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Chapter 5: Little bird
When May entered the café, Miss Edvardson was already there. Sitting on a small table next to a window, she looked like the stereotypical, averagely intelligent, non-threatening, nice and friendly well-bred daughter. She looked like someone who rather needed protection, not like someone who could help to bring down HYDRA. Alexandra was about May's height with very light blond hair that made her stand out effortlessly. The strands were straight but shiny and full and cut accurately. Her light pink dress would have been girly if she hadn't combined it that well with a white blazer and matching heels. May, wearing fitted black pants, a white blouse and a black leather jacket felt like a cat, ready to attack the tiny canary. It gave her the feeling of being in control but she knew that she had to be careful. If that girl really was that clever, and the evening before had told them she very likely was, May had to be careful with what to say and to do. Their canary could fly away very quickly and she wouldn't, she couldn't, allow that.
As soon as the asset noticed the agent, a wide genuine smile spread over her face. The older woman kept her serene expression but allowed a bit of warmth to creep into her dark eyes. "Miss Edvardson?", she asked while already taking a seat. "A pleasure Agent...", the 20-year-old answered, her voice clearly indicating she wanted to know the other woman's name. "May", she said simply, not bothering to pick a cover identity. Somethow she felt it wouldn't work very well in this case.
"Agent May, tell me, what can I do for you?"
"You've heard about HYDRA and their attempt to raise again. Now, we, the remaining agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. want to destroy HYDRA for good. But we are not able to crack a certain code, we need your help as a cryptographer. Would you be interested?"
Before Alexandra could answer, a waiter appeared next to their table. "Was darf ich Ihnen bringen?" May subpressed a groan, did those idiots always have to interrupt?! If the asset was bothered at all, she didn't let it show. "Einen großen Kaffee mit Sahne bitte", Edvardson ordered with a sweet smile. "Für mich bitte einen grünen Tee", May responded, he face guarded as usual. When the waiter had left, Alexandra looked at the agent with curiosity:" Your German is really good." A small, nearly invisible smirk was all the response she got. "So, saying I would agree to join and try to crack the code, how do we proceed from here? Will you just give it to me or do I have to go with you? And if so, where and for how long?"
"You'll have to come with us, we need to solve it as quickly as possible. It will take as long as you need. We will make sure to cover it up, but naturally we can't fully guarantee for your security or that nothing will change in your life. Payment is negotiable." In all honesty, May enjoyed being able to talk business with Edvardson, getting to the point straight away had always appealed to her. For a second, she felt there was something flickering over Alexandra's face, making her features a bit harder, her emerald eyes turning into a light grey. But it was gone so soon that May wasn't sure whether it had been real or just imagination. While pushing up her glasses, the younger woman thoughtfully bit her lip. She seemed to be debating, not entirely sure what to do. Who could blame her? This was outside the box, even more than working for an excentric billionaire. "Okay", Alexandra simply said, "I'm in. But I need a good alibi for my father which preferably doesn't include S.H.I.E.L.D., HYDRA or danger. I want transport back here. And I want to be payed with intel. Including old World War 2 codings which I know should be in your possesion."
Silence streched between cat and bird. Then, there was Phil's voice in Melinda's ear. "If you think she is alright, agree to her terms, we can fullfil them without much damage to us. I trust your judgement. Simmons is just constructing her cover, a letter of recruitment by a research facility in the U.S. Edvardson only has to use it." May fixed the girl with one of her signature stares that for some reason didn't seem to bother her at all. She just went on looking at her expectandly, a picture of blond innocence. "Alright, in a few minutes you'll be approved by an American research facility. Then you'll call your father and tell him about it. Tomorrow morning you'll drive to the airport and wait for Hunter - Lance - to pick you up. The rest will be arranged by us. Any questions?" May was surprised when she wasn't confronted by a wave of questions right away, "Is there anything specific I have to bring?", the asset wanted to know then. "Only personal things. But keep it practical!" You never knew what such a spoiled brat would come up with. Maybe thin dresses that would leave her freezing to death... or tons of make-up that would only be in the way in the little bunks. Her phone chimed and she looked at the incoming message:"Okay, the form has come through. Now, call your father."
The young woman frowned at her commanding tone but then dialed a number and started talking animately to somebody. "May, is she doing her job?", Coulson asked over the earpiece. "Yes she is", May confirmed, "and she is a bloody good actress. Could have fooled me." When Edvardson was done, the agent nodded at her. "I have to go. Thank you for the tea." Despite her open rudeness, the asset never lost her pleasant smile. One would have thought they'd just had a friendly chat instead of a job interview for a secret organisation.
Translations:
Was darf ich Ihnen bringen? - What can I get for you?
Einen großen Kaffee mit Sahne bitte - A tall coffee with cream please
Für mich bitte einen grünen Tee - A green tea for me please
More is coming soon!