17: THE TRINKET
May looked out into the darkness of the night surrounding her as she piloted The Bus while the rest of the jet enjoyed the calmness of sleep. Before she joined Coulson's team she'd gotten used to shutting everyone out so she found it quite therapeutic to have time alone.
While it lasted, at least.
"May I take a seat, Melinda?" Andrew asked as he peered his head into the cockpit.
"As long as you promise to keep your psychological analysis of people outside the door." May smirked.
"That seems fair." Andrew smiled, sitting in the empty chair next to her.
"It still bewilders me that you know what all these buttons do." Andrew commented.
"It's easy when you put the time in." May said.
"Not everyone has the time."
"No one ever does."
"Look who's getting analytical now." Andrew teased. May shook her head as she held back a smile.
"Coulson told me you're staying on board for a while longer." May recalled.
"With the tension between you all as high as it is, I felt I might as well stick around instead of having two days at home then inevitably getting summoned back to sort out an argument." Andrew said.
"Things are fine now." May stated.
"Until Rage bears it's literal and metaphorical ugly head again."
"…Once we think of a way of stopping it, at least catching it, things will cool down."
"…Why is it that you all refer to Rage and Maya Anderson as two different beings?" Andrew asked.
"Because they are. Maya cannot control Rage's actions from what we've gathered so far." May explained.
"Interesting." Andrew nodded.
"…I will probably regret asking this, but why is it interesting?"
"Well, you're all desperate to catch Rage and don't seem to understand that catching Rage and catching Maya Anderson is the same thing. Go after Maya, not Rage; appeal to the humanity. Whether they like it or not, everyone has some humanity in them. Why else would Inhumans let the word 'human' be in their name?" Andrew suggested.
"Interesting." May smirked.
"What?"
"For once, I'm glad you went all analytical."
…
"Instead of focusing on drawing Rage from out of the shadows, we should draw Maya out instead." May said as she stood in the briefing room with Coulson and Mack.
"Are we incredibly stupid for not thinking of this earlier? Because I feel pretty stupid for not thinking of this earlier." Mack said.
"Instead of dwelling on our stupidity, let's just focus on the matter at hand. We need to something sentimental to Maya; something that she would desperately want to get back, even if she had to become Rage to do it." Coulson said.
"…Maybe there's something in her house?" May suggested.
"Makes sense; she had to go on the run when you exposed her, she can't have been able to take everything. Or anything, really." Mack theorised.
"Daisy extracted Maya's address months ago when she downloaded files from R.E.S.C.U.E.'s database; maybe we should stop by and check it out. We've been monitoring it and there was a heavy police presence at first but it's died down. The entrances have been sealed shut but that's not a problem for us." Coulson revealed.
"So, is that a go?" May asked.
"Let's do it. Change the plane's course." Coulson said to May, who nodded and rushed off.
…
"How does it not run out of power once it's implanted?" Mack asked later that day as he and Jemma stood at a table in the lab inspecting their implant for Fitz's spinal cord.
"Oh, S.H.I.E.L.D. scientist developed the technology for sustainable, renewable energy a few years ago. All I did was use the schematics and chemicals required and put it into this, on a smaller scale of course." Jemma explained excitedly.
"Wait, there's already a way of having sustainable and renewable energy and the world doesn't know about it yet?" Mack questioned.
"We'll release the information when we develop a safe way for it to be used. This technology as it stands can be easily weaponised so we can't risk anyone knowing about it just yet." Jemma justified.
"…So, is that it? Has it passed your inspection?" Mack asked.
"I do believe it has." Jemma grinned as Daisy walked in.
"Well, I better get ready for when we land; Coulson's asked me to help him go through Maya's house. I'll see you soon. Good work, partner." Mack smiled, patting Jemma on the back as he headed out and fist bumping Daisy as he went.
"Oh, is this Fitz's implant?" Daisy asked excitedly as she rushed to Jemma's side and looked at the tiny device, delicately stored in a small plastic case.
"That's it. Some of the most advanced technology known to man compressed into something barely the size of a fingernail." Jemma said.
"That's so cool. You're amazing for doing this for Fitz." Daisy said.
"I'd do anything for Leo. I know he'd do the same if I were the one in need of it too; I just hope it works – I know he'd pretend to be fine with it but it'll kill him if it fails." Jemma said.
"Of course it'll work; you're like the smartest woman ever." Daisy smiled.
"Let's not go that far." Jemma chuckled, smiling at the implant as she stored it away in a cupboard by her desk.
"…Are you okay, Jemma?" Daisy asked.
"What? Of course I am! You're worried about me?" Jemma asked.
"No, I mean…it's the opposite of worry, really. You've been really perky these last few days. And you calling Fitz Leo not only creeps me out but makes me suspicious." Daisy said and a smile crept up Jemma's face as she blushed and looked to the floor.
"Fitz and I, we're…well, we're not, I mean…we're going to…we're going to have dinner. Soon. After his operation, good result or bad. Dinner, just the two of us. Like a…like a date." Jemma admitted happily.
"Finally! Jemma, that's great! It's about time!" Daisy squealed excitedly.
"I need to focus on the implant first, though; if I start thinking about the where and when's of it all, and whether or not he'd pull a chair out for me – if he can – and what I'm going to wear…if I think about all that I get too nervous to concentrate on my work." Jemma revealed.
"Of course you're gonna be nervous. I mean, with Lincoln and I…we've always had that kind of relationship and we haven't known each other for that long in the grand scheme of things. You and Fitz have been best friends for ten years and only now it's getting romantic. It's nerve-wracking but you must be excited?" Daisy asked.
"…I really am." Jemma smiled.
"Good!"
"It's just…I guess it's just very new, seeing him in that way." Jemma said.
"About as new as a fossil. From the second I first met you two, arguing like a married couple, I saw this coming. This is honestly the best news, Jemma. I'm super happy for both of you." Daisy smiled.
"Thank you." Jemma blushed.
"Man, I only came in here to see how the implant was turning out. Even if we catch Maya this'll be the highlight of my day." Daisy grinned and Jemma laughed.
…
A few hours later, The Bus was stationed in an empty field away from the public eye. Coulson and Mack had gone through Maya's house and taken an item away – a silver pendant with a picture of her son Kaiden inside. Coulson sat at his desk examining it as Fitz rolled in.
"Transport's arrived for you sir. Why don't we just fly to wherever it is you want to go?" Fitz asked.
"It's not too far from here; that's why I had The Bus land in this location. Can't risk too many people seeing." Coulson explained.
"I don't want to seem high and mighty, but this seems cruel, sir; taking something that must be so precious to her to force her out." Fitz noted.
"I can't say I feel good about it, Fitz, but its necessary evil. She's dangerous and this might be a good way of stopping her without bloodshed. She might come in willingly." Coulson said.
"I saw the news report you had leaked." Fitz said.
"What did it say?"
"First they were saying how someone had broken into the 'infamous fugitive' Maya Anderson's home. Then they read out the speech the anonymous thief had sent it; that they'd taken the pendant in order to stop Maya 'shielding herself away' and how she should meet with them 'where at last they met'. I'm not sure it makes much sense to me." Fitz recalled.
"Good. But it'll make sense to her. Wording it like that; she'd pick up on the 'shielding' comment and know it's me. And the 'at last we met' comment is in reference to what she first said to me in person, so she'll go to that location. That very same pier. I only hope Maya was listening, turns up and doesn't go full on monster mode." Coulson said, heading out of the room. He stopped and turned back.
"Tell everyone to suit up. If this works, I'll need you all."
…
Coulson waited at the pier for an hour, and there had been no sign of Maya or Rage. If he was truly honest, Coulson had mixed feelings about the whole thing; he certainly would not have appreciated the inconvenience of Rage turning up and tearing him into tiny Coulson chunks.
It was getting late, and as the darkness started to set in any visitors to the pier had departed; Coulson's credentials were all that kept him able to remain where he was.
"I don't think she's coming." Lance's voice crackled over coms.
"You may be right." Coulson sighed, looking out to the sea view in front of him, listening to wave crash against rock; nature's beautiful melody.
"You son of a bitch."
Coulson turned and saw the familiar face stood next to him.
"Maya?"
Even in the low light, Coulson could see Maya Anderson was a shell of the woman she once was. She had a long piece of fabric covering most of her face, but her skin was dry and cracking; her eyes more bloodshot than anyone Coulson had ever seen.
"How did you get past the security?" Coulson asked.
"Your team knows best my ability to get inside people's heads." Maya groaned. She took a step forward and leaned against the metal bar on the pier's edge, wincing as she bent forwards in pain.
"You're not well." Coulson sighed.
"I haven't been well since my husband and son were taken from me. A fact you have today become determined to flaunt in my face." Maya cursed.
"You've been killing people and destroying cities. We needed to stop you. My agents said Rage seemed weaker, I just never considered -"
"-Evolution is a bitch." Maya said.
"We can help you." Coulson pleaded.
"I don't want your help. Just give me the pendant you bastard. Or I'll do something I'll regret." Maya threatened.
"Listen to me, I -"
"GIVE IT TO ME." Maya screamed, knocking Coulson to the floor. Instinctively, Coulson pulled out his icer and took a shot; while it had no effect on Rage in the past, now it caused Maya to stumble a little and leave her dazed.
"What's happening to you?" Coulson asked, his concern growing by the second.
"You…you shot me." Maya seethed, her eyes glossing over into a pigment of grey as he skin started to turn a navy blue.
Coulson was left with no other option.
"NOW!" Coulson shouted.
Maya wailed as she was shot with blast after blast from an icer in all different directions, pausing her transformation. As her vision blurred, she made out several figures emerging from shaded parts of the pier; Mack, Lance, Bobbi, Daisy, Lincoln, Joey, Jemma. S.H.I.E.L.D.
With one final scream, she collapsed to the floor, unconscious. A Quinjet hovered overhead with May at the controls. Coulson leant down next to Maya.
"I'm sorry." He whispered, placing the pendant in her hand.
Coulson looked up to the Quinjet and nodded. The bottom of the vehicle opened and a large cube dropped from it, the base sliding open as it landed on top of Maya, forming a cell around her. Everyone observed as Maya lay still in the centre of the cell as it hovered back up into the base of the Quinjet. All eyes landed on Coulson.
"Good work everyone." Coulson said solemnly, still staring up at the jet.
…
Coulson and Andrew watched from outside the interrogation room as Maya sat chained to the chair.
"What if she transforms?" Andrew asked.
"She's had liquid icer circulated through her bloodstream for the past few hours. That'll keep her at bay until her abilities adapt to it and recover from its effect. After that, I just hope she doesn't get too pissed off." Coulson said.
"And you really think she's ready for an interrogation already?" Andrew wondered.
"I'm done wasting time. You'll stay out here and perform a psych eval?" Coulson asked and Andrew nodded.
"She looks half dead." Andrew noted.
"Bobbi and Lance told me when they last encountered Rage that something seemed different; it had new abilities but it wasn't bulletproof like before. Aspects of Rage are getting weaker with time, and it's affecting Maya too." Coulson explained.
"I take it Fitzsimmons are analysing the new blood samples you took?" Andrew asked.
"They've already started running all the tests they can." Coulson confirmed.
"Go easy on her, okay?"
"She's killed dozens of people, Andrew."
"She didn't ask to be turned, Phil."
Coulson said nothing more as he opened the door and walked inside. Andrew took a deep breath as he watched through the one-way glass.
Maya slowly lifted her head as Coulson walked into the room. He walked over to the table and took a seat opposite her.
"Let's start at the beginning, shall we?"