firmly. But what if he was telling the truth and he did not work alone. Will would still be in mortal danger and they would not know who was behind it all.
So he was going to have to take this man in to SHIELD . "Turn around', he told him.
Fields knew this was the moment he had to act. Barton had not gone for the kill shot and instead was going to try and take him captive. In any fight he knew he would have the upper hand as despite his best efforts not to hide his pain Fields could tell that Barton was almost at the point of collapse. Perfect. He turned around slowly intending to swivel back quickly and disarm Barton.
Around him he heard some groans indicating that the gas was wearing off. He'd still have a short time in which to leave the area before full consciousness returned.
He smiled widely knowing Barton could not see his face. This will be the second easiest take down in his history he thought.
Clint watched him closely knowing that he was going to try something. He hoped he had the strength left to act.
Counting to three in his mind Fields swiveled. What happened next he did not really know. All he felt was pain in his head and then he was falling to the ground.
Clint knew exactly what had happened and smiled broadly. He quickly used some vines he'd stuffed into his pocket to secure the man on the ground.
He was about to move and quickly secure the others when Thor came running toward him. The god stopped, staring at all the men lying around him and the fact that Barton was alone, a bow and arrow in his hand. He was actually very impressed. "See big guy sometimes you don't need super powers", Clint told him. That sentence was then ruined by the fact that he too fell to the ground as the pain he was feeling caught up with him.
Seeing he was at least still conscious Thor quickly and efficiently went from mercenary to mercenary tying them up . Once he had done that he moved over to Clint. "I think it is time to get out of here", Clint told him. Thor nodded, "you can tell me the story of your mighty victory later", he stated. He really wanted to hear that story. He had never said it but sometimes he did feel like Clint had the puniest weapons and skills out of all of the team. How could anyone possibly save the world with a bow and arrow. Looking around him though he came to realize that Clint really could hold his own quite well.
"Make sure you keep watch over that one", Clint indicated the man lying not far from his feet. "I will", Thor responded firmly.
Fields lay with his face in the ground still trying to figure what had happened in that last second. When he lifted his head slightly he suddenly understood and found himself burning with shame as he realized he had once again underestimated the potential of his victims. It was not a mistake he would make again. Escaping was now his top priority, the boat was still out there and it still had one missile left.
With a groan loud groan Steve Rogers quickly scrambled to his feet and surveyed the situation. Seeing all the mercenaries tied up around them he came to the analysis that everything was under control. Thor approached him, his hair all messed up and his eyes somewhat wild. "We were all under the influence of some type of gas", Thor explained. "It even made me feel out of control and for a moment I lost my mind". He remembered wildly bashing all the trees in his path ,angry at them for some reason he could not explain. He had gone for miles in this manner until the effect had worn off and clarity had returned. He had then made his way quickly back to the others. "How did we win then", Steve asked puzzled. He vaguely recalled seeing the hulk falling toward him. Looking over he saw Bruce was sitting up rubbing his head and looking stunned. It seemed that Hulk had not won this one for them.
"That was down to our man with the arrows", Thor nodded over to Clint who was now lying on the ground. "Robin Hood saves the day again, Benji Dunn muttered as he came to join them. Steve knew exactly who Robin Hood was and agreed with Dunns assessment.
"Okay now we have to call for extraction. I think it is time to notify our trump card",Steve told them.
They knew the could not be extracted until that fishing boat was taken out of the picture as it was possible it still posed a danger. The plane they had arrived on had not returned to base , just flying out of range and waiting for a signal. It would not take out the boat until things on the island were in the control of the Avengers team. That way the enemy would not be aware of its presence until it was already too late.
Hearing Rogers organizing an air strike Mr Fields realized he had indeed lost this round. But his battle was not over yet. If he waited long enough an opportunity would come for him to escape.
"We are going to have to transport those enemies off in groups", Steve remarked. "I will stay and make sure that happens." "Make sure that one goes first", Clint requested loudly from his position on the ground ,nodding over to the man he had captured.
"Don't worry Clint , I think we can take care of things from here. You just concentrate on getting better. Then you can have a proper reunion with your brother", Steve responded with a warm smile.
Clint watched as Thor carefully lifted Will out of the crevice and then placed him on the ground again. Steve quickly contacted the helicarrier.
Things happened rapidly after that. The jet boomed over their location briefly before heading out to sea. Moments later there came the sound of an explosion. When the jet streaked back over them doing a victory loop the loop they all smiled in relief. At least this part of the mission seemed to be going well. Cap stayed by the side of the man that had been behind al of this. He noted he was now more alert and looked around him with a speculative gaze. Soon he would be transported to a secure SHIELD location where the questioning process would begin.
The medical team on board the helicarrier moved in not long afterward. Clint had moved over to Will's slide and held his hand firmly. He held on when the medical team tried to pull them apart. Looking over the most seriously injured member of the team Captain Grey decided not to put further stress upon him. "Just leave them like that, carry them side by side", he ordered.
It felt surreal to Clint, like his memory of the surgery. His eyes and hand were focused on Will .
The majority of the team walked behind the stretchers with Ethan stubbornly refusing to be transported in that manner. "You will be examined along with the others", Captain Grey told him, "we want to make sure there are no toxins in your body from exposure to the elements. You may feel fine but those toxins could be building up and in a few hours you could find yourself in a serious situation".
Ethan only had the energy to nod. He would not fight any examination.
The helicarrier had landed upon the water and had its back doors down like a ramp waiting to receive them. There was also a pair of familiar eyes. Tony Stark already lay on a bed in one of the examination alcoves. The Helicarrier had rescued him from the opposite side of the island. His treatment had already taken place with an IV in place and stitches in the most serious of his cuts. He would need antibiotics and a short period of recuperation before returning to active status
As for the others ,Captain Grey was used to instantly analyzing the condition of his patients and placing them in the helicarrier according to seriousness. Will and Clint would go at the back where sophisticated machinery awaited to assist him in their treatment. Ethan Hunt would be in an alcove at the side where less serious patients were treated. The others could all sit up near the front.
Will and he were swiftly transported aboard. Clint braced himself for the intense medical intervention that would follow. Indeed as soon as his stretcher was secured in place the medical staff were stripping off his clothing and attaching monitors . Beside him Will was receiving the same treatment. He did not need to ask how Will was as the monitors all screamed the moment they were attached. Sitting up he tried to get a better look at what was happening to his brother. The medic treating him pushed him back down firmly telling him, "Agent Barton, I will sedate you if necessary. Agent Brandt is in good hands and we are doing all we can for him".
Clint forced himself to relax as the medic swiftly inserted an IV line. That process seemed a lot harder on Will. "He's dehydrated so his veins are all shrunken, just go for his neck", he heard Captain Grey state.
Staring up at the roof above him Clint had another moment of dejavu and forced it down. He did not want unpleasant memories intruding. He closed his eyes as the glare of the lighting above began to give him an aching head. Even though he had not intended it to happen once his eyes were closed he drifted off into an exhausted sleep.
Back at the SHIELD base Fury and Secretary Killian were receiving the news of the recovery. "It's good they found William Brandt also", Fury remarked.
"His condition is listed as serious and unstable", Gideon reminded Fury, "I doubt he'll be up to questioning for awhile. "Yeah well we may not get much out of the the guy they captured, he is probably responsible for several murders as well as goodness knows what else. It is in his best interests to keep quiet and I have a feeling our toughest measures may prove fruitless", Fury stated. Gideon did not like hearing that, though he of course agreed. This was no lightweight criminal they were dealing with.
As if he could feel the thoughts about him Mr Fields was calm and controlled as Captain America escorted him onto the plane. It had winched them both up into its cargo area. As he looked around Steve decided he was happy with the level of security provided. The whole back of the plane was now like a cage, with no access to the pilot or any part of the plane. That pilot was well known to him, a SHIELD operative for over 10 years. He was a tough no nonsense man and Steve approved heartily of the choice. This type of plane only had room for a pilot and riding in the back with the prisoner was not part of the security measures. Since he had shown some technologies unknown to SHIELD it was preferable that nobody was near him. That applied to Captain America as well. "I'll see you back at base", Pilot Tim Boson told Steve. "Indeed", Steve shook his hand then departed. He would go to SHIELD HQ on another helicarrier with the less dangerous prisoners.
Back on the medical carrier Captain Grey was scanning Will Brandt's arm, "it definitely looks like something is in there. Whatever it is has caused a high grade infection, that has begun in the arm and is now spreading throughout his body". He frowned, "the infection has taken hold aggressively and is far more advanced than I would expect after a couple of days. I'll start him on IV antibiotics. Then I'll notify base to prep the theatre, only removal of the object will combat further infection." Captain Grey knew that surgery was risky as Brandt's condition was unstable. Delay though would just increase the danger to his long term survival as well as increasing the possibility he would lose his arm.
Looking over he noted that Clint Barton was now unconscious . His hand still rested lightly in that of Will Brandt. Moving over Grey tried to remove Clint's hand . He was stunned when Will Brandt's hand tightened quickly. The man was barely conscious so it seemed like more of a reflex action. He beckoned over Ethan, "perhaps hearing a familiar voice may help him feel more secure. Can you tell him he's safe and get him to release his hand from Barton's".
Ethan placed his hand on Will's arm and stroked softly hoping his friend could feel the contact. "Will its Ethan, you are safe with us. You need to let Clint's hand go now",he said. There was no reaction. Captain Grey knew that unless they were planning on taking Clint into surgery they would have to break the hand hold at some stage. He would start by giving Will a pre operative sedative and see what effect that had.
It did not seem to have any. Will's hand was still around Clint's when the helicarrier landed back at SHIELDS Hawaiian base.
Knowing that he was most likely going to have to do things the hard way Captain Grey rolled both stretcher beds down the exit ramp.
He noticed that Director Fury was waiting with another man. "We have a problem sir", he told his boss, "Agent Brandt will not release his hand from Bartons. We are going to have to take him into emergency surgery and Barton can't come. I don't want to cause him further stress but it looks like I am going to have to force them apart. Brandt is barely conscious but he's determined not to let go."
Fury did not really think he could help. But Gideon Killian did. He moved up beside Will's bed and placed one hand over the top of Wills . "Let him go now Brandt, that's an order", he said firmly.
Captain Grey did not think that would work and was surprised when Will's hand released. "He was military once Captain, so got used to following orders", Gideon explained.
Ah now that did make sense. Grey could now concentrate fully on his most seriously injured patient. "We are taking this one to theatre. Clint is heading for exam room 1 and Hunt to room 5." We will have follow up reports available soon", he told them.
Fury and Killian could only watch as both Clint and Will were wheeled away. Fury's eyes widened when Tony Stark walked down the ramp of the helicarrier with a medics arm firmly upon his own. He noticed several dressings covering the billionaire. "What happened to you", he demanded. "Our enemy had some advanced substance coating the missile and fragments penetrated my suit. They also used it on the bullets they fired at the others". Tony looked and sounded angry. "If you are not needing me immediately I'll finish off with medical then get to work on analyzing that substance".
Fury found himself feeling off balance and had to quickly regain his poker face. This substance sounded like a definite threat to The Avengers and he had not even heard a whisper about its existence. "Agreed", he simply said. Looking at the others as they came down the ramp, he told them," I am going to check the staus of the plane carrying our hostile". " All of you ,briefing room 5 minutes, I'll bring coffee". He watched as the group headed off quickly.
Killian had stood at his side the whole time taking quiet note of everything said and done. He began to feel a little out of control. It was almost like his agents were now working for SHIELD. Fury was striding off leaving him standing in the hangar bay. Noticing he was not following the director of SHIELD turned. "This is a combined operation and I imagine you will have questions of your own to ask", Fury told him. Gideon blew out a tension filled breath and forced himself to relax. An argument over who was in command would only cause unnecessary conflict and ultimately delay them from gaining information on the actual enemy.
He followed Fury over to a large console and watched as he brought up a radar image. Noticing a frown appearing on the SHIELD directors face he inched closer. " I cannot find the plane on the radar", Fury told him. Now that did not sound good. Fury kept searching, "that plane has high tech installed with a system locked onto this base. It would not be a simple task to deactivate the system and take the plane off course."The pilot does not know how to do it." He could feel heat rising in his face as he realized that somehow something had happened to that plane. It was an embarrassing feeling for a man who thought he was in charge of the most powerful agency in the world to feel out of control. Noting Gideon Killian staring at him he swallowed his pride and admitted, 'it looks like we lost the plane ."
"You mean you lost the hostile", Killian corrected severly. "Now how did that happen director', IMFs secretary asked seriously. His whole body language had changed in that instance Fury recognised, he now looked almost menancing and his tone was boardline accusatory .It did not help that Fury had to tell him the truth about the answer to that question ,which was just as embarrassing. 'Honestly I have no idea".
"So that means that man is out there again ready to use more enhanced tech against you and to try and abduct one of my agents", Gideon stormed. His anger was pulsing to the surface and he was unaware that around them SHIELD personal were staring. "Yes ", Fury replied firmly. "Any answers will now have to come from your Agent Brandt." He had over emphasized the word your a little too much he realized. But some part of him did wonder why a dangerous criminal was targeting the IMF agent. Did will Brandt have something to hide. He hoped not for Clint's sake. But this reunion was going down a darker path and he could not say that it was going to have a happy ending.