"Ward?" shouted Coulson.
"Yeah!"
"We need to talk."
"About?" Ward asked, thinking he was in trouble
"I think it's best if we talk in my office" Ward followed Coulson into his office and took the seat that Coulson had gestured him to sit in.
"I don't want you to overreact, but."Coulson paused for a moment.
"But?" Ward prompted, getting a little concerned.
"They want you back at Phys Acc"
"What?!" Ward exploded, standing up, sending the chair flying.
"I don't think the principal is happy about it either, but, it's an order, passed down from Fury himself, so neither of you can escape it."
"Fury can stick that order up his..."
"Ward! It's the open day. Try to have some fun."
"I'd rather be tortured with a nail gun"
"Plane lands at 0800. I recommend you get some sleep."
"Coulson, can't we go too?"
"Please? I've never been to Phys Acc"
"I just want to compare it to Sci Acc"
"Fine. But we stick together so no one gets lost. May are you coming?"
"Sure. It's been a while since I was there"
They walked through the double doors into a cavernous atrium, filled with floor to ceiling banners. There was one of Ward, which was similar to the photo Skye had saved to her computer, one of Natasha Romanov and three of them both together in different poses.
"Wow" Fitz gasped looking around
"That is actually quite hot" Simmons admitted, blushing slightly.
"I bet he loves those!" Skye quipped sarcastically.
"Yeah, they both try and burn them every year they have to come back here for this. They haven't managed it yet. It's got so bad the security team has to guard them all day" May told them, with a slight smile.
"But why those two? I mean, how many agents come through here every year? Simmons asked Coulson.
"They are the most decorated agents to have come through the Academy. Between them they hold every single record available. No one has ever come close to their times, or ability since they left. Fury calls them his poster people. Which is why one or both must be here on open day."
"Tour's starting" May interrupted, Coulson looked up and shepherded his team to the back of the tour group.
They were taken around the language rooms (each of the taught languages at the Academy having its own room), the tactical rooms, the music rooms (well you never know when you will need to sing your way into a building, their tour guide told them) and the Arena where the agents in training learned their combat skills. This was Skye's favourite room, as, at the other end there was a large structure that the students had dubbed 'the Colosseum'. It had a smooth wall for about 20 feet then had hand and foot holds like on a climbing wall. They went another 10 feet into the air, then there was a narrow ledge that ran to the top zig-zagging from one side of the wall to the other. To finish up there was a cargo net with a large red circle above it. From the Arena they were shown the outdoor obstacle course and the student's living quarters. These surprised Simmons and Fitz. They thought that field agents in training would have better quarters then they did at Sci Acc but they didn't. It was just the same. Their tour guide took them back to the atrium and showed them the board. On it were a list of names and scores for each of the taught areas.
"This board shows what position you are in your class in your final year here."
"What does the top spot get?" One guy, wearing a wifebeater top and sunglasses asked, smirking.
"Usually their choice of assignment and half a say in their code name. We are nearing the end of the tour, however if you would like to follow me I will take you to the demonstration part of the open day."
"Have you seen Ward yet?" Simmons whispered to Skye. She shook her head.
They were led into a room and took a seat. On the wall in front of them were the faces of 50 people.
"Now everyone has taken a seat I will give you an outline of the demonstration. These 50 people are security here at the Academy. These are only select agents. The rest are actually protecting us." He gestured to the board and continued.
"The game is like capture the flag. A team is sent in to capture the S.H.I.E.L.D flag that is flying high and proud in the atrium. These guys job is to stop them, and either shoot them so they can't walk or capture them and take them to the principle."
"You shoot them?" One girl asked horrified.
"Our security team primarily use neuro-toxin darts on students. They replicate the pain of gunshots without the mess. They also carry real bullets to protect from outside threats. Today those bullets have been confiscated. The team capturing the flag has to get it to the top of the colosseum. " Their guide clicked his clicker and the face of a man and Ward came onto screen.
"This is the team." He pointed to the man and continued "This is Hawkeye, master at arms and has a deathly accuracy."
He moved his pointer to Ward "Agent Grant Ward, code name unknown except by a select few. The rumours are that Director Fury classified it for some reason. You will have noticed his face on the banners outside. This is because he is incredibly talented and holds approximately half of the records here at S.H.I.E.L.D, and has done for the last 10 years."
He clicked to the next slide, which were individual pictures of Hawkeye and Ward fighting people.
"These two are seasoned agents, with access to all of this facility. For the purposes of this exercise, their clearance has been removed, so if they want access to an area they will have to hack their way in. You will hear them refer to hear other by amusing names. Last year we had names like pumpkin and sweetheart. Security forces do not know who they are looking for, until they see the agent 'running' in full S.H.I.E.L.D tactical gear. I will now take you through to mission control where you will observe this mission. I personally recommend watching the facility monitors, not the agent monitors. You see more action that way. Please refrain from talking while you're in there."
"How they hell do they expect a team of two to win against 50?" Skye heard a small girl in pigtails ask someone who was obviously her brother.
They were led through a door into a dimly lit room, covered with monitors. Knowing that their friend was going to be part of the exercise Fitz, Simmons and Skye fought for front row seats. Coulson and May sat behind them. Ward and Hawkeye were sat on a table being briefed by another agent.
"Who's running, who's tech?" He asked them
"I'm running." Ward replied, looking at Hawkeye, who nodded his approval.
"The exercise will begin once Agent Ward here steps out of this room." The agent prepping Ward announced to the group. Ward walked to the door, noticed his team looking at him with apprehension and gave them a quick smile. He reached the door and turned around.
"Has anyone got a lighter?" he asked the group. A guy at the back did and handed it to him. "Thanks!" He left the room and the agent announced over the microphone "Mission is a go, go, go."