Episode 13: T.R.A.C.K.S.
Part One

Coulson stood in the Planning Center, an image of Ian Quinn on the holocom.
"Ian Quinn," he said as the team entered the room.
"You found him?" May asked.
"No," Coulson shook his head. "But we think we know how we can. Skye tracked down an invoice from one of his shell companies. He made a big purchase recently."
"Ten million dollars big," Skye chimed in.

Simmons brows furled.
"Any idea what it is?" Skye shook her head.
"No clue. But it was designed and built by Cybertek, Inc. A small firm that deals in advanced technology and research."
"Which is where this gets interesting," Coulson said. "They've hired a private-security outfit to transport the purchase, former military, ex-mercs."

Clicking his tongue, Ward crossed his arms.
"Lot of muscle to move one package."
"And they know S.H.I.E.L.D.'s got eyes on Quinn," Coulson added.
"Which is why they're transporting it old school," Skye said.
Coulson nodded, "On a train, through Italian countryside, from Verona to Zagreb—very rural, very isolated."
"And you think Quinn's on that train?" Sara asked.
"No, but I believe that they're delivering the item to Quinn himself. We got our intel from Italian authorities who have been monitoring the situation."
"And they don't mind us taking over the op?"
"I asked very nicely."

An official sat across the table with Coulson, light Italian music playing in the background.
"You're not asking me at all, Agent Coulson. You're telling me and my team to step aside to hand over our investigation to S.H.I.E.L.D." Coulson shrugged, twirling pasta around his fork.
"Try to think of it less as a hand over and more as a hand off. You've done your part, now we'll do ours."

Looking over his team, Coulson smiled lightly.
"If everything goes as planned, Cybertek's security team won't even know we were on the train."
Ward's eyes brightened, "So, we're going undercover?"
May huffed, "I hate undercover." Sara wrapped an arm around the older woman's shoulders.
"It's gonna be fun, May, cheer up."

Smirking, Coulson shook his head. He got their attention again to assign their positions.
"May, Ward, you're front and center. Once we locate the package, you'll tag it with a tracker." Sara leaned in close to Ward.
"You flirt with May, even a little bit, you're sleeping on the couch."
"Ouch, harsh much," he complained. She winked at him, and he tugged her close.
"Skye, Fitz, Sara, you'll be running communications. After the package is tagged, we'll follow it to Quinn."

A concerned look appeared on Simmons' face. She didn't know why she wasn't with the others. Normally, she, Fitz, and Sara were always together.
"And what about the two of us, sir?" Coulson pursed his lips.
"How's your acting?"

Nearly immediately, the rest of the team started laughing.
"Not very good," Simmons flushed.
"Better late than never to learn," Coulson shrugged. "It's a skill needed for a good S.H.I.E.L.D. agent."
Fitz sobered, "You'll do fine, Simmons."
"Yeah," Sara agreed. "After all, if you can't lie, how are you gonna keep my secrets from Ward."
"What secrets?" Ward asked alarmed.
"Her secret love affair with Matt Damon," Skye teased.

Sara pretended to get offended.
"You promised not to tell!" Coulson cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention.
"We leave in fifteen minutes. Get ready." He left the room, Fitz-Simmons, Skye, and Ward following. Sara looked over at May.
"Hey, can we talk for a sec?" May raised an eyebrow but leaned against the wall. "I think Ward was gonna propose," she said. "A few days ago, after the thing with Donnie Gill."

Rolling her eyes, May pushed off the wall.
"And this affects me… how?"
"What if he does ask?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if he asks me to marry him? How do I respond to that?" May tilted her head to the side.
"Don't you want to marry him, Sara?"
"Yeah, but… we're S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, is marriage really in the cards?"
"You're more than just an agent, Sara. You're a woman. A woman in love and you have the right to that." May put a hand on Sara's shoulders. "I've watched you grow up, okay? You are more than just a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent."

With that, the woman slipped out of the room, leaving Sara alone in the Planning Center. Years ago, Sara would have not even blinked if a potential boyfriend asked for her hand in marriage, she would have turned them down. She never had a good outlook on marriage. Her biological parents weren't married. Her adoptive stepfather was abusive and eventually divorced her mum. But now… if Ward asked… what would her answer be?

Coulson lifted a large suitcase above his head into the overhead compartments. Simmons sat on one side of the train booth, and he sat down across from here.
"Thanks, Dad," she said. Her voice had gone all high and squeaky, earning her a look from Coulson. She leaned in closer to him, being careful with the urn that lay in her lap. "You look far too young to have a daughter my age." He rolled his eyes with a small smile.

In their earpieces, Skye's voice came through.
"Simmons? Coulson? You in position?"
"Yes," Coulson answered. "Just waiting on May's signal." He pulled a photograph out of his pocket. He showed it to Simmons. "So, remember, our target is Carlo—"
"Mancini," Simmons interrupted. "The head of security. I know. I memorized his face. I memorized everything."

Wrapping her hands around the urn, she closed her eyes much to Coulson's confusion.
"What are you doing?"
"Oh, I'm getting into character. My undercover persona harbors residual resentment to her absent American father—blames her for not being there when her mom died…"

Her eyes opened, a slight sadness appearing.
"So, I apologize in advance if I come off a little cold, I'm channeling my inner Sara."
"You think all that backstory's necessary?" Coulson questioned. Simmons bit her lip.
"Past events, like that unfortunate incident at The Hub, have shown me that I'm not good at improvisation. However, I excel at preparation."

Before Coulson could say anything, Fitz came through the comms.
"He's headed your way." Simmons' face turned worried.
"You're on," Coulson said. He gave her a tiny grin that was instantly wiped off when she started talking.
"All mum ever wanted was your love, to be with you." People started looking at them, Coulson slouching down just a bit form the attention. "But would you even give her a moment, what with you banking job requiring you to travel to the states from Tuesday to Saturday… Every other week! No!"

An older man stopped beside them. He had a beautiful woman on both arms as he walked down the path between seats.
"I'm terribly sorry about your loss, dear," he said. He looked at Coulson. "As for you, now is your chance to do better. Why don't you see that you take it?"
"Thank you, sir," Simmons sniffed.

As he started walking away, Simmons stood up as the door opened behind them.
"He's right," she told Coulson. "You never had any time for her, but you made time with your work! And your prostitutes!"

Coulson's mouth dropped open in shock as the other people in the car gasped. Simmons hurried out of her seat, pretending to hold back tears. She ran right into Mancini.

When she collided with him, she dropped the urn, spilling ashes on both of them.
"Oh, God!" Coulson cried out as Simmons dropped to her knees. She tried to sweep up the ashes with her hands as Mancini spoke Italian to the guards who were with them. He walked away, leaving a trail of footprints.

Getting to his knees, Coulson helped her gather up the ashes.
"Prostitutes? Plural?" Simmons flushed in embarrassment. "May, coming your way," Coulson said into his earpiece. He stood, helping Simmons to her feet just as an announcement came through the train.
"As we round the bend, the passengers on the north side of the train can take in the views of the famous Tre Cime Di Lavaredo. Isn't it a wonder?"

Simmons' eyes were immediately drawn out the window. She stared in awe at the wonderful mountain range in the distance and farm-fields between the train and the mountains.
"Look at that," she said breathlessly. "I haven't seen anything so beautiful since our family's scuba diving trip to the island of Koh Tao in southeastern Thailand."

The man beside her couldn't help but smile at her.
"Okay, Simmons, I appreciate your preparation, but—"
"Don't you want to know which marine life we encountered?" She gave him an innocent look and he sighed, putting a finger to his ear.
"Ward, are you in position?" Simmons closed his mouth, looking out the window again.

Coulson's brows furled as all he heard through the comms was static.
"My comms are down," he said."Are yours working?" Simmons put a hand to her ear.
"Fitz? Sara?" All she heard was static and Coulson stood.
"Somethings wrong. Sit tight. I'm gonna go and make sure we don't lose that package." He left her, walking down a hallway.

Entering a sleeping section of the train, he pulled off his glasses. He walked through another sitting section and entered the dining car. He looked around to find it empty and the back door of the car open. He saw a small cup of coffee sitting on the table. He touched it to see if it was still warm. He heard a noise and looked to the door he entered through to see Ward running towards him.
"Ward!" he exclaimed.
"We've been made!" Ward yelled.

Dressed like a conductor, Ward ripped off the hat as two men entered behind him. He turned, looking at them for a split second before moving faster.
"Grenade!" he shouted. "Coulson, we got to jump!"

They both dropped off the train, rolling to a stop. The man in the lead threw it out the train. It hit near them, and they saw a blue pulse come from it, then the train disappeared. Both Coulson and Ward looked on with confusion.

Ward and May walked through the train, May in front. Her hair was down around her shoulders, her makeup done. She didn't look much like she normally did. They passed by Sara, Fitz, and Skye, all of them ignoring each other, going about their own business.

They bumped into a conductor, Ward slipping into Italian to talk to him.
"First class?" he questioned.
The conductor smiled, "Through here, sir. Would you like me to show you to your room? It would be my pleasure."

May gave the man her stoic expression, passing by him with a prim expression.
"We'll find our own way, thank you," Ward said. He fished through his pockets to give the man a cash tip.
"This one's a lot of work, no?" the conductor asked.
"Keeps it interesting," Ward answered. The conductor nodded his understanding as Ward passed by him.

Opening a door, May walked into their small room with Ward right behind her. Ward threw their suitcases onto the bed as May removed her coat, revealing her typical black body suit.
"That looks cozy," he remarked. She pulled back her hair, barking an order at him.
"Once I've located the package, I'll let you know where to place the tracker." Ward nodded, pulling off his shirt to change.
"Okay. Hey, what's up with Coulson? I know he's been put through hell, but he hasn't been the same since. I don't know what he said to Skye, but she's different."

With a raised eyebrow, May turned to look at him.
"How so?" she asked.
"Driven, focused. And she was holed up for days trying to track down Quinn. It feels like Coulson's got her on the warpath. Seems personal." May frowned with a small shake of her head.
"It is personal. The Clairvoyant had him tortured. Quinn's the only person we know who's connected to all this."
"We both know personal urges can adversely affect tactical decisions."
May nodded, "That's why I don't have any."
"Quick side question… Should I ask Coulson permission to marry Sara?"

The woman's eyes rolled practically to the back of her head.
"Oh my God. No, you should ask Fitz. It's his sister." She slipped on her sunglasses, opening the window and blinds. "However, I'd ask before Sara gets any more suspicious. And… uh, Coulson took it okay when I told him about the ring."
"Wait! You told him?"

Her smirk was the last thing she saw as she pulled herself out the window. He watched her go. He rolled his eyes, opening the suitcase. He pulled out a red and gold shirt like a conductor. He started buttoning it up as May's voice came through his ear.
"Following the target to the package."

The train started around the bend as he hooked his belt around his waist. The train announcement went through the ceiling.
"As we round the bend, the passengers on the north side of the train can take in the views of the famous Tre Cime Di Lavaredo. Isn't it a wonder?" He smirked as he thought of Sara jumping up to look out the window. He pulled on his hat, examined himself in the mirror then slipped out of the room as he spoke through the comms.
"May has the tracker. Headed to the dining car now to tag the package."

He started walking down the hall but heard nothing but static on his comms. He paused in his steps, trying to get in contact with someone.
"May? Sara?" A door opened behind him, and a woman stepped out, speaking in rapid Italian.
"Excuse me, Mr. Conductor? Could you be so kind as to help me with my bag?"

Glancing down at the woman's suitcase, she looked back up at him.
"I'm sorry, Miss. I'm very busy. I'll send someone else to help you." He started off again, but she spoke, pouring on charm with a big smile.
"One quick moment. It's very heavy."

Ward looked at the dining car then back to the woman and rolled his head. Sara would kill him if she realized how quickly he was willing to help a woman in need. Or maybe not kill him, but he'd be in trouble for sure.
"Certainly, miss." She smiled as he walked back, grunting when he picked up the suitcase.

Taking it into her compartment, he let out a small sigh when she heard her pull out a gun. She wasn't very stealthy. So, this is what he got trying to be helpful? He spun around, hitting her hands with the suitcase.

Another man appeared in the compartment and Ward threw him aside as the woman pulled a knife, slashing at Ward, slicing his arm. He winced and knocked the man down as the guy lunged for him. He held the woman by her throat, pulling up his fist to hit her. He hesitated for a moment then punched her, knocking her out. He pulled his finger to his ear.
"Cybertek knew we were here."

The man started to rise, and Ward slammed his knee in the guy's face.
"Anyone copy?" He still heard nothing but static. "Damnit!" He walked out of the compartment, shutting the door behind himself. He glanced down at his arm for a second, watching the blood roll down his arm before looking away. Sara could patch him up later.

Entering the sitting car, he saw Simmons looking over her shoulder. He stopped beside her, bending down close.
"We've been made. Comms are down. Where's Coulson?"
"He went to the dining car to find the package." She saw him arm and went to grab at it.
"You've been hurt, let me take a look." He grabbed her hands.
"Not now. Go the luggage car. Lock yourself in there with the other three. Don't come out until I come get you. I'm gonna get Coulson."

He hurried toward the dining car as Simmons ran off in the other direction. From over his shoulder, Ward noticed two men following him. He shook his head, running into the dinging car.
"Ward!" Coulson exclaimed.
"We've been made!" Ward called. He took off his hat, running after Coulson.

The men entered the car as Ward took off his hat. He caught sight of a small object in the lead man's hand.
"Grenade!" he shouted.
"Coulson, we got to jump!" He pushed the guy out of the train, and they rolled to a stop. The grenade hit near them, and they saw a blue pulse come from it as the train disappeared. Both Coulson and Ward looked on with confusion.

They got to their feet quickly, looking down the track, trying to find the train.
"The train, it just—" he started.
"Yep, vanished," Coulson said. He pulled out a handkerchief which he used on his forehead. "Which, I might add… not easy." Ward's face turned worried.
"I told Simmons I'd come back for them."
"May's there, they'll be okay." Ward nodded, then saw something that sobered him.
"No, she's not."

Walking forwards a few steps, he picked up the sunglasses that May had been wearing.
"Well, Sara's with them," Coulson sighed. "They'll be fine." He pulled out his cellphone and walked over to Ward. "Is your phone working?" Ward took it out of his coat.
"No. Cybertek must have taken out our electronics."

Bending down, Coulson looked up at the grenade the men used. He picked it up, looking closely at it.
"Not a grenade, exactly." He wrapped his handkerchief around it. "Might be some kind of cloaking mechanism."
"Maybe it created some kind of portal, jumped the train there?" Ward guessed.
"Oh, let's hope not," Coulson muttered. "I can't deal with Asgard today."
"Well, Cybertek knew we were coming. How?"
"Could have been the Clairvoyant."

Hearing a car headed towards them, they hurried not to be seen.
"We got ot get back to the plane," Coulson said. "Come on." They ran off as two SUV's stopped, unloading a bunch of goons.

Walking through an orchard, Coulson stopped when he saw a truck.
"Keys might be in it," he suggested. Ward shook his head with a slight eyeroll. "It's the country. People are very trusting in the country."

They approached it, finding it idling.
"It's running," Ward mumbled. He leaned into the window, seeing the wires hotwired. He told Coulson that, causing his boss to frown.
"This is…"
"Suspicious?" Ward questioned. Coulson shook his head.
"I was going to say "Fortuitous". Let's get out of here." He jumped behind the wheel, Ward climbing in the passenger side.

Entering The Bus, Coulson and Ward saw a flashing red S.H.I.E.L.D. emblem on the screen of the holo-comm. Coulson get a button, pulling up a video feed.
"Signore Russo," he said. He took in the appearance of the official he had shared dinner with a few nights before. There was a large gash over one of the man's eyes. "What happened?" Russo let out a relieved breath.
"Agent Coulson. Thank God. I've been trying to reach you. Cybertek knew. They knew we were at the station."
"They kenw we were on the train too," Coulson informed him. "Most of my team is unaccounted for."
"Most of my men are dead! Where are you now?"
"On our plane. We'll send you the coordinates… And, Russo, do you have any idea what happened to the train?"

The Italian official looked at Coulson in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"It vanished with our team still on it."
"Ah, okay, we'll look into that. I'm no on way to you now, and maybe together we can find some answers, yes?" Nodding, Coulson ended the video chat.

As Coulson set the grenade device onto the holo-comm, unwrapping it, Ward asked what was next.
"I'll call HQ," Coulson said. "You take this. We need to figure out what the hell happened to that train." He held the device out for Ward, who took it.

Walking down to the lab, Ward sat the device onto the little cradle that Fitz set things onto to determine what they were. He looked down at the unlit table, completely unsure what to do.
"Holo-table—on."

He waved his arm above the table dramatically like Fitz and Sara often did, but nothing happened. He rolled his eyes and took a step back. "Holo-table—activate." He swept both his hands above the table, almost in a swimming motion. One again, nothing happened. He bent down, looking for an on switch or something.
"Ah."

Flipping the switch, the machine powered up and he put his arms above the table again, sweeping them around. He brought up various images in different colors and he started shaking his head at the mess.
"Really?"

Sighing, he began sweeping things away until he found the grenade device. He smiled slightly, pleased with himself for getting that far.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. pulled the satellite images," Coulson said, walking into the lab.
"And?" Ward asked.
"Train's gone. They're checking alternate routes. If its somewhere on Earth, we'll find it." He looked at the holo-table, a slightly impressed look appearing on his face. "It's pretty tricky, right? I couldn't even find the 'on' button."

Ward grinned a bit, pointing to the area where he found the button.
"Can you zoom in?" Coulson asked. Shrugging his shoulders, Ward leaned up, using his fist finger and thumb to attempt to enlarge the device like a picture on a tablet. It grew in size for a moment, then shrunk back to its original size. He leaned back a moment then tried again with the same result.

Bring his other hand out of his pocket, he tried using both hands to enlarge it, but all it did was warp out of shape and then return to its original size. Stepping back, he put his hands on his hips in frustration. Coulson stepped forward.
"I—I think Fitz-Simmons do something more like…"

Trying a few times like Ward, Coulson gave him.
"Damn," he muttered. He waved his hands frantically and it finally enlarged but became a large spiky blob. "Let's just upload the specs to HQ," he said.
"Good idea," Ward agreed.

Coulson went to walk away as Ward turned off the holo-table, but the younger agent's words caused him to stop.
"Oh, uh, sir? This probably isn't the best time, but what May told you… I would have preferred to stay between me and here."
"You want to marry a member of this team… my daughter." Ward cleared his throat.
"Yes, but, um…"
Coulson sighed, "You want to do this now? Okay, fine. I give you my blessing, but if you hurt Sara or if anyone on this team gets hurt, I'll reassign you to Barrow, Alaska, and you'll spend the rest of your tears pulling the night shift guarding Blonsky's cryo-cell. Am I clear?"

Staying quiet, Ward just barely nodded his head.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Would you have said yes earlier… before you knew about the ring?"
Coulson paused, "I don't know. But don't ever call me dad." Ward couldn't help but smirk at that."

They turned as a car pulled up. Coulson looked out the open cargo bay door to see Russo pulling up. Ward and Coulson walked towards the car. Russo got out as they walked down the ramp.
"Agent Coulson, it's gonna be all right. We found your people. The train, it's—"

The man went stuff, blood coming out of his mouth. He fell to his face, relieving a very beat-up May standing behind him. Coulson and Ward stared down at Russo then looked up to May shocked.
"Wheel's up in five," she said angrily."