Chapter 8

Coulson's POV

Sitting in my office for an hour without Alex coming in and asking a question about the world was horrible. I had just lost a member of my family, my team, and I had promised to protect her.

About 30 minutes ago I let the news on my team. Not the news that we had lost Alex, because they already knew that. The news that we were not going to be able to get her back.

Mel and I had done all the calculations, the pros and cons, and we came to the conclusion that we are not going to be able to rescue her for a long time. I would have Skye keep tabs on where she was but we would not be able to make a move.

I am feeling helpless, a feeling that I have been experiencing a lot of.

Alex POV

3 months later

Russia is really annoying.

Of course, the only part of Russia I have ever seen is the inside of the training compound so I am probably pretty biased. The training compound is made of cinder blocks and concrete. Basically, a jail.

The only good part is that I get a cell instead of a dog crate. I guess the Russians have better funding. The scientists have been toying with me relentlessly. The poking and prodding has become part of my life. Sadly, they all speak in Russian and write in Russian so I have no clue what they are saying. Great.

The only part that is keeping me sane in this hell house is that I know my team is coming for me.

Right?

6 months after transfer to Russia

I am so confused.

They let me out of my cell and led me to a big gymnasium like space. There was a man standing in the middle of the mats staring straight at me. As I slowly walked forward the man started running. At me.

My instincts kicked in and I remembered all the things that Mel taught me. So, I waited for him to get near and I stepped to the side and used his momentum to flip him on his back.

The scientists looked surprised for a second and then started writing and conversing in Russian. I only understood parts of their conversation,

"…strong… good candidate…phase 3…"

Then the man got up and walked towards me. I stood still and watched him come closer. Noticing that he favored his right leg over his left. When he was in range and he lifted his right foot to kick I had already moved and was in motion with roundhouse to his left leg and a punch aimed for his throat. When my fist connected his staggered away clutching his throat looking very pained.

When I straightened up and looked at the scientists and they were all nodding and motioning for me to keep beating this guy up.

Why they would do this?

To hell if I know.

2 years after transfer to Russia

Russia wasn't so bad after all.

The Red Room trained me in hand to hand, knife throwing, many different languages, and my favorite, how to use a gun effectively.

They have started sending me out of the compound to gather information on well, let's say, certain wealthy individuals. But today is different. I am going to a gala where I will be posing as a daughter of a rich business man. My job, assassinate the host and leave before anyone notices. I am not sure how I feel about killing but I don't have anything to lose.

AGENTSOFSHIELDAVENGERSAGENTSOFSHIELDAVENGERSAGENTSOFSHIELD

Poison.

That is how I did it. It was simple. Walk in, charm the man (he has a thing for young women, eew), slip the poison in his drink, and walk out.

They say your first kill is the worst. I didn't feel a thing.

4 years after transfer to Russia

Kill Count: 246.

They say that is only 20 off from Natalia Romanova's record.

Now they are going to pull me out for more enhancements. I don't know what I will need them for, I mean, I am already a ruthless killing machine.

Being one of the best assassins has its perks. I get to travel all over the world to meet new people and then promptly kill them. Free health insurance: even with my expedient healing, if I get hurt, they fix me.

I will let them make me better if it means I get to stay alive.

AGENTSOFSHIELDAVENGERSAGENTSOFSHIELDAVENGERSAGENTSOFSHIELD

Telepathy is pretty awesome.

Always wanted to know what that stranger thought of you? Well now I can. It is useful in fights because I can predict my opponent's movements and plan accordingly.

It is also really disturbing sometimes. I learned that one of the trainers is sleeping with his maid, the scientists want to dissect everyone and everything, and that my boss's plans are to take over the world with a fleet of genetically enhanced humans. Fun.

I also learned something else.

I am going to be paired with a partner.

Damnit.

Hey guys!

So I finally made some plot developments in this chapter. Yay! You should expect to see some minor Avengers action next chapter. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please let me know!

Question: Who else thought that Natasha and Bruce were standing way too close together in the Age of Ultron trailer?